Emery lay with Cullen in his bed, sleeping peacefully until his nightmares started taking hold. She woke as he began to thrash in his sleep, sitting up as he shot up abruptly in a cold sweat.

"Cullen?"

Cullen panted, resting his forehead against his knee for a moment. "Maker, they just won't end..."

Emery rubbed his back with one hand and held his hand with her other one. "Cullen?"

"Can you get the bottle of golden liquid from that small chest over there please?"

Emery nodded, wrapping one of the blankets around herself. She rummaged through the chest, finding the bottle, and quickly bringing it over to him. "Here." She waited patiently while Cullen took a sip from the bottle. When he placed the cap back on and handed it to her, she returned it to the chest and then came to stand in front of him again. "Are you alright?"

Cullen sighed. "I don't know..."

Emery sat down and reached forward, massaging his temples gently. "Cullen, these nightmares... are they getting worse?"

"They aren't getting better..."

"How much does that potion help?"

"Not that much anymore..."

"Have you spoken with the healers?"

Cullen shook his head. "Not since Leah and I last spoke about it..."

Emery's heart sank. "I'm sorry..."

Cullen looked up at that and reached up to grasp her hands. "It's not your fault, Em." He pressed his forehead to hers, closing his eyes for a moment. "Thank you, though."

"For what?"

"Being here with me, for helping me through this."

Emery smiled at that. "You don't have to face this alone, Cullen. I'll help you however I can, you should know that by now."

Cullen smiled in turn. "That I do."

Emery sat back and met his gaze. "Will you be alright now?"

"I believe so."

Emery raised a brow. "But...?"

Cullen smirked and pulled her back onto the bed, earning himself a giggle as she landed on top of him. "I'd feel a lot better with more of your company."

Emery rolled her eyes and traced his chest lightly with her fingers. "Is that so?"

"That it is."

Emery kissed his chest. "I think I can oblige you on that one." She settled in next to him. "You should try to get some more sleep."

"You're probably right..."

Emery chuckled. "Don't worry, I'll be right here with you."

Cullen shifted onto his side and held her closer. "Ever the sweet one, aren't you?"

"When I need to be."

Cullen smirked at that and relaxed, realizing more and more how much comfort he took in her presence.

Come morning, Cullen was the first to wake. It had been a restful slumber the remainder of the night and he was grateful for that. He looked down at Emery, who was still asleep at his side, and smiled as Emery shifted in her sleep, moving closer to him. She looked so at peace, so comfortable.

He enjoyed her company for a while longer, at least until one of the soldiers called out to him. He slowly got out of bed, careful not to wake Emery, and pulled on his trousers before making his way to the entrance of the tent.

"Forgive the early hour, Commander, but we've received word from Sister Leliana."

Cullen took the report in hand and read it over, sighing heavily. "Get the company ready to leave in one hour."

"Right away, ser."

Cullen turned back to his bed and sat on the edge, gently rousing Emery from her slumber. "Em, it's time to wake up."

"Mmm..?" Emery stirred and looked up at him sleepily. "Cullen? Is everything alright?" She sat up, the blanket falling from her shoulders and her hair slipping from its braid.

Cullen chuckled and pulled the blanket back up, covering her bare skin. "Everything is fine. We just received word from Skyhold and it's urgent that we return as quickly as we can. We leave in one hour."

Emery nodded, reaching forward to grab her dress. "Let's get ready then."

Cullen handed her the dress, seeing that it was just out of her reach, then went to get dressed the rest of the way. As he slid on his boots and reached for his armor, he noticed that Emery was struggling with her dress ties. He came up behind her and gently moved her hands aside. "Allow me."

Emery smiled at that, blushing a bit. "Thank you."

Cullen tightened the ties and secured them, then planted a kiss on her neck. "Of course."

Emery turned towards him and gestured to his armor. "Would you like a hand?"

"Sure."

Emery helped him secure the fastens to his armor, then grabbed his mantle and smiled. "It still amazes me how good this feels."

Cullen chuckled. "I'm glad you like it." He leaned his head down, letting Emery bring it around his neck and shoulders. He waited patiently for her to fasten the mantle to his pauldrons. "Thank you."

Emery nodded. "I should meet up with the lads and make sure that everything is ready to go."

Cullen put his hands on her hips for a moment. "Thank you again for last night, Em."

Emery smiled and reached up to pat his cheek. "Any time, my dear lion."