Isa hit her head against the door after she closed it and took a deep breath. She couldn't believe she had asked Cullen to a game of chess. The last time she had the opportunity to play was the night after her harrowing. She could remember everything from that evening.

The library was only cast in the light from the fire in the heart and a few lanterns scattered scarcely on tables. It was almost midnight as they sat in their chairs looking over their chess pieces deciding the best strategy. Isa couldn't help the playful smirk on her lips as she moved her piece and sat back watching Cullen trying to keep a stoic face.

"You keep that look I'm sure you'll scare off all the apprentice's away no matter how handsome that face of yours is." She laughed lightly seeing him frowning softly before laughing and leaning back.

"You know I have to keep appearance, big scary templar and everything." He winked at her as she shook her head smiling softly at the lovable man. Since she first saw him come in he had caught her eye, from his warm eyes to his awkwardness. He was one of the rare templars who went without their helmet and actually tried to seem friendly enough with the other mages. She remembered the first time she had caught him staring at her and the blush she received. Her clan had always warned her of the shems as she had grown up but as the years had passed in the tower, she came to realize that the mages were no different than her people. They were all just trying to survive and keep peace in their own type of clan. When Cullen had arrived it was like a breath of fresh air in the staleness of the tower. She loved teasing the young man and seeing his cheeks tint that soft pink.

"Oh yes, a big scary templar who frets and worries over a mage during her Harrowing and then making sure to carry her and tuck her into bed all safe and snuggly." She mused resting her chin in her hands.

"I...W-who told you that?" He gulped as he clumsily moved a piece knocking off several pieces off onto the floor.

"Oh you know just the usual gossipers of the tower." Isa hummed moving to pick up the pieces knocked over.

"I should have known Wynne and Anders were watching." She heard him grumble before hearing his sharp intake of breath and groan as she could feel her robes tighten around her rear as she bent down further hunting for the last piece before straightening up. She raised a brow at the templar and smirked. She moved towards him and leaned against the table, listening to hear if there were any other enchanters still in the library at this hour. All she could hear was the soft crackle of the fire.

"That you should have, though I do appreciate the gesture. It was sweet." She whispered as she leaned into him, her grey eyes flickering between the dark honey of his eyes as they darkened and his soft lips.

"I-I really should keep my bearings better, Isalora I...Oh Maker forgive me." He rushed out before reaching up and tangling his hand in her braid and pulling her to him as their lips connected. It wasn't soft like the other teasing kisses they had shared, this one was heated and full of desire. Isa gasped softly as he tugged on her hair gently and felt his tongue enter at the advantage of her parted lips. She moaned at the taste of him, mint mixed with the strong bitter taste of lyrium. She pulled Cullen up to her and spread her legs to cradle him as he stood in between her. Her fingers worked quickly to try to unhook the armor from his chest as she felt him clumsily kiss down her neck and hands roaming over her chest and sides. Her mind went blank as he ran a thumb over her covered pebbled peak and moaned softly.

"Cullen...these off...now." She finally got out in between moans as she forgot her battle with his top and chose his pants instead. He hummed in agreement as he took her nipple in his mouth through the thin cotton of the robe and began to work on his belt of armor to get his armor off and free his aching member. As soon as his member was free she took him in her hand and stroked him slowly, listening to his soft moans. She nudged him to move back as she slid off the table and fell to her knees. Her eyes roved over his member nervously before she gained her confidence, they had been groping and teasing for months now she could do this. His member felt like velvet wrapped steel as she stroked him and glanced up from under her eyelashes at the man her heart warmed for. She licked her lips before taking a taste of the head of his cock and ran her tongue down the sides before completely enveloping him in her mouth. She heard the soft thud of his head hitting the book case along with his low groan.

"Isa...wait I won't…" She heard him gasp as she was pulled up into his chest met with a sloppy kiss before he rested his forehead against hers.

"But I only started," She pouted softly.

"I know, I just don't want this to end before it even starts." He admits with a soft blush. He had told her previously he hadn't been with a woman before even when the other recruits would go visit the brothels he would prefer to visit the stores. She began to say something when she felt her robes being bunched up and a calloused hand running up her thigh. Before she could blink she was the one against the bookshelf now and felt a finger searching for her hidden pearl. As he brushed against it she bit her lip to muffle a loud moan and tangled her fingers into his hair. As he swirled his thumb over her clit he delved a finger into her just as he covered her mouth and felt her arch into his fingers. She was panting and rocking against his finger when they heard the library door open and voices. They stopped and stared at each other wide eyed and scrambled to get themselves back in order and sat back down to their game, flushed cheeks and hair slightly mused. A second later Jowan and Lily stood at the end of their table shifting uncomfortably as they looked between Isa and Cullen.

"I suppose it's a tie, Sir Cullen. What's going on Jowan?" She hummed as she stood up stretching and moving to quickly get Jowan and Lily away before they began to question things they shouldn't. As she listened to Jowan ramble on about something being of important task by the chantry she glanced back and gave a soft smile to the man who was red from the tips of his ears down to his neck. The next day came to her regretting ever agreeing to help Jowan but excited by the prospect of leaving the tower finally. Though her heart did ache as she glanced at Cullen's stricken face, the last thing she remembered seeing before leaving the Circle with Duncan.

'I need a bath and fresh air.' Isa thought to herself as she shook her mind from the memory before undressing to get washed up. She walked over to the large tub and smiled. If there was one luxury she always missed while traveling was actual warm baths. She could have warmed the waters but she respected nature too much to throw it off balance for a simple pleasure. She poured in a vial of rose and vanilla mixed oil into the water before getting in with a content sigh. She undid her braid and sunk into the water as she began to think of the things she still needed to see to. She still had those papers to go over from Soldier's Peak and the research Avernus was doing, the Grey Warden that was apart of the Inquisitor's party and Keiran, her godson. 'It's going to be a long day.' She thought to herself as she blew bubbles in the water before sinking to the bottom of the tub to begin washing her hair and getting cleaned up. Once washed up and dried off, she grabbed her leather breeches and dark blue cotton blouse and laced up her boots. No need to armor up and scare the pillagers and such, the less attention the better for her. She left her hair to fall down her back naturally and made sure to hide at least on dagger on her person before leaving the room.

She walked through the throne room and could hear the soft whispers from the nobility that were littering the room, waiting for a chance to snag Emery. They all were curious if the rumors were true that this simple woman was the legend of the great hero. She had to scoff and shake her head. People really did forget that she was about as normal as any of them. She wasn't a god or anything close, she bled just the same as them. Eyes searching for the door she wanted she finally found it as a raven tilted its head to the side perched in the window viewing out to the garden. She smirked a little and walked over to the bird once in the garden.

"Have something for me lovely?" She asked the bird softly as it cawed and cooed to her. On it's leg was strapped a small roll of paper with a familiar seal on it. She would have to read it later as she heard the laughter of a young boy. He looked like a younger version of Alistar with a few hints of his mother as he played with an older mabari. Isalora bit her lip as she thought of the reprimand she would surely get from Morrigan for bringing Barkspawn with her. "So this is where you wandered off too hmm?" She called out to the mabari, who simply sprawled onto its back tongue lolling out of his mouth content.

"Sorry ma'am, I didn't realize he was yours." Keiran apologized to her sheepishly. 'Oh, if the courts in Ferelden ever saw you, there would be no doubt on who your father was.' She thought to herself.

"You're alright Keiran, Barkspawn does as he pleases more so now in his old age. You can even ask your mother on the shenanigans he liked to pull with her." She winked with a smile as Morrigan began to walk towards them, worry clear in her eyes that quickly changed to disgruntled as they spotted the graying mabari.

"Mother? She doesn't like dogs though, she says they remind her of too many worrisome things." The boy said before glancing over to Morrigan as she stopped next to them.

"Yes, quite they do. I did not expect you to be looking around already. Tis a surprise you are even here." She said crossing her arms.

"Oh come on Morrigan you know I had to meet the young lad. After all he is my godson." Isa smiled, placing a hand on the boys shoulder who glanced up with wide eyes.

"You're the Hero of Ferelden, Auntie Isalora. Was it scary facing down the archdemon?" Keiran gushed with wonder and excitement.

"Very-" Isalora began before Morrigan cut in.

"That's enough Keiran, go play with...the old dog for now. I have much to discuss with Isalora." Morrigan said gently as she looked at the human eyes of the mabari who yipped in agreement to keeping the young boy busy.

"You've raised a good lad, Morrigan. He's definitely changed you, it's a good change." She added quickly at the slight bristle of the witch.

"I have tried, I always try to do what is best by him. I worry sometimes though if it is enough. I can not imagine a world without him now." Morrigan said softly shaking her head with a soft smile.

"It sounds to me you're doing just fine Morrigan. I shouldn't be surprised you're here during this mess. From what I hear you've been playing in the courts. That however did surprise me to hear." She said laughing softly as she laid a hand on the witch's shoulder feeling her tense at first before relaxing.

"T'was the safest place for us at the time. It seems part of you rubbed off, I couldn't stand by at the thought of the whole world ending now could I?" She huffed.

"Ah, well seems like we're both here for the same reason then huh?" Isa laughed as she watched Keiran play with her mabari who lazily jogged after the boy before taking off at full sprint in a race. "That crazy mabari is going to break a hip at his age." She shook her head.

"I was surprised to see the old mutt here. I thought he was living a luxurious life in the palace."

"During the winters he does, though Alistair says he about drives him crazy with his whining. We rotate who has him depending on who is doing what. Well and depending on what Barkspawn wants. You know he has a mind of his own and prefers to be at the brunt of the battle still." Isa shook her head a soft smile.

"A type of custody on who has the dog?" Morrigan chuckled.

"Yeah, well I couldn't keep him to myself not with how Alistair bonded with him too," Isalora laughed, "He looks so much like him, it's a good thing he hasn't been around Ferelden. Alistair will want to come and see him soon. Does Keiran know?" She asked softly as she felt her friend stiffen.

"He knows his father is a great man and has many duties that he must attend to. As for the oaf meeting him well I can't keep him away from his son I suppose."

"He's beautiful and a good lad, Morrigan, motherhood suits you wonderfully. As much as I wish we were back at the old camp sitting by the fire to talk longer, I have a few things I need to see to. We'll talk again soon." She smiled brightly at her friend and squeezed her shoulder before turning to walk away before she felt clammy fingers grab her wrist.

"Isalora...I, I'm glad you are here." Morrigan said lightly with barely a whisper of a smile. Isalora nodded smiling before walking away. She pulled the letter out of her pocket and broke the wax seal and began to read the letter.

My favorite Warden,

Greetings from Antiva.