Dreams of the Fade did not fill her sleeping hours. She tossed and turned, sleeping fitfully. All the same, red eyed and aching from a poor-night's sleep, Elanna rose from bed in time to be presentable for the daily war council meeting. She pulled on her clothes then noticed the cup of steaming tea on her desk. Servants never entered her room while she was sleeping—either out of awe or formality. "Cole," she chuckled, reaching for it, and took a sip. The black tea was thick with honey, jolting her into alertness. Yet, that sip reminded her of Solas' distaste for caffeinated beverages. She put the tea back down and abandoned it on the desk. If she was to learn to explore the Fade in her dreams, tea would have to go.

Although already late morning, Skyhold was quiet. Descending into the great hall, she found it similarly quiet with only a few staff passing through. Remnants of the celebration the night before still remained strewn on the tables, with chairs leaning at odd angles against the tables and walls. Although she could call for breakfast from the kitchens—some of her staff were undoubtable up and about—she did not feel at all hungry. Instead, she headed for the war room. Josephine was not in her study when Elanna passed through, making her wonder if her advisors were even awake yet. However, as she approached the great double-doors of the war room, she could hear muted voices from inside.

As she pushed the door open with a loud clank of the latch, the conversation ceased. Leliana, Cullen, and Josephine all stared at her in mild surprise.

"Inquisitor," Josephine stammered, "We did not expect you to awake so soon, after last night's celebration."

"You three are here ready to work," Elanna replied, "So should I."

"Right," Cullen started, but did not have words to follow.

"I hope I didn't interrupt anything," Elanna began, scrutinizing each of her three advisors. Their sudden reticence made her suspect that they had been talking about her before she entered. Whatever, let them gossip all they like.

"No, not at all," Leliana recovered first. She stepped closer to the table, and began, "We may have defeated Corypheus, but his legacy will continue to affect Thedas, unless we continue our work as the Inquisition."

"My thoughts exactly," Elanna replied, fighting to keep her thoughts sharp, "There are fade rifts beyond our initial reach, and I am still the only one able to close them. Now that Corypheus is gone, we can venture farther beyond Skyhold."

"To my knowledge," Leliana said, nodding beneath her hood, "We have closed most rifts in the populated areas of Orlais and Ferelden, but my scouts have heard reports of rifts in less populated regions, and across northern Thedas."

"It would take you years to travel that distance and close them all, Inquisitor," Cullen said sharply.

"Yet it's something I need to do," she replied wearily, raising her left hand to gaze at it absently.

"You won't depart immediately, will you?" Josephine asked, somewhat alarmed.

"No," Elanna shook her head, "I need more information." She sighed then added, "And some rest. These have been a rough few months."

"That's putting it lightly," Cullen said, shaking his head.

"And there are many dignitaries already on their way to see you and give their thanks for your heroics," Josephine added, "You would not want to depart before they arrive."

"You know socializing with nobles is my favorite pass-time, Josephine," Elanna joked, but her voice held little humor. "Of course I will hold audiences."

"Good," Josephine nodded, taking down notes on her clip board, "And there are also departures to arrange."

Elanna felt a sudden squeezing at her heart. Solas' departure would be far from the last. "Right," she replied numbly.

"Inquisitor?" Cullen asked gently.

"It's nothing," she shook her head and straightened up her shoulders, but her sudden change in posture fooled no one.

"It's not nothing," Leliana argued, "We can't expect you to celebrate your closest friends leaving the Inquisition, so soon after victory. At least, only Cassandra must leave in the near future."

Josephine nodded, "Her entourage from Val Royeaux is already on its way. They are expected to arrive within the week, and will require some ceremony for Cassandra's departure."

"And Cassandra will want some strong drinks," Cullen chuckled.

"Of the others…" Leliana began, looking to Elanna to finish for her.

"Dorian hopes to return to Teviter soon, to pursue reform there," she began heavily, "Varric plans to return to Kirkwall to assist with reconstruction. Vivianne will return to the Circle at Val Royeaux to secure her place as First Enchanter." With each statement, it felt like she was giving up a part of herself. What would the Inquisitor be without her inner circle?

"I do not expect Blackwall or Iron Bull to leave us," Leliana observed, "Cole and Sera will stay as long as there is something here to hold their attention, I am sure."

"Well, we will need proper farewell parties for each of them when they go," Josephine said as she made notes on her pad. "I will determine when each plans to leave."

A hush fell over the chamber.

"Do you all plan to stay? I know you have lives you left behind elsewhere," Elanna asked softly.

"I would like to visit my home in Antiva," Josephine said wistfully over her notes, then abruptly corrected herself at a sharp glare from Leliana, "But not immediately. There is still so much to attend to here. And I have no intention of leaving the Inquisition, as long as I may be of assistance."

"There is no place I would rather be than here," Cullen cut in abruptly, with mild bravado, "I will continue to serve you and the Inquisition as long as you will have me."

"Of course Cullen," she replied automatically. "I couldn't do this without you."

"I will stay," Leliana stated. "Someone else can be Cassandra's left hand. I have served my time beside the Devine." She chuckled, "Besides, Cassandra might prefer someone else anyway."

"Thank you," Elanna said, bowing her head to them, "I am glad I still have your support."

Another silence fell between them.

"So," Leliana began slow, "Our tasks now is to find and seal the remaining rifts?"

"Right," Elanna confirmed, "We need to use all of our connections to determine where the remaining rifts are. Once we have locations, we need to keep them secure. Small contingents of Inquisition soldiers can get there before I can, to keep watch over the rifts and keep people safe."

"There will be rifts in lands that we do not have alliances with," Josephine cautioned.

Elanna nodded, "I will leave it to you, Josephine, to negotiate our access." She felt somehow stronger giving orders. It was good to be solving a problem again. "Once we have information on where the rifts are, and what it will take to access them, we can plan a course for me to close them all." Josephine looked like she was about to protest, "After we have welcomed all of the dignitaries and seen off all of our friends, of course."

Josephine closed her mouth and nodded, making more notes on her pad.

"The bulk of our soldiers are still returning from the Arbor Wilds, and many of them will want leave to return home," Cullen began, "But I do not expect we will lose many of them to resignation, now that the battle is over. The Inquisition is still the strongest force in South Thedas, and something they are all proud to be a part of. I expect we will have sufficient man power to guard the rifts."

"Good, thank you Cullen," she nodded.

"I think we are finished here. Is there anything else, Inquisitor?" Josephine asked, still staring down at her notes.

Elanna swallowed. "Leliana, have your scouts found anything about…" she trailed off, unable to finish.

"No, nothing yet," Leliana replied quietly, "But they will keep looking until they do."

Cullen shot Leliana a curious glance.

"I see," Elanna said, letting out a slow breath. All the power of command seemed to seep out of her in an instant. More than anything, she wanted someone to take care of her. It would be a refreshing change from trying to take care of the future of Thedas herself. "Thank you anyway," she added. "I will leave you three to your work, then."

As she turned to go, Cullen added, "If you need anything, Inquisitor, please do not hesitate to ask."

Over her shoulder, she replied, "Thank you Cullen, I will."

She wandered back to the great hall and her aimless footsteps took her to the rotunda encircled by Solas' frescos. The bright colors gave her comfort. Solas had at least left his part of himself behind for her. She crossed her arms in front of her and hugged her chest. To Solas, she had been a person, whereas to everyone else she was the Inquisitor, a symbol and a savior. She missed hearing her own name and her own language. Even if she could return to her clan in the Free Marches again, she would forever be the Inquisitor. No, as much as she missed her clan, she was the Inquisitor now, with a never-ending responsibility to the world. All this from an accident in the Fade.