Cullen woke with a start and found that it was barely morning, but heard a knock at the door. He went to answer it and found his sister Mia at the door with a letter.

"What is this?"

"It's from Nadia," Mia said, handing him the letter.

Opening the letter, Cullen read the beautiful handwriting on the piece of paper.

"To Mia, Rosalie, Branson, and the children,

I had a wonderful time getting to know all of you and I enjoyed the time we spent together. I regret to inform you, however, that due to my parents' condition, I have decided to leave now and go on ahead to Highever alone. Thank you for the delicious meal and for the most gracious hospitality. You are a wonderful family and Cullen is lucky to have you. I wish you all the best in the days to come and I hope you remain well. You should come to Skyhold someday, I'm sure Cullen would love it and I know I would enjoy it as well.

To Cullen,

Thank you for offering to accompany me to Highever, though after seeing your family, I think it best that you remain here instead of coming to Highever. I will be fine on my own, you know I always have been, so please don't worry. I will send word when I reach Highever to let you and your family know that I got there safely. I did want to tell you, however, that I have enjoyed our time together and truly do appreciate everything that you have done for me. What I said back in Rainesfere about how I feel about you, I meant every word and the more I think on it, the more I realize that I need to admit what even Rosalie and Mia could see clear as day. I love you Cullen Stanton Rutherford, and I think I always have, ever since we first met in the Circle of Ferelden. We were young when you kissed me, two teenagers lost to the thrill of disregarding our roles for the sake of pursuing something more than just our friendship. You were my first kiss and though you hurt me deeply by telling Irving and Gregoire about it, I understand. You always have been one to follow the rules, to the letter, no matter what it was. I also understand why you sent me away from Kirkwall, back home to my family, and I am grateful to you for it. What happens in the days to come, Cullen, I want you to know that I will always love you and I will always be grateful to you for the time we've shared. I cannot guarantee that I will return to Skyhold, so until the next time we meet, take care of yourself and look after Matthew for me.

Forever yours, Nadia Cousland"

He reread the letter over and over, then looked over at Nadia's bed, hoping it was a dream. Her bed was made and her pack was gone, as if she had never been there at all. "Why...?"

"She told us why, but I think she decided to go on alone because of what you two discussed in Rainesfere. She told us what happened, what was said between the two of you and I can understand why she would feel the need to go on alone." Mia said.

"What do I do?" Cullen said, looking at the empty bed.

"First, do you love her?"

Cullen looked at his sister. "What?"

"Do you love her, Cullen?" Mia repeated.

Cullen didn't even have to think about it. "Yes, I love her."

"Then go after her."

"I can't just ignore this letter. She wanted to go on ahead alone. She needs to be with her family." Cullen said, clutching the letter in his hand.

"But you love her and you need to go after her. She just told you in that letter that she has always loved you, ever since the Circle. That's what, ten years at least, this woman has loved you and not once made a move herself because she was afraid of getting hurt again. You screwed up the first time around, now go get her, and don't screw it up this time."

Mia left the room and Cullen knew she was right. He packed his bags and got ready to go, only stopping when Rosalie handed him a bag of provisions for the road.

"Here, enough to last you to Highever," she said.

The children gathered around their parents as they pushed Cullen towards the stable where Branson had his horse ready.

"Cullen, we like Nadia a lot," Rosalie said, hugging her brother. "You two are perfect for each other and it sounded like it's always been like that. Go get her and tell her you love her. I'm sure the children would love to have more cousins." She winked at him and looped her arm through her husband's.

Cullen nodded and mounted into the saddle of his horse after hugging Mia, Branson, their husband and wife, and the children. "I'll send word when I reach Highever."

"You better," Branson said and stood back as Cullen urged the horse forward, heading after Nadia towards Highever.

"I am here to see Lady Helene and Lord Thomas."

"Oh, by the Maker, it's little Nadia all grown up!" the guard at the gates of the Highever estate said.

"Hello, Mitchell. I heard you recently returned to Highever from Denerim. How is your wife?"

Mitchell smiled. "She is doing well. We were just blessed with twins not two springs ago. The little tykes are quite a handful, but Mary and I are managing."

"That is good to hear." Nadia smiled, then remembered why she had come. "Mitchell, can you take me to Fergus? I need to see my parents."

Mitchell's face grew somber and he nodded. "Of course. Follow me."

Nadia followed the guard to the main hall of the estate and waited until she was called forward.

"Nadia, it is good to see you, if only under happier circumstances," Fergus said, adorned in the clothing of the Teyrn of Highever.

Nadia managed a small, sad smile and hugged her cousin, embracing him as he pulled her in. "It's been too long, Fergus."

"Aye, that it has."

"I heard that you remarried?"

"Oh, yes! Come meet my wife, Jamie!"

Nadia let her cousin lead her to the woman he had just talked with before. The woman looked up and Nadia could see that she was pregnant.

"Jamie, dearest, this is my cousin, Nadia," Fergus said. "Nadia, this is my wife Jamie."

"Nadia, my dear, it is so good to meet you!" Jamie said. "Fergus told me a lot about you."

"Nadia!"

Nadia didn't even have time to react before she was enveloped in a warm embrace, soft fur covering her face. When she was finally released and looked over by the woman who embraced her, she got a big grin on her face and smiled. "Elissa!"

Elissa Cousland, the younger sister of Fergus Cousland and the current Queen of Ferelden smiled at her little cousin. "You haven't been writing, shame on you."

Nadia hugged her cousin and smiled. "Forgive me, Elissa. You know I have been as busy as you have. You should have written me as well." She said, using both sincerity and sarcasm with the title.

"Now, now, is that any way to talk to your queen?"

Elissa and Nadia looked over as Alistair, King of Ferelden and Elissa's husband for over ten years now, waltzed into the room.

"Hello, Sunshine!" Nadia said, using an old nickname she knew would tease Alistair.

Alistair cringed at the nickname but remained smiling all the same. "Hello, Dewdrop."

Nadia cringed herself at the use of her own nickname, but she smiled and hugged the king. "You never change, Alistair. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing."

"Well, I have Elissa to thank for that. She's been keeping me sane these last years." Alistair said. "Now enough of the greetings, for the moment at least. Go see your parents."

Nadia nodded and hurried off to the room her parents shared.