Cullen had carried Tori the rest of the way to the camp where he waited patiently as the medic cleaned the wound, stitched it closed, and dressed it. The medic told Tori to try to stay off her feet for a few days until they returned to Haven where she could get it redressed, the stitches removed, and the wound healed completely. Cullen sat with Tori as they waited for their agents to ready Amantheon's saddle and packs and for Blackwall to join them at the camp and when he did, he looked as though he nearly had a heart attack seeing Amantheon.

"Maker... you weren't kidding about the dragon..."

Tori smiled at that. "Blackwall, this is Theon. He and I have been good friends since the Blight."

"How?"

"First, proper introductions are needed." She raised a hand smiling. "My name is Tori Evermoore, I am known as the 'Dragon Rider' and also the 'Herald of Andraste'."

"Evermoore?" Blackwall looked at her. "I've heard the stories about you. You're also known around these parts as the 'Beast Tamer'. I am impressed, lass, that you were able to tame such a creature."

Amantheon leaned down and regarded the Warden, sniffing at him then chirped a greeting.

"Theon is one of the best judges of character I have ever seen." Tori said. "He likes to give a second opinion when we meet new people. If he doesn't like them, it's for good reason. So far we haven't had that problem with any of the Inquisition agents themselves, but he doesn't really like the Chantry Chancellor that likes to give us grief back in Haven. If Theon likes you, then I know I was right to trust you."

Blackwall looked at her. "I am pleased to hear it." He set down his pack. "So, when do we leave?"

"The Herald was injured in the skirmish earlier, so she needs to rest. We will leave in the morning." Cullen said.

"Very well."

Tori looked at Cullen and shook her head. "Cullen, it's fine to leave now that Blackwall has joined us. Just help me up into the saddle and we'll call it good."

"Herald, you really should be resting." Cullen said, looking down at her with concern. "Any unnecessary movements could rip out the stitching and do more damage."

Tori forced herself to stand and looked up at him. "Cullen, we're leaving now. Besides, I don't know how well Theon will do with three passengers- despite Blackwall not being as heavy or as big as Bull."

"Hold a moment, I'm to fly back on the dragon?" Blackwall asked.

Tori nodded. "We can reach Haven within a day or so, depending on how well Theon can handle the weight. You're like a fourth of the Iron Bull's size and weight, so he should be fine."

Cullen looked at him. "It isn't nearly as bad as it may seem. I wouldn't make a habit of it myself, but it is something I wouldn't recommend missing the opportunity of doing."

Blackwall gulped and looked at Amantheon, then back at Tori. "Very well, lass."

Cullen sighed and helped her over to Amantheon who lowered himself as low as possible to make it easier for Tori to mount up. He hoisted himself up into the saddle, then reached down and helped Blackwall climb up behind him. When they were all situated, Tori passed back the leather wraps to Blackwall.

"These will help you stay still while we're flying. Wrap them around your wrists and hold them like reins. Theon's a smooth flyer, so don't worry, but it may help you feel better." She said, then looked at the agents below. "We have everything packed and ready to go, right?"

"Yes, milady. Have a safe flight back. We'll send word if something changes here."

Tori nodded. "Thank you. Maker protect you."

"Maker protect you, Lady Herald."

Amantheon stood and took to the skies, chirping in amusement when he felt Blackwall's legs tense up.

Tori smiled and looked back to him. "You'll be fine, Blackwall, don't worry." When the Warden could only nod and tighten his grip on the wraps, she smiled and turned back to face forward. Her leg was still in a lot of pain, but she didn't want anyone to see. She put a hand over the wound and winced, not realizing that Cullen felt her body tense.

"Are you alright?" He asked, leaning forward.

Tori nodded and gave him a smile to try and reassure him, then turned back to focus on the path ahead.

Amantheon's stomach growled and he looked back at Tori, a low chortling like sound rising from his throat.

"Alright, Theon, let's set down in that clearing." she said, noticing that it was the same clearing as the night before.

Amantheon landed and let Blackwall and Cullen dismount first, then waited while Cullen helped Tori down.

"I need to get his saddle off so he can go hunting." Tori said as she tried to step out of Cullen's grasp and turn to the saddle.

"Tori, don't. Let me take care of it. You just sit down and rest." Cullen said, grasping her hand and pulling her back.

"Cullen..."

"Please?"

Tori sighed and found a small boulder to sit on. "Fine, but I'm not some fragile flower."

"Maker, don't I know it."

Tori stuck out her tongue and slowly made her way to the boulder, sitting back on it.

"Lass, it's getting dark out. We should make camp for the night." Blackwall said. "You need to rest, we all need to eat, and as you said your dragon may need a break from flying with three passengers."

Tori nodded, then tried to stand and start setting up only to have Blackwall stop her as well.

"Lass, please allow us to set up the camp."

Tori sighed and nodded. "Could you at least get me some firewood so I can get a fire going, maybe even start on dinner for us?"

Blackwall nodded. "Of course."

Tori sat there and watched as Blackwall went off to gather wood while Cullen pulled off Amantheon's saddle. She felt useless, but she was a bit reckless just jumping straight into the fray when the bandits attacked. She sighed and rubbed her palm, wondering if she was only careless because of what she had told Cullen the night before.

"I'm sorry, Tori..." Cullen said, setting their packs next to her. "About last night."

Tori shook her head. "It wasn't your fault, Cullen... I shouldn't have let things get that far..."

"I shouldn't have asked such a personal question. It was unprofessional for one thing and disrespectful, especially on a more personal level."

Tori sighed and looked up as Blackwall brought back some wood. "Thanks, Blackwall."

"Of course, lass. I think I'll go hunting myself. I could use a good pheasant or rabbit after my first flight."

Tori smiled and offered him her bow and quiver. "Here, but be careful with that bow please. It was a gift from my Dalish friends."

Blackwall nodded. "Of course. I'll return shortly."

Tori watched as Blackwall headed back out into the woods that surrounded the clearing. When he disappeared she began building up a fire, taking her flint stone from her pack and quickly lighting it.

"It was bound to come up sooner or later, Cullen." Tori said, warming herself by the fire. Night was falling quickly, but they were getting closer to the Frostbacks so it was already getting colder. "You don't have to worry about it so much."

Cullen sat down next to her. "I should have been more understanding and trusted your judgement. I shouldn't have pried, I was only curious."

Tori sat back and leaned against the boulder. "It's fine, Cullen, really. Things were bound to end up like this some way or another."

"I know how much you loved him, Tori." Cullen said, pulling a hand over hers. "I'm sorry."

Tori smile sadly and took a deep breath. "I just want him to be happy and with the way things are now, I can't be the one to give him that." She looked up at him, her smile fading a bit. "That's why I don't know if I can let myself get close to anyone else. You and Fenris both mean a lot to me, but you need to understand why I'm so guarded."

Cullen sighed and looked at her, his hand moving up to cup her cheek. "I know, Tori..."

She searched his eyes, the amber intensified in the light of the fire. She felt like she was going to melt each time he touched her. "Cullen, I-

"Tori, I want you to be happy, but that doesn't mean I won't fight for you."

Tori looked away. "I'm not some prize to be one, Cullen..."

Cullen sighed and let his hand drop. "Maker, Tori... I didn't mean it like that..."

Tori looked at him. "Then what do you mean?"

Cullen sighed. "Tori, you're so amazing and wonderful in every way possible. You've been through so much and yet you've persevered through it all. You're strong and good natured and kind hearted." He put a hand on hers. "I want to make you happy, I want to protect- and not just as your Commander."

Tori searched his eyes. "Cullen..."

"I just wanted to let you know where I stood on the matter. I care a great deal about you, more than I should admit." He said, offering her a smile.

Tori made to say something, but Blackwall returned with a couple of pheasants and a few rabbits. "I take it the hunt went well?"

"Yes. You have an excellent bow, lass. Your friends in the Dalish are quite skilled craftsmen." He said, handing her the bow back.

"They are indeed." She said with a smile.

"Well why don't we get these cooked up?" Blackwall said.

"I'll set up the camp." Cullen said, standing.

While they went about getting things ready, Tori couldn't help but wonder about what Cullen had said. He had always done what he could to make her happy, to protect her- even when he wasn't the Commander of the Inquisition. She watched as he set up the tents, rubbing her palm.

"You alright, lass?"

Tori looked at Blackwall and nodded. "Of course, why?"

"You seem distracted."

Tori blushed and looked down. "I don't know what you mean."

Blackwall chuckled. "It's alright lass." He said, leaning in close to her- his voice lowered so Cullen couldn't hear as he grabbed the tents from the packs. "He seems like a good lad."

Tori's blush deepened. "He isn't the only one..."

Blackwall brought over the pheasants and the rabbits, handing half of them to Tori. "Oh?"

Tori sighed and took the meat, helping Blackwall prepare the pheasants and rabbits. "It's more complicated than I'd like..."

"What's this other one like?"

Tori smiled a bit. "He's a handsome, broody elf. He's a former slave, a skilled warrior, he's strong, a bit hard-headed, doesn't care much for mages, but he fights for what he feels is right and he's surprisingly courteous." She sighed and stuck the pheasants and rabbits on a skewer before setting them to cook. "He's different than Cullen." She looked back at Cullen as he looked through the packs. "Cullen, he's... chivalrous, strong, handsome, courageous. He's kind and generous, has always looked after me." She stopped talking when Cullen drew near. "I just don't know what I'm going to do."

"About what?" Cullen asked, sitting across from them.

"The lass and I were talking about where to turn to next for allies." Blackwall said, looking at him. "Oh, dinner is nearly done."

"Good." He looked to Tori. "The tents are set up."

"Thank you, Cullen."

"So, Herald, where do you think we should turn next for allies?" Cullen asked, looking at her.

"Well, Josephine and Leliana were talking about going to Val Royeaux, to try to appeal to the Chantry. Perhaps after all that we've done since the Breach opened and the Conclave exploded will be enough to make them reconsider. I think once we get back to Haven, we start making preparations for the trip to Val Royeaux."

Cullen looked over as Blackwall handed him a plate laden with food, dinner ready. "Thank you." He looked back to Tori. "You must rest before any further plans are made ready."

Tori smiled at that. "You worry too much."

Cullen smiled in return. "Someone has to."

Tori blushed and accepted the plate Blackwall handed her. "Thanks."

"So, Cullen, any stories?" Blackwall asked. "Man such as yourself is bound to have seen many things."

Cullen chuckled. "Indeed I have." He glanced at Tori.

"Oh, come on, Cullen. I'm sure there are some things you haven't even told me." Tori said, winking.

Cullen blushed, clearing his throat. "I suppose I have a few." He smiled.

"Don't be shy, Cullen." Tori said, taking a grape from her plate. She looked at him. "Share a story or two?"

Cullen chuckled, then felt his blush deepen as Tori popped the grape in her mouth- making him think of other things that she could pop in there. "Well, there was this one boy I knew back in Honnleath."