Warning: This story is rated mature for later chapters.

Note: All characters and dialogue from the game are owned by BioWare.


Chapter Four

Haven was on fire. She could tell it was by the screams of terror and the smell of burning wood which reached her. Turning her eyes away from the trebuchet which had just exploded in her face, she looked back towards the settlement she had started to call home and could see the smoke rising up from within its walls. The enemy had broken through and was attacking the town with renewed force.

Pulling herself up from the ground, she surveyed the ruin around her. Some creature which resembled a dragon was circling overhead, it's fiery breath having taken out their trebuchet in a single blow. Her companions, Cassandra, Dorian and Varric were all slowly picking themselves up from the places they had been blown to. Everyone looked to be in one piece, but the knowledge did little to calm the concern which was building within her.

"We need to get back to the gate." She yelled, helping one of their troops out from under a large wooden beam before starting towards Haven. Evelyn could hear the pounding of feet at her back and knew the others had followed after her. Their path was littered with dead bodies, some looking familiar while others were unknown, their troops having done everything they could to stand against the red templars.

The attack had come out of the blue and it had hit them hard. She didn't know how much longer they would survive or whether they would come out of the other side at all. It felt like the weight of the world was currently pressing down on her shoulders as she attempted to formulate some sort of plan to save as many of them as possible.

Rounding a corner, she spotted the open gate leading into Haven, Commander Cullen doing what he could to get their troops inside. They made eye contact for a moment before his attention was grabbed by some of his men running towards the gate. The cry of the circling beast caused her to increase her speed as she raced towards the settlement, fear nipping at her heels as she went. She had already seen the destruction the thing could do and did not want to be caught up in it due to her laziness.

"Move it. Move it!" Cullen yelled as Evelyn and her group bolted past him, the sound of the gate being closed reached her ears once they were back inside Haven. Taking a second to catch her breath, she turned her eyes onto the Commander as he walked towards her, a stern look on his face. While he had been working hard to prepare their troops for what was to come, it seemed they had not been prepared for this.

"We need everyone back to the Chantry. It's the only building that might hold against...that beast." The Commander snapped out his words, looking back at them all for a moment. Leadership seemed to come naturally to the man as he barked out orders and directions, trying to get as many people into the only shelter they really had. "At this point, just make them work for it."

His words cut deep, reminding Evelyn that the possibility of them making it out alive was slim. All around her was blood and death, people who had been cut down trying to stop the attacking forces from getting to the innocent. As Cullen jogged away, she found herself surveying the area around them. Houses were on fire, people were running for their lives, Haven was falling and she felt helpless to do anything.

"The villagers will need help if they are to survive this." Dorian said in a low voice, coming to stand at Evelyn's side as he regarded the mess around him. The male was a little bit bruised but still standing strong, just like Cassandra and Varric. The mage was right. The remaining villagers would need their help if they were going to pull through. Pushing down the fear which was beginning to build inside of her, she stood tall before starting towards the Chantry.

As they moved through Haven they came across a group of red templars climbing through a break in the wall, heading straight for a group of defenceless people who were attempting to escape. Drawing her weapon, Evelyn gave a cry before charging towards the enemy, her companions at her back as she moved.

For a few moments everything became a blur of flashing blades and spells, people dropping to the ground when attacks hit home. Trapped in the middle of their fighting, one of the villagers was fatally wounded by a templar, their cry of pain filling Evelyn's mind. She found herself unable to aid the individual, instead watching in horror as one of their enemies ended the person's life with a blade to the chest.

"Evelyn." Cassandra yelled, coming out of no where to strike at the templar she had just been staring at. The man slumped to the ground, no longer moving. "We must press on!"

Slowly she nodded her head in agreement, the Seeker having to drag her away. She had seen people die in battle before, had witnessed it when attempting to reposition the trebuchet moments before returning to Haven. But something about the look of horror on the villager's face as they were cut down unsettled her. Corypheus' men did not care who died in their battle, so long as they did.

Coming to the top of some stairs, Evelyn noticed a house which was on fire, someone screaming from within. The noise was enough to make the blood run from her face as she realised the flames were consuming the person inside. She could only image the pain they must have been feeling, the fire licking at their skin, burning them away with each passing moment. She wouldn't have wished such a death on her worst enemy and currently she had a number of those running around Haven.

Finding the courage to move her feet was difficult, her mind creating pictures which chilled her to the core, images which she was sure would not leave her for many nights to come. It seemed like a lifetime had passed before she was able to break free from the terror holding her mind, forcing her to race towards the building as reality kicked hard. Grabbing at the fallen debris which blocked the door, Evelyn could feel the heat against her hands, knew the flames were hungry to lick against her own skin.

"We have to help them." She yelled, panic working her fingers as she threw charred wood and broken crates aside. The screaming had stopped now, the fire having grown in the few moments which had passed. She didn't want to believe that the person had perished inside, thought that if she could just get the door clear she would be able to help them and the horrible picture her mind had painted would disappear.

"Herald stop!" Someone shouted. She didn't know who it was but their words passed over her as she dragged a flaming barrel to one side. She could feel the panic rising, knew her hands were trembling and tears were rolling down her face, but she couldn't stop. She had to be able to do something. She was meant to be the Herald of Andraste, she was meant to help people.

Her vision started to dim, darkness creeping in as she stood hammering at the door. The heat was overwhelming and Evelyn found it difficult to breath. She wasn't sure why but she was sinking down to the ground, her legs unwilling to move as she cried. It was not meant to end like this. Not like this.


Evelyn woke with a loud cry. Her heart was racing in her chest and her breathing came sharp and shallow. For a while all she could do was lay staring at her ceiling, taking lungfuls of air as she tried to calm herself. It took some time for her to resurface from her nightmare, her mind clearing of the dark fog which had overcome it. It seemed her mind would still not let go of what had happened at Haven, no matter what she did to create new memories. The attack by the bandits had stirred up something within her, something which was determined to remind her of the guilt she felt.

After some time the tears dried up, her sobs stopped and she was able to look about herself. The sun was beginning to rise, rays of light breaking through her windows, bathing the room in a warm glow. She could see that the fire had long since burnt out but she didn't feel the cold. Cullen's overcoat was still wrapped around her, protecting her from the chill.

She buried her face into the fur lining of the jacket for a moment, inhaling the smell of spices and the outdoors. A part of her wished that Cullen had not left her last night, missing his calming presence. On the other hand she was glad no one was around to see her in her current state, tear stained and injured. She was meant to be the strong determined Inquisitor, not a weeping mess.

With a sigh she removed herself from the jacket and swung both legs over the side of the bed. Looking down at her feet she noticed that her sprained ankle was looking a little better then how it had the night before. Tentatively she placed her feet down onto the floor and stood, putting the bulk of her weight on her good foot. It was slow going, but she was able to make her way over to the bathroom without too much pain. She knew she needed to see a healer to get her ankle fixed up, but she wanted a bath and some time alone before she did.

Through gritted teeth she was able to run and climb into her bath, the cold water causing goose bumps to break out over her skin. She knew that if she had just called for help someone would have brought up some hot water to heat her bath, but she wasn't in the mood to be fussed over. As she scrubbed away the dirt from her skin, she noted the bruises which were forming on her body. Fighting a dragon hadn't been easy and she expected she would be showcasing the results of such a battle for many weeks to come. At least Iron Bull would be pleased.

She recalled some reports she had been given about other dragons being spotted around Thedas and wondered whether she could convince some of her companions to join her in going to investigate. Iron Bull would most likely jump at the chance while Dorian and Varric had both been keen in helping her the first time. She thought that Sera might be interested, the crazy elf seeming like someone who would get a kick out of taking down a dragon, but she wasn't sure about the others in her party. Maybe she needed to ask them what they thought.

Dragon hunting was not big on the list of things to do for the Inquisitor, but then again she couldn't see the harm in helping people if they were being plagued by a gigantic beast. She knew her advisors would feel differently about her going out to take on dragons, the Ambassador in particular being unhappy about her last outing when she had heard the plans. She knew Josephine, Leliana and Cullen were only looking out for her, their concern for her safety stemming from their positions within the Inquisition, however it wasn't enough to stop her. Once she had made up her mind about something it was difficult to make her change it, a trait which had ruffled a lot of feathers already.

Shivering slightly, the Inquisitor quickly washed her hair before climbing out of the bath, balancing on the edge in order to avoid standing on her bad foot. With water dripped from her body, she hobbled across the room, half wrapping a towel around herself as she went in search of clothes. Vivienne had attempted to get her to wear some more 'presentable' clothes, filling her room with beautiful dresses and accessories, the ideal look for someone attending the Imperial Court of Orlais. It was a kind enough gesture but one which had fallen on deaf ears. She wouldn't be seen dead in such finery.

Finding a fresh shirt and breeches, Evelyn spent a few minutes wrestling herself into the clothes, crying in pain when she bashed her foot against the bed. Cursing to herself, she stared at her boots for a moment before deciding against putting them on. She was in enough pain already without inflicting any more on herself.

Towel drying her hair, she regarded herself in one of the mirrors in her room. Her face was covered in little cuts here and there, a large bruise forming on her cheek from where she had been hit by one of the bandits. She had taken quite a knock in the surprise attack, having been caught off guard and unprepared. The feeling of embarrassment she had felt after the assault returned to her then, eating away at her as she thought about what she could have done to stopped her friends from getting hurt. The Inquisitor knew the mages had fixed up her companions without a problem, but that didn't stop the feeling of guilt which bubbled away inside.

Throwing the wet towel over the back of a chair, she stumbled over to her bed to grab Cullen's jacket before padding out of her room. Evelyn knew it was too early for most people and she was glad of that fact. After struggling down her stairs for five minutes, she wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone. The throne room was empty of residents and visiting guests, the fires having burned low due to no one watching them. She hoped the lack of masses inside meant that more people had been stationed outside, keeping watch over Skyhold like she wanted.

Cutting through Josephine's empty office, the Inquisitor made her way to the war chamber, slipping silently into the room and closing the door behind her. She had been expecting to find herself alone at the early hour, thinking everyone would be asleep. Yet as she turned from the door to look towards the large wooden table which dominated the room her eyes landed on someone's back.

Armour shone in the morning sunlight which poured in through the windows, golden hair seemed to glow as Commander Cullen straightened himself up from the table and turned to look at her. He had dark marks under his eyes, a sign that just like her he had struggled to sleep, while his usually styled hair was a mess. Had he got any sleep?

"Evelyn." He spoke in a whisper, his hand coming to rub at the back of his neck. As he brought his attention back onto her she noted the way his eyes looked her up and down, stopping for a moment to stare at her feet. She had been standing on one leg, the other bent at the knee to keep the weight off her ankle, but stopped when she realised he was staring. She didn't want to look weak in front of one of her advisors, even if said advisor already knew about her injury. She needed to stay the calm, professional person she was meant to be.

"I didn't realise you were awake already." Evelyn said as she closed the gap between them and came to stand at his side, looking down at the map of Thedas which was spread out on the table before them. She could feel the Commander fidgeting at her side before he too turned to look at the outline of the land. A number of markers had been placed across the map, pinpointing where troops were currently stationed, locations where scouts were working and potential points of interest which needed investigating. It was a busy organised mess which Evelyn struggled to get her head around sometimes.

"I was hoping to get some work done before everyone else got up." Cullen replied, fingers playing with the corner of a report. Evelyn could tell he wanted to say something else but had stopped himself, confusing her slightly. Had she done something wrong? She did her best to recall the events of the night before, a slight blush working its way onto her cheeks when she remembered how close the Commander had been at one point. She had been silently begging him to close the gap between them, too afraid to voice the opinion in case he didn't feel the same.

"It seems great minds think alike." The Inquisitor forced out a small laugh as she spoke, turning her attention up at the Commander to gauge his reaction. She found herself looking straight into his eyes, caught up in the golden orbs which stared at her. The smell of spice and the outdoors filled her nose, making her eyelids flutter shut for a second. It must have looked like she was about to pass out or something, because before she knew it Cullen had grabbed her by the waist and lifted her onto the table.

A squeak of surprise left her lips and her eyes shot open as she was settled onto the wooden surface. Not having to stand any more meant her ankle was no longer throbbing in pain, the injury not enjoying having weight put on it. Evelyn stared at her Commander who was mere inches from her face, concern having flooded his features as he looked at her.

"You could have asked for help." Cullen said in a whisper, brushing a strand of her wild hair from her face. She could feel the blush which had settled on her cheeks reddening slightly, chasing away the chill which had formed on her skin.

"You've already done enough for me Cullen. I will not be a burden to anyone. I am the Inquisitor, I have a certain example to set." Evelyn realised she was holding her chin high as she spoke, watching as a smirk broke out on the Commander's face as he stood up straight. He was even more beautiful when he smiled, a thought which caught her off guard slightly as it ran through her mind.

"Sometimes your determination to do things makes you the most stubborn woman I've ever met." Resting his arm onto his sword, Cullen's lips pulled into a wide grin as he regarded her.

"What Evelyn wants, Evelyn gets." Her tone was mocking and she knew it, relishing the flow of conversation which was forming between them. This was one of the reasons why she enjoyed being around the male. While he could get nervous in awkward situations, he could also be a real tease.

"I bet she does." The Commander's voice was husky and he was looking at her with a smouldering look in his eyes. It sent a shiver down her spine and a blush creeping further across her skin. He took a step towards her, closing the gap between them and brushing against her knees. His close proximity sent her mind into a spiralling mess, professionalism going out of the window as she found herself fixated by him.

"Oh I do." The Inquisitor retorted, biting her bottom lip. Cullen's eyes were fixed on her mouth, following her tongue when she ran it over her lips. She was playing with fire and knew she would get burnt if she wasn't careful. A gloved hand cupped one of her cheeks, fingertips feathering over her skin as she was gently drawn closer to the Commander. All she needed to do was shift forwards ever so slightly and their lips would have been touching. A moment she had been thinking about for so long would finally happen if only she moved. She could hear a tiny voice telling her to be careful, but it was soon stamped down by an unsuspecting tidal wave of want and longing. She had been waiting for this moment for too long.

She leaned in just close enough to graze Cullen's lips when the sound of heels against the stone floor outside the room reached her ear. Leaning back and around the Commander, she stared at the large wooden door for a moment before realising the sound of footsteps was getting louder. Was it too much to ask for a little peace in Skyhold?

Groaning in displeasure, Evelyn shot Cullen a pained look before shifting off of the table. The Commander took a couple of steps away from her, muttering something about needing help from the Maker. She had to agree with the male in that regard. "Maker give me strength."

The door swung open and a tired looking Josephine wandered slowly in, staring down at the stack of paperwork she always carried around. The Trevelyan watched as the woman used her foot to push at the door, only looking up once it was closed. It seemed she hadn't been expecting to find anyone in the war room so early, because a look of shock and surprise filled her features as she looked up to find Evelyn and Cullen stood staring back at her.

"Inquisitor. Commander."Josephine bowed her head to them both, a note of confusion in her voice as she gawked at them before going to stand in her usual position on the other side of the table. Cullen coughed loudly before straightening himself up and moving to his spot by the Ambassador's side.

Evelyn sighed loudly before replying. "Good morning Ambassador." She was back to standing mostly on one leg, her ankle protesting at the first sign of any weight. Biting the inside of her mouth, she forced a smile onto her face when Josephine looked her way, not wanting to receive a lecture from the woman so early in the morning. She knew she needed to see a healer, but she didn't want to admit that in front of her advisors.

"It seems no one was able to get a good night sleep. Leliana is already pacing the keep, waiting for her scouts to return." Josephine reported, flicking through some of her notes before scratching something out. It surprised Evelyn to hear that so many were struggling to sleep lately. She knew her reasons, but why was everyone else's slumber disturbed?

"I've received no news from the groups I sent out to patrol the roads leading into Skyhold. They should be returning soon to rotate men." Cullen added, picking up one of the books which was sitting on the table by the map of Thedas and beginning to flick through it. He wouldn't make eye contact with Evelyn now, which unnerved her slightly.

"Let's hope no news is good news." The Inquisitor looked between her two advisors, before turning her eyes down onto the floor. At some point she had dropped Cullen's jacket, having forgotten that she had been planning to return it to him. She wasn't sure if Josephine had noticed that the male wasn't wearing his coat or maybe she had and just wasn't saying anything. Bending down, she hissed loudly as pain shot up her leg, trapping her in place for a few seconds as she forced herself to take a number of deep breaths.

"Inquisitor?" Josephine's voice drifted over to her, concern lacing her tone. Placing a hand against the table, she steady herself before standing back up, holding the jacket in her other hand. She could see that both her advisors had moved slightly from the spots she had left them in, Cullen now standing closer while the Ambassador was leaning over the table to try and see her.

"I'm fine. This is yours Commander." Holding out the jacket, Evelyn watched as Cullen slowly accepted the item before throwing it on. A small smile pulled at the corner of his mouth as he looked at her, before his hand came to rub at the back of his neck and he whispered a thank you. Nodding her head, she looked over to Josephine before excusing herself. She needed to get someone to look at her ankle.

Slipping out of the war room, she pressed her back against the door once it was closed, sighing loudly. She needed to refocus her mind on what she was meant to be doing and not fantasize over what it would be like to get the Commander into bed. Why was the world conspiring against her like this? Pushing away from the door, she hobbled down the hallway in search of Solas, hoping the elf would be able to patch up her ankle without too many questions. Dorian needed checking on, as well as Iron Bull and Varric. The men acted tough but they were probably suffering just like she was. Why were things never easy?