Just wanted to take a quick minute to thank everyone who has read up to this point so far! Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Thank you!

This chapter is a little shorter than the others but it was the only logical place for me to stop it between this one and the next.

Please enjoy and review! :)

It had been almost two weeks since Ellie and her merry band of followers had left for the Hinterlands. In some ways, Ellie was happy this was the first place she had to go with her party. She had spent a lot of time in these hills, so she was quite familiar with the layout. It took some awkwardness out of the rest of the journey when she actually had an idea of where they were going. Fereldan honestly almost felt more like home than the Free Marches did.

To say that Cassandra, Solas, and Varric all together were well-matched in personalities was a gross underestimate. They tolerated each other, at best. Cassandra with her no-nonsense attitude, Solas' melodrama and condescendence, and Varric with his satire that kept everyone on their toes and Ellie within her sanity. But they were all more than adept at carrying out the work at hand, which Ellie was thankful for. It made the babysitting worth it.

Between finding and exterminating secret apostate hideouts and hidden Templar camps, closing who knows how many of those Maker-forsaken rifts, and helping farmers and other country folk when she could, Ellie was exhausted. But at least the effort proved fruitful. Other than that warm, fuzzy feeling you get from helping people, she managed to acquire a number of valuable items and was able to persuade Horsemaster Dennet to help the Inquisition.

The Herald had had dealings with the Horsemaster in the past. There was no doubting that he had some of the best steeds in the country and his contribution and expertise would prove very useful.

It also helped that she talked him into letting her have one of the stallions herself. She had always loved riding horses. It was one of the few joys she took with her from her childhood in Ostwick. The glamor and nobility she was all but too happy to leave behind, but any time her mother took her to the stables to go riding were some of her only fond memories of the place. Of course, she wasn't too impressed that her mother insisted on riding like a lady; legs together on one side, all prim and proper. But it was something.

The group was making the trek back to Haven, they were almost there in fact. Ellie, perched atop her black horse, she rode at a slow pace while the rest of her company was riding behind her on borrowed horses from the stock that would be supplied to the Inquisition.

"I wonder if we'll be getting any miniature ponies as well? It would be perfect for you, Varric," the Herald pondered out loud in an attempt to provoke the dwarf.

"Shut it, you! I can ride a normal horse just fine."

"Oh, I know that. But just how many of us did it take to get you up there?" She held back a snicker when Varric scoffed.

"No one helped me up here!"

"That's right, didn't you manage to find a step ladder?" Cassandra piped in unexpectedly, to which Ellie roared. She had been learning that every once in a while, the Seeker would surprise them with a well-timed, witty comment.

Varric grumbled a response as they rounded the corner, Haven's walls coming into view. A smile was plastered on Ellie's face.

Only because you can sleep in a normal bed tonight and have a proper bath, Ellie, she reminded herself, has nothing to do with Cullen.

They reached the stables just south of the city walls, dismounting their horses. The other three members of the party gathered their wares and made to head to their respective dwellings. Ellie was taking a little more time, giving her new horse, whom she decided to name Zephyr, a quick brush before heading towards her new home.

Maker, I need a bath, Ellie thought to herself, running her fingers through her disheveled blond locks.

As she departed from the stables, Zephyr gave a small whinny, causing Ellie to look back at her. With her head turned in the opposite direction from where she was walking, there was an audible clang followed by a thump as Ellie fell gracelessly to the ground, presumably walking into some large, metal structure of some sort.

I don't remember any metal pillars being right in the middle of the road… Propped up on her elbows, she rose to a sitting position and opened her eyes to see a pair of dark brown, leather-clad legs in front of her.

No, please, no, she beckoned as her eyes trailed upwards to see who the legs belonged to. Her fear was realized when she was met with the familiar face of the Commander, his annoying smirk plastered on his face.

"You would think with your intelligence and combat skills, you would at least have the mind to watch where you're going," he teased, stretching out one of his hands to help her get back on her feet.

In her stubbornness and embarrassment, she swatted his hand away, refusing to be any more pathetic than she already felt. "And you would think that with your chivalrous and noble background, that you would have the decency not to mow down an unsuspecting young lady."

The Commander chuckled lightly, then crouched down and slid his arm around Ellie, hoisting her back up to her feet. "I hardly mowed you down, I was just standing here. You walked into me." He looked at her, kindness in his warm eyes though his voice was laced with mockery.

Though she was now standing firmly on her feet now, her gaze had locked with his and she stopped breathing altogether, especially with his arm still tight around her waist. She blinked, unsure what to do. His eyes were gentle but unrelenting and she felt herself almost start to panic.

"I, um," she started, unsure of where she was even going with her sentence. "I should probably get home."

He looked down, nodding with a small smile of disappointment, releasing his grip on her torso. "Would you mind if I walk you there? There is a matter I would like to discuss with you."

The request caught her a little off guard, but she complied. Her nerves were already shot now, what more damage could be done?

"While you were gone," he spoke softly, so as not to be heard by passersby, "I did find that name you were looking for among those who didn't survive the Conclave." He paused, regarding her countenance before continuing. "We held Last Rites for those lost. I can imagine you would have preferred to be there for it but I couldn't postpone it any longer. Not without raising suspicion. There was a vigil of sorts, candles lit for all who had perished. I made sure to light one on your behalf."

Ellie drank in his words thoughtfully. It was a bittersweet moment. She was relieved that her brother's soul was finally laid to rest and that Cullen had been compassionate enough to both keep her secret and honor her brother. But she knew now for certain that Cain was gone and that thought made her heart sink right through her.

They reached the door to her abode, and before she went inside she turned to the Commander. "Thank you, Cullen," her voice genuine, she briefly placed her hand on his arm, her eyes looking as if she were about to fall apart at any moment. He gave her a sad smile as she broke away, retreating to the privacy of her home.

She shut the door behind her and leaned back on it, taking deep breaths to calm herself. She hadn't cried in years and she didn't want to start now. When she felt she had gained a semblance of composure she made her way to her bed, only to find a small bouquet of wildflowers with piece of folded paper beside it. Reaching out, she took the paper and opened it.

'Dear Ellie,

I am truly sorry for your loss. Please let me know if I can be of any help. You have my deepest sympathies.

Cullen'

As she read the words, her eyes welled up. The gesture was the breaking point for her resolve, and for the first time in a long time, Ellie broke down and mourned.