A/n: Special thanks to roxfox1962 and Cookie Fairy for taking the time to review. Yay! I also would like to thank those who alerted the story, favorited the story and read the story. I really do appreciate the support, regardless of mode. Short chapter this time, but I still hope you enjoy.


It was late by the time Cullen was relieved from his post with Templar Bran. It had not been a particularly hard day, but his conversation with Apprentice Amell repeated in his mind without ceasing. He had several hours of work ahead of him still. The knight-commander was not to be outdone by the First Enchanter when it came to preparing for their visitors.

Cullen walked past the apprentice quarters, his thoughts on nothing but her. Was she reading that book? Was she sitting among the other female apprentices, gossiping? Was she bathing in the washroom- Cullen mentally skidded to a halt. He should not think of Apprentice Amell in such a way. In fact, he knew that he shouldn't be thinking of any mage in such ways. And Danae was a mage…what would any relationship such as that yield?

As Cullen rounded the corner to the apprentices' library, a voice rang out, causing him to halt. It was Jowan's and Cullen knew that where Jowan was, Danae would most likely be there.

"It's late, what are you doing here?" Jowan's voice sounded surprised, and a little firm against the echoing stones.

She replied, making Cullen's stomach flip. He was right to associate Jowan with Danae. "Being more productive than you, by any means." Danae sounded distracted and the sound of scrolls shuffling proved it.

"You do know that it is almost curfew, right?" Jowan was saying.

"I've got hours of work to complete." Her response had Cullen silencing a chuckle. She made it sound as though since she had work to do, time was just going to have to reverse or stop.

Cullen heard the creak of wood as Jowan replied with a light laugh, "This is one instance that positive thinking won't help, 'Nae." Jowan paused, leading Cullen to think that her friend reached to touch her for the scrape of a chair on the stone followed.

"While you were making eyes at that Initiate in the chapel, I have been thinking." Danae announced loftily, pacing as she spoke, no doubt. "The King is asking for mages to fight against the Darkspawn Threat….it just so happens that after my lesson tomorrow, Irving will meet with the King's emissaries. Self-important people are almost always early. I intend to impress them."

Cullen could not see that Jowan's dead-pan look mirrored his own. Jowan spoke Cullen's mind. "Two problems there, 'Nae: one, you're an apprentice. Two, you're an apprentice and three, it's not a holiday in the south, it is to fight. Which means sword and blood. Quite possibly going in and out of you, respectively." The templar would have put things differently, but Amell's friend's words echoed his thoughts.

"I know the reality of why King Cailan wants mages. But why can't we defend our homeland without obtaining permission first?" Her voice rose passionately, her determination practically reverberating off of the stone rather than the sound. "I refuse to stay in this pen as a contented sheep when there are other sheep out there climbing hay bales!" Her shadow showed that she was waving her arms emphatically as she spoke.

Silence followed her declaration with what Cullen could only imagine was a raised eyebrow from her friend. He hid the urge to laugh. After a moment Danae said softly and hesitantly, "I saw a herd climb hay bales as a child…they can climb."

"They'll never take an apprentice to Ostagar. " Jowan stated flatly, in all but a whisper.

"lf they want me enough, then Irving would push my Harrowing ahead so that I may join the battle."

"Danae, this plan is nuts." Jowan accused, his shadow passed in front of the threshold and the templar could see his hands waving in the air. "Are you so desperate to leave the tower that you will knowingly put your life at risk to only put your life at risk again? I don't think you have forgotten those apprentices who went for their Harrowing and never returned? Just last week, Alim Surana went and did not return."

"I will not fail, my Harrowing." She returned, loftily as if it were a fact.

Jowan made an impatient noise before slamming his hands on the table. The sound was not loud, though it echoed nonetheless. "Damn your confidence, Danae Amell. I can't reason with you when you are like this!"

"Because there is no need to reason with me. "

Another impatient noise sounded through the chamber and Cullen heard footsteps towards the threshold. "As you like it. I am going to bed and if you had the brain of a hen, you'd come too. You know 'tis better to turn in on your own rather than having a templar reign you in."

Danae's answer dismissed her friend, "Good night, then."

Cullen heard Jowan give another irritated grunt as he exited the library. The mage turned the corner and practically ran into Cullen. Jowan's glare was cold, almost as if he was privy to the templar's mind and he knew of Cullen's fascination with Danae.


A/N: I think I will stop here. I didn't intend to, you see but it seems to fit. I can't help but think of that Family Guy scene about the foreign guy explaining sarcasm when I read the ending of this chap. I can just hear him saying "Oh! It is ironic because he is bloodmage! Is foreshadowing!" lol. I figure when that sort of thing happens, it is best to stop there. Oh well, please review and tell me what you think.