Artemis smacked against the stone floor, her escape through the rift was far less graceful than she would've liked, and pain shot through her left shoulder from where it had hit the ground. Artemis looked around her, she had landed in the middle of a giant hallway, but she didn't recognise it. To her great relief she saw the staff had come through the rift with her. At least she had escaped the Fade, again, something she had once thought impossible, but her relieve was not long lived, her mind immediately went to Cullen, he had to be conscious again, but still trapped in that barrier. What would they do to him if they found him like that? When they realised their hold on her was gone?

Artemis started running down the hallway, she had no idea where in the castle she was, but she would find him. Artemis threw open every door she passed, but none of the rooms seemed familiar. "Cullen!" Artemis called out before realising it wasn't exactly smart to draw attention to yourself, but she didn't care, she had always been an aggressive fighter and she would defeat anyone trying to stop her now. The Circle had taught her battle magic and she had been a natural at it.

"Aah!" Artemis yelped when two arms suddenly locked around her waist, from behind her. She rammed her right elbow into the unknown assailant's chest. A loud groan followed by the arms around her waist loosening their grip, just enough so Artemis could pull free. Artemis quickly turned around, the blade of her staff raised, ready to cut, but then she saw the man who'd attacked her, he was very young, not even 20 yet, and Artemis lowered her staff, the pang of painful memory, her own brother, stilling her hand. The young man saw her hesitation and used it to his advantage, he rushed at her, pulling a dagger from his belt. Artemis jumped out of the way an quickly cast a spell, freezing the man in place, but she still couldn't bring herself to kill the young man.

Artemis quickly got away, running down the hall, around the bend and finally she spotted something familiar. "I've been to this part of the castle before…" she said under her breath, turning on her heels. "The door should be… yes!" Artemis spotted the familiar door. She quickly rushed over and burst through the door, too desperate to find Cullen to think about being quiet, something she had never been all that good at anyway.

Artemis quickly made her way between the crates until she reached… "Cullen!" but there was nothing there. No one there. "Cullen?" she repeated, her voice unsteady. She frantically ran between the crates, looking even though she knew she wouldn't find him.

"Argh!" Artemis yelled in frustration, shoving at one of the crate walls, causing a few of the top crates to come crashing down. She had been so close! She had done so much! She'd betrayed her duty to get him and now they had him anyway!

Artemis' display of frustration had not gone unnoticed, and she could hear boots rushing at her location. She thought of running, but her anger burned inside her chest and instead she tightened her grip around her staff, feeling almost eager to fight whoever was coming for her.

"Olcinia," Artemis said when the mage rounded the corner, followed by two men.

Olcinia looked surprised, her eyes flashing between Artemis, then at the empty space before her. Olcinia turned to face her men, "find where she's hidden the commander!"

She doesn't know where Cullen is, Artemis realised. But how was that possible? Cullen had been trapped by that barrier, even after waking up he would not have been able to tear the barrier down, only a talented mage could have.

"But…" one of the men started. Olcinia turned around and snapped at him, "get out!" Olcinia took her staff from her back. Artemis realised she could try to run now, but she didn't want to. Instead she quickly cast a barrier around herself, prepared to fight.

Olcinia threw a fireball at Artemis, it hit the barrier, weakening it but not damaging it enough to hurt Artemis herself. Artemis swiftly returned the gesture, her own fireball nearly hitting Olcinia, who jumped out of the way just in time. The two mages locked eyes, and simultaneously, as if they meant to synchronise their attacks, they tried to freeze the other in place, both managing to deflect the spell, both trying again. Artemis threw a fire mine, Olcinia shot lighting at Artemis. Fire, ice, lightning, all missing their targets.

Artemis – in her frustration – tried to come at Olcinia with the blade of her staff, but Olcinia quickly threw up a wall of fire and Artemis jumped back, feeling the heat hit her like a brick. Artemis managed to make the wall of fire die down by casting a blizzard around them. Olcinia seemed more effected by the cold than Artemis was, and Artemis took the chance to drop to one knee, bringing her staff down against Olcinia's sheens, knocking her legs out from under her. Olcinia came crashing down against the floor. Artemis quickly got back to her feet and lifting her staff high above her, the blade hanging above Olcinia's chest, she felt none of the hesitation she had felt before..

"Oww!" Artemis collapsed to her knees. A blinding bright spot of pain on her back felled her before she could bring the blade down. Pain veining through her, a lightning strike of agony crippling her. Artemis collapsed to the floor, gasping for air, trying to think, but the pain was too overwhelming. Her vision was quickly becoming blurry now. Artemis struggled against it, trying to see what had happened. Blotted colours, slowly forming shapes. A young man. The young man she had seen before, holding a dagger in his hand, covered in her blood. Artemis felt darkness swallowing the world around her. Above her she could hear snippets of orders being called out. Olcinia's voice, "…we need her!"

The darkness took hold and Artemis lost consciousness. Just for a moment. When she opened her eyes again she could see flashes of silver cloth. The pattern… she recognised it, she had gotten it for him. Dorian.

Her vision darkened again.

Flashes of lightning, then purple light.

Yelling… desperate voices… her name.

"Artemis! Wake up!" she recognised the voice. How did he get free?

"Take her!" Dorian's voice called to Cullen's voice.

Artemis felt a hand brush against her cheek. "Artemis, wake up, please wake up."

Artemis forced herself to open her eyes, everything was blurry, but slowly his face came into focus. "Cullen," she said, her voice hardly audible, but he had heard, she knew he had because she could see relief spread across his face. And then he dipped his head to give her a quick kiss on the lips. Straightening himself again, he looked surprised by his own action.

Artemis felt Cullen's arms move around her and then he was lifting her, carrying her in his arms. She let her head fall against his chest, she wanted to sleep, but his voice kept calling to her to stay awake. Part of her worried for Dorian, but she couldn't find the strength to say anything. And then the darkness took her again.

When Artemis woke, the two men were arguing, but they seemed unaware she had woken up. Artemis could still feel Cullen's arms around her, but they were sitting down now. Artemis felt the cold ground against her legs and the heat of a fire against her face. Where were they? What had happened?

"We have to keep her awake, commander!" Dorian's voice rang out.

"I'm trying! Maybe if you would just heal her –"

"There's nothing more I can do, I stopped the bleeding, but they used poison."

"Poison? Like what they used on me?"

"No, this is… different." There was something in Dorian's voice, something he didn't want to tell Cullen and Artemis felt her blood run cold.

"Different how?" Cullen demanded, but there was an undercurrent of fear present in his voice.

"We have to get her to Skyhold," Dorian said, ignoring the question, "Solas might know what to do. I hate to admit it but he does know a great deal of advanced magic."

"And if he does not?" Cullen asked, his voice angry and tense.

Dorian was quiet for a little while, long enough for Artemis to realise what was happening to her. "Her odds… they're not good. If Solas can't help her, I'm not certain there's anything we can do," Dorian's voice was soft. Artemis felt Cullen's arms tighten around her. Scared as she was, following Dorian's statement, she felt relief knowing Cullen at least seemed to be all right, they had not managed to hurt him.

"Cullen?" Artemis' voice was barely a whisper, but Cullen heard her.

"Artemis?" his voice filled with relief. Cullen cupped her face, his hand was freezing, hardly surprising as he seemed to be wearing nothing but a thin shirt and a cloak. "Stay awake, you have to stay awake," he said, fingers stroking her cheek.

"How?" Artemis looked at Dorian, she felt the darkness pull on her again.

"I decided you were being an idiot," Dorian said. "Thankfully at least one of us has a strategic mind."

"Thank you," Artemis said, understanding Dorian's meaning.

"And thank you, you woke the commander up just in time, spared me having to drag the man around."

"Thank you" Artemis said again, her head lulling back as she slipped into unconsciousness for just a few moments. She was eventually woken by Cullen's voice.

"We cannot wait until nightfall, we have to go now," Cullen's voice said. Artemis blinked, tried to see where they were, they were in a small cave, outside it was light, but what time of day it was was impossible to make out.

"I agree," Dorian said and Artemis could see him get up. She could feel Cullen lifting her again, before she lost consciousness again.

When Artemis opened her eyes again she could feel the warmth of a body pressed against hers, Cullen's familiar scent filled her head. She realised they were on a horse, she was sitting backwards and a leather belt strapped her to Cullen, her head bobbing against his chest, the cloak he had been wearing was now wrapped around her, and she could feel his body reeling slightly in the cold air. It was only now that she realised Cullen was softly talking to her, even though he had to think she was still unconscious.

"…I remember the first time I saw you, you took my breath away, but you were a prisoner and then you were the Herald and then you were the Inquisitor," Cullen laughed softly, "and I just thought… I never thought you would want…"

Artemis shook her head in an attempt to clear her foggy mind, wanting to speak to him. Cullen noticed her movement. "Artemis? You're awake! Thank the Maker!"

"We're close!" Dorian called out from somewhere in front of them. Artemis could only see the snowy landscape behind them. "I can see the bridge," Cullen said to Artemis, his hands brushing her hair. "We're almost home." Artemis tried to respond, but she felt exhausted. "Just stay with me," Cullen voice was soft, barely audible now, or perhaps it was the encroaching darkness that made it sound so far away.

"Hmm," Artemis squirmed in the warm bed. She opened her eyes, and no wonder she was so hot: there were several heavy blankets covering her and draped on top of them was Cullen's cloak, the fur itchy against her nose. Artemis started to struggle, trying to free herself from the mess of blankets covering her.

"Inquisitor, it is good to see you awake," Solas' voice came from across the room. Artemis blinked, surprised to see the elf sitting on her sofa, reading in a book. He wasn't alone.

"Solas? Dorian?" she asked confused.

"Artemis!" Dorian rushed over to the side of the bed. "Are you… all right?"

"I'm fine, just dizzy," Artemis looked over at Solas. "I presume, I have you to thank for me being, well, still here."

Solas nodded his head.

"Apparently wondering the woods alone does wonders for your magical abilities," Dorian said. "I'm not sure it's a sacrifice I'd be willing to make."

"You knew how to heal me?" Artemis asked Solas.

"I knew what we could try, you made it work," Solas said.

"Thank you," Artemis said.

Solas got up from the couch. "You're very welcome, Inquisitor. I'll leave you to rest then," Solas said, before leaving the room, he glanced at something at the feet of her bed, Artemis couldn't see what Solas had been looking at.

"Why are you here," Artemis asked Dorian. "Not that I don't enjoy your company, but two mages watching me sleep seems a bit gratuitous."

"The poison they used on you, it was very potent, it..." Dorian's voice was serious enough to make Artemis realise how close a call it had truly been.

"We took turns watching you," Dorian said. "Well, most of us took turns, others were more dedicated," Dorian added. Artemis followed his eyes to the floor at the feet of the bed. She pushed herself up so she could look over the edge of the bed. There was a bedroll there, and on it was Cullen, sleeping. Artemis smiled, a warmth spread through her chest. Artemis eyes moved back to Dorian, who was grinning at her.

"I'll leave you to it then," Dorian glanced at Cullen.

"Dorian?" Artemis called out just before he descended the stairs.

"Yes?"

"Thank you, for everything," she said.

"Naturally," Dorian said, bowing his head.

The door closed behind Dorian. Artemis pushed the blankets off her and climbed out of the large bed. The only thing she was wearing was a large shirt she was pretty sure she had never seen before. Artemis idly wondered who had undressed her, but her mind was preoccupied with other thoughts.

Artemis knelt down next to Cullen. She smiled, looking at his sleeping form, she felt flutters in her stomach, somehow, even after everything they had gone through, she still felt nervous around him, nervous at the thought of fully admitting how she felt. Artemis placed her hands on Cullen's shoulder, and gently shook him, waking him.

"Hmm," Cullen's voice hummed as he rolled over to lie on his back. He was wearing the same shirt he'd had on when they fled the castle. Cullen stretched his arms and legs. Artemis reached out, and gently brushed her fingers against his cheek. Cullen slowly opened his eyes. When he saw her, his eyes widened and he shot up. "Artemis!" his hands grasped her shoulders. "You're awake! You're all right!" His hands on her arms, pulling her into a kiss, then abruptly letting go as he broke the kiss. Cullen's face flushed red and he lowered his eyes. "I'm sorry," he said.

Artemis let out a little laugh, "sorry for what?" she shook her head. Cullen smiled in response. He reached out to brush his fingers against her cheek, then tracing up to push a lock of hair out of her face. "You could have…" he whispered. Artemis covered his hand with her own. "But I didn't." She laced her fingers through his. "And you didn't," she smiled with genuine relief. But then she remembered…

"What's wrong?" Cullen asked, his voice filled with worry.

Artemis shook her head, "they used me, to do that to you. I can only imagine what it must have been like… to have to go through that again."

Cullen lowered his eyes.

Artemis felt her heart break, knowing they'd broken this, whatever had been between them, they had broken it when they took him, trapped him. Artemis moved to get up, but Cullen's hands stopped her. "I do not blame you, you realise that, right?"

"I didn't think you would, I just think it will have… I think you won't be able to look at me from now on, without remembering the parts of your life you want to move on from."

"No," Cullen insisted, he took her hands in his. "I lo –" his cheeks turned even redder. "You came for me, it was you who made me realise where I was, who woke me up. That is what I will remember."

Artemis' heart felt a little lighter. "What was it," she eventually asked, "that made you realise it wasn't real?"

"You –" Cullen looked troubled. "I mean the demon, she didn't stop me. I was about to kill you and she didn't stop me. I remember reading what happened to that demon you and Solas tried to help. You did not let Solas kill those mages because they weren't a threat, so why were you letting me kill this woman who had stopped fighting? Cullen paused. "And then realising you had come to find me, it seemed… I was unsure if it could truly be you, if you would come for me, but I wanted it to be real, more than what the Fade was showing me."

"Oh," Artemis said, her face flushing red now.

"But never do that again," Cullen said, his voice suddenly commanding.

"What?"

"Risk yourself for me! You're the Inquisitor, and… I don't want to..."

"I'm afraid that's one thing I won't take your advice on," Artemis said.

"I'm being serious."

"You're always serious," Artemis teased. "I would always come for you," her voice more serious now.

"As I would for you," Cullen said.

Their eyes met, just briefly before they both looked away, feeling nervous despite everything that had already been said.

"Is Dorian all right?" Artemis asked to break the silence.

"He's fine," Cullen said. "I should probably tell the others that you have recovered," Cullen moved to get up, but Artemis stopped him. "I'm sure Dorian will tell everyone I'm fine, among other things."

"Right," Cullen said and sat back down on the bedroll.

"Cullen, what happened to the Venatori, at the castle?" Artemis asked.

"We sent men, once we reached Skyhold, but there was no one there, they had all fled."

"Great," Artemis let out an exasperated breath.

"I've already posted extra men, but it seems doubtful that the Venatori will try the same thing twice. We're not in any greater danger than we normally are…" Cullen chuckled softly. "I'm sorry, I'm trying to make you feel better, but I'm not very good at it, am I?"

"You're doing just fine," Artemis said.

Cullen fidgeted with the hem of his shirt. "Did you mean it?" he asked after a short silence.

"What? That I would come for you? Of course I –"

"No," Cullen stopped her, "what you said in the Fade? When you said you –" he rubbed the back of his neck.

Artemis realised what he had wanted to ask. She swallowed hard. She had never been good with expressing how she felt, unless what she felt was anger, and Cullen wasn't very good at it either. It seemed a miracle they had gotten this far. But wouldn't it all slip away if Artemis didn't find the courage to speak now?

"I did, I do," Artemis said. Cullen's eyes shot up, he smiled at her. Artemis reached out and cupped his face, "I love you, Cullen."

"I love you too," Cullen said and he pulled her in close. They were just inches apart now, Cullen's eyes met hers and he smiled again before kissing her. His soft lips pressed against hers, slowly parting, deepening the kiss. Artemis felt heat pool in her stomach as Cullen pulled her even closer, and she automatically climbed on his lap. Cullen's arms locked around her waist as Artemis' fingers snaked through his hair.

Cullen broke the kiss off. "I should probably let you rest."

"Don't you dare leave," Artemis warned.

Cullen laughed, moved his arms under her and stood up, lifting her with him. Cullen gently put her down on the bed. "You really should try to rest a little more," he said.

Artemis crawled back under the blankets, pushing all but one off the bed, keeping Cullen's cloak on top. "Fine, but stay with me, please."

"Of course," Cullen smiled and after kicking off his breeches, and pulling off his shirt, he crawled into the bed next to her. Artemis quickly threw off the shirt she was wearing and snuggled against Cullen's bare chest. Artemis buried her head in his chest, and Cullen mindlessly brushed her hair with his fingers as if they had been this close for years.

"Cullen?" Artemis started.

"Hmm, yes?"

"When we wake up, want to get a drink at the Herald's Rest, or is it still too soon?"

Cullen laughed. "You know, it actually turned out pretty well for me, last time."

Artemis moved in his arms, feeling the heat of his body envelop her, pull her toward sleep. "As it did for me," she said. Cullen kissed the top of her head. "I loved you from the very start," he whispered against her skin.

"And I loved you from the very start," Artemis answered, her voice almost inaudible as she was already drifting off to sleep.