They gathered in a secluded spot, and she explained everything she dared. She didn't need the mental connection to know that Solas wasn't ready to share all of his secrets with them. She hoped he would be, soon. Fortunately they accepted the altered version easily, that he had sensed things in the Fade that weren't right, and had gone off on his own to fix them. They didn't question the power of a god to reach through the Fade into her anchor. They weren't quite as easy with her, not quite forgiving, and she vowed to dedicate herself to regaining their trust in whatever ways she could.

No time like the present. When she'd finished the story, she looked each of them in the face one by one. "I'm sorry for what I did. All of the things I didn't do and say. First I was afraid you'd think me weak, and then I was afraid I would hurt you more by having you around. I know forgiveness takes time, but I beg you to stay to let me to earn it."

Varric spoke for the group. "No worries, Your Wor- I mean, Evelyn. We had a lot of time to talk over the last couple of weeks, and while some of us were of a mind to challenge you to one-on-one combat when you returned - " Cassandra and Dorian raised their hands. "- we wanted you back more than we wanted you hurt. We know you love us, in your enigmatic leader way."

"But you if you ever sic a demon on me again, boss, I'm going to give you such a hiding," Iron Bull added. "And not in the fun, sexy way. In the way that you're not going to be sitting at the War Table for a week."

They'd all gone off to rest, except for Cullen. He sat next to her, their fingers entwined. He'd been touching her since she returned, as if he was afraid she'd melt away. Or run away, more likely. She rubbed her thumb across his hand in wordless apology. He leaned towards her and rested his forehead against hers.

"How many lies were in that tale?" he asked. There was no judgment, only curiosity.

"As few as possible," she said.

He chuckled. "If you can't be honest in the story, at least be honest about the lies. Progress, I suppose." She placed her free hand against his face and smoothed away the worry lines.

"I don't want to do it."

"I know, love," he said. "I know. I suppose I'll have to learn to accept that there are things a woman would tell her lover that an Inquisitor can't tell her Commander. Maker knows I enjoy being both."

She sat back and smirked. "Which one do you enjoy more?" He rubbed the back of his lowered head and studied her in a way that warmed her blood. She wondered if it would be unseemly to drag him off to her tent in the middle of the day.

She stopped short. "I don't even have a tent, do I? I imagine it was pretty well destroyed."

"Good for nothing but bandages for nugs. But don't worry, I know someone who's more than willing to share." He kissed her slowly, hand stroking her sore arm. She responded, humming with pleasure when his tongue played across hers. He pulled back and grinned. "But first, I have to write a full report to Leliana and Josephine. Come with me?"

"You didn't used to be this conscientious when I was around," she said, smacking his arm.

"And I hardly ever will. But right now I'll enjoy making you wait for me, for once."

They walked to his tent later, under a setting sun. She noted with amusement that it was in the same place Hawke's had been. Had he planned for this or just wanted distance from the rest? "Why did you sign your reports as Cullen instead of Knight-Commander?" she asked.

He blushed. "Well, technically, I resigned." She gaped at him. He gave an embarrassed sigh. "Leliana said that under no circumstances would the Inquisition's military commander be allowed to run off on a hunt for its wayward leader, no matter how much he mooned over her, so I said she'd better find herself a new commander because I was going. It escalated from there."

She must have looked worried because he quickly added, "It's okay. Before I left, Josephine told me that they expected my resignation to last no longer than four weeks or they would send troops to drag me back and tie me to my desk."

"Josephine said that?" She laughed. "It's good I made it back, then. I'm not sure Skyhold could have lived that down."

He smiled as they stopped outside the tent. "I knew you would." He took her face in his hands and smoothed his thumbs over her cheeks. "You're Evelyn. And you're magic. I just needed to be here to see it."

Her patience snapped, and she pulled him inside. She closed the flaps and her mind as best she could. Cullen's arms snaked around her, and he trailed kisses up her neck, leaving tingles in their place. When his fingertips brushed across the smooth skin of her stomach she gasped. She spun around to face him, and he backed away, leading her to his bedroll. Her need was greater than she'd ever felt, but when she settled next to him, she could do nothing but hold him, shaking. He tucked her hair behind her ear and stared at her for a long moment. His eyes were gentle and accepting.

She felt a tear slide down her cheek. "Love me, Cullen," she said.

"Always," he replied.

That night she learned that Hawke was right. Passion was the best substitute for honesty.

The next day, they packed the camp to return to Skyhold. They worked enthusiastically and quickly. Everyone was ready to get home. Hurel was joining them, joking with Varric and Sera though his eyes held grief. She hoped Solas would eventually be able to help him realize he wasn't alone. Solas spoke quietly with Cole and Cassandra, who both hovered over him like mother hens. He accepted their concern with gratitude, with few hints of his old impatience. Dorian and Iron Bull flirted affectionately and kissed when they thought no one was looking. Scout Harding was usually looking. Evelyn kissed Cullen whether anyone was looking or not.

She sent the amulet and scales to Denerim for the Hero and hoped they were still what she needed. She included a note that offered her assistance at any point in the future, no questions asked, in case they weren't. Cullen watched her write it and warned her that an open-ended promise to someone like the Queen wasn't to be given lightly, but he didn't stop her from sending it.

They mounted after lunch and swung themselves onto the narrow forest paths. Scouts roamed around them like bees, leaving nothing unnoticed. She was glad. No surprises, that was her new motto. But as Iron Bull said, mottos were made to be broken.

Varric called out to her before the camp had gone from sight. "You know, Your Worship, you haven't given me a lot to work with. No one's going to believe that you faced down an ancient god in his prison cell with only your wits and a bloody elf on your side. You need to start doing more plausible things or this legend will never get off the ground. It's impossible to sell."

Solas laughed, and she felt his contentment wash through her. Or was it her own? "The more impossible it seems, the easier it will be. Haven't you noticed? Evelyn makes miracles."

Author's Note: The end at last! Those who have been paying attention to the update schedule know that this was less writing than exorcism, a story that wouldn't let me rest until I finished it. I hope you enjoyed it. It's not perfect, plenty of rough edges where it twisted away in the telling, but I hope it serves as a possible ending until BioWare releases their inevitable DLC! Thanks to everyone who read, and especially those who reviewed and messaged me. The demon that was this story would have come out of my personal Fade regardless, but you made the journey a lot more fun. Hope to see you in another one soon!