Things in Skyhold were beginning to settle down, as much as one could expect. Repairs were well underway, the number of wounded were finally beginning to shrink, and things seemed to get back to normal. Well, more or less.

Elias was back on his feet, had agreed to take the position of Inquisitor- despite his apprehensions- and was as busy as ever. Samuel helped with the repairs to the fortress and keep. And as always, they would often forget to eat.

Gale had been made the head of the kitchen staff, which came with a slight pay increase much to her relief. She sent most of what she earned to her father, grateful that Sister Leliana's scouts were able to ensure it's safe delivery. She spent much of her time teaching her staff the techniques she had learned growing up- Varrian Mustela among some of the best bakers and cooks in Ferelden- but still she found herself ensuring that Elias, Samuel, and the others got something to eat. Especially with things so much busier for them. She'd leave her staff to tend the kitchens, then would make her rounds, starting with Elias and his advisors, then going off to find Samuel- who was usually wherever the largest construction project was taking place.

As the days went by, since Haven fell, Gale was finding that she was beginning to dislike Samuel less and less. She often wondered if it was because she had thought to comfort him as he stared helplessly as Haven was swallowed by the avalanche, unable to do anything in that moment to save his little brother. And that was what made most sense to her, considering that since that moment Samuel had started actually talking to her instead of just scoffing or grunting. It was a change, but Gale wasn't sure if it were a good or a bad change in their relationship- if one could even call it that. Not yet at least.

One day while making her now usual rounds, Gale asked around if anyone had seen Samuel. After more than ten people had told her they had yet to see the Inquisitor's brother, Gale started making her way back to the kitchens. Along the way, though, she stopped for a moment along the battlements above the stables and breathed in the crisp air.

'It's so different than what I'm used to in Denerim. So much cleaner, so much purer.' She sighed with content, realizing how much she liked being in the Inquisition. It was probably the best decision she could have made. Her brow furrowed a bit with worry as her thoughts to her her father. "I hope he's doing well..."

"Who?"

Gale looked up in surprise to find Samuel standing just behind her. "When did you get here?"

"Just now." Samuel leaned against the stone wall of the battlements, his arms crossed as he watched her. "You seem worried."

Gale looked away when she felt her cheeks begin to burn a bit, returning her attention to the landscape. "I was just thinking about my father."

"Where is he now?"

"Probably minding the bakery, same as always." Gale smiled at that. "Hopefully staying out of trouble while I'm away."

"Have you written to him?"

"I have, each time I send him money." Gale answered, looking at him. "You're awfully curious. Why?"

Samuel shrugged, saying nothing.

Gale watched him for a moment, then sighed and reached down into the basket she was carrying. Pulling out a bundle, she handed it to Samuel. "Here. As always." When Samuel took the bundle- which contained a few sweet rolls, some cheese, smoked jerky, and some dried fruits- she bowed her head slightly and made her way back to the kitchens.

Samuel looked into the bundle, a small smile growing. He never really meant to forget to eat, but lately he had been doing it on purpose- just to see her.

For some reason, since that night on the mountain when she grasped his hand in an attempt to comfort him after Haven fell, he felt drawn to her. He had been with plenty of women over the years, but it was always just for the sex and nothing more. And when he first met Gale, he hadn't thought much of her. He hadn't even meant to trip her that night in the tavern, and he didn't take too kindly to her attitude or manners, either. But that was from his perspective as a noble.

Over the course of the following weeks, he had begun to admire her tenacity, her protectiveness, her work ethic. It was very much like his own. And setting social standings aside, Samuel knew just by watching her that she was just like him- hard working and a bit of an outcast, though for Gale it was because of her elven heritage. For Samuel, he was the black sheep of House Trevelyan, a disappointment in the eyes of his parents- all because he chose the life of a mercenary instead of that of a clergyman in the Chantry like everyone else in his family. He was Andrastian, but not so advertently as his family. He had noticed that he was like Varric in that sense.

Samuel would watch Gale while she worked- well studied would be a better way to put it- and knew he came off like a stuck up jackass. Which didn't bother him at all and he often did on purpose just to rile Gale up a bit. She had a certain energy about her when she was pissed that intrigued him, but she ignored him and avoided him like the Blight. But then it all changed that night on the mountain, when she slipped her hand in his and grasped it as he watched helplessly and worriedly as the avalanche overtook Haven. He had no idea if Elias had made it out in time and feared the worst, but that small gesture from Gale was enough to quell the turmoil of emotions rampaging inside of him. It surprised him, given their interactions with each other since that first meeting in the Singing Maiden, but he was grateful that she had taken the time to offer what comfort she could. And then she held his hand the whole way forward, pulling him along as if to urge him to continue the fight for his brother's sake, as if she knew somehow that he was going to be OK.

When they had made camp that night, Samuel took the first chance he could to join a search party. It was hours before any news had come, but when it did, Elias came with it. His companions had returned before him and were treated for their wounds, and when the search party returned with Elias, he too was treated for his wounds and Samuel never once left his side. He sat with his little brother as the healers went to work, hoping that he would pull through. After what seemed like an eternity, the healers had finished their work and told him that Elias would be just fine and needed to rest. And it wasn't long after that Gale had come with food and to check up on Elias.

"Hey..." Gale said, approaching Samuel cautiously. "How's he doing?"

Samuel looked up, seeing her offering a bowl of hot stew to him with a concerned look on her face. "The healers say he will be fine, that he will wake on his own time..." he said, taking the bowl from Gale. "Thank you."

Samuel could tell that Gale was surprised that he even spoke to her, the two of them having never actually spoken a word to each other. He himself was surprised as she said, "He saved us... as many as he could..." She looked from Elias to Samuel. "You should be proud of him."

Samuel managed a meager smile at that and looked from Gale to Elias. "I'm always proud of him. He's grown so much since the Conclave, I barely recognize him anymore." He sighed. "Mother and Father are going to be so worried when news of Haven reaches them..."

"Then write to them, both of you, when we're safe again." Gale said, then looked around their camp. "We have no idea if the enemy will come after us or not, but we won't be able to stay here for much longer."

"You're right about that." Samuel sighed again, taking a spoonful of stew to his mouth. He noticed that Gale was contemplating whether or not she should say something more or not before finally deciding against it and turning away. "Gale, wait." He finished the bowl of stew, not even caring that he burned his tongue a bit scarfing it down as he stood. "Your stew, it's good. May I have more?" He asked, looking down at her and noticing- really noticing for the first time- that she stood nearly a full head shorter than him.

Gale nodded, and took his bowl to fill it. When she handed it back to him, his fingers grazed hers and he felt a strange sensation shoot through his body.

"Thank you." Samuel said, offering her a smile before he bowed his head slightly to her and turned away to retake his seat. When Gale returned his smile and nodded before turning away, he realized that he was thanking her for more than just a second helping of stew. He was thanking her for grasping his hand, offering what comfort she could. It meant more to him than he initially realized.

Samuel looked down at the food, his smile growing. 'She's something alright...' He took a bite of one of the sweet rolls, his mouth watering the moment the delicious aroma reached his nose. 'She's definitely a skilled baker.' He glanced towards where the kitchens were, seeing that Gale had just reached the top of the stairs and was heading through the open door. 'I wonder why she's so worried about her father?'