Hello Everyone! A big thank you to all those of you who favourited and follow this story even though it has been a long time since I updated it.

It has been over a year already since I last updated this story. Time flies and believe me I would love for it to be different. Life is overwhelmingly busy at the moment, since I am currently working towards my "Master" as a carpentress. Some of you may be familiar with the educational system in Germany, that grants you education and titles in the fields of craftsmenship. First there being the also called "Bachelor" and if you are keen on opening your own carpenters-workshop you have to finish your "Master", meaning exams and a wholly planned piece of furniture built in a certain amount of time...so yeah that's what I've been doing all this time, hardly coming up for air and writing about my favourite characters. Nonetheless I thought I could share a tid bit of what I have written to tell you I'm still alive ;). I hope it's not too much of a cliff-hanger and you still enjoy it. I'm not certain when I'll be able to write again, but it is not forgotten and I'm so looking forward to doing something else than hunching over the drawingboard, or standing in the workshop.

Thanks again and Cheers!

Interlude - Plans for an adventure

Sighing deeply he finally spoke, "Much longer than I thought I could admit."

Her breath against his neck as she let out a thoughtful hum, had gooseflesh rise to his skin. Holding her like this felt like the most natural thing in the world. As if all the relationships he had passed up for duty had not been meant to be anyway. "What about you? Any confessions on your part?" He asked while his hands unconsciously explored the graceful curve of her back, hardened by months of physical training, fighting and exploring, yet it hadn't lost its natural softness, beguiling and mesmerising his senses. As did everything about her now that he had finally allowed himself to jump and truly perceive every detail of her.

Cullen still couldn't believe what had caused this woman to even consider his presence desirable. He, whose headaches and episodes of nausea trapped him in a sour mood most of the time on top of the mountains of responsibilities. The only times he had really felt at ease had actually been the moments spent alone with her or even in attendance of her close circle of friends. The way her aura would almost caress his skin whenever she was near, carrying away all the strain and doubt, only leaving him with a kind of peacefulness he had never experienced before.

Here she was, contentedly pressed against his broad chest and just as surprised by this fortunate turn of events. Despite his gentle hands, calmly stroking her back, Helena could hear and feel the hastened rhythm of his heartbeat, telling her how much she affected him in this moment. A recognition that had her blush fiercely as thoughts of all the other ways to quicken his heartbeat suddenly invaded her mind. Her own pulse racing, heart jumping with every motion of his hands, every change in pressure causing her skin to burn even hotter. Hopefully he wouldn't be able to discern the inferno under her skin from his own.

When had she started to feel true affection towards him? The fact that he was undeniably attractive had never been lost on her, but her distrust had only started to slowly disperse during their little adventure in the Hinterlands and everything that had led up to it.

Then

She had been ready to build those watchtowers by herself the moment she had recognized that the Inquisition's influence had not yet been enough to round up the support they needed. Cassandra had been, of course, strictly against it and insisted she go over the plans with Commander Rutherford. An assignment she wasn't too fond of, even though the irritable soldier had grown on her quite a bit since their initial meeting in the dungeon beneath Haven's Chantry. Since then Helena had noticed how actually easy he was to talk to, as long as one didn't waste his time on politics. Looking back closely on their first real conversation after she had woken up at Haven, she noticed how he'd been rather shy to talk about anything regarding his personal life. His obvious tell being the way he would scratch the back of his neck while avoiding eyecontact, something she considered absolutely endearing.

The more she had observed him quietly from the sidelines, the less could she fathom the reason for his sometimes notably short temper. There was always a certain tightness around his eyes, one she had written off as due to the sun's reflection off of the snow, but it never lessened, even within the faintly lit chambers of the Chantry. It was then that she recognized it as a result of constant stress. Either it was caused by the pressure his work imposed on him, or maybe he was in pain, though there were no signs of superficial ailments. None she could see however. Thus she had let it go. Not that it was any of her business in the first place.

The sun was slowly disappearing behind the mountains of the Frostbacks when she approached the tall figure standing at the edge of the field, vigilantly watching over his recruits still absorbed in their evening drills. A routine she had familiarized herself with all too well in the past weeks while she had joined the drills herself. It was hard, but thoroughly thought through and therefore extremely effective in advancing his charges abilities and strength in a rather short amount of time. A fact that had a severe impact on Helena's respect for the man himself. He was harsh, adamant and almost imperious, but fair, only focused on proper training in which he always took into account each individual and their skills after assessing them beforehand.

Her displeasure towards the thought of having to deal with him regarding the towers almost seemed foolish now. Remembering how much she had actually come to enjoy discussing their plans with him, being the only one maybe aside from Varric, who could keep up with her sarcasm.

He would have to ask her someday about the way she was able to move so soundlessly around the snowclad valley, because the only way he had detected her presence before she was directly beside him, was due to the slight humming her magic caused in his ears. "You are a little late should you have intended to join us again tonight. Or did you come for another little duel my Lady?"

The ambiguity in his words had a smirk pull at the corner of her mouth, while she still observed the soldiers. "I'm afraid there are more urgent matters to discuss tonight than crossing swords with you. Literally or otherwise." she returned. "You remember Master Dennet?"

"Yes of course. You already spoke with him during your last expedition to the Hinterlands." One of his brows rose in suspicion. "I remember you mentioning he had some demands?" He had phrased it as a question, already anticipating there to be more. She nodded while her gaze grew a little darker. "Indeed he did and one of those included erecting watchtowers around the farmland." Taking a deep breath she continued. "But it seems, that the Inquisition's reputation isn't quite strong enough yet to convince the nobility to help us out." Her voice became even more quiet now. "Cassandra said to talk to you."

The sound she heard next to her, declaring his utter distaste was what Helena had expected, but she wasn't however prepared for the loudly barked command that followed.

"Rylen! Have them finish that last drill and then turn in for the night."

Spinning around on his heel he muttered. "Follow me."

Releasing the breath, that had become stuck in her throat, as the scare wore off the Herald followed the tall, disgruntled Commander as he strode towards his tent, only stopping to hold open the woven flap for her. At a long wooden desk in the corner, which was already filled with stacks of papers, did he unroll a map depicting the Hinterlands. He could already make out the best locations for said watchtowers, but he left it to the Lady Trevelyan to point them out nonetheless. "There will be four of them, all at rather advantageous positions around the farmland." Stroking the painted canvas almost reverently did she ad "Fortunately we have already explored the regions around the towers to make sure none of the bandits who had taken footholds there remained."

"Good. I'll have most of our men ready at noon tomorrow. We'll leave soon after. The rest can follow without any bigger delays thanks to your work along the travel routes."

Cullen spoke matter of factly as was typical for him. The slightly incredulous look she gave him had him backpaddle a bit though. "Or is it not satisfactory to you?"

"Oh no it is very much so. I had just expected to have to fight you for it a little more to be honest. If I didn't know better not to, I would be asking you about your health, but I'll take whatever I can, just as long we all get what we need to close that Breach." Ignoring her remark he sighed deeply while disentangling the ropes of his cloak. "I'm glad we are of similar mind regarding this topic. Doesn't make it less challenging, but at least it means nobody has to fight another over simple decisions."

The moment his hands reached for the clasps of his armour was when she decided it was better for her to leave. But before she reached the entrance to his tent, something he had said resounded in her mind. "...We'll leave soon after..." Turning around slowly she remarked "Commander if I'm not mistaken, did you say we - meaning you and me - would leave tomorrow after noon?"

He wasn't looking at her when he answered, still engrossed in the many parts of his armour. "Indeed I did. It's as you said yourself: "Just as long we all get what we need..." and there is something I need to look into personally while we are there, so it is more of a joint venture, than you forcing me to go without a large amount of men for the time being." She had to give it to him, he had played the blindsided and irritated part rather well, though the lack of resistance had been telling. Amused by the slight irony of it all she left chuckling.