So she'd kept his room. If not warm and clean, at least still vacant, with no evidence that others had been housed here since he departed. The two young girls Josephine had sent were presently changing the bed linens and building a fire. One opened a window to shake dust out into the courtyard from the round rug, letting a fresh sprinkling of snow in to settle on the stone floor. Another disappeared and then reappeared with a fresh basin of water, set in the stand near the dresser. They were in and out of the space so frequently that Warren managed to spend several moments standing in the doorway before Solas noticed him.

"I suppose I'm to sock you in the jaw, right?"

"I believe that is the standard response."

"I just couldn't believe you had the balls to come back. Not after the way you left."

"I was hardly in a position to stay, Lord Trevelyan. Better to run without a backward glance than to stay and watch all this unfold in the flesh."

Warren sat against the desk. "So you heard, then."

"Why do you think I am here?"

"Are you planning on putting a stop to things? You're a little late, considering how much preparation is already done. I think we're past the point of no return."

"I came," Solas dropped his pack onto the bed, "to assist with the mark. Reports of her nuptials were not the only gossip to be had. I hear it bothers her greatly as of late."

Warren frowned, "I didn't know that was common knowledge."

"Well, she is hardly one to make her complaints public."

At that, the Trevelyan laughed. "Haven't you met her? All she does is complain." He rubbed at his chin and took a sobering breath. "So can you? Help her?"

"I believe I can. There are methods I had researched, back when I was still part of the Inquisition. Time and distance have given me the luxury of knowing which might be more effective. There is a... a sort of artifact I hope to recover. One that I can reach most easily with Skyhold as my home base."

"So this is a visit of convenience."

"Among other things, yes."

Warren continued to scratch his chin thoughtfully. "I pictured this differently. I expected I'd be angry, but really I'm more just confused and tired. Many things have been confusing and tiring since, well even before you left. Sometimes it's almost like she's no longer herself at all. Like she has..." he trailed off.

Solas felt gooseflesh develop over his arms. "Like she has... what?"

"Like she's more than one person, at times."

"And which person has decided to finally marry the Vael boy?"

Warren then said something that made his flesh positively crawl. "One I don't seem to know at all."

The two men sat in silence, listening to the fire's crackle. It was Warren who finally spoke again.

"But you can help her." A statement, not a question.

"I believe I can, yes. I will need to go and procure what is needed."

"We can send men with you, a small grouping."

"No," Solas said a little too quickly, before catching himself. "The way is treacherous and I will have to enter the Fade in order to find what I seek. I wouldn't risk any other men, not when most of the dangers are environmental and spiritual. Better I go alone."

Warren stood. "Well, I won't fight you. Just remember I offered. It's more than most around here would do after-" he ended the sentence in a hollow shrug.

"Warren," Solas called. "Thank you. You were always much kinder to me than I deserve."

"Well," Warren smiled in a lopsided grin. "I think for a long while we all figured you deserved better."

Solas nodded. "I am sorry to have disappointed you."

"I don't think it's me that was disappointed."

The door clicked shut, leaving him alone with his thoughts, and his regrets.