Maker's breath, it's like one big family reunion.

Alex thought as she made her way back down to the courtyard after talking with Marian and Varric, feeling a slight headache coming on. She couldn't help but feel tired, as she was not used to running around in a castle, not to mention it felt like she has been battling non-stop since she stepped out of the Circle in Ostwick.

But she also couldn't help but feel happy to be out of the Circle. She has been sheltered all her life, practicing her magic without even knowing how she could use it if she ever headed outside. And now she has been casting fire spells left and right, and healing people who needed her.

It was… rather freeing.

She looked around the courtyard, seeing Cullen giving orders to the men, and immediately she felt her cheeks flush. Every time she looked at him, she remembered a person from the Ostwick Circle… Marlan. He was templar in their tower, who she often spoke to as he guarded her and the other mages. He was built just like commander, with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and an impish smirk. Marlan's face was softer and rounder, and his eyes were blue, but his hair was just as blond as Cullen's, but it was long and slicked back with a clear gel made from elfroot and crystal grace that it smelled so good when he came near. Alex had loved him for ages, but she never acted on it, as a relationship between a mage and a templar was forbidden, instead she joked around with him and bantered with him until they became nothing more than just friends.

And then Marlan died at the Conclave.

Alex felt the sting of tears in her eyes, and she hastily rubbed them away with the palm of her hand. Even though she survived the Conclave, many of her friends did not. Ever since Solona disappeared… since her letters stopped arriving, she had relied on her fellow mages at Ostwick as her family, teaching the younger ones and learning from the other Senior Enchanters. Even Marlan was a comfort to her, his friendly smiles and jokes a welcome sight whenever she saw him, even though they kept their contact minimal.

She missed them all.

She sniffed and headed down the stairs, where Cullen had propped up a table with a lay-out of the castle, with his soldiers waiting for his orders. "Send men to scout the surrounding area, we need to know what's out there." He said to a couple of Leliana's scouts who saluted and left, "Yes, sir. We'll begin preparations at once."

She stood a bit farther behind as another soldier approached, "Commander, the soldiers have been assigned temporary quarters."

Cullen nodded, "Good. I need an update on the armory, as well." Alex smirked as the soldier stood still scratching his chest, causing Cullen to frown a bit, "NOW."

The soldier jolted a salute before walking off, and she approached Cullen. He looked tired and pale, and he sighed as she neared, "We did what we could at Haven." He said, running a hand at the back of his neck… a habit she had learned would mean that he felt shy or embarrassed. "But we haven't really prepared for an Arch-demon or… whatever that thing is. But Skyhold is very defensible. Guard rotations are now established, and our people are resting. The healers are now working to tend to the wounded, and additional trebuchets are being constructed as we speak." He looked determined as he raised his tawny eyes at her, "If Corypheus attacks us here, we will not run from him, Inquisitor."

At the title, she chuckled, "Inquisitor Trevelyan… It sounds rather strange, don't you think?"

Cullen smirked at her, "In truth, I think your sibling's title sounds stranger… or much more plenty, as I recall. Mage Amell, Warden Amell, Warden-Commander Amell, Hero of Ferelden… Champion of Redcliffe…Savior of Amaranthine… Hero of Vigil's Keep…"

Alex laughed out loud, and Cullen laughed with her, and she felt herself blush, as the commander was a rather handsome man when he laughed or smiled.

If only he would do it more often.

When they quieted, Alex coughed, "Did we… lose a lot of people?"

Cullen smiled sadly at her, "There were… casualties. But it could have been much, much worse. You were able to save more than half of our soldiers, and almost all of our civilians."

She shivered involuntarily, and the commander noticed it as she spoke, "Haven was… it was close. I'm thankful that you… that so many survived." She bent her head and winced at the slip she had just said, hoping that the commander didn't notice. She looked up to see Cullen's face softened, and he smiled tenderly at her.

"As am I." She heard Cullen whisper, and the intensity of his gaze made her cheeks flare up into over drive. She nodded at him, turning around to hide her now red face, but a hand grasped at her wrist. She turned around to see that Cullen was holding on to her, and her breath stopped when the man gently pulled her towards him a little, until his face was only a few inches from her, so close that she could smell the sweet scent of the spiced wine that he apparently drank, and the scent of his soap.

"You stayed behind. You could've… I thought I'd… I will not allow the events at Haven to happen again. You have my word." He whispered reverently, and Alex's throat closed up. She swallowed to speak again, but it looked like Cullen finally remembered where they were, and he let go of her, before running a hand to the back of his neck again, blushing slightly.

"Uhm…" Alex finally muttered out, and she coughed a little, "Thank you… Cu… Commander. I was just… worried for you, that's all." She wrung her fingers a little bit, but she straightened and smiled at him, "By the way, did you… leave anyone behind in Kirkwall?"

Cullen shook his head, "No. I fear I made few friends there, and my family is in Ferelden."

She smirked, "No one special caught your interest?"

At this, Cullen smirked… almost flirtatiously, as he looked at her face. The smirk made him look rather handsome, and she felt her face growing warm as his voice seemed to lower in octave that it turned… to an almost seducing tone, "Not in Kirkwall."

Maker, have mercy… he's flirting with me, Alex thought as she looked at him. She could feel her face growing warmer every second, and from the pleased look on his face, the man seemed to be enjoying it. She coughed again, before walking backwards, "Uhm… right. I'll be heading to the Hinterlands with the others to check on Master Dennet's watchtowers. Please handle my affairs while we are gone."

Cullen smiled brightly again, nodding at her, "Of course, Inquisitor. I will be waiting for your return."

She blinked and looked up at him, thinking the man had probably slipped as she had, but at the man's teasing and triumphant smile, her face flared red again, and she turned away so that he wouldn't see her rub her cheeks with her palms, in an effort to stop her blushing.