Solas held her hands close as he looked at her, the fear fading away from his face as he looked at her. "Vhenan…" He spoke, looking into her eyes as his hand touched her back, his hand resting upon the brand. He saw her eyebrows furrow as she felt his hand touch it. No longer held back by an illusion. "Why did you keep this from me?" He felt his magic touch against the scar, it's faded reminder of her past.

"It.." She sighed, clearing her mind before she spoke, "I could not live with the shame of that night." She turned her eyes away, trying to look past Solas, only feeling his fingers grasp her chin. Pulling her eyes up to look into his.

"Ar lasa mala revas." He gently pressed his lips against her temple as his eyes closed. Giving her time, and love that she needed to move past her fears.

"Solas? What do we do now?" She watched as a thought passed through his mind, his eyes looking out into the mountains beyond them.

" There are steps that we can take.." His words seemed to wander off as he looked down into her eyes. Their conversation met in the silence of the night.

Cullen pulled himself from his sleep as he looked into the sky, looking as the sun began to turn it's way over the mountain. He looked around as he saw people shuffling about, packing ready to move. "Where is everyone going?" Cullen seemed to jump to command as he pushed himself up in a hurry, moving towards the citizens expecting a mass exodus.

"Where are you leaving?" He asked a man with a bag upon his back.

"We're following The Herald." He spoke, his finger pointing towards Anara.

Cullen felt himself stop in his tracks as he looked upon her figure. She had awoken in a panic, to see them all in a sour mood, arguing amongst each other like bickering children. In yet here she was, leading them regardless of the situation, leading them hopefully towards new beginnings.

He looked upon her, their rations low as was their supplies, he looked at her arm, the robe torn towards her shoulder, exposing her to the cold of the elements. She seemed pale, the life and color from her disappearing as they moved,

Cullen could feel himself move without restraint as he raced to meet Anara's side.

"Lady Trevelyan...I mean..Anara.." He looked at her, still seeing the exhaustion in her eyes as he looked her over. She was disheveled, he looked at her arm and looked at the scars that met his eyes. His eyes drew across the scars that patterned faintly like lightning in the sky, or roots to a tree. His hand grabbed hers, pulling her towards him as his concern came out in front of everyone, "What happened!?" He spoke, his words almost seeming intrusive as he spoke out of turn.

Her voice wavered, gently pulling her hand from his grasp. "Corypheus.." She spoke gently as she turned her eyes ahead, looking at the valleys and mountains that stood between them. Her feet began to slowly move, knowing the eyes of all Haven stood on her back.

Cullen stood there as she moved, her body strained and tired as she moved through the snow. This would be a long journey indeed.

Her mind wandered as she moved, remembering the words from Solas as he held her close, his eyes looking to the sky. " By attacking the inquisition, Corypheus changed it, changed you." He pulled himself back, his eyes turning down to look at her, his hand resting against her cheek. " Scout to the north." His eyes looked to the sky, pointing towards the northern star. "Be their guide Anara.."

She felt his hands let go of her as he began to walk, her steps following behind him. " There is a place that waits for a force to hold it. " His magic sparked in the air, flying out like sparks within the sky. "There is a place where the inquisition can build, grow."

He held his hand out to her under the clear night as she moved slowly towards him. Her body still aching from sleep.

'Come, Vhenan. Take my hand.'

Her fingers slid over his as she felt his magic course through her, like a jolt, a spark of electricity as images flashed through her mind. Of white mountaintops, of winding roads, and of a frozen river that winded into deep lakes that spread ice across like cold tendrils.

"Anara?" She felt her mind pull back to reality as she stood there the groups of people behind her at a stand still. Cullen stood beside her, a look of concern spreading across his face.

"Commander.." She spoke, her mind lost within the movements of last night. Her voice weak and her arm still throbbing in pain from the mark. She could feel the pain spread, as her face winced at the feeling spread through her.

" My lady, are you alright?" His hand rested upon her shoulder, She felt his skin touch hers through the tears in her shoulder. Her eyes fluttered shut as she shuddered in the cold, remembering the feel of him from the fade. "You're cold.." He spoke, His arms pulling the heavy fur from his back.

"No Commander.." She spoke, gently shaking her head as she tried to push away the feel of his warmth upon her body. " I am fine, I promise."

Cullen lowered his head, his eyes looking at hers as she tried to hide her feelings from the commander. "You've risked everything Anara to lead us this far, I will not let a cold take you from us now." She looked into his eyes, seeing his determination as he spoke, barely able to hide his emotions and concern from all following them.

She nodded reluctantly as she felt his hands push the heavy fur over her shoulders, feeling the warmth from him still on the fur as she pulled it closer. As if it brought her comfort.

Cullen's eyes looked over her exposed skin as he placed the fur across her shoulders. He couldn't help himself in the moment, but regretted it afterwards.

In all his dreams and fantasies he never realized the unfortunate truth behind her scars, and never truly looked upon them until now.

But under a torn piece of fabric, he saw the the faintest mark reserved for only those who became tranquil. Cullen stood there, still in silence as she slowly moved forward again, her feet carrying her still as she struggled. His hands silently reaching to her, as if to pull her into a warm embrace. But she moved, with whatever remaining confidence and will she had left she moved to lead them away from the inquisitions past.

Solas stood behind them, bracing his staff as he walked, his mind ever present with Anara, trying to help her gather strength as she moved forward. She was a beacon to them, to all of Haven, to all of the inquisition, she lead them forward. Determined to meet the winding frozen river that she saw within his mind.

" The Commander puts himself out there." He heard the familiar stern voice of Cassandra beside him as they walked. He could almost hear the scowl in her voice as she spoke, " It seems he holds a great deal of affection for her."

Solas continued to move, not allowing her words to affect him so, " We all hold some affection for Anara, as we should. She has pulled together the inquisition, faced Corypheus and defeated Alexius." Solas dared to turn around to see the magister chained to a few templars, ensuring his magic would never attract unwanted attention.

" Agreed, but his actions.."

Solas cut her off with his words, knowing full well where she intended to take the conversation, " The Commander puts himself out there, as do we all. We're obligated now, she saved us without hesitation of sacrificing herself." His eyes turned towards Cassandra, her look now dumbfounded. "She has earned our respect as a leader, as she has earned our affections as well."

His feet began to move faster as he moved up the line, pulling himself away from Cassandra. Rethinking his choice of words he knew he left too quickly, his words too uncharacteristic. He could chalk it up to his lack of sleep, or their grueling march towards to the north. But he knew deep down inside that there was no reason besides his fear to lose her.

He had known what it felt like to feel his connection ripped from him. To no longer sense the person he loved, and Solas feared the loneliness that would ensue if she had not returned.

But there she was, pushing them forward as they moved through the mountains, moving them towards an unknown destination. Solas held it's name close, not wishing to ruin it's unveiling to Anara. But instead left her with the clues that would lead them there, making her journey and their survival all the more prophetic.

Her feet moved forward, the snow chilling against her boots as she moved. Her hands gripping tighter as she pulled the fur closer to her body, trying to keep herself warm as she walked with Cullen by her side. His words were comforting, as his hand touched her shoulder, ensuring that she was ok with every step she took. She could feel Solas slowly approach them from behind his mind spurring her on.

' You're almost there Vhenan.'

She breathed out, clutching the fur closer as she looked up at the hill that was ahead of them. Her eyebrows furrowed as she began to move, her feet moving faster as she began her ascent, Solas picking up the pace to follow behind her.

She made it over the hill, the wind picking up as her eyes looked upon a frozen lake, a river flowing out from it. She felt the wind lash against her face as her eyes adjusted to the sun it's glare reaching out over the mountain like an extension of The Maker.

Her eyes looked to a structure in the distance, like some great fort within the mountainside. She felt the snow touch her cheek as Solas stood behind her, his hand reaching out for hers through the fur.

She was wide eyed, watching as the mist and clouds rose as if the cold was forming in the air around them. Solas stood beside her, turning to see Cullen slowly make his way up the hill. Past him were the group that followed them.

"We've made it." His hands gripped against the staff as he held it close, supporting himself on it as he looked over the land.

"Skyhold.." He spoke, the vision within his mind and in hers finally real. Finally a tangible thing that laid right in front of them, waiting for them, waiting for the inquisition.

Anara stumbled forward, her feet resting in the snow with each step that she took. Turning to see Solas standing there, Cullens expression change from restlessness as his eyes looked upon Skyhold.

"Is this real?" He questioned to Solas, his head nodding gently as he silently removed all doubt from Cullens mind. "It'll take another day to cross the chasm and make it to the keep." he looked towards Anara, her eyes tired as she weakly smiled at both men.

"Then we make camp below.." She spoke, her words weak as they began their descent, the people stopping in step as they laid their eyes upon Skyhold. The fortress large enough to hold forces, but not large enough for the inquisitions growth.

They looked down towards the frozen river and lake that laid below it, the only opening gate towards the mountainside.

As quickly as hope sprung forth once again, darkness began its descent on the living world. Bringing with it the cold and silence of the world.

Anara sat there by the fire, the heavy fur still covering her as her hand reached out to the fire, feeling it's heat against her skin. Her fingers would wave back and forth moving the fire with her motions as she stared into it, almost as if entranced. She was weakened, and afraid to enter The Fade with her sleep. In her state she would become an easy target for demons, wishing to seek entrance into this world.

Her eyes flickered over the fire as she looked across the camp to see Solas sitting besides a fire in the distance. Sera making a spectacle of herself around the whole camp. She could see Solas becoming embarrassed as she poked and prodded him, she was an elf by race, but more human than any of them were willing to admit.

She cursed, she'd slur her words, and chatter on and on almost in a nonsensical way. Her thoughts and words were disorganized, as was her strategy, she was unhindered and set loose on everything like some strange rabid animal.

She looked up to see Dorian saunter across from her, taking a seat besides the fire, "What you did, for all of us. It was very brave." She let a weak smile spread across her lips as she nodded.

"It felt very stupid at the time, but if I didn't do it, Corypheus would've destroyed everything.."

She watched as he leaned across, edging towards the fire.

"Still, what you did nothing short from amazing. You barely know me and most of those people but you still.."

"It was the right thing to do Dorian." She heard the voice of Cassandra as she sat down besides Anara. "You need to rest Anara, there is a long day ahead of us all."

Anara looked up the mountain to see the looming fortress above them, like a cold beacon waiting to be awoken once more. She saw the old flags of past conquerors still fly in the wind as the moon glowed brightly, illuminating the world around them as if by day.

" I am.." Her head fell against her chest as she brought the covers over herself more. "Weak..If I enter The Fade.." She shook her head, trying not to think about it. "Then I fear I may not come back as myself."

Dorian's back straightened as he looked at her, "There are spells we can use, or if need be someone can join you in The Fade. Until you get your rest that is." She looked at him, as if he was volunteering himself. She felt that this was an argument that she couldn't win. She nodded silently, her head becoming heavy as she thought about it more and more.

Anara struggled to stand as she looked at the concerned duo that surrounded her, Solas's eyes never leaving her figure as she stood. " Then it seems I am at an impasse. I shall see you both in the morning it seems. Hope that I am the same when I awake." She tried to smile, making light of her last words trying to make it a joke. But Cassandra's eyebrows furrowed in concern and the usually light hearted Dorian seemed to take her words as less humourous.

She turned from the group, finding shelter far away from the words and noise of the world around her. She could feel the burning still within the mark, its presence more known at night now. She cringed, her face hiding in the mess that was her hair. She could feel the marks magic spread across her, moving through the branches across her skin. What Corypheus had done felt disabling, causing her fingers to tense, her muscles to ache and the scars on her flesh to burn.

Her hand pulled the door open as she looked inside her body stumbling inside as her hand pressed against the bed frame. She could feel cold sweat fall from her brow as her knees finally gave way to the ground. She pulled herself up to the bed, wiping away the cold sweat from her face as she sat there, her eyes staring at the tent walls that surrounded her. Her hand feeling the fresh scars the ran across her skin, wishing to be able to illusion it all over again. But the mark, and the touch left by Corypheus was too strong, instead it would become apart of her now on.

Cullen could feel himself pace around the camp, sleep was the last thing on his mind as he moved. He looked to Solas, who sat in silence amongst the Bull and Sera, wishing to be parted from their conversations.

He watched as Cassandra and Dorian barely spoke, the seeker finding the Tevinter less interesting without Anara by them.

The grey warden sat alone, his hand deep in cup as he silently looked over the camp, his mind elsewhere.

Cullen looked at the faces of those who followed and remembered those who had been lost in Haven. The things that could've happened if Anara never intervened, but his mind wondered at what price did she pay?

He watched her leave and walk off into the distance, her eyes focused on the ground as she walked, still clinging to the fur that kept her warm. His feet began to move slowly, concerned for the woman who risked so much for them. His eyes looked down in the snow, following the footsteps that stumbled forward, edging towards a tent in the distance.

He heard a slight sob as he approached the tent, his hand wavering at the door. Wondering what had happened beyond his sight. He heard a curse under breath, her voice gaining his concern as his hand touched the tent, pushing the door in quietly.

His head peered in, his shoulder following in presence but he was stopped at the door as he looked at Anara.

His eyes wavered as he watched her struggle with the fur around her shoulder. His eyes moved across the torn tunic, bits of red soaked into the fabric as new marks and scars began anew upon her flesh.

He looked at the bloodstains that spread across her back, his eyes once again meeting with a mark that was all too familiar with the Templars. He looked at the sunburst mark reserved only for tranquils scarred across her back, barely peeking from beneath her tunic.

His eyes struggled as he turned his head, feeling like he intruded in on her. "A..Anara.." He spoke quietly as his eyes turned down.

Anara turned quickly, her eyes looking at Cullens blushing face as he looked away. Her hands cradling herself as she tried to hide the scars from his eyes. Cullen's mind wandered, remembering the scars that spread across her arm. He wondered why he entered her tent and interrupted her privacy, watching her struggle with her movements.

"Commander.." She spoke weakly arm resting against her shoulder, hiding the scars from him. "Is there something I can help you with?" Cullen kept his head turned, trying to lessen the shock in his voice as he spoke.

"I..uh..I.." He was struggling with his words, turning into a mumbling mess. He heard her sigh deeply as she let her hand drop from her shoulder.

" I suppose there's no point in hiding this now is there. " Her breath let out as she felt her rough hands touch the fresh scars on her shoulder, leaving the mark burning within, threatening to come forth.

Cullen's eyes shifted, trying to hide the embarrassment that he felt in how he acted. He looked to her in worry as he looked upon the marks upon her, his mind wondering about the new scars that mingled with old ones. "Do they hurt?" Cullen asked, feeling as if his own mind betrayed him in this moment.

" Always…" His eyes wouldn't leave the brand upon her back, looking at the sunburst image surrounded by two circles. Cullen felt his throat tighten as he looked at that image. He had heard tales of circle towers that enact branding, but he thought that was another world. A world like Tevinter.

But as he stood there, his eyes running over the circles he felt the injustice that she had suffered at the hand of those meant to protect. Cullen had feared mages since Kinloch Hold. He wanted the tower purged at one point after he held by mages, and tempted by demons. Memories that continued to haunt his nightmares to this day. But he suddenly felt that what he felt in those weeks, were nothing compared to the nightmares she faced for years.

Cullen couldn't find words, his voice was silent as he struggled with himself, his hand reaching out to her, wishing to pull her close, to kiss the tears from her eyes as the pain took her. To feel those scars in all it's entirety under his hand and hold her in his arms, filling both their hearts with promises and strength. But he knew the type of men who placed that brand upon her, for at one point, he feared he would become such a man. He feared now more than ever that he wasn't worthy of shielding her pain, and wiping away her tears. He feared, he wasn't worthy anymore of the creature that inhabited his heart and his dreams.

His mouth moved silently, still trying to find words, but instead filled his heart with panic as he took a step back. "I'm sorry." He spoke, the only words leaving his mouth as he turned his head, returning back to the cold world that waited for him outside.

Anara sat there, her back to him as he left. She could feel the silent tears roll down her cheeks as he left. Her arm spasming in pain as she was left to the wild magic that ran within her. She tilted her head back, feeling the tears warmly caress her face as her mind reached out.

'Solas..'

Cullen felt the cloth slip from his fingers as he looked up, his eyes meeting with the furrowed brow of Solas. "Didn't expect to see that did you? Those scars." Solas's words seemed more defensive, as if defending Anara's virtue.

"I've heard tales.." Cullen mumbled, his eyes turning away from Solas's prodding gaze.

"She was branded, as was everyone in Ostwick." Solas turned his back to the Commander, his eyes looking out into the darkness that surrounded them.

" I didn't know.."

"How could you?" Solas looked to Cullen, his eyebrow cocked in question. "You were in Ferelden when she was in Ostwick."

"I was dealing with another situation at that time." It was Cullens turn to become defensive as he listened to Solas. As if the elf was attacking his actions.

" You were in Kinloch, when the mages rebelled and the tower was lost. That was until the Hero of Ferelden stepped in."

" You know nothing of what I endured." Cullen almost started to yell, his voice raising beyond casual conversation.

"I know only what the fade bring me Commander. But you do not know what she has endured." Sols began to step towards Cullen, "But you will."

Cullen felt Solas's grip upon his wrist, feeling the magic of the elf burn through him like a wave of fire. Cullen felt his hand jerk backwards, feeling his mind become dizzy as he watched the elf step forward. " You will understand Commander, you will see, what I've seen."

Cullen felt his hand press against his temple as he felt the life from him spin and turn. He lost direction on his feet as he tried to step back from Solas, trying to find his way back to the light of camp.

Solas pushed his hand against the tent, stepping inside as he looked at Anara, her back to him, scars bared. Solas stepped forward, resting himself on the bed as he hands touched Anara's shoulders pulling her close. "Vhenan.." He whispered as his head rest against hers, breathing deeply as he held her close.

" Solas.." He felt her hand gently touch his, "The Commander.." She spoke under breath, overhearing the conversation outside.

" Is of no concern Vhenan. You have seen his pain, his trials and errors. Let him in turn see yours." She let out an exasperated sigh against his arm. magic was always to serve the maker she thought and not man. But here they were, using magic to serve their own purpose. She could never form the words to speak to Cullen about her past. He never questioned her about it either, but it felt wrong for her to have seen the Commander so long ago in a weakened state and not for him to see the same.

"Vhenan.." Solas nuzzled into her hair, pulling strands down to gather between his fingers. " You must sleep, sleep with love in your heart and not doubt." She felt his hand touch her chest, directly over her heart as he sighed.

"I fear Solas, that I would become lost in the fade." She spoke, her eyes getting heavy from their long march.

" Let me protect you in the fade Vhenan." She felt a kiss upon her cheek as he spoke again, " I will always protect you, like a harbor from the sea, but I need you to sleep." She felt his fingers press against her chest, as if reaching to her heart. She felt as if the breath was drawn from her, leaving her dizzy and tired.

"Sola.." Her body slumped as she spoke, her energy being drained from her in one fell swoop, in a single spell conjured by Solas.

" I will protect you.." Solas spoke, as he gathered her up, setting her in bed to sleep, pulling the covers over her body as he felt her arm, his eyes closing to the magic that flowed within. It had cascaded across her shoulder, the magic that was once killing her spread like a wildfire to Corypheus's will.

Solas feared another attempt from the creature could kill Anara. But he had tried to rip the mark from her, and in turn her magic pulled it deeper into herself. Making the mark, the anchor apart of her and apart of her magic now. No longer becoming separate from one another.

He sat there, in silence as he watched Anara sleep, his fingers playing with the strands of hair that fell in her face. He sat there, fascinated by the curls, feeling the fade call to him, begging him to come to rest.

Cullen felt the snow on his hands as he tried to pull himself from the ground. The lights and sounds around him echoing and distorting, blurring and shifting as he moved. He couldn't understand what was happening, but it felt as if he was being dragged down into a pit.

"Commander?" He heard a voice speak, but he couldn't tell who it was, he only felt hands grab his shoulders as a arm wrapped around his waist helping him up.

"Blackwall what's the matter?" Another voice spoke, as the world began to drag along, leaving him dizzy. His body felt heavy as he felt his legs buckle out from beneath him. He watched as the light and darkness played, entangling around each other as he hit the ground. His face feeling the stinging cold of the snow against his face as he was lost to the fade. Lost to the darkness that now surrounded him.