29th of Firstfall, 9:41 Dragon
"How are you doing today?"
Runa looked up at Leana as she came over. "Better, though these bandages itch."
"Good thing I came to change them then." Leana said with a smile.
Runa returned the smile, as weary as she still felt. "Thanks, Leana. I promise I'll not to make a habit of this."
Leana chuckled. "Oh, I don't mind. Keeps me busy, even if I can't help but be worried about you."
Runa sat still as Leana went about changing the bandages, dressing her nearly healed wounds, and listened to the bustling outside.
"Well, your wounds are healing really well. Adan's salve helped to stem the bleeding, but it looks like it kept them from getting infected as well. You be sure to thank him once you're back on your feet."
"I will." She looked back at Leana. "Will they scar?"
Leana sighed and nodded. "These wounds were much deeper than the ones the magister inflicted. You may be lucky and not all of them will scar, but the majority will."
Runa looked away, sighing. "At least I'm free now, thanks to Hawke." She remembered how he came into the Fade and battled Zakkon, slaying him in order to free her from her torment. "If it weren't for him, I don't think I could have held on any longer."
"You're very strong, Runa." Leana said, tying the last of the bandages. "You should be proud of yourself for lasting as long as you did. Even at your weakest, you still did not give in." She leaned into her, giving her arms a gentle squeeze. "It's good to have you back, regardless. You had us all worried, especially Cullen."
Runa tensed a bit at his name, glad that Leana had already stood and excused herself. She looked down at her hands, trying to relax and unball the fists that had formed. It wasn't really him, but just seeing his face being used by Zakkon was enough to do a significant amount of damage. But she couldn't figure out why it affected her so much; she did her best to avoid him just like she did any other Templar and when she spoke with him it was a brief as she could make it. So then why did it bother her so much seeing his face? Was it because of her past experience with Templars? Was it because he was an authoritative figure that she still had to answer to being with the Inquisition and she would have to face him every day still? Or was it something more, something deeper she couldn't yet comprehend? Sighing, she carefully stood from the bed and grabbed the nightgown hanging on the edge, pulling it over her head before she slowly made her way out of the infirmary to stretch her legs.
It had been five days since she was freed from Zakkon, but her strength was recovering at a good pace and she was tired of being cooped up. She took her time as she walked around, amazed at the fortress she found herself in. Leana had filled her in a couple days before on what had transpired since she slipped into unconsciousness. Skyhold was truly massive, well suited to what the Inquisition had and was continuing to become. And it was beautiful, too, but not as beautiful as the view she was welcomed with when she had climbed the battlements. The mountains, capped in snow, spread out before her and the loud hum of the giant waterfall in the near distance filled the air. The bitter chill on the wind brought news of more snow as winter really began to set in.
"Runa?"
Runa tensed and looked behind her to see Cullen standing there. "Hey..."
"Hey yourself..." Cullen rubbed his neck, wondering if he should even be talking to her after what happened five days prior. "It's good to see you on your feet, but shouldn't you be resting?"
Runa sighed. "Probably, but I needed to stretch my legs and get some fresh air." She turned to look back out over the mountains. "Besides, a view as beautiful as this is good for the soul."
Cullen smiled at that, joining her at the battlement wall. "It is." He looked down at her when he heard her feet shuffle and noticed she had taken a few steps away from him. "I'm sorry..."
Runa wrapped her arms around herself, looking away. "No, I'm sorry..." She sighed. "This isn't fair to you... it wasn't your fault..."
"Hawke..." Cullen sighed, feeling terrible for making her uncomfortable. "He told us what the demon had done to you... for what it's worth, Runa, I'm sorry for what you had to go through..."
Runa looked up as he turned and walked away, sensing that he didn't want to make her any more uneasy than she already was. 'Cullen...' She found that her chest was aching as she watched him disappear into one of the towers, but she wasn't sure if it was from guilt or something else. Another gust of wind rushed over the battlements, chilling her to the bone, so she made her way back to the infirmary and curled up under the covers to get warm.
3rd of Haring, 9:41 Dragon
"Runa!"
Runa had been given the all clear by Leana and Adan, so she reported in to Molly and the others with a warning to take it easy for another week.
"How are you feeling?"
"Much better. I've been cleared to return to my duties, but I need to take it slow for the next week."
"That's wonderful news."
"Indeed."
Runa smiled a bit, finding that she couldn't help but avoid Cullen's gaze. She looked to Molly as she spoke next.
"So, now that you're on your feet again, there's something we'd like to discuss with you."
"Oh?"
"We'd like to offer you a permanent position within the Inquisition, if you'd like to stay."
Runa looked at her, surprised. "What kind of position?"
"How would you like to be a captain?"
Runa glanced over at Cullen, then returned her attention to Molly. "What would that entail?"
"You'd be working with Cullen and our soldiers, same level of authority as Rylen."
'Same level as Rylen? He's Cullen's second in command...' Runa thought, glancing again over at Cullen for a moment. 'I'd be working closely with Cullen, though... can I do that..?'
"If it'd make you uncomfortable after what happened with Zakkon, we'd understand. We just wanted to repay you for everything you've done for us in whatever way we could."
Runa managed a smile at that. "Thank you, Herald, I appreciate that. Though, you did enough just by freeing me from Zakkon. I cannot begin to tell you what that means to me."
Molly returned her smile. "You've become one of us, Runa. We'd do anything for you."
"Even as a mage?"
"Even as a mage. You've earned the respect and trust of everyone here, whether you realize it or not. And it'd be nice to know that you could have my back out on the battlefield."
"That I would."
"Does that mean you'll accept our offer?"
Runa nodded. "If you need me on the battlefield as a captain, then to repay you for saving me twice now I accept." She heard a faint sigh of relief from Cullen and wondered if he even realized he had done it. "Just give me a week before sending me out into the field?"
"If we didn't, I know a very pleasant elvhen healer that would not be so pleasant anymore." Molly joked. "Now, come with me, we have something for you."
Curious, Runa followed Molly as she led the way out of the war room and out into the courtyard above the infirmary. She followed her up another set of stairs towards the Templar tower, then over to the walkway that overlooked the garden where she stopped at one of the doors.
"We set aside a room for you." Molly said, opening the door and letting her inside. "It's not much, but it's better than a tent."
Runa looked around the room, seeing a bed, a nightstand, a wardrobe, a desk and an armchair next to a small bookshelf. It had no windows, but Runa was perfectly fine with that as long as she had a lamp for light. She looked at Molly and smiled. "It's great, Molly, thanks."
"Of course." Molly initially returned her smile, but it faded a bit and she looked at Runa, worried. "Will you be OK working with Cullen?"
Runa sighed. "I honestly don't know, but part of me is hoping I'm out in the field more often than not. At least until the sting of what Zakkon did fades away."
"If it ever becomes too much, just let me know, OK?"
"I will. Thanks, Molly."
"Any time. I'll leave you to settle in and what not." Molly turned to leave, but stopped and pointed to the wardrobe. "Oh, and I know you don't have much to your name, so Leliana, Josie, and I got a few things together for you. Oh, and the key to your room is on the desk." She winked and left, closing the door behind her.
Runa went to the wardrobe, opening the oaken doors to find a new closet's worth of clothes. She reached up and touched the expensive looking fabrics, feeling soft and as light as air. She smiled, silently thanking the ladies for their gift.
4th of Haring, 9:41 Dragon
Cullen shouted orders to the recruits, giving directions to his captains. He sighed, wondering how often they would get fresh recruits.
"You ever tire of barking orders?"
Cullen turned to find Runa joining him and was surprised to see her. "Shouldn't you be resting?" He replied, sounding harsher than he meant as he turned his attention back to the training session.
Runa just rolled her eyes and ignored his tone. "I should be taking it easy this week and I am." She stood next to him, watching the recruits. "You push them a bit too hard, you know."
"We're at war, we can't afford not to train."
"That may be, but we also can't afford to have our men collapse from exhaustion before they can even leave Skyhold. You need to give them time to recoup."
"Is that why you're here? To lecture me on how to treat my men?"
Again, Runa ignored his harsh tone. "Actually, I came to let you know that I'll be away for the week. There's someone I need to visit in a village a few days from here."
Cullen looked at her, his brow furrowed with worry. "Will you be going alone?"
Runa nodded. "I'll travel faster that way."
"Just be careful, then."
"I will."
Cullen watched her leave as she left it at that and headed for the stables. 'Where could she possibly be going?'