Adan was the first physician to get in to see Faydren. The grumpy alchemist was no longer needed as a healer, but he still insisted on seeing to the Herald when the need arose. He gave a series of satisfied grunts as he checked her over. They hadn't let her get out of bed yet. Then she found out how long it had been.

"A week?!" She asked incredulously.

"That's right. We're lucky it wasn't longer," Adan held her wrist and appeared to be counting.

"What was wrong?"

"Nothing that we could find. Best guess was it had something to do with that," he nodded at her left arm. "And whatever happened out in the mountains."

"Can you… wrap it?"

"I wouldn't say I need to, but if you really want-"

"Please."

Faydren looked down at the offending appendage as he wrapped it. Black scarring forked up to her elbow, looking like the cracks in ice not quite broken. Adan said when she was brought back they were cracks in her skin, and they glowed like the Anchor. Now it was just another scar, and another reminder. Thankfully this time not a reminder of loss.

Memories of that night were fuzzy. She remembered seeing her friends nearly dead all around her. Remembered Cullen's eyes – the bloody dagger – the sound of his body hitting the ground… Her heart ached just thinking about it.

After that there was light, warmth, power. Resurgence had never come so easily before. Something held her hand, reassuring even as its touch burned with a searing intensity. She'd healed her friends and cut Seranus down. Then there was only darkness until she woke up in this bed with Cullen by her side.

Faydren's face grew warm. He'd kissed her. He must not have been thinking straight. Just woke up, saw her awake after so long, so much relief - a relieved, sleep-deprived kiss. That was all... And Cullen hadn't been back since. Even as she tried to explain it away, her heart secretly began to hope. Was this feeling what it seemed?

"If nobody knew when I would wake up, why was the Commander here?" She asked abruptly.

"Because he never left," Adan finished bandaging with a nod, her forearm completely covered.

"Never?" Faydren blinked in surprise.

"Or very rarely in any case. The man was in bad shape."

Before she could bother formulating a response, there was a commotion outside the door. A grin tugged at her lips. She'd known it would only be a matter of time.

"C-Commander said n-not to let anyone through," she heard a young man stammer.

"Cullen can go soak his head!" Iron Bull's voice rumbled through the door. "The Inquisitor is my boss, and she is in there."

"Really, I don't think it's in your best interest to stand in our way," Dorian added smoothly.

"You've heard what happens when Qunari get angry, right?" Varric played along.

"Ugh," Cassandra butted in. "I will speak to the Commander on your behalf, soldier. Let us through."

"O-of course, Seeker!"

The door squeaked open and there was the clambering of many feet on her stairs. Then they were all there, looking at her with varying levels of relief. Bull and Cassandra were covered in sweat and dirt, Dorian's hair stuck up in all directions, Varric had huge bags under his eyes and ink stains on his fingers – Faydren was so happy just to see them all.

"Wow. You guys look terrible," she smiled slightly. "Leave you alone for one week, and you completely let yourselves go."

The humor was unexpected and at first it was met with stunned silence. Then the good-natured retorts came. Even Cassandra allowed her amusement to show. Their visit lasted for a short while longer before Adan ushered them all out. There was no resistance now that they'd seen her for themselves. The alchemist gathered his things and left as well, advising her to rest one more day to be safe.

Faydren lay back with a sigh. The room was dark now aside from moonlight filtering through the windows. Her fingers played absentmindedly along the unnecessary bandages as warm tears slid down her face. They were happy tears this time… She hadn't expected to find a family again.

"Why do you hide it?"

The Inquisitor about jumped out of her skin as she looked up to see Cole peering at her upside down from his perch on top of the canopied bed. Had he come in with the others? She swiped at the tears on her cheeks.

"Hide what?" When she thought about it, his question could apply to a great many things.

"Your arm. It's not hurt, but you hide it. Why?"

"I… I'm not sure," she averted her eyes. It was partly true. She'd requested it on a feeling more than anything.

"You worry it would remind them. Of the hurt. The fear. Watching, waiting, wondering…"

"I didn't mean to cause them pain," she said softly. "You could see it, couldn't you?"

"They care for you. Caring is painful," Cole dropped silently to the floor and moved to her side, touching the bandaged arm gently. "Sometimes to help our friends, we hurt them too. That doesn't mean we should stop helping."

"I've never asked… Do you have other friends somewhere?"

"Before you, Rhys was my friend. He was a mage. He saw me when most couldn't, and he remembered," Cole spoke calmly. "He helped me, and I watched over him. I worried Evangeline would hurt him."

"Evangeline?" Faydren was surprised but pleased that he was actually sharing this with her.

"She was a Templar," the statement was matter-of-fact. "But she didn't like hurting people. When I left, she stayed. Now she watches over him."

"Why did you leave?"

"Seeker Lambert told me what I was. Rhys couldn't look at me. I ran."

"Where are they now?" It might be nice to meet someone Cole knew from before.

"They should have been with the rebels. Maybe they ran away together instead. Neither of them like killing," he sounded hopeful.

"If you like, I could use the resources of the Inquisition to locate your friends."

"No. If they are alive and safe, they should stay away. The last time he saw me, he... didn't want to look at me. He saw a monster," Cole's voice took on an edge she'd never heard. "Let him forget."

They both remained silent for a few moments, contemplating. If this Rhys had truly been his friend once, surely he couldn't see the boy as a monster. Faydren's mind was made up – she would find him. Just in case.

"What about now, Cole? Are you okay after...?" Her eyes searched his face.

"I would have been sad if you were gone. But, I could feel you. I knew you'd come back," he gave a small, shy smile.

"I would be sad if you were gone too," she smiled back. Faydren wasn't sure why, but it suddenly struck her that she didn't want to be alone. "Cole… will you stay with me?"

"Yes," he nodded and took a seat next to the bed.

Cole's presence calmed her, much as it had after Therinfal. Maybe it was just knowing she didn't have to appear strong for him. He could see, and he understood. Pulling the covers close and rolling onto her side, Faydren reached out tentatively for Cole's hand. He gave it to her and simply sat quietly as she drifted off to sleep. The spirit boy would stay with her as long as she liked.

"I'm glad to see you are doing well, Inquisitor," Solas turned away from his research with a kind smile.

"Solas... Can I talk to you for a bit?" Faydren had some questions, and he seemed like a good option for answers.

"Of course. But let us go somewhere more... interesting."

Snow fell around them gently as they walked. The sun shone bright in the sky and Faydren felt peaceful looking around at the familiar snow-covered buildings. Everyone was working hard and chatting with one another. The smell of freshly cut wood mingled with smoke from the forge as a soft breeze swept through the small town.

"Why here?" She asked curiously.

"Haven is familiar. It will always be important to you," the elf led her inside to the Chantry cells and stopped. "I sat beside you while you slept, studying the Anchor. At Haven and this more recent time."

"I'm glad someone was watching over me at Haven..." Her first memories of that time were unkind.

"You were a mystery," Solas admitted, turning to look at her directly. "You still are. I ran every test I could imagine, searched the Fade, yet found nothing. Cassandra suspected duplicity. She threatened to have me executed as an apostate if I didn't produce results."

"Cassandra's like that with everyone," Faydren shrugged.

"Yes," he laughed genuinely. As they walked back outside, it struck her that she rarely heard him laugh. "You were never going to wake up. How could you, a mortal sent physically through the Fade? I watched the rifts expand and grow, resigned myself to flee, and then..."

For a moment, Faydren felt like she was back sealing a rift for the first time. Solas had grabbed her arm. There was so much pain. But then it had worked, and the rift was gone.

"It seems you hold the key to our salvation." Even his words were the same as before. But then they were back in Haven and he continued. "You had sealed it with a gesture... and right then, I felt the whole world change."

"I'm glad you stuck around," she said gratefully.

"As am I," the response was warm. "You have fractured rules of man and nature, and you will shatter more before you are done. Visiting me here, even as a mage... it should not have been so easy for you."

"What do you mean?" The Inquisitor frowned in confusion.

"Where did you think we were?" Solas' voice was filled with mirth.

Faydren slowly came to understand. They couldn't actually be here. Haven was gone, buried under a mountain of snow. The realization stung for a moment as she remembered that night, and her heart sank as she said it out loud.

"This isn't real."

"That's a matter of debate..." His eyes twinkled as they met hers. "Probably best discussed after you wake up."

Faydren sat up in her bed with a start. That was… strange. The seat next to her was empty now, but Cole had placed Darius' pendant in her hand instead. She smiled and fastened it around her neck, comforted by its cool presence against her skin. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she stood and made her way out of the room.

The Inquisitor barely made a sound as her bare feet carried her through Skyhold. It was late, and very few people were around. Those that were paid little attention. Entering the mural-filled rotunda, she was unsurprised to see Solas awake and sifting through his research. He looked much the same as he had in her dream.

"Sleep well?" The elf turned to her with an amused grin.

"I've never done anything like that before. Do you regularly talk to people in dreams?"

"No," he chuckled. "Consider that one more rule you have effortlessly broken in your rise to power. I had no idea that the Anchor would allow you to dream with such focus. It is truly remarkable. But I am reasonably certain we are awake now, and if you wish to discuss anything, I would enjoy talking."

"I was going to ask before… in the dream. What do you think happened to me? Why did the Anchor spread?" Faydren looked at him intently. He seemed the most likely to know.

"I do have a theory…" Solas hesitated.

"Yes?"

"I think when you reached out to the Fade during Resurgence, a fully realized spirit responded. They can be very powerful. So much so, mortals often aren't built to withstand direct contact. I believe the Anchor is part of what saved you," he watched curiously for her reaction.

"A spirit… What kind of spirit?" This theory was unexpected, but it did make some sense.

"That I do not know. There are countless spirits in the Fade, and many rarely show themselves."

"You think the Anchor helped?"

"Mages usually channel power from the Fade through their own bodies and staves to manifest it. You know this," he began. "The Anchor gives you a secondary contact point. Without it, the amount of magical energy you summoned may have burnt you alive. As it was, the Anchor absorbed much of the excess power and grew larger as a result. Its expansion put significant strain on your body, but kept it from very nearly overloading."

"I see."

They both remained silent for a short time as Faydren let the idea sink in. She had reached out in the Fade. At that moment, she'd needed the spell to work – more than she'd ever needed anything. There was never a way for her to save those she'd lost before. Even the slightest chance that she could save them this time was worth the risk, despite Helaine's warnings.

It still surprised her that something had actually reached back – according to Solas, something powerful. Words echoed in her head, a whisper of a memory: Be strong, little one. I will do what I can. And it did. Everyone made it. Hopefully the spirit knew how grateful she was.

"Thank you, Solas. This was very helpful," Faydren turned to go, but paused as she recalled another thought nagging in the back of her mind. "One more thing… Have you ever spoken to me in a dream before?"

"No…" Solas looked almost troubled by the question. "Why do you ask?"

"Before I woke up in the cave after Haven, I was dreaming… I think," she hadn't told anyone about this. It was uncomfortable. "There were eyes in the darkness. They were searching, and they found me. Then a voice said 'Wake up'… It sounded like you did in the dream just now."

"Intriguing… but it was not I."

Faydren eyed him carefully but he was back to being as inscrutable as ever while he shook his head. She'd been so certain… But she couldn't think of any reason for him to lie. Maybe the connection was only in her mind.

A huge yawn broke her concentration and she covered her mouth, looking at the elf sheepishly. He had been waiting patiently for any further conversation. She should probably squeeze in at least a few more hours of sleep. They could always talk later.

"Good night, Solas."

"Sweet dreams, Inquisitor," he smirked.

Faydren was sitting at her usual secluded table on the Herald's Rest second floor, shuffling through an enormous mound of papers. The Inquisition had been busy, and right now she was just trying to skim through the reports enough to have a grasp of current events. She'd rather not look like a complete idiot next time they gathered in the War Room.

It was only her second day completely up and about. After the first day, she'd been trying to stay as inconspicuous as possible... The Inquisitor had practically been swarmed by well-wishers on her initial foray into the courtyard. This time she had taken the long way – going across the ramparts and through the upper tavern door instead. Technically her room would have worked just as well, but it was always so stuffy in there.

"Your Worship."

Faydren popped her head over an especially large stack to see Krem standing there with an amused look on his face.

"Hello, Krem. Back from the Western Approach I see."

"Yep. Wouldn't think it by the amount of sand still somehow everywhere though," he shook his head with a chuckle before turning more serious. "We actually got back a few days ago."

"Oh. Had a chance to settle in then," Faydren shifted nervously.

"Not exactly. The Chief's been in rare form. I've never sparred so much in my life. Pretty sure the rest of the guys might've fallen over dead if we had another day like that," the lieutenant joked.

"Sorry to hear that," she sincerely felt bad since it was most likely her fault.

"Bah, no big deal. Besides, he seems to be fine now," he eyed her carefully before grinning. "Glad to hear you're feeling better, Inquisitor. My arms especially appreciate it."

"You're welcome?" That had gotten the smile he'd hoped for, and Krem gave a small salute before heading back downstairs.

"Oh, and feel free to come down for a drink with the Chargers later if you get thirsty!"

Faydren shook her head, still smiling slightly before looking down at the report she'd been about to read. Much to her surprise, it was about Sutherland! The next one had his name as well, and she read both with great interest. He'd been doing quite well for the Inquisition, and had apparently recruited some others to go along with him on assignments. They called themselves an adventuring party. A happy warmth filled her chest. Good for him.

Curious, Faydren raised her head to look at the tables across the tavern from her. She was in luck. Abandoning her reading, she meandered over to a table with three occupants. Sutherland finished telling some outrageous story and looked up as her shadow fell on the table. He nearly fell out of his chair in his haste to stand.

"Inquisitor!"

"At ease, Sutherland," she said with the hint of a smile. "I hear you've been doing good work."

"You remembered my name! I- um. Well yes, we've been doing our best for the Inquisition, Your Worship," he replied proudly. "Oh! This is Voth – he doesn't talk much – and this here's Shayd. Let me tell you, she knows her way around a blade."

"Oh shut it, you fool," the young woman scolded.

"They even suited us up in this nice armor. Have you ever seen its like? But we'll repay you. No doubt about it. We're an adventuring company of the finest quality," Sutherland nodded firmly.

"I have no doubt," Faydren assured him. "Keep up the good work."

Returning to her table, she could hear the excited whispering behind her and the sound of Sutherland getting scolded again by his female companion. They were a good group. It was nice to see them making something of themselves. Bringing back her focus, she realized Sera was leaning against the table now. Those reports were never going to get read tonight...

"You have a problem," Sera moved to the railing, motioning for Faydren to follow. "That, over there, is a full tavern, but everyone's drinking alone. They're all up their own arses about the Inquisition."

"I'm... sorry?" The mage had no idea where this was going.

"I can't have fun with everybody whinging. And they'll fall on their swords before Coryphenus can push them."

"Well. That would be a bad thing, yes," Faydren agreed cautiously.

"I'm thinking pranks. Set a few up. Knock a few down. Plus, you just got done being injured. Nobody can get mad at you! So, in or not?" Sera appeared to be completely serious.

"You think it will help?"

"Look, you have experts for everything. And I know a bunch of tight-arsed people when I see them," the rogue waggled her eyebrows. "Oh, sure, they'll complain. But they'll really mean 'Thank you for distracting me from the end of the stupid world.' Come on!"

There was a time when Faydren would have joined in without question - she may have even been the one suggesting it. Could she still do that sort of thing? It didn't attract her the way it used to, but... maybe it could be fun. And everyone was terribly serious right now.

"Lead the way."

"What, really?" Sera's face brightened.

"Really."

"I knew you were different! Let's go."

The archer giggled like mad as she raced up the stairs instead of down, and out onto the ramparts. It was the way Faydren had taken to get in, so it was a relief to exit the same way and avoid all the attention. They reached Cullen's office, and Sera ushered her inside.

"Right. General Uptight is gone," the elf whispered. "Have a search about. Find something to mess with and give your soldiers a laugh."

The two dug around a bit. Sera checked everything along the outside of the room while Faydren focused around the desk. A letter caught her eye. It wasn't a report, and the handwriting was soft and elaborate. Feeling a bit guilty, she picked it up and read it. Its contents left her grinning. The letter was from Cullen's sister - and Mia wielded guilt like a master.

Giving up on finding anything specifically prank-worthy, Faydren looked at the monstrous writing table itself.

"What about this?" She tapped it lightly with her boot.

"What, the desk? Oh, yes! Center of the empire and all that. What to do, what to do..."

"I've got nothing..."

"Thing looks heavy. Don't want to move or break it. I got it! Easy one! Just a slip of something under here," Sera knelt down and slid a small chunk of wood under the edge of the desk. "There! Won't notice much. But it's just that little bit wonky. He's so in control that'll piss him royally."

It was barely noticeable, but Faydren knew she was right. That tiny feel of being off would drive the Commander positively batty. She'd have to remember to 'notice' it later and point it out to him.

"I tell one of the soldiers, and boom! The General seems like people. And since he works for you, you seem like people. Come on, next one!"

There was much sneaking and stifled giggling as the two made their way to Josephine's study. Somehow they managed to catch her out as well. The advisers must have been meeting about something important. Faydren felt a pang of guilt wondering if she was supposed to be there, but pushed it aside.

A course of action was swiftly decided on and set up. They darted out before anyone could notice their irregular presence. The last stop was Leliana's rookery. Here they ran into real trouble – they could not think of a single entertaining thing to prank the Spymaster with.

"Maybe... Feed her messengers something gassy? No, birds don't parp. But they flap, and... uh. Hm," Sera crossed her arms and frowned, deep in thought.

"Who is up there?" Solas' voice rang out from the bottom floor and the two pranksters froze. They'd been heard!

"Go!" Faydren hissed, laughter in her eyes.

Sera squealed quietly and took off with Faydren close on her heels, barely making it out the door as footsteps echoed in the stairwell. They ran until they were back in the tavern at the Inquisitor's table. Both were breathing hard and Sera cackled uncontrollably while Faydren just grinned at her.

"That was fun! An Inquisitor of the people, still remembering you're one of them," Sera shoved her playfully. "If all they got was the Herald stuff, the serious bit, you'd start to sound pretty scary. That works, but not for long."

"I've missed doing things like this... I haven't played a prank since we threw pies at the Senior Enchanters," Faydren mused.

"Pies is so good! And Coryphenus would never do that. Good thing for you, innit? Because from the bottom, everyone up top sort of seems the same. Anyway, fun time, Inquisitor-"

"You!" Josie's voice bellowed at them from the top of the stairs. The Ambassador was soaking wet and if looks could kill, Red Jenny and the Inquisitor would be corpses on the tavern floor.

"Oh, frig! You did it!" Sera giggled and made a break for her room, slamming the door shut behind her.

"Um… Oops?" Faydren looked at Josephine sheepishly and shrugged.

It was nearing the end of day three, and Faydren had seen neither hide nor hair of the Commander. Despite her best efforts, that kiss had rarely strayed far from her thoughts. Every time she allowed herself to actually remember that moment, her heart beat a little faster and her face began to burn. It was too distracting. She needed it to go away. The only way to do that was to confront him about it and find out exactly what it meant. Damn it...

So she went to his office. And proceeded to stand awkwardly outside his door for the better part of ten minutes. Taking a deep breath and steeling her nerves, Faydren knocked on the door.

"Come in," was the muffled response.

She swung the door open and stepped in, closing it gently behind her. Cullen looked better than the last time she saw him. He must have finally gotten some semblance of sleep. The Commander was fully engrossed in whatever he was working on, and Faydren decided maybe she should come back some other time. She turned to reach for the door handle, but his voice stopped her.

"Inquisitor?"

The tone was puzzled, and he looked both surprised and nervous at her presence. Maybe he had been avoiding her after all, though she'd been hoping that wasn't the case. If he was avoiding her, then he really must regret that kiss. But there was no point in delaying her purpose any longer.

"I thought we could talk... Alone?"

"Alone?" He repeated uncertainly. "I mean, of course."

They walked in silence along the ramparts as she tried to collect her thoughts. Plus, she wanted them to reach a section that had less possibility for outside interruption. The Commander cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

"It's a nice day."

"What?" She'd been too deep in thought to catch what he said. They stopped walking.

"It's..." He appeared to change his mind. "There was something you wished to discuss."

"Right. About that kiss..." Faydren began hesitantly.

"Oh, I'd been meaning to apologize for that," Cullen interrupted in a hurry.

"Apologize?" Her heart sank.

"Yes. It was completely out of line. It won't happen a-" he stopped, apparently seeing something in her face. "Inquisitor?"

"Cullen, I... care for you, and-" Faydren sighed in frustration. What was she saying? It had obviously just been a misunderstanding.

"What's wrong?" The softness in his voice caught her off guard after the formality of a moment ago. Caring golden eyes met hers, and she couldn't hold back anymore. She had to know for certain.

"You left the Templars, but do you trust mages?" She blurted out, heart in her throat. "Could you think of me as anything more?"

"I could. I mean, I do... Think of you," he stammered. "And what I might say in this sort of situation…"

Cullen sighed and rubbed his face, pacing a short distance. This clearly weighed on him heavily. Maybe she should have just let it go. He had enough to worry about without dealing with her feelings on top of that. But if he really did feel the same way...

"What's stopping you?" Faydren asked quietly, afraid of the answer.

"You're the Inquisitor," his face was conflicted and vulnerable as he turned to her. "We're at war. And you... I didn't think it was possible."

He didn't think what was possible? It dawned on her slowly – this whole time he'd been worried that she was the one who might not feel the same. It was almost laughable how bad the two of them were at this... In fact, she suspiciously wondered if her other companions had noticed as well.

"I'm still here," Faydren said, a small smile playing on her lips.

"So you are..."

That seemed to be reassurance enough for him, and Cullen moved in close until his face was only inches from hers. The breath caught in her chest and she couldn't tear her eyes away from his – nor did she want to. In their amber depths was everything she'd been hoping for without even realizing. Right now, this man was her world.

"It seems too much to ask," Cullen whispered, his breath warm against her face. "But I want to-"

"Commander!" They froze as a messenger approached. He remained completely oblivious. "You wanted a copy of Sister Leliana's report."

"What?" Cullen practically snarled in frustration as he pulled away from her. The moment was broken, and Faydren felt a pang of sadness at its loss. Quickly she attempted to busy herself doing... something.

"Sister Leliana's report. You wanted it delivered 'without delay.'"

The Commander didn't say anything, but Faydren could tell by the messenger's face that Cullen was likely glaring holes through him. The man's eyes darted over to her and she gave an awkward half-wave. Well this could have gone better. Now the rumors would be everywhere.

"Or... to your office... Right..." The runner backed away slowly before turning tail and bolting back across the ramparts. She stared at the ex-Templar's back for a moment. He probably had business to attend to anyway. Maybe they should wait.

"If you need to-"

Trevelyan's words were swiftly cut off as Cullen spun around and pressed his lips to hers, pulling her body close with firm hands. The stubble on his face was rough, but the kiss was perfection. Faydren closed her eyes and drank him in deeply. She put one hand against his face and ran the other gently through his sandy waves before resting it on the back of his neck. By the time they pulled apart, both were a little short of breath.

"I'm sorry..." He said shyly, grinning from ear to ear. "That was... um... really nice."

"You don't regret it, do you?" She asked in momentary concern, ever self-conscious.

"No! No. Not at all. I didn't regret the first one either," Cullen admitted with a cheeky smirk.

She beamed at him happily with a laugh. They continued to simply hold one another as the sun began to set, occasionally kissing to make sure they still liked it... Which of course, they did.