The next morning, or afternoon- Aiden wasn't quite sure how long he slept for- he made his way down to the main hall. As usual it was bustling with activity. It seems that the number of people doubled since the last time he walked the hall. No doubt in his two month absence Skyhold received more recruits, refuges, and pilgrims. His destination was to find Cullen, and he knew the place to find him was in his office, unless the world decided to end. Aiden wrestled with the choice to cut through where Solas was or take the long way around. Even after a year, being near the elf was too much.

Gritting his teeth, Aiden found his way into the mages office.

The elf seemed surprised to see him. "Inquisitor." He politely greeted, looking up from the papers scattered all over his table. "Do you need something?"

Aiden forced himself to stop and actually look at Solas. He made sure to keep his voice as neutral as possible. "Actually, yes." He looked down at his left hand and the mark flashed across his palm before disappearing. "The mark."

"It's grown again?"

"Yes."

"It pains you even when not in use."

"Some." That was a lie, but he didn't want it to get around to anyone, especially the Seeker, that he was in constant pain.

Solas tilted his head. "Any other changes?"

"It… It…" Aiden rubbed the building tension in his neck. "I hear voices, whispers in my head sometimes. Mostly when I'm sleeping. I opened up rift in my sleep."

"You weren't in control?"

Ever since his discovery in Crestwood, Aiden had toyed with opening a rift to help in battle every now and again. Mostly only under dire circumstance. Though it didn't zap his energy or cause pain like closing a rift, Aiden didn't want to use it to much in case it sped up the spreading process. "No."

"Interesting."

"Interesting?" Aiden echoed, anger flooding his voice. He felt the mark spark ever so slightly. "That's all you have to say? Aren't you supposed to be the expert on this fucking thing?"

Solas accepted the human's anger and remained calm as ever. "I am not an 'expert' as you said. I simply have a deeper understand of ancient elven magic. More than most. I know that is not the answer you seek, and I wish more than anything to find a way to control it. I assure you that I haven't stopped looking for more information."

Great. Aiden struggled to control himself. "So you're telling me that is all basically going to get worse?"

"I'm sorry," Solas whispered as the Inquisitor stalked off to the door leading to the battlements. "One more thing."

Aiden stopped.

"Has it been affecting you mentally? Changing your behavior?"

"Nope. Still the same old ruthless bastard." With that Aiden left and got halfway across the walkway before stopping to brace against the ledge. His skin was crawling and his stomach churned. He seemed at a loss on how he could stand Bull's company, but not Solas. Maybe it had to do with the elf being so damn cryptic and withdrawn. Aiden couldn't figure him out so therefore couldn't trust him. Couldn't put aside his prejudice like he tried to do with Sera.

Hearing steel hitting wood, Aiden looked up to see the Seeker in the training yard and attacking the training dummy with vigor he hadn't seen in a long time. Something was bothering her. Something Aiden had no clue about, or where to begin to find out. Maybe she had talked to Cullen, and if not, maybe he could find the courage to ask her. Or Aiden could see if Cole had any insight.

0oo0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"So I've been thinking." Dorian announced breaking the silence around the chessboard.

"That's always a scary notion," Cullen mumbled never looking up from the ivory chess pieces. He began to mindlessly stroke his lightly bearded cheek as he contemplated on his next move. "Dare I ask what about?"

"The situation with Cassandra, of course."

Now the Commander looked up. "What situation with Cassandra?"

"You know," Smugly, Dorian leaned back in his chair. For a moment the game was on hold. "The situation where you're in love with her."

"A moot point," Cullen argued, wanting to go back to playing and not thinking about the feelings he currently buried for the Seeker. "She loves Aiden and he her. I care about them both far too much to ruin their happiness."

The mage began to twirl the end of his mustache. "Exactly my point. You care about them both."

"So?" Cullen struggled to understand the Tevinter's point.

"Cassandra also cares for you both."

"Okay." Cullen still didn't grasp it.

"And I bet that Trevelyan is fond of you."

Cullen's eyes rounded. "Oh."

"And?" Dorian pressed.

"And nothing." Without much thought, Cullen moved one of his pieces desperate for a distraction. It didn't matter that he just left himself open for Dorian to claim victory.

That seemed to be the last thing on the Mage's mind. Dorian leaned forward obviously interested in something more than a game of chess. "Such a Ferelden answer."

"Sorry to break it to you 'Vint, but I am a born and bred Ferelden."

"Alright, Ferelden," Dorian started, "Tell me. The idea I'm proposing doesn't sound appealing at all?"

Now that Dorian put the Maker forsaken fantasy in his head, Cullen's mind conjured up some very sensual images. Cursing, Cullen shifted very uncomfortably in his chair. "Can we please focus on the game?"

"Only because it seems that the Inquisitor is about to break it up."

"What?" Face burning, Cullen caught himself by grasping the arms of the chair to stop himself from leaping out of the chair. He ignored the soft chuckle from the mage and cleared his throat. "You're up and about."

"Yes." Dorian grinned, "Bull and I were places wagers on how long our lovely Seeker would keep you tied up in that room of yours."

Aiden brushed the comment aside. "How was your trip to the Hinterlands? I heard you were tracking down some Venatori."

"A great success." Dorian pushed to his feet, "I'll let the Commander fill you in on the details if you wish. I will see if I can find something useful for me to do." He paused when he reached the Inquisitor and looked him over. "I hear we have a dragon to thank for your new appearance."

"Aye."

"Hmm." Dorian tilted his head, studying. "I'm assuming Vivienne only had certain tools at her disposal. Come find me if you want me to fix up her mess."

Cullen began to reset the board, unable to look at the Inquisitor just yet. Not when his head was filled with certain thoughts, courtesy of Dorian and his big mouth. "It is good to see you up and about."

"Traveling doesn't make the best environment for sleeping."

Now, Cullen looked up and noticed the look on the man's scarred face. "I'm assuming Cassandra talked to you about what happened."

"Some. Though there wasn't much talking on my part." The corner of Aiden's mouth twitched ever so slight. "She found a better use for my mouth. If she punished you in the same way then we have a problem."

Great! Cullen had another image he didn't need in his head. Leathers way too tight now, Cullen shifted again in hopes to ease the pressure. "Would you like to sit down?" He offered motioning to the empty chair across from him.

Aiden took the Commander up on his offer. "Skyhold seems to be thriving."

Cullen resisted the urge to sigh. A safe topic. "Yes. Thanks to Josephine we have many supply lines coming in and out almost weekly. Recruits seem to be showing up in troves, all eager to aid the Inquisition as word of Corypheus spreads. We had to build more dwellings and start sending out men to keep Skyhold from being overrun. They are taking care of small issues that have popped up across both Orlais and Ferelden."

"Has that created any problems? I can't imagine some nobles would like forces with no loyalty to a particular crown entrenching on their territory."

"Queen Anora did send an official correspondence asking us to tread lightly while in her lands. She did ask out help with the Venatori that seem to be popping up everywhere." Cullen explained the improvements made to the Keep and other parts of Skyhold that were in desperate need of repair.

"Even the hole in your roof." Aiden stated, "I went to your office first. I say, I was shocked not to find you there."

"I needed a break," Cullen explained, "And Cassandra was very insistent on fixing it. Thankfully, she took in my account of my displeasure of being blocked in and put in a window."

Aiden could sympathize with the Commander. Most nights, even in chilly weather, he kept the terrace doors of the balcony open to open up the room. To remind him that he was no longer confined to a small pitch black room. He watched Cullen pinch the bridge of his nose. "Headache?"

"What? No," Cullen assured. "I haven't had much of them since our scuffle. I think getting what happened to me off my shoulders helped more than I thought. I carried around this self-hatred around for so long. Now, I can put some distance between myself and what happened. It's a start."

"That's all is needed," Aiden whispered. Healing would take the rest of his life. Or whatever time he had left in this world. But nonetheless, he was glad to have his fresh start. Even if it took falling out of the Fade.

Cullen picked up one of the pieces off the board. "Would you like to learn to play?"

Aiden straightened in his chair. "Sure."

Once Aiden picked up most of the games rules, the two men fell into a conversation that for once didn't revolve around the Inquisition. Aiden was surprised to find that Cullen joined the Templars at such a young age, and that he had a family. He thought Cullen threw himself into his work because there was nothing else in his life. Aiden listened to him talk, as he had no good things to talk about his life before their meeting.

Before they knew it more than an hour had past.

Cullen smiled as he moved his piece across the board. "You know I think this is the longest that we've gone without talking about the Inquisition."

"Or beating the shit out of each other." Aiden smirked. "Speaking of which…"

"Want a rematch?"

Chuckling, Aiden shook his head. "No. It was something you said in the war room." He watched a blush start to work up the Commander's neck. "Exactly when did you see me ravishing Cassandra?"

"Oh well…" Clearing his throat, Cullen shifted in his chair as thinking back to that night in the tavern had invoked a response to a certain part of his body. Maker! Cullen scrubbed a hand over his face. Maybe he should seek out that scout and release some of this pent up sexual frustration. "The night in the tavern when we were all drinking. I went upstairs for fresh air and well I saw the two of you…. Umm, I mean it wasn't intentional. I wasn't exactly sure where you ran off to."

"Exactly what did you see?"

"Andraste's Mercy." Cullen rubbed the back of his neck. "Enough."

"Enough to find a nice dark and deserted spot with one of our newest recruit that I found in the middle of romantic picnic with a Templar." Aiden laughed, enjoying the way Cullen's face turned beat red.

"How'd…"

Aiden flicked at his left ear. "Half elven remember. Meaning that my eyesight and hearing is far superior to any other human's."

"I have to remember that," Cullen muttered. "Now that I've been thoroughly embarrassed, I shall return to work where I can hide for the rest of the day. I enjoyed our conversation, Trevelyan. Please feel free to see out my company if you feel the need."

"Thanks." It would be nice to get to know Cullen, while at the same time forcing the Commander to take a break.

Cullen rose from his chair and hesitated for a moment. "Are we okay? I mean you know that I will never do anything to strain anything between the two of you. She is one of my closest friends and I would like to think we are on our way there as well."

"I know you care for her, Cullen." Aiden lifted himself from the chair as well. "And that she cares for you. I wouldn't force her to choose to give up one relationship for another. Now, I'll take my leave."

00o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Crossing the battlements towards the tavern, Aiden noticed that Cassandra was still training in the courtyard, though not with the same amount of force as before. She looked tired and worried and pissed off, all at the same time.

"Happy yet sad. She's worried about something from her past." Cole appeared at the Inquisitor's side looking down at the courtyard. He cocked his head to the side. "Afraid no one will see her as strong as before. Afraid you won't see her the fearless warrior anymore. She likes flowers. Keeps them hidden in a journal in a loose board in the room. Doesn't want you to think her silly. She didn't like being left behind."

Aiden rubbed a hand through his short mane of hair trying to decipher Cole's ramblings. "Maybe I should just go talk to her."

"You're afraid too." Cole squinted in confusion, "Why do males feel fear or discomfort to talk to the other sex?"

"You need to learn a lot about women." Aiden patted the spirits shoulder. "Maybe you should ask Varric or Bull to help you understand."

"Okay." And like that Cole was gone.

Aiden lost his nerve to talk to the Seeker and ended up sitting at a table in the tavern, sharing a bit of food and a mug of mead. He took a small sip of his drink. "So… What have you done to piss off Cassandra?"

Varric dropped his hold on his mug and held up his hands. "I did nothing."

Aiden raised a brow.

"I swear on Andraste's knickers. I haven't really seen much of her since we've returned," Varric explained. "Though I got a very disgruntle look from her at morning meal today, which I'm pretty sure has to do with the dragon hunting. She was a little bit harder on Bull. Why do you think something is wrong?"

Aiden stared down into his mug. "She's beating the shit out of the dummies in the training yard."

"Isn't that normal behavior for the Seeker?"

"Something is bothering her."

"Then why don't you go ask her?" Varric watched Aiden's eyes go wide for a moment and a smile crossed the dwarf's face. "You're scared too."

"I am not." Aiden couldn't really put much confidence behind his words.

"Afraid she's mad at you?"

"Why would she be mad at me?"

"I'm assuming you didn't tell her about your little episode in the Approach."

"Not exactly." He glared at the dwarf. "Did you?"

"No," Varric quickly replied. "Though this isn't something that you should keep from her."

"It will only cause her to worry." Maker knew there was enough of that on her shoulders.

Varric shook his head. "Trust me, you should tell the Seeker."

"Tell me what?" Cassandra's voice caused the Inquisitor to jolt and nearly spill his mug. The Seeker placed her hands on her hips and glanced between the two males. "Well?"

The dwarven rogue grabbed his half empty plate and his mug. "I will let you two be."

Aiden adverted his gaze, knowing the moment he looked into her dark eyes that he would spill his guts. He did notice that she walked with a slight limp as she moved to sit in the now vacant chair. "Shouldn't you be off your feet?" The question only got him a harden glare. "Or at least change out of your leathers?"

Cassandra set her jaw. "I'm fine," She assured. "But I appreciate your concern."

"You're limping," Aiden argued only adding to his lover's displeasure.

"I said I'm fine," She growled. Aiden figured that it was best to leave the subject alone. Cassandra seemed grateful. "Mother Giselle was looking for you. She seemed to a bit flustered and determined to find you right away."

"Did she say what it was about?"

"She will only tell you. You should go talk to her now before our meeting."

Aiden could see the Seeker struggling to keep her face free of pain as she pushed back to her feet. He stood and offered his arm. "What?" He challenged her look. "Just trying to be a gentleman."

Cassandra huffed, but slipped her arm through his none the less. She was grateful for the support as her legs throbbed and swollen to the point that her leathers were far too painful to wear. Though, she would never openly admit it to him.

"Inquisitor," Mother Giselle greeted the pair the moment they stepped foot in the main hall. Her gaze flickered to the Seeker. "May I have a word with you?"

Cassandra slipped her arm free before brushing a kiss over his stubbly cheek. "Don't take too long."

Aiden watched his lover limp her way towards the door leading to Josephina's office. After their meeting, he was going to do whatever necessary to get her off her feet and rest. "Is something wrong?"

"I, well." The older woman clasped her hands together behind her back. "Have some news regarding one of your companions…. The Tevinter."

His blue eyes shifted over Mother Giselle's face trying to figure out for her hesitation of using Dorian's name. It would seem that the Mother didn't think to highly of their resident Tevinter mage. "Has he done something?"

"No, nothing," Mother Giselle assured on a sigh. "Thankfully."

"So, then what is it?"

"I've been in contact with his family."

Crossing his arms over his chest, Aiden raised a brow. "He doesn't talk about his family much. They don't seem to be on good terms."

Mother Giselle confirmed the Inquisitor's suspicion with a little nod. "That would appear to be correct. The letter I received describes the rift between them. His father pleads for my aid and he's asked to arrange a meeting." She looked around the hall to make sure no one paid too close attention to them. "Quietly, and without telling him. His father thinks this is the only way he'll come. Since it seems the two of you have grown close, I hoped…"

"That I would do your dirty work and lie to him?" Aiden rubbed the bridge of his noise willing the pressuring building to go away. "What is the nature of this meeting? Why haven't they come and talked to him?"

"I believe they are a bit afraid of you," The Mother softly confessed. "As for the meeting, I think it's just to talk. His father wants to understand why his son left to Tevinter and why he's with the Inquisition."

"And if Dorian doesn't agree?"

"Maybe misleading him is the only way to get him to the meeting."

"I thought the Chantry stood against the whole lying and deceit thing."

Mother Giselle dropped her gaze.

"If you think I'm going to lie to Dorian about his family, then you got another thing coming to you." Aiden wasn't sure what exactly was going on, but lying to the mage about all of this seemed wrong. There was a reason for the estrangement. And if Dorian wanted to fix it then he would do so willingly.

"Take this." Mother Giselle offered him the worn letter bearing the broken Tevinter wax seal.

Taking the letter, Aiden dismissed the Mother and started towards the stairwell leading towards the library. He found the Mage lounging on one of the chairs with a worn book in his lap. "Anything interesting?"

"Oh, ancient texts are always so fascinating." Dorian smiled up at the Inquisitor, "Decided to take me up on my offer to fix that hair of yours?"

Aiden rubbed his hand over the short strands of hair on the back of his head. "And end up with your hair cut?"

"You say it like it's a bad thing. As long as there is something to hold onto, I'm sure your Seeker will approve."

"I didn't come here to discuss grooming tips." Aiden held out the letter. "I believe you will want to read this."

Closing his book, Dorian took the parchment and began to read. Soon, he was on his feet and fighting the urge to crumble the paper in his hand. "I know my son." His hands trembled as he looked up at the rogue. "What my father knows of me would barely fill a thimble. This is so typical. I'm willing to bet this "Retainer" is a henchman, hired to knock me on the head and drag me back to Tevinter."

"Good thing he'll have to go through a few members of the Inquisition before he gets his hands on you." Aiden watched the Tevinter's lips transition into his cocky smile. "The meeting is tomorrow in Redcliff. I don't know what this is about, but if you want to go then we'll set off first thing in the morning. We can even bring our resident Qunari for extra muscle if needed."

"As much as I would like to see my father squirm, I would rather it just be the two of us."

Aiden nodded. "Then so be it. I'll make sure the proper people are informed about our little trip."

"Thank you, Trevelyan."

He smiled and started back down the stairs.

Leliana and the other advisors were already waiting for them in the war room.

Cassandra looked up from the map. "Have troops been sent out to the Storm Coast?"

"Yesterday morning." Cullen informed after shifting through a few pieces of parchment. "They will send a raven once they've arrived. Queen Anora approved transfer of a group of Inquisition troops to deal with both the Venatori problem as well as the sudden appearance of Red Templars. We have set up command at the smuggler fortress you cleared."

"I am sure that the Ferelden nobles are thrilled about that," Leliana mindlessly added. "It seems some of them have been vocal about their displeasure of the amount of Inquisition troops moving onto their lands."

"Yet they don't object to our troops cleaning up the trash and taking all the risks." This only deepened Aiden's disdain for nobles. "Heavens forbid they get off their asses and get their hands dirty."

"Regardless, if the Inquisition is to remain strong we need their support as well as the Orlesian nobles as well," Josephine reminded setting down her clipboard. "Which is why that we must make sure we do everything to prepare ourselves for the Winter Palace."

Sighing, Aiden rubbed a hand over his stubbly jaw. "Prepare ourselves how?"

"By making sure that everything we do leaves nothing to interpretation. They court is divided on itself over many issues, and will look for any opening to discredit the Inquisition. We will need to verse ourselves with 'The Game'." Josephina replied.

Aiden listened as the ambassador rambled away on everything they needed to do. He caught himself before he could scuff. It seemed planning a siege of Adamant would actually prove to be easier. A certain word had his head snapping up and interrupting, "Dance? Charm? Wine and dine?" His brows drew together. "You realize that I can't do anything of those things."

A plastered smile crossed the Antivan woman's face. "That is why I'm thankful we have plenty of time before the ball."

Aiden set his jaw. "I fear you mistake my want to better myself in any of those areas."

"I know this doesn't seem important, but what transpires at the Winter Palace can make or break the Inquisition. In order to defeat Corypheus, we need all the help and allies we can get."

"Right." Not wanting to get into an argument, Aiden dismissed the topic for now. The prospect of setting foot back into the blasted city again made him sick to his stomach. Knowing that he would have to mingle, dance, and gossip with the very people who used him for sick pleasure made it that much worse. "Mother Giselle found me and handed me a letter. It seems Dorian and I will need to set off for Redcliff in the morning."

Cassandra frowned, "Just the two of you?"

"I promise no dragons this time, Lass." Aiden's smile faltered when the Seeker continued to glare at him from across the table. "We should be back by nightfall or the following morning. No big deal."

Huffing, Cassandra folded her arms across her chest before turning her gaze to their spymaster. "Any luck on finding anything on what I asked for?"

Leliana nodded. "It's not much, but I have been able to dig up some information on a possible location of the Lord Seeker." She leaned over the map and set a marker down west of Redcliff. "From what I gathered any lingering Seekers have been seen at the Castle of Caer Oswin."

This peeked Aiden's curiosity. "What has happened to them?"

"We don't know for sure," Leliana whispered. "But whatever it is, Corypheus is involved somehow."

"I will gather a small party and set off in the morning," Cassandra stated drawing an outburst from the Inquisitor. She tilted her head, "Excuse me?"

"No," Aiden repeated, shifting uncomfortably under her stare as the three advisors took a step back from the table. It seemed like he was on his own on this one. He kept his glowing blue eyes trained on her brown ones. "I can scout it out on the way back from Redcliff, so we have more information into what we're heading into."

"Are you stating that I'm incapable of dealing with this on my own?" Cassandra demanded.

"You're still healing." Aiden felt the heat in her gaze intensify. "Even now I can see you trying to mask the pain of just standing after only a few hours of training. It's too dangerous for you to set off too quickly without letting your body recuperate."

"This is important-"

"I know it is." Aiden knew he was digging himself into a hole, but he wouldn't let her go out into the field. Not without him. "This is why you need to be at full strength. I'm asking you to wait a day, two at the most, until I come back."

Cassandra's gaze narrowed, "I don't require your supervision, Inquisitor." Using his title was like a slap to the face and she knew it. "I've been capable to take care of myself long before you came along. And I don't need your permission-"

"I'm the Inquisitor!" Aiden barked cutting off the Seeker and causing the other three in the room to try and busy themselves. "It's up to my discretion on how our resources are used. If I say that it needs to wait, then it will wait."

Cullen sucked in a sharp breath at his choice of words.

Eyes blazing now, Cassandra leaned against the thick table. "My apologies, Inquisitor. I seemed to have forgotten my place. I eagerly await your return." And with that she left the room, slamming the door with enough force to have the makers on the map rattle.

Leliana let out a slow whistle. "I don't think you could have handled that any worse than you did."

Fuck! Aiden forced a hand through his short hair. It would blow over. A day or two to let her cool off and Aiden could try to reproach this situation from a different angle. "What's done is done." He muttered and saw Cullen shake his head in disagreement. "The meeting in Redcliff is time sensitive so I have no choice but to leave in the morning. You just make sure that she doesn't try to sneak away until I get back."

Cullen sighed. "If it's what the Inquisitor demands."

"It is." Aiden replied, "She'll be mad…"

"That isn't even close to what she'll be." Leliana informed.

"She's not fully healed," Aiden pointed out, more forcibly this time. "Dorian himself told me that she still has a week or two of healing and rehabilitation before she is ready to go into battle. I'll be damned if I let her run off and permanently hurt herself. If I'm with her, I can at least keep an eye on her. I can keep her from overdoing it."

Cullen tried and failed to stop his bark of laughter. "You do realize that we are talking about Cassandra, right?" The glare he received from Aiden had him throwing his hands up in defeat. "Hey, you're the one that has to deal with her wrath."

He could deal with. It was her getting hurt or, worst, killed that Aiden couldn't handle.