Naku called over for help lifting a particularly heavy rock. Several of the dwarves came over and shooed her away, intending on moving the rocks themselves. She smiled, thanked them and walked away before they could start using her titles and making her feel like someone else. She was finally falling back into herself. She was Naku, not the Hero of Fereldan, not the destroyer of the inquisition, not the tamer of Gods. That last title was the most annoying to hear; the unfounded rumor started when she returned to the field, Solas a few steps behind looking thoughtful. She went to quit the field and find a new direction when he bowed lightly and wished her well.

Somehow that changed into "Taming the Gods." She sighed at the memory a year old. She hadn't heard from the Elvhan god in all that time, and she made a point to stay out of his way. The large tunnel looped around and came to a cross roads. She and a number of others had been slowly clearing areas and tunnels in the deep roads, hoping to establish a safe place away from the possible chaos of the veil's destruction. There were a few workers taking a break against the wall. Varric among them.

"Hey Naku, taking a break from Taming the tunnels?" He smiled. Naku scoffed at him. Varric took an unreasonable amount of pleasure out of using that title as a joke to annoy her. She would never tell him so, but it made her happy. He treated her like everyone else; to Varric, she was Naku. Varric divided his time between Kirkwall and the newly cleared tunnels. They kept the tunnels connecting the two open. Hawke had been left behind in the Fade, and Varric still felt her loss.

"I figured I'd give the tunnel a chance to recuperate." There was a small laugh to her voice as she sat down next to him. He chuckled.

"Did you want an update?" Varric was looking at her thoughtful, "Don't take this the wrong way, Hero, but you look like shit." The Warden laughed shaking her head and making a point to look away. "Still not sleeping?" The other workers had returned to the tunnel and she and Varric were alone.

"Nightmares have always been a problem." Naku found Varric easy to talk to and a friendly face. She could tell him anything and knew it wouldn't get passed him. He held your secrets closer than his own. "I'll be fine." The two shared a moment where Varric's face screamed bullshit, but he wouldn't say it, knowing it wouldn't help.

"Maybe try a nap. No one will bother you and this tunnel is clear." Varric patted her shoulder and when she went to get up, he crossed his arms, "That wasn't a suggestion. Take a nap Naku, then I'll update you on the Elvhan's movement." He waited until she settled back down before walking back up the tunnel. Varric had funded most of the venture and picked the places where they were establishing the new colonies. They were made up of anyone who would follow. Naku was still very surprised how many people appeared every day; she was certain Solas had at least a few spies in the people. It didn't matter, she wasn't trying to stop him, just trying to help others survive whatever choices he made. She worried more about Qunari then anything else.

She leaned her head back against the wall and thought about sleep. Nightmares had haunted her since she became a Grey Warden. It had only gotten worse after killing the Archdemon. Whatever had happened, all she knew that was after she killed him the dreams became worse, and she could cast small spells and walked freely in the fade. The Dalish called her a Dreamer, but she wasn't a mage. She didn't feel like a dreamer, her mind only took her back to the darkest parts of her past. Skyhold recently began appearing as well. She closed her eyes, trying to take Varric's advice.

She was sitting in a dark room like always. She found closing herself off while asleep was the best way to ignore the nightmares. She could still hear the fighting, the screaming, and feel the pain, but at least she wouldn't have to see it. She curled into herself, face buried in her knees, trying to block out the noise and get some restful sleep for a change.

"This is why you are so hard to find." His voice was a sudden unexpected change to the noise of war and death. She looked up at him. Solas was standing straight, hands behind his back, looking around her black room. He wasn't wearing the armor and fur from the war, but rather a basic mage outfit and a jaw bone necklace. She focused on that, it looked like a canine bone of some sort. She thought it was a bit morbid since he was called the Dread Wolf. His feet were bare and he looked well. She shook her head and placed her face back into her knees, doing her best to force him out of her room, like every other nightmare. "Stop that." He was glaring at her clearly annoyed.

"Go away." her voice was haggard, like she had been screaming. He sighed and relaxed, moving closer to her.

"Bad dreams?" There was a bit of honey in his voice, like he was trying to put her at ease. She looked up and almost smiled when he tipped his head curious. He kept her eye contact and sat down crossed legged in front of her. "What do you dream about?" She looked around the empty room and back at him. He was quiet, curious, and patient. She wondered how long he'd wait for an answer. She sighed, trying to not shake as she sat more comfortable in front of him. The pain of her nightmares, ripped through her body and she cried out. The hot white pain suddenly stopped; his eyes glowing. "Better?" She shifted looking around, the noise was gone, the pain was gone.

"How?" Her voice was weak, unsure. He smirked.

"I influenced the Fade." He waited as she settled into a seated position before asking again, "What do you dream about?" The honey still in his voice.

"The past mostly..." She rubbed her legs and arms, feeling uncomfortable. "How are you here?" Her dreams were the only place she didn't want anyone to see. It was the only time she felt weak, helpless and crushed by the past. She didn't have the luxury of that, too many depended on her. Only Varric had an idea of her dreams, but even he didn't know the half of it.

"I'm a dreamer." His voice was proud, much like his name. She relaxed enjoying the silence for as long as it could last. "This set up you have, makes you very hard to find in the Fade." There was a question to his voice and he looked around again. "not very practical if you still feel pain." She snorted and drew his eyes back to her.

"We can't all be The Dread Wolf." Her voice laced with sarcasm and annoyance. He just stared at her, not getting the joke. "Why are you here?"

"I wanted to see what you were up to." His voice hinted that to a degree he already knew. She stretched feeling lighter than she had before.

"Get better spies then." She stood up moving around the room, enjoying the stillness of the moment. Solas didn't get up but continued to watch her twist and turn. For a moment she forgot he was there. She barely noticed the music that began to play as her movements gained a pattern. She wasn't dancing, but rather testing movements she didn't have. Her breath hitched in her excitement and she started to run. The room followed her and never ended. Solas strangely didn't move, just like she never got away from him. She ended in a cartwheel twist and landing on her back with a thump. She let out a joyous squeal of delight, the past for a moment forgotten. She shot up and with wide eyes high on the freedom and lightness, locked onto Solas who was watching her with raised eye brows and curious face.

"Can we go anywhere?" Her voice was low and daring. She blinked as he nodded and went to speak, but the moment was lost and all the rage and death slammed into the room, the black walls crumbled and they were standing at Ostagar. She was bloody from climbing the tower, Alistair was screaming in the background as more darkspawn charged the room. The mage and soldier who climbed with them dying from wounds. But she could only look out at the battle as Duncan died fighting the ogre.

"Come here often?" His words were teasing but his tone was serious. He looked down at the war raging and back at her face. The moment was just a show for him, but he saw the pain, rage, and sorrow on her face. She blinked back tears, and he threw them back into the room as the arrows ran her through. She landed on the floor blood splattered from wounds, long gone. Solas was breathing heavy from the strain of moving them. "You're a dreamer." His voice was strained for a moment, before he relaxed and looked at her sprawled out on the floor. She heaved and sat up, trying to block out the memories.

"What do you want Solas?" There was a rage to her voice that gave him pause.

"I wanted to speak with you again." A strange moment of honesty. "I didn't realize how haunted you are." She didn't answer shaking as the armor she wore at Ostagar disappeared, the wounds healed, but the blood stayed. "You seemed so unwavering." He moved closer to her still standing, "...Without regrets." She pulled into herself, like she did more than once in reality.

"I have many regrets." He reached out a hand and she took it standing up, more wary of the peace Solas gave her. "I just don't let them prevent me from making the hard choices." She reached out and touched the jaw bone. Pulling back, she continued, "That's what needs to be done." she looked up at him, feeling light, but not letting it overwhelm her like before. "This is a bit morbid." touching the bone again. He touched the necklace and lifted it between them, before dropping it softly ignoring her statement.

"If you could go back, would you change them?" His voice was laced with a feeling of uncertainty.

"Time travel is not a good idea, or so Varric tells me." He chuckled at her words. She smiled rubbing the back of her neck.

"I see the child of the stone is still gravitating toward people who change the world." She snorted.

"He changes the world. I am hardly required." Her voice was humble. He laughed, it echoed in the room, filled the space and causing her to blush, embarrassed. "If only you had the anchor..." There was a humor to his voice. "If only power was given to the humble." He shook his head watching her red face turn more red.

"Power corrupts, maybe I'd end up just like the inquisitor." Her voice was shy. He grabbed her shoulders turned her toward him and stared intensely into her eyes.

"The fact that you say that, makes me doubt it's truthfulness." His voice was honey laced, and she couldn't look at him. The silence stretched on for several moments before he spoke again. "May I visit you again?" She nodded and stepped out of his hands, running her hands through her hair.

"I'd welcome the peace, even if fleeting." She shuffled awkward around the room, before turning back to him. His head tipped a little in curiosity.

"I will show you a few tricks next time." He relaxed his posture, and took one last look around the room, "It's best saved for next time... It's time to wake up."

She opened her eyes and saw Varric's looking at her puzzled. "Good nap? I don't think I've ever seen you smile in your sleep." She chuckled lightly stretching, feeling refreshed for the first time in recent memory.

"Do you make it a habit of watching me sleep?" She let the humor coat her voice. Varric leaned back staring at her.

"Good nap then. You don't usually joke so close to waking up." He gave new orders to the workers; they were cleaning up and heading back. She stood on shaky feet, face suddenly feeling hot. She watched Varric and wondered if she should tell him of her dreamer visitor.

"Solas joined me." Her wording wasn't the best and her face turned a deep red at the implications of the statement. Varric whipped around so fast she couldn't get the blush down before he saw her.

"Chuckles did what now?" Varric raised an eyebrow at her face, "Something that made you look like a deposit of red lyrium..." He spoke in teasing accusation. She scoffed at him, trying to find the words to explain the truth. "Didn't think the Dread Wolf had it in him." She threw her hands up and walked to join the workers. "Wait up, tamer!" He caught up to her, "Giving that a WHOLE new meaning!" She ughed at his teasing, practically running away from him. When he caught up he spoke slowly. "On a serious note. What'd the living god want?" His voice dropped low, not wanting the workers to hear.

"He wanted to talk to me." She whispered back, still confused about the whole situation. He shook his head.

"Be careful, he isn't called the trickster for nothin'" Varric voiced a warning, and they agreed to discuss it later in private. The few miles back to Valammar was quiet as everyone listened for any danger that maybe there. Naku thought it strange, considering they had cleared this tunnel ages again, but she still found herself listening as well.

"Welcome back." Dagna was at the entrance almost dancing in delight. She had followed Varric here and loved the work she was doing to protect the colonies from the possible Veil's destruction.

"Hello, Dagna. Any news?" Naku almost covered her ears as the young dwarf squealed in delight. She couldn't voice the change and instead grabbed Naku's hand and dragged her to her work shop. Naku would normally find a corner to find a bit of sleep, but she felt rested.

"I've been looking at those ancient elven artifacts Varric mentioned! You know the ones!" Naku knew they would glow green and Solas, told the Inquisitor to active them to support the veil while traveling around with her. She nodded as Dagna continued, "I found a way to create a small barrier using 6 of them! If you could find enough, we could shield the whole colony from the Fade!" She stopped at the work shop and showed Naku a small circle with the strange artifacts at the edges. Naku could feel a strange push from the circle.

"How many?" She went closer and stopped, feeling uncomfortable. Dagna threw out a number she didn't hear, to distracted by the glow. She blinked when she heard her name and turned to Varric now standing by Dagna, looking concerned.

"You okay Tamer (change later)?" Varric's voice filled with concern. "Maybe you should sit down." Naku nodded and grabbed a seat still looking at the glow, while Dagna explained everything to Varric, who reacted much more loudly then Naku.

"Fuck yeah! Way to go Short-stuff." His voice louder then it needed to be. "Hear that Bianca, we got ourselves a plan!"

"Varric, I'm just as tall as you." Dagna looked at him indignant. More laughter from Varric. Naku shook her head reminding Dagna that sometimes there was no reasoning with Varric.

"This is all assuming Fen'Harel goes through with his plan of removing the Veil." Naku was hesitant to speak.

"He seemed pretty set last year." Dagna snapped, and no one could argue. Naku thought about his visit to her dreams, and wondered if she should tell him this new information.

"Let's keep this tight. No one else needs know what we found out." Varric looked straight at her when he spoke, "No one else." There was a cautious warning that Naku agreed to. She sighed. The tension between them, readable. Dagna kept quiet and looked from person to person. Naku nodded and stood up.

"I'm gonna go grab some sleep." Her voice was quiet, hoping Varric didn't hear. She could feel his eyes and smile.

"Say hello for me." She glared at the dwarf who winked and laughed. "Don't do anything you can't write home about!" Varric's laughter followed her out of the workshop. The tension from the moment gone when the agreement was established.

She found a little nook to settle in. She had a hammock to sleep in despite everyone wanting her to have a room, but there would be people and she wanted to be alone. Sleep came easy for her

She didn't build her walls this time but allowed herself to stand bloody in Denerim. The archdemon overhead throwing fire, and the darkspawn ripping into the men and women around her. She listened to the noise and felt the wounds of the day as they appeared and disappeared on her flesh. She was thrown to the top of the prison, forced to watch her companions and herself fight the Archdemon; they were the last hope for Fereldan. It was raining in her dream, but she couldn't remember if it had been raining that day. Alistair's war cry drew her attention to the fight.

"No room this time?" She ignored Solas and watched Alistair. He was wearing Cailan's armor that they had found in Ostagar. Her fingers twitched, as she felt the urge to run into the fray in hopes that she would get to touch him again. The knowledge that would never happen stayed her hand, and she turned to Solas as the Archdemon cried out and fell. Before the final blow, they weren't there anymore. They were in the alienage with her cousin, afraid of the darkspawn filing in, needing to be stopped

"Didn't want to make it harder for you." Her voice was hollow, far away, as she relived the memories. He reached out and touch her hand. She flinched and they were back in the room, it was still raining. She shook her head, really looked at him and smiled. He was in his normal mage outfit with the jaw bone. She was wearing the armor from the final battle, Duncan's swords upon her back.

"Would you like to go somewhere else?" he was looking at her curious, always the scholar. The rain continued to fall in the room, and she looked up at it annoyed before speaking.

"Anywhere to get out of this rain." There was a laugh to her voice. He nodded and suddenly they were somewhere else. A ruin maybe, but it wasn't as old as it should be. "Where are we?" He shrugged and stepped away from her, gesturing for her to follow. She followed he through rooms, shining floors, and murals. She stopped and stared at one in particular. It was of Fen'Harel as a wolf, done in the old style. "This looks like the ones at Skyhold." Solas nodded.

"I can see why, I painted both." She stared at him; eyes wide.

"You painted them?" Her voice full of disbelieve, "Truly?" He scoffed at her disbelieve and nodded, continuing into the ruin. She walked slowly so she could look around at the splendor. "It's beautiful here." The ruins ended at a pool of shallow, clear water. The floor was titled, reminding her of a fountain. He walked into the water slowly, until it was waist deep.

"Come." He stretched out his hand. She shivered and looked down before looking back at him. It began to rain again. She sighed and walked out to join him taking his hand. He was staring at the rain a thoughtful look on his face, "You have such a strong influence on the fade." She let go of his hand as he admired the rain, and she walked around the pool looking at the tiles and clear water. The rain continued.

She frowned at the weird symbols painted onto each of the tiles; she didn't know what they meant, but she was sure they meant something. Smiling, she dropped down to get a better look. They weren't symbols, but rather just designs; swirls and strange angular shapes. She swam a bit and tried to see how many there were. Slowly she stood up and looked at Solas who was watching her.

"This is beautiful." She walked around the lake, admiring the water and running her fingers lightly on the surface. Solas moved around her watching, unsure about what to say. "where are we?" She looked at him, thoughtfully.

"It's not a place you can see anymore." He stood straight hands behind his back, and she smiled, feeling mischievous. "Time has worn away every part." He looked around thoughtful. "I believe it is just an empty valley now." She had slowly walked toward him trying to look innocent, then as he finished his sentence, she pushed. He grabbed her in reflex and they both ended up submerged. He surfaced first and growled as he shoved her back under. They threw each other around in the water, Naku laughing harder than she had in ages; even Solas had a smile on his face. They stopped and she floated lightly enjoying the warm water, and letting the warmth die from her face. Solas kneeled in the water, and looked up, the rain finally stopping.

"Thank you," She straightened up and looked at Solas, smiling warmly, "I really needed this." He nodded.

"Glad to help." He stood up the water rolling off him, rather than sticking to his clothes. "I don't want your last few years to be a nightmare." She scoffed and shook her head, thoughtful.

"How kind of you." The sarcasm leaking off her more than the water. "I could never ask for anything better." He flushed as she smiled and turned away from him.

The wall came into focus and she stretched and woke up. The dream was pleasant enough, but she found herself annoyed. He had to ruin the beautiful scene with his honesty. She stood up and went to look for Varric, he still had to update her about Solas's movements, as well as what they were going to do about the artifact for the artificial veil. Variic was easy enough to find, looking over the work, while pretending to be hiding. Varric, never like to look important, it was a strange thing, so someone who was in fact important.

"Hey Tamer, how was the dreams?" he wasn't looking at her.

"He took me to a beautiful outdoor pool..." She wasn't sure why she was telling him this. "Ruined it with his stupidity." Varric chuckled lightly.

"However old he is, I don't think Chuckles has ever been good with people." they shared a moment of understanding.

"Where do we go from here?" He frowned.

"You and Chuckles? Fuck if I know." He looked at her seriously, then cracked a smile.

She smacked him, "Varric, I killed people for less."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," a smile. "Find more Artifacts." He paused, "I marked at least four dozen I remember from my time with the inquisition, but we need about a hundred for each colony and that doesn't take into account the roads between each." Another moment of silence, "But at least we can count on Solas opening his mouth and inserting his foot." They both laughed.

The stormy coast was living up its name. They had been camped for several day trapped in a hurricane that made movement impossible. The Warden sat awake keeping watch as her companions slept. She tended to keep watch, since she rarely slept anyway. Solas had not appear in her dreams for a while now for unknown reasons. She wondered if he ever would again. She relaxed and watched the lightning rip the sky apart. They had been lucky to find a little cave right before the worst of the storm hit. They had been looking for one of the elven artifacts located nearby. Dagna created a device that would make finding them easier; it had proved invaluable.

She counted the time between lightning and thunder and knew it would not be safe for them to leave just yet. The lightning was practically overhead. She hoped that it would end soon and they would be able to return to Valammar with the item in toe. It sat a few feet away wrapped in a cloak to hide its glow. Most of the time, scouts or other warriors would be sent out to retrieve the artifacts once their general location was discovered, but this area had a very high activity of Elvhan. Fen'Harel was doing something out here and anyone else might have trouble getting in and out. She stared out the cave entrance, seeing nothing but the wall of water.

"Hey Tamer, my shift." Varric was standing behind her placing a hand on her shoulder. She sighed, looking at him wearily, trying to decide if it was worth fighting him about it.

"I won't be able to sleep Varric, get your sleep while you can." Her voice was soft trying not to wake anyone else. He glared at her in the all too familiar expression. She smiled weakly and shrugged getting up, knowing he would not take no for an answer. "Goodnight." She headed to the deepest part of the cave, hoping that if her nightmares twisted her body in reality, no one would be hurt from it. She leaned against a wall and continued to stare at the rain, Varric's back to her, looking into the storm. She let her eyes close slowly as she drifted into the fade.

She found the room cold and frightful. Without Solas there the noise and pain returned tenfold. She curled in herself, like she always did. Memories flooded the space, in noise and feeling, never taking form.

"Hello." His voice cut the memories and pulled her to the now. She looked up at him, eyes hazy uncertain of reality or dreams. He was wearing the armor and fur.

"You look stupid." The words were soft, not thought out. "Trying too hard." She shivered standing shaky. "I thought so then too." He tipped his head slightly, waiting for the moment to catch her and bring her out of the haze of dreams.

"I'll keep that in mind." His voice was soft, unassuming as she walked around the room blinking away the dreams.

"You can't sleep in that." It was a statement.

"I appear as I want." She snorted and turned to him; eyes almost glowing.

"And you choose that?" her sneered laughing lightly to herself. She looked at him again, taking in the shiny glitter silver of the armor and fluffy texture of the fur. She walked over to him, the haze still holding her strongly from realizing it was a dream, but real too. He didn't move as she reached out and touched the fur. It was as soft as she thought and she fought the urge to touch it to her cheek. "You look like a boy trying at being a man." He tensed, but didn't make a sound. She stepped away and looked at his face, a light blush tinted his ears red.

"I wore this a millennia ago." He watched her blink the haze away and rub her eyes. The red on his face died down and her face found it. He wanted to smile as she looked around, embarrassed. "Would you like me to change?" She snorted covering her eyes. When she looked back, he was in his basic mage outfit, complete with jaw bone.

"What did you want to speak about?" She tried to change the subject, enjoying the dark silence of the empty dream. They sat cross legged near to each other, but far enough they couldn't touch.

"Where are you?" His voice was clear, curious. She shrugged and spread her hands out on the dark floor.

"You really need better spies." She was in good humor, hopeful for another good sleep, away from the nightmares. For his part he didn't really seem to relax, but kept looking lightly around for something.

"I know enough." He was vague for a reason and she saw no reason to ask more. "How are your preparations going?" She watched him look uninterested.

"Well enough." It was awkward. She didn't want him to leave, because he quieted her nightmares, but she also did not want to tell him anything useful.

"After the Archdemon was defeated, I was charged with reestablishing the Grey Wardens in Fereldan." He snorted and looked at her annoyed.

"I've seen these stories before." There was none of the annoyance in his voice. "I visited your keep in the fade." She sighed.

"Then what do you want to know? I'm not going to tell you of the now. It's none of your business." She shrugged away her annoyance. "I have nothing for a man who can see everything in the fade." He remained silent and she panicked. "What do you see in the fade? About my Keep?" He shook his head but humored her. He told the story he saw, the variation and she told him what she saw. She told him of Justice and they spoke about the Architect as well as her choice to kill him.

"Do you regret killing him? He was clearly special." He was curious, as she shook her head.

"What he wanted, would put the world in danger." She stood and walked the room agitated. "We have to make choices that effect everyone. Maybe in the long run it would have brought a peace unimaginable. Darkspawn and the rest of the world living together in harmony..." She looked down shoulders hunched. "But I won't bet the world on a maybe."

"But you'd let me?" He stood up with her, wanting to see her face. She took a breath and looked at him. Her face tight and her eyes hollow. "I can bet the world on maybe?" He spoke again waiting for an answer. She smiled, knowing something he didn't.

"You wouldn't bet the world on maybe. You were certain of your truth." Her words took him back and his breath hitched as she moved closer to him. "You'd bet on nothing less..." She looked away, now in arms reach. "...Sometimes, even the truths we are certain of are wrong; at least you are taking the time to see."

"Are you certain of yours?" He paused and stared at her before asking another question, "What is your truth?" He was amused as she wandered around the small space, looking everywhere but at him. She came back to him, close enough to touch.

"My truth... that's not an easy question to answer." She shifted uneasy. "I don't know anymore." He wanted to reach out and comfort her like when they were atop the stairs after the battle, but he didn't think it was the right time.

"When you appeared there..." He was talking of the ruin, and she was entranced by his words. "I felt the whole world change." She scoffed.

"Felt the whole world change..." She echoed his words, trying to find the meaning in them. When she looked back, he was gazing at her, a warmth in his eyes that pulled at her. The magic in her blood warmed her face, and pulled at his. She looked away, "... you weren't exactly what I expected either..." She shook her head and went to move away from him to get away from the pull. He reached out and touched her face, lost in the moment. She looked back at him just in time to feel the kiss. It was quick and thoughtless, bringing a warmth to her body. He pulled away too quickly, and she missed the feeling.

"I..." He went to speak, but she grabbed his face and kissed him again, there was a desperation in the kiss. Both searching for something lost and the need to feel something else. She pulled away first face red, and her heart pumping so loud, unnerved and afraid.

"I'm sorry... I... this isn't right..." her words were unmoving even as she felt the urge to continue. "I can't..." She couldn't look at him, shame covered face.

"I shouldn't have... I'll see you again." His words were laced with something that made her heart jump. She looked up and he was gone. The noise of death and pain of memories flooded back and she was on the ground screaming into the void.