The clip-clapping of footsteps was all that could be heard in the vacant halls of Skyhold Castle, aside from the hooting of owls and squawking of ravens. 'Today has been... too long...' the flame-haired Spymaster thought as she walked through the empty corridor that led to her and her son's room.

The Inquisition had arrived at the Fortress of Skyhold earlier that day, everyone tired and exhausted from their days of continuous walking and sleeping in the cold. But then, that morning, when she and her son had seen Ellana stop dead in her tracks at the top of the steep, snowy hill, hope filled Leliana as she knew that they had finally reached their destination. She smiled as Tamale began to run ahead up the mountain, watching as a spark of happiness shone through his recently sombre mood.

It was within that very same hour that the Inquisition had truly begun.

Leliana felt a smile grip her lips as she continued her trek through the Castle walls, getting closer and closer to her destination. Whilst she and the rest of the War Council began making plans for the refurbishment of the inner buildings, Tamale had wondered through the gardens with Cole. Leliana quickly realised that there was much more to the frosty-haired young man that met the eye.

By the time her son had returned, Leliana had chosen a suitable room for them and had picked one of the highest towers to be her workplace, ordering her people to carry the birds up to the Rookery.

Eventually, Leliana came to their room, grasping the small handle silently in hopes to not wake Tamale. All in vain, she quickly found.

When Leliana entered the warm room, she was surprised to see her son laying awake in his bed. He lay on his back, dressed in his night clothes as he fingered the Amulet that hung around his neck. His thumb traced the varnished Halla that adorned the wood, the colour of dried tears visible on his face.

Leliana didn't need to ask to know what was troubling Tamale. This had been happening more and more frequently. She would retire to her bedchambers after a full day's worth of planning, speaking privately with her agents and keeping a watchful eye on her son, to find him laying fully awake in bed, either holding the precious Amulet in his tiny fingers, or sobbing silently into his pillow as he fisted the pendant in his hand. And every time, her heart ached at the sight.

The first time she'd witnessed her sons grief was a few days after her beloved Theron had left in search of a cure for the Blight. She had thrown herself into her work, refusing to wallow in self pity that her husband had left. Her responsibilities had been her outlet, an attempt to put aside the sudden loneliness that had rushed its way into her life. She became so concentrated on every job that she convinced herself there was no time to cry.

She spent so much of her time making sure that she was alright, that she completely disregarded how Tamale was coping. Until, that is, she came back to Val Royeaux after a few days away on a mission.

She had been too tired to inform Justinia that she had returned. Just as well, as the Divine had likely returned to her own chambers anyway. She crept silently through the halls to her room, which was right beside Tamale's. Smiling sadly, she passed her sons room, coming in front of her door to find that, strangely, the door had been left ajar, a glimmer of light peering through the gap. Frowning, Leliana slid her fingers through the gap and pushed, the door swinging open with a small 'creek'. The sight that had greeted her had nearly reduced the Left Hand to tears.

Tamale lay in the middle of her bed, his face in between the pillows that held her honeycomb-scent. In his hand he held his father's Dalish pendant, his fist shacking as his body writhed with violent sobs.

Guilt plagued Leliana then as she watched her son try to take comfort in her bed. The realisation of how selfish she'd been had caused her to bite her lip in order to stop herself from weeping. Taking the backpack from her shoulder, she dropped it on the floor next to her desk, and rushed to her bed. She set herself on the edge, placing one hand on Tamale's shoulder whilst the other ran through his hair. The young boy lifted his head from the pillows, allowing his blood shot eyes to look up at her. He sniffled, then threw his arms around her stomach as the pendant lay forgotten on his chest.

It was then that Leliana vowed to herself that she would speak with Justinia in the morning, and request that she leave her duties for a while in order to spend time with her son.

Sighing, Leliana lowered the hood that covered her head, running her hand through the red locks as she shut the door behind her. She placed the papers she had been carrying on the small table that was to substitute as a work desk, and made her way to the bed. She sat on the edge looking down at her son, then calmly placed her hand on his cheek, giving his cheek-bone a rub with her thumb. His eyes stayed planted on the Amulet as he looked at the Halla.

Eventually, he gave a sigh as he let the wooden pendant fall to the bed next to his neck. He sniffled, clearing his nose before looking up at his mother. She gave him as much of a smile as she could, removing her hand to take off her boots. "Did you like the gardens?" she asked as she undid the lace and straps that held the boot in place.

Tamale nodded as he rubbed his eye. "They're quieter than the rest of the Castle," he commented. "One of the vegetable men said that he could start growing things to eat there." His talking soon turned to rambling, Leliana listening as she placed her boots aside. There was silent for a short moment, before Tamale's voice, more hushed than before, began again. "Mamae, I had another dream."

This caught Leliana's attention. She sat back more on the bed again, laying her inter-twined hands on her lap. "About what?" she asked, looking down at him again.

Tamale shuffled on the bed, making it so he was laying on his side and leaning up on his elbow. He looked at his hand as he traced shapes on his palm. "Papa," he replied quietly. Although tears were not evident in his eyes, there was a small crack in his voice as he sniffled again. He looked back up at his mother as she began to flatten out his messy hair. "He's really close, Mamae. Papa knows what to do, and where to go... it's just... he's so far, far away..."

Leliana felt tears sting at her eyes as she placed her hands on his shoulders. She scooted closer to him, bringing him into her arms as he rested his head on her shoulder. He sniffled again as he began to bite his thumb nail. "I miss him, Mamae," he said in a murmur as he wiped his cheek on her clothing.

"I know, Tamale," Leliana replied into her son's hair. "I do, too. But he'll be back soon." She pulled away briefly to smile down at him, which widened when he smiled back.