Alex gazed at the courtyard of Skyhold, seeing Cassandra and Daylen a bit far off from the tavern, and she had to grin. Upon returning with Cullen from the lake, Solas had told her that Daylen had led them well on the hunt for the wyvern heart Vivienne had asked for. The elf commented that Daylen had her leadership skills as well, and was a rather talented mage, which is a huge compliment from the Fade expert. Solas and Cole had retired to their rooms, and Alex stood by the castle stairs watching as her brother and the Seeker spoke, and she had to smile a little, as the Cassandra's usually stern face softened at the sight of her brother, and she could see them talking with bright smiles on their faces.

"Well, well, well…" Alex heard a voice from beside her, and she looked down to see Varric standing beside her, crossing her arms and smirking at the sight of Daylen and Cassandra, "Guess who found love in the battlefield, huh?"

"Honestly? I find this more romantic than your 'Sword and Shields', Varric." Alex commented, and the dwarf laughed, "As much as I'd like to say that your comment hurts, Rosy, I can't help but feel like that's true. I should make a story out of this… a hardened templar falling in love with a mage."

She laughed, "If ever you're going to tell that story, I'll be happy to provide inside information as to how he courted her."

"Which is how?"

"With dozens of scented candles and romance poetry, I expect." Alex said as Varric laughed again, "He asked me to buy them for him."

"Romance poetry huh? Anything that I know of?"

" 'Carmenum Di Amatus', it seems." Alex said, smirking down at the dwarf as he chuckled, "Our Seeker has a very fine taste in poetry."

Varric shrugged, "She is a romantic, after all… as are you."

She smiled down at him, "That I am."

The dwarf chuckled again, "First there was you and Curly, then from what I've heard, Dorian and Maxwell are an item now too, and now the Seeker and Daylen? You people are finding love at the weirdest places."

She laughed hard before bending down at Varric, smirking flirtatiously at him and putting a hand on his shoulder, "Well, Cullen wasn't originally my first choice, Varric. I would've gotten you if it weren't for Bianca."

The dwarf smiled and returned her smirk, "And honestly, if it weren't for Bianca, Rosy, I would've gone after you, too."

"What can I say, the thought of lying beside you with my head cradled on that deliciously hairy chest of yours makes me all a-tingle." Alex said, and they laughed out loud, as she straightened.

"You might want to keep that thought a secret, Rosy, or else Curly might come after me in all his jealous glory." Varric said, "I'd hate to poke him full of bolts. Speaking of which, he said you're wanted in the War Room. I think they've found out where the Wardens are hiding at the Western Approach."

"Alright. I'll be heading off to them then." Alex said, winking at Varric, but the dwarf reached up at her arm and grasped her wrist, "Actually… wait." Varric said, his flirtatious look darkening into a scowl, "There was actually something else I wanted to talk about… concerning your cousin."

Alex turned around to look at him again, and seeing the serious look on his visage, sighed and made her way towards the railings and sat down, "I'm all ears, Varric. You know I always have time for you."

"Thanks, Rosy." He said smiling a little at her, "I'm just… worried about this thing with the Wardens. I know that whatever it is, it's going to be a shit storm, and I know that you'll be taking Hawke and that Alistair with you."

She nodded, and watched as Varric started pacing, "Ever since we fled Kirkwall, Hawke has… changed. There was a moment in her life when she was just like you… sweet, vivacious, humorous… she made me laugh more times than I could count. But that changed when… when she was forced to kill Blondie for what he did."

Varric sighed heavily and rubbed his temples, "Since then, she's become violent… reckless… angry. We were with her for a while, but soon she ended up separating from us, even from her brother Carver. It's almost like she wished that she would just… go."

Alex blinked in surprise, "Are… are you saying that my cousin wants to… die?"

"She loved Anders more than anyone I've ever met in my life." Varric looked at her sadly, "When she killed him, she… broke. Like the old Hawke died and was replaced by this morose human wearing her skin. I'm scared for her… I really am."

He came forward and took her hands, and she looked down at his face to see him miserable, "Your cousin is one of the best friends I have, Inquisitor. And I know this is going to sound all wrong and mushy coming from me, but I don't want to lose her. Not again. Promise me you'll take care of her. Keep her safe."

Alex looked at him sadly, before she left her seat, kneeled down, and put her arms around the dwarf, who stiffened at the contact but soon sank into her embrace. "I promise you, Varric. I will do everything I can to protect my cousin. I won't let anything happen to her."

The dwarf sighed in relief as he returned her hug before separating from her, "That comforts me more than a barrel full of Antivan wine, Rosy. Thanks for that." He coughed a little, "But enough of that from me, you should head to the War Room. Curly and the others are waiting for you."

Alex nodded and stood up, heading down the hallway of the castle before turning around and yelling, "Hey, Varric!"

"Yes, Your Inquisitorialness?" He shouted back at her.

"Your hairy chest is so cuddly!" Alex shouted before she laughed out loud, causing the nobles near the throne to gasp in shock at her.

"You're more than welcome to cuddle again next time, Rosy." He replied back, before chuckling and heading down the stairs towards the tavern to get a drink.

"Inquisitor, we were…" Cullen said as she entered the War Room, only to see him with Leliana and Josephine with the spymaster smirking widely.

"Eagerly awaiting your presence." Leliana continued, looking at Cullen, who blinked in surprise at her, "Some of us, more than others."

Cullen brushed red as he ran a hand at the back of his neck, "That's not what I… we have work to do."

"Of course." Leliana said again, before turning to look at her and winking.

Alex shook her head as she leaned on her hands on the table, "What news from our scouts, then, Leliana? Anything we should know about the Western Approach?"

"Indeed." The spymaster said, pointing at the map, "We have received word that some Wardens are present here, at this ritual tower."

Josephine nodded, "There are also reports that the Venatori are present within the area, Inquisitor, as well as a band of bandits known as the White Claw. They have been wrecking havoc on some Orlesian researchers surveying the area. Apparently, an Abyssal High Dragon considers the Western Approach as its territory. You should look for a man named Frederic of Serault, he is currently the head of the research team studying the dragon."

Alex nodded, "Understood. Leliana, please call on Solas and Sera for me. Josephine…" She looked at the Ambassador and winked, "Please, head to Blackwall's barn and tell him he'll be coming with me."

The Antivan woman's face turned red, but she coughed and curtsied, "Of course, Inquisitor." And she and the spymaster left, leaving just her and Cullen on the War Table.

Cullen left his place on the other side of the table and headed to her, standing beside her as she gazed at the map, before putting an arm around her waist. "Are you thinking of hunting that High Dragon?"

Alex nodded as she put her arm around him and laid her head on his chest, "We could use the resources. From one of the reports you've given me, we've received new schematics for dragon armors for our inner circle. It would be great to have those." She looked up at him and smiled, "Don't worry. I'll be careful. In the meantime, you might want to prepare the men. If we are going to the battle anything in the Approach, they need to be ready."

Cullen nodded before bending over close to her and kissing her forehead, "I will. Be careful out there, Alexandra."

She smiled and raised herself up, kissing his lips fully as his arms encircled her waist, "You know it. I'll see you later, Cullen."