Author's Note: WOW! It has been a HOT minute. I am sorry. Here is Chapter 13. Enjoy!

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Also, thank you to all my faithful readers. I love you and I thank you for your continued support!

Chapter 13

Elena dropped her hammer and stood back looking down at her handiwork. The roofing tiles probably had a few more nails than necessary, but they were definitely secure. Satisfied she dusted her hands off and picked up the hammer. She slid down the ladder and walked backwards away from the now-finished watchtower. It loomed above her sturdily as the first round of watchers entered. The blue sky behind it was bright and clear causing her to feel like nothing wrong could possibly happen as long as this quaint little tower stood staunchly against the elements. She, of course, knew this was false hope, but it made her happy to enjoy the feeling for a few brief moments.

She turned and looked around her at the waiting refugees and soldiers. "We are officially finished! Porteur!"

Porteur stepped forward from the crowd and saluted her. "Yes, Captain!?"

"Gather Reeves and Marston." She told him, bouncing on her toes excitedly, "We've got reports to deliver in Skyhold." She handed her tools off to a builder and walked with Porteur for a few steps, "And… try to keep it quiet? We don't want to cause unrest."

Porteur nodded and trotted off in the direction of the other watchtower where Reeves and Marston were working with the refugees to get it finished as well. Elena jogged off down the trail to the corrals. The horses milled about lazily cropping grass. Only a few picked up their heads as she entered the enclosure. One of the hostlers came over asking about what she wanted. Elena explained what she wanted quickly and the hostler got to work helping her. The time flew past as she and the hostler saddled and bridled four horses and got them ready for the journey back. If they rode at a steady pace they would be able to make it back to Skyhold before the night watch lowered the main gate. True to their training Marston, Reeves, and Porteur arrived swiftly and with everything neatly packed. They exchanged pleasantries, secured their belongings on their saddles, and mounted their horses, shouting their thanks to the hostler as they did so. With a nod and a cluck they all four cantered from the corrals and up the road to Skyhold.

The portcullis began to rattle downwards as Elena and her team galloped onto the stone bridge between Skyhold and the main tower. The sun had just dipped below the mountain peaks as they clattered across the bridge. Porteur and Marston let out whoops of delight which echoed on their stony surroundings. A few people had to leap out of the boisterous men's way before they were able to slow their mounts to a more sedated trot. Their horses shook their heads, harnesses jangling merrily, their breath fogging in the rapidly cooling mountain air. Elena let her reins fall and rubbed her arms, shivering slightly. It certainly was good to be back in Skyhold where she could have a hearth in her bed chamber. Braziers were nice enough, but a hearth was her preferred choice. She cast a glance back at the gate as it clanged into place behind them effectively closing them into the stony confines of Skyhold itself. They passed through the second gate as it ground to a halt half-way closed. It would be lowered the rest of the way once the main bridge was cleared of travelers, but there was no hurry for that to happen as the night market that set up there was just getting started.

They quickly settled their horses in at the stables and stood awkwardly around adjusting their belongings on their shoulders and backs. Reeves invited everyone to the Herald's Rest for dinner and a game of Wicked Grace with dinner being on her. Once that was settled they all parted ways and went to their respective domiciles. Elena slowly climbed the stairs to her room, the weight of her belongings banged against her knees and lower back as she took each step. It wasn't very far, but by the end of her trek she was glad to set everything down and flop onto her bed. She pulled a pillow against her chest and looked up at the plain stone ceiling where the torch light from the night watch passed by in waves as the patrols walked past in regular intervals. It was relaxing and soon she found herself waking from a much-needed nap feeling very rested. Remembering she had agreed to meet Reeves and the others at the Rest she leaped from bed and dressed for a night of casual frivolity before darting through the door towards the main hall, tucking the front half of her shirt into the waist band of her breeches as she went.

The Herald's Rest was brightly lit and positively bursting at the seams with joviality as Elena pushed her way inside. The warmth from the crammed bodies and hearth fires was welcome after her brief stint in the cold night air. She cast around for her friends as she meandered up to the bar. The usual bartender wasn't in attendance and instead Elena was greeted by Flissa's familiar face. Flissa made some joke about seeing Elena standing there without some man tagging along behind her as if it were unusual for her to be alone. Elena protested half-heartedly as she ordered herself a mug of ale and inquired about her friends. Flissa pointed up the stairs and turned to her next customer, palming the extra coppers Elena slipped her in thanks for helping her find the group.

"ELENA!" A large, raucous cry greeted her as she slipped up the stairs. "OVER HERE!" She turned towards the sound of the collective voices of her companions and smiled. There, seated at one of the many plain rectangular tables, was an assembly of her favorite people enjoying themselves. Reeves and Porteur sat side by side waving at her. Erik and Dorian turned around to shout their own greeting. At the foot of the table sat Marston who was seated backwards on his chair, grinning upside down at her as he craned his neck backwards to view her. At the head, with a quiet air of dignity and a visible effort to restrain himself, Cullen pushed himself to his feet. The table wobbled slightly as he did so, causing everyone to jump to grab hold of their drinks before they spilled.

Cullen walked around the table to meet her halfway and pulled her into a tight, but brief hug being careful of her drink, "It's lovely to see you."

Elena smiled warmly at him, "It's nice to see you, too. How's it been?" She gestured at the table and they closed the gap. Cullen returned to his seat at the head of the table and Elena sat on the end of the bench next to Erik.

Erik wrapped his arm around her neck and pulled her against his chest, digging his knuckles into her scalp lightly, "I see how it is! He gets a hug and I get a silent sit-down. That's grounds for a trail in this castle, Lane!" Erik teased, releasing her and further ruffling her hair.

"Hello, Erik." Elena told him as she tried to correct the damage he had done to her braids and scalp. "You're still the best hair-stylist I know."

Erik shrugged, "Are you going to say hello to anyone else?"

"Oh, leave the poor thing alone! It's been too long since she's seen her man." Reeves fussed, "You ought to have heard her pining for him around the watch fires." Reeves affected Elena's voice, "'Oh! I wish the commander were here! If only he were, I'd be sooo happy. We could hold hands on patrol and everything!'" Reeves clasped her hands under her chin and looked starry-eyed towards the ceiling.

"I never said any such thing!" Elena protested, slamming her mug onto the table.

Porteur chuckled, "We know. We know. You certainly spent your fair-share of time thinking about him, though."

Marston chipped in, "I mean, honestly, Commander, if you could have seen the number of times we were able to startle her around camp…" He shook his head, letting out a low whistle as he did. "You'd be surprised she was even a warrior."

Dorian chimed in, "As much as I enjoy hearing this delightful banter, how about that game of Wicked Grace?" Elena was thankful for the mage's tactful intervention because she could feel the night taking a turn towards the not-so-fun if Marston had been allowed to continue in his pitiful attempt at telling jokes. Everyone at camp had known well enough that it was Marston who had become easy to startle as he had grown somewhat complacent in the safety of the settlements and their proximity to Skyhold. "Porteur, I hear you are quite the player. If you can prove yourself here, I might invite you to play with Josephine sometime." Dorian commented as he brought out the deck of cards and began to shuffle them with practiced ease.

Erik sighed and looked wistfully at Dorian, "I love a good mage." He whispered to Elena conspiratorially.

Elena giggled, watching Dorian maneuver the cards in a series of tricks she was certain had to be aided by actual magic, "It's almost like mages are magic."

Erik shoved her, "You are possibly the stupidest person I know." The insult was said with a grin and a wink. He picked up his cards and tapped them on the table before arranging them neatly in his hand. Elena followed suit and the game began.

There was lively conversation and good game play. Elena went out quickly. She was not good at hiding her emotions. Cullen was only slightly better and managed to beat out Reeves and Marston, but Porteur and Dorian ended up being the last two to hold any coin and eventually the pair of them called it a draw. Soon afterwards, Reeves and Porteur took his winnings off somewhere together. Erik and Dorian stayed and chatted with Marston, Cullen, and Elena. At some point, Marston, catching a whiff that maybe now was a good time for him to go to bed, left with a muttered complaint about being the only one to not have anyone. Dorian rolled his eyes and gave Elena a meaningful look. She smiled and shrugged, enjoying the weight of Cullen's hand on her thigh as he lazily toyed with his half-full mug of ale conversing with Erik about battle strategies.

Dorian motioned for her to come with him downstairs and stood. Elena did as requested, making an excuse to Cullen as she did so. "You and the commander are awfully close, wouldn't you say?" Dorian started casually as he carefully picked his way down the stairs.

"Close enough for the moment, anyway. Why? Does Erik want you to spy on me?" She teased.

Dorian stopped moving and let a couple of soldiers pass them before continuing, "Not intentionally. He has this annoying habit of bringing you two up during our private interactions. I was hoping that you could give me a few details so I can fully enjoy him. It's so difficult to—well, that's not your business, is it? Anyway, the point is, my dear, that as long as he's worried about you he won't be worried about me. And I'd like him to worry a little more about me from time to time."

Elena could feel that her whole body had flushed with the knowledge of this new piece of Erik's intimate life, "Dorian… you and Erik are… physically involved?"

He chuffed out a sigh, "As much as I can get him involved. Like I said, it's difficult when he's worrying about you and the commander all the time." He stopped and turned to face her, giving her an appraising once-over, "So, tell me, now that I've told you what I've been up to romantically, what exactly is between you and Cullen?"

Elena stepped forward with the older man and whispered, "We've kissed, nothing more."

"Certainly that's a lie. Have you seen the way he looks at you? It's like a lion looking at a lamb."

"I'm not saying I wouldn't enjoy a good roll in the hay with him, but we haven't done anything like that. Tell Erik I am still virtuous and to pay more attention to you."

Dorian smiled down at her, "I don't think he'll believe either of us at this point. I don't know if I believe it." He separated from her and went to the bar and returned with two pitchers of ale that he shoved into her hands, "Hold please." He went to the bar and retrieved two more pitchers, "We shall set both of our accounts right with these! One for each of us, though a little less for you, I should think. No use making yourself sick just to bed a man."

"Are you encouraging me to—to—"Elena stuttered over the words as she tried to manage stairs without sloshing the ale behind Dorian's quickly retreating back. He had descended slowly so they could speak, but now that he had made up his mind to get everyone drunk, he was very spry.

Dorian paused and turned to look over his shoulders and down at her, a terribly wicked light dancing in his eyes and an almost-evil grin stretching his mouth wide beneath his curled mustache, "To make love to Cullen? Never..." He winked and continued his hasty ascent.

Author's Note: I love you all. I hope you enjoyed reading this. Chapter 14 will be coming soon! And by soon I mean before the end of March. I PROMISE! XOXO -Danbamina