Chapter Six
Before Cullen and myself, the memory unfolded…
I had just left the main hall and descended the stairs. My thoughts hadn't left the war room. Everything was moving so fast. As I reached the bottom, my thoughts were interrupted by a large sigh from a child that was holding a small teddy. I looked down at the child and was about to speak to them, when they child looked up at me. The small girl then jumped up and held her teddy tightly. She was such a beautiful little girl. Long curly brown hair flowed down and neatly sat on her green dress. Her dark brown boots were lightened slightly due to the mud. Her eyes were an emerald green that pierced into your soul. I smiled at her softly as crouched down to her height "Hello there…What's your name?" I asked. She nuzzled her mouth into her teddy "Anna" she replied "You're the Inquisitor…I'm sorry if I was in your way" she then continued. I shook my head and placed my hand gently on her shoulder. I told her my name and said she wasn't in my way. I then asked her what the matter was. Sighing heavily, Anna told me that she and her other friends were scared and bored. They had been told that they couldn't go play in the snow outside Skyhold in case we were attacked. I could feel my heart ache for the children. We had forgotten what this war is having upon our children. At first I didn't know what to say to Anna. Then a smile crossed my face. Cassandra, Blackwall, Iron Bull and Cullen were heading to to the sparring ring. I could see Cullen had reports in his hands. 'Not today' I then whispered to Anna and we both ran in opposite directions. Sera had just peaked her head out of her window and Varric was heading over to the tavern to talk with the barkeep. They all watched as I darted back and forth to the soldiers.
"What is she doing?" Cassandra asked. After I had collected all the solders that I could. I called over Anna, who had gathered all the children that she could, along with their parents. By this point, all of my friends gathered and stood watching me as I called out "Open the gates!"
As the gate was lifted, I took Anna's hand and lead the children out to the crisp white snow that had barely been touched. It looked so beautiful. It looked like a million small diamonds laying on pillows of soft white clouds as it glistened in the sun rays. The children stood in awe as they at the snow. For days the children had looked out over this, and because of the world events were told they could not be children.
Anna looked up at me. Smiling I called out "Go be children…go and have fun" and with that, I let go of Anna. Children's screams and voices filled the air as they all ran towards the snow. Soldiers moved so they formed a large circle around the children as they played. I watched as their parents began to smile and some even cry. I watched as children ran around. They smiled, laughed and played as children should. They threw snow balls and built snowmen. They laid down and made snow angels.
One by one they all came and stood next to me and watched the children. Iron Bull watched, fascinated by what he saw. Of course this would not happen under the Qun.
Even Josephine and Leliana made and appearance and were smiling and laughing. As I gazed around, each of their faces said it all. I suddenly had an idea. I quickly moved from my friends and picked some snow and began rolling it into a ball. Goose bumps ran up my arms as I held the cold ball in my hand. Cullen had no idea what was coming his way as I threw the ball. It hit him in the centre of his chest and a 'thump' noise. The others laughed as Cullen looked shocked at what I had done. I laughed and called out "Who said playing in the snow was just for children?" I grinned and then it began. The biggest snow ball fight erupted outside of Skyhold. Laugher flowed through the air as child and adult played…