Chapter 11

The inky sky was blank of stars, menacing clouds covering the usual white lights that could be seen from mountainside. The Inquisition had found safety in the ridges of the peaks, high in the sky. Moving with such a large group had been nerve-wracking, and exhausting — they had made several stops along the way, huddling around makeshift fires. Leliana and her scouts had raided concealed caches hidden along the mountainside filled with tents, blankets and food. Villagers, soldiers and scouts alike were building tents as quickly as possible to protect them from the howling storm that was impending.

Cullen wished he could be helping more. His instincts that had kicked in Haven had extinguished, leaving him completely burnt out. Large circles had developed under his eyes and his muscles were trembling. A sharp breath escaped him as a flash of spine-chilling images popped into his mind. Shaking his head, Cullen snapped himself back to reality as he saw someone approaching him. A bowl of porridge was offered to him by Cassandra, but he refused it. With a sigh, Cassandra passed the food over to another waiting soldier before returning to the Commander.

"Cullen, you need to eat." She looked as exhausted as she did, smudges of dirt still covering her face.

"I don't have an appetite." He said grimly.

"Cullen…" Cassandra reached out to him, trying to grab his arm but he moved away from her touch.

"I'm fine."

"You're shaking. You need to eat… and rest." Her eyes were filled with concern, worry lines developing around her brows. "When is the last time you rested? Before the breach?"

"The last thing I could do right now is sleep. If I closed my eyes…," Images that had haunted Cullen's nightmares for years flashed in his mind — along with fresh memories, like Haven burning, the pools of blood that had collected on the white, crisp snow, the look in Ashlyn's eyes as she volunteered herself. He had locked his jaw, gritting his teeth from the pain he was feeling.

Suddenly, there was a flash of green that filled the sky with a familiar light. Everyone's eyes snapped to where it was coming from, murmurs and anxious whispers spread across the temporary camp.

Without hesitating, Cullen spoke. "It's her."

"What?!" Cassandra's eyebrows furrowed together, staring at the Commander like he was a mad man.

"It's Ashlyn." He repeated, beginning to march towards the light.

"What are you doing? It's pitch black, the storm will start any moment! You can't go out there right now!" She called after him, attempting to follow him in the deep snow.

"It's her, I know it. We have to find her." His voice was desperate.

"Cullen… We have no idea that it is her." Cassandra stuttered on the next words, "She—she was in an avalanche… Who could survive that?"

Cullen shook his head profusely. "She would. I will not let Ashlyn just become another one of my nightmares. She will not be another person I failed." He said through gritted teeth.

Turning on his heel, he wrapped his cloak around him tighter, before grabbing a torch from a tent. He raised it up over his head, casting a small orange light just in front of him, before trudging towards where he had seen the green light flicker. The snow was deep, covering up past his calves. He could hear the crunch of footsteps behind him, and he looked over his shoulder to see who was following.

It was Cassandra, and two other scouts. She gave him a solemn nod, before they ventured further into the ridge. Their breath was heavy as they marched through the snow.

Cullen was attempting to push the nightmarish images out of his mind as he trudged through the mountainside, his heavy boots leaving a makeshift path for the others to follow him in. He was pushing himself too hard now, he knew it. The migraine developing behind his eye was now ringing his ears. His heart was pounding in chest with sluggish beats. But he couldn't stop, he wouldn't stop. They had to find Ashlyn — he had to find her. She would not become another nightmare.

As they passed between a narrow ridge, wind started whipping through the passage way with a howl. The glow of the torch casted its warm light onto a slumped figure.

Cullen's voice ripped out of his throat, "There! She's here!" He scrambled over to her, falling onto his knees and grabbing her into his arms.

Ashlyn was slumped over in the snow, her clothes completely damp and freezing. Her head was slugged forward, dark hair tangled in the wind.

"Thank the Maker!" Cassandra yelled from behind them.

Cupping her face, Cullen took a better look at Ashlyn. She was freezing, her features completely flushed a deep red from the cold. Her eyes were fluttering as she slipped in and out of consciousness. He scooped her into his arms, waking her up slightly. She clung onto the warmth of his body. With the help of Cassandra, they wrapped the bottom of Cullen's fur cloak around Ashlyn, tucking her in to his arms safely. "Hold on Ashlyn," He whispered, holding onto her more tightly as they began walking back though the path their boots had made.

Cassandra led the way, gripping the torch with clenched knuckles as she hurried them back to their makeshift camp along the mountainside. When they arrived, a group crowded around them curiously. "Please, make way for the Herald." The Seeker announced, raising her hands in the air.

"The Herald?! She's alive?" Someone gasped, and chatter exploded throughout the camp.

"Please, she need a healer's attention. Let us through." She demanded, pushing through the crowds. She lead them into a large, blue tent holding the folds up for them to enter before shutting them quickly for privacy.

Cullen stood in the middle of the tent, still clutching onto Ashlyn. He didn't want to let her go.

"Put her here, Commander." Adan directed. He was littered in bruises and looked completely exhausted, but he had insisted he was fine. He messily prepared a small cot, lining it with a blanket for Ashlyn.

Cullen crossed over to it, before gently placing her down. He stood up, looking to Adan for what to do next.

Adan placed the back of his hand on Ashlyn's forehead, feeling for her temperature. "Maker… She could have froze to death. We need to warm her up. Quickly." He emphasized.

Immediately Cassandra dove out of the tent, going to find more blankets. Cullen shrugged off his black cloak, placing it softly on top of Ashlyn. The cold breeze leaking into the tent meant that Cassandra had returned. She had a thick wool blanket bundled in her arms. "Will this do?" She asked.

Adan nodded, positioning the blankets and cloak over her a bit tighter. Stepping back he studied her for a moment, before moving to her feet. He began untying the laces of her boots.

"What are you doing?" Cullen asked confused.

"They're soaking. Wet boots will stop her from warming up." Adan said, his eyebrows furrowed as he tried to untie the knots.

"Let me do that. Check to see if there is anything else wrong with her." Cullen urged, swapping places with the healer. As his fingers pulled at the knots and fastenings of her boots, he realized that the trembling in his hands had subsided. Sliding her boots and stockings off, he placed them carefully on the side of her cot before covering her bare feet with the blanket. Ashlyn let out a shudder as he tucked them in.

The trio approached the top of her cot, checking up on her apprehensively. "Herald, are you ok?"

A groan escaped her lips, as she tried to shuffle under her blankets. "My shoulder…" She mumbled, grabbing onto her left arm with a grimace.

"Again?!" Adan demanded, pushing the blankets away slightly so he could examine the joint. "We'll have to take your armour off. It's dislocated." He glanced up to Cassandra and Cullen, who were still hovering over Ashlyn worriedly. "Perhaps you two could give the Herald some privacy?" He suggested, raising his brow.

"Oh — of course." Cullen's face went hot, before he rushed out of the tent. Many faces whipped towards him as he exited, hopeful for answers. But the Commander ignored them, standing awkwardly and ringing his hands together. Cassandra emerged out of the tent a few moments later, her face serious.

"Adan has to reset her shoulder. But that's it. I can't believe she survived…" She muttered to herself, her arms crossed over her chest.

Suddenly, a wail echoed from the tent, causing the hairs on Cullen's neck and arms to raise. Squeezing his eyes shut, the sound suddenly stopped.

"It sounds like Adan has it covered. I need… I need a moment." Cassandra said wearily, before turning on her heel. Cullen watched her walk away, hovering in front of the tent's entrance unsure of where to go. Shivering without his cloak, he wandered towards the bonfire crowded by the misplaced villagers and soldiers of Haven.

The villagers and soldiers had nervously packed themselves away in their tents, attempting to drown out the sounds of shouting that had erupted around the main fire of the campsite. A heated discussion had broke out amongst the Council, their voices ripping out of their throats in frustration.

"What would you have me tell them?! This isn't what we asked them to do." Cullen demanded, his nostrils flared and leather gloves creaking as his fists got tighter.

"We cannot simply ignore this! We must find a way!" Cassandra stepped forward, her chin high.

"And who put you in charge?" He barked, "We need a consensus, or we have nothing!"

Josephine stepped in between the two of them, her small hands intwined anxiously in front of her. "Please, we must use reason! Without the infrastructure of the Inquisition, we're hobbled…"

The Commander ignored the Ambassador's suggestion, "They can't come from nowhere!"

"She didn't say it could." She said quietly, intimidated at the volume of his voice. She looked to Leliana for support, but her back was turned to them — avoiding the confrontation.

"Enough! This is getting us nowhere!" Cassandra finally screamed, slamming her fists into the makeshift chest-table they had created.

"Well, we're agreed on that much!" Cullen snarled. Anger and exhaustion had completely immersed him, leaving him feeling frustrated and solitary. With a heavy sigh, he stalked over to the opposite side of the fire leaving the rest of the Council.

The others spread out separately and quietly. Josephine sat on a bench, holding her trembling hands over the fire. Leliana sat on the ground, drawing her knees up to her chest as she looked into the flames. Cassandra pretended to busy herself, looking at a damaged map spread across the make-shift chest table.

With the Council's screaming match at an end, their ridge was left eerily quiet. The slight howl of the wind and flickering of embers is all that can be heard.

Cullen's ambers eyes flickered to the blue tent they had left Ashlyn in, just as she emerged from it. Her hand was clutched around one of the tent's pillars for support. She was wrapped up in Cullen's cloak, its sleeves engulfing her arms. Small cuts and bruises littered her cheeks and brows, purple bags laid under her eyes. He wondered how many more times he would have to see Ashlyn in such a state. She scanned the area around them, before laying eyes on Cullen. She attempted a smile, but it didn't take.

Before he could react, Mother Giselle emerged from out of the tent, joining Ashlyn's side. The pair shared a meaningful look, before she opened her mouth and a melody came out. Her voice rang out through the clearing, echoing throughout the camp.

Shadows fall

And hope has fled

Steel your heart

The dawn will come

The night is long

And the path is dark

Look to the sky

For one day soon

The dawn will come

The Council looked up hesitantly, their eyes growing wide as they listened to her. Leliana immediately recognized the Chantry hymn, raising her purple hood off of her face and joining in. She sounded like a song bird.

The shepherd's lost

And his home is far

Keep to the stars

The dawn will come

Soldiers, scouts and villagers emerged out of their tents, walking towards them curiously. More and more voices joined in, crowding around the fire and Ashlyn's tent. Cullen watched them all pass, his eyes wide as he listened.

The night is long

And the path is dark

Look to the sky

For one day soon

The dawn will come

He furrowed his brows, trying to remember the words. It had been years since he had sung them. Hesitantly, he joined in. His voice croaked at first but then it smoothed out. He closed his eyes as he sang, his voice turning warm and buttery as he got comfortable.

Bare your blade

And raise it high

Stand your ground

The dawn will come

The night is long

And the path is dark

Look to the sky

For one day soon

The dawn will come

At the last few words he opened his eyes again, discovering that many villagers, sisters, scouts and soldiers had gathered around Ashlyn while singing — some of them were kneeling and bowing their heads in front of her. She was staring at them in shock.

"An army needs more than an enemy. It needs a cause." Mother Giselle said wisely, giving her a small smile. She squeezed her arm, before moving over to the villagers to check on them.

Before Cullen could even think of what he could say to Ashlyn, Solas had approached her. He cupped a pale hand around her ear, whispering to her, before the pair walked off together.

Cullen crossed his arms as Cassandra inched towards him, a somber look on her face. The two stared in silence, looking apologetic.

The mysterious rogue Cole came up to the Commander and Seeker cautiously. "The Chancellor… He is dead," He said, his voice barely whisper.

Gulping, Cullen spoke first, "I'll see to it." He said gravely. Grabbing two other soldiers, he headed towards the healer's tents.

Cassandra watched him walk away, her face filling with concern. Cole's eyes shifted between the two of them, before he began speaking in an earnest, sober tone. "Burning quietly, anger filling him to the brim, drowning in its absence. Wanting to be needed, desired… But not like this."

"Sorry?" Cassandra asked, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

Cole's face flushed, his foot kicking through the snow back and forth. "Nothing..." He muttered.

Cullen and the soldiers had carried Chancellor Roderick's body to an underpass in the mountainside. The ground was too frozen to dig, so they began collecting stones and rocks to cover him. They stacked them until they formed a pyramid of stones — the silver and grey standing out against the white landscape.

Bending his knee, Cullen prayed in front of the rocks. He had loathed the Chancellor — he had made his life so difficult. He represented everything he hated about the Chantry and Cullen's old life. But he had saved them. Lead Haven to safety. Redemption — he thought. As he finished his prayer, he rose from the grave, staring at it a moment longer. He shivered in the wind, still without his cloak. Crossing his arms over his body to try to stay warm, he lead the soldiers back to the camp.

As soon as he has returned, he was waved over to a huddle of people. The Council and the Herald's squad were gathered around the crumpled map of Thedas.

"We have a plan." Cassandra smiled as he joined the group.

"We do?" He asked, brows furrowed.

Ashlyn stepped closer to the map, placing her fingers on it. "We think we are here," she said circling the paper, "We need to head north if we want to get there." Sliding her finger across, she pointed to a mountain peak.

"What's there?"

She looked at him seriously, "Skyhold."

"Skyhold?" Cullen was confused.

Solas jumped in, explaining. "The history of Skyhold is that it was once a place of Elvish ritual, before it was taken by the Fereldan kingdom as a keep. It has been used by many throughout the years — but I believe it to be empty."

"What if it's not there… or it's already claimed? The Inquisition does not need anymore enemies." Josephine squeaked.

Cassandra interjected, "Then we continue north-west to Emprise Du Lion."

The Commander eyed everyone around him, who now seemed in agreement. "Alright. Are we investigating before we try to move an entire village of people?"

Ashlyn nodded, "Solas and I will scout ahead tomorrow morning. Once we know its safe we can swing back to rejoin the group."

"Only the two of you? Surely you will bring a full squad?" Cassandra asked, looking worried.

"We will be fine." She brushed off, before continuing to speak, "Everyone should rest. Either way — we will be traveling a lot tomorrow."

Everybody returned to their respective tents, grabbing Ashlyn's elbow or nodding at her as they passed. But Cullen remained, placing his hands wide on the table so he could investigate the map.

"Thank you." She said to him, placing her hands on the opposite side of the table.

"Hmm?" Cullen asked, his caramel eyes leaving the map and flicking up to meet hers.

"For saving me." Ashlyn looked at him through her thick lashes, "Cassandra told me that you insisted on searching for me. Thank you."

"Oh, I— ", He stammered, "Well, it's what anyone would have done."

"Don't do that. Don't discount yourself." She reached across, placing her hand on top of his.

Cullen felt his stomach tighten at the feeling of her touch, his skin tingling where it met hers.

"Oh, I almost forgot." She slugged off the Commander's fur cloak, sliding it down her arms before handing it over to him. "Thank you for lending it to me. I almost don't want to give it back, it's so nice." She said cooly.

"You're welcome." He smiled, watching her walk away from him as she went back into her tent. He pulled his cloak back on, flicking the collar up to his jawline. Cullen internalized a moan as he realized it now smelt like Ashlyn — her honey-like scent now clinging onto his cloak.

Ashlyn glanced over her shoulder once more, staring at the large group descending the snowy hilltops. They were lugging their boots through the snow, walking slowly to keep up their energy. Cullen and Leliana were leading the villagers and soldiers, their faces serious and eyes narrowed. Her squad was spread out across the villagers — helping them carry children and cargo. She gulped as she noticed her friends — they were disappointed when she had requested to scout Skyhold with only Solas. She didn't want to hurt them, but she couldn't handle any probing questions of concern. She just couldn't answer any of those questions right now, and she knew that her and Solas would be able to walk in a comfortable silence.

With a final nod to the Council leaders, Ashlyn jogged to join Solas — they needed to make quick time. Linking her arm through his elbow, Solas squeezed onto his staff before fade stepping them away. They were a blur of blue, whipping upwards across the steep hill.

They hiked for over an hour in the vast snowy landscape. The sun was beginning to shine high in the sky, casting a warm glow onto them that helped fight off the chill.

"We should almost be there," Solas said. He was using his staff as a walking stick, but with one hand he pointed to a steep narrow ridge.

Ashlyn's boots scurried to find purchase on the hill, she slipped and slid a little. She struggled, as she had to rely on her good arm to push her back up. Eventually she made it to the top of the ridge, with Solas following close behind.

Her breath caught in her lungs as she saw what was over the pass. A gigantic fortress was revealed, it's towers and bridges climbing high into the air, clouds twirling around them.

"Skyhold," Solas let out, a rare smile stretching across his face.

Ashlyn's mouth remained slightly open as they began descending towards it. Only tumbling on a few rocks, the pair made it down to the bridge leading into Skyhold within a few minutes. They stood warily in front of the main gate, it was made of steel and iron. It was built to keep people out.

"Well?" Ashlyn gulped, looking over to Solas. She was suddenly feeling extremely vulnerable, looking down at her two borrowed daggers. She has lost her onyx pair, leaving them behind in her fight with Corypheus. Even her beloved knife, that she would strap to her thigh was missing — most likely left behind in one of the corpse's buried in the avalanche. Her armour was worn and tired — cuts and slices could be seen through the leather. And her only companion was a mage, a powerful one — but just the two of them was not enough. She prayed that no one laid behind that door.

"Wait!" Solas grabbed onto her elbow before she could touch the door. "Let me try something." Gripping his staff harder, the elf closed his eyes softly. Suddenly, blue magic illuminated, casting an aura over him. Ashlyn could see Solas' eyes working underneath his shiny lids, the skin twitching. Before suddenly, his eyes ripped open.

Rubbing his hands together, Solas placed them onto the cold stones of bridge — feeling them. "There is old magic… eleven magic soaked deep into this keep." His eyes were filled with wonder, curiosity. "It's acting as a shield, protecting our ritual lands from the wicked."

"So… It's safe?" Ashlyn asked, her eyebrows lifting softly.

"Yes. I cannot detect any other energies, just those of my ancestors." Brushing himself off, Solas stood back up tall — his face turning serious once more. "Let us continue."

They wandered into the keep, completely awestruck. It was vast, much larger than the village of Haven. It had fallen into disrepair — some pathways and stairs crumbling, trees fallen over from storms littered the courtyard. But the structure was there — it's walls were high and well-built, it's location on a peak would give the perfect advantage. Their guards fell down as they explored more of Skyhold, now that they were sure it was indeed empty.

"I think we've seen enough. This is exactly what the Inquisition needs to grow, to build." Solas said confidently.

"We need an easier way for the Inquisition and villagers of Haven to get here though. It's a miracle we were able to get here in one piece — those ridges are slick. Never mind hauling carts, carrying children — what about the horses and brontos." Ashlyn countered, starting out across the bridge, searching for an opening in the mountainside. "There." She squinted her eye while she pointed to where a dirt path suddenly came to an end.

The pair closed the main gate of Skyhold, before crossing the bridge and following the road. It lead to a tunnel that channeled directly through the mountainside. "The work of dwarves," Solas announced, running his hands on the walls.

Peering through the tunnel, Ashlyn noticed that no light was trickling through. Marching through it, she found that the entrance to it was blocked by a boulder. "Dammit." She spat, gritting her teeth. With her one good hand, she gave it a push — testing it's weight.

"Don't—" Solas stopped her, instead raising his staff. Again, gripping his staff with both hands he focused upon the boulder. It began vibrating, shaking the ground around them until suddenly a crack developed down the centre. With another shudder, it broke apart into pieces — turning into manageable stones.

Ashlyn stared at Solas, impressed. "Or you could do that." The pair began rolling the stones and rocks out of the way, before the tunnel was completely clear. They stood there, admiring their work before she spoke up again, slightly out of breath, "We will have to loop back to the group now. Let the Council take a look."

They hiked through the tunnel, beginning their journey back to the displaced Inquisition that was travelling through the mountain tops.

Elbows resting on the rails of the rampart, Varric stared out into the mountain's pass. "Well, I guess we know why it's called Skyhold." He said breathlessly, mesmerized by the view of the orange sun dipping below the horizon.

"Mhm," Ashlyn said distractedly. She was leaning against the wall, her back facing away from the magnificent view. Her arms were crossed over her body lazily, her eyes glazed over as she pretended to listen to her companion.

"Freckles," He grabbed onto her elbow, pulling her back into reality, "Are you okay?"

Blinking and widening her eyes, "Yeah. I'm just… exhausted. And terrified."

Tugging on her arm, he pulled her over to the opposite side of the rampart. From this side, they could see into the courtyard of Skyhold. It was crowded, families were grouped together holding onto each other in relief. Soldiers were unloading their heavy armour, sitting on the patches of brown grass. Everyone was looking around them in awe, staring up at the turrets and battlements.

"You saved all those people…," Varric pointed, "And brought them here." A smile broke across his face as he pointed to their surroundings.

"This is all bigger than them. Corypheus…" Ashlyn trailed off as she felt her heart start to climb into her throat.

"Hey, one thing at a time, okay Freckles?" The pair leaned against the railing again, "When it was Hawke and us in Kirkwall… it was easy to get wrapped up in the anger and desperation. You just need to focus on the good. Find some joy."

Ashlyn looked down into the crowd of people, looking at their faces. They were tired, but safe and content. She watched the grandmother and toddler she had saved in the Hinterlands — she was bouncing him on her knee, hugging him tightly as she spoke with another family. A scrawny recruit was being clapped on the back by a few of his comrades, a smile breaking across his face as they invited him to sit with them. Suddenly the Council emerged from the barracks, the trio chatting with each other excitedly. Ashlyn saw Josephine waving her arms around her energetically as she spoke. Leliana chuckled at her friends exuberance, while Cullen broke out into a smile. A dimple formed in Ashlyn's cheek as she watched his expression.

"Find something you like?" Varric grinned, following her eyes to the blonde Commander.

"No." She said a little too quickly. "It's just good to see the Council on good terms again."

"Right," He winked, "Whatever you say."

Ashlyn turned her face from his, attempting to hide the pink tinge on her checks.