Cullen stood in the library, watching Nadia. He wasn't sure what to say or do. "Nadia?"

Nadia looked up at him. Her eyes had bags under them, they were bloodshot from lack of sleep or crying, she looked like she hadn't eaten in a few days, and she looked like she could just pass out at any minute.

"Cullen?"

"Nadia, why did you leave without me?" he asked, coming over to her and kneeling in front of her.

"I had to get here as fast as I could and I didn't want you to worry about me. It was easier to travel alone," she said, looking at him tiredly. "Why did you follow me?"

"Because I was worried for you, Nadia," he replied, taking her hands in his. "Your letter scared me... Why did you mean you may not come back to Skyhold?"

Nadia stood and went to the window, looking out over the estate gardens as the rain continued to pour. "I don't know how things will play out here... I may need to stay for my family..."

Cullen stood and went to her. "Nadia, I understand if you need to stay for your family, but Skyhold needs you. You're our resident healer and we can't do without you."

Nadia looked up at him, no tears left to cry. "Cullen..."

Cullen pulled her into his arms and held her. "Nadia, if you need time to grieve here with your family, I want you to take that time. But Skyhold needs you- I need you." He lifted her chin and looked at her. "Nadia, I love you. I've always loved you. I know you can never forget what's happened in the past, but I want to move forward and make a future with you. You're everything to me, everything I could ever dream of."

Nadia looked at him, searching his eyes. She reached up and touched his cheek, then leaned forward and kissed him. She lingered there for a moment, needing the contact, and when she pulled away she managed a tired smile. "Cullen, I love you. I always have..."

"Then come back with me," Cullen said. "When this is all over with and it's time to go home, come back to Skyhold with me."

Nadia sighed. "I'll think about it, Cullen. For now, I want you to come meet my parents. Mother and Father have been asking about you." She took his hand and led him to her parents' room.

Cullen followed her down the hall and waited while she knocked on the door.

"Mother, Father, I have someone here to see you," she said, pulling him through the door and into the room. "This is Cullen."

Cullen looked at the man and woman as they lay in their beds. They looked inches from death, but they seemed like they were holding on for their daughter.

"Cullen, this is my mother, Helene, and my father, Thomas," Nadia said, sitting next to her mother.

Cullen bowed to them. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you both. I just wish our circumstances were better."

"Such a polite young man," Helene said, smiling.

"So you're the lad who's been after my pup's heart?" Thomas said, chuckling as Cullen and Nadia both blushed.

"Father!"

"I'm just teasing, pup," Thomas said, his chuckle turning into a coughing fit.

Nadia hurried to his side and gave him a drink of water. "Father, really you mustn't push yourself."

"I'm fine, pup," Thomas said.

"Father..."

"Nadia, when was the last time you ate?" Helene asked.

"I..." Nadia started.

"Nadia Tamara Cousland, you need to go eat," Helene said, sternly looking at her daughter. "You look like you haven't eaten once since you've arrived."

"I'm not hungry, Mother."

"Nadia, your mother's right," Cullen said. "I will stay with your parents, keep them company while you get something to eat."

Nadia sighed and stood, giving Cullen a kiss. "Alright. Don't let Father tell any of his jokes. He can't handle the coughing fits that ensue when he laughs."

Cullen nodded and watched as she left the room.

"She's such a dear girl," Helene said. She gestured for him to take a seat, so he grabbed the chair that was set between the two beds. "You're a handsome young lad, Cullen. It's no wonder Nadia fell for you."

"Nadia has told us all about you," Thomas said. "You seem like a good lad."
Cullen smiled.

"You know she has been trying very hard to cure this illness. She's been pushing herself pretty hard since she got here." Helen said.

"It's beginning to wear on her," Thomas added.

"I noticed. She looks like she hasn't eaten or slept in days." Cullen said, sighing.

"Did you talk to her?" Helene asked. "When you got here?"

"Yes," Cullen said, looking at the floor and rubbing his neck. "She doesn't know if she will return with me to Skyhold. We need her, though. I need her."

"You love her don't you?" Helene asked, looking at him.

"I do, with all that the Maker gave me," Cullen said. "I love her with everything that I am. She means everything to me. I want to make a future with her, I want to ask her to marry me, but I..."

"You're worried she'll say no because she seems like she's afraid to let herself move forward," Thomas said. "Let me tell you something, lad, about Nadia. She is the type of person who always moves forward, and never holds onto the past for too long. If she's told you how she feels, then it's a sign that she's ready to move forward."

Cullen sat there and listened, taking in what the old man said.

"If you want to marry our daughter, you need to make sure you never hurt her again. You broke her heart once and now that it's mended and she's opened back up to you, you must promise us to never let anything happen to her. Ever."

Helene reached out for his hand. "Nadia needs someone to keep her safe, to keep her happy. Will you make sure that happens? Can you promise to look after our baby girl?"

Cullen nodded, taking her hand. "I promise I will not leave her side, no matter what happens."

"Thank you, lad," Helene said, smiling.

"Cullen, do you truly want to marry our daughter?" Thomas asked.

"I do."

"Then you have my blessing," Thomas said.

"And mine, as well," Helene said, squeezing his hand. She let go and reached over to her nightstand and opened the drawer. Pulling out a small velvet-covered box, she handed it to Cullen. "Here. Give this to her."

Cullen opened the box and stared in awe at the ring inside. "Milady, this is beautiful."

"This ring has been passed down through my family for generations. It's not like the fancy engagement rings you find in Orlais, but it's special." Helene said.

Cullen looked down at the ring and smiled.

"It's a simple band made of silverite with a Nevarrite stone set into the band. It was made nearly eight generations ago." Helene explained.

"It's beautiful," Cullen said.

"When you ask our daughter to marry you, please give her that ring," Helene said. "We don't have much time left, but this is the least we can do for Nadia."

Cullen nodded, then closed the velvet box and tucked it into his pocket as Nadia rejoined them. "Did you get something to eat?" he asked, standing.

"Yes. Elissa would not let me leave the kitchen without eating something." Nadia said, managing a smile. She came to sit with her parents, taking the seat when Cullen offered it to her. "How are you guys doing?"

"We're fine, pup," Thomas said, trying to assure her.

"Thank you for sitting with us, Cullen," Helene said. "It was nice to finally meet you."

"Of course," he replied, bowing his head. "Nadia, I need to send word to Mia and the others, let them know we're fine. Will you be alright here for a bit?"

"Of course. Tell them I'm sorry for worrying them?" Nadia said, looking at him.

"I will." He kissed her head and bowed to her parents. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Lord Thomas, Lady Helene."

"A pleasure for us as well, lad," Thomas said. "Remember what we spoke of, the promise you made."

"I will not forget, I swear to you," Cullen said, then left the room to send his message.

Nadia looked at her parents, an eyebrow raised. "What promise?"

"He promised us to keep you safe, to never let anything happen to you," Thomas said. "He's a good lad, pup. He really loves you."

Nadia looked down at her hands. "I know, Father..."

"Promise us something, pup," Thomas said, reaching out to her.

"Anything, Father," Nadia said, grasping her father's clammy hand.

"You know we don't have much time left, pup, but we want you to be happy. Cullen is a good lad and he promised us he would protect you. You love each other very much and you'd be good together. I want you to promise us that you will give this a chance and that you'll go back to Skyhold."

"Father..."

"Nadia, promise your mother and me that you will give Cullen a chance, make a future with him, and go with him to Skyhold- where you belong."

Nadia looked between her parents and took a deep breath. She knew they were right and she nodded. "I promise, Father, Mother."

"Good girl. Now, I don't know about your mother, but I am very tired. I think I should get some rest." Thomas said.

Nadia nodded and smiled, hugging her father before tucking him in. "I love you, Father," she said, kissing his cheek.

"I love you too, pup. I am so proud of the beautiful young woman you have become."

Nadia went to her mother and tucked her in, hugging her as well. "You should rest, too, Mother."

"Of course, Nadia. I am proud of you, my dear girl. Never forget that or that we love you very much." Helene said, kissing her daughter's cheek.

Nadia smiled and went to the door. "I love you both so very much. I am proud to be your daughter. Sleep well." she said, then pulled the door closed behind her as she left to let her parents sleep.

Thomas and Helene looked at each other and smiled.

"We've done well raising her," Helene said.

"Aye, that we have, love. I think I can finally rest in peace knowing she'll be safe and happy with Cullen."

"Agreed. I love you, my dearest husband." Helen said, finding just enough strength to get out of her bed and go to her husband's.

Thomas moved over and let her slide into bed next to him, holding onto the love of his life as he pulled the covers back over them. "You're still as beautiful as the day I met you, Helene."

Helene smiled and kissed her husband. "You're still as handsome and rugged as the day I met you."

Thomas chuckled and rested his cheek on Helene's head as she settled into his chest. "We've led a long, wonderful life."

"Too bad the Maker wishes us to join his side before we get to see grandchildren," Helene said, smiling.

"Well, at least we still have each other," Thomas said, returning her smile. "Let's get some sleep, darling, while it's still peaceful."

Helene sighed in contentment and she and Thomas closed their eyes for the last time.