22nd of Cloudreach, 9:42 Dragon

Upon the victorious return to Skyhold, Molly and her advisors went about discussing what was to come next.

It seemed that with his plans to conquer the south through military might or political deceit thwarted, Corypheus abandoned his strongholds and relocated his followers deep into the Arbor Wilds, ransacking ancient elven ruins as they went. A new ally, a mage that Leliana knew from her days with the Hero of Ferelden named Morrigan, took the Inquisitor to the Crossroads through the eluvian she had found, repaired and brought to Skyhold with her, explaining that she believed Corypheus to be searching for an intact eluvian of his own as a way to reach the Crossroads, where he could then tear down the barriers separating it from the Fade.

While Molly and the others were in their meeting, Runa stood on the battlements, looking out over the mountains. Winter had nearly faded and spring had begun to take its hold over the lands, the warm breezes blowing through the fortress as the waterfall roared in the distance. She was wondering if they were growing any nearer to the end of this war and what she would even do with her life afterwards, if she survived that battles still yet to come.

"Runa?"

Runa looked over as Cullen came over to join her. "How was the meeting?"

Cullen sighed, coming to stand next to her. "We've sent word to our allies. We'll be mounting an assault on the Arbor Wilds, soon."

"How soon will we leave?"

"Within the week. It'll be a two week journey on foot, a week to a week and a half on horseback if we're lucky. We're trying to time it so that everyone arrives at about the same time. Increase our chances for success."

"I assume Leliana is sending scouts ahead to do some subterfuge?"

Cullen nodded. "They should reach the Arbor Wilds a week ahead of us, but the damage they can cause in that time will be a major setback for our enemy." He looked at Runa, seeing her brow furrowed with worry. "What's on your mind?"

"I was just thinking..."

"About?"

"That last night in South Reach, when we-" Runa blushed and cleared her throat before continuing. "I had a nightmare, but it was different. It was... like a premonition..."

"Of what?"

"A battle. There were incredibly beautiful and ancient trees surrounding us, the foliage a deep green. There were elves in strange armor attacking us; I think they may have been guardians of the Arbor Wilds, an elvhen temple perhaps within the forest? Anyway, they were very skilled in shadowing techniques we've seen bandit rogues use and they were taking out our men and our allies. When they attacked our camp..."

"What happened?"

Runa looked up at him, her fear shining in her eyes. "You were among the seriously injured... I woke before I saw anything more, but it was so real I thought I had lost you..."

Cullen pulled her into his arms and held her. "Nothing is going to take me from you, I promise. It'll be alright."

"Please, take me with you to the Wilds..."

"Leliana will be staying behind. I had already planned on bringing you with us." Cullen kissed her forehead. "You don't have to worry so much, Runa."

"Someone has to." She replied, smiling.

"We should get back to work, there is a lot to prepare for."


3rd of Bloomingtide, 9:42 Dragon

Calling upon their allies, the Inquisition mounted an assault on the Arbor Wilds. It took them a week and a half to reach the Wilds were they found that they were not only facing fierce resistance from Corypheus' remaining forces, but also from bands of strange elves hostile to both sides as well. Upon seeing the elves' strange armor, Runa was even more on guard and protective of Cullen and their men- they were the same elves she had seen in her dream.

"Runa, your dream..."

Runa nodded, looking at Cullen as he realized what she had seen in her dream might have been a premonition after all.

"Watch out!"

Runa jumped to protect Cullen as one of the elvhen rogues came out of stealth shadows and tried to take him from behind. She threw her staff up and deflected the daggers that had threatened him, then shot a fireball at him.

"Watch your backs!" Runa ordered their men.

"Kendrick, left flank!" Cullen shouted.

One of the soldiers, Kendrick, looked to his left and brought down his great axe on the elf. "Captain, right flank, eight o'clock!"

Runa spun and dodged the sword swung towards her head. She thrust her staff forward, stunning the elf before she set him ablaze. "Thanks!" she called, then bashed aside another of their enemy.

One of Leliana's scouts found high ground and shot arrow after arrow at the elves. He saw one of the rogues slip into a stealth shadow, missing them as he shot a bolt at them. "Careful, there's a shadow rogue somewhere around!" he called, searching for the shadow trail.

Runa looked around, not seeing anything, but she turned and threw a fireball at an elf trying to sneak up on one of the Orlesians.

"Thanks!" he said, panting.

"No problem." she replied, smiling.

The Orlesian, one of the generals that had come to their aid in the assault, returned her smile, but it faded when he saw the shadow rogue's trail sneaking up behind her. "Look out!"

Runa didn't even have time to react before she was pushed out of harm's way. When she steadied herself, she looked back to where she had been standing and saw Cullen in her place, having taken the long dagger intended for her instead. The dagger had penetrated his armor and gone deep into his lower abdomen.

"Cullen!"

She watched in horror as he coughed up blood as the elvhen rogue pulled the dagger free before dodging Cullen's sword as he tried to bring down his attacker. Cullen was getting weaker, though, and fell to the ground. Feeling fear and worry and anger whirling inside of her, Runa cried out and her blue fire erupted around her. It spread out like a wildfire, incinerating all of their enemies within a hundred yard radius. It continued to spread, consuming the elves until it reached a barrier that seemed to be protecting the temple from outside magik. As it spread, setting the enemy ablaze- even taking the Venatori and Red Templars with it, the members of the Inquisition and their allies stared in awe at its raw power and knew that it was Runa Illyria Alarie, Captain and Flame of the Inquisition. But outside of their camp, no one knew why her fire burned with such intensity.

In the camp, Runa stood and let her fires rage. No one could quell her emotional tirade. One of the mages had rushed to Cullen's side and healed his wounds, unbeknownst to Runa, as their enemies fell to ash one by one.

"What's happening..?" Cullen asked, his strength beginning to return as his wounds were healed. He looked around, seeing the blue flames raging, and found Runa standing there in the center of their camp as though she were in a trance. Knowing he had to get to her and calm her, Cullen tried to push through the intense magikal energy she was exerting.

"Runa!" He activated his dispel technique, but in his current state it didn't do much. "Runa, can you hear me?"

Runa turned towards the sound of Cullen's voice, her eyes glowing like they had before when they had dealt with the bandits near Highbridge- but with much more intensity. She tilted her head as though she wasn't sure if it was really him.

Cullen pushed through until he finally reached her. When he did, he pulled her into his arms. "Runa, it's over. Come back to me."

"Cullen...?"

He stepped back and looked down at her, seeing that she had finally come to. "I'm here."

Runa looked around, seeing her flames raging but no enemy in sight any longer. She immediately extinguished the fire, letting them dissipate and disappear in a wisp of an ember. "I thought..." Tears slipped down her cheeks. "I thought I'd lost you..!" She threw her arms around him, relieved.

Cullen held her tightly, kissing her hair. "It's alright, now. You saved us."

Their men and allies stood and watched as their Commander and Captain embraced, relieved to see that all was well again. Runa's fire never terrified him, but what had had them worried most was the thought of her being unable to quell the flames and return to herself. But, with the Commander's help she did and they were as relieved as she was to see Cullen was fine. But now they wondered if the Inquisitor and her party were able to make it to the Temple of Mythal and if they were able to prevent Corypheus from getting what he had come for.