The next few weeks went by with a breeze. Tori and her companions- now including Fenris- managed to complete each of the tasks given to them for the Crossroads. They had collected enough provisions and herbs to last months for the refugees and those that protected and healed them, they had cleared out each of the Templar camps and the apostate camps, and they had ensured that the roads were safe to travel. For the moment, the Hinterlands were safe. Tori had even gone to the Redcliffe Farms to see Master Dennet, helped him secure safety and such for his lands- had watch towers built, got rid of Fade-possessed wolves, and even rescued a lost druffalo- and was able to convince the horsemaster to come to Haven and work with the Inquisition. Having finished her work in the Hinterlands and acquiring more agents, it was time to return to Haven.

The trip to Haven was quiet and quick, Tori and Fenris sharing Amantheon's saddle. When they stopped for the night to make camp, Fenris would train with Tori as he intended upon joining the Inquisition and their companions would watch with interest. One night, the last night they made camp before reaching Haven, Varric looked on with great interest as Cassandra and Solas watched with him.

"Varric, you knew Fenris and Tori both in Kirkwall, did you not?" Solas asked.

"What of it?"

"Tell me, did they ever share a bond like you and Tori did?"

"You mean like were they friends?"

The elf nodded.

"Not really. I mean they knew each other, but they didn't ever really talk." Varric said, watching as Fenris tested what Tori had learned during their session. "Fenris was more Hawke's friend than hers. They got along well enough, but I'm surprised how well they seem to be connecting now."

"Fenris is indeed a skilled warrior." Cassandra noticed. "If the Herald trusts him, then his help and skills are welcomed in the Inquisition."

Varric chuckled. "I'm beginning to wonder if it's becoming more than just trust between them, Seeker. I haven't seen Tori this comfortable with anyone besides Curly in a long time."

Fenris and Tori were finishing their training, but as Tori made to dodge one of his attacks, Fenris reached up and grabbed her braid.

"Ow, Fenris, what the fuck?"

Fenris smirked. "Your enemies will take any advantage they can to bring you down. Your hair is beautiful, but it will get in the way being so long." He walked towards her, coming to a stop just inches from her. "You're going to get hurt."

"I didn't know you cared." Tori said, returning his smirk. "What would you suggest?"

"Either find a different way to keep it up or cut it shorter." He offered, letting go of her braid. "Your hair is long and suits you well, but perhaps you should consider a change to ensure further safety in battle. The less you give an enemy to use against you, the better."

Tori took her braid and fiddled with the ends. "I haven't cut my hair in eleven years... Maybe you're right..."

"Come, let's get some dinner and turn in for the night."

Tori nodded and followed Fenris to the camp fire.

"How was your training?" Solas asked.

"Um, good I guess. There are some things I need to work on and some things that I excel at, but thankfully Fenris is so keen on making sure I get proper training."

Varric chuckled at that and handed her a plate. "Well, Bunny, eat up."

"Thank you."

Tori woke in the middle of the night, her nightmares again plaguing her. Going to sit by the creek, she rubbed her eyes and sighed. "Maker when will this end..?" Looking down at her reflection, she remembered what Fenris had said earlier. Realizing he was right, she took one of her daggers and her braid over her shoulder. Taking a deep breath, Tori brought the dagger through her braid and sliced it off. She gulped when she saw nearly three feet of hair in her hand and she reached back to feel what was left, smiling. She looked at her reflection in the mirror and almost didn't recognize herself. Her smile grew and she set the unravelling braid to the side, pulling part of her hair back into a half pony tail then took the hair still hanging in her face and cut herself some bangs, letting them fall to the right side the way her hair naturally parted. Smiling, she then braided a small strand of hair just behind her left ear, her smile growing when she was pleased with the end result. It was definitely a change, one that she would have to get used to, but she loved the change.

Gathering up the hair, Tori took it back to the fire and tossed it in, watching it burn into ash. A sudden feeling of lightness surrounded her and she looked up at the sky, a couple shooting stars zipping through the night. "Maker if this is your will, then I will do what I can not to disappoint you."

As she lay back and got comfortable, quickly falling asleep, Fenris rolled onto his side and looked at her. He had taken to laying next to her, just in case her nightmares became too much and he needed to comfort her. He noticed she had just cut her hair and smiled. Reaching over, her tucked her bangs behind her ear. "Sleep well, Herald."

Tori woke the next morning to the smell of sausages and potatoes and she sat up stretching as she yawned. When she packed up her bed roll and joined the others, they all looked at her strangely.

"What?"

"What happened to you hair, Bunny?"

Tori touched her hair, almost forgetting she had cut it. "Oh, I thought about changing it up a bit so I cut it last night. Why does it look bad?"

Cassandra shook her head and offered her a smile. "Not at all, Tori, in fact it rather suits you."

Tori smiled. "Thanks, Cassandra. I was worried since it's been eleven years since I last cut my hair. I almost didn't go through with it."

"What made you want to do this?" Solas asked.

Tori looked over at Fenris, blushing a bit when he smiled- not smirk, but smile. "I wanted a change. I spent almost half of my life here in Thedas, but it's always been fighting and moving from place to place. It gave me a purpose, but after awhile I just wanted to get away from it." She took the plate Varric handed her. "Being the Herald of Andraste is a huge responsibility, one I never thought I'd have to undertake, but it almost makes me feel like a new person. Having so much riding on my shoulders, it's my time to play the hero I guess instead of standing in the background like I always have. Something like that makes a person rethink everything." She smiled. "So I decided last night that since I've got the whole world looking to me, I need to leave the old me behind and become a better, stronger, more reliable me for the future, someone that everyone can look to. Changing my hair and playing the part just goes with that."

"Well, I must agree with Lady Cassandra." Solas said, bowing his head to her. "The new look really suits you."

Tori smiled. "Thanks guys. Now, let's eat quickly so we can get back to Haven by midday.

"Lady Herald, welcome back to Haven."

"Thank you, Rylen." Tori said, greeting the second in commanding officer. "Is Cullen in the war room with the others?"

Rylen nodded. "Yes, they await your arrival." He looked at her. "You changed your hair. It looks wonderful."

Tori smiled. "Thanks." She slid off of Amantheon's back and looked to Master Dennet. "Could you take care of Theon for me? He won't bite, I promise."

Dennet chuckled. "If he doesn't scare the horses I have nothing to fear. I'll get him cleaned up, you have my word. Besides, it'll be interesting taking care of a dragon."

Tori giggled. "You have no idea." Then looking to Rylen she said, "Could you let Cullen and the others know I'll be right there? I need to freshen up and get changed."

"Of course."

Tori turned to her companions as Rylen hurried off. "Why don't you guys go freshen up as well? It's been a long trip back."

"I will meet you in the war room shortly." Cassandra said, then made her way back to the Chantry.

Solas and Varric nodded as well, going to their own destinations.

Tori looked at Fenris. "We have some spare rooms in the Chantry. I could find you one if you'd like."

Fenris nodded. "I would appreciate that. If you don't mind, Tori, I would like to watch the training sessions while you meet with your advisors."

Tori smiled. "Of course. I'll inform the others that you've joined the Inquisition and I'll secure a room for you." She started to walk away, but then she turned back to him and added, "Oh, and try not to scare the new recruits? Most of them just got here."

"I will do my best, but I make no promises." He replied, smirking.

"I'll come find you after the meeting."

Fenris watched as Tori hurried to the Chantry, then turned his attention towards the training camp. 'This is going to be interesting.'

Tori quickly changed out of her dirty and dingy clothes as the servant who was assigned to her, Ayle Hayward, drew her a bath.

"How was your trip to the Hinterlands, milady?"

"It went well, all things considered." Tori said, slipping into the water as Ayle turned to gather the soaps and such. Tori pulled her hair down and ducked under the surface for a moment, then resurfaced and sighed in content. "Ah, this feels great..."

Ayle smiled. "Here you are, milady."

Tori took the soaps and quickly washed her hair and her body.

"Where will you go next?"

"I don't know right now, but that's what my meeting with the others is for." Tori said, rinsing her hair and body off. "Hand me that towel?"

Ayle held out the towel for Tori as she stood and stepped out of the tub. Tori shivered and dried off quickly, stepping behind the divider to change. Ayle brought over her underclothes, then went to her wardrobe.

"Do you know what you would like to wear, milady?"

Tori looked around the corner of the divider. "How about the blue and silvery grey one tunic dress with the matching leggings?"

Ayle knew just which one she spoke of and brought it over to her. She grabbed a pair socks for her and her black knee high boots, setting them to the side. She waited patiently until Tori stepped out from behind the divider.

"Could you help lace this up? I couldn't quite get all of it." Tori asked.

Ayle nodded and finished lacing up the back of the tunic dress. "Maker's breath, Lady Herald... You look wonderful! Blue really is your color!"

Tori smiled and slipped on her socks and boots, then went to the dresser and grabbed her brush.

"Will you need anything else, milady?"

Tori shook her head and looked at Ayle. "No, thank you, Ayle. That'll be it."

"Very well, I will be assisting in the kitchens until later. If you need anything, just send for me."

Tori nodded and watched the young girl excuse herself. She quickly brushed out her hair and tied it back into the half ponytail, smiling. She touched the pendant Cullen had given her weeks ago and her smile grew. "Time for the meeting."