Evelyn and Dorian were in Redcliffe, it was the first time Evelyn had been back there since they had attempted to take the amulet from Corypheus. "Are you alright Evelyn?" Dorian asked her as they approached the main gates.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

Dorian looked at her with uncertainty but kept riding forwards. They were soon standing outside the Gull and Lantern, "Ready?" Evelyn asked.

Dorian swallowed and nodded, they entered together and looked around at the seemingly empty tavern.

"Uh oh, nobody's here," Dorian said, "This doesn't bode well."

"Dorian," A deep voice from a shadowed corner spoke.

The man stepped forward, "Father," Dorian spoke coolly. Dorian looked over at his shoulder to Evelyn, who shrugged, she also was taken by surprise at his father's appearance. "So what is this then? Ambush? Kidnapping? Warm family reunion?"

Dorian's father sighed and looked at Evelyn, "This is how it has always been."

"I'm not on your side here. Dorian has every right to be angry," Evelyn said.

Magister Halward was taken aback at that, "This is not... what I wanted."

"I'm never what you wanted, or have you forgotten?" Dorian asked.

"Dorian please if you'll only listen to me-"

"Why? So you can spout some more convenient lies?" Dorian demanded.

"I only wanted what was best for you," Halward said.

"And naturally that was through the use of blood magic was it?" Evelyn asked, moving to stand beside Dorian.

Halward looked at her with surprise, "That was a family matter," He spoke to Dorian.

"I know," Dorian said. They stared at each other for a moment, "Tell me why you came."

"If I had known that I would have driven you to the Inquisition..."

"You didn't. I joined the Inquisition because it's the right thing to do," Dorian paused, "Once I had a father who would have known that."

Dorian shook his head, and began to walk to the door, Evelyn began to follow when Halward spoke, "Once I had a son who trusted me. A trust I betrayed. I only wanted to talk to him, to hear his voice again, and to ask him for forgiveness."

Dorian looked at Evelyn, she jerked her head towards Halward and left. She knew that Dorian's father was a sensitive topic, and she thought it was best to leave him to it privately for now. She knew he would tell her when he was ready.

It was only a few minutes later that Dorian left the tavern, "Let's go."

"Are you sure? We're in no rush," Evelyn said.

"I'm sure, everything was said that needed to be," Dorian told her.

Evelyn nodded, "Alright."

They mounted their horses and left Redcliffe, Evelyn silently hoped that she would never have to return.


Upon their return to the Inquisition camp outside Redcliffe, a letter was there for Evelyn.

Dear Evelyn,

Cullen located Samson's main hideout! It's in the Shrine of Dumat, we have to move quickly. Come as soon as you are done in Redcliffe and bring Dorian with you as well.

Love Max.

Evelyn groaned as she read it.

"What's the matter?" Dorian asked.

"We have to go all the way to the Shrine of Dumat," Evelyn said.

"Good lord, more travelling?" Dorian said.

"I guess so." Evelyn looked out to the rapidly setting sun of the Hinterlands, "We leave in the morning."


It took several days of non-stop travel to reach the Shrine of Dumat, and when they finally arrived, they found Blackwall, Iron Bull, Max and Cullen waiting for them.

"How was Redcliffe?" Cullen asked Evelyn as he tossed her a healing potion to put in her belt.

"Fine I guess, not really yearning to go back there anytime soon though," Evelyn said. She looked up at him, "Are you alright?"

"Hmm? Yes, I just..." Cullen trailed off as he looked towards the fortress, "Ever since you told me about Samson and Maddox... this is all just..."

"A little too close?" Evelyn asked.

"Yes," Cullen said.

Evelyn put her hand on his shoulder, "We'll get him Cullen. We will."

"I hope so," Cullen said.

"Are you guys ready?" Max asked, coming over to the two of them.

Evelyn looked at Cullen who nodded, "Let's go."

They fought their way through the Templars around the entrance. When they entered the main keep it became apparent that they had known the Inquisition was coming. Everything was on fire, and the only things left were Templar horrors, which were quick to begin their attack.

Together the six of them took care of the horrors, and that was when they heard a loud bellow. Huge thunderous footsteps came from the stairs that were crumbling beneath its feet. It was a behemoth made of red lyrium.

"Dorian, Evelyn, get to higher ground, attack it from there!" Max called.

Evelyn quickly climbed up a ladder onto a raised walkway, Dorian climbed up beside her.

From their vantage point, they were barraging the behemoth with devastating spells while healing and protecting their friends. Finally, they managed to kill the thing. Dorian and Evelyn came down and joined the rest of the group. Dorian fussed over Iron Bull's wounds, Max blushed as Blackwall complimented his fighting style, all while Evelyn and Cullen stared down a large door, one which they hoped was hiding Samson behind it.

"Ready?" Evelyn asked.

Cullen nodded, the rest of the group assembled behind them as Evelyn pushed open the doors.

The room was empty, except for a small huddled figure in the corner.

Evelyn and Cullen looked at each other before running to him. It was Maddox.

"Hello Evelyn," He said eerily calmly.

"Maddox..." Evelyn trailed off, not really knowing what to say.

"Something's wrong, I'll send for the healers," Cullen said.

"That would be a waste, Knight-Captain Cullen," He paused, "I drank my entire supply of nightcap essence. It won't be long now."

"We only wanted to ask you questions," Evelyn said.

"Yes," Maddox spoke, "That is what I could not allow. We destroyed the camp with fire. We all agreed it was best, it gave Samson and the others time to escape."

"You threw your lives away? For Samson? Why?" Cullen asked desperately.

"You know why," Maddox said. He looked at Cullen, then Evelyn, "You both do." His eyes closed and his head started to slump. He was dead.

"Someone do something! Evelyn, try to heal him!" Cullen called.

Evelyn put a hand on his forearm, "I'm sorry Cullen."

"Why would you want to help him? Isn't he the enemy?" Iron Bull asked from behind them.

"Because this was almost us!" Cullen shouted, mostly to Evelyn.

"I know Cullen!" Evelyn shouted back, much to everyone's surprise. "I know..." She said quieter.

They stared at each other for a moment, "We should search the camp, maybe Maddox missed something." Cullen left the room.

Iron Bull, however, was still confused, "What did he mean?" He asked Dorian quietly.

"Apparently Samson and Maddox were secret lovers in the Circle, much like Evelyn and Cullen. They were found out, Samson was thrown out of the order and Maddox was made Tranquil. If Meredith had found out about Cullen and Evelyn instead..." Dorian trailed off, not wanting to imagine either Evelyn or Cullen in Maddox's or Samson's positions.

Evelyn sighed and turned away from Maddox's body and followed Cullen out of the room. Max and the others followed after her.

Cullen was reading something when Evelyn walked up to him, "What's that?" She asked.

"It's a letter... from Samson," Cullen said, a slightly haunted look on his face.

"To who?" Dorian asked, coming up beside Evelyn.

"To me..." Cullen said.

"What does it say?" Max asked.

Cullen shook his head and handed the letter to Evelyn who read it, "Drink enough lyrium and its songs reveal the truth. The Chantry used us, you're fighting the wrong battle. Corypheus chose me as his general... and blah blah blah, other such nonsense," Evelyn said, "Most of this is completely illegible. Does he really think you're just going to switch sides because of a letter?"

"Hard to say what goes on in that mans head these days," Cullen said.


Back at Skyhold...

The journey home had been tense, there was obviously some words that needed to be said between Evelyn and Cullen. Now that they were back it was time to have them.

Evelyn knocked on Cullen's door, "Come in!" She could hear him call from inside.

She entered his office/room, "Are you busy?" She asked.

"Not at the moment," He replied.

There was a moment of tense silence, "Are you mad at me?" Evelyn asked, "You're not talking to me, and I don't know..." She sighed, "If I've done something... please just tell me because-"

"No, I'm not, you haven't." Cullen took a breath and started again, "I've been having these nightmares where I'm a Red Templar, like Samson. Seeing Maddox... it was just too close to becoming not just a nightmare."

"You would have never been able to do that," Evelyn said.

"Do what?" Cullen asked.

"Leave me like that," Evelyn said.

"You say that with such conviction."

"Yes, I do. Because I know you." Evelyn reached out a hand to place on his shoulder to comfort him, but he jerked away.

"How can you have so much faith in me? Especially when I keep proving you wrong," Cullen asked.

"When have you ever given me a reason not to trust you?" Evelyn asked.

As soon as the words left her mouth she realized what he was about to say, "I almost-"

"Don't, don't do that," Evelyn said, "I know you feel guilty, and I know it hurts you. But I forgive you, Cullen, I forgave you a long time ago. All that's left is for you to forgive yourself."

Cullen sighed, "It was almost you."

Evelyn hugged him, "I know."


A Few Days Later...

Everyone was leaving for Adamant today. It was a sombre mood. People were well aware the danger and importance of what they were going to do. Stop a demon army from taking over the world, and cut Corypheus off from his forces.

The morning before the siege, Evelyn was standing outside her tent watching the sunrise.

Cullen emerged from his tent and saw her staring off into the distance.

"Got something on your mind?" Cullen asked as he walked up beside her.

She turned her head to look at him, "Don't go."

"What?" Cullen asked.

"Don't fight, please don't," Evelyn said.

"Eve, I... I have to," Cullen said. He looked at her, really looked, and he saw that she seemed to be upset. "What's this about?"

"I can't keep you safe if I'm with my brother," Evelyn said, "I'm worried that... you'll get hurt."

"I won't, I'll be fine. I am pretty good with a sword remember?" Cullen wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close to him.

"I know... I just worry," Evelyn said, leaning into him.

"I know, me too."

They stayed like that until the sun completely rose, "I love you," Evelyn said.

"I love you too," Cullen replied.

They kissed briefly then separated, Evelyn off to go with her brother and the battering ram, and Cullen went to rally the troops.

Max was waiting with the others for her there. "Ready to go?" He asked.

Evelyn nodded, "Who's coming with us?"

"Cole, Varric, and Blackwall," Max said.

Evelyn nodded again, "Where's Cole?" She asked, looking around.

"Here," He said, suddenly appearing beside her. At that point, Evelyn wasn't even shocked.

"Alright!" Max called, "Now that we've assembled let's review the plan once more." He looked around at everyone, "We need to get the battering ram in position as quickly as possible. Once it's in position, Evelyn can cast a barrier over it, giving us protection for as long as it takes to break down that door. From there the rest of the army will come in behind us, plus those who are using the siege ladders. Remember! It is important that we make it there as quickly as possible, every second we allow the ritual to continue is another demon that is summoned." Everyone nodded, "Okay, to your positions!"

The beginning of the siege was bloody and brutal, the loss of life was unimaginable. Evelyn knew she just had to keep pushing forward, but every once in a while she would glance down at the face of a particularly young soldier and rage would burn in her heart.

Once they had cleared and gotten control of the main courtyard, Cullen and his men came in behind them.

Cullen and Evelyn shared a brief smile, "We're encountering some trouble on the barricades, the demons are pushing out men back," Cullen said.

Max nodded, "We'll handle it."

Cullen nodded to Max and Evelyn, "Good luck."

Cullen then ran off with his men, and a pit formed in Evelyn's stomach. She pushed the feeling aside, but unease was still present on her face.

The group worked their way up the stronghold, retaking key positions on the battlements along the way. They finished helping the soldiers gain a better foothold where Varric said, "Shorty, look at this." He pointed over the battlements to where Cullen was leading a sizeable force against the demons, "It's curly, see, he's fine."

Evelyn smiled as she spotted Cullen on the battlefield, "Thanks, Varric."

"Alright, now to confront Clarel," Max said.

They slowly wound their way to where the ritual seemed to be taking place. There was a box of supplies waiting outside the door. They all fille up.

"Whatever happens, I'm honoured to have fought by your sides," Blackwall spoke.

"Me too," Cole said.

Evelyn smiled at Max who nodded.

"Yeah yeah yeah, enough with the sentimental crap. Let's go and kick some ass! We can all stand around and talk about how much we love each other later," Varric said.

"Aww, you love us?" Evelyn asked. Blackwall and Maxwell chuckled.

"Shut it shorty."

Max took a deep breath, "Maker be with us." He opened the door...