A weight was definitely off my heart with the return of Solona Amell to our lives. The real Solona Amell. I'd felt guilty every damned day since I'd returned from the Deep Roads to find she'd been taken from me. Having her around as a Tranquil was… a smack in the face, a reminder I'd let her down. But now she was back to normal and part of our lives once again. The atmosphere was definitely better in the days that followed, Solona sitting down with everyone, getting to know them, they getting to know her.

As for our relationship, Solona didn't lie. The very next night, I walked into my bedroom to find her waiting on the bed for me wearing nothing but a smile. We made love all night. She cried more than once, but they were nothing but happy tears. The next night… she got what she wanted again. Hot, hard, sweaty, no end of passionate. She murmured it was definitely the best sex we'd ever had by the time she was snuggled into my side. Left me rather exhausted too.

Breakfast was amusing the next morning, as she couldn't stop smiling. Bethany, Evelyn and Leliana always sat close to me, the trio swapping glances. "Well, I know that look," Bethany muttered cheerfully.

"Tell me about it," Leliana added with a light laugh.

"Is that what I look like?" Evelyn wondered.

"Evie, the grin on your face is so large the next morning, sometimes I want to wipe it off. Nothing personal, I just know how you feel," Bethany replied.

"So he has four women, does he?" Solona asked.

The trio shared glances. "Yes, he does," Leliana replied, "I'd like to think he doesn't really need anymore."

"What about Marian?" Bethany asked.

"Ah, good point. But she's not here so…" Leliana looked me in the eyes. "Surely that's enough to keep you satisfied, yes?"

"I can't remember the last time I went to bed alone, that's for sure. Was there a limit to this, Leliana?"

"While you're at Skyhold, yes. I hope you understand."

I took her hand and squeezed. "Of course I do. The four women I love are here with me now. The last piece of the jigsaw was recently returned to us."

"I'm thinking you need a night with Evie or Bethany so I can have some fun with Solona."

"Oooh, just like Orzammar?" Solona asked, "Maker, we had so much fun while Uhtred was away."

That grabbed the attention of both Bethany and Evelyn. "Do tell, Leliana."

"Let's just say Solona was a rather good pupil at learning how to pleasure a woman. By the time Uhtred returned, he did walk in on us in the middle of pleasing each other. That led to him joining in, of course."

Bethany looked at me, her eyes smouldering. Evelyn actually blushed. "Wow," she whispered.

I cleared my throat. "Perhaps this is best discussed not at the breakfast table."

"Oh no, we are all very interested in hearing the story," Varric stated, "This could all go into a steamy new novel about the Dragonborn."

Clearing my throat, I pushed my empty plate forward and stood up. "Council meeting in ten minutes, then we should get started on the day. We still have a lot of work to do and Corypheus to find."

Heading into the meeting room, Leliana immediately followed, and she looked concerned. Before she needed to ask or say anything, I assured her I wasn't unhappy, but I just didn't want it discussed so openly in front of everyone else. I accepted and enjoyed our arrangement, I enjoyed the fact I could now openly love the four women in my life, but I'd prefer we kept certain matters a little quieter. "And don't apologise, because I haven't actually said any of that to you. I don't take what we have for granted. If, at any time, you said no more…"

"I couldn't do that to them now, Uhtred. All four of us need you in our life. And I know, if Marian were to return, she'd feel the same. That letter she wrote… I'm left wondering what she would do if she returned…"

"Yeah," I said quietly.

"You miss her already, don't you?"

"I missed you all every damned day after I left Kirkwall. Didn't help I had no idea if or when I'd see any of you again. But leaving her behind… I would have taken her with me if I could, but I thought I made the right choice for all of us."

Our conversation was halted by the arrival of the others, and we went over the business as it stood. There was minor progress in some matters, next to no progress in others. One matter that was started to rear its ugly head was a matter regarding Redcliffe. Teagan was now back in control, and while we shared a friendship, the Venatori had run amok while they were there, with the rebel mages at their beck and call, so the letter we'd recently received was asking for reparations.

"What do you think?" I asked, "Thing is, I don't want to just give him coin, pay him off. I wouldn't mind offering something tangible."

"We have engineers who could certainly head and help rebuild," Cullen suggested.

"We'll do that. And I'll take the lead. I haven't seen Teagan in years. Gives me an excuse to get away from here for a couple of days, at least."

"Our soldiers do patrol nearby at least. I'm sure that is appreciated," Cullen added, "We can certainly send out a squad within the week to begin reconstruction."

"Appreciate that. Send Teagan a letter, inform him I will be visiting as well. Add that I don't need a big welcoming committee. I'd rather do it quiet and incognito."

After some other minor matters that, to be honest, didn't really need much of my input, we split up and headed to our respective offices, though I lasted all of half an hour before deciding to spend most of the day chatting with my colleagues instead. Quite a lot had happened recently and I was of the mind to hear their opinions regarding the past, present and future of the Inquisition.

Bethany was still organising the Wardens, sending small patrols out wherever there were rumours of darkspawn. Otherwise, they would assist Inquisition patrols, simply trying to restore their name. Word had obviously spread of what happened out west. Restoring honour would take time and effort. As for Blackwall, nothing had really changed. I had raised my… concerns, for want of a better word, with Bethany but she had no reason to doubt he was who he said he was.

I chatted with Blackwall, who was still taken aback by what happened at the Winter Palace; Cassandra, whose mind had now turned to the workings of the Chantry and the next Divine; Vivienne, who now wondered what would become of the mages of Thedas; Iron Bull, who was still working with his Chargers, taking care of business that I simply didn't have time to deal with; Varric, who spent a lot of his time dealing with issues from Kirkwall, the place remaining close to his heart; Sera, still trying her best to both fit in and stand out as an individual as part of the Inquisition… I'm fairly sure I spoke to everyone. No-one expressed any unhappiness or disappointment. In fact, most were eager for the next mission, wanting to track down Corypheus and finally end the threat.

It was late in the day when I headed up to chat with Cullen. Nothing on my mind, just figured a little one on one conversation with the man in charge of our army was always a good idea. He wasn't in his tower, eventually finding him on one of the ramparts, overlooking the valley, the last streaks of daylight in the sky above. He looked at peace and I almost didn't wish to bother him, but he must have sensed my approach, turning slowly.

"Can't help standing up here sometimes, admiring the view. With all the chaos that's happened for the past decade and more, I have to take these little moments just to appreciate… life…" I stood beside him as we gazed out into the distance. "Was there something on your mind, Inquisitor?"

"Not particularly. I've been so busy myself lately I haven't really had a good conversation with everyone." I glanced at him. "How are you feeling, Cullen?"

He knew exactly what I meant. It wasn't going to be a topic I'd talk to him often. I knew what he was doing, and I knew Cassandra was looking out for him. "I'm… better, Inquisitor."

"Make sure you do take that time for yourself every now and then. I would hope I lead by example in that regard. The Inquisition will keep running. You need to give yourself time to heal."

That earned a slight grin. "I'll keep that in mind, Inquisitor." We turned to look out over the valley once again, standing in silence for a long time, until the sky eventually turned dark. "You know, we've known each other for a long time now, but… we've never really talked, have we? Or, at least, I don't think I've ever told you much about me other than the basics. Thing is, giving up the lyrium goes back to almost the first day we met."

"Ferelden Circle Tower."

"I was not myself after that. I was angry. For years, that anger blinded me. I'm not proud of the man that made me. The Inquisition allows me to put distance between myself and everything that happened."

"I've known you a long time, Cullen. I don't remember you ever being anything other than pleasant with me or my friends."

"It was more a personal anger that I certainly kept hidden from the likes of yourself and Hawke. I would certainly be quick to anger, and then I would take it out on my subordinates. I'd stride around the Gallows with a scowl more often than not. I knew I provoked fear in the ranks at times. I was angry because of what happened at the Ferelden Circle, and that anger was only exacerbated by the disaster that became the events of Kirkwall. I was kind to the mages before what happened in Ferelden. I thought they had taken advantage of my good nature. I did not allow that to happen again. I… hated mages but, even then, I had limits to what I would do, what I would allow. But to be honest, the Inquisition came at exactly the right time. If I'd stayed with the Templar Order, I almost dread to think of what would have become of me."

"You did stand up to Meredith though."

"Only when it was too late. I stood by and let her get away with atrocities, though she kept me in the dark regarding many of the crimes she committed. I knew that I may have to take a stand one day. But templars are like soldiers. We're trained to follow orders without question. I had to believe what Meredith was doing to be correct, despite what others claimed."

"I assume Kirkwall was a mess after what happened."

"It still is, Inquisitor. But I was not unhappy to leave it all behind when given the opportunity to join this."

"What do you hope for once this is over?"

"Hmmm. The Inquisition cannot last forever, I guess. To be honest, I might follow your example and retire. This is a young man's game, being a warrior. And we can't keep on fighting. The Maker will choose to take us eventually if we keep challenging the odds, no matter how in favour they appear to be." He leaned back against the stonework, folding his arms. "I'll admit I've been thinking of something during my own trials and tribulations. Mind if I put it to you."

"Sure."

"I know you have no love for the men and women of the Templar Order, but you know about our lyrium use. Unfortunately, while it gives us our abilities, it takes its toll on each and every one of us. Many cannot stop their lyrium addiction, and you often find former templars as beggars on the streets of Thedas. But some do try and overcome their addiction, but doing it alone is… difficult. I want to help my former brothers and sisters, those who will fight against the madness that looms on the horizon."

"Some sort of sanctuary?"

"Yes, that's it. They will lay down their swords and the needle. Many who try to give up eventually give in. The craving for lyrium is powerful. I've come close more than once to almost demanding, but I refuse to give in. Cassandra… she has helped me through the most difficult of nights."

"She cares a great deal for you."

The smirk reappeared. "I know. I care for her too. Let's… just leave it at that for now. I know what you are going to say or suggest. I've been a templar all my adult life. I'm sure you know what that means."

Chuckling, I admitted, "Apparently Grey Wardens are the same. Bethany was complaining about the lack of interest from her fellow soldiers."

"Yes, she certainly isn't shy in stating exactly what she wants. Was she always like that?"

"In private with me? Absolutely. I think the months with the Wardens left her feeling rather repressed. I'm not going to complain as I'm reaping some of the benefits."

"Don't how you do it, Inquisitor."

"Neither do I, to be honest. I know it's a unique arrangement, but you know Bethany and Solona. I adore both of them."

"How is Solona coping with everything?"

"We're trying to keep her occupied so she's not left with her thoughts too often. Solas is helping as well where he can."

"On a personal level, I'm glad that the issue is now resolved. Some of the crimes committed by my fellow templars in Kirkwall…"

"Aye, another good reason you're now with us, Cullen."

We eventually headed into the hall, joining the rest for dinner. The mood was high as always, the food simple but well-cooked and filling, the alcohol flowing though not excessively, plenty of discussion and laughter as stories were shared, whether recent adventures with the Inquisition or of lives lived before the chaos.

Despite having spent most of the day walking around and talking with everyone, it hadn't been what I called relaxing. I was still deep in thought most of the time, something I'm sure a few of my colleagues would find amusing. I've never been one for deep thought and certainly not what one would call cerebral, but the longer the Inquisition continued, the more I had to think about what we were doing and how I wanted Thedas to look once the job was complete.

I stayed at the table, drinking with Bull, Dorian, Varric and Blackwall, eventually swapping war stories, treating them to a couple from my time back in Skyrim. Bull always enjoyed me regaling him with stories of fighting dragons. I let him know I didn't particularly enjoy killing them now, but if they were a proper nuisance, I would go in and sort them out. Varric was still talking about another book of my exploits, left wondering if he was going to end up writing an erotic novel considering the change in circumstances regarding my love life.

Eventually bidding them goodnight, Bull exclaiming rather loudly that Dorian was going to be in for a good time once they were in bed, I headed to my own bedroom. I was greeted by quite the sight, Solona and Leliana laying back on the bed, having obviously been waiting for me to arrive. "You two been having fun?"

"No, we were waiting for you," Leliana replied, "We figured undressing would just help make sure things happened quickly once you arrived."

"And what have I done to deserve this?"

"Well, nothing. Solona and I have both told you that we wanted this to happen again."

So I had two beautiful naked women help me undress, their hands exploring my body as they did so. Solona was the first one to take real control and I definitely grinned when she dropped to her knees. "She's been wanting to do this since you first made love," Leliana whispered into my ear, "I thought having two women do it for you would be even more exciting."

I looked up and grinned. "Okay, I know this is your work, Dibella!" Leliana gave me a curious glance. "She's the goddess of beauty, love and affection, one of those Nine Divines I sometimes mention."

"Well, I think there will be a lot of love and affection going forward tonight."

One woman blowing you is always exciting. Two women doing it? It was the gods being kind yet again. Leliana was always fantastic but it has been a long time since Solona had done it. She was… enthusiastic, Leliana spending most of her time sitting there as Solona definitely proved that it was like riding a horse, you never really forgot how to do it.

I was never going to last long. Solona didn't stop until I was done. Leliana simply looked on approvingly before looking up at me with a smile. "Well, I think she was certainly aiming to please you," she stated sweetly.

"Uh-huh," I muttered, not exactly with it.

Solona finally looked up with a grin of her own, reaching down to caress her cheek. "I might wake you up in the morning the same way," she stated.

"Only if you spin around and allow me to return the favour."

"Deal!" she exclaimed with a giggle.

Tumbling into bed together, it was all arms and legs until we figured out what worked. Leliana and I spent a lot of time focusing on Solona first, finding and pleasing all her erogenous zones. She was still slim but her breasts were as perky as ever, nipples hard enough to cut diamonds such as her excitement. Leliana and I took turns between her legs before Leliana positioned herself so they could please each other. I simply sat back and watched something I wish I could record for later.

They needed a rest after that, simply because both had made each orgasm a couple of times, before it was basically 'my turn'. Various positions were tried and tested, though I always enjoyed taking one of them behind, leaving them free to pleasure the other. The other favourite was on my back, one on my face, one on my cock.

Whatever the case, it must have been early morning by the time we cried enough. I might have been able to keep going, but the two girls were simply exhausted. We slept a little differently that night, Solona spooned against me, Leliana on the other side of Solona, basically cocooned between us. "If you want to just slide yourself inside me in the morning, Uhtred," she whispered.

Leliana giggled. "Well, that would be quite the wake-up call."

"Oh please, like I haven't done it to you plenty of times," I stated.

"Fingers… tongue… cock… I don't mind what you use, my love."

Solona yawned, causing Leliana and I to do the same thing. "Aye, I think sleep would be a good idea. Do you both want to come to Redcliffe?" I wondered.

"I haven't been there in years. Sure, it would be nice to see how the village has recovered," Leliana replied. Solona nodded her agreement. She was on the verge of falling asleep. "A couple of nights away would be good too. Perhaps we can whip out the old tent…"

"Leliana, I sometimes think you have a naughtier mind than me."

"I'm a middle aged woman, blissfully happy in her relationship, and I am at my sexual peak. Uhtred, if I could fuck you every morning, noon and night right now, I would. Trust me on this."

"Middle aged? Wouldn't put you a day over twenty-five."

"Uhtred, I'm basically the same age as you."

"Leliana, compliment. Take it. You were gorgeous when I met you, and frankly I think you're even more beautiful now. You want to fuck all the time? The only thing stopping me sometimes is the fact I won't do it publicly."

"Maker, just fuck each other now then," Solona murmured.

I gave her a squeeze as I chuckled. "Oh, you've missed all this, haven't you?"

"I do remember what you two were like sometimes."

"We spent a long time apart. We're not making up for lost time, but we're not going to waste any opportunity to be intimate either."

"Okay, we'll do some camping while we're away," I stated, "Just us three. Unless…"

"Who?" Leliana asked.

"Bethany can't really leave because of her Warden duties. Evie, however…"

"Oh, definitely. She's just adorable," Solona whispered, "I like her already." She shuffled back into me. "Not surprised you found yourself another redhead too."

"I have two redheads, two brunettes."

"Well, Hawke is sort of a redhead too. She's more a mix," Leliana suggested.

"You still count her?" I asked.

"Uhtred, I would bet all the coin in Orlais that she will turn up back here one day soon. I'm just not sure if Merrill will be with her or not. I think she might arrive alone with some sort of agreement with her, to see this out before making her next big life decision."

Well, that was something to think about. Solona was fast asleep well before Leliana and I, noticing her gazing at me as the moonlight shone through the doors I always kept open leading out to the balcony. She just seemed happy with life. It wasn't just after the events of Valence. She was happy with the arrangement, seemingly more than happy with me as her partner, and she was having a lot of fun with some of the others girls. Not always in the sense of it being sexual either. She now had very close friends that I knew would last long after the Inquisition was over.

She woke up first in the morning, waking me up with a light kiss on the forehead. Without uttering a word, she suggested what I should do before she carefully removed herself from bed, her body lit up by the first shafts of light, before she threw on a gown, blew me a kiss, and disappeared out the door. Solona was still asleep, having barely moved all night, so I carefully moved her left leg, resting that over mine, and carefully ran my hand down her body towards her sex.

She woke up slowly but with a smile on her face as I fondled her, grinding her arse into my crotch as her excitement grew rather quickly. Turning her head so I could kiss her, it didn't take long for a switch of position as I buried myself, feeling her heels end up pressed into my lower back as we made love.

"I wish we'd done this in Kirkwall," she whispered.

"I'm sorry… because I think the same nowadays."

She shook her head and smiled. "Nothing to apologise for. We're together again now."

It was a great way to start the day, and after she'd had her usual opportunity to ride me to orgasm, and a quick rest on my chest as her heartbeat thundered along, we got up and joined the rest out in the hall. Cullen had already organised engineers and soldiers to depart for Redcliffe, letting him know we would prepare quickly after breakfast to leave with them, or not long after them anyway.

Evelyn was very excited to find herself invited along, believing she would be left behind. I pulled Bethany aside and explained, though she stated that she had plenty of Warden business to deal with anyway. With a kiss on the cheek, she happily went about her day while I packed quickly and prepared our horses to depart. After a last minute conversation with Cullen and Josephine, thankfully there was nothing particularly urgent for me to deal with, the four of us mounted up and joined the rest in the march back into Ferelden.

As we were not exactly in a rush, planning to make it easily within the day, we rode ahead of the others, the four of us chatting away about our lives. It was amazing to think that I considered Ferelden home above anywhere else in Thedas, yet I'd spent a decade in Kirkwall. Solona had always considered Ferelden home, while Leliana considered herself a 'citizen of Thedas'. Evelyn was still a proud Free Marcher, but admitted that she didn't actually miss home all that much.

Leliana, Solona and I eventually found ourselves reminiscing of the times we had crossed Ferelden back and forth during the Blight. Evelyn had only been a child when all that had been happening, a reminder of the age gap between us. Even Solona had been under twenty years old at the time, though I'd been younger myself. Evelyn had heard a few stories from myself, so I left much of the story telling to Leliana and Solona, the latter gushing when she explained how we had rescued her from the Circle Tower and then taken her with us.

The walls of Redcliffe came into view, still amazed that they existed, as nothing like that had been around when we had visited over a decade earlier. As we'd left the soldiers and engineers far behind, we agreed to camp outside the walls, as they would only arrive the next day, and figured arriving together would look better. Finding a decent enough clearing near a body of water, we all helped get ready for the evening, pitching a tent, starting a fire, preparing the evening meal. The hinterlands were now completely safe. The mages were now with us or at least in safety while Inquisition soldiers had spent weeks finding and eliminating any group of templars remaining. Our soldiers now patrolled the vast area and kept it peaceful. Even bandits were not dumb enough to try and prey on the roads, knowing that my forces would come down on them like a tonne of bricks.

"Uhtred, I'm having some fun with Solona tonight. And I think Evie needs your attention and affection this evening," Leliana stated after we'd finished dinner.

"We are sharing a tent, you know," I retorted.

"I know. It's going to be a lot of fun."

Evelyn leaned in close to me. "Will they be wanting me to have fun with them too?" she asked, a slight tone of eagerness. She'd had a little fun with Leliana already but was still inexperienced when it came to women.

Leliana leaned over. "Evie, there's a good chance it's going to turn into a lot of fun for all of us."

To be honest, after Evelyn and I made love, she was invited to join Solona and Leliana. I was too, of course, but I was happy to watch the three of them have fun. It was probably the most erotic but beautiful events I'd ever seen. The noises they made would have attracted plenty of attention had we not been isolated. Solona hadn't lost any of her talent in making Leliana orgasm, while she was still emotional at times. Evelyn was inexperienced but a very willing student, and was soon in the middle of Solona and Leliana, pleasured by one, pleasing the other. Only when they were satisfied did they all look in my direction. "Are you okay?" Leliana asked, "Want or need anything?"

Evelyn was half asleep by now, as was Solona. So Leliana crawled over to me, pushed me onto my back, and enjoyed one last orgasm before she needed sleep too. I lay back, surrounded by the three of them. "Wait until we get Bethany involved," I whispered into her ear.

That made her giggle. "I think she'll definitely show us a thing or two," she whispered back.

I almost snorted. She had an idea of what Bethany and I used to get up to at times, but hearing was one thing, seeing was another. "I think you could handle her. Maybe Solona. Evie? Gods, I think she'd end up corrupting the poor girl."

She giggled against before snuggling into my side. "Well, that's something to think about, at least."

We joined up with the engineers and soldiers the next morning, entering Redcliffe together. Our arrival attracted plenty of attention as the four of us stabled our horses. After a word with the officer in charge of the engineers, we left them to get to work as we headed up the hill towards the castle. For once, I was recognised and we were granted immediate access, our arrival announced quickly as Teagan was waiting for us as soon as we entered the hall. He was pleased to see us, finding ourselves introduced to his wife and children at the same time.

Teagan immediately escorted me into his office, accepting the offer of a drink as we sat opposite sides of his desk. I found it amusing when he started to apologise. I held up a hand to halt whatever else he was going to add. "Teagan, I completely understood. It's why I have men here now helping fix whatever mess was left behind by the Venatori and the mages. But I didn't want to just send you coin as a way of making amends."

"I will admit that I am generally happy that I didn't lose any citizens this time. The Blight is a decade and more in the past, but the people of Redcliffe endured more than enough. We've had to rebuild Redcliffe one after what happened. The idea of having to do it a second time so quickly."

"You did a good thing taking in the mages so I'm willing to return the favour."

"I obviously knew of your involvement, Uhtred. And I knew if you were involved in protecting them, then there must be a good reason. Of course, we'd always heard rumours about what happens behind the walls of a Circle, but having heard what was happening in Kirkwall, it's little wonder that was the flame that ignited their rebellion."

"So what is it like taking control of this area from Eamon?"

He leaned back with a grin. "I think what we did during the Blight certainly helped the transition. But Eamon is happy in Denerim helping the king anyway."

"Do you need any further assistance from the Inquisition?"

"Your soldiers are keeping the hinterlands safe, Uhtred. As for Redcliffe, helping rebuild some of the damage will be enough. Will you be staying long? You must stay for dinner tonight."

"I don't want a big deal, Teagan."

That made him laugh. "You haven't changed a bit, Uhtred. And it will be a small affair. My family, you and your friends."

"That I can do."

"And you can certainly stay here tonight. This place certainly has more than enough room where you can lay your head."

Letting him know that I would go check how the engineers were getting on, I gathered the girls and we headed back down the path towards the centre of the village. Finding the officer in charge, he let me know that engineers would be working around Redcliffe but would be heading out to assist smaller hamlets that had been damaged during battles between mages and templars. I noticed Leliana head off to the nearby chantry, which wasn't a real surprise, Solona and Leliana sticking close to me as we wandered around the village. It had changed significantly since our last visit a decade ago, far larger than what it once was. It was probably a little bit of fear that drove people to live behind the walls that now surrounded it.

We ended up on the shores of the lake. During the Blight, the dead had risen from the lake. After the Blight, the bodies had been sent out on boats and burned in the traditional way. It was rather peaceful. "I remember this was the first time I ever saw your gift," Solona mentioned, "I knew, in that moment, we would be saved."

"Is that when you fell in love with him?" Evelyn wondered.

"Oh no, not at all. That was when he saved me at the Circle tower. Fell for him straight away. Strode in like a colossus, sword in hand, a warrior like I'd read in the books I read as a younger woman. But when he found me, he was nothing but kind and gentle, the complete opposite to what I'd seen only a few seconds before. When he held my hand to lead me to safety, I swooned. I'll admit that right now."

"Was almost instant for me too. He's done nothing but protect me since the moment he laid eyes on me. He's given me nothing but support since I became the Herald." I just stood there and grinned to myself, feeling both of them cuddle into me. "Seems to make a habit of saving people."

"Saved me at least twice, Evie. Can you really blame me for loving him?"

"He just makes me feel loved. No-one has ever made me feel as special."

"You are rather young, Evie. You can handle all this?"

"Absolutely, because I want to be with him. And I also adore Leliana. And you're very nice too, Solona."

"You're rather cute yourself." There was a slight pause. "You haven't said anything, Uhtred."

"I'm just listening to two of the girls I love have a chat. I have no reason to say a word."

"Does Evie make you feel younger, Uhtred?"

I heard the teasing tone. I just looked down at Solona, who returned a face of pure innocence. "I remember you were not much older than her when we first got together. There are a number of similarities between you two in how we met. Yes, I'm now older myself, but having someone like Evie shown an interest… well, I'm not sure it makes me feel younger, but I was certainly not going to say no to her interest, particularly once Leliana suggested the arrangement we now have."

"Uhtred?" I looked down again. "Thank you for saving me."

"I got you back, Solona. That's all I ever wanted." I felt her cuddle into me as I looked down at Evie. "And you will remain under my protection, at the very least, until well after the conclusion of all this." That earned a tighter cuddle from her too.

"The girls of Uhtred Dragonborn," Solona stated with a giggle, "Varric is definitely writing about this."

"I'm happy. Kirkwall wasn't easy for most of the time there. There were only a few positives from what happened there. Meeting and being with Bethany for a few years, and all the time I spent with Marian. Friends I made along the way. But other than that, Kirkwall beat us all down as we lurched from one disasters to the next. I don't miss it at all. Now I'm living a good life, and I am free to be with the women I love and adore. Yes, it's difficult at times. Yes, it's unusual. But we have made it work so far and I see no reason why it can't continue to work."

"Leliana is a very understanding women," Evelyn stated.

"She's always been open-minded," Solona added, "I think she was disappointed when Uhtred ended our relationship."

"She was," I stated, "She understood why I did so though. Things are different now. I'm older. I'm wiser. And I definitely know what I want. I want Leliana. I want the two women beside me right now. I want Bethany. I want Marian."

"Anyone else?" Evelyn asked with a light laugh.

"Probably not. You two alone will wear me out."

"Oh, we've already discussed that. I definitely want Evelyn to myself one night, but you will be more than welcome to join us."

"Well, that's an offer I will definitely accept. Though I might just watch you two most of the time."

That made Solona giggle as Evelyn had a look in her eyes that she was definitely considering that idea. Leading them away from the shore, we found Leliana inside the chantry. On her knees with head bowed before the statue of Andraste, we took a seat in one of the pews and waited silently for her to finish her prayers.

Turning around once she was finished, the smile was immediate upon seeing the three of us waiting. Heading back to the castle, Teagan had one of his stewards shown us to our quarters for the evening. When we suggested we only needed two rooms, the steward managed to keep a straight face. "Who I am sharing a room with?" I asked once we had privacy.

"Evelyn. Tonight, it's just you two without any distractions. Meanwhile, Solona will be spending the entire night between my legs as my pussy needs more attention from her."

Solona kissed her immediately, Leliana reacting positively and it was quickly a rather passionate embrace. Evelyn and I shared a look before she hugged into my side as… well, I think the relationship between Solona and Leliana was going rather well already, to be honest. When they broke apart, they both needed to dry their cheeks. "I just really missed you, and when you returned how you were," Leliana whispered, "Another reason to love Uhtred even more. He brought you back to us. And now we can all finally pick up where we were so many years ago. This time, it won't end. This is how things will be from now on."

It wasn't a real surprise that the pair of them didn't hang around for dinner too long. Teagan and I shared some old war stories, Evelyn listening in with rapt attention as always. Solona and Leliana quickly bid us goodnight and disappeared, Evelyn giggling away while even Teagan glanced at me in surprise. "They're just tired," I stated. I don't think he believed me.

Evelyn and I didn't go to bed for at least another couple of hours, but we were both curious about the other two. Slowly opening their door, we watched from the doorway as Solona and Leliana made love. Just like the tent, it was beautiful, but I made sure we had a peek then let them have their privacy. Evelyn and I undressed and slid under the covers, cuddling into my side. "So they seem to really like each other," she whispered.

"As I've said, we were a threesome in many ways. But Leliana has always adored her, while for Solona, she was her first female lover. I'm glad they're reconnecting so well."

Her hand was stroking my chest but obviously moved further down my body, a signal of what she wanted. I glanced at her to find a broad smile on her face. "I have you to myself tonight," she whispered, "I don't plan on wasting it."

The covers were thrown back to reveal her delectable naked body and I showed my appreciation for it in many different ways. She'd always loved it when I went down on her, feeling her fingers through my hair to almost keep me in place to make sure she enjoyed an orgasm. While she offered to return the favour orally, I much preferred something else. She definitely grinned a few seconds later when we joined, and we had a lot of fun for the next couple of hours. Getting her on her knees, face down but looking back at me, she had a fantastic arse. Bounce a gold coin off it. When I gave it a little spank, she made a noise of appreciation, which caused at least one of my eyebrows to raise.

Definitely exhausted, we happily laid back with the blankets covering us once again, feeling and hearing her breathing a little heavier than before. "Maker's breath, Uhtred…"

I probably looked a little smug at the time. "Oh, trust me, I can return the compliments, Evie."

The four of us were all in a good mood the next morning at breakfast. Teagan bid us farewell afterwards, and after mounting our horses, we began the journey back to Skyhold. I led the way as the three girls chatted between themselves. I heard every word and, considering what Evelyn was saying, I'm fairly sure I even managed a blush. As for Solona and Leliana, I think the night they shared exceeded anything they had done in Orzammar.

Skyhold hadn't burned down and the Inquisition continued as we rode through the gates of the fortress. I immediately found Cullen and thanked him for sending help to Redcliffe, as it would always have a place in my heart. Bethany must have talked with the three girls, or seen them, as she walked over and was left to wonder why they were in such a good mood. "Must have been the couple of nights away from Skyhold," I suggested.

"Bullshit, Uhtred. Remember that look women have when you've made them happy?"

"Well, that would explain Evelyn."

She gave that some thought and I definitely grinned when her jaw dropped. "So Solona and Leliana…?"

"Spent an entire night reconnecting."

"Without you?"

"That's the whole point to the arrangement, Bethany. Leliana and Solona spent a lot of time together. She has enjoyed some time with Evelyn without me. I've already warned her about you."

"Oh, what did you say?"

"I said you should show her rather than I explain."

Her eyes lit up at that suggestion. "So a night with me and Leliana then?"

"I think it would be about time, right?"

"Give me a time and a place, Uhtred. I'll be there without clothes on. Maybe with a bottle of oil so we can really have some fun."

I laughed out loud, which attracted some attention, as I wrapped an arm around her waist and led her up to the hall.