When the call for dinner came, Cullen had been napping- exhausted after the ordeal they had been through since arriving on the Storm Coast. It wasn't very restful, but there wasn't a nightmare to be had yet. Cullen took solace in that and stretched, making his way out of his tent towards the center of camp.

Emery and the lads were serving dinner, and Cullen could tell that everyone seemed to be in much better spirits than they had been as of late. He waited for the soldiers to get their meals first, more so that he could wake up a bit more before eating.

After a while, Emery noticed Cullen standing off to the side and poured him a bowl of the stew. She grabbed him a spoon and a slice of the bread Sidney had baked, then made her way through the crowd of people and presented Cullen with his meal.

"Do you enjoy having your meal brought to you, Commander?"

Cullen smirked at Emery's expression as she joined him on his side of the fire. "I was just waiting for the others to get their food first."

"Uh huh," Emery teased, not quite buying it. "You look rested at least, you manage to catch a nap?"

Cullen took the bowl from her as she presented it to him and nodded. "It wasn't exactly restful, but no nightmares for once."

"That's great!"

Cullen could tell she was genuinely pleased by the news. "It is, but I don't know if it will continue."

Emery could sense there was something more to the nightmares, but she didn't want to press it. "Well, best you take solace in a moment's respite than dwell on the what-ifs."

Cullen chuckled. "Agreed." He enjoyed his soup and stood with Emery, catching up after being away.

Cullen found that he was very much at ease with Emery and that became more evident after returning to camp. He had been on edge for days, but the moment he found her in his tent, it was as though he could finally catch a breather. The last time he had that sense of ease around another person, it was Lillian Amell- a mage girl he had known in Kinlock Hold. Lillian had been his first love, a forbidden puppy love the two shared until the day of her Harrowing.

'Why am I reminded of her..?' he wondered.

After some time, someone started to sing by the fire while others joined in, using barrels and crates or pans as instruments. It was a typical Fereldan song, but it was nice to see that the company was finally feeling well enough to have a bit of fun again. Some of the soldiers started to dance while others clapped and cheered.

Emery was called away for a moment and excused herself, taking the now-empty bowl from Cullen before hurrying off. A few more songs were sung, and then Cullen noticed Emery and the lads returning to the fire with a large barrel and trays of mugs in tows. Cullen looked to the barrel as Menek requested everyone's attention.

"We lost some good men and women in the ambush, but they will never be forgotten." Menek patted the barrel as Emery and the lads started handing out the mugs. "This here is 'Willy's Brew', a recipe that was made with the help of one such person. Willy, Leah, and all those who fell that night gave us a lot of good memories, so let us raise a glass to them in one final farewell."

When Emery handed Cullen a mug, she gave him a wink before moving on and Cullen could smell a fruity aroma wafting up from the mug. The entire company raised their mugs once all had received one, the phrase, "To the fallen, gone but never forgotten." after Menek finished his toast. A moment of silence followed as everyone took their first drink, then Menek demanded the festivities resume and everyone cheered.

Emery rejoined Cullen with a mug of her own and smiled. "It's good, innit?"

"It's a bit tart, but sweet enough that it works?"

"Aye, that'll be the elderberry and foxite. Menek added in some mint to balance the flavor out."

"It's a bit strong, too."

Emery giggled. "Aye, but that's part of what makes it so good."

"I suppose so," Cullen replied with a chuckle.

At some point in the evening, Emery got roped into dancing with some of the others and Cullen declined when asked to join her. He wasn't much of a dancer, so he was more than content with watching instead. As he watched Emery dancing to the beat of the music, as simple as it was, and having no qualms about dancing with some of the men, he found himself facing a similar feeling as the one he had whenever he saw Leah with other men. He wasn't sure why it bothered him, to see her with other men, because it didn't bother him to see her with the lads.

While Cullen brooded a bit from his place across the fire, Emery was having a blast. It was the first time in days that she'd be able to just have fun without a care in the world. She danced with anyone who would humor her, but she was disappointed that Cullen declined her invitation because she wanted to see him let loose for once. She noticed a few times, as well, that his demeanor seemed to change when she started to dance with some of the men- particularly when one of them had placed a hand on her hip as they danced. She thought it was odd, but didn't think too much about it.

After a while, Emery eventually broke away from the festivities and found a quieter spot to catch her breath. She sighed and closed her eyes, letting the gentle misty drizzle of rain trickling down settle on her skin.

"Maker, that feels great..."

"Needed a break?"

Emery smiled as Cullen joined her. "Aye, and you?"

"I've had my fill of the festivities for the night."

Emery eyed him for a moment. "You really ought to let loose a bit, Commander. It'd do you wonders."

"And how would you suggest I do that?" Cullen asked playfully.

"Well, you got the drinking part down so that's a start."

Cullen was feeling a bit tipsy. "That's true." He looked up at the sky, seeing the stars peeking through the cloud cover overhead. "It is a nice night."

"It's good that everyone is able to take a moment for a bit of fun," Emery said, then turned to face Cullen. "What 'bout you, Commander? You never did tell me what sorts of things you like to do for fun."

Cullen recalled the conversation, but his smile faded a bit because it had occurred the night of the ambush. "Reading and chess are among my hobbies."

"And what does our mighty Lion enjoy reading? Aside from the Chant of Light?"

Cullen rolled his eyes at her teasing. "Why don't we take a walk?"

Emery smiled and nodded, falling into step next to him.