Cullen was carrying Neves seemingly lifeless body back to her dormitory, it had taken every ounce of self-control not to run to her side as she gasped loudly and collapsed back onto the floor where she had lay whilst in the fade. Irving and Greagoir went to her side, Cullen gripped his sword firmly ready to unsheathe it if the worst had happened, a nod and a smile from Irving and Greagoir sent a wave of relief washing over him, he released the breath he had unknowingly been holding and released his grip.

"She did it, I knew she would" Beamed Irving, his fatherly affection for the young woman laying before him becoming evident again.

"Yes, she did" Replied Greagoir a hint of relief in his voice, for he too had a sense of affection for Neve, he was, after all with Irving the night she was found and brought to the tower, an affection that had to be kept to himself, an affection that not even Irving knew existed.

"Sir Cullen, would you please carry Miss Amell back to her current quarters in the apprentices' dormitory, it will serve her better to wake in familiar surroundings" The knight commander ordered

Cullen nodded, walked over to Neve and lifted her in his arms, her arms limp, her head tilted back, Cullen was unsure whether leaning her into him would raise questions, a thought that was answered by the first enchanter walking toward him and positioning Neve more comfortably in his arms leaving her head cradled against his chest and her arms delicately folded over her own chest.

With a nod to take his leave Cullen began to make his way through the tower and down to the ground floor, it was a walk that shouldn't really of taken very long, but Cullen found himself walking at a much slower pace than usual, partly so as not to wake the woman cradled and sleeping into his chest, but the feel of Neve in his arms sent a tingle up his spine, a warmth ran through him, a feeling he didn't really want to end, but one that inevitably had to, he reached her dormitory door, a candle was still burning next to her bed, he made his way over, scanning the room to ensure none of the other apprentices had woken, her bed was still unmade, he lay her down carefully, she automatically rolled onto her side, facing Cullen, a lock of red hair had fallen over her face, Cullen pulled the woollen blanket over the sleeping mage, he crouched beside the bed and lightly brushed the rogue lock of hair from a face and behind her ear, his hand lingered then slowly caressed the curve of her cheek, she let out a slight sigh, the corners of her mouth turning up into what looked like a slight smile, despite his position Cullen leant forward and place a light kiss on Neves forehead, unaware he was being watched from the doorway, he rose to his feet and began walking from the room, stopping just once to look back at the peaceful form of the mage that was slowing capturing his heart, he turned away eyes fixed to the ground, aware of the feelings rising within him, a twinge of guilt grew from the knowledge that it is forbidden, and an overwhelming wave of sadness at the fact that he would never be able to tell her, hold her, love her in the same way that those outside the tower could, he swallowed his anguish and left the room, just as one of his colleagues approached on his evening patrol,

"Sir Cullen, what brings you down here?"

"I was returning the mage back to her quarters after her Harrowing, another success, in fact it was cleaner than I could have imagined"

"Oh, I see, well that's good, I guess, I don't suppose you've seen a male apprentice running about have you? I just checked in on the dormitory and there appears to be a bed empty, I think it's the Amell girl's hopeless friend"

"Jowen? No I haven't, you return the direction you just came from, I'll check the library, and if he's around we'll soon find him"

"Yes sir, you know it's bad enough having to keep an extra eye on that Anders fellow, how that guy ever passed his Harrowing I'll never understand, and I still don't understand why on earth he would keep coming back down to the apprentice quarters" with that the Templar turned and headed in the direction he came from, still muttering of his distaste for the mage.

Cullen made his way to the library, exhausted, and after searching found nothing, he headed back toward the dormitory finding the Templar stationed outside the door.

"I don't know how he did it but he's back in his bed as if it had never been empty, I should of shown you, I can't exactly report it without proof can I?" the Templar grumbled

"Be thankful he's back in his bed and not causing trouble" Cullen gave him a tired smile, pleased that the Templar seemed to have a sense of honour about him "I think it's high time I returned to my own quarters and got some rest"

With that he returned to his own quarters, removed his armour, and climbed into his bed, completely oblivious to the fact that Jowen had seen the Knight Corporal kiss his best friend goodnight before sneaking back to his own bed.

Back in the male apprentice quarters Jowen lay in bed with his back to the door, his heart pounding, he had snuck away from his bed so many times over the last month, and this was the closest he had been to being caught, although after tonight sneaking out would prove much more difficult especially if that Templar now planted outside the door was on duty.

But it had been worth it, every night he had snuck out had been worth it, but tonight held an added bonus, the Templar shared Neves feelings, this was perfect for his plan, all he had to do was to get Neve and the Templar alone, if he could just get Neve to accept her feelings then he could finally put his plan into action.

In the game the time span between Amells harrowing and her meeting Duncan etc is immediate, the next few chapters will lengthen the time between the two.