Lady Pentaghast throws herself against the door of their quarters and into the Great Hall of Skyhold, she runs as fast as her sleep deprived legs will carry her down the centre walkway, hearing the sound of her bare feet pounding against the stone floor as she sprints. The Seeker feels eyes on her, as she runs, not caring that they will be making comments about her sanity and her unsuitability to be engaged to such a man as Lord Trevelyan. Cassandra grabs hold of the handle tugging it open as fast as she can, putting all of her weight behind it trying to open it quicker than the old metal hinges and her tired body will allow.

Eight days, the longest eight days of her life. Three days had gone by in a blur as The Seeker paced and prayed, unable to do anything but watch the gates day and night for any sign of the Inquisitor and the Commander. Not able to sleep or continue to function but still needing to keep everyone else positive had drained her. When the Raven had come from Cullen on the morning of the fourth day, minutes seemed to crawl past slowly as if taunting her that the time would never come that she'd see him again. 'I'm with him Lady Seeker and we will soon return to you' The Commander had sent.

"Ashton!" Cassandra feels the words leave her lips much louder than she had intended when she stops at the top of the stone steps, glancing down to the front gate and seeing that they have been raised to allow people back into the safety of the fortress. "Please.." The Seeker mumbles continuing down the steps as fast as she dares. "Please be him," Lady Pentaghast says again as she reaches the bottom and turns to move under the archway. The Seeker had been waiting for the sound of those gates opening for days.

"Lady Pentaghast!" The Commander shouts looking up to her as he walks through the gate, walking a few paces behind the Inquisitor, leading his horse behind him on a long reign. The Seeker sees him spot her instantly, a large smile appearing on his tired face. Cassandra stops at the top of the steps when she sees him. "He's okay!" Cullen shouts to her as she directs her eyes finally to Lord Trevelyan, his own horse following his master dutifully.

"Thank the Maker" Cassandra sobs when she looks at him, he looked terrible. The Seeker notices at once that he has been badly injured, every part of him that she can see is covered in cuts and bruises and he carries himself as if he's been hurt. But as far as she could see, he was just about walking and thank the Maker, alive. The Seeker tears down the last flight of steps that stands between her and getting her hands on him, she runs across the yard not caring who is watching or the ridiculous protocol. She had torn herself apart without him, cursed him for being so stupid as to leave her and begged for his return. Even when she was sure hope would soon run out, she had refused to give up on him. Cassandra notices the Commander come to a stop in the yard handing his horse over to the groom, he looked exhausted too and as though he had been through his own ordeal. Cullen was such a good friend to them both and he had done exactly as he had promised, he'd brought the Inquisitor home.

"Cass.." Lord Trevelyan croaks when she continues to move towards him, she sees the concern on his face when he takes in her own tired appearance and the worry for him behind her eyes. "I'm sorry" He adds meeting her eyes with his, The Seeker notices his clothes are covered in blood and dirt, as is the blanket that he has wrapped around his shoulders trying to keep him warm.

"Don't talk" Lady Pentaghast replies throwing her arms around him as he engulfs her in his, she sobs as he holds her tightly against him all concerns for his injuries gone for a moment. "I thought I'd never see you again" The Seeker whispers into his neck, feeling him tangle his fingers in her hair desperate to have every part of her touching him.

"Take Lord Trevelyan's body to the Infirmary.. Have him cleaned up and prepared to be taken to Ostwick," The Commander says watching the Inquisitor and the Seeker clinging to each other as if scared to let go. He was sure there would be cross words but for now he was glad to see them back together. Cassandra diverts her eyes to Cullen when she hears him order his men, its only then does she notice they have managed to retrieve Henry and have brought him back to Skyhold. They would be sure to take care of his body and return him to his family.

"I'm sorry" The Inquisitor whispers again pressing his mouth against her head, Cassandra feels him wince beneath her hands when she gently lets go of him placing her hands on his chest. "I'm hurt.." He whispers when the Seeker looks into his face; black and swollen eyes, a split lip, cuts on his face and an angry looking gash on his head. Her poor Inquisitor has taken a battering. She sees the way his lips have chapped from being out in the weather and the coarse stubble on his face. "Most of the blood is mine," He adds ducking his head, ashamed of his actions. "But the bandits are dead" The Seeker watches him close his eyes and wince again, obviously in some considerable pain.

"Lord Trevelyan" The Commander says quietly as he approaches the pair, Cassandra watches Cullen avoid her eyes but reach his hand out to Lord Trevelyan. "You and I both need to rest.." Cullen adds as the Inquisitor removes his hand from the Seeker and places it in the Commander's outreached one. "Sleep and tomorrow we will prepare for all our trip to Ostwick" Cullen gives the Inquisitor a reassuring look the best he can muster, he pats him on the arm gently to avoid hurting him further.

"I owe you my life, twice you have returned me from death" The Inquisitor replies, placing his hand over the Commander's. "I wont forget this" Lord Trevelyan adds with a nod.

"Someone needs to keep you out of trouble" Cullen gives him a small smile before turning his gaze to the Seeker. "Do not be too hard on him," The Commander says the corner of his lip turning up. "He is punishing himself more than you could ever imagine" Cullen adds removing his hand from the Inquisitor.

The Seeker just gives him a nod, not really knowing how to respond. She was so thankful that Cullen had gone after the Inquisitor to try and find him and by the looks of the condition he had been returned to her in, The Commander had made it just in time. Cassandra glances at her lover again not able to process the battered and bruised face that stares back at her, he had killed the bandits single handed but there was no telling what would have happened to him if Cullen hadn't found him. Cullen gives them both another nod before excusing himself to sleep, trudging slowly up the stairs away from them.

"I need to write to Annabelle.. I need to tell my parents" The Inquisitor begins as he pulls away from Cassandra making her suddenly feel bereft of him. She'd waited eight days to have him back and letting go was even harder than usual. The Seeker watches him groan again when pain shoots through him, she had no idea how he had managed to make the long journey back through the mountains but she was sure the Commander had a lot to do with it.

"Steady Inquisitor" Cassandra whispers when he groans again as he tries to walk, his tired and battered body beginning to seize up. She sees him falter and look unbalanced on his feet as if he cant hold himself up for much longer.

"My mother" The Inquisitor chokes holding his bruised hands up to signal that he is okay. "I can't" He sobs as the Seeker wraps her arms around him again trying to hold him up, he lets himself be supported by her burying his face into her shoulder.

"We can do it together" Lady Pentaghast replies stroking the back of his head gently letting him sob onto her shoulder, she felt so guilty for not being with him when he was so overcome by rage but now she had to see him through the sadness. "But we need to get you cleaned up first" Cassandra whispers stroking her hand down his back, feeling that every part of him is covered in dried blood and caked on mud.

Lady Pentaghast watches him raise his head giving her a nod as she wraps her arm around his waist, her hand clutching his tightly around her neck so she can help him take each agonising step towards Skyhold.

"I'm okay," The Inquisitor, whispers trying to keep his steps even to stop the pain from shooting through his body. Cassandra wondered how deep this hurt was going, she couldn't bare to think about the injuries she couldn't see.

"Maybe we should get you checked out first.. You might need stitches and bandaging" Cassandra sighs feeling waves of worry wash over her.

"I just need to rest.. I just need to be with you" The Inquisitor replies wearily "This is becoming to regular an occurrence," He adds when Cassandra feels him look at her through his bloodshot eyes, the Seeker bites her lip and nods avoiding his eyes. She knew she couldn't let him see how much he had hurt her when he had so carelessly risked his life again.

The Seeker takes small steps letting him set their speed; there was no way the Inquisitor would have made it back on his own steam. She guides him slowly up the two sets of stone steps and through the main door of Skyhold, ignoring the whispering that begins coming from the traders and nobles that are gathered inside. Cassandra sighs to herself; she had carried him like this before when he had been near fatally hurt. How much longer could she watch him be placed in harms way? Both of them risked their lives for others nearly everyday in the field but sometimes she felt so helpless.

"You shouldn't have done that" Lady Pentaghast whispers to him trying to stop her own emotions from flying out at him, she may not be carrying physical wounds like he is but his actions had damaged her. She knew they had been the actions of a man that had just had his world torn down around him, a man that was grieving for his brother and a man that wanted to bring his brother home, but he had acted so out of character it frightened her because ultimately he had wanted revenge.

"I had to find him" Lord Trevelyan replies glancing at her face again, she had every right to be angry at him for acting so recklessly but it is the look of disappointment that the Inquisitor doesn't expect.

"You wanted to find them you mean" The Seeker replies trying to not let her feelings turn to anger, she knew his feelings well, she had felt them herself when Anthony had been murdered. She had not slaughtered so many in his name, however. "You said you didn't want more blood on your hands, now you have killed them.. If you had died Ashton.." Cassandra huffs feeling guilty for her feelings.

The Inquisitor just sighs at her side, she knew she should be comforting him through this and not trying to force answers and the reasons why from him but it bothered her. The Bandits most likely did deserve to meet their end for all of the people they had killed but until now he had shown he was a different man to the one that she saw. The Inquisitor was kind, he was sweet and compassionate, he showed understanding and most of all he showed mercy. Maybe it was the mark; maybe it was influencing him more than they knew. He had begun losing control more often.

"I need to sleep" The Inquisitor sighs again as The Seeker pushes open the door to their quarters and guides him through, letting it shut tightly behind them. Cassandra feels him slump slightly in her arms with relief to be behind that door and in the safety of their room, with her. Lady Pentaghast had no doubt the last days had been as terrifying for him as it had been for her.

"Not far now my love" Cassandra replies leaning her head to rest against his gently trying to offer some comfort after her words to show no matter what, she was at his side and loved him. The Seeker places her hand on his back and her arm around his waist helping him take each step at a time until they finally reach the top.

"I never thought I'd see this room again" The Inquisitor chuckles to himself, suddenly aware how much it hurts to do that and breath in too quickly. Cassandra watches him gaze around their bedroom, a room that had become a safe haven and a sanctuary to them both. A place that they could spend hours together away from judgement, staring eyes and responsibility. The Seeker loved it too, the way that it felt like they had the whole world all to themselves when they stood on that balcony or made love in their bed.

"You are safe here, Inquisitor" The Seeker whispers to him again when she feels his eyes rest on her, she closes them for a minute trying to gather herself. "Come.. I'll have a bath ready for you when you've got some rest" Lady Pentaghast adds as she helps him take the last few steps to their bed. She didn't care that he was dirty and their sheets were beautifully clean, she knew on many occasion the pair had fallen into their bed, soaked to the bone, without removing their dirty boots or armour because being a Seeker and an Inquisitor was an exhausting job.

Cassandra eases him gently onto the edge of the bed hearing him groan as his body bends and sinks into the soft mattress, she sees the pain on his face but knows it is no good trying to do anything with him but let him sleep. He was beyond exhausted and running on empty, she hoped a few hours would be a good start to his recovery. The Seeker looks into his face seeing the down turned edges of his mouth that she wasn't used to seeing, she longed for her big ball of sunshine to catch her eyes and give her a smile but he doesn't.

"Thank you" The Inquisitor whispers when he watches her move to her knees in front of him; slowly begin unbuckling his filthy boots. The Seeker gives him a reassuring smile as she slips his feet from them slowly drawing another groan of pain.

"You don't have to thank me for anything" Cassandra replies trying to avoid his eyes and focusing on what she is doing, she discards them on the floor as she stands up again in front of him. "Cullen came and found you, not me" The Seeker huffs as she leans over to plump a pillow for his head. "Lay back" Cassandra whispers again as she places her hands on his legs helping him lift them and shuffle his body round so he is as comfortable as he can be.

"He said he had to stop you" Lord Trevelyan replies with a sigh as he settles onto the soft blankets and furs of their bead, his head resting into the cushions. Cassandra looks to his face again and is sure she can see bliss behind his eyes, days of pain and grief still there but comfort from being back in their bed.

"Do not think it was due to some attachment I might have to you, Lord Trevelyan" The Seeker snorts making her lover chuckle again before his hands move to his ribs. Cassandra perches on the edge of the bed, placing her hand carefully over his. "I was merely terrified at the prospect of having to raise this child without you," She whispers again feeling him lift his other hand and rub it softly against her cheek.

"You would be able to do it" The Inquisitor replies setting his eyes on her again. "You are better than I am, at everything.. I make the wrong choices, I get people killed," He adds turning his eyes away from her again.

"Don't think about that now" The Seeker sighs turning her head to press her lips against the palm of his hand. "Sleep, Ashton. So that you will heal quickly and I wont ever have to be without you or contemplate again and world without you" Lady Pentaghast watches him nod slowly as he begins to let sleep catch up with him and his eyes begin to close. Cassandra knew there would always be something threatening to keep them apart, if it wasn't Corypheus, a large rift in the sky or warring Nobles It would be Lord Trevelyan himself.

"I love you both" The Inquisitor yawns, moving his hand to place on her stomach. "Don't go.." He adds as she sees the anxious look in his eyes suddenly drawing him from his slumber, the worry of being on his own and not having her at his side when she attempts to move from her position.

"I'm not going anywhere" Cassandra gives him a weak smile as she leans forward to press her lips against his forehead. "I'll still be here when you wake up, My Lord" The Seeker adds brushing her hand against his hair being careful not to place too much pressure anywhere on his bruised skin.

"Stay with me, please?" The Inquisitor asks placing his hand on her leg so she cant move, he lifts his arms asking her to give him some comfort and be close to him.

"I don't want to hurt you" The Seeker sighs when she sees he isn't going to give in, he obviously needed her to help him fall asleep like he has done so many times before. Cassandra carefully takes a hold of his hand and climbs completely onto their bed, she moves slowly as to not cause any sudden movement of his body and moves into the space next to him.

"How can I heal if you aren't with me?" He smiles as he watches her crawl into his waiting arms, Cassandra sees him wince slightly as she gently curls under his arm resting her head against his chest. She hears him sigh happily when he wraps an arm around her holding her at his side. "Just like after Haven.. In the snow" The Inquisitor sighs again making the Seeker close her eyes, what had happened after Haven seemed so long ago now. But it had been the first time she had laid in his arms and they had slept cuddled together after they'd found him close to death. He had asked for her then like he does now and she tried to help him heal with her presence.

"I'm surprised you remember that" Lady Pentaghast whispers feeling the last few days catching up on her too, she buries her head into his chest as she feels him stroke his fingers against her back.

"Of course I do" Lord Trevelyan replies bringing a hand up to her hair, smoothing the soft black strands between his fingers. "You found me.. You protected me and you took care of me" Cassandra sighs at his words, she did a lot less taking care of him than he remembered. She had broken her own promise to herself that night when she had finally allowed him to get close to her and break down the barriers she had placed around her heart. She had told herself that sleeping in his arms, with her head against his heart was something any friend would do after the event of seeing him attacked by a Dragon and potentially killed when Haven was destroyed. But they weren't just friends, and that first time of having him taken from her made her realise she didn't want to leave him ever again.

"I did nothing.. I slept" Lady Pentaghast chuckles quietly remembering the look on her fellow advisors faces when they saw her emerge from his tent. The whispering had already started to happen, the rumours had already started to circulate.

"The first time I kissed you" The Inquisitor sighs again when the Seeker curls tighter against his side. Cassandra smiles as he says this, yes he had kissed her in the shadows of the camp at Haven. It was so brief and yet so wonderful it had made her giddy "You had tried to keep me at arms length as much as possible so you didn't reveal your feelings for me" Lord Trevelyan smiles as he bends his head to press his mouth against the top of her head.

"I didn't have feelings" Cassandra snorts "I was trying to warm you up and get you on your feet so we could get moving. You were slowing us down" She sighs feeling him laugh beneath her cheek.

"Well I knew I loved you the moment I opened my eyes and saw you there" The Inquisitor whispers as Cassandra places her hand gently on his stomach.

"You need to sleep" The Seeker says again thinking he has talked too much already and should be resting, not discussing the time he knew he loved her. Although she thought she would have to question him on this, another day when he was feeling more himself, how did he manage to pinpoint the moment so precisely? "Rest my sweet Inquisitor" Cassandra whispers smoothing her hand over his stomach again.

"Until I can open my eyes and see you again" The Inquisitor replies quietly with another yawn, The Seeker continues to stroke him beneath her hand until she starts to feel his breathing even out and sleep take him.