The broad-shouldered, solid form of Blackwall approached Ash as she neared the edge of the camp, backlit by the light of the fire. He gave her a deep smile that drew attention to his strong cheekbones and bright eyes. Her heart announced its presence aggressively against her ribcage. Damned, if he doesn't have beautiful hair, she mused as she drank in the sight of him. The beard was still a novelty to her. A thick, luxurious novelty that her fingers ached to toy with.

"My lady, it is good to see you about," his deep voice held an underlying urgency. Anxiety, maybe, that he was hesitant to express.

"Just needed a nap to shake the ol' death out of my bones," Ash quipped. Blackwall coughed. The leather of his gloves whined as he wrung his hands nervously. She almost reached out to him then and there, but his stoicism stunted her.

"You jest, but we very nearly did lose you," he shook his head. "I wanted to apologize. If I hadn't lost sight of you back at the last battle, maybe…"

"Stop there," she said sharply. "If you hadn't lost sight of me, we'd be pressing our luck for two miraculous escapes, and I might be down one excellent soldier." He cleared his throat.

"Fair point."

"Your concern is touching, but I know what I'm doing," Ash paused. She bit her lip in reconsideration. "Well… okay, so Haven was new. With the undead mage and the dragon. But I improvised." Her gold eyes snapped back to him and narrowed. "I'm good at that."

He chuckled warmly.

"So I'm learning." Blackwall saw her shoulders quake in a shiver and his thick eyebrows rose. "Foolish of me. You're freezing, and here I am blocking the fire." He stepped aside as he reached out and took gentle hold of her elbow to guide her further into the camp.

"You'll have to make it up to me somehow," Ash winked at him. His already ruddy cheeks darkened further.

"I, ah…" he faltered.

"I'm quite alright, Blackwall. Though I wouldn't say no to any food we have ready around here," she saved him from any unnecessary apology.

"That, I can do. I'll be back shortly," he bowed and set off determinedly. Ash shook her head. She'd never met any man so eager to please her. It was bewildering. She was drawn to his strength, his kindness, and ruggedness. She had thought at first his earnestness would irritate her, but it had charmed her instead. And now, the eagerness to serve her. It was all new to Ash. Even the smallest off-hand joke might send Blackwall away on a mission. She'd have to be careful about voicing idle wishes, lest she send one of her best warriors on a fool's errand for Antivan figs.

He returned shortly with a bowl of hot stew and a metal cup of cold ale.

"We have ale?" she gasped.

"Shh," he glanced around conspiratorially. "Keep your voice down. Iron Bull doesn't have unlimited supplies, you know."

Ash laughed and sat down as close to the fire as was reasonable. She had hoped for a moment to catch up with the warden. So much had happened. When she was climbing through the cave beneath the ruins of Haven, her energy slowly seeping from her with each step, she had many thoughts run through her head. She had thought of her clan, of the Inquisition she'd never wanted depending on her, of her new friends and their unknown fates… of Blackwall. She knew so little about him, and yet she found strength thinking of what she might say if she finally got a second chance.

Not that she would have that chance yet. No sooner had they sat to eat, then she was surrounded by her advisors. The break had given them time to digest events and formulate new plans. And with new plans came new things to run by Ashiril. Such was her life now.

She cast Blackwall one helpless shrug before turning to an insistent Cassandra, doing her best to talk over Cullen. The warden chuckled and left them to their plotting. It was enough for him that he'd stolen a few words with the elven warrior. It was enough even to have seen her alive and well, after the spiral of regret that had swallowed him, surely as the snow had swallowed Haven.

The next few days were charged with excitement. No one knew exactly how or why, but Ashiril led with a renewed purpose through the snowy mountains around them. Her confident voice barked orders that kept them all energized and moving. It was a far cry from the mood that had befallen them the night after Haven fell. Now, there was a mission. Spirits grew ever warily higher as they followed the elven warrior, with the elven apostate often at her side. Some wondered what he whispered to her when they pulled ahead of the group.

"You're sure there's something out here?" Ash asked Solas breathlessly as she climbed yet another snowy bank toward yet another outcropping of rock. She'd managed to keep the group following her fired up, but her own excitement waned with each new view of more mountains and clouds and ice.

"I'm sure," was the elven mage's steadfast reply.

"Course you are," she muttered to herself.

"So little faith," he chuckled as she neared the next peak.

"It's not that I don't have faith in your vast knowledge of all things random and obscure, it's just that I'm eager to not be traipsing about mountains in the dead of winter," Ash explained patiently. A few more feet and she could stretch and observe the next few miles. "And morale is high now, but I wouldn't hold out hope once the supplies start… start. Holy…"

Ash's voice died as she reached the peak and looked beyond. She straightened to her full height. Her jaw dropped fully. The sight before her filled her with awe, and a little bit of sheepishness.

Solas had been right.

Before her, just beyond a brief valley of snow and stone, rose a massive fortress nestled between the mountains. Its size rivaled that of any human castle she had ever seen.

And it was theirs now.

"Holy Maker's fetid breath! How did you know about this?" her voice shook with excitement.

"Am I going to have to give the origin story of every tidbit I share with you?"

Ash scoffed loudly and spun around to face Solas, throwing her arms wide in an emphatic gesture.

"For the tidbits that I can fit an actual army inside, yes, Solas. Yes, I would like that origin story."

He raised a dark eyebrow at her. His lips pressed together in a self-satisfied smirk.

"Perhaps, when I think of something you can give me in exchange."

She narrowed her eyes on him, ignoring as excitement began to spread through the group like fire as more realized the discovery.

"You are a bad friend," she scolded. His eyes widened in mock offence.

"I just gave you a castle!"

"Ach," she spat and turned.

A gasp from behind drew her attention.

"Maker's breath!" Cassandra stood dumbstruck. Varric was close behind.

"Holy hell in a basket," he whistled.

Ash raised an eyebrow at them.

"I know, right?" she said smugly. She threw her arms wide. "Inform the people. Tonight, we celebrate in comfort!"