It hurt. Everywhere and everything. The elven woman who until now layed motionlessly on the bed slowly opened her eyes, the eyelids felt like they suddenly turned into lead and it took all her remaining strength to force them open and to look around.

The bright daylight stabbed at the front of her brain like daggers and added to the countless other hurts she felt at the moment. And she still had no idea what happened.

A little frown appeared on her face as she tried to collect and summarize events of the past few days. Anything which would give away the reason for why she was here. Laying in the bed and in so much pain.

The memory of running came fist, then she remembered having hands clasped in irons and...

She looked down on the left palm of he hand and saw faint flicker of green light which kept lightly emitting from it.

So it was true. Some accident really did happen. What was next?Some woman took her up to the mountain. There was fighting everywhere. Demons. Yes that was it, we fought demons. Well not her but the others, the woman and a dwarf and another elf. And she could help with closing some green lights with her hand.

They ordered her to do it and she obeyed. Without any idea where her Master was the first instinct was to obey these people and perhaps they would leave her be.

Yes. Obey and follow was safe.No one usually lashed out at her or beat her if she was good and obedient.

One look around the place told the still confused elf that she was alone in a small wooden cabin. The sun streamed in through the windows and pleasantly engulfed the wooden furniture in its golden glow. It was comfortable. Good. Perhaps they were pleased with her service?She certainly hoped so.

The elf shifted a bit on the bed and realized that not only her whole body was aflame with various pains but the worst of them all was the churring pit of her stomach. She had only experienced this pain and hunger once. When she was punished and locked up and Master's wife forgot to feed her for almost a week.

Was that what was happening again? Was she forgotten and doomed to starve once more?

Her eyes scanned the cabin again. This place looked too comfortable for a holding cell. And then her hazy mind slowly realized that she was dressed in clean clothes too. Quite loose, must have been made for a human, she mused. Yet the soft fabric gently snugged around her form and warmed her up.

At least she was not cold anymore. That was one thing she could remember clearly, being cold when they ascended the mountain with that peculiar little group, to perform some task which seemed important but utterly incomprehensible to her.

But what was she supposed to do now? Sit and wait? No one gave her any permission to leave after all.

Yes. Sit and wait. That was safe. Obedient and safe. She knew that when no orders were given it was only a matter of time before someone will give her some. Waiting was safe.

Meanwhile the sun dropped low and the cabin burst aflame with the orange blaze of the evening. She had no idea how long she had sat there and waited. Hours most likely. It was a lesson learned early, how to pass the time while waiting, how to focus mind on other things rather than present.

It helped. When she could will herself out of her body and "dream" while being awake. That helped so often before. The elven woman was now following the slowly moving ray of golden light on the wooden walls with her large green eyes and her mind conjured vivid images of landscapes she had never seen before and events which had never happened.

Yes. Master had always said that she had wild imagination. Or perhaps she started hallucinating from the hunger. It has happened before. She always suspected it was Maker's blessing. To ease the pain from starving by granting lucid dreams or perhaps her body just knew how to deal with this sort of thing. Either way she was glad for the distraction now. Anything was better than to focus on the aches in her body and stomach.

Then the voices interrupted her thoughts. First as if through water but they grew clearer and louder.

"Commander. We still have no idea what to expect from her. And she is still unconscious. We just have to wait."

That was the woman from before. She recognized the voice in an instant. Commanding. Hard. Heavy with foreign accent. The sort of voice which tugged at her mind and commanded her to obey every order. She liked that voice. If a person could instill obedience just with the voice they usually made better masters than those who were weak and spiteful about it.

"And how long do you wish to wait Cassandra. It has been days. At this rate we will lose her and with her all the hope for answers or help."

The other person was clearly a man. He sounded like everyone else in the south. Slightly melodic but crude. She liked that. Lots of people in the south sounded honest and she liked to think they were.

But they were most likely arguing about her. The woman, Cassandra was her name? Thought that she was still unconscious. Should she go out and tell them? No orders were given but she was also so hungry. Perhaps a small peak through the window. If she could see their faces she might have better idea about what to expect.

It was at that moment when she realized just how weak her body has become. And yet the elf managed to push herself on all four and crossed the bed towards the window. Outside she could see Cassandra's firm back clad in metal armor, the back of her heard slightly lowered but the tension in her shoulders spoke volumes about the disapproval which was immediately confirmed by the tone of her voice:

"I am aware of such Cullen but what do you want me to do? I cannot command her to wake up and the healers are at their wits ends too."

So the man was called Cullen. The elf stored the name into her memory for later. Another thing which life in Minrathous had taught her the hard way, was to remember all the names she could. There was nothing worse than to be addressed by someone for service and not know their name and proper rank to respond.

She leaned forward a bit more. Wanted to see this man. Wanted to know how angry his face was. Or maybe was not.

And their eyes met. It took her only short moment to realize that his eyes were the color of melted honey before their gaze was interrupted as the elf realized he saw her in the window and hastily she slid down the bed and on the floor to curl up in trained kneeling position, forehead against the hard wood on the ground her heart pounded like scared bird against her rib cage.

This was bad. She looked him in the eyes. She was never to look into the eyes. That was considered a challenge but she was not challenging anyone, just wanted to serve. Obey and perhaps eat.

First the door creaked and then the sound heavy boots walking over the wooden floor. The elf pressed her head even more against the wood in vain hope that she could perhaps will herself to look smaller or invisible.

"Cullen, what did you do?" Cassandra asked and the elf on the floor flinched slightly still unsure about what to expect from the two of them.

"Nothing. I saw her in the window and when I looked at her she just...well." Cullen paused clearly lost at words. "What are we going to do with her Cassandra?"

"I am not sure. What is your name?"

There it was. Finally a question she could answer. It was something. She dared no to look up, was not ordered or permitted to do so after all and so she only spoke towards the wooden floor under her nose.

"Master called me Third." But her Master was dead. She knew that now and felt sudden urge to elaborate on her name. "But I will respond to any name you will find fitting for me. Madam." Yes. That was good. She had to stay polite and obedient. No mistakes. She did not know these people and did not want more pain should she break some rules.

"Can you stand up?" Cullen finally asked in rather warm tone of the voice. There it was again, that ferelden honest-like accent which she liked that much.

"Yes Sir."

Simple answers. No questions. She will just obey and try to find out more in due time.

Finally she persuaded her shaking legs to cooperate and stood up with head low and thankfully her hair kept her face hidden from them. With all her remaining courage Third dared to lift her gaze up to glance briefly at the two people who stood before her. Cullen's eyes looked at her from head to toes and for some reason she was reminded of her ill fitting clothes and flood of worries and questions suddenly roared through her mind. What if these people hate elves. Would they sell her to someone else? Or throw her out? If so, where would she go?

But her train of throughts was interrupted when Cullen's eyes lingered and then stopped to look at her face and something reflected in them. He looked less displeased but still towered in a slightly menacing way above her and even the warrior woman at his left. A sudden string of commands from her past surfaced to her mind: remember to hunch the shoulders slightly, turn palms of your hands outward to show them no resistance or threat. She could only pray that they would recognize the gesture, after all she had no idea about customs in the South.

"Sit down. How are you feeling?" Cassandra interrupted the long silence with her thick voice and meassured the elf with one hard look of her dark eyes. This apparently caught the slave girl off guard. She fidgeted slightly as she stood there a look of confusion written all over her face. It was clear that whatever the life was for this elf, she was not used to people treating her "nicely". And with a small sigh Cassandra repeated her previous words: "Sit down, please."

And she did. But still the look of someone who cannot comprehend their situation remained clearly written all over that tattooed face and Cassandra noticed that the elf would keep her eyes firmly on the ground even now. No matter how this turns out they had their work cut out for them if they wanted to make this girl useful or perhaps at least a little bit less afraid.

"Cassandra, how about I pick it up from here. There is no need for both of us to be here after all and I am sure that Sister Lelliana would like your report on the situation." Cullen layed his hand lightly on Cassanda's shoulder and the Seeker only nodded before her heavy metal boots crossed the cabin to the door with loud steps. "Very well. She is no longer our prisoner after all. I will be in the council room." Cassandra closed the door behind her and the room returned to the previous heavy silence.

"I feel alright Sir." The girl on the bed finally answered the previous question and Cullen had to wonder for a moment if she had spent that whole time in thoughts about such a simple thing. "You must be hungry." He tried to break the ice again. "Come, we will find something for you and then perhaps we can talk."

"Thank you." Was all she said. Cullen watched her slowly get up from the bed and immediately noticed the ill fitting clothes, fabric too thin for the icy wind of the night outside. Without even a second thought he unclasped the heavy fur cloak from his shoulders and tightly drew it around her small frame. At least she did not flinch at that. "There. It is quite chilly outside." Cullen added politely and gave her, what he had hoped was, an encouraging smile.

Third was not sure what to expect but the prospect of getting food proved too tempting to give much space to any other thought. Her hand reluctantly drew the cloak tighter around her shoulders. The fabric under-lining the large and furry pelt felt rough under her fingers and it smelled of him. A heavy scent of embrium and some foreign spices.

They walked together through Haven. Thankfully his presence kept townsfolk from crowding them. Third noticed the dwarf which accompanied them before he gave them a cheeful nod and then threw one questioning look at Cullen. The other elf was also present, he seemed occupied with something at the other side of a large roaring camp fire. He glanced at them with unreadable expression before he walked off into the darkness of the night.

All the while they walked Third wondered about what had really happened. The memories slowly reappeared. She recalled being brought on top of the mountain, hands bound. It was Cassandra who escorted her. The dark haired warrior fought demons and protected her on the way until they met with the two others and group of soldiers.

The most vivid memory Third had was the freezing cold and how tired she felt. The elven woman frowned slightly as memory of the Temple where the Conclave had been held resurfaced. That place was horrible. She recalled the smell of sulfur and brim and the sight of burned bodies their faces turned to the sky with frozen horror and screams etched into them.

There was that green light again. And loud voices echoed through her head. At last Third remembered the other elf. He grasped her hand and pointed it at the green light. Her palm and the green light connected in a sizzling, green jet and she probably fainted afterwards as there was nothing else her mind recalled about the whole ordeal.

"Wait here. I will be right back with some food." Cullen disappeared inside the local inn and the door clicked shut behind him.

Third positioned herself next to the door, out of anyone's way and tiredly rested her back against the wooden wall of the building. She felt so lost and confused. The village looked familiar, of course it would, she woke up in here the first time after the explosion. But Third had no idea who all these soldiers were and her mind itched for answers but she berated herself over and over for being too curious.

Being curious was not a good trait in any slave. And she has been properly taught and prepared. She will not make mistakes.

It was sudden and it took her a split moment to realize. Someone threw stone at her and her head suddenly exploded into million bright lights and pain stabbed through her right temple. Third's knees acted on a trained reflex and she fell down on them into the snow and bowed her head.

She learned throughout the years that this was the best retort to violence. Servility was the best defense. It usually took the fire from the angry people.

"Look at her. Told you she would kneel. They all do. Tevinter scum and their playthings." A young boy shouted with glee somewhere to the right from her.

"Throw another one Jess." A girl's voice replied to her friend and Third felt another jolt of pain spark from her shoulder as another stone hit her.

Keep down. Don't move. Bow head more. They will leave. They always do. When they have their fun.

She kept repeating this to herself like mantra. After all, it had gotten her through worse situations.

Living at her Master's home for years she had learned that there were not many things to worry about. Pain was temporary. Off course she prefered not to be in pain or die but those things were not in her power.

Same as she had learned to accept and block out shame, humiliation, anger or sadness. All these things were temporary and she learned to accept and to dismiss them all.

Same as these children. They will leave. They will get bored and leave he be.

"She doesn't even fight back. Freaking knife-ear." The girl shouted with another throw. Third pressed her eyes shut tighter. It hurt, but it was not the worst she had ever endured. She could deal with this.

"Told you she wouldn't. You can do anything you want with them. They just do it."

The boy was right. She was a good slave after all.

Her knees began to ache from kneeling on the frozen ground and her shoulder and head hurt in dull ache from the impact and Third focused her mind away again.

She remembered the sun today. Wondered where it was shining now when the night engulfed this little town. Was it at some ruins or grasslands? What kinds of people lived there?

She kept my mind firmly on the images of long and wide grasslands, tattering with the wind, bluest skies above. Third saw such paining once. The mental image was so clear that she almost failed to notice that someone was shaking her shoulder.

"Hey! What's wrong?"

It was Cullen again. Third felt her body flinch on its own slightly in surprise. Right the kids must have left her some time ago. Did she fall asleep here in the snow?

"Oi, can you stand?" Cullen sounded quite worried and when she raised her head she could see him close to her, his eyes warm and a small encouraging smile tugged at his lips.

"I am sorry sir."

Cullen only sighed and drew the elven woman up to her feet. His hand lingering on her shoulder for a moment before he started to walk away. "Lets go. We can eat inside the chantry. It should be quiet in there." He gestured towards the large stone building which sat atop the little hill and overlooked the town.

Third remembered it. It was there where she woke up the first time. They walked and she could feel the sickening warmth spread over her right temple. The stone must have hit her harder than she had though. The elf looked around and grasped a handful of snow while still following Cullen, three steps behind him. She had a good eye for distances and knew how to measure her pace to stay in her place. Third smiled a bit. She did good so far.She pressed the cold snow to her head with the faintest of sighs. It helped. With any luck her blood wouldn't stain Cullen's cloak. She really hoped it didn't.

A change in temperature brought her from her brooding and Third looked around the dimly lit hall of the chantry. The place had that typical fragrance around it. Candles, dust and stone mixed with fragrance of old books, dried flowers and incense which burned in the stone basins held by mute statues in the shaded corners.

"There we are. Sit down please." Cullen gestured to the table with two chairs and promptly unwrapped the dinner they gave him in the inn. Ram stew, bread, cheese and few slices of ham. The scent felt more divine than anything and Third's empty stomach answered with embarrassing low growl. She felt his eyes on her and to mask her slip in discipline the elf unwrapped his cloak from her shoulders and methodically folded it and layed it on the bed. She then proceeded to sit down.

Third willed herself to tear the gaze from the plates and she looked over at Cullen. He still stood there and watched her with unreadable expression but finally that same half smile appeared on his face as he nodded towards her: "Please, eat. It is all for you. I will bring you warm tea in a moment."

"Thank you sir." Third replied with a polite nod and willed her voice to sound flat and not too eager.

"Now what was it that you said your name was again?" Cullen asked from across the room and his hands fumbled with cups and kettle near small stove in one of the alcoves.

"My previous Master called me Third. But you can choose another name should it please you,sir."

At that statement Cullen turn around and gave her that odd unreadable look again before he let out a small sigh as he continued. "Do you prefer any names?"

Third was just holding a small piece of bread in her left hand but stopped all her motion when she heard Cullen's question. His eyes smiled at her in a gentle gaze and with a small sigh the ex-templar nodded and continued: "Actually, never mind. Eat first. We will talk after." He smiled again and sat down with the cups and pushed one of them across the table to her.

Third nodded and turned her whole attention back to the food. The stew tasted delicious. It was thick with large chunks of meat and root vegetable and it warmed her whole body as she slowly savored each spoonful. For some reason it reminded her of her childhood. This moment brought one of those few memories she still had of her home. Third was certain that her mother used to cook for her when she was very young but all she could remember were long black hair and soft voice telling her something she couldn't comprehend or remember anymore.

Finally Third looked up only to find Cullen rest his elbows against the table, one clay cup with tea lightly held between his long fingers and he watched her with thoughtful expression. But he seemed relaxed and in good mood. That gave her hope for good things to come. Third almost smirked. Even now she remained forever optimistic. A trait which often brought mockery from others around her.

She finished the meal and was about to start gathering the dishes. "Leave it. We will talk now." Cullen's low voice rumbled through the room and Third sat back down with hands in her lap ready to listen to whatever he wanted to talk about.

"Sit here. It is more comfortable." Cullen pointed at the nearby couch and she obediently took the seat and he followed suit next to her.

"Well...I really don't know how to start this. Lets hmm start with that name. How do you wish to be called?"

"Anything you prefer sir, is good."

Cullen sighed silently and scratched the back of his neck with one hand, a gesture of habit when he was nervous, most likely. Third mused but returned her gaze to the stone floor in order to avoid looking him in the eyes again.

"Surely you must have heard some names you liked before. Why don't you tell me some of them?" It was that smile of his which prompted her to speak. And Third nodded and started reciting a list of names. She could remember quite many of them from her days with her Master. Not that it really mattered to her how she was called. Names held little meaning to her. It was after all only a way how to call on her and tell her what to do.

"You like all these?"

"My Master used them often. He liked them."

Cullen cursed silently and shifted in his seat and it was visible now that for some reason he was getting frustrated with her. Third's mind worked overtime for a moment to try and determine what was it that she was doing wrong.

"Very well. I am not probably your best choice at picking names but I have met a Dalish woman once. She was called Ellena. Is that a name you might like?

Third nodded with a smile. She really wanted him to be at ease. "Thank you, I like that name master." She thought that him picking her new name had sealed the deal. He was her new master now. And she was quite happy for it. Cullen seemed like a good man. But she must have been wrong. Again. As he flinched at her words and his eyes grew darker and his face more stern.

"Please. Do not call me that."

"How would you like me to call you?" Ellena felt confused. Indeed nothing in this place made any sense to her so far.

"Cullen will do." He replied finally. "So Ellena. Lets discuss what happened." Cullen continued hastily while he rose up, crossed the room and picked the other clay cup and then gently pressed it into her hands.

And so they have talked. For hours apparently. The candles in the room slowly dripped wax and grew shorter and shorter while the shadows on the walls danced around them larger and larger.

They've talked about the Breach, the Conclave. Her mark. The mission. The inquisition. As far as Ellena understood the Inquisition tried to close the Breach and needed a help from the Templars. Cullen also stressed over and over how important her mark was and that she was the only one who could seal what they called Fade Rifts and ultimately the Breach itself.

Ellena felt her stomach turn into a cold pit of fear with each word Cullen spoke. This sounded so utterly impossible and ridiculous. And the sudden weight of being responsible for so many lives was pressing on her lungs like a stone. In her whole life she has never been responsible for anything more than her master's household and guests. Just how was she supposed to help the Inquisition and stop this madness?

"Do not worry. Cassandra, Leliana and I will take care of things. We will only need you to ride with us to close the rifts. Everything else will be taken care of. I promise we will not let anything happen to you."

Cullen must have felt her utter despair at the situation because his voice turned to more gentle and reassuring and he cautiously placed his strong arm around her shoulders. Ellena let out a silent breath of dread and relief. This man had presence around him which made her feel safe. She really liked that feeling.

"I must admit, this is all quite new for all of us Ellena. You just might be the first person from Tevinter some of us have ever met. I mean..." Cullen brought his hand to his neck again and rubbed his fingers there nervously. "I just hope we can figure this thing out for the benefit of us all." A silence had spread over the room and Ellena watched the shadows dance around the walls as she let her mind slowly adjust to the new information and prospects.

"What is this?" Cullen's voice broke the silent moment and he gently took hold of Ellena's chin and turned her right cheek to him and very gently touched the dried up wound on her temple.

"It is nothing, Cullen. Some children threw rocks at me while I was waiting outside the inn. But I am not damaged. It will heal." Ellena watched his face pale and turn into an angry mask and her fear had returned.

"Did you see them?" Cullen asked in a low and dangerous voice while her kept her chin locked between his fingers.

"No...I am sorry." Ellena felt terrified. This same man who felt so reassuring a moment ago now looked like a thundercloud ready to launch at anyone nearby.

"Let me see this. I swear to Maker..." Ellena heard him hiss something under his breath as his fingers gently peeled off the hair from the wound and he leaned closer to inspect it. His breath trickled her on her neck and she closed her eyes. Ellena enjoyed the attention she was getting. This man who so easily scared her somehow managed to make her feel so comfortable. Both at the same time.

"It is not a big wound. It looks worse than it is, head always seems to bleed too much, even if it is just a scratch." Cullen let go of her chin and with one smooth motion wrapped his arms around her and drew her into a tight and comforting hug. "Ellena. Listen to me. If anyone harms you. You have to tell me. That is...an order. Do you understand?" She nodded and her voice sounded muffled as she spoke into his chest. "Yes, I will."

"What are you thinking about?" Ellena could feel his voice rumble in his chest and shifted slightly. Only few inches but her muscles were still tensed and she found it increasingly hard to relax in Cullen's arms. As she moved, her cheek brushed against his and the stubble on his chin tickled her ear.

What was she thinking about? A good question. Ellena felt the mood was right and she understood the signals when she got them. So she looked up and answered simply, this time sure that her answer was correct. "I can do whatever you would like, Cullen. Do you have any preference?"

"Wh..what?" Cullen stuttered and quickly pulled away from her. His face turned redder and his eyes were surprised to say the least. "That's not..." He looked down on her, his face now stern again as he stood up. "We will not discuss this. It is out of question."

Ellena only nodded and felt surge of emotion rush through her. The most prominent was shame at failing again.

"You will sleep here tonight. I will not risk someone else throwing stones at you. I will have our Ambassador get you some better clothes. You are free to use anything in this room and to walk the halls but keep inside the chantry. He looked around the room and then back at her still reserved in his expression as he nodded his goodbye. "Good night Ellena."

Ellena followed him with her eyes as he left the room and closed the door shut, perhaps with too much force. He was so angry and she had not the slightest idea why. She kept sitting on the couch for a while before she moved to the bed and found his cloak still folded there.

Out of some mad corner of her mind Ellena took hold of the coarse fabric and buried her face into it as she fell on the bed. Utterly spent with events of the day. Before she felt her mind slip into the dreamless sleep she vowed to herself that she would fix this. Somehow. She desperately wanted Cullen to be pleased with her.