I own nothing of Dragon Age. Just my never-ending love for it's characters.

Heads up, I am trying something slightly different with Cole's speech. Enjoy!

"I'll never escape, bound by this love, this life and next, with stars above, don't let me go, don't let me go, burning fires at the speed of light, you're my soul, don't let go." Gravity, by tyDi, Carmen Keigans

-Griffon Wing Keep, Two days later-

Dorian entered the medical tent quietly, stepping softly out of the cool pre-dawn air so as not to wake the qunari warroir bunked in the far corner of the tent. He'd have liked nothing more than to sleep in, wrapped in the arms of said warrior, if he would but admit it. But he was far from ready to address that particular notion and the missive he'd recieved from his contacts in Tevinter brought him here in hopes to speak with Varric.

Since the dwarf's need to recover from the fight with the high dragon and with the assault on Adamant fortress mere days away, he wouldn't have time to discuss the contents of the message for some time unless he did so now.

The dwarf in question was still abed, but alert. Something on Dorian's face must have showed because he waved the mage over quietly, somehow knowing the conversation was going to be serious.

"Alright, what's wrong, Sparkler?" Varric prompted softly.

"We may have a lead in our investigation to find our Guardian's 'old friend.'"

Eyebrows raised in interest, the dwarf sat up gingerly. "You don't seem too happy about it," he grunted. "Should I prepare the Kid for disappointment?"

"I'm not sure yet," was the honest reply. The mage sat on the edge of the cot next to Varric's. "Apparently, based on the descriptions of the elf Athenril had given, my contacts have determined that this V'lartha had taken on a new name under service to a new magister." A grim line set upon the mage's face. "A magister that had close ties with Alexius."

Varric's expression mirrored Dorian's. "Uh, oh."

Dorian nodded once, agreeing. "When the investigator had other slaves questioned, they reported that she had been sold to someone else and has disappeared entirely. But from what I can ascertain, the poor woman has grown quite old and sickly over the years."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"When buying a slave, one must take into account the years of service the slave can give versus the upkeep necessary to keep them alive and healthy," Dorian explained. "Health, age, and sex are factored and the slave is priced accordingly. At this point, she would only have been useful to sell as fodder for blood magic, if you'll excuse my bluntness."

Varric had grimaced at the thought.

"However, if I understand the copied statement for this transaction," he continued, holding out the document in question. "She was bought well over the reasonable price for a blood mage's sacrifice. And this transaction was quite recent."

This gave the dwarf pause and he took the document to read it over. "So the question would be, what was the true reason for buying her, if not for her ability to work her hands to the bone or to bleed her life away for some demonic ritual?"

"Exactly. This worries me, Varric..." The mage fingered his mustache absently. "This elf is the only person outside of Amilee's family and friends who knows her true origin."

Varric grew pale and clenched the thin sheet that spread over him with his free hand. "And if Corypheous' minions got ahold of her..."

"Then Amilee's secret may be out."

The parchment he held was crumpled as Varric cursed, "Shit, fuck, and Maker's balls!"

"This would explain the Venatori's sudden interest in her capture or demise," the mage said reasonably. "Varric, I think we should warn her."

Rubbing his sore ribs absently, Varric shook his head. "With all that's going on right now, I don't think this would be the best time. It's not like everything else in this Maker-forsaken place isn't trying to kill her anyhow."

"Be that as it may, if she were captured, the Inquisition would stand to lose what little advantage it has. Not to mention the ramifications brought on by some radical, self proclaimed god's control of her power."

In a puff of smoke, their startled attentions drew to Cole, whose relaxed crouch upon the table behind Varric belied his anxious words. "Thedas isn't ready for this, no idea what would happen if she fell into his hands, total disaster and destruction. She's in real danger, now we know, but her knowing will not help. A storm looms on the horizon while adrift in murky waters. We are at it's mercy without paddle to row or sail to steer. She cannot know. Not yet."

"Why ever not?" Dorian snapped in irritation.

"If she knew, it would add more guilt, distraction and disillusion. Already she hurts, muted warmth and quiet measures. Stuttered, flickering like a candle, we would do more harm than good. No thanks to The Iron Bull."

"Come on, Kid... Give a guy a break," came a rumbling protest from the qunari, sitting up to stretch. The Ben-Hassrath had probably been eavesdropping on their entire conversation.

"A break is the least you need," the Tevinter mage countered wryly. "In light of your giving our dear Amilee such a hard time."

Cole rocked on his heels, teetering on the edge of the table, as he added softly, "My anger probably hurt her, too."

With a start and a sigh, Varric rubbed his forehead. "And why exactly were you angry with her, Kid?"

"Cullen says a leader's actions should inspire strength, to become more and fight harder, not to simply stand in awe. Amilee tries to sacrifice for us as one alone when she should lead us as one together," the spirit clarified gently.

"Hard to get her out of that habit when she's lost as much as she has," Varric quipped solemnly.

With a vague expression of seriousness, Cole looked to the dwarf. "She has more than she thinks, she just doesn't see."

"Ain't that the truth," The Iron Bull grumbled. "That's a woman for you."

Dorian threw out his hand and raised an eyebrow for emphasis as he responded, "Yes, but telling said woman on the cusp of a battle probably isn't the best way to get one's point across, hmm?"

Abruptly, Varric's eyes narrowed on Cole in consideration. "Kid, are you okay? We're just now seeing you after two days and you seem more... I don't know, spirit-y than usual."

The young man glanced away, lost in thought for a few moments, murmuring to himself, "Would that I could take time and not be chased, to contemplate the state I am and had misplaced." Then he bit his lip and studied his fingers. "Adamant is close, too close. And we have go there to win against demons drawn out by Elder One. I don't want to."

"Neither do I. But so what?" The Iron Bull challenged. "Just suck it up and deal."

"It's not like you have to go, Cole," Dorian reasoned as he slapped the qunari on the arm. "While this brute hasn't a thought about it, you don't have fond memories of that place and that wouldn't bode well for your focus. Amilee would let you go back to Skyhold instead, no question."

Shaking his head slowly, the young man answered, "She said I could stay behind if it was too much but I can't do that. I promised to help. If someone got hurt because I didn't, I... Memories of blood and death and darkness. Made real time after time, again and again. It'll be the same and thoughts become sharp, too sharp. I have to float above it by being more like me, before I grew. That way it can't reach me."

The dwarf chuckled and scoffed, "And you lectured Amilee for being distant..."

"I-" Cole started but realized what Varric stated was truth. "Oh." His hat obscured his face suddenly but the others imagined he now felt regret. "How did I not know?"

"Hindsight, my dear boy," Dorian offered as he stood, taking up his staff to make an exit. "We see wrong just fine in others, but when it comes to ourselves..."

"We don't see." After another moment, Cole took a breath and looked at his friends with a more animated expression of sheepishness. "I understand. I'm sorry."

"Save yourself the effort. There's no need to apologize to us," Dorian sniffed mildly. Then he yawned, waving as he headed out of the tent, presumably to go back to his.

"Thanks for the heads up, Sparkler!" Varric called out as the mage departed. Then he turned back to Cole. "I believe our illustrious Guardian will be skulking around in her tent. Between taking care of me and the nightmares she said she's having, she hasn't had much sleep."

""Yes. I will go and tell her I was the wrong way right. And then I will try to help."

"The Archdemon!" Wynne cried in horror.

There was no time to react. The dragon descended onto the square with the force of an immense earthquake. Cole tried to dive out of the way as Amilee reach out for him, but the massive wings of the beast beat once and sent a hurricane like wind sweeping through the square. The young man was lifted up, along with many of the dead soldiers, and flung through the air. Amilee too had been knocked back, in the opposite direction.

"Cole!" Amilee screamed as she recovered. Looking back to the great beast with hatred, she scrambled to her feet and backed up, the others calling for a retreat.

The dragon reared up, its serpentine neck curling. It then lunged forward, belching a blast of black flame from its mouth. As its focus lay on the other mages, Amilee once again called forth her kunai, fanning out behind and around her like a set of deadly wings.

She spotted a building tall enough for what she needed and she set off a wave of force that propelled her up and up, until her feet landed at the apex of a lone tower. Her blades then swooped down, aiming for one great wing, shredding through as if it were paper.

The dragon swiveled it's head trying to avoid the attacks and discern her location. Weaving back and forth she moved her blades faster, ripping at the decrepit flesh until the first wing fell apart and the Archdemon screamed in anger and agony.

It finally spotted her and she quickly jumped to float down from the impossible height, as it's tail whipped around to knock against the tower. The stones crumbled under the force and the structure collapsed in on itself.

Wynne and Adrian began their attack, as well as Shale, who ran up to tackle the dragon's flank. "I killed it once," she bellowed. "And I'll kill it again!" In moments she was tossed aside, but Evageline was there to step in, greatsword swinging.

Cole. Where is Cole? Amilee thought, her mind racing as a lightning storm appeared above them. Then she spotted him, a mere few feet from the dragon, trying to dodge the sparks and the beast as best he could.

The dragon's focus turned on the young man and it coiled its neck to strike.

Amilee tried to move but her feet were frozen in place. She looked down to find a black ooze had begun to immerse around her legs and she looked up again, helpless as the Archdemon took Cole up by the torso and flung him across the square, his body broken and head caved in. He was dead.

She opened her mouth and screamed...

And woke up still screaming. Clutching a sheet to her chest, she sat up swiftly to orient herself. Bringing a trembling hand to her sweat soaked forehead, she silently thanked Dorian for teaching her to soundproof her tent. Otherwise the whole of the keep would have come rushing to aid her.

Bad dreams were one thing, but she had relived this particular memory five times over only two nights. No sleeping draught nor powder was helping. It was obvious though why she was being haunted.

Cole had enacted his disappearing act again soon after he and the soldiers helped her return Varric to the keep. And this time, the hum of his presence had disappeared as well, which meant he had left the vicinity of the keep entirely. It had been months since she'd felt this bereft and she was afraid she had lost him.

It was only now, as she came out of her stupor, that she could detect his presence nearing. Relief washed over her like a tidal wave and she hurled the covers off her to meet him as he entered the tent.

Without thinking, she wrapped her arms around his middle and crushed her tear stained face to his chest. "Where did you go?" she cried, her voice breaking. "You had me worried sick!"

Taken aback by her sudden embrace and ardor, all he could do was stand frozen, arms raised helplessly.

After a few moments, she groused softly, "You can't even hug me back, you arse?"

"S-sorry," he stammered, settling his arms over her shoulders and squeezing her back awkwardly. "You've never hugged me before," he added.

"I hold back so you don't feel uncomfortable." The hum was more soothing than a lullaby and her grasp relaxed slightly as a flood of exhaustion took hold of her.

Cole wasn't sure if he should say what he came to, as she was clearly trying to stay upright and not pass out in his arms. "The warmth is less, just a small spark. Varric says you were having nightmares again."

"Yeah," she breathed, nuzzling the ring velvet of his tunic. ""It's better when you're here though."

"Oh?" He wasn't sure how to respond to that. He could feel her weight pulling against him more and more. "I came to say sorry," he murmured to her.

"Hmm?" she hummed hazily.

"I yelled at you to be better at the wrong time. It should have been before or maybe after, when we were not thinking about fighting." He gave into the notion to tangle his fingers in her hair, unsure as to why he wanted to. It was softer than his. It felt right. "And it should have been nicer. More like I should be."

"You still care when you're angry." Her voice was low, vibrating through his being and he shivered. "You wouldn't be angry at all, if you didn't."

"Amilee," he exhaled in a plea, confused. A strange feeling had come over him, a pull, tugging at his marrow to do something, but he didn't know what.

She was so tired, her response came out fractured, "You're here... I'm scared... Please stay." She paused to sigh then added, "Hum keeps the nightmares away."

Guilt struck a cord in him and pressed his lips together firmly. He shifted her loosened hold to lift her by the knees, carrying her to her cot. Had he known he helped her in this small way just by remaining close by... he would never had left the keep. He never wondered why she didn't have the bad dreams when he was around and felt the twinge of annoyance that she never said anything before now.

"I'm sorry," he whispered into her hair, though she was already unconscious. He sat on the cot, cradling her close after tucking the sheet around her. With resolve to keep her undisturbed, he maintained his invisible state and stretched his power just enough to hold her within it's barrier. "I'm here. Nothing can hurt you," he promised gravely.

-The next morning-

"Where were you, Cole?" Solas chastised absently, as he began to set up his makeshift study area. "Neither you nor the Guardian were anywhere to be found."

The rest of the Inner Circle, with the Inquisition's army in tow, had arrived late the day before. Cole had watched stoically as more than one of their friends search Amilee's tent for her. While he could feel concerns rise as the night went on, there were no pressing issues that needed her immediate attention. So he stayed quiet till she started to wake, slipping away before she became aware he was there.

"Weariness stood to falter she who was most in need of respite. To lie alone brings dreams dark with shadows so she begged I stay to abate them."

"She said you specifically keep her nightmares away or just someone else being there in general?"

"Me."

"I suppose it could have to do with the sensation she feels when spirits are around her," Solas sighed, his face pensive but understanding. "Be that as it may, you should not have hidden her."

The young man shrugged as if it didn't matter. "Two days without sleep, what good would she have been to anyone? No, one of you would have sought to wake her."

"That is the unfortunate consequence of her position, Cole. It is not for you to decide what is best for her."

"She is warm again, as she should be."

Solas gave a grunt of acknowledgement. "My point still stands."

Cole frowned deeply from, a nagging thought he couldn't shake. "There is something you hide from me, to do with her. It's there like a shadow, barely there when you talk about her. Why do you not say what you mean?"

Busying himself with organizing his rune collection, Solas explained, "I have the right to withhold certain opinions, if there is no use for them. To put your mind at ease, it's nothing to do with her as a person, nor as our Guardian."

"Good, I would be sad if you did not like her."

"Just be careful. You are Compassion and to narrow your focus to only one individual is outside of your intended purpose. You cannot take up such a singular attachment without risk of falling for the need to possess."

There's really no point to it, Amilee had told Cole once, when they spoke of Anders. I don't get why demons don't realize the futility. To safely possess a person is impossible without the spirit and person having alike natures. To share a space that is already full, they have to become one soul. So unless they are one at heart, that spirit either has to change its nature or destroy the person. And you cannot keep what you've destroyed.

"That would destroy her and I would never want that," Cole declared firmly. "And I don't think she would want me to change."

Solas nodded, satisfied he'd gotten his point across. "Alright. Now I do believe we have a meeting to attend. Just remember to stay focused."

"Yes."

Lots of dialogue, but as I said in the beginning, that will be my main focus.

Favs and reviews are appreciated!