"… And then she says, 'Thanks for revealing your grand plan, idiot. Here's your fucking prize!" Varric narrated as Solas plastered a cloth swathed in green fluid against his cheek, "And then she kicks the trebuchet, launching a bomb to the mountains, causing an avalanche and drowning the Red Templars in ice." He winced as the medicine began soaking up the blood on his wound, "She got flung off to Maker knows where, and we got separated. We headed to the Chantry entrance before the snow got us."

Cassandra, Cullen, Leliana and Josephine looked at each other, and the Antivan bent down and touched his shoulder, "Thank you, Master Tethras. You could rest now."

But Varric sighed, "Honestly, I think I need a drink. Did that Elder One burn all our ale?"

Solas straightened and extended a hand to him, the dwarf accepting it gratefully as he stood, "I think our barmaid was able to save at least the best vintage when we left. Come, I will drink with you."

The elf and the dwarf walked off deeper into the camp that they have created while they were waiting for the Herald. Cullen looked around, seeing the men, tired and some wounded… with a few grieving for their dead. He could see the boy, Cole, taking care of Chancelor Roderick in one of the tents, the man getting paler every hour.

"Commander…" He heard someone say and he looked around to see Cassandra, "Where are our soldiers? We must send a search party for the Herald."

He crossed his arms and looked at the Seeker, who looked determined, "How can we be sure that she is even alive, Cassandra? She could be…"

"No, she is not." Cassandra said vehemently, shaking her head, "She is the Herald. She must live. If she falls, then the world will fall in the darkness. I have faith that she is alive."

Cullen continued to look at the Seeker, before saying in a low voice, "Do you really believe that, Cassandra?"

The other woman nodded again, and he sighed as he mentioned to four of his soldiers, and they came up to him, "Soldiers, come with us. We will look for the Herald."

The soldiers looked at each other, before one of them spoke up, "Commander, there was a snowstorm just after we left Haven. Are you sure she's…"

"No, I am not sure." He said as he brought his coat closer to his body, as he and Cassandra started to leave the camp, "But until I find her cold, dead body, I will continue believing that she is alive and out there. Now move out! That's an order!"

The soldiers saluted, before heading out in different directions, with Cassandra nodding to him and walking off. He huffed, his breath turning to mist as it met the cold air. Andraste, if you are real then I beg you… let her live. Let her come back to us…"

"Let her live… let her live… let her live…" He continued to chant as he continued walking through the snow. The recent storm had caused the softer snow to coat the mountains, making his feet dig deeper into the ice, and soaking through his greaves and boots. He grit his teeth as the chill began to wound into him, but he pressed on.

After an hour, a small green light brought his gaze to an area beyond the camps, amidst the trees. He squinted, seeing someone walking, and soon a flash of the moonlight showed him red hair.

"There! It's her!" He called out, his breath coming out in pants as he made his way to her. He could see she was exhausted, her back hunched as she struggled to stay conscious despite the cold and fatigue. There was blood oozing out from a wound on her forehead, and she was leaning on her staff like a walking stick. She was pale as death, but there was still a glint in her eyes, like she was determined to live.

"Thank the Maker!" He heard Cassandra shout out, and he could hear them struggling their way through the snow to him. At the sound of his approach, Alex's eyes lifted up, and she saw him through the din. "Cullen…" She muttered out, just as her eyes closed and she lurched forward.

He caught her in time just before she fell, and breathed a sigh of relief. She was cold despite his gloves, and he ran a hand through her face, drawing her hair away. "Hang on, Herald. You're safe, I've got you."

Alex raised her bright green eyes at him, struggling to stay awake, "The others… Cullen… are they…"

He lifted her up, one arm around her back, the other under her legs. She was light, and he was thankful he was able to keep up his training. He cradled her head to his chest as he walked, "They are alright. They are all safe, thanks to you. Stay awake for me. Just hang on, we'll get you warmed up."

Her lips shook as she used the last ounce of strength she had to grasp on his armor, smiling serenely as she ran her cold fingers to the front of his armor, "So warm…" she muttered out, before she closed her eyes and she fell asleep.

"No!" He shouted at her, shaking her awake, but the exhaustion and cold had started to claim her, "Herald… Alex! Stay awake!"

But she remained sleeping and he cursed just as the Seeker and his soldiers emerged from the darkness, "Quickly! Get her to camp! Tell Solas to get her warm."

The soldiers deftly took Alex from him, making a make-shift stretcher with their arms, and they started heading back to the camp. Cassandra reached out a hand to him to help him walk amidst the snow, but he shook his head, "No. I'll be fine. Follow them. Take care of the Herald."

The Seeker nodded and lowered her hand, sprinting back into the camp as fast as her legs and the snow could allow. With her gone, Cullen fell to knees, not realizing that seeing the Herald… Alex… on the brink of death had made him weaken. He looked at his hands, seeing her blood on his gloves from the wound on her forehead, and he swallowed as a shiver of fear went up his spine.

Andraste, help her. Let her live…

I beg you…