"Are you okay?" Cullen asked me suddenly as we walked in the snow.

Before I could answer, Sera spat out, "This shite is impossible! This all has to be a dream."

"What?" I shivered.

"Buttercup can't believe any of this is really happening," Varric translated.

I glanced over at Cullen, we'd barely spoken since before I left for Redcliffe with Alex, "So, are you staying warm?"

Cullen gave me a wierd look before sighing, "Yes, I am warm."

"What are you doing back here with us, Curly?" Varric turned his attention upon the Commander.

Cullen looked as though he was at a loss for words, "I just-"

"Can't he walk with friends?" I asked Varric, pulling the attention off of Cullen.

Varric smirked, "Of course he can. I just didn't realize that the two of you were friends."

"Why is the Herald spending so much time with the elfy?" Sera frowned.

"They're scouting ahead," Blackwall stated.

"For what?" Sera shivered. "There's noting but mountains in the direction that they're taking us."

"Maybe we can talk a little bit later," Cullen sighed as he looked ahead. "When the dwarf isn't around to make me feel..."

"Watched?" I offered.

Cullen nodded, "Right."

He ran ahead, Varric smiled at me, "So..."

"What? Why are you smiling at me like that?" I frowned.

"What's going on between you and the Commander?" Varric asked me, his smile grew.

"Varric, you know that you would know the moment anything like that happened... if anything like that were to happen," I shook my head.

It had been three days since Haven had been destroyed, and barely anyone got to see Alex besides Solas. There were rare glances of him, but he acted as a scout alone. Like everyone else, I wondered where Alex and Solas were leading us, but unlike Sera, I had faith that they knew what they were doing and where we were going.

"You know, this is going to be a fun trip," Dorian winked at me. "There has to be something fun you and I could do."

"We're on a mountain in the middle of nowhere, Dorian," I pointed out. "What would be fun enough for you and I to do?"

"Oh, I have an idea," Dorian chuckled. I was almost scared, "Here's the idea. Perhaps we can talk about...me."

"Talk about you? How exactly is that supposed to be fun?" I asked.

"That's an excellant question, Sparkler," Varric smirked.

"It will be fun, because we'd be talking about me," Dorian's smile grew.

I could have been wrong, but the vibes that I got off of Dorian-even from the way he flirted-I had the feeling that he was...well, gay. The way he wanted to talk about himself openly, and the way he could hold a conversation with Vivienne...and other little things, made me believe that. I didn't voice my suspicions, because it wasn't my place, and I didn't want to in case I was wrong. Still, it made me feel a bond that only a girl could have with a gay man-it made me want to tell him everything, knowing that if he was gay, it would probably make us closer.

"I'm sure we could find something-" Sera started. "Shite."

"What?" both Varric and I frowned.

"Look," Sera said, as if we were stupid. I looked ahead at the path that became narrow and twisted up the mountain. It made me wonder how we were going to get the Inquisition's mounts up it with the wagons. At the top of the path, Alex and Solas waited for the Inquisition. Cullen had caught up to Cassandra, and stopped with her at the bottom of the steep climb and told others how to proceed up the mountain path. I tried to ready myself for the hike, others seemed to be doing the same thing.

"Be careful heading up," Cullen gave me a small smile.

"Thanks, Curly," Varric grinned at the Commander as we passed him and Cassandra.

"This is shite," Sera huffed out.

"At least the hike is good for your health," I offered, knowing that I wasn't going to be thinking that on the way up.

"Learned that from Blondie, did you?" Varric smiled.

I shook my head, "No, I learned that when I was much younger."

Varric was the only one who understood what I was saying. Everyone else just quieted up and focused their energy on going up the path. I wish I could have said that the hike up the mountain path was easy, but it really wasn't. I could feel the burn in my muscles not even halfway up. There was a lot of ground to cover on the path still, people at the front seemed to be little over halfway up, but there were a lot more that still needed to start their way up the path. I managed to keep my pace, dispite the burn that entered my lungs. Varric remained at my side through the was a lot on my mind, but all I wanted to do was reach the top, where Solas and Alex were. I felt like my lungs were going to burst, my legs felt like jelly, but if Sera could do this, then so could I. I just thought back to Rodrick's determination while we escaped from Haven, and the thought gave me the insperation I needed to climb. By the time I reached the top of the path, I was gasping for air.

Alex gave me a small smile, "That was the easiest way up."

"You speak," I gasped.

"I've been a bit busy," Alex smiled. "When I have time, I'll give you my attention." A twinkle entered his sea green eyes as he pulled me aside to allow others to pass. "Is it the sight of me that leaves you breathless, or was it the climb?" Solas let out a light chuckle.

"Could it be both?" I tried to flirt back while trying to catch my breath, and caused Solas to chuckle again.

Alex's smile grew, as did the twinkle in his bright sea green eyes, "Absolutely."

I was happy that recent events hadn't changed the way that Alex flirted with me. I guess in a way, it made me feel good. I had missed Isabela's flirting while I was in Starkhaven, but since I joined the Inquisition, Alex and Dorian...and my slight flirting with Cullen seemed to fill that void.

"I promise, I'll find you when I have the time," Alex took a breath.

"That may be a while, though," Solas warned me as I jumped back into the line.

The wind was blowing feircely, making it impossible to warm up completely. The Inquisition was stopped due to a blizzard. There were handfuls of people who probably wouldn't make it through the night; yesterday there were several people I knew for a fact got sick, and there was nothing we could do about it.

"As soon as the storm passes, we'll be on the move again," Cassandra said as she came into the tent.

"You've told everyone that, Seeker?" Varric shivered.

"The Herald asked it of me," Cassandra stated, "so yes, I did."

"Do you have any idea where we're being led?" Sera asked Cassandra.

"All I was told was 'somewhere we will all be safe', and I chose to accept that," Cassandra breathed out.

"Any idea when the storm will be over?" I asked.

Cassandra shook her head, "I wish I knew."

"How can it be so cold?" I looked around the tent. "I swear I can feel the cold in my bones."

"Dreamy, just think about warm things," Varric smiled.

"That's kind of hard to do right now," I stated. The tent allowed drafts of wind to press through, making it colder than before. I ached for the warmth of a fire.

Dorian gave me a smile before he leaned close and spoke so softly, only I could hear, "You could always imagine the Herald of Andraste doing something...suggestive."

I felt my face turn slightly warm with a blush, but it was already red from the cold. I had a feeling that Dorian could sense my blush. He leaned against me, but the gesture was more friendly than romantic. I didn't believe that he was even remotely interested in me. My bet was that Iron Bull had a better chance to get with Dorian than I did. The thought of the two of them together made me giggle. Dorian would definitely be the bitch in that relationship. I giggled even harder, probably making everyone think there was something going on between the two of us.

"Storm's past!" Alex's voice called out.

The camp was taken apart quickly-given the fact that few tents were used to ride out the storm. It was cold, yes, but as soon as I started moving, I got a little bit warmer. I tried not to let my mind wander to what Dorian had suggested. Alex was a handsome man, but so was Cullen...I had to be a crush slut, didn't I? I wasn't saying it was wrong for me to have a crush on both me, I just felt weird. They were both good men, I could see it in their actions since I met them. Cullen was shy when it came to flirting, but he was sweet and strangely innocent in certian aspects. I found it was cute to the point where I could very well become like Isabela with the flirting, but there was the obstical of revealing my secret of being from a different world. Thanks to Varric, Alex already knew my secrets, but that made our frienship without any secrets on my part. Alex surprised me, he openly flirted with me-and many others as well. I could be completely me, without having to lie about my past or anything else. That was my best defense.

I shook my head and forced myself to not think about the ex-Templar and the Herald of Andraste. I thought about the warmth of my sister's smile, and focused on thinking about my memories of Faith. Such as camping as children during the summer, or the two of us building forts in the livingroom with blankets. The thought was absolutely helpful and warming. Faith had been the best sister I could have asked for. She gave me a great and happy childhood, one that I was glad I got to have.

"Someone help!" a young boy's voice called from the back, pulling me from my thoughts. I whirled around and rushed to the back, a small boy was holding an even smaller child in the snow. A little girl. I rushed to them quickly and lifted the girl into my arms. She was exhausted and cold...more cold than anything else. I attempted to warm her as I turned around, motioning for the boy to follow along beside me.

"What's your name?" I asked the boy.

"I'm Byron, and that's my sister, Iris," the boy looked worried.

"Where are your parents?" I asked.

"No idea, Iris and I were taken to the Circle three years ago, right before the rebellion," Byron quivered.

"Don't worry, we'll watch over you," I offered Byron a smile.

"We're mages," Byron frowned.

"So am I, and the Herald of Andraste is a mage as well," I countered. "I think that children should just be children."

"As do I," Alex caused me to jump. He held out his arms to take Iris. "Fiona should have healers."

"They're exhausted and cold," I shook my head. "Some are sick themselves."

"Well, we're almost to our desination," Alex said as he took Iris from me.

"How close?" I asked.

"Another day and a half," Alex sighed as we began to walk again. "If we don't get stopped by another storm, we should make good time tonight."

"Why aren't you up in the front of the pack with Solas?" I pressed.

"I venture everywhere," Alex winked at me.

"Children, Alex," I pointed out.

"I believe we should get to know each other better before we think about that," Alex let out a chuckle.

"I meant-" I started.

"I know," Alex smiled.

"I didn't mean-" my face turned redder as I stammered. "I-um-this is Byron, and that's his little sister, Iris."

By the way that Alex smiled, I knew that he could tell I was being shy. Prude more like it, I didn't want to act inappropiately in front of children. Still, Alex nodded at Byron, "It's nice to meet you."

"Do you think Iris will be okay?" Byron asked him.

Alex looked at me, then back at Byron as he offered the child a smile, "I'll make sure that she's okay."

I watched Byron relax a bit, as if Alex's words had calmed the boy. It was kind of how I usually responded to Alex's reassurances, to the point where it was kind of wierd.

"You're soft towards children," I shivered.

"And you're not?" Alex raised an eyebrow at me. "I think I understand why Mercy was drawn to you in the first place."

"You do?" I asked.

"How many people just kept walking while you stopped, ran all the way back, just to help a few kids you've never met?" Alex sighed. "You have more mercy inside your heart than most."

"Thank you," I smiled weakly. It was pretty much right on.

"I was only stating a fact, Kimmy," Alex chuckled.

I was eager for the "day and a half" to go by; I was sure that by the time we reached where we were going, I was going to be on the verge of getting sick. It wouldn't have surprised me if everyone got slightly sick after spending so much time out in the snow.

Iris was sleeping beside the small fire I built in my tent, while Byron sat close beside his sister. It was late, but I was more worried for the small girl; I had no concept of time. Cullen peaked his head into my tent, by the look on his face, he was surprised to see the two children there.

"Commander Cullen, why don't you come in?" I offered.

"I appologize, I know that it's late," Cullen stepped into the tent.

"As you can see, I'm still wide awake," I offered a smile. "Can I help you?"

Cullen shook his head, "I just thought that we could talk."

"Are you taking a break?" I faked a gasp.

"It's a rare thing," Cullen chuckled, then he cleared his throat. "We both serve the Inquisition, and I'm not...Varric said I should try befriending you."

"That's not very discrete," I laughed.

"It sounded better coming from the dwarf," Cullen sighed. "He made it so I was convinced it was a good idea."

I laughed even harder, "Varric can do that." I took a deep breath and smiled at Cullen, "Is that why you're here? To be my friend?"

"Maker, I'm sorry, that sounds-" Cullen started.

"Like a very good idea," I offered.

Cullen stopped for a moment, then nodded, "I agree."

I glanced over at Byron, he was snuggled close to his sister, already asleep. I smiled a bit and let out a sigh, "Thank you, one can never have enough friends."

Cullen looked over at the children and frowned a bit, "So, did you suddenly decide to take in these kids as your own?"

I let out a soft laugh and shook my head, "No, but that's not going to stop him from looking after these kids. War should be the last thing they should have to worry about. They're just...children."

"No wonder the Herald of Andraste has taken a liking to you," Cullen smiled to the point where his brown eyes sparkled.

"Are you with anyone?" I smirked.

Cullen's face turned slightly red, "What?"

"Did you leave anyone behind in Kirkwall?" I asked. "Someone who was special to you?"

Cullen's face grew to a brighter red. He narrowed his eyes at me, "Not in Kirkwall, no."

"I'm sorry, Cullen," I laughed.

"For what?" he seemed confused. Oblivious to the fact that I had flirted with him, and then appologized for it. All I wanted to do now was laugh, it was funny and adorable. It also let me know that he wasn't accustomed to flirting at all. I held my side as a laughter cramp stung my side.

"Ouch!" I still laughed.

"Are you okay, Kimberly?" Cullen asked me.

"Just a fit of laughter," I nodded.

Byron stirred in his sleep, reminding me that I was sharing my tent with the two children. Cullen seemed to freeze as well. After a moment of us being completely quiet, Cullen gave me a small smile, "I should let you try to get some rest."

"Thank you for your time," I smiled back at him.

"Anytime," Cullen nodded as he turned and left my tent.

I tried to just look forward to tomorrow as I watched over Iris and Byron. If Alex was correct, then we should be reaching our destination in just past of one more day. I could feel excitement at the thought of actually being somewhere that we were all safe. Completely safe. I had to have faith that Alex and Solas were right, Solas was usually right, and Alex had the strangest luck, that it was possible that we could find the safest place in all of Thedas.

"Kimberly?" Byron's soft voice woke me up, as my tent opened and someone came in.

"Still sleeping?" Alex sounded amused.

I shook my head as I got up, though it made me want to lay back down, "No, I'm up. I'm awake."

Alex chuckled as he helped me up to my feet, "You look like you're still partially asleep."

"I can live with that," I yawned as I began picking up the tent. I had to ready myself for the next part of our venture, I was going to be carrying Iris, so it was the smartest thing that I could do.

"You'll be fine on your own?" Alex asked me.

"Yeah," I nodded. "I'm a big girl. I'll be okay, besides, I've got Byron here to help me out a bit."

The young boy looked surprised that I threw his name out there, Alex seemed surprised as well, like he had thought I was going to try to hold him back with my charges I had placed in my own care.

It took a moment, but Alex smiled at me, "Very well." He glanced over at Byron, "Try to help Kimmy as much as you can."

Byron nodded, "I will, your Worship."

Immediately, Byron started to help gather the things inside the tent. He looked eager to please the Herald of Andraste, even if the task was to help someone else. It was cute and kind of fun to watch. As Alex left, I began to take the tent apart, while Byron wrapped Iris in a blanket to keep her warm. In no time at all, Byron and I had the tent packed up, I lifted Iris into my arms, and we joined the rest of the Inquisition that continued forward.

Once Varric found me, a smile spread across his face, "When did you have children, Dreamy?"

I shook my head at the dwarf. I was still very much asleep in my mind, and Varric was already messing with me. I let out a sigh, "Varric-"

"Your children know that they're to call me 'Uncle Varric', don't they?" Varric's smile was so big, he reminded me of the Chestire cat from Alice in Wonderland.

"We're not-" Byron started.

"Don't bother," I sighed. "Varric's on a roll, we can't stop him now."

Varric let out a laugh, "One would think that we were friends, Dreamy."

"With the way that you talk, I'm surprised that people don't believe that we're related," I smirked at the dwarf. When he only nodded and laughed, I took a breath and sighed, "Honestly, Varric, I'm looking out for Byron and Iris. I don't think the rest of Fiona's people even noticed that they almost got left behind yesterday."

Varric nodded, but his smile didn't vanish, "So... you've adopted them?"

If I would have had a free hand, I would have punched the smiling dwarf in his arm, but both of my hands held Iris in my arms, so Varrick lucked out there. I shook my head, I didn't have the energy to even start arguing with Varric, and even if I did, he would still continue to go on until I gave up. I let out a breath and readjusted Iris in my arms. Though the small girl was very light, the weight still bothered my arms after a while. For a while, Varric continued on the topic of me adopting Iris and Byron, so I wisely waited for him to drop the subject altogether.

"Are you done, Varric?" I breathed out after what must have been an hour or two.

The dwarf smirked at me, "Not even close, Dreamy, but I'll drop the subject."

"So... 'Uncle Varric'," I grinned at my friend.

"Yes?" Varric sighed.

"Nothing, I was just teasing you," I stated. "Do you really want my children to call you that-when I actually decide to have them?"

"Who else would be 'Uncle Varric'?" the dwarf demanded playfully.

I let out a laugh, "So Anders would be...?"

"'Uncle Blondie'," Varric started to laugh as the words left his mouth.

Byron seemed to be ignoring the whole converstation, his attention was on Iris, who was starting to stir in my arms. I watched as Byron's eyes lit up, "Is she waking up?"

I frowned, Iris kept moving in my arms, but her eyes made no sign of her awakening. I pulled Iris closer to me and placed my cheek on her forehead. She was hot to the touch. Uncomfortably hot. Fever heated the girl up. Dangerously. I closed my eyes and tried to think of how to break Iris' quick-rising fever. The oly thing that I could think of was asprin, and as far as I knew, Thedas hadn't invented asprin yet.

"Varric...I believe I already know the answer to this, but do you know where to find some asprin?" I asked.

As I expected, Varric gave me a confused look, "What?"

"What about something to break a fever?" I breathed out.

"You'll want to check with the Herald," Varric still looked confused. "Why do you need something to break a fever?"

"Iris has a fever," I said quietly.

"Maybe, when we stop, the Herald-or someone-will have something that will help you," Varric offered.

I nodded, Mercy thought, Well, is it possible the fever will break on it's own?

I looked down at Iris and frowned, It is possible.

Like always, Mercy tried to comfort me in the only way she could, Well, give her time. Try to keep her warm.

I almost let out a sarcastic laugh. I was actually the warmest I'd been since Haven. I knew it was Iris' fever that kept me warm. I was worried that the girl's fever would continue to raise and wouldn't break. Little moans came from Iris in her fevered dream. My eyes filled with tears, it wasn't fair that the girl had to go through this. It wasn't fair that Byron had to watch his sister go through this.

"You okay, Dreamy?" Varric frowned at me.

I nodded as my eyes watered, "It's the brightness of the snow." It was a fib, but I didn't want anyone to worry about me. Not even Varric. I was just over-worrying about the little girl.

"Would you like me to carry the kid for a bit?" Dorian asked me.

"She has a fever," I told Dorian.

"Have you tried sprinkling a pinch of Deathroot into her tea? My mother often used that when I had a fever as a child to get me to sweat out the sickness," Dorian offered as he releaved my arms of Iris' weight.

"Really?" I was surprised. "Isn't that for poisons?"

Dorian nodded, "Just sprinkle a little. The poison in that small dose will only cause a heavy sweat, and she'll sweat the sickness out."

Byron walked quickly to get beside Dorian, who was carrying Iris for me. I slowed a bit, but kept Dorian and Byron in my line of sight. Varric let out a sigh, "The Herald confermed my worst fears, Dreamy."

"What?" I frowned.

"Corypheus," Varric gave me one word.

"The talking darkspawn from that story you told me?" I froze. Shit. The darkspawn at Haven. "But Corypheus is dead. Hawke and you killed it."

"And Hawke believes the same," Varric frowned. "It might cause trouble, but when we get to where we're going, I have to write her."

"But you said he died, you even said that Hawke made sure," I pointed out.

"I'm...confused," Varric admitted.

"So Mother Giselle was right?" that didn't sound good at all.

"Let's not think about that right now," Varric suggested. "We have plenty of time to worry about... I just thought you should hear it from me before hearing it from elsewhere."

I took a deep breath and nodded. I didn't know how Hawke woould respond tro finding out someing she killed didn't stay dead. I kind of didn't want to know how she would react. I loved Hawke as though she was family, but I was sure that she liked things she had killed to stay the way that she left them. Dead.

"About Broody..." Varric cut through the silence. "You realize he cared for you, right? He did what he thought was best for you."

"We were more friends than anything else anyways, Varric," I sighed. "Yeah, when Merrill broke the news to me, it hurt, but I wasn't with Fenris that long, and it probably wasn't going to work out anyways."

"It seems to have worked out," Varric offered. "You seem to have taken a liking to Curly and the Herald." He let out a light chuckle, "You look at them as friends?"

"Yes," I nodded.

"Good," Varric smiled at me.

"Do you think I'm crazy?" I asked. I let out a breath, "I mean by your standards?"

Varric clapped his hands together and laughed, "Dreamy, I believe that all of us are crazy. In more ways than one."

I smiled a bit and glanced over at Dorian, Iris, and Byron, I was tempted to take the chld back from Dorian, but I enjoyed the slight break of my arms being free. I tried to resist giving into my worry over Iris. I also tried to push anyother unwanted thoughts out of my mind. I was sure that I was being completely rational, being as wrried as I was for Iris' health.

"Thank you for helping me with Iris," I said to Dorian as I took the girl back from him. I had to give into my urge to carry her.

"Any time, Kimberly," Dorian bowed a bit. "Let me know if you need another break."

"I will," I nodded. I was glad that otheres cared enough to help as well. I hoped that we were close to wherever we were heading. If I could get Iris proper rest and give her proper care, then the sooner I could stop being so worried over the health of the little girl, and then I could worry over other things.

Okay, so this chapter was me being a scatter-brain, and I just wrote, but I still hope this chapter was enjoyable. I'm still taking suggestions on who Kimberly should be in a relationship with, because I'm kind of taking it as votes. So feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you to all of you who have been enjoying this story.