A/N: Two chapters today! This one is in Cullen's POV as well! Enjoy :)

"Could I hide out here with you?" I muttered as I scratched Dennet's mabari between his ears. "Rylen keeps hounding me to come to the tavern tonight." The mighty beast glanced at me with his intelligent eyes, his giant tongue falling out of his mouth as he panted contentedly. He had midnight fur and grey eyes. His head came to my hip, his width as broad as my shoulders and his body sheer muscle.

"Mobius," Dennet grunted.

"Pardon?" I turned toward his voice as he entered the stable.

"His name is Mobius," Dennet repeated as he put the horse tack away. Bridles and bits on wooden pegs, saddles he'd had polished on larger pegs.

I'd gone for a short ride after seeing to every duty I could think of in an effort to avoid Rylen physically dragging me to the tavern, despite Meira's words coming to mind over and over. If you occasionally spent an evening in the tavern...you could at least learn the basics. Little did she know, I'd rather hide out in the stables with the mabari. A smirk pulled at my lips as I thought of her likely reply. Her eyes would sparkle with mischief, one of her dark brows quirked as her full lips twisted into a smile. How very Fereldan, Commander. "The name suits him."

Dennet thrust his chin towards the other mabari, the female, "Marcia." She'd slept on Meira's legs back on the farmland. I'd found Meira crying in Dennet's stables, letters in her hand with the mabari resting her head on her lap. "Shouldn't ya be gettin' your sup', Commander?"

I bit back a groan. Even Dennet. "Yes, I suppose I should. How are things here?"

"Haven's groanin' under the weight of both it's two-legged and four-legged occupants," Dennet grumbled, but his dark eyes met mine. "I'll see to your horses right and proper, Commander. No need to worry yourself about 'em."

I glanced around the stalls and inhaled deeply. The smell reminded me of home: hay, apples, leather and horse sweat. Dennet picked up a bristled brush and entered the stall of my horse to begin brushing him down. The stallion was a smooth rider with a steady temperament, but bull-headed when he had something in his mind he wanted to do. Fine for riding, but I'd have to see about a different horse if the need arose for a cavalry.
I leaned on his stall door and passed him the apple I slipped from a barrel. He ate the treat greedily and nudged my hand for more. Patting his soft nose, I stood straight. "I know you will, Dennet. I apologize that our accommodations are not more appropriate."

"Animals can survive worse conditions than we can," his lips twitched. "Just look at the fancy hats squawking about the cold."

He was referring to the visiting nobles that had come to inspect the Inquisition. They'd whined about the temperature, the Breach, the weather, their accommodations, the food, the people, anything they could complain about. I chuckled, "I suppose you are right."

He nodded. "Go on, boy. Get yaself a hot meal n' some sleep." He eyed me over, his harsh expression softening a fraction. "You look in desperate need a both."

I rubbed the back of my neck. "Things have been hectic as of late."

"True enough," he agreed. "But you're no good to us dead on yer feet."

"Very well," I sighed before nodding in dismissal. "Dennet."

"Commander."

I left the stable, pulling my mantle closer around myself as an icy wind rolled off the frozen lake. The bitter cold seeped right into my aching joints, making movements that were already painful even more so. My stomach grumbled loudly. I knew everyone would most likely be in the tavern tonight, so tracking down a runner would be impossible.
A traveling minstrel had come to Haven, wanting to sing "the songs of the Inquisition" and spread the word of the deeds we were doing through her music. And with the return of Bull and the others, everyone would want to pack in to hear word of what was going on. They'd want to see Bull's next challenger drink themselves into unconsciousness while Bull kept on drinking, watch the Chargers as they sang and danced to some bawdy tune they made up or they'd listen as Elizabeth and Henry swapped tales.
The Trevelyan siblings were a charismatic pair, drawing everyone in with their beauty, noble voices and happy manners. Elizabeth was far more at ease among a crowd, but she drew Henry out of his shell - much to the thanks of the women in Haven. I groaned at the idea of being packed in with all the others. Socialization was not my area of expertise and I knew the usual whispers would follow.
Kirkwall - he was there for that. Acted as Knight-Commander after the first one went insane, I hear. Isn't he Fereldan? Wait, then isn't he the Knight-Captain in the Tale of the Champion...the mage-hater? How did he become Commander of the Inquisition? I ran a hand over my face. Perhaps I could order a tray and escape back to my tent?
I stood outside the tavern trying to calm my nerves and failing as I listened to the cacophony of voices within. When yet another patrol passed by, exchanging looks of confusion at my state, I squared my shoulders. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door and entered. I wished I could get the recruits to move with the same speed it took for the noise in the tavern to die out at my entrance.
It was packed. Recruits, soldiers coming in for rotation, Ellana's handpicked people, the Chargers, pilgrims and common folk. The Chargers paused in the middle of a dance they were doing, the soldiers all turned stiff and the others looked perplexed at my presence. Ignoring the blood pounding in my face, I stood straighter, scanned the room and headed to the barkeep. Flissa. To my relief, Cassandra leaned against the counter, eating her own dinner. I briefly placed a hand on her shoulder to which she nodded in acknowledgement, before I turned to Flissa.

"Evening, Flissa," I greeted to the older woman. Flissa was kind and good at her job of tending to all in her tavern.

She grew flustered before she stammered, "Eve-Evening, Commander. What can I get for you?"

"I'll have what Seeker Pentaghast is having," I replied.

"Alright, give me a few minutes," she smiled, but it was tight.

"No need to worry on my account, Flissa," I assured. "You've a full house."

The woman smiled widely then, her full cheeks dimpling as she did so, making her look a few years younger. "That I do, Commander. It brings a warmth to my heart." At that, she went to see my order put in and served the others inside. The silence remained for a time, only the crackling of the fire to be heard. The blood in my face continued to pound, but I stayed next to Cassandra, doing my best to look as relaxed as possible. Once the Chargers started back up on their tune, the rest of the tavern followed suit either with singing or conversation. The noise filling the space.

"How are you doing, Cullen?" Cassandra asked, her voice so low that only I could hear. "I - I have noticed..."

"Are you not supposed to tell me how I am doing?" I quirked a brow.

She let out a snort of a laugh. "I suppose I am, but I wanted to ask you how you are."

I sighed. "I am fine, Cassandra."

When she said nothing, I met her eyes. Her face held skepticism. "I am no fool, Rutherford."

"I never said you were," I smirked. "What would you want to know? That I am in pain? That I have an insatiable thirst? These things were expected, Seeker. I will endure it."

"I know, Cullen," she murmured. "I wanted you to know that you can come to me and talk about it whenever you have need. To talk about whatever you need to. Yes, I swore to stay vigilant, but that does not mean you cannot confide in me. That aside, I believe you are doing well."

For now, were the words she did not say, but hung in the air. I nodded, but said nothing. I would endure. I had to - my charges had endured worse on my watch.
As the thirst tugged at my throat, I was glad of the numerous smells within the tavern that helped cover up the smell of lyrium on the templars that were inside. The smell of the smoke from the fire, the smell of food and ale, all the bodies pressed together.
Would a time come where I would have to step down to continue my fight while another saw to the duties of the Inquisition? Could I do that? Could I step away from the Inquisition? All we could do, all that could be accomplished and I leading the army that would help do those things - could I give that up?
I'd already seen the fruits of our efforts in the rebuilding of the Crossroads. I sensed the commitment in the recruits and soldiers as they were welcomed within the Inquisition where they could begin anew. Where I was beginning anew. Andraste, give me strength to endure this.

"Once, we were in our peace with our lives assured," a honey voice began to sing as a gentle strum played on a stringed instrument and the entire tavern fell silent once more.

"Once, we were not afraid of the dark.

Once, we sat in our kingdom with hope and pride.

Once, we ran through the fields with great stride.

We held the Fade and the demons' flight, so far from our children and from our lives.

We held together the fragile sky to keep our way of life.

Once, we raised up our chalice in victory.

Once, we sat in the light of our dreams.

Once, we were in our homeland with strength and might.

Once, we were not afraid of the night.

We held the Fade and the demons' flight, so far from our children and from our lives.

We held together the fragile sky to keep our way of life."

The silence remained for a few heartbeats. Her song elicited a mixture of sorrow, homesickness, pride and hope. I turned to find the minstrel. The woman stood next to the fireplace, waiting for a response.
The tavern broke out in applause, whistles and whoops which caused her to bow in thanks. Coins were tossed towards her, gaining another, deeper bow. The others pounded their goblets or tankards on the tables demanding another song.
My eyes caught on a movement in my peripheral just before I was being shoved towards a crowded table. I was pushed into a seat surrounded by an half-dozen others. Varric, Bull, Asaala, Rylen, Elizabeth, Henry, and Bethany all sat at the table. Cassandra dropped her plate in the single empty space and joined us.

"I-I was just waiting for my dinner before retiring for the evening," I stammered before I started to get out of my chair. "If you'll excuse me."

"Sit, Commander," Bull grunted as he shoved me back into the chair with ease. "We've all been waiting for the chance to corner you."

I glared at each of them in turn. "I have a thousand things to do."

"Haven isn't much bigger than that tent you seclude yourself in when you're not barking at recruits or calibrating the trebuchets," Bull shook his head, an easy smile on his face. "I'm sure you've seen to your duties twice over to try and avoid coming in here."

The qunari was frighteningly perceptive. He had to be since he was one of Seheron's spies. I could hardly believe he'd just admitted that to Ellana upon first meeting her and was willingly passing his Ben-Hassrath reports to Leliana to use as she pleased. Yet, the male seemed committed to the cause of the Inquisition and he was an excellent fighter on his own; but with him came the Chargers, who'd proven themselves a professional company and welcome source of morale boost for the recruits as they taught them skirmish techniques.
The company bantered and joked, eventually getting everyone around them to descend into laughter and antics. I'd had to hide a laughing fit a time or two as Bull and Krem went toe-to-toe in who could make the dirtier joke while they sparred. In some ways, I envied Bull's ability to keep his company in line while exuding a carefree manner. It was so paradoxical to what I had expected of the qunari.
He had almost another half of height on Asaala and twice the bulk. His horns were nearly as wide as his shoulders, one eye covered by a patch because he'd lost it in a brawl and his teeth were fanged like Asaala's upper and lower canines. He had a giant maul strapped down the column of his spine whenever he was going into the field and he fought like a maelstrom. No rhyme or reason, just brute force and chaos. Yet, he was relaxed, good-humored and almost childlike in some ways. I had a hard time reconciling the two parts of the male in my mind, but I liked him well enough.
The male had assured me, without my prompting, that the soldiers respected how I ran things and were loyal to me because of it. They might groan and balk, but no more than a child against its parents to test boundaries - I might understand what that meant if Qunari had parents, he'd added with a grin. I'd appreciated the thought, but doubted the truth. Too often the men tried to change the duty roster or play a prank on me. Bull had grinned, assuring me that those were signs of the men under me admiring their leader and doing their best to keep me level. I already felt as if I had no idea how to do my job most of the time and when they did those things, it would trip me up. Yet, the soldiers seemed to move as efficiently as possible; the recruits learned quickly. The Maker has shown me this path for a reason.

"I haven't - that is...I have been very busy," I grumbled.

"We know that, Curly," Varric chuckled. "You still have to eat." The dwarf had shoved his empty plate away, busy scratching his quill on a piece of parchment. He'd been having trouble with a competing author stealing his works and was having Josephine look into it for him. Along with his many other pies he had his fingers in, I wasn't surprised by the stack of correspondence he had to see to regularly.

"And we've all noticed how you go out of your way to avoid the tavern," Rylen chimed in before he took a swig from his tankard. "Makes your Captain feel lonely." I shot him a glare which made him smirk over his drink. Rylen had removed his armor, down to his tunic and leather breeches. He'd loosened his tunic and disheveled his hair. Between that and his tattoos, the man looked positively rascally.

"I'd keep you company, Captain," Elizabeth purred before running a hand up Rylen's arm. Elizabeth, normally in her Seeker armor, had also dressed down. I had to look away from her and clear my throat. Her blouse left little to the imagination.

Rylen gave her a wolfish grin as he leaned towards her, "That may just patch up my wounded heart, lass."

"I'd do more than patch it up," she murmured huskily, "I'd make it beat wildly while I have you on your back." They shared a heated glance for a moment before their eyes flicked to me. They both broke out in laughter. "I think we've caused our Commander to go mute," Elizabeth chuckled as she leaned her elbows on the table.

"I have to admit, I almost believed you this time," Varric sighed before he resumed scratching his quill. His russet eyes glanced to me. "Might want to close your mouth, Curly. You do look a little dumbstruck with it hanging open like that."

I snapped my jaw closed and ground my teeth at the same time Cassandra made a disgusted noise in her throat. "Why do you both insist on making every meal intolerable?"

"They enjoy the discomfort of others," Asaala's deep voice growled as she rolled her eyes at the pair. Finished with her food, the female had taken to sharpening her two-handed blade. As much of a help as she had been, I found Asaala terrifying. I could never tell if she tolerated me or wanted to gut me with her blade when her purplish eyes met mine. Thus far, I lived so I thanked the Maker she hadn't put her mind to the latter.

Rylen and Elizabeth mirrored each other as they made melodramatic gestures of being highly offended. "I beg your pardon, Adaar, but we do not," Elizabeth gasped.

"You do, sister, and you know it," Henry teased as he tugged on a lock of her hair. Henry's dark tresses had grown out in the weeks since he'd joined us and he'd put some weight on. There was no denying the man was handsome as many eyes flicked to him throughout the tavern.

Elizabeth's blue eyes locked on Henry. "Even my own brother betrays me. How will I go on?"

Rylen pulled Elizabeth into his arms. "I'll comfort you, lass."

"You're both so annoying," Bethany huffed as she took another bite of her dinner. "Would you just get a room and get it over with?"

Rylen and Elizabeth separated a little and shared another glance, full of sadness. "They don't realize do they, lass?" Rylen pouted as he curled Elizabeth's hair around an ear.

"No, Captain, they don't," Elizabeth sniffed.

"What's that?" Bull asked, fighting a smirk as he did, his single eye watching the pair with rapt amusement.

"Our hearts belong to the Commander and no one else will satisfy," they said in unison as their eyes met mine. The table roared with laughter, snorts and groans at my expense. I glowered at the pair, which only earned wicked smiles in response.

Bull smacked my shoulder which nearly knocked me out of my chair, "Ease up, Cullen. They're just trying to get under your skin, so you'll loosen up."

"I do not think it's working," I grumbled as I crossed my arms over my chest.

Bull boomed a laugh, "Probably not, but it's entertaining to watch."

"I'm so glad I can keep you amused, Bull," I groaned. The male smiled broadly before attacking his plate and drink.

"So, Commander," Henry piped up, his sapphire eyes meeting mine. Strong jaw and nose. I had to force myself not to bristle at his voice as I recalled his finger upon Meira's face. Did she shy away? I blinked and fought down a smile. Yes, she practically curled into a ball when he touched her. "How did you become Commander? You were Knight-Commander in Kirkwall, right? How did you end up here?"

The rest of the table fell silent. Bethany, Cassandra, Varric and Bull all glanced my way, wearing various expressions of worry. Charismatic, but no tact. I shifted in my seat. Where in Andraste's name is Flissa with my food, so I can wolf it down and leave? I glanced around, but saw no sign of her amongst the bodies. I cleared my throat, "I was only acting Knight-Commander for a few years and the title had little meaning. I was transferred to Kirkwall after the Blight in Ferelden. Seeker Pentaghast sought me out after the mage-templar war began, seeking a military advisor for the Inquisition. Divine Justinia was setting the Inquisition in motion to help quell the fighting should the Conclave fail and in hopes of possibly challenging some of the tenets of the Chantry itself. I had given all I could to the Order and done my utmost to help get the city back on its feet, so when Seeker Cassandra came, I accepted her offer."

"And with you came the other templars? Came Rylen?" He quirked a dark brow at Rylen. He and I both nodded. Henry looked to Cassandra, "Why were you in Kirkwall, Seeker?"

Cassandra scowled as she shot a glare at Varric, "The Inquisition needs a leader; an Inquisitor. Our top candidates were the Hero of Ferelden and the Champion of Kirkwall. Both had shown tenacity under pressure and people respected them for their deeds which have shaped history. When we could not locate the Hero, we went in search of the Champion. That search led to Tale of the Champion and its infamous author, Varric." She spoke Varric's name with such venom, it made the dwarf smirk in response. "I tracked Varric down in Kirkwall to find out if he knew where Hawke was, but he had no answers."

"That's putting it mildly," Varric muttered. "You dragged me into some dank room, threw me in a chair and interrogated me. When I didn't give you the answers you wanted, you kidnapped me, forced me on a boat and brought me to Haven."

"I wanted you to give your testimony to the Divine," she growled and then the fierceness fell from her face. "Now she's dead."

I knew how deeply the Divine's death had shaken both Cassandra and Leliana, but I couldn't muster the same kind of devastation. I'd lost my trust in the Chantry after Kirkwall. My faith in Andraste and the Maker had never wavered, but I could no longer trust the establishment that had forged me into a blade against others; that had chained me to it through addiction and fear. That had demanded so much - and more than I even knew - for so little in return.
Could Justinia have helped make the changes I now sought if she had lived? Possibly, but I felt in my soul that the Maker had intended for this to happen, for the Inquisition to be needed. Did I believe that Ellana was truly the Herald of Andraste? I honestly couldn't say. Had she arrived exactly when we needed her most? Yes; but wether that was truly the Maker's providence, I was unsure.
I knew providence to be real, I didn't doubt Andraste or the Maker's ability. There was no sense as to why I was even alive - between Kinloch, Kirkwall, the aftermath of the Conclave's explosion, and now going off of lyrium, I should have died - four times over. Yet, I lived. I lived when so many others had died. When others had died or suffered because of me.
I had no other explanation for that than the Maker had a plan for me and I would do everything I could to see it through. Wether Ellana was sent due to providence, or by circumstance and the Maker had surrounded her with the rest of us to guide and assist her on her current path, I could not decide.

After a pause, Henry cleared his throat. "And the rest of you? How did you come to be here? Iron Bull?"

After Bull took a deep swig from his tankard, he belched so loud it drew the attention of the entire room. The Chargers cheered for him to which he stood and gave a sweeping bow. He sat back down with a huge grin. "Asked to be hired. Inquisition's doing good work and we wanted to be a part of it. Knew there'd be good coin in it, too. Plus I hear I'll get to kill Vints." His single eye glimmered with humor at the last statement.

"Adaar?" Henry asked after a laugh.

The female qunari leaned back and crossed her arms. "The Divine hired my crew to act as third-party protection during the Conclave. To stop the mages and templars from killing each other. They all died. I stayed with the Inquisition to find their killer."

"I'm sorry about your crew and hope we do find who was behind it." Henry nodded as Asaala. "Bethany?" Henry turned to the healer.

Bethany's eyes flicked to me. "Commander Cullen asked me if I wanted to join the Inquisition as a healer and leave the Circle behind. I accepted."

"What about your sister?" he probed. "You are Hawke's sister, are you not? Why didn't you stay with her?"

Bethany shifted uncomfortably. "I am. I don't know where Marian is, so I couldn't stay with her even if I wanted. She went into hiding after everything in Kirkwall and felt I'd be safer in the Circle with Cullen being Knight-Commander. I haven't heard from her in months. I have no doubt she's safe; Marian was always good at getting both into and out of trouble. I figured it'd be safer for me to be among the Inquisition when Cullen offered so no one could use me to try and get to Marian," she glanced towards Cassandra. "Beyond questioning me, anyway. Plus, it would allow me to help others."

Varric looked at the Trevelyan siblings. "Why are you two here and not with your respective organizations?"

Elizabeth flipped her fiery hair over her shoulder. "I was tracking down some leads about the bandits in the Hinterlands. They felt it was more important for me to look into that than to attend the Conclave." Her blue eyes flicked to me. "Our fine Commander captured me during one of the bandit raids on the farmers. I offered my help in taking them down and then decided to join the cause. Especially after hearing that the Lord Seeker has cracked."

Varric looked between Cassandra and Elizabeth. "Then do you two know each other?"

The women exchanged a glance. Elizabeth shook her head. "I knew of Cassandra in name only, but we'd never met."

"And Henry?" Varric asked.

"I was with the rogue templars in the Hinterlands. I left when they began butchering their way across the hills. Elizabeth knew I was in the area because I'd sent her a letter a week before the Conclave," Henry smiled at his sister. "She tracked me down and smuggled me someplace safe until we figured out what to do with me. She continued her investigation until that raid. When she joined the Commander at the farmland, she told me to come. I did, saw what the Inquisition was doing and wanted to help."

"Well, we're just one big happy family aren't we?" Rylen yawned. "I'm scunnered, going to turn in before I fall asleep at the table. 'Night." He patted Elizabeth's shoulder and gave a wave to the rest of us.

"Goodnight, Captain," worked its way around the table.

"I'm sorry this took so long, Commander," Flissa's voice apologized on my left as she set my plate down in front of me. "Had to butcher another chicken."

"That's alright, Flissa," I assured and pressed a few coins into her palm. She smiled and thanked me. I turned my attention to my plate. Roasted chicken, roughly mashed potatoes and stewed vegetables with a fluffy roll. As my stomach reminded me how hungry I was, I attacked my food. The others carried on conversations around me. Bull and Asaala discussing two-handed weapon techniques and mercenary bands, the Trevelyans and Varric talking about the Free Marches, Cassandra and Bethany discussing books. I ate as quickly as I could and dismissed myself when I finished. The others bid me goodnight.

"Thanks for joining us, Cullen," Bull clasped my shoulder before I stood. "It'd be nice to see you in here more often."

"I'll do what I can," I offered. A knowing smile flashed on Bull's face, but he nodded.

"Enchanter, come to me. Enchanter, come to me. Enchanter, come to see," the minstrel's voice sang, my ears catching on the word "enchanter" as I made my way to the door of the tavern.

The melody and the stringed instrument's music neared romantic as she sung those lines. It made my heart flutter in my chest. I turned back to the minstrel and listened to the rest of the song. Each time she sung those three lines, I thought of Meira.
I missed her. Missed her smile, her teasing, her warmth and steady presence. I was ready for her return, eager to hear what happened in Val Royeaux. We'd received word that the Lavellan clan was a week away and we'd begun making preparations for their arrival. I worried for her. How would they react to her? How would she react to them?
I prayed for Andraste to give her the strength to face them; that whatever needed to happen to give Meira peace would occur. That she would allow me to be at her side to help her through it. Touch her. Will she let me hold her hand to comfort her? To hold her? To feel her soft curves in my arms, to rest my cheek against her hair, to smell her citrus and floral sent? Would she want me to hold her? Would she enjoy it? Would she turn her face to me, stand on her tiptoes and press her lovely lips to mine? As she kissed me, would she tangle her hands in my hair, let me pull her closer to me, whisper my name?

"Cullen," Elizabeth's voice called from behind me. Not the voice I wanted to hear.

I was in my tent, starting to remove my armor. I desperately wanted the weight off my aching body. I bit back a groan, but turned. "Yes, Trevelyan?"

For once, her haughty demeanor was gone. Instead, she looked somewhat embarrassed and flustered. Her blue eyes refused to meet mine, she kept twisting her hands together and shifting on her feet. I thanked the Maker that she'd put a cloak on to cover her revealing clothing. "I-I...," she stammered.

Confused and a little worried, I turned fully to her. "What is it?"

She huffed a breath, which caused the hair on her forehead to flutter up and then back down. She hesitated a moment, as if battling her own thoughts, before squaring her shoulders and meeting my eyes. "Rylen told me about you and M-Talitha. I asked him why you...wouldn't be interested in me. I thought maybe it was because you prefer men." I opened my mouth to explain, but she held up a hand. "After Rylen stopped laughing long enough to catch a breath, he assured me that was not the case. Jerk. Anyway, he told me that you've had feelings for her for...a long time." She looked me over. "Don't be mad at Rylen, he didn't want to tell me, but I...may not have given him a choice."

Her blue eyes held mine, waiting for an answer. Irritation bristled along my spine. "That was not his business to tell, but, um, yes. I care very deeply for her, Elizabeth. Sl-Sleeping with, um, you - n-no matter how...lovely you are -," my hand went to the back of my neck as heat flashed on my face at my stammering. Pull it together, Rutherford. "It would only hurt you in the end. Even more than that, it would hurt M-Talitha." I stepped closer to Elizabeth and placed a hand on her shoulder. "It would...mean nothing to me." Her gaze fell and hurt flashed on her face. I tipped her chin up. "It's not my intention to hurt you by saying that, Elizabeth. You should be with someone who wants you. Wants to be with you. Who enjoys being with you." A smirk pulled my lips. "It may not be my place to say, but I'll say it anyway. You deserve more than just...um, sex. But - but if that's what you want, then find a man who's...who's excited to be with you."

A sad smile curled her full lips, pulling on the scar below her left eye. "Thank you, Cullen." She wrapped her arms around my waist. Hesitantly, I hugged her back. She pulled away after a few seconds. "I'm sorry...about before. At the farms, I mean. If...If I'd known, I wouldn't have...been so forward." Color bloomed on her cheeks.

I offered her a smile. "You don't need to apologize. I was...flattered, really. I just - I..." I looked away, trying to form the words I wanted to say.

"You love her, don't you?" she asked as her eyes scanned my face.

"I do." I murmured.

"Does she love you?" she asked, genuinely curious.

I rubbed the back of my head. "I…to be honest, I do not know. I hope she does. There's things that make me think she does, but I cannot say with any certainty." I placed my hands on my sword pommel. My face warming. "What I do know is that I'm going to do all I can to show her how much I love her. I will do whatever it takes to win her heart; however long that takes." I thought of Henry for a moment. "No matter who tries to get in my way."

Elizabeth laughed. "You don't have to make it sound as if you're marching into battle."

I smirked, "Well, I am the Commander. Isn't everything I do supposed to be as if I am marching into battle?" Elizabeth laughed more, to which I chuckled in return. A thought occurred to me and suddenly, sleep was forgotten. "Elizabeth." Her sapphire gaze met my eyes. I gestured to a chair, "Could I ask you something?"

She sat after pouring herself some water from my pitcher into an extra goblet. "Of course."

I sat in my chair on the other side of the desk. "You were there that day, right?"

She chuckled. "You'll have to be more specific. What day are we talking about, precisely?"

I flushed at my blunder. "Apologies. The day M-Talitha was taken to the Circle."

She glanced around. "Are we supposed to talk about her...past? Since it's not technically her's anymore?"

"It is still her past," I growled. "I understand why what was done must happen, but I will not act as if she never...that her past...never happened."

Elizabeth hesitated a moment, took a drink from the goblet and twisted it between her palms. "Yes, I was there that day. Henry saw more of it though, so if you want the full story you should ask him." A thought flitted over her face. "About Henry...and Talitha."

My hackles raised, but I bit out, "Yes?"

Her lips twitched. "I may have...oversold Henry's feelings for her. He was enamored with her that day, and talked about her often. He even hoped to see her again to see how she was doing. But...he has no feelings for her. Romantically speaking."

"Oversold?" I smirked, trying not to reveal how relieved I was by the news. "Trevelyan, would you be trying to tell me that you lied?"

Elizabeth gave me a weak smile. "Maybe a little."

I let out a breathy chuckle. "Forgive me, if I admit I am relieved."

"I forgive you," she smiled broadly. "He cares for her, but as a friend...maybe even as a sister. I suppose when you see someone suffer like that and intervene...they'll always carry a special place in your heart. When they met again, though, he realized he'd had feelings for the idea of her and not Talitha herself."

"Can you tell me what happened that day?" I asked. "She's told me, but I'd like your account."

Elizabeth's normally jovial face fell. "Cullen, it was awful. We were with our father, Brennon, he's a Knight-Commander. He was visiting another Knight-Commander named Greagoir. Old friends from training days. Father trained in Ferelden for a time before going back to Ostwick. We visited Ferelden every few years so father could visit with him. They were meeting at the local Chantry - Greagoir wanted to show Father some new training techniques or something. We were to have dinner later that evening. Father had sent Henry and I off to play," she smirked. "Well, I went to play, I think Father had an actual task in mind for us, but I don't remember now." Her face fell again. "I heard a commotion in the market square, but didn't pay it any mind. That is until Henry ran up to me, grabbed my hand and dragged me through the crowd." A haunted look crossed her face. "The yells, the insults they threw - at a child. Knife-ear, spellbind, trash, abomination...those are the ones I can bring myself to repeat. They'd dragged her into the middle of the marketplace and formed a ring around her. They'd thrown rotten food, manure, mud...who knows what else." Tears glistened in her eyes when they met mine.

"Cullen, she just...stood there. She didn't fight, she didn't cry, she didn't even show fear. She was...skin and bones. In tattered rags covered in filth. A child. And she faced them down with more grace than I've seen in most adults." She cleared her throat, taking another drink. "Henry and I stood at the front of the ring, paralyzed. He wanted to act, but wasn't sure what to do. Her silence, her determination not to show fear seemed to only flame their anger. Someone threw a rock. That caused her to cry out, a skeletal hand going to her face as blood oozed between her fingers, mingling with the muck." A shudder went through Elizabeth.

"When the others raised their hands to stone her, Henry bolted forward and I followed." A ghost of smile flitted on her lips. "I want to try and sound like I was some valiant knight, but no one was more valiant than her. Henry and I locked our arms together and pressed her between us. The crowd hesitated. A few others came out and stood with us. Someone must have run off to get the templars because they came soon after, Greagoir at the front. He roared at the crowd and had the others disperse them quickly. When they were gone, Ne-Me - ugh all these names are exhausting," Elizabeth sighed. "Talitha collapsed. Greagoir himself wrapped her in a blanket and scooped her up. He offered his apologies to Father, saying he'd need to see to her and they'd have to have dinner another evening."

Meira. How much pain have you endured in your life? My heart hurt to think of her like that. How afraid she must have been. "That...I - I can't even imagine. For a child to endure something like that."

"We got to see her the next day," Elizabeth continued. "She'd been bathed, clothed and fed. She was wary, as you'd expect. We introduced ourselves and talked with her some. She warmed up to us when she remembered that we were the ones who stepped in, even gave us a hug. We asked her name, she hesitated, but eventually murmured 'Neria'. There was pain on her face when she said it...now I guess I know why."

Elizabeth fell silent, her own face full of emotion. "Was it that day that made you want to join the Seekers?"

"I wanted to be a templar after that day. We were always destined to join the Chantry in some fashion. Templars, seekers or as members of the clergy," she explained. "I'd never wanted to be a part of it until I saw the templars in action that day. My father felt I was better suited to the Seekers, however, so he made sure that's where I ended up. Henry, on the other hand, became a templar."

We began talking about the Seekers and the Order. Elizabeth told me tale after tale of her time amongst the Seekers of Truth. We shared laughs, debated about how things should be changed and even talked about Kirkwall a bit. I found her easy to talk to, intelligent and caring.
Before we even realized it, morning had come. We both stood from our seats, Elizabeth stretching and I going to the water basin to splash my face. I'd discarded my armor at some point in the evening and began putting it on as Elizabeth fixed her own clothing, mussed from sitting in a chair for so long. She approached me, placing a hand on my arm.

"I wish you luck with her, Cullen," she murmured. "I will do what I can to help you succeed in your endeavor."

I tapped under her chin with a curled finger. "I appreciate that, Elizabeth."

"Com-Commander?" a voice squeaked.

I glanced over to find Minaeve standing at the open tent flap. Her large, brown eyes were flicking between Elizabeth and I. Color bloomed in her cheeks, the reports she held in her hands quivering as she shook. I opened my mouth to greet her, but Elizabeth spoke first.

"Thanks for the wonderful evening, Cullen," Elizabeth smiled before she smoothed her hair and headed for the exit. "See you at the tavern later?" she asked over her shoulder. She didn't wait for my reply as she greeted Minaeve and slipped out. Minaeve stood rooted in her spot.

Minaeve's eyes followed Elizabeth for awhile, so I cleared my throat. "Minaeve?" The small elf's body startled at the sound of my voice. Her grip on the reports tightened before her eyes met mine. They were full of rage. I'd never seen Minaeve be anything beyond timid and reserved, unless she was discussing her findings. I blinked. "Is something wrong?"

Her eyes continued to burn me with her anger until she finally spoke. "Nothing, Commander. I had some new information for you and your troops about how best to deal with the bears in the Hinterlands that I wanted to go over with you. However, you seem to be otherwise distracted, so I'll just leave the reports for you to go over in your own time." In a huff she walked over to the desk and slammed the stack down on top. She started back towards the tent opening, but turned sharply before leaving. "I hope you had a wonderful evening too, Commander." At that, she left.

I tried to call to her, to tell her I had time, but she didn't stop. "What in the Maker's name was that about?" I muttered as I continued to put my armor back on.

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