Cullen stood with the troops, watching the training session. He was grateful that Athewen had agreed to join the Inquisition, even more so that she accepted his offer to act as the Inquisition's archery instructor. Her keen eyes saw more than any other archer in their ranks did, even Leliana and Varric who were arguably the best archers in the Inquisition, and it seemed that years of perfecting her hunting and tracking skills in solitude gave her an extra edge.

"How is the new instructor working out?"

Cullen turned to see the Herald of Andraste, William Trevelyan, joining him. "Herald."

William chuckled. "Cullen, you don't need to be so formal. 'Will' is just fine."

Cullen smiled at that. "Alright, then Will." He looked back at Athewen as she worked her way down the line, stopping to give correction and direction to the recruits when needed. "To answer your question, she's wonderful. In just a few short weeks, she's turned around the recruits and you'd never know they've only been using a bow for a short time."

They watched as the recruit Athewen was working with fired off his shot and hit the bullseye, chuckling when he looked over his shoulder at Athewen with a beaming smile.

"Leliana should have asked her to join her ranks of spies." William joked. "Looks like Mouse could give her a run for her money."

Cullen smiled at that. "Indeed she could. Though, let's not tell our Spymaster that. I'd hate to wake up to a dagger in the back."

Off with the recruits, Athewen went about her new routine. She found she enjoyed sharing her skills and just hoped it would be enough for the recruits in the days to come. She also found that she was growing accustomed to being back in a large social group, but still she remained cautious about her race. The members of the Inquisition may respect and trust her now, but she feared that could quickly change if they knew she was an elf. Despite Varric and Bianca's reassurances.

As she reached the end of the lineup, Athewen gave the recruit a final tip before watching him fire off his shot. She noticed that Cullen and William were talking together, watching from the sidelines. She glanced at them as the arrow struck its mark, smirking when she saw their looks of approval before turning her attention to the young recruit as he beamed at her over his shoulder and thanked her for the tips.

"You're welcome." She replied to him with a soft smile. Looking to the rest of the recruits, she called an end to the training session and praised their good work as well as giving a bit of homework until the following day's session. Dismissing the recruits, Athewen went about organizing the equipment as the recruits returned their gear to where it belonged.

"You seem to be settling in nicely."

Athewen looked up and smiled as Katie approached. "It would seem so."

Katie returned her smile. "I was wondering if you'd like to join us at the tavern tonight." She glanced back at Cullen.

Athewen looked between the two and smiled. "Sure, that'd be nice."

Katie beamed at her. "Excellent. See you later tonight." She gave a small wave before she hurried off to meet Cullen.

Athewen watched the two as they spoke briefly, sharing a kiss or two before parting ways and going back to their duties. She smiled, happy for them to have each other in such trying times. But then the smile faded as memories turned towards the last time she had had someone close in her life. She sighed, trying to focus her attention on cleaning and organizing the equipment instead of the sense of loneliness rising within her.

Later that night, after finishing her other duties, Athewen made her way to the tavern in hopes that she hadn't missed Cullen and Katie. They were a cute couple, good natured people, and she found they were among the few in the Inquisition that she was most comfortable around. Stepping inside the tavern, she looked around and spotted them sitting in a corner. She smiled when Katie noticed her and waved her over.

"You made it!"

"I apologize if I'm late. It took me longer than I thought to finish things up for today."

"No worries." Katie grinned, patting the seat next to her. "Come sit!"

Athewen took the seat as Katie waved over Flissa, the owner of the tavern. Flissa hurried over, took their order, and left as quickly as she came to fill the order. Athewen noticed the tavern was busier than she thought it'd be.

'This is kind of nice.' She thought to herself, thanking Flissa when she returned with their order.

An hour or so went by and Katie had gotten Athewen to share a lot more than she ever thought she could.

"You're amazing, Wen!"

Cullen watched Athewen's face, the shock at hearing the nickname clear in her eyes. There was also sadness muddled there, too.

Athewen felt her chest tighten hearing the nickname, but she forced a smile and pointed playfully at Katie. "And you clearly can't hold your liquor."

Cullen watched as Katie giggled and the two started teasing each other. He noticed that Athewen was trying to hide her seeming discomfort at the name and he knew full well that there was a story behind it. "Athewen, I've been meaning to ask you something."

Athewen looked up at Cullen, his arm resting along the back of the bench seat behind Katie. "Oh?"

"Where did you learn to shoot like that?"

"My father taught me when I was a child."

"He must be a very talented archer himself to have taught you so well."

Athewen's smile faded a bit as she looked down at her mug of ale. "He was."

A moment of awkward silence hung in the air around them as Katie and Cullen exchanged glances, sensing they hit a very touchy subject.

Athewen felt the sadness and loneliness rising in her again, just as it had earlier that day, and downed the remainder of her ale before standing. "I should turn in for the night." She offered a smile to Katie and Cullen. "Thanks for inviting me to join you tonight, I had fun."

Katie and Cullen watched as Athewen left the table, weaving through the crowd as her shoulders seemed to sink lower and lower.

"Was it something we said?" Katie asked, looking at Cullen with drunken puppy eyes.

"It seems there's a story there she isn't ready to share." He reached down and kissed her forehead. "Come on, let's get you to bed."

Athewen found her way to one of the lake's piers, sitting at its edge and pulling her coat around her as a chilly wind blew down the mountains.

As she sat there, listening to the nature around her, she thought on the memories that had been rising throughout the day. Memories she had not thought on for a very long time.

"Everything alright, Mouse?"

Athewen looked behind her to see Varric approaching. "I'm fine, Varric." She turned her attention back to the lake, mesmerized by the green light of the Breach dancing across its glassy iced over surface.

"Anything you want to talk about?"

Athewen sighed. "I was just thinking about my past."

"Oh?" Varric looked down at her as he leaned against one of the pier's posts. "I'm sensing that's a story for a later date."

"I suppose it is." Athewen sighed. "I don't know, I just have mixed feelings right now about it all."

"Well, if you do ever want to talk, you know where to find me."

Athewen looked up at him as he grasped her shoulder in comfort. "Thanks, Varric."

"Don't stay out here too long, Mouse, can't have you getting sick on us."