A.N. : I apologize if this chapter seems rushed at all, either way I hope you enjoy!

-3 years ago, after Trespasser-

She watched the castle come to life from her balcony, her arms resting behind her back, just watching. Her body had slowly become pale over the course of the past couple weeks, her hair was turning almost ash losing the vibrant white it used to be, her eyes were slowly losing the bright green, darkening each day. At first she thought she was sick, but something in her told her it was something more. She never laughed, or smiled, she just did her job. She wasn't sure why she stuck around Skyhold anymore, there was nothing tying her back to this place, sure, she had her fellow companions, and Dorian, but her heart wasn't in it anymore, it turned into a place to stay rather than a home.

Her ear twitched and she tilted her head slightly, listening as the door to her chambers opened and closed and steps made its way up and to her. She turned her head back to the people, more had flooded out and began working in the garden, checking on the herbs and plants.

"My dear, not surprised you're up already." Dorian stood beside her, looking down before shifting his stance to face her.

"What is it?" Even her voice sounded more harsh, as though it lost emotion. She glanced at him, his face held sadness.

"Scout Harding sent a report stating that a small march of 15 Qun or so were heading this way, she reported that they had the mark of the Vadassala."

"How far out are they?"

"At least an 8 day ride, we already packed and the horses are ready, we were just waiting on you."

"Let's go."

She turned on her heal and began walking back into the room, gathering a few items and tossing them into a pack. She felt a soft touch on her shoulder.

"Ellana, please, talk to me." She looked up to meet his gaze, he was concerned that much she could tell.

"About what Dorian?" She lifted her arms in exasperation. "I can see the change that is happening to me, I know you all can, they avoid me. I'm not at home anymore Dorian….." She grabbed her pack, hoisting it over her shoulder. "My heart's not in it anymore…." Before he could answer, she made her way down the stairs and into the main hall, she watched as a few of the other elves moved around her not making eye contact. Sighing, she left for the stables. This wasn't home anymore.

-6 days later-

They crouched and waited in the bush, the Qun had made camp in the small clearing, they watched as they pitched tents and laughed amongst themselves.

"Do you think they'll be surprised?"

"Even if they're not, the ones on the inside will surely give them a night to remember!" The two Qun started laughing as they walked into their tent. Quietly she whispered to her companions.

"Cassandra, inform Cullen what is going on as well as Leliana. Take Varric, Sera, and Vivienne with you. The rest stay with me." They all gave a consecutive nod and moved, they waited until they were out of site and out of ear shot before moving in on the Qun. Silently they all took different tents, silencing the ones inside. She was about half way to the third tent when she felt a blade against her throat, she stilled. She felt breath on her cheek as he came closer.

"Now what's the old Inquisitor doing all the way out here?"

"Making sure the last of you don't cause any more trouble than you already have."

"Oh, but we are just finishing what you started." The blade dug harder into the side of her throat.

"You attacked the council first, we were only retaliating."

"True, but you won't be alive long enough to finish this war."

She managed to elbow the large Qun in the gut, but he had sliced down her jaw to her shoulder, blood poured down her chest, instantly covering the cloth. She twirled, bringing her foot up connecting with his face causing him to fall over, in an instant she was on top of him, dagger in heart. She glanced around as her vision blurred slightly. The last few were barging out of their tents causing them to all go into a full on fight. She ran to their aid, helping them as they all moved in a way they were familiar with. They had always had this odd sense on how to move when they were fighting, when to be somewhere and when to strike. Dorian struck the last standing Qun just as her strength gave out. She collapsed her hands landing hard on the ground, trying to keep her up. She saw blood pouring into the dirt. Her arms began to shake and they gave out. She managed to glance up seeing as her fellow companions bolt to her side though she didn't stay awake long enough to see them reach her.

Her eyes opened, her head was lightly bouncing against something, tilting her head up she saw Bull, he looked down at her, fear laced his face as he called out.

"Dorian!" In a slow movement, she was on her back against the ground. She tried speaking but only a small gasp came from her.

"Hey, hey. You can't speak right now. The cut he left on you is pretty deep, I've healed it as best as I could out here but it won't be enough. We ran out of healing potions so I'm afraid you'll have to endure." Swallowing she tried to speak again, only getting frustrated, finally her voice came out groggily and deep.

"h-how l-long?"

"We have 2 days left, we've been riding hard since the encampment. I ask you now dear, get some rest." With a slight nod, her eyes shut, lulling her back to sleep.

She awoke in the Infirmary, her shoulder and throat were aching and slowly she managed to sit up. Feeling a hand on her right shoulder, she saw Dorian, his face laced with concern and worry, his eyes glanced to the left of her, assuming he was looking at the bandage. Her voice came out harsh, like she hadn't drank water in days.

"The traitors?"

"We found them. They're in the dungeons awaiting trial."

She gave him a soft nod. She stared at her hands for a couple minutes, unsure what to say, or even how to say it. It was time for her to leave, that much she knew. Since they left the ruins nothing had been the same, for the most part they really only called upon her when they needed someone killed, or for the extra support. They weren't her family, that much she knew, maybe except Dorian but even he was looking at her like she was something else. Her heart only became colder, causing her emotions to hide, she now just ran through the motions but even that was starting to falter. Dorian softly grabbed her hands, holding them in his.

"Love, it's time." She met his gaze, his soft hazel eyes were now glossy as a few tears escaped. He gave his best crooked smile.

"I'm sorry…"

"No, it's not your fault. He left a hole no one can fill, I only wish I could give you more." He reached up to her face, gently stroking her cheek, she leaned into his hand. He really was the only family she felt she had. "You're like the young sister I never had, but I am glad to have met you. I hope our paths cross again." He kissed her forehead and lingered for a second before finally releasing her and leaving the infirmary. She watched as his shoulders slumped as he walked away, he didn't glance back at her, and the last remaining of her heart finally shattered.

-Present Day-

She pushed open the large doors, her neck gave a soft tingle as she remembered how it got there. She was never hesitant after that, the smallest threat she moved and she believed in her instincts now more than ever. Making her way down the hall she heard whispers amongst those who lingered. Some with drew their daggers or swords but never made a move on her. She kept hers holstered, keeping her hood and mask up, her cloak dragging behind her as her steps fell almost silent. Her ears twitched as she listened for the one voice she knew, making it easy to move around the giant Imperium. She made her way up the stairs, the mages easily moved out of her way, careful not to touch her in any way. Making her way down the end of the Corridor, she hesitated as she heard another voice, one she hadn't heard in a long time. Her feet carried her as she made her way through the doors, in a blur she held Elgara to his throat, careful not to look up at him, only catching Dorians eyes across the room, he was standing behind a rather large desk. He had a look of confusion and happiness, though that changed to annoyance quickly. The elf tried to move under her blade, but she caught his arm just as fast, never breaking contact with Dorians gaze.

"Dorian, I thought you told the Imperium I was coming."

"I did, but she was not informed. I haven't seen her in almost 3 years. I am surprised, and intrigued as to why she is here." Dorian placed the pen he had down on the desk as he made his way around, coming close to her but not touching her. She gave a soft nod of her head in the direction of the elf. "There is a lot you have missed, Esha'Lin." She let a small growl escape her throat, it was one thing for those to fear her name, but she never thought he would call her that. He held up his hands in defense and chuckled.

"Can you remove the blade from my throat? I would hate to destroy the room." This time she did let her eyes go to him. She pressed the blade harder to his throat, earning a drop of blood that slid down the blade, it hummed in approval. She looked over him, in a sense he had not changed since then. The only big difference was now he had hair. It was long, reaching down to mid chest, it was held loosely together by a single band over his right shoulder. The side of his head was shaved, she could only assume so was the other side. At his hairline, in the center was a small skull, she couldn't make out what it was. His tunic was off white, the deep v revealed his chest and the blackened jaw bone that rested against it. She met his eyes again, only now they were glowing a soft blue, he was clearly irritated.

"Dear, I rather like my study, could you not? At least not right now?" She scoffed, still not talking, just staring at him.

"You mean to tell me, she is not one of yours?" The elf turned his head slightly and faced Dorian who she assumed was standing to the far end of the room behind her.

"No, far from in, in fact my friend, you know her, though I suspect she looks MUCH different now." The elf slowly lowered his gaze again, his eyes glowing a harder blue than before as he looked her over. She cocked her head to the side watching him, curious if he could figure it out, though something told her, he wasn't exactly thrilled that she was making him bleed. He tried grabbing her wrist again, but she only dipped her head, sliding back, twirling Elgara in her fingers as she watched him. Blue electricity sparked in his fingers as he stepped towards her but she didn't move. Instead she let the anchor spark to life around Elgara giving off a soft purple, for the first time in a long time, she was amused. She didn't recall when it turned purple, it was probably right after he thought he took it, or at least helped subside it. Over the years she trained herself on magic, allowing it to be apart of her instead of fighting it and letting it rip through her body. Many times she thought of just cutting off her arm and being done with it, but now as she watched his expression, she was glad she kept up with it. As quick as he was surprised he masked it with anger again. He sent a mass bolt at her, but she just twirled out of the way as though she was dancing, she watched as he became more frustrated. In amusement, she sheathed Elgara and dispersed the anchor.

He lunged at her, then began moving around the room, she was careful not to knock into anything. She noticed though that his power slowly subsided, only his eyes remained glowing. With that distraction he managed to grab her, though he instincts kicked in, she spun and lowered herself, kicking out his leg making him stagger back letting her go. It was Dorian's voice that knocked them both out of their fight. Though her eyes never left him.

"Enough. I get it, you're both equally good fighters, can we just got on with it?" He stepped in between them, exchanging glances. Sighing he turned to her, she lingered before meeting Dorian's gaze. "What brings you here Ellana?" Slowly she lifted away her hood, pulling away her mask, revealing just the flicker of the scar on her jaw the led down her neck and disappeared in her clothing. She sighed, her voice sounding like poisoned silk, it's not how she meant to speak, it was just how her voice appeared now.

"Ma'Dassan. She brought me here. I trust her intentions, though I never expected…." She tilted her head, a sickly smile spreading as she looked at the elf. "Fen'Harel himself." She watched as he flinched slightly at the name, his eyes were now back to their darkened grey color, watching her. She flickered her eyes back to Dorian who just rolled his eyes.

"I was not expecting you of all people. Including him. That's what you get for being out of touch for so long." It was her turn to roll her eyes, crossing her arms she watched them. Gesturing with her hand, he urged him to continue talking, giving a soft laugh as he did. "Back do not talking again?" He moved back to the desk, walking around Solas and pointing to the map. "We were discussing plans to bring the elvhen back, without destroying everything, though it's been a plan in the making for 2 years now." She walked over, making sure to stay at least an arms length away from Solas. She was sure if there was contact, she would stab him, an amused smile crept across her face, she wondered if she was fast enough to do so. "He wants the veil to be dropped, and well, in doing so our world would be over run by corrupted spirits at an incredible rate there would be nothing left. We thought of a way to slowly open the veil in certain spots across Thedas, it would take years, maybe centuries, but slowly the spirits would wander and the Elvhen would be restored. We were go-" She started laughing, it was manic, but then again, she hadn't laughed in years. She looked at the two men who's faces were puzzled, though Solas was just getting more annoyed again, nothing new with that she noted.

"Something amusing to you Da'Len?" He glowered at her, she stared at him, anger rose through her, the amusement gone. Her fingers twitched, feeling the hilt of her dagger. His eyes darted to her fingers, his eye brow quirking in the annoying way she remembered. He then met her eyes again, only this time he let out a small gasp before collecting himself. She saw Dorian in her vision next, his hand was on her cheek, slightly touching her as though she would break.

"Enough love, enough." She snickered and moved out of his touch, and moved to the other side of the room, leaning against the wall. She pulled her hood and mask up again, as though a blanket of extra armor came on. She waved her hand and gestured them to continue, instead of watching them though, she stared at the door.

"Right… Well, we have managed to open a couple over Thedas, but the one we needed help on is the biggest one. According to Solas there is a giant 'soft spot' if you will above Skyhold. If we can manage to softly open it, it might be the biggest help of all." Her voice was cold and harsh.

"If this doesn't work, you would condemn hundreds of lives in Skyhold. If you do succeed, what happens then? The people who've made a home now have to leave because a god would demand it was his former Elvhen home and that they are better, suited, to live there?" From the corner of her eye she saw a flicker of blue. She waited but no one answered her, finally turning she looked at them, Dorian's gaze was down at the map his brows furrowed. Solas was looking at her, his eyes glowing again, his hands balled into fists. "I would lend my strength, but if it is to be apart of something that would condemn those who already have life, a home, I will not." She glanced at Dorian whose gaze was still down at the map. She reached into her cloak, making the chain jingle causing him to finally look up. "When you figure that out, call upon me." He stared at the locket as though is was something of a lost treasure. "You never called, so I assumed you never needed me."

She gave a soft bow and left the room, closing the large door behind her. She made her way back out, Ma'Dassan made her way to the entrance, without stopping she climbed on top of her. She took off without hesitation, she glanced behind her and saw Solas standing at the steps, hands crossed behind his back as always. She faced forward again, burying her head in her friend, anger was seething through her, she knew she would see him again, and soon, something in her told her, he was going to go after her, no matter how fast or far she ran.