Amell very much wanted to forget everything. But that just wasn't an option for her. So she sought out company, Varric's company. The dwarf had a way of making her smile. And he was smart enough to stay away from the topic of Cullen. Usually at least. Something was on his mind when she found him in front of his fire.

"Walk with me," he said and they walked to the gardens. They found a spot where they wouldn't be overheard. "You need a plan, kiddo."

"I know."

"Have you considered what you are going to do?"

"Yes. As soon as this mess with the wardens is over, I'm leaving with Hawke. We already discussed it."

"You are really going to leave?"

"I have to. I can't stay. Not when the baby is in danger. Not when I have to see him every day. It's for the best."

Varric gripped her shoulder. "I won't be happy to see you go, but I'll be happy you are safe." They hugged. "Are you going to tell him?"

"No. It'll be easier to just go."

"He's not going to take it well."

"He'll move on. Without me as a constant reminder, he'll find his happiness elsewhere."

"You should give him the choice though. It's his child too."

"He needs to be here. They need him more than I do."

Varric nodded. Alistair approached. "There you are. Hawke is looking for you. Wants to see you before we leave for Adamant."

Amell grinned. Hawke would improve her mood, she always did.

# # # # #

Cullen was ready for the war council meeting to be over. They had hashed out their plan for Adamant and the army would march in two days. But instead of dismissing them, the Inquisitor had other things on her mind.

"We need to figure out what we are going to do about Amell and her child. I'd like for us to come to a decision now."

Cullen's mouth went dry. He did not want to have this conversation. "Is now really the time?"

"It's been weighing heavily on my mind. I think I know what to do but I'm open to suggestions."

Cullen couldn't speak. He had plenty to say but it wouldn't come out.

Josephine spoke up first. "Whatever decision you make will have an impact. It'll set a precedence. And could further the Chantry's ire with us."

"I get that. Letting her keep the child will give us no allies with the Chantry and it will be a declaration of support for mage freedom, something I'm not comfortable with." Had she already decided? "Commander, your thoughts?"

"You won't like what I have to say."

"Say it anyways."

"You would lose valuable allies if you force her to give up the child."

"I assume you mean Hawke."

"Not just her. The mages from Kirkwall are very protective of her. Some of your own companions would balk at this course of action."

"You?"

"I admit I would be…" He needed the right word. One that didn't betray their secret. "Disappointed."

"As I former templar I would have thought you would approve of upholding Chantry law."

"I turned my back on the Order."

"The idea that those who should be loyal to our cause would abandon it over one woman makes me frustrated." The Inquisitor sounded upset. Cullen's need to reassure her warred with his need to protect Amell.

"There is a third option. Let Amell leave. Her allies wouldn't feel the need to defend her and you wouldn't upset the Chantry," Leliana offered. Amell leave. The thought of never seeing her again twisted his gut.

"I'm a bit surprised she hasn't already fled," Josephine said.

"She's loyal to the cause," he said. "Loyalty that should be rewarded."

"Would my commander be rebelling if I force her to give up the child?"

He paused to collect his thoughts. They were all staring at him. "My personal feelings on it aside, I am loyal to the inquisition. Too much is at stake."

His stomach hurt saying the words. He felt as if he were betraying Amell. She would never forgive him if she found out he put the inquisition above the wellbeing of their child.

"Good. Truth is we need to be focused on Corypheus which means we need all the allies we can get. Amell is a powerful mage and on top of that a good leader. While I'm wary of setting a precedent, I can't afford a war within my own ranks. Thank you for the input. I will not separate mother and child. Maker forgive me."

Cullen breathed a sigh of relief which the other women noticed.

"Which brings me to the other issue with Amell. I would like to promote her to oversee all the mages over Fiona. I don't trust Fiona's judgments and I don't agree with her views on mage freedom. I don't want her to have more power and there isn't another mage that commands as much loyalty as Amell."

"How long have you been thinking this?" Leliana asked.

"A while now. But the issue of her pregnancy was standing in the way."

"It's a lot of power to give someone."

"Do you have another candidate?"

"Not really. Maybe Vivienne."

"I prefer to take her with me. She wouldn't be around enough. If no one objects?"

Cullen shook his head. This meant he'd be spending a lot of time with Amell. He could do that right? Without it getting complicated?

"I'll be informing her of my intentions before Adamant. Gives her time to think about it and by the time we get back she should have an answer. I assume you can command the mages on your own Commander."

"Of course."

"Good. Unless we have anything further?"

No one spoke.

"Then let's prepare for Adamant."