There was smoke. So much smoke. There was fire and screaming and the air was thick with the smell of blood. Mira ran as fast as she could with Rose in her arms to the Chantry.

"Keep her safe," she told Cullen. She looked frantic and terrified. He nodded in understanding.

Then she was gone and Rose was screaming for her. She punched and kicked Cullen to try to get him to put her down. All she wanted was for Mira to come back. She wanted everyone to be safe and she wanted the world to stop burning around her.

Cullen took her down a path, farther and farther away from where they left Mira. She screamed and cried and used every curse word she knew. He didn't get mad at her, though. She was too young to understand that sacrifices had to be made, even when they hurt. And, Maker, they hurt so bad sometimes.

He had almost told Mira how he felt. The feelings had sprouted when she met them and made sarcastic remarks about their titles. They only grew as he saw how kind and compassionate she was. Rose just proved his point further. Now, it seemed petty. There were more important things to worry about than minor infatuations.

Rose had exhausted herself. She rested in fitful sleep with the healers while Cullen stood guard with his sword and shield. If she doesn't make it, Rose will have no one. He pressed on.

Mira kept telling herself that she had to keep going for Rose. She needed her mother, and Mira didn't know what would happen to her if she didn't make it back. She had to make it back.

The snow was so cold, though, and she was so tired. She was so very tired. She kept telling herself that she had to make it back to Rose. Rose needed her. She needed Rose. She needed to see Cullen again and thank him for doing so much for her.

She kept going through all the things she needed to do – all she needed to stay alive for. Rose, Cullen, the Inquisition. Rose. Rose.

She saw embers. Real embers. It gave her the strength to keep going through the Creators-forsaken snow. After this, Mira never wanted to see snow again.

She couldn't feel her legs or her hands or her face. She couldn't feel anything, really, except maybe the bite of the cold. She had to lift her numbed legs with her arms to get through the snow. The Creators-forsaken mother fucking snow.

Mira wanted to give up. Oh, the exhaustion was settling into her bones nicely. It bid her to just lay down in the snow and sleep. And she was tempted, so very tempted. But she had to remember Rose. If she died, Rose might get sent back to the Lavellan clan. She couldn't have that.

She saw the camp, but she wasn't sure it was real until Cullen and Cassandra were thanking their Maker and Cullen had curled his arms around her to carry her to a warm bed. She really knew it was real when Rose started screaming at Solas about not keeping her mommy safe.

She cursed the poor man in every way she knew how.

"May the Dread Wolf catch your scent!" she yelled, crossing her little arms.

"At least she's okay" was the last thing Mira thought before letting the pull of sleep take her.

Rose was squirming in Cassandra's arms, trying to get loose so she could get to Mira.

"Your mother needs rest, little one," she said, straining to keep her hold.

"I wanna see her!" the toddler yelled, pushing herself away from Cassandra. The Seeker wouldn't let go, though, and so she stayed.

Rose's lip quivered as she looked up at Cassandra. "Please?"

Cassandra sighed. "You have to stay very quiet so she can sleep." She put Rose down and followed her to Mira's side.

Rose carefully climbed into the cot next to Mira. Her eyes opened slightly. "Hey, sweet pea."

"You need sleep," Cassandra insisted.

"Let her get comfy first," Mira mumbled, letting Rose rest her head on her bruised arm. She flinched at first, but Rose re-positioned herself. It didn't take long before she was snoring lightly next to her.

"I'm sorry," Cassandra started, "she insisted and-"

"It's fine. She hates being away from me," Mira said with a smile, "Besides, she's warm. I'll be okay with her here. If she feels safer, then leave her be."

Cassandra nodded and left Mira and Rose to sleep.