Everything came to a screeching stop just before me. I'm standing beside Jowan, a group of Templars standing before us is terrifying. I had no idea. I didn't understand, I know I did something wrong but suddenly there is blood. I am being grabbed. His arms are around me and he throws me under him. I squeeze my eyes shut but it is the crying. The sob of choked tears from Lily that I realized everyone was right… Jowan was a Blood Mage. "Solona?" I hear my name being spoken by the figure above me. I know that voice. "Cullen?" I open my eyes. He is squeezing back the pain, though it is fighting it's way through. I want to touch him but I suddenly feel very dirty. "Ser Cullen, get off of the Mage now." I hear Greagoir's voice above it all. I don't want him to go, I want to lay there. I want to forget everything and suddenly I feel him move. I grasp up in the air for him but he ignores it. Irving is at my side. His hands are on me. "She is clean, Greagoir." Clean? Oh Maker what have I done.

It started with Jowan begging me to help him escape with Lily. I know I shouldn't but he is my friend. The life blood in my veins and I see the pain cross Lily's eyes as she covers her face in shame. I guess she didn't know. "Sodding Jowan," I curse under my breath. Irving hears this and he smiles. "At least you're in one piece, my dear." I am helped to my feet but I still feel disgraceful. I helped Jowan escape and now we have no way of tracking him. Apart of me wants nothing more than to scream, pull my hair and punch Jowan if I ever see him again.

I regret helping him and Irving can see this just as easily. "Lily and Amell, you are to be sent away for helping a Blood Mage escape." I want to cry but I bite my bottom lip. Knowing that if I show any sort of weakness… oh Maker what have I done. I hear the deep voice coming towards us. "If I may Greagoir." I don't look up because I know who it is. It is the Grey Warden. "I would like to take this Mage and turn her into a Grey Warden." At first I sigh, wondering if it was a joke but I look up and Irving is contemplating it. "No," Greagoir bursts out. "No she is not going with you. She helped a Maleficar escape and she is to be punished." Irving is humming in thought before he turns to Greagoir. "Then have her go with a personal guard." I look to Irving in utter surprise. "Send her with a Templar of her choice to become a Grey Warden with her." I'm torn in two. I want to accept my punishment but I don't want to be guarded for the rest of my life. Greagoir is contemplating this, he is thinking on it and I realize that this just sodding sucks. "Fine," He looks to me furious of course. "Is that alright with you, Duncan?"

The other man seems to ponder it. "We already have one ex-Templar in our midst but two is always better than one." What? I'm completely lost. I want to ask a million questions and suddenly all eyes are on me. "I… uh…" Irving places an understanding hand on my shoulder. "Who do you wish to take with you, my dear?" I panic. I can't help it but to panic. Until I meet the eyes of Cullen. He knows my choice and he knows that I wouldn't have anyone else. "Uh… Cullen?" The last part I drift my question to him. He steps forward and nods. "I will go with her Knight-Commander." Greagoir gives a grunt of frustration and I feel myself getting weak in the knees. Suddenly everything is going dark.

"Will she be alright?" The question is asked above my head. The one who is holding me isn't Cullen but Duncan. "She will be fine." What was going on? Was all of that just a horrid nightmare? "Cul-Cullen?" My voice squeaks as my eyes open. He isn't wearing any of his armor but just simple clothing. It was the first time I've ever seen him like that. "Solona, I'm here." I panic, my breath catches and I feel myself being set down. My feet don't want to catch but I don't care. "That was just… did all of that just happen?" He is concerned. "No," he says to me flatly. "It was real and we are on our way to Ostagar." Andraste's tits.

I snort as I feel my arms cross before me. "No way," I hear myself speak the words but suddenly everything just registers. "You are to become a Grey Warden just like I am." My look of utter surprise causes Duncan to sigh as he continues walking. "It'll take us two days to get there." He shouts to us over his shoulder. I panic and I look down. My hair is no longer up. My robes are gone and I was wearing simple trousers, simple tunic shirt and well boots. "Who uh… who changed me?" Cullen's eyes drift to the figure walking ahead of us. "Duncan said it was better for us to look like simple travelers. Not a Mage and a Templar." He didn't answer my question. "Okay, okay I did it. Duncan didn't leave me much choice in the matter." I snort and walk past him. My head is still spinning but I ignore the pain.

For the days that came and went, I asked Duncan question after question. He answered each with a question of his own. By the time we reached Ostagar I was already frustrated. I ended up falling asleep during the nightly trips down the Bannorn. Cullen's arms are tucked under my legs as I snore against his back. I know I should have cared but Duncan's urgency to get to Ostagar was more important. I feel myself being set on the ground and my eyes open. "You're drooling." I stand up a little straighter when I hear a soft chuckle behind me. Quickly with the sleeve of my shirt I wipe away the drool and I hear the voice cut through. "Duncan, it's good to see you've made it." I turn around. There he was the King of Ferelden and I panic.

"And these must be the promising new recruits from the Circle? A Templar and a Mage. Very unlikely duo, if I must say so." Glaring at the King of Ferelden probably wasn't the best idea because Cullen grabs my arm. Squeezing gently I relax a bit. "It is an honor, your majesty." Cailan smiles in response to my obviousness. "So tell me Duncan, what possessed you to recruit these two?" Duncan sighs, I was starting to get used to him sighing all of the time. "This Mage was accused wrongly and well, Knight-Commander Greagoir wished for me to bring along a Templar." Cailan seemed to contemplate it. "Well, it is good to have the both of you. Your talents will prove useful in this time of war."

I grimace when Cullen's hand squeezes a little tighter and I smile the best I can before he turns his back on us. I glare at Cullen but he doesn't seem to care. "Be nice," he muttered under his breath and I groan as he lets go of me. "Duncan, is it alright if we meet you in camp?" I hear Cullen speaking. He was so calm… at peace even and I am at an utter loss for words. "Yes, of course. I must ask you though. Please seek out another Grey Warden, his name is Alistair. When you do, come find me." He disappears and I shake my head. "I hate this." I hear him laugh but it just seems to make me feel worse. "I should have been punished for what I did." He is listening but I know he doesn't want to say anything as he leads the way across the crumbling bridge.

"Or is this a punishment?" I wonder aloud as we walked and I took in the sights. He stops before me and I don't see, of course I run smack into him. "Wynne?" He stammers aloud. The older mage left with a small group of others just weeks ago and I curse as I fall over. "My goodness, Ser Cullen?"

Ugh, that's just great. This day has just been getting better by the second. He hears me groan from behind him and he turns around. He picks me up with utter ease and I brush away the dirt from my back the best I can. "What are you two doing here? You're not… you both are not the ones they picked from the Tower to be the new recruits are you?" It was the look Cullen gave her that she seemed to understand the situation. "My goodness, Solona what did you do?" My eyes light up and I take a few steps in. I feel a pair of strong hands on my waist. "I did nothing. It was all Jowan, he… betrayed me and I'm going to skin him alive when I see him next." She relaxes a bit, but I want to scream. "I'm sorry, my dear. Perhaps later you can explain everything to me." I see her leave us but I stare into the empty void before me. "I hate this place," I groan and feel Cullen's hands leave me. "Come on, let's go find this Alistair."

It was easy of course, the yelling from the fellow Mage could have been heard over the entire camp but Cullen doesn't seem to mind. "I will not be harassed this way." The other man glowered and I feel myself being pulled behind Cullen in the process. Can't be too careful, it seems because I can feel the veil being taken in and well I'm not surprised that Cullen does as well. His eyes narrow and I feel my heart beat against my ribcage. Oh Maker what is going on? We stop before the two, the other seems to ignore the angry looks the Mage was giving him. "Yes, I was harassing you by delivering a message." I want to laugh but Cullen's possessive hands are on me. "Cullen…" I say his name aloud and it brings both men's attention to us. "Fine, I'll speak with her. Get out of my way fools." He pushes us aside and I let out a sigh of relief when the veil disappears around us. Cullen doesn't let go.

"You know one good thing about the Blight is how it brings people together." But when he turns to the two of us something registers across his eyes. God he looks just like the King. I realize this but I don't say anything. "You look oddly familiar… have we met?" Cullen lets go of me and pulls me out from behind him. "Alistair, it's been awhile." I look between the two men. Utterly lost. "You know him?" I ask aloud and Cullen lets out a breath. "You could say that." I shake my head a little confused. "Maker's breath, Cullen?" He looks to me, taking me in it would seem. "We grew up in the Chantry together." Alistair clarifies. "I'm surprised you're here but then again I'm not." What? I don't get this. Men have their own way of communicating don't they. "Look whose talking." Cullen smirks and I find myself wanting to bash them both for leaving me out of the loop. "Oh well, it's good to see you again Cullen." Alistair pats his shoulder and I groan aloud when both men turn their attention on me. "And this must be Amell, right? You don't quite look like how Duncan described you in his letter." My brow raised and Cullen sighs. "Solona, don't."

I look to him and he seems slightly aware of my anger wanting to be thrown at someone or just something. "Yes well you don't look much like a Templar." I mutter and they both laugh. "She's more bite than bark, trust me." Cullen laughs a little as I punch him in the arm. The both continue to laugh and well, I have nothing else. I give in and let them continue their talk until we reach the Kennels. I hear a growl at my side and suddenly a man is thrown from the kennel next to us. I look down to him, staring at him and he groans. "Kennel-Master, what's wrong?" I hear the concern from Alistair as he helps the man to his feet. "I can't muzzle that one…" Brushing himself off I move to the fence without any of the men looking. Standing on my tippy toes I look over the side.

The hound was in pain, in such large amounts of pain that even I feel pity for him. He looks up, his eyes connecting with mine and he whimpers. I feel myself moving to the gate. I start to unlock it and the voices behind me go quiet. I enter the kennel without hesitating I sit down before the hound. "Are you alright?" My hand outstretches. I feel him sniffing it and with a little lick I take that as a good sign. I move closer, my knees inching themselves closer to the beast. "I'm sorry boy." I feel my voice catch as I wrap my arms around the beast. I close my eyes as I feel the veil enter the small kennel. It is Cullen who moves but it is Alistair who stops him. "She could…" Alistair shakes his head. "Let her." Was all he said when I let my healing spell overcome the hound. The poor beast sighs against me. I smile a little when he curls up closer to me. I kiss his head and pull back. "May I have the muzzle now?" There was some hesitating steps and Alistair moves into the small confined space with me. He touches my shoulder and I look up. He gives me a smile, just a small one as he hands me the muzzle. I take it into my hands as I touch the beast's head. He sees the muzzle but doesn't do anything. I don't mind, I let him lick my hand as I place the muzzle upon him.

I move to stand up but he whimpers. "Don't worry, I'll be back." I kiss his head again and let Alistair move me out of the kennel. His hand at the small of my back I can see the concern upon Cullen's features. "You should have been more careful." He closes the distance between us and I feel his hands upon my shoulders. With one hand he cups my cheek and apart of me dies on the spot. It is the throat clearing from Alistair that brings our attention back to the world. "I… I'm sorry Cullen I should have been more careful but I guess, I guess I didn't think." The Kennel Master is staring dumbfounded in my direction. Cullen's hands drop and he nods, seeing that I wasn't hurt. "If I could ask you for a favor?" He moves on to explain to us about the hound and what he would need to cure him. I hesitate but it is Alistair's voice who cuts through everything. "We will find it, don't worry."

Within a few hours we are in the middle of a fight. Cullen's great sword swung, colliding with a small group of Genlocks. I feel the veil entering the living realm. I speak the words quietly to myself but it is the figure before me who is protecting me while I cast. Alistair keeps his shield up. He blocks the arrows flying towards us with such ease. "Hurry… up…" He grunts and I conjure a lightening bolt. The spell forms in the palms of my hands as I shoot it towards the set of Genlocks before us. I feel them taken aback and the rest of the Darkspawn are easily killed in a matter of seconds.

I feel my knees give way under me. I fall to the dirty ground and it is Alistair who kneeling beside me. "Are you…?" I look up to him and smile a little. "I'm fine, just a little tired." I have practiced so many times in my life but being in a real battle. I wasn't prepared for the exertion. Alistair moves away when a pair of strong hands grip under my arms. "Let's get you to your feet." I am pulled up. Cullen is just as tired as I was but I find myself pleased with that. Blood smeared across his beautiful face and I feel myself finding that oddly arousing… I shake the thought from my mind.

"Okay that's the last of the blood. Let's move on to the archive." I hear the commanding tone of Alistair at our side. I let out a breath and glad to at least not be slapped around anymore. Cullen is at my side as we wander into the Wilds. My eyes close when I take a breath of the fresh air and I feel his eyes upon me. "What?" I ask as I look over to him. "You've never been outside the tower before, have you?" I shake my head and he smiles. "There is more to this world then just Darkspawn. I'm sure you'll see everything one day." I huff at his words but I know he was right. Being a Grey Warden we had a freedom we didn't normally get. I'm slightly grateful, I suppose.

After a few more encounters with wolves and Darkspawn, I'm slightly grateful when we hit the Tower. Or what as left of the Tower. I stand just inside of it. My hands on my hips as I look everything over. Blood smeared across all of us and well, I'm slightly grateful to have a group of able bodied men to help. Though I feel a ping of guilt when I look to each one of them. They all left something behind in order to do this and I wondered what that was. "So where are these scrolls?" I hear Alistair call behind us as he puts his sword away. He stops at my side and I shake my head. "Cullen, take Jory and Daveth up there and start searching." He orders and I see the hesitation in Cullen for leaving me alone with Alistair. "I'll be fine," I assure him.

It didn't take us long to find the broken chest and I look inside. My hands touching the sides of it slowly when I jump. A figure is standing before me and well, she has a brow quirked. "What is this?" I feel myself grow angry with the look she was giving me. "What is what?" I ask her in return. I stand up, brushing away the dirt from my clothes. "Are you an Intruder or a Scavenger?" She asks as she walks toward me slowly. "Neither." I feel my fists clench at my sides. "Hmm…" Her golden eyes look me over before walking around me. "So tell me, why are you here?" I feel the form of Alistair behind me in seconds when this woman moves away from us. "Be careful she looks chasind." Suddenly she laughs. "Do you fear Barbarians swooping down upon you?" Her arms go into the air and well, I feel myself smile at her obviousness. "Yes… swooping is bad."

"If you didn't take them, then who?" I feel Cullen approach. He takes his place beside me and the woman looks to him. "First I want to know you're name," she is directing the question towards me. "I am Solona Amell, and you are?" She rocks on her heels before creeping a little closer. "You may call me Morrigan." Daveth's frantic whimpering cuts through the air. "She's a witch, she is." I feel my eyes narrow a little at his comment. "Be quiet Daveth," Cullen's voice cuts through. "To answer your question, 'twas my mother." Did she really just say that? "Can you take us to her?" He asks. I know he is biting back his Templar training to take this woman in. She was an Apostate. It was obvious because the three of us can feel the pressure upon our chests. The veil was strong around her. She laughs though, "I like you." I look to Cullen and he flushes from the way she just said that.

"Be careful. First it's 'I like you.' and then it's 'Zap!' frog time." Alistair's voice comes from the other side of me. I roll my eyes, I was really going to find it hard being a Grey Warden if I had to deal with men like this for the rest of the time. She nods simply and leads the way through the wilds.

Meeting her mother was something I did not expect but I didn't mind. She was a kind older woman who gladly gave us the scrolls. As we are being led back to camp, I tuck the scrolls into my shirt and it is Morrigan's look that brings about my attention. "Templars?" She asks and I sigh, nodding my head. "Mmm…" Was all she says to me.

We reach the gates and she says her good byes before leaving us to our own fate. I panic, "The flower!" Suddenly I start running through the wilds. I ignore the fact that I shouldn't have done this but I know I'm being followed. Cullen is running up close behind me but he isn't alone. I had the feeling that Alistair is on the other side of him. They were looking for me as I rush through the bushes. Suddenly my foot catches upon a tree root. I trip, my arms flailing in the air as I roll down the side of the hill. I land on my back, my eyes squeezed shut. "I found her, Alistair!" I hear the cry from the top of the hill. I feel the ground shake as Cullen falls beside me. "Are you alright?" His gentle hands upon my face. A finger brushes away the strands of hair in my eyes. "Solona?" He calls for my name and I groan, sitting up in the process. "Ow…" I rub my head. "Maker's breath, you should have been more careful." I give him an apologetic smile but it is the panting breath of Alistair finding us. "Is she alright?" I roll my eyes, some how I feel the need to tell these two that I can take care of myself. "Solona, you should have just paid attention." Cullen reaches behind him for his back. He pulls out a small white flower with a red center. "I saw the flower and picked it on our way back." Oh Maker, I'm an idiot.

We managed to reach the camp before nightfall and the look of disappointment on Jory's face. Ugh I wanted to wipe his face in the dirt but I don't. I keep my eyes glued on Duncan as he explains everything that was about to happen. Cullen doesn't hesitate, he agrees that we should get this over with but I don't. I really don't want to drink blood but I didn't have much choice in the matter.

We walk side by side to the area of the ceremony. My palms are sweaty, I'm caked in dirt and blood. I just want a bath. "Are you alright?" He asks and I shake my head. "No, are you?" He smiles a little. "No, but we don't have much choice in the matter." Why? Why can't we just run? I want to shake him and make him answer my question. But he seems to understand. "If we run, we will be tracked just as easily." Oh, I completely spaced my phylactery.

The ceremony wasn't the greatest thing. They really weren't prepared for it and I seemingly hate this idea. Drinking blood, I huff to myself. When Daveth takes the drink, I suddenly realized he was choking. I start to move out to grab for him but it Cullen who holds me back, shaking his head. Jory fights Duncan. The man was afraid, I could understand completely but when it comes down to both Cullen and I… panic starts to run through me. "No," I start to say but Duncan turns to Cullen. "Cullen," my Golden Eyed Templar takes the cup with both hands. He shrugs and takes a drink. At first he doesn't move, he doesn't choke but he leans over and his eyes go white. "Welcome to the Grey Wardens, Cullen." He stands up straight and falls over backwards. "Cullen?" I feel a pair of arms go around me. Alistair was holding me back. "He is fine, he still lives." I wanted to cry to shake him awake but Duncan turns to me. "Take it," he tells me but I stare at the cup in his hands. There was a chance I would die. But I know that if Cullen can do this, so can I. I reach out hesitantly. My hands grip the cool glass and I bring it to my lips. I feel the rush of liquid go down my throat.

I cough but Alistair is still holding on to me. I want him to let go but I feel the rush. The sudden pain hits me and everything goes black.

A/N: All of you have been so kind! I really enjoy writing this story but once again a few shout outs to those who left me reviews! Mapachita: Their relationship is just amusing. I'm kind of treading the waters with Alistair. Seeing how it would between him and Cullen, when it comes to Amell. But I'm glad you enjoy everything so far! Much love! ;) Xmaster: I love the man. You can do so many things with him, personality wise. Which makes him so easy to understand some of the time! I'm glad you enjoy it! Much love there tooo! :) Sandradee27: Thank you for the encouragement! I really appreciate it! :)

On a side-note! I know I skipped around with some of the events that took place so I apologize. And not to mention that I figured it'd be amusing if Alistair and Cullen grew up together. I will however mention Cullen's Lyrim addiction in the next chapter. I'm doing my best with popping one out at least every day. I'm glad you all enjoy it! And I enjoy writing it! Much much much much love! ;)

Obligatory mention: DRAGON AGE: ORIGINS belongs to Bioware. They are amazingly wonderful and etc. etc. ;)