Alex breathed in deep, savoring the scent of grass and wood and flowers as Solas stood beside her, watching her as she relinquished the feeling of peace around her. A gentle wind blew through the trees of the Emerald Graves, and it reminded her of waves crashing into the ocean.

"Inquisitor." Solas said beside her, and she turned her attention to the elf, "Your orders?"

She turned around to see Blackwall and Cole waiting expectantly at her, awaiting for her commands. They had just recently liberated the area of the Freemen of the Dales, of red templars smuggling red lyrium and a beautiful dragon. She was tired, but she still relished the fact that she was able to help so many.

"Blackwall, head over to Fairbanks and tell him we were able to clear the area for him." She said as she started walking, "The refugees can stay here in Watcher's Reach from now on. I'll make sure that there will be regular patrols here so that the red templars can never settle here again. Solas, tell the soldiers at the nearest camp to come by and clean this place out for the refugees." And the elf nodded, before heading off, and she turned her attention to the Warden beside her.

"And of Fairbanks' identity?" Blackwall asked her, looking at her intently, "What are you going to do with the information we've gathered saying that he's actually an Orlesian noble?"

Alex silenced for a while, looking at the trees again, before shaking her head. "I'll get rid of it. Fairbanks is doing good work the way he is now. And he could do more if we could lend our assistance."

Blackwall smiled at her, "That is a wise decision, Inquisitor. I'm sure he'll appreciate it."

She snorted a little as they walked around a little bit, and already in her head she was thinking of how to improve the camp. "I don't think Josephine would agree to that decision, but I'll handle her. I bet she's going to be all 'I can't believe you missed this opportunity, Inquisitor'." She said, mimicking the Ambassador's Antivan accent so perfectly that Blackwall blinked and laughed aloud.

"The Ambassador is a player of the Great Game, Inquisitor. Of course, she'd want as many nobles as possible to ally with us." Blackwall said, "But still, I know she does it for the greater good. You'd have to admire her for that."

"Golden, graceful, glittering but not gaudy." Alex and Blackwall heard Cole speak from behind them, and they turned to look at him to see him wringing his hands, "Voice delicate and delectable."

Alex raised a brow at the boy, "What are you talking about, Cole?"

"Sweet, soft and silky." Cole continued, "Her dress, and also under her dress." He looked up at Blackwall, his eyes wide with innocence, "Are you going to talk to Josephine?"

Alex blinked when she realized that Cole was talking about Blackwall's thoughts on the Ambassador, and she laughed out loud, causing the grizzled man to blush under the mask of his beard, "Maker's ball, get out of my head, will you? You make me sound like a dirty, old bastard!"

She grinned at him as she patted his arm, "Well, technically, you ARE a dirty, old bastard, Blackwall."

The man sighed and looked at her, shaking his head in exasperation, "You're not helping, Inquisitor."

Cole tugged on his sleeve like a child, causing Blackwall to look at him again, "Do you want to hear what she thinks of you?"

Alex laughed again as Blackwall muttered, "No" before stomping off towards the direction of Fairbank's camp, intending to do what she had ordered a few moments ago.

"You should." Cole said after him as the man disappeared among the foliage, and he turned towards Alex, "You're happier now, too, Inquisitor."

She smiled brightly at him and took the boy's arm, wrapping her own arm around it as they strolled around Watcher's Reach, "Is that what that light, tingly feeling is? Perhaps you're right."

He smiled down at her as he touched her hand, "Wishing but wondering, wounded but wistful. What if he doesn't want me at all?"

"But he did." She said, smiling up at the boy. He was thinner than her, but taller.

"And now you're smiling. It's good." Cole said, still smiling, and he started wringing his hands again, "Safe and solid, protective and proud. He feels like quiet, stronger when you hold him. Cullen is happier, too. You made him better."

"No, I didn't." She admitted, still grasping at his arm as she looked around at the trees, "He did that to himself."

Cole shook his head, the wide brim of his hat flapping a little, "No. You did. He was drowning, sinking in the song. Regret filled his head with memories and dreams and nightmares. He was wounded, hurting, dying in sadness. You made him better."

Alex looked up at the boy again, "I did?"

He nodded solemnly, "You did."

She smiled serenely at him, "I guess so. And I'm happy for that. Cullen… went through so much. He needs to understand that whatever has happened to him was never his fault. He was just… at the wrong place at the wrong time."

Cole nodded, and he stilled for a moment, making Alex stop from walking as well, "But… you're still hurting. You're wondering, worrying about your sister. You fear for her, and it hurts you that you don't know where she is." He blinked down at her, his face becoming eager, "I could look for her, if you want to."

Alex sighed, before folding her legs to sit down at a boulder near the camp, and Cole followed her example by sitting beside her. She could see the boy was getting rather antsy, like he wanted to leave to look for Solona, so she grasped his hand in hers and held it tightly. "No, just let her be, Cole. Solona is out there, doing things to heal the hurts of other people. And we must do the same here. Perhaps if fate is kind, I will see her someday."

Cole looked down at their hands, "Alright. I won't leave. There are many hurts to heal here."

She smiled happily and patted his hand, "Thank you, Cole." And then she grinned, "Maybe we should help Josie and Blackwall instead, hmm? What did Josephine think of him anyway?"

"Broad, brawny but brave. The rough exterior hides the heart inside, gentle and caring and loving underneath the tough armor." Cole said, "She wishes things were different, but she knows that can't be. So she contents herself by watching, wondering, pining for him. She thinks that's enough for her, but it hurts her, too. The splendor of lost hearts loses its luster if the love makes her lonesome and long-suffering."

"True enough, Cole." Alex said, nodding at him, "So… as one who used to be in a similar situation, I'd like to assist them. You want to join in?"

Cole smiled down at her and nodded, "Yes. I want to help."