Groaning, Aiden crawled his way out of the icy cavern and face planted in a large blanket of snow. Debris from Haven was scattered all around. Some buried, others burning casting a nice blanket of warmth. Aiden didn't want to move. It was too damn cold anyways. And why should he get up? Haven was safe and so was Cassandra.

Thinking of the Seeker had the Herald stirring on a moan of pain. He recalled her face in their last moments together. So many emotions wanting to be expressed. Those same emotions on her face in the cabin before Cullen interrupted them. And the same during their moment outside the Chantry.

He could still feel the heat of her lips so close to his. The texture of her glove against his cheek.

Aiden pushed to his knees looking around to attempt to get some sort of bearing. All he could see was just white everywhere. The only sound he heard was the howling wind. But he had to try. Needed to move or freeze to death.

Gritting his teeth through the pain, Aiden made it to his feet and picked a direction.

O0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Cassandra instructed the last of the refuges to break out what supplies they had and add them to the collective. Merthin stuck to her side obeying Aiden's last command. They needed to set up shelters and get fires started or Aiden's distraction would be for nothing. There wasn't much, but if they could just get through the night. Then they could come up with a plan on what to do. Haven was lost. The avalanche came down hard enough to shake the ground all the way up to their position in the deep mountains.

Now that things where settled, Cassandra was left with nothing to do but pace with Merthin shadowing her. She left the decision on what to do next to Cullen and Leliana whom seemed to think that it was jumping down each other's throat. She didn't have it in her to take charge. Haven was gone, the Inquisition in shambles, and the Herald dead. She cursed his new found nobleness and the Maker while she was at it. Cassandra felt foolish to think that maybe the Maker's path included happiness with Aiden. They lived in a dangerous time where nothing was certain but the danger and risk of death.

"My lady, you're bleeding."

Cassandra turned to face the nameless refugee. "What?"

The man pointed to the corner of his own forehead, "You're hurt."

"Oh?" Curious, she touched her skin and hissed. The cold seemed to have numbed it, including her hands and feet. Cassandra rubbed her gloved hands together realizing now that she needed to find some more layers before she froze to feath.

Whining, Merthin rubbed against her legs.

"He's hurt."

Cassandra jolted at the sudden appearance of the blonde headed boy that came to warn them about the attacking Templars… or tried to. "Who?"

"He's so cold. How can a someone be so cold?" Cole looked off in the direction they had traveled from. "Snow thick. Wind loud. Lost, but he won't stop searching."

"Cole, what are you talking about?" Cassandra didn't have time to deal with the boy's ramblings.

"He won't stop until there is not breath in his body. He knows the Inquisition needs him." Cole tilted his head, "It's his home. His family. He needs them." Her light colored eyes turned to meet her dark ones, "He needs you."

The Seeker seized Cole by the arm, "You can hear Trevelyan?"

Merthin perked at the sound of the Herald's name.

A smile appeared on his face, "He likes it when you call him that."

"Where is he?"

The smile disappeared, "It's hard to tell. The wind is loud. His pain."

"Cullen!" Whirling around, she forced her way into the argument to silence it. "Trevelyan is alive."

Cullen frowned, a certain sadness in his golden eyes, "That's impossible, Cassandra. Nothing could have survived that."

"He..." Cassandra gestured to the young strange young boy. For all she knew, Cole could be a demon that slipped out of the fade with the intention to destroy them. It didn't matter. If he thought Trevelyan was alive then by the Maker she was going to take that hope and run with it. "Says he can hear him. That he's hurt."

Cullen looked to Cole, "Do you know where he is?"

"It's hard to tell." He pointed off in the distance, "There."

It seemed like that Cole's word was good enough for the Commander as well as he began to strap on his sword. "We will ready a small search party and split up."

"We need to find him." And not just for herself. "He is the heart of this Inquisition even if he thinks otherwise."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

The wind and snow became so thick that Aiden's progress slowed to a near standstill. Holding up his marked hand, he used it to both block what little ice he could and to use as a light. The mark seem to be unstable since his battle with Corypheus. A part of him felt devastated that the 'Anchor' was a permanent. That meant that it would continue to grow with each use unless Corypheus's interference stunted it. Aiden had a feeling that he wasn't that lucky.

Maker it's so cold.

Aiden tried to close his jacket tighter around him. A useless gesture as it too was frozen stiff from the snow storm raging around him. Cursing, he picked up his heavy foot, stepped forward, and the snow swallowed he leg up to his knee.

Not good.

A wolf's howl caught in the wind. Aiden jolted around searching the darkness for one. Freezing in the snow wasn't good enough? The Maker had to throw in damn wolves into the mix?

Might as well.

Aiden couldn't seem to push himself any further. He dimly wondered if getting eaten would be faster than freezing to death. Definitely would be more painful, but that was something Aiden was used to.

His mark sparked almost as if reminding him why he needed to push forward. He held it to his chest until the pain subsided. Corypheus wasn't defeated. Aiden could feel it. Giving up meant that it left the Inquisition without a way to stop him. Left the rifts to remain open and cause terror all over Thedas. For once in his life people needed him. People looked at him for leadership and guidance. For the first time in his life, he mattered. He had a purpose.

Aiden let that knowledge fill him with a renewed purpose and put one foot in front of the other.

00o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

"There he is!"

Barking, Merthin darted across the snow in the direction Cullen pointed in.

"Thank the Maker!" Cassandra trudged through the thick snow to the figure kneeling not far from them. Aiden's glowing blue eyes lifted and her heart surged. "Trevelyan."

The Herald wavered holding his hand over the gushing wound to his forearm. Alive. Cassandra was alive. He fell back onto his heels letting all his fears be swept away by the wind. That meant all would be okay. He could finally sleep.

"Sweet Andraste." Cassandra dropped in front of the bone pale Rogue, watching his blood stain the snow.

Aiden gave her a sheepish smile, "Lost my bow."

Brushing her hand across his bearded cheek, she let out a small laugh. "Of course you did." Cassandra shook him when his eyes started to close, "Stay with me, Trevelyan."

"Believe me, that's my fondest wish, Seeker." The words barely left his mouth before he slumped forward unconscious.

Cassandra caught him around the waist, his dead weight nearly taking her down. "Merthin, no!" She carefully grasped Aiden by his uninjured arm and slung the man over her shoulder. "Come on, boy."

Whispers started to break out the moment the first guard spotted Cassandra carrying the Herald. People left the comfort of the heat of their tents and blazers to see the man for themselves.

"Move!" Cassandra's growl fell on deaf ears. If she could, Cassandra would start hacking her way through. Aiden needed to get warm and to a healer and quickly.

The Seeker was ready to start slashing her pay through when Bull's booming voice cut through the roar of voices. "Make a path!"

"We need somewhere warm." Cullen stated as the sea of people parted.

The Quanri took the limp man from Cassandra and made his way to the far side of the camp. He had to bend and twist his horns to be able to enter the tent so Aiden on the empty cot.

"Wait!" Cassandra rushed in after to find the inside him, but still dark enough to cause even her a twinge of panic. "Lights. We need as many candles you can find. And furs."

Cullen ducked under the flap of the tent and started working on removing Aiden of his soaking wet boots.

"And Solas." Cassandra added.

Nodding, Bull slipped out of the tent.

Cassandra started on the straps of the rogue's chest piece. The leather was frozen stiff. Maker even ice had formed in his beard. The fact he was past the point of shivering concerned her greatly. A sure sign that the coldness had long set in. "We need to get him out of everything."

"And stop the bleeding." Cullen tore from the liner of his cloak to use as a bandage.

"Where is that bloody elf?' Cassandra growled working on the next piece of armor. The quicker she stripped, the quicker they could work on warming the Herald. Piece after piece hit the tent floor as Cassandra undressed Aiden almost mindlessly. If she was thinking beyond her task she would be blushing like a chantry sister as she used her boot knife to cut of his leather jerkins.

"Where is Solas?" Cullen demanded looking up from the Herald's wound to see Dorian instead.

Not fazed by the Commander's gruffly tone, Dorian pushed him out to take over. Touching Aiden's pale skin felt like touching a block of ice. "How long has he been unconscious?"

"A few minutes." After riding him of the last piece of clothing, her brain finally registered Aiden was now stark naked. Andraste Mercy! The word almost slipped out of her mouth, but thankfully her brain helped keep it silent. Fumbling for a fur in the corner, Cassandra covered him but couldn't stop her eyes from lingering.

Dorian made a noise of acknowledgement gently unwrapping the hastily applied bandage. "Cassandra have someone move the blazers outside the tent closer to the Herald to get some warmth in here."

The mage missed the apprehension on Cassandra's face about leaving the injured man. Cullen didn't. "Tell me what else you need, Dorian."

Close to an hour later, the Seeker sat at the Herald's bedside bathing his brow with a damp cloth. The wound on his arm seemed to be the least of Aiden's problem. His skin felt like fire yet he shivered as if ice ran through his veins. The two blazer they had going on the outside of the tent and the furs wasn't enough to warm him.

"No."

Cassandra's gaze shot to the Herald's face.

"No." His face was twisted in pain. "Not her. Not…"

Cassandra dipped the cloth back in the water wondering what dream gripped him.

"Not her." Aiden muttered his teeth clanking together. "Please not… Cass… Cassandra."

She brushed her fingers over his bearded cheek, "Aiden?" She whispered trying to coax him out of the fade. "I'm right here."

Cullen poked his head into the tent, "Cassandra?"

"What?"

"Come out here for a moment." Cullen softly instructed.

Reluctantly, Cassandra left the feverish man and stepped out into the chilly mountain air. Leliana and Josephine stood next to Dorian, all looking grim. "What is it?"

Dorian dragged a hand through his hair, "My magic can only help the Herald so much. Right now his body is below normal temperature and nothing I can do can raise it."

"Shall we move him out by the fire?" Josephine asked.

"It won't work fast enough. If his body temperature doesn't get up soon, I fear out Herald won't make it through the night."

The answered was unacceptable for Cassandra, "There must be more we can do."

"Well umm." Cullen stuttered rubbing the back of his neck. "During my Templar training we learned survival skills and well…"

"Spit it out Cullen!" Leliana pressed.

"The quickest way to generate body heat is skin to skin contact." Cullen's gaze shifted to Cassandra along with all the others. "Someone needs to get under the covers to help generate the body heat he needs."

Cassandra waited a moment before speaking up. She would do it. In fact, she found she'd go dance naked in the snow under the moon light if it gave Aiden a fighting chance. "Try to find the herbs we need to help bring his fever down."

Once inside, the voices of her companions faded in order to give them or her rather, privacy. The tent was dim, the only light source coming from the blazers on the other side of the canvas. She would have to make sure that they found something to light the room for Aiden's comfort once he woke up.

If he woke up.

Shaking her head of the thought, Cassandra started working on the clasp of her armor. After the day fighting and trucking through knee deep snow, the lack of weight felt nice. She kept her breast bindings and small cloth on. She doubted Cullen's Templar training called for her to be completely clothes free.

Cassandra eased back the edge of the furs and slid next to Aiden on the narrow cot. She did her best to position herself so she was flush against his feverish skin and wrapped her arms around him. He'd filled out quite a bit more than she realized since that first day in the cell. The clothes and armor barely fit his slinger frame then. The constant traveling, training, and fighting helped develop sharp curves of muscle.

She pressed her face against his throat, "You better stay with me, you bastard. I swear I'll drag you back from the fade by your hair."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Cassandra awoke to a very warm hand moving over the swell of her hips to her backside. She gasped when Aiden pulled her flush with the front of his body. Somehow during their slumber they had turned on their side facing one another.

"So soft." Aiden dipped his head to skim his lips over her bare shoulder. "My fierce warrior with skin soft as silk."

"Aiden." She tried not to moan as his lips trailed across her collar bone. They were still chilled while his skin burned.

"Your warmth filled me, out in the snow." He continued on, her voice not registering. "Kept me going."

Her hands gripped his shoulder in an attempt to push him away and failed miserably. So many nights she laid awake wondering what his calloused hands would feel like exploring her body. Now that one was trialing across the inside of her thigh, Cassandra found it difficult to breathe. Though his body was still starved of heat, a fever raged war making him feel like fire. The air inside of the tent was frigid as the blazers most likely ran out of fuel.

Aiden nuzzled the spot behind her ear before dragging his teeth down the column of her throat. "I kept thinking about the last night in the cell. I wanted you more than I wanted to breathe. I've never wanted anyone before."

"Maker." Her fingers dug into the Herald's shoulders. She ached for Aiden to touch her, to take her and make her his. But he wasn't in the right frame of mind. Aiden was feverish and delirious. By the light, he still knew what he was doing.

"I wanted to be clean. I didn't want to taint you." His lips danced over the swell of her breasts, "You've be haunting me, Seeker."

He was fully pressed against her now and Cassandra could fell the head of his arousal pressing into the straps of her small cloth. One of her hands started drifting on its own accord. "You need rest, Trevelyan. You're still very weak." He thrust against her and she changed her mind on a low moan. "Weakish."

Nothing she said seemed to register. Aiden eased two fingers under the small cloth and slid into her folds. "So fucking warm." He slipped out and plunged back in. "I'm so cold, Cass. I need your warmth. I need you."

Cassandra bit her lip to keep the moan from escaping. She felt herself dripping wet as his fingers continued to explore. This shouldn't be happening. Not when he was delirious and unaware of what's truly going on around him. "Aiden." Writhing against him, Cassandra found her release building. His calloused fingers worked her, hitting all the right places like an expert lover while his mouth tormented her beast through the bindings. Cassandra felt like she was burning from the inside out. The tent turned into a raging inferno as their bodies moved against one another. "Mother of Andraste."

"I can feel it. You're so close." He breathed against her neck working her faster. "Come for me, Cassandra."

Even if she wanted to, there was no stopping her release as it tore through her like a bolt of lightning. He never let up his assault. Not even when she thrashed against him as the pleasure gripped her. "Fuck." She nearly screamed it, but somewhere in her brain remembered they were in the middle of camp. "Aiden."

He sucked the pulse at her neck riding out the crest in hopes to start the next wave.

And he did. Cassandra barely got her breath back when he sent her flying again. "I can't…" Shuttering, she went blind and deaf. It should be possible for a person to feel so much pleasure.

"So beautiful."

She wanted more, ached for it, but summoned all her will power to stop herself from begging for it. She needed- No he needed- them both fully aware when they finally gave into the fire between them. It seemed that Aiden must have some recognition as he didn't press any further, though it was clear by his harden arousal that he longed to be with her just as much. Her eyes tracked his hand, another string of arousal shot through her as he wrapped it around his swollen shaft. No matter how she longed to touch him, longed to bring him the same pleasure he had to her, Cassandra didn't. She wouldn't touch him without his consent.

Sweat dripped from his brow, the veins in his neck bulging in his efforts to find his release. Cassandra felt his coarse fingers tangle in the short strands of her hair, painfully tugging her close. Sensing what he needed, she fisted her hand in his long locks and twisted. A few hard strokes later, he let out a deep groan before spilling his seed in his hand. The pleasure that crossed his face left her breathless. She'd never seen a more beautiful sight.

Aiden dropped his head to the crock of her sweaty neck, "Cassandra. My Seeker."

Smiling, she stroked his damp hair, "My Trevelyan." His lips no longer felt cool against her skin. In fact, they felt like they were on fire trailing along her throat. Hopefully by morning Aiden would sweat the fever out. "Rest now."

His arm tightened around her shoulder, "Don't leave me."

"I'm not." She soothed shifting rather awkwardly to retrieve the cloth from the bowl of water left on the ground. Careful not to touch him more than she had too, Cassandra cleaned him up. "Lay your head down, Trevelyan."

An unguarded, genuine smile crossed his flushed face before his breath evened out and Aiden dropped back into the fade.

Once she was sure that no nightmares plagued him, Cassandra carefully slipped from his embrace to dress. Looking at him with color in his cheeks again gave her great comfort. She hadn't lost him. She had been so sure when the avalanche started that nothing would ever walk out of it

0o0o0o0o0o0o

Aiden woke surrounded by Cassandra's scent. Groaning, he swept his gaze around the tent finding himself stark naked beneath a layer of fur and Varric sitting at the opening of the tent. "Fuck." He muttered trying to move only to find pain. "What happened?"

"You dropped an entire mountain on your head, Charming." Varric closed his book, "You've been out for nearly a day now."

"Where are we?"

"Safe. Thanks to you."

Aiden grunted, "Everyone get out?"

"Enough did."

The answer didn't sit well with the Herald.

"Cassandra will be overjoyed seeing you awake. We only just managed to pry her from your bedside." The mentioning of the Seeker's name had the desired effect Varric was going for and the human's face softened away from the guilt. Varric nudged the clothes near the cot, "Dress and join us when you're up to it. Oh, you need to thank Solas?"

Aiden arched a brow, "Come again?"

"If it wasn't for the elf, Cassandra and Merthin would have stayed behind. Dress." Varric repeated leaving Aiden to his thoughts.

After forcing his body to move so he could dress in the few layers left for him, Aiden stepped out of the tent and found it on the outskirts of the camp that had been set up. The air was crisp and bone cold leaving the Rogue wishing for the warmth of the tent again.

Barking, Merthin circled and pranced around the Herald relentlessly.

Still weak, Aiden more collapsed then knelt to the snow so he could greet the hound and have his face licked to death. "Hey boy." Aiden found his arms full of Mabari as Merthin curled into his lap. "I'm glad to see you too."

Merthin whined, nuzzling his face into the man's shoulder.

"He's not the only one happy to see you."

The rogue's head snapped up to find Cassandra rounding the back corner of the tent. "Cassandra."

She watched relief cross his scarred face a moment before his shot to his feet towards her. Cassandra stepped forward to meet him, the impact of the embrace hard enough to knock the wind out of her. She fisted her hands in the back of his tunic anchoring herself as they swayed. "Aiden." Her Herald. Her Trevelyan was safe in her arms and holding onto her for dear life.

Cupping the nape of her beck, Aiden pressed her face into her hair. He could smell the traces of lavender through the scents left by battle. It both calmed and reassured him that she was safe.

Merthin tried to nudge his way into the air tight embrace.

On a teary laugh, Cassandra eased back and skimmed her fingers over the corner of his chapped lips, "You stupid noble bastard."

The hound quipped as if in agreement.

"It was the only way, Lass. The only way to keep everyone safe." He nuzzled her cheek, "I didn't get you back just to lose you."

"Then you went and threw yourself at a bloody dragon."

"Only way to keep you safe."

His lips skimmed over her cold cheek, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. The memories of his calloused hands and his mouth caressing her skin flooded her, leaving her aching.

He aligned their mouths leaving only a breath between them, "I won't apologize."

"I'd be worried if you did." She tangled her fingers in his lose hair, "Aiden, I want to tell you…"

Almost as if he had a six sense about it, Cullen called her name interrupting her before she could get any further in her declaration.

Aiden brushed a kiss across her brow, "I'm not going anywhere, Seeker. Go."

"You better not." Reluctantly, Cassandra slid out of his arms, "You are supposed to be resting. If Josephine sees you on your feet she'll bitch at you for hours and make you feel like you should have stayed out in the snow." She stoked a hand over Merthin's head, "Make sure he lies down."

Nodding, Merthin nipped the rogue's trousers and pulled him in the opposite direction of Cassandra.

"Alright." Begrudgingly, Aiden found an empty cot closest to a blazer. Ever so faithful, Merthin curled on the ground by his feet and Aiden soon found his eyes growing heavy.

For what felt like the tenth time, Aiden awoke to his advisors going another round with each other. It seemed that Cassandra and Cullen were at complete disagreement on what their next move should be. Both of their arguments were vialed. The people of Haven didn't sign up for battle and asking them through the mountains, to follow and be the back bone of the Inquisition would be too much. On the other hand, if they lost their support and structure, all their work would be lost. The Inquisition would fall apart.

Groaning, Aiden propped himself up on his elbows surprised to find Mother Gisele at his feet petting Merthin. The hound seemed upset about all the arguing.

She looked up at him, "You need to rest, Herald."

He hated that no matter how many times he asked, the mother refused to call him anything besides 'your worship' and 'Herald.' "They've been at it for hours."

"They have that luxury, thanks to you. The enemy could not follow and with time to doubt we turn to blame." Her gaze shifted to the arguing advisors. "In fighting may threaten us as much as this Corypheus."

"Do we know where he or his army of red Templars are?"

"We can't even be sure where we are. We just took to the mountains for cover, which is why we do not know where he is. Or that, he believes you are dead."

Aiden felt like he was. Everything ached, new and old injuries alike. So soon after purging himself of his habit, he was hesitant to take even a healing potion. "Well, yelling isn't going to help. It's only going to cause more unrest amongst tired people."

"Another heated voice won't help." Mother Gisele showered her wisdom in the truth of the statement. "Our leaders struggle because of what we endured. We saw our defender, a man willing to give his life, and fall. Now we have seen him return. It seems now that our trails are ordained. It's hard to accept, no? What we have been called to endure. What perhaps we must come to believe?"

"Aye." He sat up and swung his legs over the side of the cot, petting Merthin when he left the mother to lay his head on his lap. Didn't they see that he didn't fall and come back to life? People needed to see he wasn't ordained by Andraste or the Maker. Simple luck was why he got this far. That and the combat and leadership of his companions. "I didn't die. I got blasted into a well and was just lucky I didn't break my neck. There is nothing special about me past the mark on my hand."

"Of course." The mother agreed, "But the people know what they saw or perhaps what they needed to see. Can we truly know the heavens are not with us?"

Dragging a hand through his hair, Aiden struggled to keep his voice calm. "It doesn't matter what I believe because faith isn't going to change that Corypheus is a real physical threat. We can't defeat him with faith and hope." Nothing could be done with those two things. Aiden knew that one personally. Sighing, he pushed to his feet stumbling until he caught himself on the wooden tent post.

Merthin rubbed against the rogue's leg.

"I'm alright boy." But his advisors weren't. By now the arguing had stop and the four separated. Cullen stood refusing to look at anything but the snow. Josephine sat by herself while the Spymaster sat in the snow with her legs pulled to her chest. Cassandra, his mighty Seeker, looked down at the map on the table desperate to find answers. She glanced up at him and he gave her a halfhearted smile, wishing he had it in him to chase away the worry in her eyes.

Mother Gisele lifted her voice in song, raising in the silent air and echoing throughout the camp. Aiden tracked the woman as she moved and one by one people joined in song. Soon everyone, even Cullen, sang along and turned towards him. He fought the urge to turn away and find a hiding spot. Instead, he gripped Merthin's collar for support. They were placing their hope and faith in him. The knowledge made Aiden feel queasy. They were wrong. He couldn't do this. He couldn't be their leader. Couldn't be their savior. He barely knew how to fight. Until two weeks ago, he couldn't go a day without drinking a damn potion so he could function. He was tainted by his past. He was a slave, an elf-blood.

Aiden caught Cassandra's gaze again. The worry was still there, but pride shined on her face. She was proud of him. Emotions clogged his throat. Didn't she know that the small ray of light inside him was her doing? He never wanted to do good or aspire to be something than a bitter and broken man. Until her.

The singing stopped and Mother Gisele looked at him. "An army needs more than an enemy to fight. It needs a cause."

"Herald."

Merthin whirled around and dropped into a low defensive position.

Aiden turned and though his skin crawled, told the hound to stand down. "I hear I have you to thank for dragging Cassandra out of the chantry."

Solas glanced at Merthin, "Both were very reluctant to leave you."

"Thank you." Aiden worked the words out of his throat, "I don't know what I would do if I lost… Did you need something?"

"A moment of your time."

The Herald hesitated before forcing himself to follow the elf, "What is it?"

Solas let them to a clear away from the camp. "The orb that Corypheus carried, the power used against you, is elven."

"Could have figured that on myself, thanks."

Solas stopped the rogue from going too far, "Corypheus used the orb to open the breach, unlocking it must have caused the explosion at the Conclave."

Aiden didn't realize the weight he carried thinking the explosion was his fault until he felt the pressure ease ever so slightly off his shoulders. "You're certain?"

"I've seen this magic in the fade, old memories of older magic. He might think it Tevinter, but he built his magic on the bones of my people." Solas paused for a moment to let the anger seep from his voice. "I know you don't care much for my kind, but regardless of your feelings, Corypheus is using my people's magic and it threatens this alliance."

"And what shall we do so we don't end up like the elves? Because right now, I'm open for suggestions, even from you, on what to do. Those people." Aiden pointed back to camp, "Think I can guide them. They think I have the answers, but I don't."

"By attacking the Inquisition Corypheus has changed it. Changed you." Solas's gaze flickered to the Herald's marked hand. "Scout to the North. Be their guide."

"Why the north?"

"There is a place that awaits a force to hold it. There is a place where the Inquisition can build. Grow. It's called Skyhold."

"Are you certain this place exists?"

"I have not laid eyes upon it myself. Only heard the whispers."

"Let me get this straight." Aiden rubbed a hand over his beard, "You want me to ask these people that lost everything to follow me through the mountains to a place that may not exist?"

"They haven't lost everything, Herald." Solas started to leave the human to his thoughts, "They still have hope and faith. I think Mother Gisele has proven those are two powerful things."

Alone, Aiden looked to the mountains. Morning was coming. A new day and Solas just offered them a new beginning. A place to heal. He turned back to the camp. The morale from tonight's moment wouldn't last long if they didn't move soon.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

The camp set out at first light. They left in stages as some needed more time than others and to minimize detection if needed from the enemy. The pace was still too slow for Aiden's liking. He and is inner circled scouted a head. The terrain difficult and the weather miserable. His healing body didn't like either. By nightfall, clouds rolled in from the mountain tops, dropping the temperature even more.

"We will need to set up camp." Cullen announced and no one complained. All except Aiden. "Trevelyan we simply cannot proceed safely in such condition. On top of that, you're injured and need rest. We don't have enough tents so we will have to share."

Cassandra watched Aiden fear flood the Herald's face as Cullen walked away. She placed a calming hand on his arm and his glowing gaze met hers. "Aiden."

"I can't, Cassandra." Already his stomach knotted at the thought of being surrounded by darkness and be confined by the walls of the tent and the bodies of his companions. He couldn't breathe.

"Merthin stay." Cassandra commanded darting after the rogue.

Aiden's legs gave out once he disappeared behind a think tree line. He heaved, but nothing came up. "Go away." He commanded hearing the familiar weight of Cassandra's footsteps. Maker, Aiden wanted one of his potions. To make everything go away. To get back to oblivion.

"Let me-."

"Get the fuck away from me, Cassandra!" The last thing he wanted was her to see him like this.

Neither tone nor anger swayed her and she knelt next to him in the snow, "Look at me." Aiden turned his head away, "I said look at me damn it!"

The strength in her voice had him complying. When he expected to find disappointment or disgust, Aiden only found affection mixed with concern in her dark orbs. "Give me a potion. Please."

The plea in his voice tore Cassandra's heart apart. "No."

"I need it. Don't you see I can't do this with it out it? I can't." His voice trailed off as her hands framed his face. Aiden gripped her wrist, "Please."

Cassandra shook her head, pressing her brow to his, "You don't need it." She fought him when he tried to pull away, "Tell me… Tell me how to help you."

"Kiss me." He softy demanded squeezing his eyes shut. She complied, pressing her eager mouth to his. One of his hands tangled in the shorts stands of her hair while his other moved to the small of her back to crush her against him. Aiden wished for gentleness, but he had none to give, his lips moving franticly against hers. Cassandra met him beat for beat, her lips just as bruising, just as demanding. Months of building tension between them finally released in one mind blowing kiss.

Conditioning had him bracing for pain only for it to never come. Like her voice and touch, her taste calmed the bundle of nerves twisting in the pit of his stomach. Aiden pulled away before his controlled snapped completely.

Panting, Cassandra stroked her fingers over his scarred lips, "You've got to fight it, Trevelyan. I know you've been through so much and I know that it's hard to function when you relied on something to help you do it." She locked her gaze on his glowing ones, "You have friends to get you through this. You got me, you have since the beginning."

"So many look to me, I don't know how to handle it. They need someone I can't be."

"You can. I've seen it and you know that I'll be with you, always."

Aiden heard the sound of camp being made, "I can't go into a tent, into the darkness."

"I'll be with you." Cassandra echoed. "I understand the fear, I didn't before until… Until Ormo."

His face softened. With everything happening so fast, he never asked or simply allowed her to talk about the ordeal. To make sure she was truly okay beyond the bruises and scrapes. Maker! He truly was a selfish bastard.

"It's okay. The breach was out main focus, but now there is time it's all come back."

"What can I do? Tell me how I can help."

"We will help each other." She brushed his lips over his brow, "Think you can go back?"

"I need a bit more time."

"I'll send Merthin."

This woman was far more than he deserved. "Thank you, Cassandra."

0o0o0o0o00o0o0o0o

Aiden couldn't sleep. The obvious reason being that he shared a tent meant for two with four and it was pitch black. He laid on his side with his back facing the opening of the tent and Cassandra laying flush against his front side. Feeling her warmth and the outline of her body gave him the comfort he needed to keep himself from freaking out and taking his chance out in the snow storm. Only down side, he had to control his mind from running wild and keep his body from reacting having the Seeker so close.

A very hard task when all he could think about was her naked skin pressed to his. Not above admitting about fantasizing about Cassandra, Aiden felt these flashes of images weren't his imagination. If he focused hard enough, Aiden could almost recall the texture of her skin. Could recall the curves of her body molded against his. Recall the heat. The scent.

"Can't sleep?"

Aiden jolted at the sound of Cassandra's soft whisper breaking the silence. "How can you tell?"

"You're fidgeting."

Shit. Aiden noticed he was drumming his fingers on her hip. "Sorry." The mumble nearly turned into a moan as Cassandra shifted against him. "What are you doing?"

Instead of answering, Cassandra managed to turn so she was facing him without waking up the rest of their tent mates. "Are you in pain?"

"Nothing I can't live with." Aiden assured.

"Then what troubles you, Trevelyan?" Cassandra pillowed her head on her hand.

The Herald mimicked her position so they were completely eye to eye. They were so close he could feel the heat radiating from her body. "Everything."

She reached for his marked hand. He took to wearing gloves to mask the growing tint in his veins. "You mentioned it changed. Does it hurt?"

He wiggled his fingers, her thumb stoked over the jagged green tear of light in the center of his palm. "When he tried to take it, I thought I would die from the pain." He could admit that now with her knowing full well that Cassandra wouldn't judge or think him weak. "I felt like I was being torn from a dozen different directions. I wanted him to take the anchor. It was pure agony."

Cassandra's mind wondered to that moment in the chantry before he went charging into battle. So close to losing him. Close to never seeing his dazzling smile. Hearing his voice. Feeling his touch. "You're a brave and courageous man, Trevelyan."

Her praise made his breath hitch, "I'm just a man of circumstances, Lass."

"I don't believe that." Cassandra whispered locking gazes through the darkness. She continued to stoke her thumb over his palm. "Andraste-…"

"Didn't pick me." His voice was short and loud enough to stir Cullen.

Accepting his outburst, the Seeker waited until the Commander's soft snore filled the tent once more. "She didn't pluck you from your life and dragged you through the fade, but my faith tells me that Andraste put you on this path. She guided you because she knew you were exactly what we needed, when we needed it the most."

Not a faithful man, Aiden accepted hers and hoped he could live up to it. He could always count on Cassandra to pick him up and give him a good kick in the ass when needed. "Who knows, maybe Andraste lead me to find you."

Startled by the confession, Cassandra hastily adverted her gaze. "Me?"

"I mean the camp. When I found my way out of the tunnel there was nothing pointing in the direction you guys went. I don't know how I found you."

"You don't remember?" Blessed Andraste Cassandra sent up her praise to the Maker's bride. She was sure that Aiden was just trying to spare her the embarrassment and purposely not bringing up what transpired in the tent.

"Cold. I remember the pain and how much I hated the fucking cold." Now, Aiden tried to think through the muddled images and once again his mind became flooded with images of Cassandra's naked body. "I think there was a wolf before everything went black. Next thing I can remember is waking up and Varric at my side."

Cassandra laid her hand carefully on his forearm, stroking the fresh scar. "You were lucky all the wolf did was take a chunk out of your arm. Or that you even had the strength to continue after all you went through. So maybe you're right. Maybe Andraste did guide you."

Aiden's strength had nothing to do with Andraste or the Maker. His strength, his will to keep going, had all to do with the woman in front of him. Her. Her disgruntle groans. And his longing to taste her again pushed Aiden through the deep snow. "You should sleep, Lady Cassandra." She wrinkled her noise trying to fake displeasure, but he knew her well enough to know her true feelings as he alternated through her titles. "We have another long day of trucking through the mountains."

"As should you, Trevelyan."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

They were working on their second week of traveling and morale was hanging by a thread. Aiden struggled himself to show confidence that they were ever going to make it out of these blasted mountains let alone find this Skyhold Solas talked about. He longed for warmth, something in his stomach besides broth, and a bath.

"You know." Varric hugged himself righter, but it offered very little heat against the relentless gust of wind. "This is a good place as any to lay down and freeze to death."

Aiden grumbled in approval.

"But first we throw chuckles off a mountain."

"Don't tempt me."

"How are you holding up?" Varric wondered following the human up a small set of rocks. "It seems you have a knack of rolling into one major even after another."

"Just putting one foot in front of the other. I'll think about everything once we find shelter. If we ever find it." Aiden added on a whisper so no one over heard him. "I think Corypheus might have hit my head harder than I thought for agreeing to follow the elf."

"Much longer out here and I fear my legs will freeze off."

"I offered you a ride, Varric." Bull chimed in from behind.

Aiden chuckled seeing Sera happily perched on the Qunari's shoulders safe from the cold ground.

"Herald."

Aiden took a deep breath, "He calls me that one more time, and the damn elf is going over."

"No argument from me." Varric stated.

Pushing his aching body up the bolder exhausted all of his energy. He didn't even have enough to get off his knees. A good thing as he most likely would have been knocked right back down. There it was! Skyhold sat in waiting just down the backside of the mountain. Tattered flags flapped in the wind along the battlements and keep. Aiden wasn't sure exactly what he was expecting, but it wasn't this massive fortress.

"Thank the Maker." Blackwall clasped in complete exhaustion next to the rogue.

"That's Skyhold?" Sera asked atop Bull's shoulders.

"Apparently." Aiden muttered. "Solas this place is abandoned?"

The elf nodded, "And has been for quite some time."

"Why would anyone abandon such a stronghold?" Cullen gazed down at Skyhold. "The mountains provide great cover and with only one passage we can see the enemy long before they can see us."

"Perfect place for us to regroup." Leliana added in awe, "Come. Let's scout ahead before the next group catches up."


Plenty of fan art (or attempt anyways) by me over on my tumblr which is Tonks32 if you're intrested.