In the following week, I fell into a simple routine to keep me occupied while we waited for news from Leliana's scouts. Each morning, I ate breakfast with my usual group of companions then snuck out to my hunting lodge all morning. Once I returned in the afternoon, I searched for my old armor and collected materials around Haven for the quartermaster. It wasn't much but I found a temporary peace in it which is rare given current events.

One frosty morning, I crouch behind a large snow covered rock as I watch the ram calmly standing ahead of me. The hood of my cloak blocks the cold breeze as it blows past me. Slowly, I reach back into quiver and nock an arrow. As I draw back, I line up the shot and inhale. As I release my arrow, I hear soft footprints from nearby. My flies past it's target and I curse under my breath. With lightening quick reflexes, I draw another arrow and point my arrow at a shocked Cullen. His brows rise as he puts up his hand in surrender. "It's just me." He says calmly.

My already pink face from the cold flushes with embarrassment as I lower my bow. "My apologies, Commander. I didn't know it was you."

"So I gathered."

I reach back and return my arrow to my quiver and sling my bow over my shoulder. "What are you doing here?" I ask.

He shakes his head. "I could ask you the same question. What are you doing out here?" He asks as he looks around. Shrugging, I point off in the distance to the ram I killed.

"Hunting." I say simply. "But I also like to come out here to get away from everything. Out here, I'm not The Herald of Andraste and I don't constantly have people staring at me." It dons on me that my secret is no longer my own and I frown. "I take it you're going to rat me out to Cassandra now, aren't you?"

I watch as the corner of his mouth curls up into a smirk. "And why would I do that?"

I shrug. "Because I'm supposed to stay within the vicinity of the Village. After all, I am the people's beacon of hope."

He chuckles. "No, I won't tell her. If this is your way to get away for a few hours, so be it. Just make sure you stay safe and don't get mauled by anything out here."

"I'll try not to." I chuckle. For a moment, neither of us speak. "If I may ask, how did you know I was here?"

"For the past few days, one of my scouts have reported you disappearing for hours on end."

I raise a brow. "So you had me followed?"

"Actually I kept an eye out for you. Once came out of the gate, I kept an eye on you to make sure you weren't wandering off or—"

"Running away?" I finish. "I think we established that I no longer have a choice in staying since I'm the only one with the mark to seal rifts."

"You are." He nods. "You're a very important piece to this organization. With that said, I needed to ensure you weren't doing anything dangerous."

"Considering our entire cause is dangerous, I doubt I could do anything here to top that."

He chuckles. "That's true."

As we stand there, I pull my cloak around me as I begin to shiver. Noticing, he frowns. "You seem cold."

I nod. "While my cloak does help, the clothes you guys gave me when you took my armor is rather thin for this weather." I say, trying to keep my teeth from chattering.

"True, but those clothes aren't meant to be worn while standing out in the cold for hours on end." He points out.

"Touché." I grin as I start walking towards the lodge. "I have a fire going in the hunting lodge if you want to join me." I say. "I snagged a bottle West Hill Brandy from the tavern so we can sit and talk a bit while we warm up."

He frowns. "I should actually start getting back…"

"You mean the Commander never needs a break?" I ask, offering him a grin. "I'm not saying we get drunk, Cullen. I just thought we could each have one cup and get to know each other since we're working together." I shrug. "But if you don't want to, that's fine too. I just figured I'd offer."

I shuffle towards the lodge as he stands there, probably debating whether or not he should join me. Within moments, he's walking alongside me. "One drink." He says. "Once I'm done, I'm going to head back."

I nod. "Whatever you say."

Once inside the lodge, I hang my cloak on a nearby chair to dry while I fetch two cups from when Varric visited me last and the bottle of Brandy. Cullen offers to pour our drinks while I try to warm up.

"So, what would you like to know?" He asks. He hands me a cup.

Taking it, I think him and look down at the flames. "All right….where are you from?"

"I grew up in Ferelden, near Honnleath. I was transferred to Kirkwall shortly after the Blight. This is the first I've returned in almost ten years." He says. He sets the bottle down and takes a long draught.

"You haven't seen Ferelden in ten years." I say, my brows raising in surprise. "Are you glad to be back?"

He shrugs. "I was not sorry to leave at the time. I did not expect to return. Now – between the Divine's murder and the Breach – I've arrived to find nothing but chaos."

"I'm sorry." I frown. "You were in Ferelden during the blight. Did you fight darkspawn?"

"No. I was stationed at Ferelden's Circle Tower. The Circle had troubles of its own. I… remained there during the Blight." He says, avoiding my gaze. Something must have happened.

"What happened at the Circle Tower?"

He stares down at his cup for a long time before answering. His voice lowers. "Few who survived the Blight have fond memories of that time. I would prefer not to speak of it."

I nod. "Of course. I understand." I wait a moment before changing the subject. "Varric's from Kirkwall. Did you two know each other?"

"I knew he was friends with the Champion of Kirkwall, but little else." He shrugs. "We've spoken more since I joined the Inquisition. Largely at Varric's insistence. Apparently, I spend too much time with a serious expression on my face, and it's bad for my health." I laugh at this and he looks up at me. "What's so funny?"

"He's kind of right, you know." I grin. "You do look awfully serious all of the time."

"Well we are dealing with a giant rip in the Fade…." He points out.

Reaching over, I place a hand on his. "I'm only teasing you." I say. He looks down at my hand and I pull it away. "Sorry."

He shakes his head. "It's fine…any other questions?"

"What was Kirkwall like?"

"While I was there, Qunari occupied and then attacked the city, the viscount's murder caused political unrest, relations between mages and templars fell apart, an apostate blew up the Chantry, and the Knight-Commander went mad. Other than that, it was fine."

I give him an amused look. "Other than that?"

The corners of his mouth turn up in a smile but he says nothing. I continue.

"What happened between Kirkwall's mages and templars, anyways?"

He looks at me. "You were at the Conclave. You must have heard people speak of it."

I shrug. "I don't exactly remember anything from that time." Actually I don't remember anything at all. "Besides, you were actually there."

He sighs, ""There was tension between mages and templars long before I arrived. Eventually, it reached a breaking point. There was fighting in the streets. Abominations began killing both sides. It was a nightmare."

"That does sound like a nightmare." I nod. "What happened then?"

"The templars should have restored order, but red lyrium had driven Knight-Commander Meredith mad. She threatened to kill Kirkwall's Champion, turned on her own men. I'm not sure how far she would have gone. Too far."

I lean forward in my seat. "So you opposed her?"

He nods. "I stood with the Champion against her. In the end. But I should have seen through Meredith sooner." He takes another swig of his drink.

"I'd like to know more about the templars." I say, making him pause. He slowly lowers his cup. "If you need insight into what the Order is doing now, I'm afraid I can't offer more than you already know. Anything else, I will answer as best I can."

I think for a moment. "Do templars take vows? 'I swear to the Maker to watch all the mages'— that sort of thing?"

"There's a vigil first. You're meant to be at peace during that time, but your life is about to change. When it's over, you give yourself to a life of service. That's when you're given a philter – your first draught of lyrium – and its power. As templars, we are not to seek wealth or acknowledgment. Our lives belong to the Maker and the path we have chosen."

Nod before smirking to myself. He's so serious and always in control. I want to see him sweat a little. I furrow my brow as if thinking. "A life of service and sacrifice…" I say, glancing up at him. "Are templars also expected to give up… physical temptations?"

His brows draw together in confusion. "Physical? Why…" He realizes what I mean and he clears his throat. "Why would you… That's not expected. Templars can marry – although there are rules about it, and the Order must grant permission… Some may choose to give up more to prove their devotion, but it's, um, not required."

I suppress the urge to smile as I see the heat rise to his cheeks. I press onward. "Have you?" I ask, innocently.

"Me? I… um… no. I've taken no such vows." He mutters before letting out an exasperated sigh. "Maker's breath – can we speak of something else?"

I look away as I try not to giggle at the poor man's discomfort. I feel his gaze on me as he takes a deep breath. "What about you?"

I turn my head to look at him. "Huh?"

"I've told you all about me. I don't even know your name?"

Quickly, I try to think of a possible name before blurting out, "Lena." It wasn't the best name I could come up with but there it is.

"Lena…what?"

I frown. "I don't know."

His brows knit together. "What do you mean you don't know?"

I avert his gaze. "I don't remember anything." I confess, setting my drink on the floor. "Not who I am, where I'm from, or what happened before or following the conclave. It's all gone!" Putting my face in my hands, I let out a frustrated sigh. "I only said Lena because it was the only name I could think of. I don't know my real name."

For a long time, neither of us speak. For a while, I figured Cullen just left as he said he would but as I raises my head to look at him, I saw him watching me. He offers me an expected smile. "I think Lena suits you. Until we find out your real name, we'll call you Lena."

I nod, feeling self-conscious all of a sudden. "Thank you." I say. "Well, I guess you should probably get back to your soldiers." I say, not looking at him.

Draining his cup, he stands up and sets it on his seat. "Yeah…I probably should. Thank you for the break and the brandy."

I force myself to look at him and plaster a smile on my face. "Of course." I say. "Sometimes, even people in our positions need a break even if it's only for a short."

He scoffs. "Yes we do." He starts over to the door and stops as he grabs the handle. "I'll see you around." As soon as he leaves, my smile falls. So much for the pleasant conversation I had planned.

Frustrated, I finish hunting early and put everything away before shuffling back to my cabin. Once safe within its wall, slump down on my bed. As I turn my head to the side, I notice a small chest below the window with a note sitting on top. Was that always there?

I get up and kneel to pick up the note. Across the front is 'Herald' in neat handwriting. I open it and It reads:

Herald,

I know you have been stressing over not remembering who you are. I overheard Adan speaking to a chantry member about your old armor and, after doing some research, I found out that Chancellor Roderick had managed to smuggle it and some other personal items to bring to Val Royeaux.

I frown. "Of course he would." I mutter.

Luckily, I was able to reach out to some old contacts and some "bandits" ambushed his caravan and stole the chest containing your belongings. Hope it helps you figure out who you are.

Your friend,

Varric

Smiling, I set the note aside and pick up the chest, bringing it over to bed. I take a deep breath. This is it. In this small chest, I can find the answers I've been searching for. I open the chest and look inside.

As I shuffle around the contents inside, I find cloak pin. Picking it up, I run my hand over the picture of a wild horse. Could this be a crest?

Setting it aside, I pick up one of my engraved pauldrons with the same image on it. This has to be it!

Quickly, I put the pauldron back in the chest and return it to the floor. Grabbing my cloak pin from the bed, I rush out of my cabin and start towards the Chantry. If there was anybody who could tell me which family this crest belongs to, it would have to be Josephine.

I make it to the stairs at the middle of the village when I'm approached by a guard. "Herald." He greets, saluting and bowing his head. "I'm glad I found you. I was sent to retrieve you by Cassandra's orders."

I nod. "I'm guessing we have news finally. I'm on my way there now."

He leaves me and I scurry to the war council. As I open the door, I slip the pin into my pocket and go to stand beside Leliana. Cullen glances at me from across the table. "Hello again, Herald."

I bow my head. "Commander." I turn my attention to Leliana. "What's this meeting for? Have your scouts returned with news?"

"Cassandra and Josephine should be here soon. I'll tell everybody what I know at once." She says. "In the meantime, how has your search for recovering your identity going?"

Before I can open my mouth to mention the cloak pin, the door opens and both remaining women enter. "Good. Glad they were able to find you, Herald." Cassandra says, closing the door behind them. "Since everybody is here, we can get started." She nods to Leliana who steps forward.

"I have received word from my scouts." She turns to look at me. "They have located Mother Giselle's camp and have reported that she awaits your arrival."

"Sounds good except a minor snag." I say, and all eye turn to me. "If you don't recall, my previous armor was in bad shape even before I attempted to seal the breach." I say, recalling the burnt and torn tunic I found in the chest from Varric. "If I'm going to be traveling where Maker knows what is lurking around, I'm going to need new armor."

Cassandra waves her hand at me dismissively. "That's not a concern." She says. "While you were unconscious, we had our black smith, Harritt, make you some new armor. It'll be dropped off in your lodgings before you head out."

My brows shoot up in surprise. "Oh…thank you."

"Is that all?" Cullen asks. "Surely you didn't call us all here for just that."

Cassandra shakes her head. "Not entirely, no." She turns back to me. "There's a quartermaster on a farm in Redcliff by the name of Dennet. Recently we had helped build watch towers around Redcliff to help warn his farmers and refugees of danger ahead of time. In return for us helping him, I want you to speak with him in hopes of him joining the Inquisition. He provides some of the best horses in Thedas and I believe his expertise would benefit us greatly."

"I agree." Cullen nods. "I'll prepare some of my best soldiers to go along. With the rebel mages and templars at war with one another, I believe it'd be a good idea to have extra protection."

"Good idea." Cassandra agrees before turning to Josephine. "How are the favors from merchants and nobles coming along?"

"I've been able to contact a few nobles in the Orlesian court which has given us some influence and coin." She frowns. "However, the merchants have been a little harder to track down. Currently I'm trying to get in contact with a surface dwarf merchant by the name of Bodahn who helped the Hero of Kirkwall."

"Have you talked with Varric?" I ask. "He fought alongside the Hero. Perhaps he knows the possible whereabouts of Bodahn."

"I wouldn't count on getting a straight answer out of him." Cassandra sneers. "Questioning him in the past rarely gave us the answers we needed."

"I have some contacts in Kirkwall. If you like, I can write to them to see if they might know where he is." Leliana offers.

Josephine smiles at her. "Thank you, Leliana. That would be helpful."

Cassandra tells me to prepare for my journey to the Hinterlands and then dismisses the meeting before quickly leaving the room. Josephine heads towards the door and I begin to follow her to ask for her help, when Cullen steps up to me. "If I could speak with you for a moment, Herald?" He say.

Glancing after Josephine, I sigh. "Of course." He motions me to the side so Leliana could leave before turning to me. "What can I help you with Commander?" I ask, looking at his usual serious expression.

"I wanted to apologize about earlier." He says, lowering his voice. "In the hunting lodge. I didn't mean to snap at you and make you upset. Had I known—"

I hold up my hand to stop him. "It's fine." I say, offering a smile. "I would also like to apologize for the inappropriate questions I asked. I saw you were uncomfortable and yet I persisted."

At the mention of the questions, he blushes slightly. "It's alright. I'm just not used to being asked personal questions so… directly."

I chuckle. "Sorry. I let my curiosity get the better of me, I suppose. In the future, I will try to keep my conversations work friendly."

"Or at least give me at least a warning next time." He grins.

"Fair enough." I nod. "If that's all?"

"I…." He starts to say before clearing his throat. "Yes. That was all. Good job today and have a safe trip."

Bowing my head, I leave the room and make a beeline to the room of to the right. As I stand before the door, I feel my heart being quickly with both nervousness and excitement. This was it. I take a deep breath and knock.

From inside, I hear Josephine tell me to come in. To my surprise, as I enter, I find that she's not alone. Off to the side I see a woman dressed in mage robes bent over a table examining something while writing notes. Before me, Josephine sits behind her desk writing away as she usually is. She looks up as I close the door. "Hello Herald." She greets. Seeing me cringe, she chuckles. "I apologize. I don't know your actual name." She sets her quill back in her inkwell and looks up at me. "What is your name exactly?"

I glance nervously at the other woman. "Can I talk to you privately?" I ask.

She nods. "Of course." She dismisses the woman who apologizes to me before quickly scampering from the room. I shut the door behind her. "So what can I help you with?" She asks.

I turn around to face her. "I don't know if Cassandra or Leliana told you but ever since what happened at the conclave, I can't remember anything. Not even who I am or where I'm from." I frown.

Her polite smile falls. "Oh. No I never knew. How terrible!"

"It is. However, that's what brings me here to talk to you. You have a vast knowledge of noble houses and crests, correct?"

"Of course." She nods. "Heraldry is actually a passion of mine. Why do you ask?"

Removing the pin from my pocket, I hold it out to her. "I found this cloak pin on my old armor I was wearing when this all happened." She takes the pin from me and examines it. "Do you recognize the crest?"

Her eyes flick up to me. "I do…" She says, lowering her voice. "This is the Trevelyan crest." She looks back down at it, shaking her head. "That doesn't make sense."

I frown. "Why not?"

Standing up, she slowly walks up to me and looks me in the eye. "The Trevelyans were at the conclave since they have close ties within the Templar order and the Chantry. It was said that a few of the relatives, your relatives were also there."

"Okay…." I say. "I'm not sure if I'm following why this makes no sense."

She shakes her head impatiently. "It makes no sense because it was reported that all the Trevelyans that attended the conclave had perished."

I think back to all those scorched bodies we had found at the temple and shiver. Were some of those people I saw with a pained expression on their burnt faces some of my family members?

Josephine shakes her head. "It seems one of the Trevelyans actually survived!" She says, grinning.

I force a smile. "It seems so. So now what?"

She shrugs. "It would probably be wise for you write to your surviving family to let them know you're alive."

"Right…. Of course." I nod. "Only problem with that is I still have no idea what my first name is or even where I'm from."

She grins. "I think I can help with that." Turning around, she walks over to one of her bookcases and carefully scans the books before pulling one out. She walks over to me and holds it out. "Here."

Taking the book, I look down at the cover before raising a brow at her. "Families of Thedas?"

She nods. "The Trevelyans are an old and respected family who have been around for ages." She motions to the book. "That should tell you where your family is from, your history, crest…"

"Does it also have an updated family tree?" I ask. "If not, I'm still unsure about my first name."

She thinks for a moment before walking back to her desk and rifles through some piles of papers before holding a page up. "Aha!" Turning towards me, she reads it over. "The current Bann, who would be your father, has had three daughters. Alena, Emely and Sara."

Hearing the name 'Alena', I smile. She looks up at me and raises an eyebrow. "Do you recognize one those names?"

I shake my head. "Just one. When I was talking to the Commander earlier, he asked me my name and I blurted out Lena. I'm guessing I'm Alena Trevelyan but usually go by Lena." I burst into a smile. "Thank you so much for your help, Josephine. You have no idea how happy this makes me."

"You're very welcome." She chuckles. "Now that we know who you are, Lady Trevelyan, would you like me track down your family so we can send news of your survival?"

"That would be wonderful." I nod. "Whenever I return from the Hinterlands, I shall write them immediately."

As I wish Josephine farewell, I leave her office with sense of happiness that I haven't felt for a while since all this started. I finally know who I am! Now to go share my good news with Varric.