Dorian sat by the campfire eating breakfast with Varric. Now that the business with Inquisitor Ameridan and Hakkon and all that had been concluded, they were taking their return journey to Skyhold more leisurely. Nearby Elden and Cassandra were sparing and Dorian couldn't help but smile fondly as he watched. Elden was good at playing the part, at being the Champion and the Inquisitor, inspiring and leading them all to victory even when there should be no hope of winning. And Dorian was afraid that this was all history would remember.

All of that was important, yes, but they were the traits of the Inquisitor. When Dorian thought of Elden he would think of his kindness, how he had grieved for the Tranquil killed by the Venitori or the servants killed at the Winter Palace, and how he behaved with his friends. Dorian would think of times like this. They were all tired, barely awake in the early hours of the morning, and yet even now Elden was pushing himself to improve. He laughed easily, smiled easily, and put the comfort and safety of his friends above his own.

Dorian couldn't help but wonder what history would cut away. Would Elden even be recognizable as the man Dorian loved? Elden brushed off such concerns, claiming that the important parts were the changes they could implement. If history didn't remember him, he wouldn't mind. But look at what happened to Ameridan. No one remembered he was a mage let alone an elf, and look what happened to the Dales because of it. Of course, Elden was neither an elf nor a mage, but that would just make it easier for history to erase the bits they deemed unsavory.

Dorian glanced over at Varric. Perhaps it was time he made sure at least one accurate account of the Herald of Andraste existed.

"Tell me Varric," Dorian said, leaning in conspiratorially. "How eager are you to write another infamous account of a hero?"

"Are we talking about the Inquisitor? Because I hadn't really decided if it would be a good idea."

"What if agreed to tell you all the really good bits?"

That got Varric's attention. Who knows, maybe this wouldn't do any good. And maybe it would see them all ruined, but he had to try. Elden deserved that much, for how much he has sacrificed and what was still to come.

"What do you think you're doing?" Elden asked as he and Cassandra concluded their sparring and returned to camp.

"Just trying to figure out how Varric will portray you on the cover of the book he's going to write about you."

"He better not! People already think of me as some sort of fictional hero, how am I supposed to be at all relatable if I actually become one?"

"You're bound to appear in a novel eventually. I imagine hundreds are already being written as we speak. I imagine you will pass into legend while you're still alive." Elden dropped down beside Dorian, hiding his face against his shoulder and groaning theatrically. "Sorry amatus, that's the price of saving the world," Dorian said, patting his shoulder.

Elden gazed into the fire for a time. When he finally spoke, his voice was much too serious. Dorian didn't like it at all.

"Whatever you do, don't let them forget who I supported and why," Elden said grimly. "Don't let them use me to do more harm."

"You can do it yourself," Dorian said, uncomfortable with the implication that Elden didn't expect to get out of this alive.

"If they could completely erase everything that made Ameridan who he was," Elden continued. "I don't want to know how utterly they could twist my legacy. I'd rather die a heretic."

"Don't worry," Varric said. "There's still plenty of time for you to attain heretic status."

"Have you all forgotten the evil magister at the Herald's side?" Dorian asked, wrapping his arm securely around Elden. "I don't think you have anything to worry about. It won't be long until my corrupting influence is known by all."

"Well that's a relief," Elden said, kissing his cheek.

Chances were good that they would all die before this was over. All the more reason to make sure Varric had a good start on that book. Ameridan had said that everything would be stripped from the Inquisitor in the end. Dorian would do everything in his power to make sure that didn't happen.