A/N: How is everybody? :D If you were having a bad day, I hope that, in some small way, this site has helped you smile. Maybe not my story in particular, but someone's. Chin up, darling. I challenge all of you to do something nice for someone. No strings attached. Doesn't have to be someone you know. Just do something. It might keep them going a day longer. Sorry about the rant, something with a good friend going on. Enjoy the chapter, guys.

Everything felt like it had been snapped or stretched past its limit. Muscles, on fire. Bones, creaking and achy if not snapped. Skin, torn, bleeding, and bruised. It was really cold. Cold… Cold! Mina's eyes snapped open and took in the rocky, dark ceiling above her. She was alive! By some miracle, she had made it! For how long, she didn't know, especially not in the condition she thought she was in. Just from the feel of it, she was pretty sure she had several cuts, scrapes, and bruises, but that would heal quickly. There were also some breaks she was sure of. A few ribs, her right arm in a few different places, and her face was pretty swollen. She could only see out of one eye at that moment.

She pushed herself up with her left arm, using one of the walls and tried to stand. That was a terrible mistake. Her right leg gave out on her, sending her back to the floor. Definitely something broken. She wasn't a doctor by any means, but a pain that sharp didn't mean nothing, and she'd fallen quite a ways. In fact, she was shocked she hadn't snapped her neck.

Not wanting to stay there much longer, she hobbled over to a tunnel she'd spotted, staying close to the wall for support. Her body hurt so badly she wanted to puke. The mangled Elf went on, pushing down the bile that rose in her throat. She had to keep going. She didn't exactly know why she was so determined to get back, she just knew she had to. For some reason, she would make it back to the Inquisition. She would see her companions again. She would see Varric grinning and telling her that he knew she'd make it.

Her right hand pulsated, drawing her attention to the encroaching spirits. They were eyeing her hungrily, confident they'd found easy prey in this scrap of a person. She couldn't fight. She didn't have the strength to cast a spell, not a dagger to cut them down with. There was nothing Mina could think of to dispel them. Instinct took over her body.

She gritted her teeth and raised her injured arm, yelling in pain as she did so, and creating a mini-rift that demolished them in seconds. Incredible! Her magic kept getting stranger and stranger. She'd have to ask Solas about that later. It seemed to be very useful.

The end of the cave drew near, as did colder, more dangerous weather. The wind was raging, and snow flew every which way. One could hardly see their hand in front of their face. "Snow. It just had to be snow. I couldn't have to wander a warm desert for hours," Mina muttered to herself, remembering the night she ended up in Kirkwall. It was good to keep the swelling down at least.

At first, the snow had only been up to her knees. It was difficult to get through, but she managed. About an hour later, it was up to her waist. Mina was exhausted, and almost gave up right then, but by the mercy of the Creators, she found signs of the Inquisition. It wasn't much, but there was a frozen cow and two old barrels that held food. Based on the state of the cow, she guessed they were only a couple hours ahead of her. They'd have to rest sometime. Then again, so would she. It was more dangerous for her though. If she stopped for even a moment, she wouldn't have the motivation to keep going. She would freeze to death.

Once more, she trudged on through the stinging wind and cold. Her body was going numb, and she could barely keep her good eye open. Minutes felt like hours. Once more, she caught sight of something that looked like it could've been from the Inquisition. An almost buried torch, black marks from the ash still dusting the ground. She moved her hand closer to it, just to see. It wasn't frozen just yet. They weren't too far away!

But, her body started shutting down. Her left leg wouldn't work properly; she had to practically drag it behind her, and she couldn't feel either of her arms. Breathing had become strenuous to the point that it felt as if she was breathing in shards of glass. Her vision became blurry, but she kept walking. Step by step. Until, she couldn't get her limbs to cooperate. As she fell into the snow, she swore she saw her Champion reaching for her. He was going to cradle her in his arms like he had done the first time…

"GARRETT!" Mina screamed with what was left of her strength. Her voice was hoarse and weak. But, the wind died down just before she screamed. The snow subsided, and the mountains carried her voice.

Cullen was the one who had heard her voice first. He didn't know what she'd yelled, but he knew he'd heard it. "I heard something! Guards, check the perimeter, I'm going to take a look!" he ordered hopefully. His hope had been rewarded by the sight of the Herald face down in the snow. He was terrified and relieved all at once. She was in horrible condition, but she'd made it! She was blessed by Andraste after all… He ignored the cries from behind him and scooped up the Elf, wrapping her in his cloak. She was there. She was safe. He kept repeating those six words in his head as he carried her to Mother Giselle, who had been ending to their wounded. The Commander based his joy on the fact that this Elf, their Herald… Mina, was Thedas' great hope at restoring order. She was the only one who held any chance against the monster that had leveled their village.

He lay her down as gently as he could, and planted himself right beside her, ignoring Mother Giselle's instructions to move. He refused to leave the tent. He refused to move an inch from where he was. The woman before him looked too fragile to be left alone. Solas had come to help, as did another mage that Mina had personally recruited in the Hinterlands.

They worked for a few hours, setting bones, splinting this, sewing that; taking care of the major injuries first. Finally, Solas healed up the last of the bruises and small cuts and took his leave. It was just Cullen, the Herald, and Mother Giselle. The latter cleared her throat and eyed him suspiciously.

"You did not have to stay, Commander. You know very well that she was in good hands. If I remember right, you two aren't very close. May I ask why you refused to leave?" she asked gently.

Cullen ran a hand through his hair and shook his head. He wasn't really sure either. "I… I was there when she made the choice to sacrifice herself for us. I has said that we had no hope, but she insisted that we did. There was no fear in her eyes, no regret. Just, determination and the will to fight. There was… there was nothing I could do to help her. I, the commander of the Inquisition's forces, and primary tactician for their movements, could not think of a single way to help out a lone Elf woman take on a dragon and its master. In that moment, I'd never felt more like a coward."

The Revered Mother nodded and put her hand on his shoulder, "It is okay, child. You were doing what you thought was best."

Cullen furrowed his eyebrows and continued, "I doubted her before this. Never again will I question the Herald. I refuse to doubt her abilities or her good heart. I believe in her, completely."

He stood up, looked at Mina one more time, and left the tent, ready to talk to his fellow leaders about what had to be done.

Mina woke up to the sounds of angry voices. Yelling, really. She took a moment to assess the situation. She was warm, stiff, and didn't hurt as much. The voices outside were… familiar. Cullen, Leliana, Josephine, and Cassandra. She smiled to herself and closed her eyes again. She'd made it. They'd found her.

Her last thought before she collapsed made her heart pound in her chest. She swore she saw Hawke. Was he there? Had he somehow found them? Did Varric send him a letter? She tried to sit up, regretting it immediately. Every movement made her nauseous. She groaned and leaned back against the pole behind her that held up the tent. It wasn't until then that she'd noticed she wasn't alone.

"Careful, my child. You are very hurt. Don't be so hasty to move around, please," Giselle cooed.

Mina groaned again and tried to talk. Her voice was unintelligible and almost nonexistent. The Mother handed Mina some water, which she greedily gulped down. It was weird how people that were hurt were always thirsty afterwards.

"Mother Giselle… I saw someone before I collapsed…" she began, eyes frantically trying to see outside of the tent.

"Saw someone? Who was it?" she asked.

Mina's face fell. Everyone would know Garrett Hawke the moment they set eyes on him. Or, well… almost everyone. "I thought I saw the Champion of Kirkwall," she mumbled, "I was hoping he was here."

Giselle refilled the cup and shook her head, "I'm sorry, Herald. No one knows where he's at still. I'm sure we would all welcome his help though. Is there anything else I can get for you?"

Mina sighed and said no. Her good luck went only so far it would seem. Being alive after all that was fantastic, but she still hoped… Mina drifted in and out of sleep for the next several hours, always waking up to arguing. Finally, she pushed herself out of bed, ignoring her body's objections and Mother Giselle's fussing.

"I can't sleep, Mother. They've been at it for hours. I don't know what we're going to do if they can't agree on what to do next. We can't just stay here…"

Mother Giselle smiled at Mina, "They have the luxury to argue, thanks to you. The enemy could not follow, and with time to doubt, we turn to blame. Infighting, I fear, will threaten as much as this Corypheus."

Mina chewed her bottom lip nervously, "Do we even know where Corypheus and his forces are?"

"We are not even sure where we are. Which is why, despite the numbers he holds, he still has not found us. Or, he believes you are dead, and the Inquisition is no longer a threat to him. I cannot claim to know the mind of that creature; only his effect on us."

"That's something at least. Almost freezing to death isn't something I do for fun," she said, laughing at her terrible joke in her head, "Either way, if they want to argue about what to do next, I need to be with them. Maybe another voice will help."

"Or it will make the fighting worse. Even your voice is not going to get through to them right now, I'm afraid. I believe our leaders struggle because of what you have accomplished. Because of what we survivors have witnessed. We saw our defender stand. And fall. And now, we have seen her return," Giselle said.

Mina stretched, popping something and loosening up a few muscles. She didn't know what to think of the whole mess. Things were getting more complicated.

"The more the enemy is beyond us, the more miraculous your actions become," Giselle continued, "and the more our trials seem ordained. That is hard to accept, no? What we have been called to endure. What we perhaps must come to believe. The Maker loves us, as we must learn to love each other. That will help us work together."

Mina limped over to the open flap of the tent, watching everyone who sat in silence. The gloom had started to set in. Even though she'd escaped by the grace of whoever—whatever, was out there, Mina still didn't believe that this distant Maker or his Holy Bride were watching out for her. She was someone who didn't belong in that world. Her mind was telling her that this was its way of trying to correct that. She'd escaped death how many times? By her count it was at least six times, probably more that she couldn't remember.

"I don't have faith in something like that, Mother Giselle. I believe in what I can do. I believe in the strength of someone's heart, willpower, and friends. I believe in the power of steel, and arrows, and magic. Things that actually make a difference daily. I believe in hope. Not some deity that likes to toss us into chaos or watch us struggle. And, honestly, I don't believe in love. The thing that binds us together is the will to survive, and in some small way, friendship. But, this Maker, doesn't care what we do. He's withdrawn and cruel if he just lets innocent people die like this!" Mina crossed her arms and glared at the campfire in the center of the mass of tents. It burned like her inner rage. People were killed for that creature's madness. His lust for power.

Shadows fall, and hope has fled.

Steel your heart, the dawn will come.

The night is long, and the path is dark.

Look to the sky, for one day soon, the dawn will come.

Mother Giselle's voice rang out, tired, but strong. People started to look up at her curiously. Leliana joined in the next verse, joined by Commander Cullen. They were looking at Mina, hopefully. People started joining in one after another, and soon, the whole camp was singing along; all looking at Mina, saluting her in one way or another. The Elf got chills from the very sight of it. They believed in her.

The shepard's lost and his home is far.

Keep to the stars, the dawn will come.

The night is long and the path is dark.

Look to the sky, for one day soon, the dawn will come.

Bare your blade and raise it high.

Stand your ground, the dawn will come.

The night is long, and the path is dark.

Look to the sky, for one day soon, the dawn will come.

People started cheering, bringing a sense of cheerfulness back to all of them. They had needed that. She needed that more than she knew. Solas walked over to her then, trying to assess if she was even ready to be up and walking. She probably wasn't, but she refused to let anyone stop her. She challenged him to say something with her eyes, and stood up a little straighter. He cracked a smile and motioned for her to follow him. Before she left, Mother Giselle had one more thing to pass on.

"It is one world, Herald. We are all a part of it. The only thing that changes, is our place in it."

Solas lead her just outside of camp where an unlit torch sat in the snow. He waved his hand, bringing it to life and leaned on his staff, observing her. "A wise woman. You should heed her. Her kind understand the moments that unify a cause… Or fracture it."

She limped over to it and warmed her hands before she gave him her attention.

"What's up Solas?" she asked. He made a face at the way she talked. It was strange to him, but he'd gotten pretty much used to it.

"I don't know if you remember this, because you were quite delirious, but you spoke of an orb while your injuries were being treated," he said, tilting his head to the left slightly, "I wanted to tell you that it is of Elven origin. Using it must have caused the explosion at the Conclave. I do not know yet how Corypheus. I didn't want to say anything while we were around everyone else…"

Mina nodded and shifted her weight off her bad leg more, "I understand, Solas. Elves are easy targets to blame. That's not something we need right now. If people found out, that could lead to more arguments and get us nowhere. Plus, it would put all Elves, Dalish or not, in danger. But, how exactly did you know about it?"

The other Elf turned and looked at the mountains behind him, "I have seen a few in the Fade during my travels. They are called Foci, used to channel ancient magics. They were just old memories of older magic. Corypheus may think it Tevinter. Their empire was built upon the bones of my people. Knowing or not, he risks our alliance. I cannot allow it!"

"We'll get it back, Solas. No one else seems to know about it. Don't worry, alright?" she tried to sooth him.

"By attacking the Inquisition, Corypheus has changed it. Changed you. I… I might have an idea of where to go next. Scout to the north, be their guide. I know your damaged body won't hold you back because of your sheer stubbornness. There's a place that can support the growing Inquisition. It waits for a force to hold it." Mina's eyes brightened at the thought of this. They needed a place to go since Haven was no more.

"Thank you Solas!" she said excitedly, "You have to help guide me there, but I will make sure we all make it there. I don't care how far away it is!" She hobbled away as quickly as she could, not able to wait a second longer to tell the leadership about this great discovery. It didn't even register in her mind that she should ask Solas about how he knew about this place. At that moment, she didn't really give a rat's ass.

It had been two weeks that they traveled through the snow. Mina had been ready to walk the whole way on her own, but after the first few hours, it was almost impossible. She argued with Leliana about riding on a horse and finally won out. Mina didn't want the people to see her weakness. It would just bring down morale. No matter how hurt she was, she had to keep going. Instead, Cullen, Bull, and Blackwall took turns helping her walk.

Blackwall was the one that seemed to help her the most. She leaned on his shoulder, trying not to trip over her own feet. He'd always catch her as soon as she started to stumble, giving her a stern look, and shifting more of her weight onto himself.

"I can at least hold myself up, Blackwall," she said after she'd almost took a tumble into the snow for the fourth time.

"That's a bloody lie, and we both know it. I'm fine with you holding up morale, but you're being too hard on yourself, Mina," he chastised her.

She rolled her eyes and bumped him with her hip. "Yes, dad," she sassed.

He chuckled at that and ruffled her hair, "I'm near old enough to be. Here you are, still but a babe, saving the world."

Mina stuck her tongue out at the bearded man she'd come to enjoy. He was great company. "Someone's got to do it. The Hero of Ferelden did his part, the Champion tried his best, and now it's my turn," she said wearily. At times it felt like she was doing it all herself.

Blackwall shook his head and flicked one of her ears with his free hand, "You're not doing this all by yourself, you know. There are so many people that count on you, sure, but you can count on them. And, for what it's worth, I'm proud of you for not giving up."

Mina grinned at him. If there was someone that had acted like a father to her, it would've been Blackwall. Thalion hadn't done a damned thing since she left the Clan. No letters. No visits. Nothing. She'd received a letter from Keeper Deshanna not too long ago asking if she was alright, and demanding the Inquisition let her go. The Keeper insisted that Mina hadn't done anything wrong. Mina had immediately sent a letter back explaining things to the Keeper and saying she wouldn't be home for some time yet.

"Thanks, pops. It means a lot to me, actually. I… I'd be proud to call you my father," she said, trying to hide a blush. He'd given her some pretty sage advice when he wasn't goofing around with Bull. He'd also had her back in plenty of bad situations. Of course, the others had also, but he'd done it instinctually. They worked as well together as she and Varric did. Blackwall glanced at her sideways, surprised by her sudden softness towards him. He coughed and picked up speed.

"I hope we get there soon. I don't think anyone wants to sleep in the mountains another night."

No sooner had Blackwall said that, than Solas appeared out of nowhere to take Mina from him. Blackwall reluctantly let go of her after Solas cast a minor healing spell on the worst of her injuries. She was finally able to walk on her own. Not very well, but she didn't have to depend on anyone.

"We are nearly there, Lavellan. Just over this rise is—"

Mina awkwardly sprinted up the rest of the ridge, ready to be inside somewhere. Plus, it would be great for the Inquisition to finally have a place of operations once more. What greeted her was not only a place to stay, but a fortress of the mountains. It was old, made of stone, and intimidating. It still looked strong, and ready to hold its own against those who would challenge it. She stood there, mouth agape, taking in the beautiful sight before her.

"Skyhold," Solas said, a bemused smile on his face. He handed her a staff and raised his eyebrows. IT wasn't his own staff…

"Is this for me, Solas?" she asked looking at the white and green gem at the top of the tangled wood.

"Yes. It should help you walk better, and I thought it was time you had your own staff. You use those daggers often enough, I had doubted you were a mage," he teased. Mina giggled and rolled her eyes at him. They didn't know that she was actually at her best when weapons weren't involved, but she really liked the staff. It was better than feeling like a burden to someone for hours at a time.

As they stepped into the walls of Skyhold, weariness hit Mina like a tidal wave. She hadn't slept in a couple days because of the pain her body was in. She hadn't told anyone, because she hated to be so reliant on magic. Ironic for a mage. She couldn't wait to sleep in a bed. However, that seemed further off than she had thought. Skyhold, for all of its outside glory, was a bit of a mess. It needed some work. There were a few holes in the walls, part of the ramparts needed to be fixed up, and the barracks were in disarray. If there was one thing the people of the Inquisition were good at, it was hard work. This wouldn't keep them down!

She was restricted by orders from Cullen, Leliana, Josephine, and pretty much everyone else on how much work she could do. So, she spent the next five days in a tent, talking to Dorian who had also kept her company on the journey there from time to time. They got along fabulously. She insisted that others were taken care of before her as far as shelter went, and no one dared argue with her because of her increasing bad temper. She'd began to sleep for maybe two or three hours a night after the third night in Skyhold. Dorian, though, had a way of diffusing her anger. He made her laugh and treated her as if she were the queen of some important country and he was her royal advisor. It was quite funny, really. They talked about books, and stupid things that didn't matter much to Mina anymore like clothing and fancy foods. She also vented her frustration that they didn't have running water in Thedas and she missed that from where she was from. Not that she had the chance to use it much, but it was nice. And warm. What she hated most was the cold. Varric stopped by to fuss over her like a mother hen at least three times a day. She almost laughed at his concern. Of course, almost loosing someone important to you did that. He was a kind brother.

They had a funeral for the brave people that gave their lives for the Inquisition's cause. Among them had been Chancellor Roderick. Cole had told Mina that the old man hadn't hated her one bit. In fact, he was quite hopeful that she really was sent from the Lady Andraste. However, he was scared of what that meant. If an Elf, and a mage at that, was the one to save them all on Andraste's behalf... The Chantry was having a hard time wrapping their heads around it. Mina solemnly watched the pyres burn. Too many people had already died. How many more would be lost before they were done? She almost couldn't bear the thought.

One morning, she spotted the leaders talking amongst themselves. Oddly enough, all but Cassandra dispersed when Mina started walking over to them. Cassandra was almost smiling. Something in her eyes said she was incredibly happy. Another oddity. "Hey, Cass, what's going on?" Mina asked, watching Cullen talk to some people animatedly.

"Oh, nothing. I would like to talk to you if you have a moment. It looks like you're finally getting around better. Just a slight limp," she said.

Mina snorted. It hurt way more than she cared to admit, "I am trying. Hopefully it heals up before too much longer. I can't be limping around helpless when Corypheus shows up next."

Cassandra chuckled and looked around at the gathering people. "You have gathered quite a following, Herald. They arrive daily from every settlement in the region. Skyhold is already becoming a pilgrimage," she began to walk around, guiding Mina towards the stairs that led to Skyhold's main hall, "If words has reached these people, it will have surely reached the Elder One. You are right to be concerned… However, we have the walls and numbers to put up a fight here. This threat is far beyond the war we anticipated. We now know what allowed you to stand against Corypheus; what drew him to you." She stopped and looked at Mina, the smallest hint of a smile, still dancing on her lips.

"Cassandra, are you going to try and convince me that I'm chosen again? I'll admit that something is watching over us all, but I don't think it's your Maker. He just wanted the Mark, but it's useless to him now. So, he wants me dead," Mina sighed.

"No, I'll not try that again. I know where you stand. We can still use your Mark to thwart his plans. Regardless, the anchor is not why you are still standing here. It did not show you how to escape that avalanche. You're decisions helped us heal the sky; your determination brought us out of Haven. You are that creature's rival because of what you did, and we know it. All of us."

That's when Mina noticed Leliana stood at the top of the first set of stairs holding a sword like she was presenting it to someone. Mina's eyebrows knit together as she looked at the Seeker in confusion. What was going on? Leliana was smiling as well, and people were starting to gather below them. Cullen and Josephine were at the front of the crowd, beaming.

"The Inquisition requires a leader. The one that has already been leading it," Cassandra added. Mina's eyes widened as she looked at the faces of the Inquisition, and the faces of her inner circle. She didn't know how to lead! She could barely hold herself together, and man was she a mess in the morning! For that many people to look up to her… to be their leader. It was a lot.

"Will you lead us?" Cassandra asked, drawing Mina's eye back from the murmuring crowd.

"I… I don't know how to lead, Cassandra. I'm just an Elf wandering about. A mage, at that. Do you all really trust me with this?" she asked, shakily.

"We do," was the simple reply.

"Then," Mina paused to pick up the dragon hilted sword before addressing everyone, "I will lead you all, but not for faith. I will help to restore the order that you all deserve! I will bring peace to your saddened hearts and bring this Elder One to justice!"

"Wherever you lead us," said Cassandra, "Have our people been told?"

Josephine answered her question, "They have! And soon, the world."

"Commander, will they follow?"

Cullen turned to the crowed and raised his sword, "Inquisition, will you follow? Will you fight?! Will we triumph?" They cheered at his every question.

He turned towards Mina and finished the rally, "Your leader, your Herald, your Inquisitor!"

Mina thrusted the sword in the air, eliciting more cheers from them all. She hoped this wasn't a big mistake. Having her leading a bunch of people sounded like the start of a really bad story Varric would tell.

After the cheering died down and people got back to work, they all met in the main hall to assess what else needed to be done. All the leaders, save Cassandra. There was still rubble to be cleared out, but all in all, they'd had a great start.

"So this is where it truly begins," commented Cullen.

Leliana corrected him, "It began in the courtyard. This is where we turn that promise into action."

"But what do we do? We know nothing about this Corypheus except that he wanted the Mark," said Josephine.

"We need more information on him. I'm hoping this isn't the start of the war with the Imperium," Mina fretted.

"I think that this is a group of extremists, not the vanguard of the Imperium," Cullen said.

"Though, they would not be bothered a bit if the south fell into chaos," Leliana mused.

"Ugh. Someone somewhere must know something about Corypheus!" Mina said exasperated. Her temper was starting to flare up once more.

Cullen added to her frustration, "Unless they saw him on the field, most will not even believe he exists."

Leliana, however had a good point in the midst of all of these questions, "We do have one advantage. We know what he intends to do next, thanks to your efforts at Therinfal. He has plans to assassinate Empress Celene. I would feel better if we knew more about what we were dealing with."

Another voice joined their conversation, "I know someone who could help with that. Uh… Everyone acting all inspirational jogged my memory. So… I sent a message to an old friend. He's crossed paths with Corypheus before, and he may know more about what he's doing. He can help." It was Varric. Everyone eyed him warily. He sighed and looked Mina straight in the eyes.

"I have someone I want you to talk to, Kitten." he said gently. Mina's heart almost stopped. He said it very gently and kept his distance from her. Who was it?

"Oh? Well then, let's have a talk shall we?" Mina said with narrowed eyes. Varric knew he was in trouble.

"Um… It might be better if you two talked more privately on the battlements. Seeing him around might cause a bit of a fuss. Trust me, it's complicated."

Leliana smirked as Varric walked away, "I know one thing, if he's brought who I think he has, Cassandra is going to kill him."