I knew I was awake when I heard the obnoxious sounds of Leliana's crows cawing in my ear. Or at least I assumed they were Leliana's. It would be slightly unnerving to see two crows padding about my room if they were just, well, crows. The sight I'm general was strange, I don't think Leliana's would have left any windows open, I mean we were in the middle of the mountains. Then again it was freezing. I drew my blanket around me to keep away the biting chill that had settled on me now that I was fully awake. Another crow noisily flapped it's it' down towards the now dead fire place and I finally took a look at my surroundings.

For starters, there was a rusty axe wedged into the foot of the bed, that also had collapsed on one side now that I felt it. The floor was strewn with old sheets and flags and crumbled stone and rotten wood and as my eye followed up towards the light, I realised why the room was I'm fact like an ice box. Right above me a great gaping hole gave me a view of the clear morning sky. I shivered again and pulled my blanket around me and felt the sting of insult along with the stinging cold. With a vicious growl, I flung off my covers, pulled on my boots and marched out the door. This was the last straw. Really of all people I thought Leliana's might have found me a decent room.

"Excuse me!" I called to the nearest soldier I could see. She jumped back slightly and her eyes were glued to the floor.

"Yes, ma'am." She sputtered.

"Ma'am?" I queried but she didn't look up or give any indication that she might answer. "Never mind, have you seen Lady Leliana or Cassandra or the Inquisitor. Anyone?"

The girl looked up timidly and I saw her eyes rest on my bandaged face. Something in her pitited glance moved me to an almost rage. So, without another word I unravelled the bandages and through them on the ground. The cold air stung the new skin on my face but it was rather refreshing. It was nice to feel something other than clammy bandages on my cheek for once. The only downside was the grey sheet that still rested over my eye. I knew it was too much to hope that I might see out of it again.

"Does that make you less uncomfortable?" I spat.

"No ma'am, I mean yes ma'am, I mean... I wasn't uncomfortable. The Inquisitor and her advisors are in the war room-"

"Yea, thanks kid. Some fucking soldier you are. You better get used to seeing more than the scars." I knew I had been too harsh. As soon as I said it, those chastising words in the back of my head whispered you were too harsh.

Anyway, I swallowed down the moment and made my way to the war room to have a very strong chat with Leliana. I was surprised again at the speed at which they were renovating the place. There was barely even any dust on the furniture now. Still a hole in the wall as I walked down the corridor to the war room, but I suppose that's just being fussy. I could hear them all talking from outside, they didn't sound too fretful but I decided to ere on the side of caution and knock the doors. In truth I thumped on them hard enough to bruise my hand but I was angry. I thought they were done treating me like a second class citizen.

The door swung open and I was greeted by Josephine.

"Lavellan... This is most unexpected." She said in her usual polite tone. However, no matter how trained in her Orlesian game, her eye still fell to my injuries. As were everyone else's. I almost forgot why I came here in the first place as I felt heat simmer in my cheeks.

"Ahem," I began and all their eyes immediately found another object of interest, "I just wanted to have a word about my... Accommodation."

At this, Evelyn stepped forward. "I know the hold isn't at its best, but we are working to improve it in what ever way we can. We can have some fresh linens sent up to you Nevalla, or perhaps a new bed?"

"And what about a new roof?" I folded my arms, "I mean I know I'm Dalish but seriously? A hole in the roof? I'm lucky I didn't wake up frozen!" I directed this at Leliana who hid her smirk.

"I thought the fresh air might do you good."

"Leliana!" Evelyn cried, "I'm so sorry Nevalla we'll get you moved immediately. Why was she put in that room in the first place?"

Leliana let out a girlish laugh, "My word, I did not realise there was a hole in the ceiling. Though I did wonder why it was so much colder."

Unsure of whether or not I was to take this as an insult I nodded awkwardly, "Well," I said, "I'm going to find myself a proper room." I spun on my heel, easier said than done as my half vision made it an exercise in dizziness.

"Wait Nevalla!" The Herald called so I stopped and spun back, slower this time, not wanting to end up a heap on the floor. "I know a room you can use, above the gardens. It's far better suited." With that, she linked my arm and guided me back through Skyhold. We walked back through the main hall and out through to the gardens which, with all the rubble and skeletons cleared, were quite pleasant. They were quiet and strangely alive with wild life as we walked through them and over to the far wall that concealed a set of crumbling stone steps.

"I wanted to speak to you Nev." Everlyn said quietly, unlinking my arm as we climbed the stairs.

"I'm all pointed ears." I said.

The stairs lead to a small balustrade that overlooked the gardens and the mountains beyond the castle walls. It was a pleasant view. Not too isolated and yet lonely enough to be alone. The Herald stopped at the third door at the end and pushed it open. The room was small, but it it was perfectly intact. Like it had been immune to the decay that rendered Skyhold a ruin. There was a wardrobe, a small sideboard with a silver wash basin on top of it and on the wall above perched a mirror. There was also a writing desk by the window, a book shelf and a bed. The linens were a simple green and the small round carpet in the middle of the room matched it perfectly. Were they of the same material? I didn't care if they were, it added a cosiness and I knew at night, with a few candles and the back ground noise of the keep this would be the most homely place I would find.

A smile stretched at my lips as I ran my fingers over the smooth wood of the writing desk, and smelt the old paper in the book shelf, sweet and woody.

"Do you like it? I admit, it isn't the finest room." Evelyn said.

I turned to her and grinned, "It's lovely."

She beamed then and slouched with relief. "I'm glad, I had originally renovated it for guests staying here. But I see no reason why a perfectly good guest room should be wasted whilst members of the Inquisition barely have a roof over their head." I chuckled at her earnestness and rested a hand on her shoulder.

"Thank you." I said. At this, however, her cheerfulness fell as her eyes did to the floor.

"I have wronged you greatly Lavellan. You've no need to thank me."

"Everyone makes mistakes, Evelyn." I shrugged, sitting down on the soft bed.

She shook her head, her shoulders going tense with frustration. "I can't afford to make mistakes though, can I?" she sat down beside me with a huff. "I can't afford to make stupid judgements, maker I nearly sent you away. You! You who saved my life more than I care to count! You who lead an entire Inquisition through the Frostbacks. How could I have thought that was in anyway a good idea?" when she stopped she was breathing heavily, almost as if she were about to cry. Once again I was struck by her age. I remembered how unsure I had been at nineteen. How I was still finding my way in the world and terrified that I might never achieve what I wanted. But here was Trevelyan, leading an army... making decisions that would shape the world and so far, she wasn't doing too badly at it.

"The important thing to take away from that, Evelyn, is that you didn't send me away. I'm still here, I'm still going to fight for you."

She looked up at me, unconvinced, "Yes but I might have had everyone else not told me it was a bad idea."

"Then you listen to your people, an admirable quality in a leader." I cut in.

"Yes but shouldn't I be able to make these sorts of judgements for myself? Should my people not have some confidence in me that in a time of crisis I will act accordingly?" she asked, her big eyes so full of insecurity.

I shook my head and smiled and in another beat I put my arm around her and squeezed.

"We're all muddling through this Evelyn. One day at a time. Nobody can really say what's the good or bad decision. It's what's in your heart that you feel is the right decision. That's what you should go for. And if you're really stuck, that's what the advisers are there for. That's what we're all here for. Being a leader doesn't have to be lonely."

She let out a long sigh as she rested her head on my shoulder, "This would be a lot easier if you were to be made Inquisitor."

I barked out a laugh, "I think not, can you imagine? People wouldn't know their arse from their elbow, complete disaster!"

Evelyn snorted but the the room once again fell heavy with silence.

"That's what they were talking about until you came in," she said lowly, "How and when it should be made official and whether or not it should be an official ceremony. Maker there was even talk of invitation designs. And there are reports of Grey Wardens going missing all over Thedas and now we have to try and stop the Empress of Orlais from getting assassinated all the while trying to stabilise the situation in The Exalted Plains... These are all decisions that I either cannot make or they're being made for me."

I was looking at her sad, tired face that rested heavily in her hand, "Evelyn if they're going to make you Inquisitor then you need to act like an Inquisitor. Firstly, there's a difference between listening to your people and letting them walk all over you. Take charge of this thing. Lead them, don't rule them."

Her eyes met mine and they had a bit more sureness to them. "Lead them, don't rule them." she repeated and something in the words seemed to resonate with her. I nodded and watched as she stood to leave.

"I should probably go and sort this then."

I smiled and showed her to the door but I stopped her before she left, "You have what it takes to be truly great, Evelyn, don't forget that."

With a final, resolute nod, she left to take up the mantle of Inquisitor and within the hour I could hear the people of Skyhold cheering and chanting for their new leader. I made my way round the battlements to watch the courtyard below becoming ecstatic as she raised a sword high into the air. It was almost the length of her and I had no idea how she held it so high, but there was a determination on her face and a strength surrounding her that I always knew she possessed. I smiled for her, for the members of the Inquisition and the people it protected. She offered such daring hope that it seemed that even the smallest mouse could take on Corypheus. She allowed people to believe that they would survive this, that the world would get better again. Her strength reminded them that there was still something worth fighting for.

A cold wind blew across the battlements and it stung the fresh skin on my face, I winced and tried to ignore it. It was too exhilarating watching this crowd of people cheer with such hope. I watched The Herald- or rather, The Inquisitor, and her advisers disappear back into The main Hall, and I assumed the war room. Hopefully she would put her knew found strength to use and steer this thing in the right direction. Another gust of wind blew and my face stung again and I was conscious now of grey silhouettes in my left eye. Whatever she decided to do, I knew I'd be out of action for a while to let this heal properly. Hopefully the vision would come back. If not, then I'd have to get practising, wouldn't I?

I turned away from the courtyard below as the people began to filter away back to their duties. It seemed there was little pomp or circumstance about the Inquisitor's inauguration. Everyone just seemed to... get back to work. I suppose that was a good thing, they were inspired and motivated and also they didn't have the time for frivolities such as parties now. They had all seen Corypheus, they all knew what he was capable of. I made my way down the steps to the now empty courtyard and examined the area. It was a good space, open and had soft ground. I did a slight jump just to make sure. Yes good soft grass. I then paced my way across its length and breadth and nodded to myself. This would be an excellent spot for training.