With her hands clasped before her she walks nervously through the streets of Denerim. "I feel so... so..."

"Naked?" Leliana prompts.

Solona giggles and threads her hand through Leliana's arm. "Leave it to you to make me smile. Vulnerable is the word I was looking for."

"Still, a woman walking with a staff like yours is obviously a mage. Better that you left it at the camp, hmm?" Leliana pats her hand as they walk towards the shop stalls.

"It isn't as if I'm an apostate!" Solona hisses defensively.

Alistair snorts behind her. "Worse, you're a Grey Warden."

She waves a dismissive hand. "Oh don't ruin my fun. I want very much to enjoy this shopping trip."

Alistair grabs her arm and stops her. She looks up at him noting the concern and near panic in his eyes. "Sol... we aren't here to shop we're here to find-"

She pats his plated chest patiently. "I am quite aware why we are truly here but can't a girl dream about being normal... just this once?" She smiles wistfully at him. "I've lived my whole life in a tower. No shops, no pretty dresses, no pretty shoes..." She bats her eyes. Leliana joins her smiling sweetly up at him. Alistair relents and groans. "Thank you!" She lifts herself on her toes and kisses his cheek before returning her attention to Leliana who shows her some sparkling bangles.

Alistair looks down at Cully who sits patiently for his mistress. "Traitor."

Cully looks at Alistair and huffs followed by a low growl. Alistair snorts. "Oh you're blaming me for this? I dare say it's that Orlesian. Next we'll be carrying their purchases like houseboys."

Cully growls deep in his throat ending with a sharp bark. Alistair sneers back and sighs. "Fine, then I will be carrying them. How embarrassing…"

"Sol?" He stops in his tracks. He's staring at a door longingly and it takes her by surprise.

"Yes, Alistair?" She touches his arm to bring his attention back. "What's wrong?"

"This... this is Goldana's house. I think it is..." He glances around and nods vigorously. "Yes, it is. Can we… can we go in? Oh, maybe we don't have time. No, we don't have time. We should go... really, we should just... go." He looks at her in earnest and she smiles up at him.

"Yes, we should go in and say hello." She threads her hand in the crook of his arm. "Remember, this is what you want. You'll be fine." They stop at the door. She pats his arm and makes to leave causing Alistair much distress.

"Wait! You're coming with me... aren't you? Please say you will... please." Alistair is nervously twitching causing Solona to bite back a giggle.

Before she can answer the door flings open and two children rip out of the entrance as if they were on fire leaving the door ajar. One boy is laughing as the other gives chase.

Alistair's eyes widen when a shadowy form from within approaches. Without thinking of the consequences Solona steps in the doorway dragging Alistair along. "Hello... I'm sorry, your door is open. I-"

"Do you have wash to be done? I've got the best price in town." The blond woman looks at the pair expectantly.

Alistair blushes deeply. "Are... are you Goldana?"

Alistair stares at the fire lost in thought. Solona sits down beside him not saying a word. They sit like this for some time before he speaks without looking at her. "You know, I've been thinking." She waits for him to continue. "You're right. I need to look out for myself better. I joke around to lighten the mood. We have such a daunting task ahead of us. Things don't always have to be so serious. Still, if I let them, they'll walk all over me and that I will not allow."

Solona smiles at him. "Good for you, Alistair. I'm proud of you. You're a good man. You have a good heart. Those of us that care about you, see this. It is high time that you see it as well."

"Fat lot of good that does me." Alistair peers at the flames. "The first woman I have feelings for is pining for someone else."

Solona's eyebrows furrow as she looks at him. "Who-" Alistair shoots her a side glance. Her gaze drops. "I'm not… pining, exactly." She feels the warmth building. Her cheeks are hot from embarrassment extending to her ears. "Teagan is…" Her heart races thinking of him. "We are simply enjoying the time I have before this blight and taint sees the end of me or at the very least takes me away from him." She sighs softly. "Is that really so bad?" Yes, it is. "Would you deny me even a moment of happiness in the arms of a man I could see myself giving everything up for?" She closes her eyes and stifles a sob. "I would never abandon you and the wardens. Yet…"

"No, of course not. I'm… I'm sorry." Alistair takes her hand in his. He sighs heavily. "Get some sleep, Sol. I'll take this watch. We should be in Haven tomorrow."

She gives his hand a gentle squeeze. "You go ahead, Alistair. I'm not sure I can sleep." As if on cue, her stomach growls loudly. She giggles and blushes holding her belly.
Alistair chuckles. "I'm a bit peckish myself actually."

"I…" She whimpers softly and lowers her gaze. Staring at her hands she shrugs almost defeated. "I have given already so much to get this far. I cannot turn back now even if given that option. I don't seek the ashes for myself. There is a very noble man at death's door waiting for us to succeed. We can't fail him or the whole of Ferelden could very well be lost."

The Guardian stares through to her very soul and nods. "What you say is true yet you will be tested or denied entry. Will you stand before me and accept this or will you be turned back when you are so close to what you seek?"

Solona looks helplessly at the others. "Then ask, Guardian. I have no choice."

"Your heart is troubled, young mage. Do you still feel guilty for betraying your friend's trust? Even knowing what he is now? Do you doubt your motives?" He watches her closely as she flinches.

"Jowan? Of all my doubts and fears, you pick…" She looks up at the Guardian and shakes her head. "I have had my doubts, I admit it. Yet after everything that has come to light and things that have happened directly from his betrayal…" She shakes her head. "No. I did what I believed to be right. I did what was asked of me by my First Enchanter and I stand by my decision for right or wrong." She closes her eyes. "Do I wish it had turned out otherwise? Perhaps. Leaving the Circle was not my choice. Do I hate Jowan? Have I forgiven him? Have I forgiven myself?" She smiles up at the Guardian. "I do not hate him. He is my brother. I forgave him and have come to terms with my own actions."

The Guardian turns his gaze to Alistair and frowns. "Do you really believe you should have been with Duncan? You would have surely died beside him."

Alistair inhales sharply, hissing between his teeth as if punched in the gut. He avoids Solona's gaze and nods silently. "Alistair…" He winces. Solona takes his hand in hers. "You are such a dear friend. I'm sorry you still feel that way. I for one am glad you weren't beside Duncan. I wouldn't be the person I am today without you."

Alistair gives her a lopsided grin. "Yes you would. You're strong and-"

Ha! "No… I'm not nearly as strong as you think. With you… with our friends, I can be strong. Alone I'd have perished long ago." She gives his hand a squeeze before releasing it.

The Guardian moves on to Leliana questioning her self proclaimed vision causing her to stammer and doubt. "I… no, no! I did have this vision. It may not have been the Maker, but I… no…" Leliana shakes her head, her eyes fill with tears.

Solona takes Leliana's hand and gives it a squeeze. "Leliana… you are right."

"I… I am?" Leliana grasps Solona's hand and looks at her with hope in her eyes.

Solona smiles and nods at her. She fumbles in her pack for a moment before producing a single red rose. Alistair fidgets. Solona shows the rose to Leliana. "Do you see this? Do you know what this is?"

"It is a flower… a rose. I don't understand." Leliana gently touches the soft petals amazed at how preserved it is. "Where…"

"Have you ever wondered why I didn't question your vision? Why I believed you when you said you were told to come with me? You were speaking of a flower amidst the dark. A vision of hope in the blackness. The blight was the darkness, the flower…" She grins at Alistair. "…is me. You were sent to help me, to protect me. Don't doubt yourself now, Leliana. You're my dearest friend. I need you."

Leliana throws her arms around Solona and hugs her tightly. "Thank you. You are truly my friend."

Morrigan snorts. "Save your questions, Guardian. I will not play your game or answer your questions. You see in my heart and know your answers. That will be sufficient."

Solona chuckles softly and smiles at Morrigan. Morrigan winks at her and they are granted entrance.

The long drawn out testing varies from a test of reasoning, to a test of the mind and knowledge. Solona bites her bottom lip as she stares at the closed double doors. "So if we have used our minds and our wits, I would imagine behind this door will be a test of the body." Her hand shakes as she reaches for the door. Her finger tips brush against the metal and the doors open of their own accord.

She steps back as the form approaches. "Jowan?"

Jowan grins at her. He takes her hand in his. "Sol… you were right. I wish I had listened to you. Things have definitely changed for the both of us. I am ready to stand up and take responsibility for my actions. You taught me that. Your conviction and faith in me will not be unrewarded. Even if they make me tranquil for what I have done, then that will be my fate."

"I hope it doesn't come to that." Solona's eyes mist with tears. His thumb gently brushes over her skin.

"Me, too." He produces something in his free hand and presses it gently into her palm. "You are the mage I always wanted to be."

She looks at the medallion in her hand. She gasps softly and holds it to her heart. She had thought it lost so long ago. She looks up to say her thanks only Jowan is gone. Silently she slips it around her neck and lets the cold metal rest against her warm skin.

Solona used to enjoy being right. Yet battling her own image and those of her friends, shadow or not, proved quite unnerving. Alistair hesitates before plunging his sword in to her shadowed self. She feels almost light as air when it dissipates leaving them standing in front of yet one more door.

"Now what?" A wall of fire stands before them. An alter beckons to instill its words of wisdom. They read and reread its words and Solona sighs. "A test of faith. I will do it."

"No, I won't let-" Alistair tries to argue and she stops him.

"The girls will need your strength to get them safely out of here if I fail." She slips a chain from her neck and hands it to him pressing it gently in his palm. "My warden locket… shameful as it sounds I was never more proud and frightened when you gave this to me. Keep this safe for me."

She pulls the rose from her bag once more handing it to Leliana. "Keep hope within you always."

Beside the alter she sets her bag down and slips her boots off her feet relishing the cold marble against her soles. "Morrigan?" She slips her half gloves off and drops them on her bag.

"Yes?" Morrigan peers at her questioningly.

Solona slips another chain from her neck. "I know you are a proud apostate and a very accomplished and strong witch. I've maybe not said it but I do admire your strength." She slips the medallion in to her hand. "While you may not believe in the chantry and its teachings, you are one of us. This is a simple medallion. It was given to me by my first love…"

Morrigan looks at the medallion dangling delicately from the thin chain. "Cullen?"

"Cullen…" Solona grins. "He is a templar but to me he was so much more than that. He was my hope and my heart. He showed me that even in the darkest of times there is someone out there that believes in me." Morrigan's eyes widen slightly at the admission. "Yes, I believe in you." She leans in and kisses her cheek. "Just don't breathe a word of it to anyone. I have a reputation to uphold." She winks and turns her back to them.

She stands before the alter loosening her robe before allowing it to slip with a whisper of fabric to the marble floor. She shivers as the cold licks at her exposed skin. With trembling fingers she removes the last of her small clothes. She stands bare before the fire feeling the contrast of heat and cold battling against her skin. They collectively hold their breath as she steps in to the wall of fire. The flames gently lick at her skin. The heat envelops her yet doesn't burn her. She pauses briefly in surprise. She looks at her hand in amazement and relief. Emerging on the other side she is met by the Guardian. She shivers as the cold air assaults her skin.

"You have passed the test laid out before you." His voice fades as does his image along with the wall of fire.

She squeals excitedly as her friends join her. Alistair finally drops his gaze and holds his hand out to her. "You will want this back."

"Oh… oh!" She blushes deeply and is at a loss on how to hide her naked body from him. Her hands feebly try to cover her. "Oh Maker…"

Leliana laughs. "You have a beautiful body, Sol. You should not be embarrassed to show it." She holds Solona's robe out of reach of her chuckling.

Solona pouts, her hands rest on her hips. "Leliana, it's cold!" Leliana stops teasing her. She quickly snatches her bag and clothing.

Alistair grins wolfishly. "We noticed…"

"Alistair!" Solona groans and keeps her back to them pulling her clothing back on.

Alistair chuckles. "What? Leliana is right. You have a lovely body. Feel free to romp around the camp naked any time." He flinches as she throws her boot at him. He laughs harder. "I'm sure the others won't mind."

"Gah!" Solona throws her other boot which he catches easily.