It had been six weeks since Neve had passed her harrowing, summer had faded into autumn, the early evening skies golden before fading into the deepest darkest of blues, Neve was sat in the library on the ground floor of the tower, despite the access she now had to the upper libraries she preferred to bring her studies to the library she had spent so many years in, it also gave her a chance to catch up with those she had grown up with, those who had not yet been through their Harrowings, especially Jowen.

Rumours had begun to spread, Jowen was still not improving, his ability to master even the simplest of spells was weak, he had become secluded from everyone else, spending many an evening in the chantry, this worried Neve, she had always been a positive force in Jowens life, they had studied together most nights, eaten meals together, they were as close as you would imagine siblings to be, was her absence after her Harrowing causing making things worse for him?

By bringing her studies downstairs Neve hoped that Jowen would return to his usual self, but he seldom sat with her, and on the occasions he did he did not stay for long, tonight was another such night.

"Neve you're here again? Surely the Library upstairs is much better suited for you now" her friend asked a small smile on his face.

"Well the chairs are much more comfortable but it's the only time I can come and see everyone" She replied looking up from her book on spirit healing.

"You don't have to you know, we're all fine, you know I'm feeling a bit more positive about things, I managed to cast a lightning spell today, and I didn't zap anyone in the process"

The last comment surprised Neve, in all the years Jowen had been in the circle he had never successfully cast a spell without something going wrong, a rouge lightning bolt, setting fire to furniture, she was happy for him, the worry and doubt she had had slowly began to fade from her mind,

"Jowen that's fantastic, you'll be up on the second floor with me in no time" she exclaimed rising to her feet and hugging him tightly

He returned her hug, he then held her at arm's length, looked into the face of his friend and smiling,

"See there is no need for you to come down here every evening, I'm sure there are people up on the second floor that are missing you all these nights" he gave her a cheeky wink and left her stood blushing in the library.

She knew who he had meant, in fact it was another reason she had decided to spend her evenings studying in the apprentices library, Cullen, he had been promoted days before her harrowing and had therefore moved up in the tower just as she had, the first few days after hearing her friends discuss his apparent admiration for her had been some of the most uncomfortable days she had experienced during her time in the tower, it seemed everywhere she looked or went Cullen was there, only now she saw him differently, she had begun to admire his broad chest, daydreaming about whether it was just the armour or was he as well defined underneath it, she had noticed the colour of his eyes, hazel, but with what seem like flecks of gold in the sunlight, the slight dimples he would get on the rare occasions that he smiled.

She began to picture him, stood before her, his chest bare, smiling down at her, one hand slowly rising to cup her face the other pulling her body towards his by the small of her back, his fingers lightly brushing through her crimson hair as he would lean in towards her lips parted ever so slightly

It would be at that point she would regain her composure, heart pounding in her chest, a tingling sensation running through every inch of her body, her cheeks flushed. She finally decided it would be best to try and avoid him. If she didn't see him then she wouldn't suffer these day dreams, out of sight out of mind, or so she thought, yes she found she daydreamed less often but the thoughts were still there, even the mention of his name would send her mind wandering, causing the imaginary scenario to begin playing in her head, Jowens Comment had again pressed the play button in her mind, the smile, the curve of his lips, the flash of gold in his eyes, they all appeared in her mind, his hands on her face and waist, him leaning in, only this time the day dream didn't end there, his lips closed over hers, his tongue parting her lips exploring her mouth, she ran her hands up his chesty through his strawberry blonde hair, his hand that had been cupping her face ran down her neck before gently cupping her breast, squeezing before his hand continued down to her buttocks,

"Miss Amell?"

Neve snapped out of her daydream, her cheeks bright red, her breathing ragged, she looked up to see Cullen standing before her, off duty, the shape of his chest highlighted by the tunic he wore, flustered she tried to turn to hide her obvious blushing and instead tripped over her own feet, banging her head on the corner of the table she had been studying at.

She lay there on the floor her hands covering her face, tears welling in her eyes, a mixture of pain from the fall and embarrassment, breathing deeply she tried not to let out the sob that was forming in her throat

"Neve? Neve are you ok" Cullens voice, soft with concern sounded above her,

She lowered her hands from her face just as his gently touched her cheek,

"I'm s.s..ssooo so sorry, I didn't mean to startle you, it was just well you se..seeee you missed super so I offered to check in on you on my way down to the docks, I would have left you be if I'd of known you were so engrossed with your studies, forgive me"

A wave of relief washed over Neve, he was oblivious to the state of mind she had been in when he interrupted her

"No I'm sorry I lost track of time, it's not your fault" she smiled weakly at him as he helped her to her feet.

"Are you ok, that knock to the head seemed quite harsh, would you like me to take you to Wynne, make sure you're ok?"

"no, no it's fine it must of looked worse than it is, I feel fine, I should just head back up to my room now, thank you though, ha…have a good evening Ser"

With that she collected her books and quickly dashed out of the library, returning to the peace of her room on the floor above, once safely inside she closed the door tight threw her books on the floor and collapsed back on her bed, head pounding, the tingling sensation that had begun as she daydreamed still ran through her body Cullen's sudden presence heightening it, she got up and walked to the other side of her room towards the wash basin where she proceeded to remove her robes, she filled the basin with water, cupped as much as she could in her hands and brought them to her face, the cool water easing the burning blush still present in her cheeks, she removed her breast band and pulled a light cotton tunic over her head. She returned to her bed pulling the covers over herself as she planned to hide from the world for the rest of the evening, she fell asleep, the daydream from before returning to her in her dreams, replaying over until the sun rose the next morning.