I figured we'd start off with a little bit of info from the Codex, and than see how we feel after that.

I hope you all enjoy, I rather enjoyed writing this chapter. Taking a few twists on some scenes we're all familiar with. ;D

Also, I have a picture of Elia Lavellan~!
Please take a look if you're interested; I think it does great justice to the long haired look we don't get in the games.

Edit: because fanfiction is being stupid as hell, it won't even let me have a link to said picture.

If you want to see it, just look up Emerald Dragoness on DeviantArt- look for the inquisitor lavellan picture that's hand drawn. I promise it's awesome. Artist is Emerald Dragoness.

Known as Tarasyl'an Te'las ("the place where the sky is kept" or, more specifically, "the place where the sky was held back") in ancient elvish. Skyhold is a fortress located in the stretch of the Frostbacks near the Dales, within the territory of Orlais.

Words could not describe Skyhold. It was huge. Sure, it had fallen into ruin and decay, and bridges were out in random parts of the keep, there were huge holes in the roof (and some walls), nesting animals, such as it were, but there was also something else. It was old; very old, and I couldn't help but feel as if there was magic ingrained in the very roots of the stones that held the magnificent fortress together.

Josephine and Leliana had informed me I was to have residence in the upper level of the fortress.

Alone.

Basically in the sky.

By myself.

Regardless of how isolated I was to be, I ran up the steps to where I would be sleeping.

"They have certainly spared no expense…" I muttered, taking in the huge room with windows on every side but the far back wall where a bed was posted against the wall. It was very chilly up here, despite the fire burning in the hearth. I noticed that a seemingly new desk sat in the far corner, and I walked over to it, noticing some plans to help improve the appearance of Skyhold. I left them there, making a mental note to file away in the abyss of my mind to search for quarries and logging sites.

"Whoa." I had never been so high up before; sure, I had traversed mountains and whatnot, but this seemed to be in the center of the mountains, higher than the farthest peaks that I could see. I stepped out onto one of my balconies, my hair being blown into my face by the wind. I squinted for a moment, but then really took in the view. The view I was looking out upon was simply magnificent.

The moment was broken by raised voices being carried up on the wind. I thought I recognized Cassandra, and Vivienne. I groaned; this couldn't be good. I decided my room could wait; I rushed back down the steps, out into the main hall. We had only been here a couple of days; I had been pronounced Inquisitor, and repairs had gone underway. However, there was still a good bit of rubble in the main hall, so when I suddenly fell down flat on my face after tripping over something, I wasn't surprised. The stone floor rushed up quickly, and I threw my hands out to keep my face from smacking it. However, I was caught by someone; someone strong.

"Oh thank you, it's all this rubble…"

"I would have to agree, although looking where you're going might help." Came the snarky reply. I looked up to find myself in the arms of the mage that had warned us in Haven; Dorian. I felt the heat rush to my cheeks.

'Yeah…that might help…" I said sheepishly, glancing around, hoping no one had seen the Inquisitor almost fall flat on her face. Dorian simply smirked, and I jumped out of his arms, realizing I had been leaning into him. He had almost the same kind of build as Cullen; perhaps not as buff (and Cullen was built-the man had to hold back when we had sparred too), but attractively toned nevertheless. I coughed, catching myself staring at him as he quirked an eyebrow. "Sorry about that. Thanks for catching me."

"Not at all, my dear lady." Dorian waved his hand. "It's probably a good thing we ran into each other, I haven't actually seen you since everyone got together and had a pow-wow in the mountains. You and that Solas fellow have been spending a lot of time together." And the blush intensified.

"Why does everyone think Solas and I-"I paused; my shoulders sinking and my ears going flat as I stared grouchily at Dorian. "It's because we're both elves, huh."

"That would usually be the first guess." He chuckled, winking at me. I stuck out my lower lip; what is it with being surrounded by attractive men that made me lose my train of thought? "Brilliant, isn't it?"

"What is?" I was confused.

"One minute you're trying to restore order in a world gone mad. That should be enough for anyone to handle, yes?" I motioned for him to walk with me, and he did so; we started walking towards the open doors of the keep. "Then, out of nowhere, an archdemon appears and kicks you in the head." Despite myself, I was smiling-of course he was referring to Haven. The way he was talking about it though, made it seem hilarious. "'What?! You thought this would be easy?!'" his mock surprise actually made me giggle, and Dorian took that as encouragement to keep going as we headed down the stairs of the keep, almost being blinded by the sun. "'No, I was just hoping you wouldn't crush our village like an anthill'. 'Sorry about that, archdemons like to crush, you know. Can't be helped.' Am I speaking too quickly for you?" he suddenly asked, and I just smiled.

"Ha, you shouldn't worry about me, Dorian." Making a point to let him know I hadn't forgotten his name. "I can keep up." We stopped at the foot of the stairs; I was still trying to figure out where the arguing was coming from, as it was considerably louder.

"Yes, I noticed that." Was his reply. "I had always assumed that the 'Elder One' behind the Venatori was a magister…but this." He shuddered visibly. "This is something else entirely." He folded his arms, his handsome face contorted in thought. "In Tevinter, they saw the Chantry's tales of magisters starting the Blights were just that: stories." He seemed quite upset about the revelation he had uncovered. His chocolate brown eyes met mine; even though I hadn't really had a chance to talk to him before now, I felt like he and I were going to get along quite well. "But here we are. One of those very magisters. A darkspawn."

"I take it from the way you're speaking that you're from Tevinter?" I asked quietly, and one of his eyebrows shot up.

"Whatever gave me away?" he asked innocently.

"Oh just how well dressed and handsome you are; also that you speak as if you're from the Imperium helps." I said smirking, and that earned me a laugh.

"I am quite handsome, aren't I?" I rolled my eyes, a smile still on my face. "Yes well…"

"Why does Corypheus being one of the magisters that broke into the Golden City make you angry?" I asked, ignoring the people passing by us; some shooting Dorian dirty looks.

"Because the Imperium is my home." He said it with such emotion, that I couldn't help but feel bad about Corypheus being from the Imperium for a moment. Just a moment. "I knew what I was taught couldn't be the whole truth…but I had assumed there had to be a kernel of it somewhere."

"Know what I've learned?" I asked.

"What is that?" he inclined his head politely.

"Assuming makes an ass out of you and me. You shouldn't do it."

"So I've learned." Dorian's mouth twitched upward in a smile. "But no. It was us, all along. We destroyed the world." I reached out and put a hand on Dorian's arm, doing my best to ignore the obvious looks some of the soldiers were giving us.

"Last I checked, the world is still here." I said, motioning to the keep around us.

"Not for lack of trying." Dorian seemed intent on being upset on this matter, so I let him be. His gaze met mine once more. "I have no intention of letting Corypheus win. Not at least without someone from Tevinter standing against him. It would have been nice if you had helped stopped Alexius, but that's not how things went. So be it. If it's all the same to you…I'd like to stay and join the Inquisition." I blinked.

"Dorian Pavus…" I said, smiling, "The Inquisition would be honored to have you. Also-"I stopped him before he could reply. "Thank you. For Haven." I added quietly. Dorian smiled sadly at me.

"I did what I could."

"I know. You helped save all of us though. I definitely won't forget that." I said, casting a knowing glance at the people who thought they were being discreet about listening into our conversation.

"No one else will thank me, no matter what happens. No one will thank you either. You know that, yes?" he asked, taking a step back up the steps, signaling that the conversation was almost over. I couldn't help but shrug.

"I'm not doing it for their thanks." I said simply, and Dorian smiled.

"I knew there was something clever about you." He said lightly. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to see if I can't find anything worth reading in that dusty library in the rotunda." He made to head up the steps before he paused, turning again to look at me. "Oh, and uh, congratulations on being made Inquisitor, by the way." Then he continued back into the keep. I smiled to myself; Dorian was going to be interesting.

"But what is he?" I heard Cassandra ask angrily from further down; I groaned, remembering why I had come all the way down here. I headed under the stairs, and down more stairs, to see Cassandra, Vivienne, and Solas standing in a semi-circle, obviously at odds about something. I noticed Cole sitting in the dirt by the stairs, kind of…playing in it. Apparently they were arguing over Cole.

"This thing is not a stray puppy you can make into a pet. It has no business being here." Vivienne's voice was stiff, her arms crossed. Obviously she was not approving of Cole.

"Wouldn't you say the same of an apostate?" Solas countered. Ohhh snap. Vivienne didn't respond, noticing that I had walked up their little group.

"Inquisitor." Cassandra turned to me. "I had wondered if Cole was a mage, given his unusual abilities."

"He can cause people to forget him, or fail entirely to notice him. These are not the abilities of a mage; it would seem that Cole is a spirit." Solas said, clasping his hands behind his back (which I noticed he seemed to do a lot when he was controlling a silent desire to throttle someone-probably Vivienne in this case).

"It is a demon." Vivienne's voice was firm, avoiding my gaze. Everybody knew I would stand up for Cole.

"If you prefer." Solas' sass would be the end of me. "However the truth is somewhat more complex."

"Coe helped me escape the Envy demon." I said, exasperated. "I already said he could stay. Why is this even an issue?"

"That was before we knew what it was." Came Vivienne's curt reply. "Honoring deals with demons is a swift path to an early grave."

"Solas, please explain this to me-to all of us, if you can." I knew I wasn't a mage; I wasn't about to argue about demons with them either. But I knew Cole wanted to help, and whatever he was, I was completely okay with that.

"Demons normally enter this world by possessing something. In their true form, they appear monstrous." The countless demons I've slaughtered in the last few months dashed through my head; monstrous was right.

"But Cole looks like a young man. Is it possession?" Cassandra asked.

"No." Solas actually sounded surprised. "He has possessed nothing and no one, and yet he appears human in all respects." Solas turned to me. "Cole is unique, Inquisitor. More than that, he wishes to help. I suggest you allow him to do so." I snorted, as if my answer wasn't already obvious.

"Weeeeelllllllllllllll…" I said, stretching my arms behind my back, twisting so I stretched a little bit, pretending to think about what I was going to say. "I'll go talk to him, see what he has to say for himself…" I trailed off, but before anyone else could say anything, a bunch of shouting erupted at the entrance of the keep, and the heavy gates were lifted, creaking and clanking loudly in the echoing of the valley surrounding us. "What's going on?" I asked, but Solas merely raised an eyebrow at me, while Cassandra and Vivienne were also interested in what was going on.

"I'll leave you to it then, Inquisitor." Solas' said, bowing slightly before heading up the stairs behind us. I moved forward to see what in the name of the Creator's was going on, but then I heard the thundering of hooves, and before I knew it all of our mounts from Haven were pouring into the courtyard, to shouts and nickering and the sudden flurry of horses rushing into the small space.

"Alright, get out of the way!" I heard Cullen's voice long before I saw him. He was shouting orders at everyone who was doing nothing, and no one was going to tell the Commander of the Inquisition no. The horses were corralled, herded off to the side of the keep where a stable was being constructed. And then, I saw him.

Cassandra had to forcibly elbow me in the stomach before my mouth shut. The Commander was atop a great black horse I hadn't seen before, and he was shirtless. I could see the sheen of sweat reflecting off his body as he sat atop the horse, barking orders here and there. Despite myself, I was drinking in his appearance, trying to memorize how his body looked. He was built. By the Creators, was he built. He had scars covering his torso, some more faded than others but still, it seemed there were many. He had a particularly nasty looking one running down his left side, but it was hard to tell from the way his eight pack distracted me. It was if he was pure muscle (which, I'm sure he was/is), and every time he moved, it was like a glorious symphony as his muscles moved with him. Then there was the fact that his hair was unkempt, no doubt from riding, and that right now he was the Commander of the Inquisition, and he commanded respect from everyone.

"So that's where he's been…" I muttered, and Cassandra looked at me.

"You're the one who okayed the order to send him off to get them." She said, and I glanced up at her, shuffling my feet.

"….."

"You forgot, didn't you?"

"I was busy, distracted-"

"Distracted by how handsome our Commander is?" Vivienne chimed in, and I hid my face in my hands.

"Yes-I mean no-"

"Maker's breath Inquisitor, you're just as bad as he is." Cassandra said, turning to leave.

"Inquisitor." Vivienne bowed slightly, leaving as well, leaving me alone in the wake of Cullen's undeniably attractive self.

"Inquisitor! There you are!" a soldier came up to me, and I welcomed the distraction from staring at Cullen like he was a piece of meat. "The Commander wishes to speak with you immediately."

"I-immediately?" I swallowed, earning a confused look from the soldier. "I-I mean, of course. Lead on." I said, my heart hammering in my chest.

"This way, your worship." The soldier led me towards what I knew to be the room where they lowered and raised the gates; at least where all the fancy equipment to do so was.

"Send men to scout the area, again." Cullen's voice drew closer, and I kept my eyes determinedly on the back wall of the room. "We need to know what's out there." I heard him enter the small room, but I wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of knowing I had been ogling him.

"Yes ser." I heard some soldiers scuttle away.

"Commander," someone else came up to him almost immediately; I took a glance to my right. He had thrown a shirt on, thank the Creators. He still looked….amazing. "Temporary quarters have been assigned whilst you were away."

"Good. I'll need an update on the armory as well." There was a pause as the soldier stood there, not really sure if he should leave. "Now." And the soldier scuttled off; I couldn't help but laugh.

"Do you ever sleep?" I asked him, leaning against the wall. Creators I wanted to kiss him so badly. It'd be perfect, to just run over and jump him-

"We set up as best we could at Haven." Cullen shut the door, effectively isolating us from anyone trying to speak to either one of us. "But we never could have prepared for an Archdemon…" his hand reached up to the back of his neck, as it so often did when he was nervous. "Or whatever it was. With some warning…" he trailed off, finally meeting my eyes. I smiled softly at him.

"Cullen…"

"If Corypheus strikes again, we may not be able to withdraw." He turned away from me, and I finally noticed how tired he looked. I had a feeling he wasn't sleeping. "And I wouldn't want to." He turned back to me, determination lighting his eyes up. "We must be ready." He sighed. "Work on Skyhold has been underway. Guard rotations established, stone masons, glass workers, you name it, have been sent for. We should have everything thoroughly on course within the following week. We will not run from here, Inquisitor." I swallowed. Where would we run to? Was of course what I was thinking. I had a feeling we wouldn't be so lucky a second time if that happened.

"How many were lost?" I asked quietly, folding my arms, looking down at the ground. I heard Cullen shuffle his feet.

"Most of our people made it to Skyhold. It could have been worse." I bit my lower lip; closing my eyes. The roar of the Archdemon echoed in my mind, the fires burning all around me- "Morale was low, but has improved greatly since you accepted the role of Inquisitor." He finished, and I looked up at him, giving him a half smile. He had taken a few steps to move closer to me.

"Inquisitor Lavellan." I sighed, leaning on the wall still. It felt immeasurably cool compared to how I felt at the moment. Being alone with Cullen, when he was already covered in sweat, I could see the outline of his muscles under his shirt (not that it was tight, quite the opposite. But you can't help but notice how built he is)… "I'm not sure I'll get used to it." I joked, trying to ignore the growing butterfly feeling in my stomach. He laughed; his laugh was sexy too. Just…DAMN IT ALL WHY.

"Perhaps in time." His eyes were laughing too as his gaze held mine. "You'll do fine, Elia." And the butterflies multiplied.

"Is that the official response?" I teased, and he chuckled.

"Perhaps. But it's true." His smile lingered on his face as he gazed at me. "We needed a leader, and you have proven yourself." I couldn't help but return his smile.

"Thank you Cullen." I said softly. He gave me his signature smirk, Creator's preserve me-I looked down for a moment before looking up again. "Our escape from Haven…it was close." I heard my voice crack slightly, remembering how I had swiftly kissed him before running out to my inevitable death, how his stubble had felt under my lips…and I was intensely aware of how close he was standing to me. "I am just…so relieved, that you-that so many-"I quickly corrected myself, kicking myself in the head, "made it out."

"As am I." his voice was low as he gazed at me…but then the silence lengthened. And slowly grew awkward as neither of us said anything else. He had glanced off to the side, as if he was thinking about saying something else, but then I slowly began to move towards the door. I had opened it and almost stepped outside when he stopped me, grabbing my arm.

"Elia." I looked up at him, surprised, my heart pounding in my chest. "You stayed behind. You could have-I thought you-"I tried to search his eyes, but it seemed like he was still holding back. "I will not allow the events at Haven to happen again." His voice was low, and I felt my face burn as his eyes pored holes into mine. "You have my word." I smiled softly at him.

"Thank you." It came out as a whisper, and I quickly freed myself from his grasp and walked off as fast as I could without appearing like I was fleeing.

-.-.-.-.-.-.

I discovered pictures of a shirtless Cullen. Astride a horse.

Needless to say, the last scene of this chapter with the horses was inspired by it.
Sorry, I can't handle how gorgeous a fictional character is. /no shame/