Chapter Fifteen

"And where do you think you're going?" The Iron Bull asked as he felt Sinfi's tail slowly untangle itself from his leg. As the bed shifted slightly with her movements he opened his eye to see the late morning sun shining through the stained glass, creating a kaleidoscope of colors around the room. Sinfi was sitting on the edge of the bed, dawnstone skin gleaming in the daylight. The waves of raven hair had been pushed into a lazily made bun exposing a large hickey in the crux of her neck and shoulder. Bull smirked slightly at his handiwork from the night prior, a little marking for her speech addressing the entire Inquisition.

"I can't stay in bed all day Bull," Sinfi laughed as she looked back towards him, mirth filling the molten pools. The softness of her eyes juxtaposed the bruises and cuts from the fight with Corypheus. They had already started to scab over and heal thanks to a combination of magic and poultices, yet she was still banged up. Her horn had cracked sometime in the fight, causing the tip and large chunks to break off. Luckily, Dagna had already started work on decorative covers imbued with runes to help keep the horn's structure intact.

"We agreed-"

"Oh no, you decided-" Sinfi corrected.

"- That we were going to spend three days in bed straight, and that-" Bull pulled the smaller woman back and onto his lap, causing more laughter to bubble from her lips, "- is exactly what I plan on doing."

It had been two days since the fight with Corypheus; with the destruction of the orb and Solas' disappearance, the mountain of work on Sinfi's desk only seemed to grow. Yet even though their job was not actually done, Bull knew they both needed this. They needed a time with no distractions, no Inquisition, no duty to anyone. Just them. Letters to high ranking officials and dignitaries could wait on her desk, there was no rush now that the main threat was gone. The debate on who would lead the Thieves' Guild after Nicolae could be held another day, the empty underground throne could stay vacant. They could breathe and just be. They had time.

Sinfi shifted slightly so she was straddling his lap, hands splayed across his chest. Her eyes were alight with mischief, "So we just stay in bed?"

"Just stay in bed," he confirmed while his hands slowly ran down her back and hips.

"Nothing else, Amar?" She asked as her fingertips lightly traced his silvered scars as she slowly ground against his hips, only the thin bed sheets separating them. His fingers instinctively held onto her flesh harder. She was tempting him with possibilities. Teasing him with silent promises. She was a desire demon and he never wanted to leave her grasp.

Bull let out a low growled as he pushed himself up from the bed, keeping one hand firmly on her ass, the other holding onto her thigh, "Oh, I never said that Kadan."

Her hands slowly ran up his chest and cupped his face. Her lips just barely grazing his, their breath dancing with one another's. Bull reached up and pulled on the ribbon that kept her hair up, allowing the messy curls and waves to tumble down around her face. She looked at him through her lashes, eyes filled with an unmistakable hunger that mirrored his own. Their lips were tender when they finally met, kisses slow and languid. There was no rush, no unbridled need. They had time. Time to explore. Time to tease and tantalize. Bull knotted his hand into the raven locks, pulling her head back slightly to expose her neck to him. It was as his lips began to travel down her skin that she started to speak.

"What about after these three days?"

"What do you mean?" Bull asked even though he could see where this conversation was going. With Corypheus gone, and the majority of threats taken care of, The Bull's Chargers contract had technically been fulfilled and had met its inevitable end date. Bull's contract linking him as Sinfi's personal bodyguard was no longer in effect. The Iron Bull was a free agent, allowed to do as he pleased.

"I mean," She whispered as she looked down towards him, her hair creating a curtain around their faces. "You're a free man now. No longer tied to the Qun or to the Inquisition. You could go anywhere and do anything."

"You're right, I am." He said softly against her flesh, his nose slowly rubbing against the pulse point in her throat. He could feel her heart racing with anxiety that she would never voice, "I could go anywhere in the world. The crew and I could take any job we want. Hell, we could go with the Vistani and discover new places."

"Endless possibilities. So, where to first?" She simply asked, her voice almost sounding like a song. The question was innocent, but he could see in her eyes the real question she wanted to ask: When will you leave me behind?

"I'm happy right here, Kadan," Bull shrugged and gave her a wink. "Besides, Mordecai thinks I make a good bed warmer for you."

Sinfi laughed loudly and kissed him hard, arms wrapping around his neck as she deepened the kiss.

They had time.

"You know," Esma piped up excitedly, a smile on her lips and blue eyes shining, all while stabbing her porridge with a spoon as if it were a red Templar. "We might be able to make it back to Ejasia in time for the Midsummer festival."

Bull was currently seated with the triplets in the mess hall. Sinfi and Cullen had been pulled away, unexpectedly, to an early morning meeting. Something regarding the cleanup of the pile of rocks that once was the Temple of Sacred Ashes. A project that would become a joint effort between the Inquisition, Orlais, and Ferelden as a sign of unity between the three powers. Meaning Bull had been left alone with the triplets. Drina and Esma kept to their normal blather while Catarina sat in silence pushing the over-easy eggs around the plate, trapped in her own mind.

"Don't give false hope," Drina said, striking her elbows on the table and let out a long sigh as her eyes looked off into the distance dreamily. "But, that would be nice."

"Just think of it," Esma continued. "The dancing, the feasts, the singing. All of it would be just-"

"Wonderful," The pair sighed in unison causing Bull to chuckle and shake his head as he skewered another link of sausage. He glanced back down at the third triplet. Catarina was always the quietest out of the three, more thoughtful than anything. Maybe it was because she was the middle child, both out of the triplets and in the entire line up. Maybe she was quiet because she was more studious in her lessons with Baba, but even this absolute silence was not normal. Quiet, yes. Silent, no.

Bull looked back across the table towards Drina and Esma, "You'd think you both would get sick of dancing, since that's what you all do every night around the campfire."

"This is different Bull," Drina tried to explain. "This is Midsummer."

"So?"

"So," Esma chimed. "It's the start of the summer season, the rebirth of the world from the darkness of winter."

"There's a lot more to the celebrations than just partying," Drina explained, her spoon swinging in the air as she talked to emphasize her points. "As Esma said, it is the rebirths of the world. Farmers sow their seeds and in olden time we would have celebrations to beg the gods for a bountiful harvest later in the year. Maybe bless the live stock with fertility for the herds to grow while the gods were at it."

"It's also good luck to get married on Midsummer," Esma said slowly, a smirk on her lips. "Just food for thought."

"Also good luck for fertility," Drina added with a chuckle. "Though I'm not sure if Sinfi will need much luck with our long line of large families."

Bull coughed as he almost choked on the piece of sausage he had just swallowed, "I- uh, that's not- we're not..."

Drina and Esma glanced between each other quickly, sapphire eyes darting back to Bull.

"We just assumed-" Esma's voice petered out, her eyes flickering back and forth between Bull and Drina.

"That you realized exactly what was expected of her," Drina finished, cold eyes were locked on to Bull's. "She is the first daughter. It is her lineage that will continue the troupe. Since you both are linked… you're a smart man, you can see where this is going."

"After all, we all will be leaving for Ejasia soon," Esma continued a little more softly. "Sinfi's mission is over, so it would be expected that she's coming with us. Finally able to take her place, for good this time. You're practically part of the troupe now so we thought that…"

Bull cleared his throat and looked away, "She hasn't brought it up."

"Oh," Drina and Esma said in unison. Drina was able to keep her face emotionless whereas Esma didn't bother to hide the disappointment.

"If it helps," Esma said in a comforting tone. "We had to break the news to Cullen as well. He didn't take it too well."

Everything about this conversation was far from comforting.

Catarina scoffed, eyes still focused on the now massacred eggs, "You two, had to break the news to him last night. I did no such thing."

"It's for his own good," Drina whispered harshly across the table to Catarina. "This was fun, and a wonderful distraction. You knew all along that we would be going home, though. We can't take him with us."

Drina reached out for Catarina's hand, as if to comfort the middle triplet. Catarina jerked away from her sister's touch. Her fork dropped and clattered to the plate as she got up and walked out of the mess hall without another word.

Esma looked between the plate of uneaten eggs and Bull, "She isn't taking it well." The woman forced a smile and an awkward laugh, "She will get over this once we're home though. We'll find something fun to distract her and she will forget."

Bull looked back towards the door Catarina had exited. Cullen's harem had ended things, but the break wasn't mutually agreed upon within the ranks.

If what Drina and Esma had said was true, then the Vistani would be leaving in the coming weeks. Sinfi's mission now being done meant she was just Vistani now. Her duty was to her people and not to him. Most likely she would be leaving with or without him.

His hand reached up and brushed the dragon's tooth. She had picked him once before. She had stood up against the Seeker, telling her that Bull would be a permanent fixture in her bed. Together they had walked into the Winter Palace arm in arm, despite the whispers. Even if she left with the Troupe, she would always be with him. The question, though, was if that would be enough.

"Where do you think he went?"

Bull looked down to the red tiefling. Mordecai was lounging on a bail of hay, unlit cigarette skillfully flipping between each finger absentmindedly. Golden eyes were unfocused as he stared out towards the lower portion of the courtyard where Denett was working with the youngest twins and their two new foals.

"Who?" Bull asked.

"The elf," he answered looking back up towards Bull. "Solas."

Bull shrugged but said nothing because in truth, there wasn't much to say. The man who they had spent over a year with was missing and no one could find him. Between the combined resources of Red, the Thieves' Guild, Vistani informants, and the last of Bull's favors and contacts; no one was able to locate their missing friend. It was as if he had never existed at all.

"It's like he disappeared into thin air," Mordecai whispered as he looked back at the twins, who were struggling to get their foals to stay still as they tried to put blankets onto their backs. "A ghost from another time perhaps? Or maybe the Mists swallowed him up because he had served his purpose?"

"Does that happen?" Bull crossed his arms as he leaned up against the beam of the barn.

Mordecai was silent before simply saying, "No." The cigarette seemed to freeze in it's motions, "but nothing is impossible."

The sound of bangles clinking against one another filled the air as Sinfi bounced down the stairs from the battlements with one King Alistair following right behind her. Sinfi's face was sharp, showing her agitation with the human.

"- all I'm saying is that there's a good opportunity here," Alistair said, continuing on with their conversation, not caring about who overheard them.

"I think Mama was very adamant about you never meeting with her again," Sinfi snapped slightly, frustration leaking into her voice. All royal decorum that had been instilled in her was gone with the King. They did not acknowledge Bull and Mordecai who were silently watching the heated discussion unfold in front of them.

"She wouldn't have to see me," Alistair countered quickly. "We could talk between a door, or around a corner, I'll take a carrier pigeon if I have to."

Sinfi stopped in her tracks, eyes closed as her fingers gripped the bridge of her nose, "Say she agrees to one of those work arounds, how would you expect her to even hear you out regarding this request?"

Alistair, almost running into the smaller woman, halted quickly. He looked around the courtyard, eyes landing on his two sons. "Vera is a very smart woman," He said quietly for the boys to not overhear. "She is fierce, and calculating, and I know from first hand, she can be very, very, cold. But also loving and warm to those she holds dear. She would move heaven and earth for any of you, no matter what or who was in her way."

Sinfi was silent as she looked towards the two young boys as Alistair continued, "I know if I could talk to her, she would see how good this could be for everyone." He paused for a moment, brown eyes searching the Inquisitor's face for any hint of her thoughts, "Sinfi, I want to make things right for once."

Sinfi closed her eyes and let out a sigh before opening them again, "I'll talk to her, but I can't make any promises she'll even agree."

"That's fine," Alistair said as he put his hands up. "Just a chance is all I want."

Sinfi looked the man up and down slowly before nodding and walking in the direction of the Vistani camp, and, Bull assumed, to where Vera was. After a beat of silence Mordecai finally piped up.

"Well," He said with a smirk and a chuckle. "Someone appears to have a death wish."

Alistair froze for a moment before looking towards where Bull and Mordecai had been. Realization dawned on the King's face as he made the connection of what they had heard. The human let out a breathless laugh as he reached up and rubbed the back of his neck, "You would think that after the last Blight I might be a little more cautious running headfirst into danger."

"What exactly do you want to 'make right'?" Mordecai asked slowly, golden predator eyes watching the King's every move.

Alistair looked towards Nicu and Luca, the pair oblivious to the world around them, "I was a bastard." Alistair glanced back towards Bull and Mordecai, "In the parental sense… though, Vera or Sinfi might say I am a bastard in general."

Bull let out a snort of a laugh but said nothing. They all knew the two women had a slew of words to describe the king behind closed doors.

Alistair let out a sigh, "I promised I would never father a bastard. I didn't want to do that to a child."

"But you did," Mordecai said slowly. "To two in fact."

"Double the guilt," Alistair let out a humorless laugh. "They're good boys. Rascals, but good. The queen and I haven't… we don't... We don't have an heir, nor probably ever will."

Understanding clicked into Bull's mind, "You're going to make them the heirs."

Alistair nodded, "With Sinfi being Inquisitor and the Vistani starting to roam Thedas, they might actually be accepted as the next in line."

"But that would mean to leave them here with you," Mordecai pointed out, cigarette between his lips. A small flame danced from his index finger, lighting the rolled smoke. Eyes staying trained on the human, "Vera won't be a fan of leaving her youngests."

"But," Bull said slowly as he looked down towards Mordecai. "It would place the Vistani higher in Thedas. Which Vera will agree with."

"Touche," The tiefling said with a shrug as he took a deep drag.

"I figure I have a fifty-fifty chance of her either accepting the agreement, or turning me into a human sized pincushion." Alistair said with a half smile.

"Sixty-five to thirty-five," Mordecai corrected with a smile.

"I swore she was going to murder him," Sinfi chuckled as she walked towards Bull in the Herald's Rest. With drinks in each hand, she carefully sat herself on the armrest of his usual chair.

Bull took the larger mug of ale from her as she got comfortable before speaking, "Who, Vera?"

"No, the Empress of Oarsport," Sinfi deadpanned, causing Bull to chuckle slightly. "Yes, Mama."

"So what happened?" Bull asked before taking a swig, his arm wrapping around her waist to keep her steady on the arm. Yes, to keep her steady, with absolutely no ulterior motive.

She let out a sigh as she clutched her mug in both of her hands, "Mama hated the idea and was about to throw Alistair out of the Vardo, but Baba calmed her down and demanded she hear the King out."

"Didn't Baba hate Alistair?" Bull's bows knit together.

"Baba is a mystery, Bull. If you ever understand her, please share the secret," Sinfi smirked. "So Baba made Mama hear Alistair out. As her anger faded, she realized what this could mean for the larger picture."

"She agreed?" Bull's voice cracked in surprise.

"She agreed," Sinfi confirmed. "They will be staying in Ferelden when the Troupe leaves. Both learning how to rule a country. Someone will stay behind with them as their connection to the Troupe until they become of age."

"Wow," Bull said softly into his mug.

"I know," Sinfi echoed. "Nicu and Luca are excited, after all they'll be princes."

"It'll go to their heads," Bull stated.

"You say that like it hadn't already once they found out their father was a king." Sinfi had a point, since learning about their father, training had become insufferable with the pair. Their ego's had inflated and their dedication to their craft had begun to slip.

"So," Bull said cautiously. "Who stays?"

Sinfi paused slightly, golden eyes looking away, "I'm not sure, it hasn't been decided yet."

"You'd do a good job," He stated before taking another sip from the mug, grey eye unwavering from her face.

"I would," She whispered.

"After all, you're already known and respected."

"That's true," She agreed, golden eyes catching his. "It would be an argument to stay."

Bull was silent for a moment as his fingers ran absentmindedly on her lower back. His mouth went dry as his mind flicked to the conversation with the triplets a few days ago. They were all adamant that she would be leaving with them. That it was finally time for Sinfi to take her place.

"Unless you want to go back," Bull stated.

"I-," Sinfi's voice died in her throat, the conversation had started light and easy but now it had shifted. "-I'm not sure."

"Why not?" The question sounded almost flippant and nonchalant, but they both knew that wasn't the case.

She looked away, her teeth absentmindedly chewing on her lip in thought, "I want to be back with my people… I miss my homeland. I know you'll never leave your Chargers, even if it was for me. So-" She paused with a deep breath before looking towards him, eyes melancholy, "So I don't know."

Silence fell between the pair; quietly knowing one would have to sacrifice everything for the other but neither willing quite to make it. The Vistani would be leaving in two weeks' time, potentially taking her with them.

The dragon's tooth may have represented they would always be together despite the distance, but there was something that hurt knowing she would be out of his grasp for who knew how long.

They didn't talk about that conversation again. Neither one wanted to spoil what could be the last two weeks with one another. Bull stood in the courtyard, his back pressed up against the cold stone of the tavern. The shadows obscured him as he watched Sinfi stand between the Advisors and her people, straddling her two worlds.

The Vistani camp that had become a main feature of Skyhold over the last six months had been packed up. All merchant stalls, gone. All music and bustling groups were missing. The only remnants of their existence was the dead grass and indents in the ground where the caravans had settled. The different clans had already traveled through the Mists to their respective worlds, all that remained was the Moon clan and their followers.

"Today is the day, my friend," Mordecai said softly as he melted into the shadows next to Bull. "I have to say I will miss this… charming... land and your brute force."

Bull looked down towards the eldest brother with a smirk, "I don't think it'll be me that you'll be missing."

Mordecai was silent, pain shot across his face as he looked towards the second floor of the library hidden in the keep. They both knew Dorian was hiding out in his little nook, trying not to look towards the courtyard.

"Well," he said with a sigh before looking back towards Bull. "We both have our places..."

Bull said slowly, "Or you could… not."

Mordecai laughed, "Now isn't that a novel idea. Say fuck all, to everyone and everything. Run away with a handsome man and all of our troubles."

"Worked for me, for a time." Bull shrugged, "Just with your sister instead."

Mordecai paused, a slow smile spreading across his features, "That it did, The Iron Bull, that it did."

"But," the tiefling continued, a new seriousness taking over. "If I do that, then there won't be anyone to take over the underground throne, and I think I'd look rather dashing with a crown."

The Vistani, hungry for power, had taken over the Thieves' Guild and had decided to place their beloved son in position as head of the underground organization. Mordecai Moon would be returning to Oarsport, for good, to be the head of the morally grey guild. With his return to Oarsport it also signalled turning his back on Dorian and closing the book of their own romance, both of them going back to their duties to their people and home land.

Bull looked out towards the courtyard where the few remaining Vardo's sat, horses pawing at the ground in boredom, ready to start the journey home. This was the moment he had been dreading for the last few weeks. Sinfi's mission was officially done and over. She could finally return to her people after years of being separated from them. This wasn't like her standing up to the advisors about the partner in her bed, this was her place being restored. This was the moment she had been waiting for for seven years, going back to her family and her people. Taking her rightful place in her culture. Yet, as Bull looked towards where Sinfi stood with the advisors, her eyes were unfocused as her hands played with the dragon's tooth.

Mordecai cleared his throat before whispering, "She's going to give it all up. Let Drina take her place. Threads forgive me for saying this," Mordecai whispered and let out a breathless laugh. "I don't doubt that she loved Eric, but, if she had to choose between him and the Troupe… she would have chosen the Troupe without question. You, you are different."

Bull glanced towards Mordecai before looking back to the woman made of dawnstone with a frown. They watched the pink woman silently for a moment. Mordecai's voice was low when he spoke again, "Sinfi knows you wont leave your beloved Chargers. She's thinking about running. She's calculating how far Casimir could take you both before having to rest for the night. She's creating a list of things she could grab before anyone realizes her plan and tries to talk her out of it. She's thinking up the speech to get you to agree to it all."

"You know that just by looking at her?" Bull asked, but his voice felt hollow.

"Gods, no," He scoffed and rolled his eyes. "I have magic for that."

Without another word Bull found his body pushing itself from his hiding spot. His eyes never left their target as he took long strides towards her. He would stop this, they would talk, they would make a plan. He refused to let her give up everything for him. The Vistani were not the Qun, if he had learned anything during the time with Sinfi it was that you did not simply walk away from loved ones.

"-It was lovely having you all," Josephine continued as she held onto Baba's hand. "You definitely made this place very-"

"Loud?" Drina suggested with a smirk from behind the ancient woman.

"Unpredictable?" Esma dove tailed off her sister.

"-Lively." Josephine finished with a tight smile.

"I am very happy that the Mists requested our full support for this effort," Baba said with a smile, her voice lowering slightly. "Do not worry, you are exactly what the Montilyet name needs. You will see."

"I-" Josephine paused for a moment. " Thank you, Ma'am." Baba patted the younger woman's hand before releasing it.

"Please let us know if you need anything, dear friend," Liliana said with a smile as she leaned in to hug Vera. Vera held onto the spymaster with a smile.

"It was good to see you again Lilana," She whispered before pulling away. "We will be in contact about the next steps, once I get back to my own informants and unify the Thieves' Guild with the Vistani once and for all."

Cullen stood there silently, eyes and jawline like stone as he tried to keep his gaze trained on the matriarch and Vera. Yet every now and again, Bull could see the honey brown eyes slowly drift towards the triplets, a pained sadness crossing his features ever so slightly. Drina and Esma seemed to ignore the former templar easily, but it was Catarina who kept her eyes firmly planted towards the ground both wanting to ignore him, but not for the same reason as her sisters. It was obvious she was hurting.

Vera's eyes landed on the silent Sinfi, her smile wide as she looked upon her eldest, "It would seem, my little moon, that your mission is complete. It's long overdue for you to come home."

The Inquisitors eyes closed, her lips parting slightly, ready to speak. Bull braced himself, ready to argue with her. Tell her that this was a crazy idea and they would be fine with the distance.

"But, it isn't done," Baba piped up quickly causing everyone to look at the smiling elderly woman. A knowing smile on her lips as she looked towards where Sinfi stood with Bull behind her.

"Mother," Vera hissed slightly in disbelief. "She's been practically exiled for seven years, it is time for her to come home."

Baba shrugged slightly, "There's still rifts out there. There is still work to be done. No." The woman said firmly, "Sinfi will not come home yet."

Bull and Sinfi both let out a breath neither one of them knew they were holding. She would stay and not have to give up everything for him. Bull felt her warm fingers slip in between his, holding the larger hand tightly. They had time to get their affairs in order. They had time to figure out the next steps. They had time to figure out where they would go some day. They had time.

Vera stared at her mother's eyes wide, "You can't be serious. She has to come home. She has to take her place-"

"The Mists say otherwise." Baba interrupted with a satisfied smile, "Besides Vera, you don't expect me to rip her away when she's finally healed. I'm not that cruel."

Vera was silent as she looked between Baba and the lovers. Her eyes finally rested on Sinfi, "Are you-?"

"Yes," Sinfi said quickly, not even having to hear the end of the question. "There's more work to be done here, I can't leave just yet."

Vera sighed looking towards Bull, he could see the question forming in her eyes. Will you take care of her? And The Iron Bull already knew his answer, because it was the same one he had given over and over again. The one he gave before the final fight, when Sinfi asked to dance at the Winter Palace, the same as when she asked him if he trusted her before they fell into the abyss at Adamant, and the same exact one as when Sinfi asked Bull to join her so long ago on the Storm Coast.

Yes.

Vera was about to open her mouth and actually verbalize the question held in her eyes when Catarina spoke up. Her voice was quick and determined as the words gushed from her lips in one breath.

"I've decided that I'm staying also," Catarina announced loudly. Silence fell upon the group as her watery blue eyes looked between her family and the advisors. Her gaze finally landed on a surprised Cullen before whispering to him, "I want to stay."

Baba's laughter broke the silence. It echoed all around Skyhold as the rest of the companions stood there in shock. Baba laughed so loudly that Bull was sure she was going to fall over with how hard her body shook in amusement.

"What?" Esma and Drina said in unison as they looked towards the third triplet. They looked between their sister and Cullen, piecing everything together.

"Catarina-" Drina scoffed as she rolled her eyes. "You can't be serious."

"Sister," Esma said slightly softer. "If you stay then-"

"Then I renounce my ties to the Vistani," Catarina finished, her voice strong. A tear slowly slipped down her cheeks as she gazed at Cullen, "It's worth it. He's worth it… that is if you'll have me."

"Yes," Cullen said almost breathless, a slow smile breaking through the shock. "Maker, always."

"Catarina-" Vera said slowly, her tone warning her daughter to not make this choice. But Catarina stepped away from her family, her hands reaching out to Cullen. Wordlessly he took her hands into his leather clad ones, his thumb slowly rubbing along her knuckles.

The middle child looked towards her mother, "I can't… I know now that this is my place, even if it means leaving."

Baba's laughter subsided slowly as she whipped tears from her eyes, "The Threads are a funny thing. Always changing and rearranging to mock us."

Vera glared at Baba, "Mother, this is not the time."

"Oh, but it is my darling," Baba said with a smile as she stepped towards Cullen and Catarina. "There was once a time, Vera, that you threatened the exact same thing for a boy who held magic and was looked down upon for it. At sixteen you said you both would run away, leave the Vistani forever just to be with one another."

Vera was silent at the mention of Nicolae, silently studying something in the distance, refusing to acknowledge her mother's point.

"Kneel down for an old woman would you?" Cullen glanced between Catarina and Baba, confused by the request. Yet before he was able to oblige the older woman, she captured Cullen's arm in a quick gesture and tugged him to the ground. The Commander yelped in surprise. From her hip she pulled out a jar, filled to the brim with a red viscous liquid that Bull knew all too well. With two fingers she quickly drew symbols on Cullen's forehead, the magical horse blood quickly seeping into the skin and disappearing before their eyes. Baba was claiming him as an honorary member of the Vistani like she had with Bull and recognizing the Threads that bound Cullen to Catarina.

"There," The older woman smiled proudly at her work. "The Threads of Fate are satisfied."

Baba shook off the excess liquid from her fingers before she started to walk back towards the group. Cullen stood, pulling his lover into his arms, smiles plastered to their faces.

"But-" Vera whispered. "What about her place? What about her duties? What about-"

Baba rolled her eyes and grumbled slightly under her breath before turning back to the shocked Catarina and Cullen. She pointed towards Catarina first, "You must take care of the boys in Ferelden. They will need you there to make sure they don't cause too much havoc with magic." Then her finger and gaze shifted towards Cullen, "You are her protector. Her happiness is your happiness. Her pain is your pain. Love her, cherish her… You know the rest."

"I do," Cullen said softly with a smile as he looked down at the woman in his arms. They had time.

Baba looked back to Vera, "It's time. My granddaughters have their tasks and we have stayed in place far too long. We need to open the Mists and go forward."

Vera nodded, quiet goodbyes and silent tears were shared between the family as the matriarch of the clan walked towards the gates of Skyhold, her hands drawing the magic around them, opening the fabric between the worlds for their return.

Bull held Sinfi close as they watched each Vardo disappear into the Mists. Slowly, the grey vapor dissipated as the last Vardo was consumed in the thick substance. They stood there in silence staring at the now empty courtyard. Slowly, each of the advisors left, resting a hand on Sinfi's shoulder, tight smiles signaling that even though the Vistani were now gone, they were happy she remained here with them. Catarina hugged her sister quickly, before walking away hand in hand with Cullen towards his office.

Bull and Sinfi were left standing in the courtyard, fingers intertwined as he held her close.

They had time.

note: I felt like we needed something a little lighter after the last 14 chapters of anxiety and cliff hangers... This chapter does signal the end of the base game, I have one maybe two chapters left dedicated to Trespasser that will be done by the end of the year. Thank you all for reading, as always comments are always appreciated!- J