Will you even consider listening when I implore you to be careful?

I will.

Just consider it or actually be careful?

Both, love. I do consider everything you say and I will be fine.

I think you delight in making me worry.

No more dragons. Promise. Herald's honor.

Please, Elle, be careful. I know I say it over and over. And I do believe you are capable. Don't doubt that. But no nightmare of things long past can bring as much fear as the thought of anything happening to you. I could drive myself to distraction with worry. I love you.

Humor me. Take care.

Cullen, love, don't worry so much. Take a deep breath. Relax. I will be careful. Truly. I am not just saying it to humor you. We will not be reckless.

Besides, I have luck on my side, remember? I love you. Now relax. I'll be home soon and you can see for yourself that I'm fine.

I'll willingly submit to your full examination.

Leliana slid the marker towards the bottom of the map and clasped her hands firmly behind her back. "We've found him," she announced. The Commander became very still. Josephine attempted to hide her gasp behind a raised hand. The usually light atmosphere of the war room crumpled under the weight of her words. "Morrigan's assumption was correct." She bit back the bile that came with the admission. "My agents have confirmed it. Corypheus is personally leading his army into the Arbor Wilds."

Cullen scowled. "Then we march tonight. If Lady Morrigan is correct, there is no time to wait."

"I can have the muster sent out to our allies with the hour." The Ambassador's quill darted furiously over the paper on her writing board.

Resolve smothered the butterflies flitting in Leliana's chest. "My agents can slow them," she said. "Probably not by much, but every hour counts here."

"I doubt we can overtake them, but if we arrive before they've had a chance to really entrench, it could save lives," Cullen said. "But how many will be sacrificed for the chance?"

Leliana shook her head. "My agents know to stay in the shadows. They won't be directly interacting with the army, just making their way more difficult. Maker willing, the risk will be small."

"Then I'm all for it," Cullen agreed.

Josephine looked down to the markers spread across the map. "And the Inquisitor?"

"Will have to join us as we move," Leliana answered. The muscles in Cullen's jaw knotted, but he raised no protest. "We simply don't have time to wait for her here. She can move much faster than the army. I have no doubt she will reach us well before we encounter Corypheus's forces."

Cullen bowed his head. "I will send the report."

Elle, You'll read it all in the report, but we finally know where he is. The circumstances aren't perfect. At all. But it means you'll be in my arms sooner. A little bit of calm before the battle. Tent walls be damned.

I love you.

Cullen