"When my friend received his markings... he lost all his memories." Varrics words rung in the air.

There was pure silence, which allowed them to hear something that had previously gone unnoticed, Evelyn was muttering something.

"Dorian... where's Dorian..." She mumbled. Solas was the only one close enough to her to hear what she had said.

"She's asking for Dorian," Solas said, and the entire room breathed out a sigh of relief, especially Cullen and Max

"Ask and you shall receive," Dorian said, appearing in the doorway.

"Dorian, you really shouldn't be-" Solas tried to say.

Dorian interrupted him, "Standing up?" He said, now sitting on the bed beside Evelyn. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"Dorian are you okay?" She asked weakly.

"I'm alright, don't worry," Dorian said softly, Solas and Varric left the room, Max and Cullen were lingering by the door.

"It hurts Dorian." She said.

"I know darling, I know," Dorian said. Max and Cullen looked at each other and nodded slightly before exiting the room, leaving the two friends alone.

"I told Cullen I loved him." She said quietly.

"Really?!" Dorian gasped, he was genuinely surprised.

"Well, I was thinking about what you said and you were right..."


*Flashback*

"Evelyn, I realize that it was only a few weeks ago that I was telling you not to let the commander get off easy, but what is wrong with you? Clearly, you love him!" Dorian said.

Evelyn looked at him angrily, "I do not!"

"Why do you say it like that? Is it a bad thing?" Dorian asked. Evelyn tried to say something, but then Dorian continued, "Who is this man you're holding out for? Anders was it?" Dorian asked.

"How do you know- oh never mind, yes. Yes, Anders saved my life and then disappeared." Evelyn said.

"And?" Dorian asked.

"And what?" Evelyn responded.

"Well, what did you like about him?" Dorian asked.

"Well, he was a healer, he never wanted to hurt anyone, he only ever wanted to help. He was funny and he was nice."

"He was... nice?" Dorian asked before shaking his head, "Alright, well what about Cullen?"

"Cullen's... he's good, and he's always there when I need him, and he kept me safe all those years, and I'd trust him with anything," Evelyn said.

"He's good?" Dorian sighed, "Bless your innocent heart. Alright, what about negatives?"

"Anders was always angry, he uh... he scared me sometimes and I guess that maybe it should have been a red flag," Evelyn said.

"Alright, and what about Cullen?" Dorian asked, Evelyn but her lip in thought and was silent for several moments, "Well that's an answer." He said. Dorian walked up to Evelyn and put his hands on her shoulders, "That man is in love with you, if you wait forever he will wait as well, but it'll hurt him, you know that. And I know you love him, so my only question is what are you waiting for? A bitter, angry man whose killed hundreds in cold blood and started a war that had killed thousands more, or a man who loves you with everything he is and is "good"?"


*End Flashback*

"And what happened?" Dorian asked.

"He said he loved me too," Evelyn told him.

"I'm so happy for you Evelyn," Dorian said.

There was a pause, and Evelyn painfully examined her arms, there were three blue lines connected by a circle on each arm just under her wrist.

"What did they do to me?" She asked.

"It's lyrium," Dorian started, "In Tevinter, Archon Danarius did this to his slaves that served as his guard because it granted them nearly superhuman abilities." Dorian paused, "I'm sorry Evelyn."

Evelyn gritted her teeth as a wave of pain came over her, "It really hurts Dorian."

"I know, I know..." He said, smoothing her hair, a blue glow started to envelop his hands, and Evelyn slipped away to sleep.


A Few Days Later...

Evelyn was sitting on the edge of Cullen's desk listening to him rant about a recruit who was lazy.

"But enough about me... how are you feeling?" He asked, taking her hands in his and rubbing circles on them with his thumbs.

"I'm worried about Max, I wish I had gone with him to Emprise du Lion." She said.

Cullen stood from his chair and put his hands on either side of her hips, he leaned over her and said, "I think you worry too much."

He kissed her, pinning her to his desk, she wrapped her legs around him and pulled him closer. Of course, this was the very moment that Cassandra walked into Cullen's office.

"I-Oh Maker!" She cried.

Cullen and Evelyn could not have moved apart faster if they tried, "Oh Cassandra, I uh, didn't hear you." Evelyn said awkwardly.

Cassandra was staring at them with shocked eyes, "So you're Cullen's forbidden mage lover?! Varric was right!" Cassandra squealed before composing herself.

"How does everyone know about that?" Cullen asked, slightly alarmed, and at the same time, Evelyn said...

"More like he was my forbidden Templar lover."

Cassandra looked at Evelyn who was smirking, and Cullen who was blushing and said, "Well, I will just leave this here then." She said, placing her report on the desk before turning and leaving.

Evelyn turned to face Cullen, "Cullen?" She asked.

"Yes?" He answered confused.

"Get up that ladder." She told him and his eye's widened slightly.

He promptly climbed up with Evelyn right behind him, he quickly pulled off his armour and picked Evelyn up by her waist. She wrapped her legs around him once again. He started to kiss her jaw and neck, and then suddenly she gasped in pain and jumped off him.

"Evelyn what's-" Cullen stopped as he saw her clutching her wrists, the markings on them were glowing blue. She was clearly in some pain so Cullen said, "Do you want me to get Dorian?" Over the past few days, Dorian had been helping mitigate her pain using techniques he had learned from kinsmen in Tevinter.

Evelyn nodded and said, "Thank you."

Cullen nearly jumped down the ladder and raced to the library where he knew he would find Dorian, he ran up the many stairs and finally found Dorian.

"Commander, to what do I owe this pleasure?" He asked in his usual flirtatious tone.

"Evelyn needs your help." He said quickly, he was still out of breath.

"What happened?" Dorian demanded seriously.

Cullen explained what had happened to Dorian as they made their way back to his office, when they opened the door they saw Evelyn leaning on Cullen's desk waiting for them.

"Evelyn, are you alright?" Dorian asked with concern.

"I'm fine now, really," She paused, "I don't know what happened."

"You just can't control it yet, eventually you'll be able to turn it on and off, just like your magic," Dorian said with assurance.

Evelyn just sighed, "Thanks Dorian."


Dear Evelyn,

I hope you're doing well, I'm starting to regret bringing Sera along with me, she is terrorizing Blackwall to no end and I fear that she is slowly driving Vivienne insane. I miss not having you here with me, it feels odd if I'm being honest, sort of like I don't have my guardian angel watching over me ready to spring a barrier up at any time.

How are your arms? Vivienne seems to be under the impression that the markings will do nothing to increase your power, but Iron Bull is adamant about the opposite. I told them I'd ask.

How are you and Cullen? I swear I'd never seen a man happier than when he realized that you hadn't forgotten who he was. Even though Cullen is my friend, if he ever hurts you, tell me, and I'll kill him, or at the very least try to. I'm not going to pretend that I'm a better fighter than he is because I'm not certain that it's true.

Your Loving Brother, Maxwell Trevelyan.

Dear Max,

Are all your letters so formal? You write like mother, even your handwriting is the same.

I'm doing fine, Solas and Dorian have begun to teach me how to use the markings, and while it used to hurt, it doesn't as much anymore. Dorian says that he believes that eventually there will be no pain at all.

To settle your argument, Solas and I put the markings to use, and I do believe that they have enhanced my magic, as well as a few other things, but not to an extreme extent. Not like an "I'm powerful enough to defeat Corypheus" kind of powerful, but more like an "I can do cool stuff with fire now" sort of thing.

Cullen and I are fine, Cassandra walked in on an intimate moment a few days ago, which was awkward to say the least, however she seemed nearly giddy when she found out about our relationship. I let Cullen read your letter and he wants me to let you know that if he ever does hurt me then he'll let you, he also says that he is certain you would win in a one on one combat, something Dorian wants to test when you get back.

Evelyn.

Dear Evelyn,

You know, I too have the realization that I was a lot like our mother a few days ago, you should have seen my horror.

I'm glad you're alright. When we found Dorian, well, I had thought the worst. I'm glad that they will one day be of no notice to you, and please convey my thanks to Dorian.

Vivienne does not believe you and wants a demonstration when she returns, Iron Bull has bet her 20 royals that she is wrong. As you can see, the stakes are clearly high.

I am pleased to hear about you and Cullen, and Iron Bull nearly died when I told him and Cassandra walked in on the two of you. Blackwall was quite confused at first before he figured it out. He also wanted to pass on a bit of advice "don't play diamondback with Solas", I'm not sure what that means exactly, but he said that we've been warned. You know, Blackwall reminds me of the father that I always wanted, I don't know about you, but I've kind of started imagining him in that role. I even had a dream once where he was our father and he saved us from mothers wrath.

Tell Cullen and Dorian that it's on. Also, tell Cullen that with that response I'm going to have a harder time going through with it.

Love, Maxwell.

Dear Max,

Tell Vivienne and Iron Bull that this information caused Solas to have a mid-life crisis, I'll explain later.

I'm glad to hear that you've finally found a good father figure in your life, Maker knows you need one with all the gossiping and eavesdropping you do. I probably could have done without knowing that you dream of Blackwall, but Josephine and Leliana thought it was quite amusing.

Dorian anxiously awaits your return, as does Varric who has begun to take bets on your impending fight. Cullen is less than pleased with this development.

Also, Dorian wants to know if Iron Bull has been getting his letters. If the answer is yes then Dorian demands a response, and if the answer is no then Dorian would like Iron Bull to know that as of now he has no demands but will soon come up with a list after he has found the problem. Dorian would also like for you to personally investigate this manner as he cannot be certain whether or not Bull is lying about receiving the letters.

Lastly, Josephine has been acting a bit strangely lately and I think you should talk to her when you come back.

Love, Evelyn.

Dear Evelyn,

I am really looking forward to this story about Solas.

Why did you let Leliana and Josephine read the letter, that is so embarrassing! I probably deserve it for all the gossiping and such, but still!

Who's betting on me and who's betting on Cullen, Sera, Vivienne, Iron Bull, Blackwall and I have a bet going.

Bull says he has received the letters and he wrote a reply that was sent with this one.

Do you know what's going on with Josie? Does Leliana know? Did she say something about me? Don't show her this!

Love, Max.

Dear Max,

First of all, Varric, Leliana, Cassandra and Cole are all betting on Cullen while Josephine, Solas, Dorian and Hawke are betting on you.

Secondly, when did you start calling her Josie, that's so cute! I don't know what's going on, but Leliana seems to have an inkling. She's asked me how you've been doing and when I suggested that she write you she did, and that letter was sent with the same carrier that this one did.

Also, Cullen and I are going to Ferelden tomorrow, nowhere with any real danger or anything. He won't tell me why, says it's a surprise, whatever that means. So if my letters take a little while longer to reach you for the next few weeks, that's probably why.

Love, Evelyn.


Cullen led Evelyn to a dock that looked over a picturesque lake, "Where are we?" Evelyn asked.

"I grew up around here, I would come and hide by the lake when I needed a reprieve from my siblings." Cullen said, "It's always been a place where I could truly relax."

"It's beautiful," Evelyn said, squeezing Cullen's hand lovingly.

"The last time I was here was the day I left for Templar training," Cullen paused and reached into his pocket, "My brother gave me this." He said, presenting a Ferelden silver, "It had just been in his pocket, but he said it was for luck."

"A little luck never hurt anyone." Evelyn said, "Although, I'm not sure it worked out for you."

"Really, because I think it did." Cullen said and took her other hand, "Everything that happened lead me to you, I'd say that's pretty lucky." He placed the coin in Evelyn's hand, "Humor me. I don't know what we'll face or what will happen, but it can't hurt."

Evelyn smiled, "Maker knows I need it."

"I know it's foolish, but I'm glad." He said and leaned into her. She kissed him sweetly before pulling away and walking to the edge of the dock, the coin safely tucked into her pocket. She crouched down and dipped her finger in the water, it was lukewarm, she turned to face Cullen, "Care for a swim?" She asked before slowly starting to undo the ties on her armour.

Cullen got the hint and quickly got to work on his own armour, soon enough they were shoulder deep on Evelyn, and chest deep on Cullen. They were kissing passionately when Cullen realized Evelyn's markings were glowing.

"Evelyn, are your arms bothering you?" He asked between kisses.

"What?" Evelyn asked with confusion before glancing at her glowing wrists, "Oh, no they're not bothering me at all." She said, and they resumed their locked lips before Evelyn pulled away slightly, "Does it bother you?" She asked, "Because if it does I completely understand, I-" Cullen cut her off by kissing her.

"Trust me, it doesn't."


Dear Evelyn,

I haven't heard from you in a few weeks, so I take it you and Cullen are enjoying yourselves in Ferelden. I'm glad the both of you managed to take a break, you both deserve it.

Unfortunately, I have some bad news, we've confronted Erimond in the Western Approach, but he fled to Adamant Fortress, it is there that I believe we will have to make our stand, lest the entire world fall to an army of demons and Darkspawn.

I've been informed that we'll arrive at Skyhold at about the same time, so do not bother writing me back. Just spend as much time with Cullen as you can, I'm afraid of what may come.

Maxwell.


Authors Note: Thanks once again to everyone who has followed and favourited this story, and a huge thanks to everyone who has left comments/reviews! I hope you enjoyed! :)