CULLEN

Thunder boomed, lightning cracking the sky and I shot out of bed. Heart pounding, heaving in breaths, it took me a moment to register where I was. The nightmares had returned, still vivid, but they had lost their bite. Despite their return, I was still more rested than I had been in years. I didn't know how long it had been since Meira and I had faced Shame, but I was slightly weak and hungry. I looked to my left to find a small square of parchment.

Good morning, my lion.

Forgive me for not being here, but you were too adorable to wake up. There's breakfast on your desk.

All my love.

A note from Meira. I looked around, hoping she might have returned. Memories and dreams crashed together in my mind. Days of my youth, bright and golden, full of hope. The nightmares of Kinloch, the taint of them bleeding into the blurry days of Kirkwall. I had been dragged into the muck and mire of my sins, a sinister laugh in my ears. But as I struggled to breathe, an assuring warmth had taken my hand. A roar of defiance, chains and a cage breaking, a familiar song at my side.
Bit by bit, everything came back. What the demon had done to Meira, had revealed. You believe yourself unworthy, unable to be loved. Her cries as it had made her relive her worst moments. The desperation in them that called out for restitution for all that had been stolen from her again and again. Her will, her autonomy, her innocence, her dignity. Over and over you have hurt her and brought her only despair. Alrik had carved her open and left her to bleed in the darkness, subjecting her to such corrupting shame…
My fist connected with the headboard behind me, my blood pounding in my ears. And yet…If you are so unworthy, so undeserving, then tell me why she is fighting so desperately to save you? The female we love suffers yet again because you continue to believe yourself unworthy of forgiveness. Will you fail her again? The center never changed, kept safe like a coin in your pocket.
I looked to her note again. All my love. I ran a hand through my hair, rubbing at the back of my neck. I looked at it again, my chest full of knots. Reaching over, I grabbed Bran's coin from where I had set it. I spread my palm open to look at the small trinket.
Such a tiny thing, one I had not realized the significance of until now. I had kept it, hid it, despite the rules of the Order. As if a part of me knew…as if the Maker knew, I would need the reminder of the man I wanted to be. Why I had become a templar even as the Order fell apart around me. Bran had said it was for luck and it had brought me luck, but also so much more. It rested just above the scar from where I had gripped it so tightly as I vowed to persevere. I had not yet come to the end of my journey, had not yet found my atonement, but for her…for the Maker…and if I dared say it, for me, I would continue to try.
As I held my hands in front of me, I found for the first time in months that they were steady. Not that my struggle with lyrium was over, but now…it was not at the forefront of my mind. The hunger, the song, were both no more than they had been at the beginning. How long had I been under the oppression of Shame? How much more had the demon exasperated my addiction? But now… What of faith, Cullen? What of hope?
Meira alone was not responsible, I knew that, but without her…without her magic…I was not foolish enough to think it would have been possible any other way. Though all before me is shadow, yet shall the Maker be my guide. I shall not be left to wander the drifting roads of the Beyond. For there is no darkness in the Maker's Light and nothing He has wrought shall be lost.
Meira. She had seen all of me, every shameful truth and still she loved me. I had birthed a demon and it had hurt her. And yet, she had helped me. And after? She'd watched over me, cared for me as I recovered. I only remembered bits and pieces, but she had fed me, bathed me, clothed me. Loved and cared for me as I had never known another to do. A tender acceptance of all that I was in her every touch.
Through the hazy sleep, I'd found her at my side time and again. Awake, working or caring for me. When she had not known, I'd watched her. Learning her face as it was when there was no guard in place. And what I had found was the her I'd fallen in love with all those years ago. A spirit of gentle, quiet strength, undaunted and untainted by the world. No matter what had happened to her, what she had faced, even in her times of despair, in the end she always chose the light. Chose to believe in me. Whereas I, at the first test of honor, had walked in darkness, betrayed her trust.
But I…am I too broken? Too scarred? And my magic? Do you not fear it? Am I…a monster? Nausea rolled in my gut. That when he marred you, when he tasted you, you stopped fighting and succumbed. You became the monster they fear you were. Was that not the very word I had used to describe mages again and again in Kirkwall? How could she love me?
They may have broken us, my love, but we can be made new. We have to accept what happened so we can let go and move on. We have to endure so that we will be who we were meant to be. So that, in the end, the fight will be worth it. The Maker made you. The Maker called you. The Maker guided you. You chose to answer.
Tears burned in my eyes and I held my head in my hands. She had never stopped believing in me. Not after Uldred, not during her imprisonment, not while she'd been Tranquil, and not for a moment since. The only doubt she held pertained to herself—doubting her worth, her strength, her importance to me. Her hope, her faith, bled into everything…except herself. How can I assure her?
Warmth pooling in my belly, I recalled pulling her against me when I'd found her working beside me again and told her to sleep. I'd heard the relief in her voice as she'd breathed my name. Had felt so strong as her arms clung to me, as she'd nuzzled into my neck. We'd dreamed together, the details muddled, but we'd walked hand in hand just past the Veil. I had woken, finally rested, bursting to tell Meira everything. But instead of being able to be with just her, my sisters had come.
As thankful to the Maker as I was for my sisters coming to Skyhold, despite my initial shock and embarrassment, it was Meira whom I was desperate to see now. Rosalie and I had sorted through some of our conflict, apparently Cole had played a role in it. I would have to thank the boy for several things. All was not resolved, but for now, we could at least move past it. I had told my sisters all I could of my life and of Meira, a heavy weight easing in my chest as I had done so. It seemed between speaking with Ellana and what had occurred within the Fade, I no longer felt the need to hide it. Not that anyone besides Meira would know the whole of it, but I was no longer ashamed.
Thunder shook the stones again, the darkness of the sky making it difficult to determine the time. Pulling the covers back, I stood. My legs were weak, but not completely lacking in strength. I didn't know what time it was, what day it was, but I knew I needed to find Meira. Crossing to the desk, I saw piles of parchment, my books on warfare with various markers sticking out of the top. One book remained open, the contents the various fauna of Thedas. The pages were filled with depictions and information on the red lions of the Frostbacks. Had one been spotted? Why would she need such information? Was it something Helisma had requested? As I looked over everything scattered across the desk, I realized that Meira had been in here whenever possible, working. Did she still not know about the tower? Her office?
Slowly, I went about bathing and eating. Wrapping a towel securely around my hips, I approached the mirror above my chest of drawers. It seemed Meira had shaved my beard and cut my hair as I looked over my reflection. Gone were the bruises of exhaustion from beneath my eyes, and though I was thin, I had begun to fill in again.
My eyes caught on something that should have been there, but wasn't. At my shoulder, the beginnings of Desire's mark was no longer red, thick and raised, but flush and pearlescent to the slightly browned skin from training in the sun. I turned to find that as the scars extended down my back, they were the same. Still present, but less nauseating to behold. They could have healed them completely, but I was thankful they remained.
Unsure where my armor was, I pulled on some of the attire Meira had designed for me. Fresh smalls, leather chausses made of bear skin, a white cotton shirt, a velveteen padded undercoat with detail stitching on the sleeves before lacing up a matching jerkin. Pulling on a pair of knee high jackboots, I worked on my hair last until it submitted to what I wanted. Throwing a cloak over my arm that was decorated at the shoulders with the same red lion fur as the mantle of my armor, I exited the room.
Hallway empty, I approached the door to Meira's chambers. Swallowing hard, I knocked. No answer. I tried to open it and found it unlocked. Voices were speaking in the room above, but I couldn't discern what they were saying. Climbing the stairs, I found Meira standing atop a small podium covered in different fabrics as she held her arms out.
She was surrounded by Vivienne's seamstresses as they talked about the Winter Palace. Meira was directing them in what she was after for her attire. Her back was to me, the curve of it visible through the layers of thin fabric as there was no structured garb as of yet. I swallowed hard before looking away, realizing she was bare beneath it all, the fire of the candles and torches silhouetting her body. One of the seamstresses noticed me, pausing her work.

"Give us a moment," I ordered.

"We cannot delay any longer, boy," one of them snapped.

"This cannot wait," I ordered again.

"It's alright," Meira instructed the women, "Give us a few moments."

Grumbling, the seamstresses left. Meira kept her back to me. No doubt she was worried what I was thinking, what I remembered, and was unsure what to say. And if she felt the same as I, she was nervous. Something had shifted between us in the Fade. I knew what it meant for me, but for her? I turned to lay the cloak on the arm of her couch.

"Meira," I breathed, "I remember."

"Remember?" She questioned.

"The Fade—all of it," I explained, "I…there are not words sufficient to explain my gratitude, Meira. Nor to express the depth of my love for you." She still did not turn, so I continued. Clearing my throat, I stepped closer to her. "I…I want you, Meira."

"Want me?" She asked.

"When I told you before that I wanted to do this properly, I meant it. Nothing has changed that. Nothing will. What happened with Shame…if anything, it should change your mind about me." She said nothing, so I stepped closer. "If it hasn't, then I will say it yet again. I want to give you everything. I know it isn't much, but if you'll have it, I want to give you the rest of my life. I will face these trials set by your father and I will conquer them." I stepped closer, the small podium bringing her to my height.
"I will ask your sister for a boon—a wedding, here. I will ask you to marry me properly. And if you'll have me, I'll wed you. I want you, forever, Meira. For how you love me—how I love you—there will never be another for me."

When she still said nothing, did not turn, I began to twine my arms around her waist. Leaning in to brush a kiss against the back of her neck, she turned, a hand pressed against my mouth.

"Whoa there, lover boy," she said, laughter in her voice.

Eyes found mine, reflecting the laughter in her voice. Not the silver of stars, but the burning green of the Breach. The rising panic of Meira rejecting me snuffed out, utter humiliation taking its place. Not Meira, but Ellana stood before me.

"As tempting as your offer is, Commander," Ellana chuckled as she looked at me, an apologetic grin on her face, "I'm afraid you've got the wrong twin."

I stood there, mortified, before stumbling back and collapsing onto Meira's couch. I threw a hand over my face. "Maker's breath," I swore.

She laughed heartily before I heard the swishing of material and felt the couch shift at her weight as she joined me upon it. "I'm sorry, Cullen," she offered, her voice sincere, "Given how nervous my sister is that you're going to scoop her up and carry her to your bed like some Avaar barbarian as soon as you lay eyes on her, I was curious as to what you were going to say." I met her eyes, growing impossibly more mortified at her words. She glanced away, "I would have stopped you if you got too…personal."

"Sweet Maker," I swore again and Ellana looked back at me, "Why in Thedas is she worried about that?"

But at those words, blurry memories floated through my mind. I recalled dreaming of her. Dreaming of Meira as my wife. Sharing a bed together, learning her gentle curves with my hands, molding her bare skin to me as I rocked my hips against her.
She had cried out my name in the dream, at first in ecstasy, but the dream had peeled back when she yelled it again. The second time, it had not been in pleasure, but a command. Oh, Maker. What have you done now, Rutherford?
 Then after? I had pulled her into my arms, telling her to sleep. With me, in my bed. Heat lanced through me from my toes to my ears and I wanted to crawl into the nearest hole and die.

"Does she need to be?" Ellana questioned, pulling me back to the room, a brow quirked as she studied me. There was a knowing smile pulling her mouth.

I looked away. "Of course not," I growled.

"Why not?" Ellana probed and I looked back at her, her eyes following her index finger as it traced the mabari design on one of Meira's pillows. "Don't you want to?"

Her green eyes flicked up to me, daring me to lie to her. I knew she would accept nothing less than the truth. Andraste, preserve me. I huffed out a breath and beseeched the ceiling, fighting down the blush on my face.
"Why do you feel the need to ask such…intimate questions?" She stared me down, unrelenting. I pinched the bridge of my nose and exhaled deeply.
"Of course, I do. But…you know what she went through." She looked away as pain flickered over her face. "I saw…and the demon…but I…," I tore a hand through my hair, "That's not even what matters. She knows the wretch that I am and still she loves me." I looked to Ellana, my own gaze unflinching.
"No one else will ever know or love me as she does. I want her, forever. I want to marry her." My face started to burn, but I didn't look away. "Before. I…I'll gladly wait until she's my wife."

Not fully convinced, Ellana continued. "You're not concerned about something happening between now and then?" Ellana raised a brow. "We are at war after all."

I scoffed. Honestly. "That's hardly reason enough to ask her to do something she isn't ready to do. To…enjoy something I have not yet earned. If the Maker's will be in this, He will bring us together. He did it once—well, numerous times—He can do so again. And besides…" I swallowed thickly, forcing the words out, "My desire for her is so much more than physical." I leaned forward, elbows resting on my knees.
"I don't understand why she was concerned. Have I…did I not make it clear to her that this is what I wanted to give her?"

"Perhaps. Or she worries you'll change your mind," Ellana stated, her gaze piercing, "Will you?"

I shook my head. "No." I looked out towards the stormy sky. "It's too important to her. To me."

"Good," Ellana smiled, "She loves you, deeply. Truly. So much so I think she would…do anything for you…even if it meant hurting herself. That's how she loves I think…always putting everyone else first. Even at the expense of herself." She stared me down, her face taking on that terrifying mask that promised death.
"If I thought you a lesser man, I would fear you'd take advantage of it. Of her vulnerability."

My thoughts turned to what had happened in the Fade. Burning rage at the monster that had taken so much from her. "I would never. I would never ask that of her," I clenched my teeth, "I would never intentionally put myself before her like that."

"You're a good man, Cullen," Ellana murmured, that mask falling away, "She doesn't think she deserves you."

I met her eyes, disbelief in my own. "Nothing could be further from the truth. I do not deserve her. And that is why…" I trailed off. It was time. "I meant what I said." Standing, I turned and saluted Ellana.
"Inquisitor, if I may. First, I ask your permission for Skyhold to hold an archery contest, followed by a melee in the form of a series of duels involving any and all within the Inquisition that would volunteer upon our return from Halamshiral. These feats would not only boost morale, but serve as additional training for our troops prior to our siege upon Adamant.
"Second, at their conclusion, a time of merrymaking and for the winner of both contests to request a boon of you and the Inquisition. Third, I ask that you allow my sisters to remain as guests until after this tourney. And finally, that Lieutenant-Commander Talitha and I would be given leave to see my sisters safely back to their home—amongst other duties."

Ellana's mouth tipped with a grin. "And your boon when you win, Commander?"

My face seared with a blush again, but I stood tall, hands clasped behind my back. "A wedding. Here at Skyhold. At the most opportune moment following Adamant."

Her legs were crossed, her bare foot swaying as she mulled it all over. "Granted, Commander." I breathed a sigh of relief. "Though, I do ask you prepare someone to take on your duties while you're on leave to see to your sisters." I quirked a brow at her. She gave me a glare. "I said Skyhold wouldn't fall apart if you took an hour for yourself now and then. Not a week."

I chuckled. "My sincerest apologies, Inquisitor."

"I'm just glad you're back, Commander." She gave me a genuine smile. "Creators know you were missed."

Surprised, I blinked at her. "Well, I…thank you." We looked at each other a moment, before looking away awkwardly. Thunder rumbled again outside. "Why are you in here, exactly? Where's Meira?"

"Fittings have begun for our Winter Palace attire," she began, gesturing to the fabrics flung over her body, "I was seeing to Meira's while she's training with the Battalion. They are having a mock battle early this afternoon. She was to meet with Barris and Solana beforehand." She tugged at the wig on her head.
"Solana had a new one made to better cover Meira's lengthened hair. I asked to borrow it to ensure whatever is picked properly flatters her."

"I see. So, is she still to act as Inquisitor?"

Ellana sighed heavily. "That is my desire, but I am having a difficult time convincing Josephine. Unfortunately, our eyes no longer mirror each other and Josephine does not want us to wear masks. We're the Inquisition. A united military organization, not individuals with secrets and motives to hide. She wants us to appear above their Game while still playing it.
"Beyond that…Josephine is concerned I will need to be in the midst of everything depending on what happens, not off to the side. Meira can act in my stead depending on whatever arises while I remain amongst the heart of the ball. Given how drastically her eyes have changed…and mine for that matter, she couldn't pose as me unless we were masked.
"Leliana is on my side, saying that for us to not wear masks would be too great of an offense. We know why we're going, but no one else does. To the eyes of Orlais, we are attending a ball hosted by the Grand Duchess, at the Empress's Winter Palace, at the request of Duke Gaspard. It is only known to us that we are there to stop an assassin. It's pointless to warn Celene, as anything other than this ball being seen through is to admit defeat." She waved a hand dismissively.
"Now that you're awake, I'll have to request a meeting to ease poor Josephine's fraying nerves, though it will have to wait until after the Battalion's much anticipated mock battle and anything truly in depth will have to wait until after I return from the Storm Coast."

"Storm Coast?" I questioned.

"We received an offer of potential alliance with the Qun through Bull," she stated, "They have information on a Venatori operation there. We are to guard a Qunari dreadnaught. We are to have a meeting after the mock battle to discuss the Battalion's performance. We can go over it all then." She looked me over, chewing at the inside of her cheek.
"Com—Cullen," she began and I furrowed my brow. Rarely did she break protocol between us. "The Battalion…never mind, we'll see how this afternoon goes." Confused, I opened my mouth to speak, but she waved a hand in dismissal and stood from the couch. Walking towards the southern balcony, her hands clasped behind her, the light of the Anchor bright against my eyes where it fissured her palm. "Is there anything else you'd request of me, Commander?"

Confused, I furrowed my brow. "Such as?"

"Private use of the garden, perhaps? Time for a personal matter this evening?" She looked over her shoulder and fought a smile.

I rubbed the back of my neck, understanding what she was getting at. "Oh, well…yes, if I may, Inquisitor," I inclined my head.

"You may," she granted, "Now, if you would, Commander, I am sure the seamstresses would prefer to return to their work."

"Right," I cleared my throat, "Thank you, Inquisitor."

"You promised to love her as she deserves," she pinned me down with a look, "I am merely helping you keep your word."

I placed a fist over my chest. "And I shall, Inquisitor."

"Commander," she called as I turned towards the stairs. I paused, my cloak over my arm, a hand on the stone railing. The sun broke through the clouds behind her, wrapping her in light and making her appear supernatural. "Tell her what you told me. About waiting. No matter her words…no matter what she thinks of herself…" She couldn't find the words to convey what she was trying to tell me.

I met her gaze. "You have my word, Ellana. I love her. And because of that, I want only that which is best for her."

Her shoulders dropped almost imperceptibly in relief. "I believe you." I gave her a nod and turned once more. "Cullen," she murmured, and I looked to her one more time. Gone was the unearthly light, gone was her usual mask, instead before me stood Ellana, Meira's sister—her twin—the other half of her soul.
"I thank my gods that she has you." Her hand hesitantly reached out before she pulled it back. "And I pray that Sylaise grants you success in your trials. That she blesses your journey of life together. That love may be ever present and abound for eternity." She dropped her hand, lacing it into the other, a blush on her face.

"Thank you, Ellana," I murmured, understanding the significance of what she had just told me. "And I pray the Maker blesses you with happiness as well."

She smiled gently without meeting my eyes. "Try not to do anything else stupid and make my sister worry."

I chortled. "I'll try." She turned, a hand coming up to wipe at her cheek before her back was to me. Making my way down the stairs, I opened the door to three icy glares. "My apologies, ladies," I gave a slight bow and held the door for them.

The door closing and the lock sliding firmly into place, I turned to find my sisters and Cassandra. Cassandra had various pieces of my armor slung over her shoulders and held between her hands.

"And here I am, tracking you down again," Mia huffed before her anger fell away. "You look well. We were worried."

"There was no need," I assured them. I looked to Mia and Rosalie. "As to what I discussed with you, I have been granted permission."

My sisters looked at me, smiles gracing their faces. I had told them of my plans in regards to Meira. About how the tourney would allow me to have a wedding here and how I intended to propose after Halamshiral. Preparation for Adamant would take some time. Building the siege equipment, moving the troops ahead of us, ensuring all of our forces that could be spared met us there at the right time, seeing to everything else that needed to be seen to prior to marching.
And I would not wait any longer. If the incident with Shame had taught me anything, it was that life was too short to wait for the perfect moment. I didn't care any more that we were at war, that we were part of the Inquisition, that we had duties and obligations. Life kept unfolding, it didn't stop. I wanted her in every way. And for once in my life, I was going to put what I wanted ahead of my duty. Because she mattered more. Because she deserved better.
But there was one thing I needed—I wanted—to do for her before any more time slipped through my fingers: to assure her of what she meant to me. If she still feared that I could ever put myself before her, then I had failed to properly convey my feelings. Or she believed herself unworthy of them, of what she hoped for, which made my heart twist in tender love for her. Bran's coin weighed heavy in my pocket, it somehow having never left me through all that had happened.

"The center never changed," Cole's voice spoke as he appeared and I startled, "It brought you back to who you want to be. To them. To her. It was too important to leave behind. It might've gotten lost."

I looked at him, though he kept his face hidden beneath the brim of his overly large hat. "You…returned it to me?"

"Blood pooling, pain too much to stay awake, Shame's claws pull my mind across the Veil," Cole spoke, his voice shifting, "You'd pulled it from your pocket, trying to keep reality true. Cool metal slips through leather clad fingers, the clinking on the stone floor lost amidst the lion's screams."

"Thank you, Cole," I murmured, "For…all of it."

His grey-blue eyes met mine, wisps of straw-blond hair falling in his face. "I came to help."

I nodded. "And you have."

He continued to look at me, the smallest smile on his face. "I'm glad. Now let the others."

"Others?" I questioned, "What others?" I demanded, but he disappeared.

Mia and Rosalie laughed and I looked at them with a brow quirked. Cassandra had a faint smile on her lips. "She's worried about how you'll react."

"Who?" I asked, exasperated, "To what?"

"Talitha," Cassandra clarified, "She wanted to be here to explain—"

"—but you just couldn't drag yourself out of bed," Rosalie teased. Her pure amber eyes flicked over me. "You know, Cul, I think she's far above your station."

I gave her a smirk. "I'm well aware."

Her brows rose, a chuckle escaping her. "Smug git."

I shrugged. "I've always had lofty goals. It's only fitting that she be of more grandeur than I deserve." I opened the door to my room for them.

"Actually," Cassandra hesitated, "It'd be better to just show you." She held out my breastplate. "But perhaps you'd prefer your armor first? The mock battle is to begin shortly. If you intend to observe, we'd better make our way there."

"Where?" I questioned, taking the armor from her.

"The village," Cassandra stated, "After the last time…she thought it better to move training to the empty fields in the valley."

Nodding, I slipped inside my room. Stripping off my more casual attire. I went about donning my armor as quickly as I could. I found the weight far more tolerable. I weaved the surcoat around my waist, the familiar fur soft against my neck and jaw. Strapping my sword to my hip, I stepped out of the room. Cassandra gave me a nod and I followed them down to the main hall
To my shock, at the long tables that had been set within the dips in the floor for eating, I found mages and templars eating together. Not that it hadn't happened in the Circle, the refectory was shared at Kinloch, but here, they were mingledtogether. Conversing, laughing, fraternizing. And amongst them?
Solas was speaking with an incorporeal spirit as they exited his rotunda; it appeared to be an older elven female. His eyes landed on me, as if sensing my stare, a smirk twisting his mouth as he inclined his head before he returned his attention to the spirit. The two were deep in serious conversation, speaking in the elven tongue as they left through the main doors.
Magic and lyrium were heavy in the air. I felt the ghost of the fear graze my skin, the hunger for lyrium a weak craving. The Veil was thin, causing other spirits beyond it to be curious. My hair stood on end.

An arm pressed on my shoulder and I turned to find my own face looking at me. Purpose. "Try not to lose it."

Somehow, that helped me calm a fraction. "How…how are you here?" I stammered, mind reeling to the spirit's confession that he loved Meira as well. Is that even possible?

"I have a little more…power than the others because of her," Purpose explained, "I'm still not as corporeal as Cole, but in between the two."

I looked around at everything, felt the magic whispering in the air. I wasn't without fear or worry, but in spite of myself, it was not near what it had once been. And I wasn't sure how that made me feel. I ran a hand through my hair. "Maker, I think I need to sit down."

Purpose laughed. "Well, that's a better reaction than she thought you'd have."

I watched as Varric worked his way to me from his usual spot just inside the main doors. "Curly! You've returned to the land of the living!" His russet eyes flicked over me, a grin that said he knew something I didn't on his face.
"Once again, I've lost money on you. I thought for sure you'd be barking angrily already." He crossed his arms over his chest. "It seems Iris has even more sway over you than I thought."

"Dare we say she's 'bewitched' him?" Purpose ribbed.

Varric and my sisters laughed. "Maker's breath," I swore, my face red, "That's not funny."

"Yes, it is and you know it," Varric fondly placed his knuckles on my armored forearm. "Between you and me, I think all of this is weird, but Talitha is trying to prove a point. Because of Corypheus, because of the Breach, everyone's prone to thinking magic is evil. Or wanting to keep the mages and templars separated. To chain them back to the Chantry. She's trying to show them the opposite is possible. And she might just be crazy enough to pull it off."

I looked around at it all again. "And everyone's…alright with it?"

Varric laughed. "It took some convincing, mostly her using spirits to teach the mages and templars, but…well, let's just say you fell for someone as stubborn as you, Curly."

Despite it all, I felt a smirk tug my scarred lip. "You may be right."

"Come on," Varric turned, waving for us to follow, "Everyone's heading down to watch."

We followed him through the main hall, down the large stone steps that spilled into the upper bailey before descending again to the lower bailey. There were indications of damage to the walls of Skyhold, Inquisition soldiers and mages finishing the last of the repairs. The bulk of the people seemed to be following the same path. Crossing the lowered drawbridge, the neck and group by group being lowered down the massive platform controlled by the winch housed within the barbican.
Being stuck within the barbican, slowly lowering to the valley floor, with so many people pressing in, made my skin itch. No matter what had changed, nothing could take away my hatred for tight spaces. Once the platform reached the bottom of the barbican built within a part of the mountain, we passed through the open portcullis and followed the main road down to the village.
We were nearing the end of spring, the air in the valley warmer than upon the mountaintop, the crops in the fields coming along nicely. The month of Bloomingtide would soon begin and with it, Summerday. Solstice, First Day and Wintersend had been forgotten in the chaos following the destruction of Haven and move to Skyhold, but I hoped for the sake of the common-folk that they would be able to be celebrate. A particularly holy day for the Andrastian, a coming of age procession for the youth ready to enter adulthood; a day to celebrate summer and marriages.
I blanched momentarily as I recalled my words to Ellana. A wedding. Here. After Adamant. The idea that before the year ended, I would most likely be married made me a little dizzy. That Meira would be my wife—if she would still have me. And if I triumphed in the trials. I clenched my jaw. I will triumph.
Pushing the doubt away, I took in the blossoming village. Homes had been made, merchants had opened shops, a tavern and inn established for those who wished to visit Skyhold as a pilgrimage, a Chantry which divided Mother Giselle's attention between the village and the chapel within Skyhold. Children ran and played, the villagers friendly and fond of each other, the soldiers ever watchful.
We continued down the main road, lower into the valley. Thunder rumbled in the sky, rain beginning to fall. I could make out what I assumed to be the Battalion within an empty field below, most likely a field left untouched for future crop rotation. It seemed the entirety of Skyhold and her village surrounded the field, cheers and shouts sounding.
At my arrival, the soldiers within the group parted the crowd to make a way for me to the front. They told me Lieutenant-Commander Talitha had ordered that the Commander be given a good view to judge the Battalion's performance should he come to observe the training exercise. Nodding my head in thanks, we pushed our way forward until we had a clear view.
To either side of the field, there stood two units. The battalion had been split in half, both sides comprised of mages and templars. They seemed to be following standard artillery and infantry formations. The artillery stood ahead of the infantry on both sides, the archers comprised of templar marksmen and mages with tower shields—or pavises—made of ice; fire mages who would be able to take cover behind templars holding tower shields were intermingled between them.
Behind the artillery, two units of infantry. The initial unit was fashioned after a phalanx: three short rows of templars outfitted with spears and shields while mages stood behind them, staves at the ready. The second infantry unit was divided into small hollow squares. The outer edges were filled with templars holding swords and shields while knight enchanters with their spectral blades and powerful barriers joined them. Within the squares, given their lighter armor, I guessed were healer mages.
On either wing of both units sat a divided cavalry, protected by screens and walls of ice. They were small as only the templars would be trained to properly ride and fight atop a horse, but amongst the horses—a testament to Dennet's training of them as they stood still and brave—were an array of unnaturally large animals. Wolves, big cats, bears and massive spiders. Behind them all on each side, Barris and Solana were mounted atop horses, brightly colored flags with the Inquisition's symbol stitched on them unfurling on the stormy wind atop the standards they bore.

"Battalion!" Meira's impossibly loud voice called and I looked up. She stood above it all, walking upon conjured platforms of ice. The armor made of the Fade adorned her, all but a helmet. A cape of midnight velvet danced on the wind, her moon-white hair in a braid, curling off her back. It seemed she was using her powers to amplify her voice.
"The rules are once again simple. Your goal is to capture the standard from either Captain Barris or Captain Amell. Units are to work together, but whomever captures and successfully brings the standard across their unit's line will be awarded bragging rights." Laughter swept through them all.
"And maybe something a little extra? A chance for their respective unit to redeem themselves against your Lieutenant-Commander, perhaps?" Shouts of challenge were hollered up at her. "You have your goal, listen to your Captains. Your weapons are blunted, your magic dampened. I will render those who would be dead in a real battle unable to participate further. Let's show the Inquisition—and Thedas at large—that mages and templars can work together. If Corypheus can accomplish such a feat amongst the Red Templars and Venatori, surely the Inquisition can do the same?" More shouts, ones of agreement and eagerness as determination swept through them all. Thunder rumbled, lightning cracked the sky, the rain falling harder.
"First, allow me to make our spectators a little more comfortable."

I watched as Meira's hands glowed with magic. She brought them together, the air dropping in temperature before thrusting them away from her chest. As she did so, a suspended sheet of ice grew across the sky above, blocking all that were watching from the rain. But in the center, except for where she stood, she allowed the rain to fall. She knew they would need to train for any weather condition.
Rain dinged off the templars' armor, the competitive tension became palpable, both sides sizing each other up. As with any army versus army battle, the first side to move would most likely lose. It was better to utilize the artillery first, taking out as much of the opposing side as possible until they were forced to move.

"Mages. Templars. Soldiers of the Reformed Battalion," Meira addressed them all, "Fight well. May the Maker guide your steps." The battalion pounded their shields.

"She's really come into her own since her return from the Oasis," Ellana's voice sounded next to me. I turned to find her looking up at her sister, her eyes glistening with tears. "Creators know she deserves it. The trials she's faced, all she's endured…"
Tears rolled over her cheeks, causing me to rub the back of my neck. I had never witnessed Ellana cry. She was always so strong, so sure of herself, so collected. It made me respect her all the more to see how deeply she cared for the female that held my heart—deeply enough that she was willing to display such emotion in front of me.
"I pray she gains all she hopes for. That she finds happiness and peace at the end of all this."

"As do I," I murmured.

"It seems we have our Inquisitor and Commander spectating today," Meira announced and even from where I stood, I could sense her eyes on me. "Let's give them a good show. Begin!"

At her command, Barris and Solana both roared for the archers to release their first volley. Arrows of both magic and non-magic flew through the air. Instead of stepping behind the tower shields, the fire mages stepped out in front, staves swinging through the air as they worked together to create massive firewalls. The conjured arrows were stopped on impact with the flames, but the templars' arrows—their lyrium abilities imbued within the projectiles allowing them to suppress the magic—flew through.
The marksmen and mages ducked behind their respective pavisor's shield. A few stopped mid-movement before falling to the ground, the arrows that would have been their deaths frozen to them to mark that they had been hit. How in the Maker's name is Meira keeping track of all this? Wielding this much magic? The archers continued to fire at will, finding openings when they were able. More fell on both sides.

"Mages! Two defensive walls! Fire and then ice!" Solana commanded.

Her forward artillery followed suit. The fire mages erected another shield of fire while the ice mages conjured a wall of ice. This succeeded in not only stopping the conjured arrows, but causing the templars' arrows to be rendered useless as the ice was too thick for them to penetrate—lyrium or no.

"Mages!" Barris barked, "Get rid of the fire and break that ice wall!"

It was up to the mages to defeat these first lines of defense as the templars were too far away to utilize their abilities on the opposing mages. Barris's side obeyed his command. The ice mages slammed their tower shields into the ground, allowing their templars to remain protected.
The fire mages opened slits within their wall as the the ice mages stepped forward. I watched as their hands and staves lit with magic. Lances of ice shot forward, landing in the ground just before the opposing wall of fire. At their command, the ice grew upon the ground before melting. It caused the flames to gutter, but not dissipate. The fire mages created small openings so the ice mages could slip past.
A few fell as they charged forward, but those that remembered to shield themselves pounded their dominant foot into the ground. Conical blasts of ice to surged forward and engulf the flames, smothering them entirely. The fire mages quickly pummeled the ice wall with massive fireballs, shattering it within moments. Barris's archers found their openings, downing many of Solana's side as they scrambled to resurrect their defenses.

Thunder boomed overhead. I caught Solana looking to the sky above. Arrows kept flying through the air. "Storm mages! Push them to us!" Solana shouted.

Some of the mages behind the initial phalanx raised their staves. The storm clouds above descended to the battlefield over Barris's unit, lightning and thunder submitting to the will of the mages. A deluge poured over his soldiers, making it difficult to see, wiping out the wall of fire his mages had conjured. Solana's archers found their marks.

"Alain!" Barris barked, "Earth mages! Ditch the archers and petrify them!"

Through the pouring rain, I watched as several mages strode forward. The earth beneath my feet began to shake. As the mages emerged from the rain, they had pulled earth upon their flesh. The arrows of Solana's side pinged off their rock armor.
Barris's earth mages on the flanks shot stones shaped after fists at Solana's archers, pummeling through their shields all the way to the initial phalanx, wiping out chunks. I could make out Alain's face through his conjured armor as he shouted a war cry. Raising his fists into the air, he slammed them down upon the mud.
From the impact, the earth beneath ruptured. Within seconds, it hit the artillery line, the ground beneath them collapsing. Alain raised his hands again, the mud solidifying around the mages trapped within his ditch.
Solana's initial defensive line removed, Barris's artillery was making quick work of her infantry. Her frustration became visible. She pulled on the reins of her horse, beginning to move through her unit. The earth of Alain and the other mages rendered the storm magic useless.

"Mounted archers!" Solana ordered, "Charge!"

From behind their protection, some of her cavalry pounded across the battlefield. The speed of the horses allowed the archers to find marks—the eyes of the mages with rock armor exposed. Some of them fell, but Alain and few others erected shields of earth to stop the arrows. With a grunt, Alain punched his shield at a few of the mounted soldiers before causing it to burst apart. Horse and rider fell.

"Fall back, Alain! Storm mages, get rid of that tempest!" Barris shouted. "Archers, take out that cavalry!"

"Don't let that storm break!" Solana yelled, "If you see an opening, use chain lightning!"

Alain and the other earth mages fell back, the storm above Barris's unit fighting to dissipate as lightning began to surge through his ranks. Archers and infantry fell, Barris having to bring up a shield to block a stray bolt from hitting him.

"Amell, Talwyn! Give me a blizzard! Block their visual!" Barris ordered.

The temperature plummeted as a blizzard erupted amongst Solana's ranks. Soldiers were frozen in place, horses rearing at the violent winds. In the distraction, the storm above Barris's unit broke.

"Cavalry! Charge!" Barris shouted. "Break their defenses!"

A war cry shouted, the whole of Barris's cavalry charged. A slower pace at first, the horses and shape-shifter mages came together in a nearly uniform wall in the middle of the battlefield. Once together, they began to swallow up ground.

"Keep that blizzard up!" Barris roared, "Do not let it break! Bring me that standard!"

The speed of the cavalry picked up. The pounding of the hooves reverberating in the ground beneath my feet. The horses brayed, throwing their heads in anticipation. At full gallops now, they broke upon Solana's unit like waves upon rocks.
The shapeshifter mages threw themselves over the phalanx or flanked behind it, disrupting the formation. The blizzard was too violent for the mages to know where to aim. The weight and force of the horses impossible for any shield or mortal to stand against with their formation broken and vision disrupted.

"Reform the line!" Solana cried, "Reform the line!" The blizzard raged on, the howling wind, even lightning, and violent flurries making it difficult for her soldiers to hear her or see one another. "Fire mages! Burn that blizzard to steam!"

The templars amongst her unit could have dispelled the magic, but it seemed Solana was bent on relying on the mages. Amongst the scramble, two mages coated themselves in flames while others' staves lit with magic. Those coated in flame burned so hot the blizzard around them melted into rain. Their fires combined, the blizzard dissipated.

"Earth mages!" Solana yelled, her voice urgent, "Capture that cavalry!"

"Retreat!" Barris ordered, "Cavalry, retreat!"

A few of his horsemen and shape-shifters were captured within stone prisons, a few more falling to spears thrown from Solana's phalanx. Only a small number returned across the line.
But that was not the reason for Solana's urgency, for the last of Barris's cavalrymen was pounding across the battlefield. Atop the horse, the templar at the reins, a mage sat at their back hoisting Solana's captured standard above his head.
The mage resembled Solana, a wicked smile on his face. A massive ball of fire flew at them, knocking them off the back of the horse. The templar's helmet flew off, revealing Henry. He and the mage rolled across the ground, the standard flying away from them. Out of the fire emerged Solana, snarling at them as she bared her flame blades.

"I will not be bested by cheap tricks, Fausten," she spit. The mage, whom I assumed was Fausten, stood and offered a hand to Henry. The two pressed close to each other, facing off with Solana. Without taking her eyes off them, she ordered her unit, "Infantry! Charge!"

The phalanx and hollow squares shouted a war cry and began to charge across the field. Solana attacked Henry and Fausten. Her blades met Henry's shield, and at the contact, guttered. The shield was blazing with the white light of his abilities, diminishing Solana's magic.
It spoke to Solana's one major weakness: her rage. She let her emotions get the better of her. Usually fuel for their mana, when they lost the ability to channel it properly, their willpower suffered for it. For Solana, when her control slipped, it caused her willpower to diminish and her connection to the Fade to lessen.
Fausten hurled bolts of lightning at her, causing her to stumble backwards. Her dragon hide armor kept the damage to a minimum, but the force of it could not be absorbed. Trying to keep her on the defensive, he kept hurling lightning at her.

"Infantry!" Barris ordered, "Charge! Bring the standard the rest of the way! Archers, flank Captain Amell's infantry!"

Solana roared, her flames reigniting and burning brighter. She tried to get around Henry, her goal to retrieve her standard. Where Solana's emotions burned away her reason, Henry—much like Barris—kept his cool. He didn't give her an inch.
Fausten made for the standard, but suppressive arrows caused him to have to defend himself. Lightning cloaked his being, causing the arrows to disintegrate on impact. But it made it so he could not pick up the standard.

"Trevelyan!" Fausten shouted, "I'm pinned down!"

Henry met Solana's blades with his shield again. "Get back behind the line!"

Fausten growled in frustration before arcing through the air as a bolt of lightning across the field to join the advancing infantry. Henry and Solana dueled in the middle of the field. Henry kept Solana from her standard, while Solana kept Henry from escaping.

"So, Curly," Varric's voice came from near my hips, "Any thoughts on who is going to win? Five gold says Solana's unit."

Solana let out a vicious cry as yet again Henry intercepted her. Lighting kept Henry shielded from enemy arrows. The infantry was closing in and soon Henry's advantage of having Solana's standard in the middle of the field would be lost. If she could hold him off until reinforcements arrived, she could turn the battle in her favor.

"I'll raise you five, Master Dwarf," Solas's voice spoke, "While Solana certainly has the passion, Barris has the clear advantage of keeping a cool head. Ten gold says Barris's unit. So, that's twenty to me should you lose both of the bets?"

"What else have you bet on?" I asked, exasperation in my voice.

Solas's lips twitched as he met my gaze. "We'd rather not spoil it."

I crossed my arms over my chest, but stumbled forward a bit when a hand smacked me in the upper back.

"Though I think Cullen's elf is completely crazy, she's pulled this Battalion together quite well in a short amount of time," Bull's deep voice spoke. "Solana's certainly got the drive, but Barris has focus and a need to prove himself. My money's on Barris. But Talitha will definitely chicken out on the kiss, so put five on Cullen for me."

Varric pulled out a small piece of parchment and a mechanical pen I'd never seen the like of to scratch down a tally.

"Bull!" Cassandra hissed, "You weren't supposed to say anything. That's cheating!"

"You to, Cassandra?" I growled at the woman. She pinked, but didn't meet my eyes.

Bull shrugged before bending to whisper, "They're betting she'll get too nervous to kiss you now that you're awake. Don't let me down, got a lot of gold saying you'll kiss her first—extra if you make one of Cassandra's smutty book scenes come to life." Bull elbowed Cassandra, causing her to stumble a little too. "You thought I didn't notice?"

Cassandra turned even redder. "It's more that I hoped you hadn't."

"Not just, Bull," Varric chuckled, causing Cassandra to let out a disgusted noise.

The infantry had met, archers attacking from the flanks. Henry and Solana had melted into their respective sides, Solana's standard back in her hand. Spear met spear, more falling as Meira kept track of who would be dead in a real fight. The Templars' weapons shown with their abilities, the mages' magic weakened as they were now in range of the templars.

Sera jumped onto my back. "Oy, Cully. Who are you betting on? Yourself or Princess?" I tossed her off of me, but she landed on her feet like a cat, cackling. "I'm always rooting for you, Cullen-Wullen."

"I hate all of you," I bristled.

"No, you don't," Dorian chortled as he came to stand at my side, "Without us, you two would never get anywhere."

Mia and Rosalie began laughing and I glared at them. They looked at me with pride for a brief moment. Then their faces changed and they shared a conspiratorial smile.

"Master…Tethras?" Mia asked, causing Varric to look up at her. "My sister and I would like to place a bet as well, if we may."

Varric gave them a warm smile. "Anything that causes your brother to loosen up."

"Now that's an impossible task, I'm afraid," Mia sighed to my protest. "I'll place three gold on this Ser Barris and five on Talitha."

"Really?" I snapped.

"And I'll place three gold on Ser Amell and five on Cullen," Rosalie added.

"Talitha and I get along quite well on our own, thank you," I harrumphed.

The others of the Inquisition shared a laugh. "Whatever helps you sleep at night, Curly," Varric ribbed.

Shouts erupted on the battlefield. Amelia Heeley had Solana's standard strung across her shoulders as Belinda Darrow hoisted her into the air. The mage, Rion, let out shout of triumph.
It seemed Barris's infantry distracted Solana's while Amelia and a few other rogues snuck around, Rion covering them. Another mage that resembled Solana had unseated her from her horse. Amelia had grabbed the standard while Rion and Belinda had defended her all the way back across the battlefield.
Shouts and clapping erupted from the spectators, thunder continued to boom overhead and above it all, Meira watched on. Releasing those whom she'd rendered unable to fight, the Battalion gathered in the middle, displays of good sportsmanship all around. I was still in disbelief as I watched mages and templars fight and celebrate together.

"Lieutenant-Commander," Henry Trevelyan shouted up at Meira, "It seems you owe us a dance."

Lightning cracked the sky. "It seems I do," Meira agreed, "If all, but the victors would clear the field. I ask the rest of you remain to observe."

Solana's unit hurried off the field, taking open spots amongst the gathered crowd. I could see Solana's disappointment on her face, but it quickly disappeared. The air groaned as thick walls of clear ice erupted all around causing us to step back.
From above, Meira slipped off her ice platform and plummeted to the ground, the earth shaking at the impact. Slowly, she rose. Barris ordered his unit to circle her. Meira stayed still within the middle, armor gone and not even having drawn or conjured a weapon.

"Dare I say another five, Master Dwarf?" Solas murmured to Varric. "In Talitha's favor to decimate Ser Barris's unit."

"Count me in as well," Blackwall grunted.

The others chimed their agreement.

"She's going to face them all? By herself?" I questioned. It was her against over fifty mages and templars.

"You've missed quite a bit in your sleep, Curly," Varric chuckled, "Your lover came back a force to be reckoned with."

"Nearly a battalion unto herself," Solas agreed.

"Do you really think she can beat them all?" Mia questioned aloud.

"I'd say we'll see soon enough," Solas gestured to the field.

The ring around Meira was closing in, the templars' spears pointing in to the middle. There was no way for her to escape and soon there would be no room for her to move without being impaled. The ground began to shake, a rhythmic pounding.
We all began looking around. Shouts began as from behind Meira, a colossal wolf bound onto the battlefield. No, not just any wolf. Ghilani. The ring of Barris's unit scattered as Ghilani broke through the ice.

"It's an illusion!" Barris shouted, "Hold your formation!"

Meira laughed as the colossal Ghilani shrunk to her normal size. I watched as she flicked her wrist, the hilt of her spectral blade descending into her palm. In her other hand, she conjured a sword made of flaming shadow. Her left foot came forward, one sword held above her head, the other at her left thigh. Ghilani took an defensive stance at her side, teeth bared.
The formation broken, she leapt into action. At a dizzying speed, she moved through them. But this time, she did not take them out of the fight. If they could stand, she allowed them. As I watched, pieces of her armor would appear and fade.
When the helmet appeared, she commanded lightning. A tempest erupting all around, lightning arcing through the unit. When her breastplate appeared, copies of herself dotted the field, her ice magic even stronger. The greaves granted her fire and invisibility as she disappeared and reappeared. As to the vambraces, she had not wielded them.

"Battalion!" Barris barked, "Gird yourselves! Templars, Wrath of Heaven! Mages, hit her with everything you've got!" Barris's unit gave war cries in response. "On my signal!" Barris raised his sword to the heavens, blazing light began to break up the clouds. "Now!"

All together, the templars called down a massive column of blazing light. The ice walls shattered all around and above. Rain crashed down upon us.
I tasted the metallic tang of the lyrium burning away all hostile magic and severing the Fade. The mages fighting alongside them did not suffer, the templars having mastered how to focus their attacks upon those they deemed hostile. Fire, lightning, ice, and earth all pummeled Meira and Ghilani.

"They're going to kill her!" I roared, pressing towards the battlefield, but hands stopped me.

"Do you really have such little faith in her?" Ellana questioned.

"There's no way she—"

But I was cut off as yells sounded on the battlefield. The whole of the unit was blown back. Meira stood, tall and proud in the middle.
Cloaked in the Fade armor, it seemed their attacks had no affect. And to her sides? Seven incorporeal spirits bearing armor and weapons. The unit rose to their feet.

"Come on, Battalion! There is only one of her!" Barris yelled. "Charge her!"

Barris shouted in defiance, leading his troops in a charge. Meira and the spirits stood their ground, Ghilani at her side. Fade and metal met, the force reverberating across the battlefield.
Templar abilities shown, but they seemed to have no affect upon Meira or the spirits. Ghilani circled around the unit, snapping at exposed legs. Meira's blades whirled around her as she danced around her opponents. She thrust, parried, blocked, and disarmed. The spirits did the same, their movements mimicking hers almost exactly.
She threw her hands out, fire and ice swallowing up mage and templar alike. Earth rose up to capture more. Blades, magic and arrows assaulted her, but all merely bounced off the barrier she had erected and only seemed to feed her magic as her spirit blade grew larger and larger.

"Impressed yet, Curly?" Varric questioned.

In truth, I was utterly dumbstruck by her. What stood before me was not a mage, but a warrior. She conducted herself with near as much prowess as any templar and more control than any mage.
Her weapons were extensions of herself, her magic weaving around her with little thought. I could feel—could hear—her mana even at this distance. The song, once a lovely melody, was now a beautifully haunting chorus. Mana and willpower weaving in harmony, far beyond what they had been six months ago.
Her movements were controlled, graceful and powerful, her magic practical though she was not without whimsy in its use. Above all, what I noticed was that her fear was gone. She fought and wielded her magic with confidence; the confidence she'd once had within the tower.

"Maker, I'm going to marry her," I breathed, running a hand through my hair. "Put ten on this: She will defeat all, but Barris. A duel between them which she will either throw or give a draw to boost morale. But in a single breath, I think she could end this fight here and now if she wanted."

What remained of Barris's unit surrounded her again. The spirits were gone, having diminished her opponents by a considerable amount. Only a dozen remained.
Swords thrusted, shields pressed against her, but her barrier remained intact. Ghilani circled the back of the ring, snapping at heels, causing them to lose balance. But they kept pressing forward.
A cloud of smoke burst from Meira and out of it reared a halla. Just as majestic as the one she had become in the Fade. A little smaller than a horse, it had glistening moon white fur, great curling horns of silver, and a graceful countenance.

"Interesting," Solas commented, "A very apt representation of herself."

Ellana laughed and I noticed their smallest fingers were entwined even though they were not standing close together. "Indeed. Graceful, even gentle with their handlers, but more stubborn than any other beast."

"Truly?" I questioned.

"Oh, yes, just ask Ma," Ellana laughed. "She'll tell you that you have to have a spine of iron to tend the halla. They're willful creatures."

The halla bleated before its hooves slammed to the ground, Meira swinging her horned head around. Ghilani had served her purpose by getting the templars and mages off balance as Meira's great head hit them with enough force to knock them off their feet. Seeing her opening, she hurtled through, knocking a few more down. Galloping across the battlefield, she put distance between them and herself.
They formed a phalanx, advancing on her. Her hooves pawed the ground, white vapor puffing from her nose as the temperature dropped around us. And dropped and dropped. The rain began to freeze before it hit the ground.
Another cloud of smoke and Meira returned, spectral blade and ice shield in hand. Ghilani ran off the battlefield, the wolf no doubt sensing what was coming. The temperature dropped even further, puffs of white everywhere.

"Keep your wits about you," Barris ordered.

Meira smirked, her silver eyes glowing. Stomping a foot upon the ground, columns of ice began to burst forth. Barris and the others had to start dodging the obstacles, breaking their formation. Meira caught all but one of the remaining mages in ice, but the templars' abilities were able to negate the freezing magic. They closed in on her.

"It's up to us," Barris stated, "Trevelyan, Darrow, Amell, with me. Heeley, look for your openings and take them!"

The templars thumped their shields with their blades. The remaining mage coated herself in ice. Meira sent daggers of ice at them, the templars' shields catching them while the ice mage was unaffected. But instead of their shields knocking them away, the ice stuck and grew. It drew them down from the templars' faces, the ice making them heavier. White blazed beneath, melting the magic away, but not fast enough.
Meira bolted at them, propelling herself through the Fade. Her shield gone, instead she summoned small walls of ice with each time she materialized to catch Amelia's arrows. Her spectral blade in both hands, their shields heavy, she was able to maneuver her blade more easily around them. Ducking beneath Belinda's shield, Meira thrust her blade through the Templar's chest, it was incorporeal, but it was clear Belinda was out. Using her magic to bolster her strength, she shoved Belinda at Henry, who stumbled into Barris. As they were distracted, she threw a hand up which encased Amelia in ice.
The mage coated in ice leapt at her, Meira blocking her blows with the flat of her blade. Their magic sizzled as ice met spirit blade and at the contact, it seemed Meira's blade absorbed her opponent's magic. The ice began to melt off the mage, her face shifting to surprise before she leapt back. The templars were getting back on their feet and would soon rejoin the fight. Meira willed her spirit blade away before ice climbed up her own body. The rain all around had frozen into hail, causing the templars to cover themselves with their shields.
Meira leapt at the other mage, dual blades of ice in her hands. Blade met blade, but Meira pressed her opponents guard open before shoving her shoulder into her chest. Pouring magic into her maneuver, the other mage's ice armor cracked. In an attempt to bolster the ice's defense, the mage Barris had called Amell reabsorbed her own ice blades. From her chest, she tried to hit Meira with a spear of ice. Meira disappeared into the Fade and rematerialized just as quickly. The force shattered the ice off her opponent and rendered her unconscious.
As Meira stood to face Barris and Henry, it was apparent that this was no more than an exercise for her to test out her magic. All that the armor could do, all she could do, where her limits now lay. Where before she would've been long winded and exhausted, her magic spent, she seemed to be unaffected. Standing tall and sure, I knew if she wanted, she could have wiped out Barris's unit in a single move when the fight had begun. But it was not only her magic that had increased exponentially, her martial skills had as well—as if she had closed years worth of a gap in her training in the months she had been gone.

"Solas," I called to the elf male, his stormy eyes met my gaze, "What exactly happened at the temple?"

His full lips twisted in a smirk. "She faced her fear. Will you continue to face yours?"

"Just you and Trevelyan, now," Meira taunted, her Fade armor disappearing on a wind. "Give me all you've got."

Barris and Henry smacked their swords against their shields, their abilities igniting once more. Meira held her spirit blade in one hand, conjuring a sword of shadow flame in the other, awaiting them. As they closed in, she readied herself. The duel was amazing to watch. Meira ducked and twisted, feigned and blocked. Barris and Henry kept her between them, shield and sword catching each of Meira's attacks. But they were unable to land any blows as she kept them on the defensive.
Slamming her foot into the ground she caught Henry's foot in ice, rolled around him and dealt him what would have been a fatal blow. It was down to her and Barris. Sword and shield met, Barris's abilities causing Meira's shadow blade to gutter. Neither could break the others' guard; feints met blocks, thrusts met parries. Barris's will seemed as strong as Meira's as for the first time she seemed to be really fighting.
On and on they went, until Barris knocked Meira's blade out of the way and spun into the opening, bashing her in the chest with his shield. She stumbled and Barris thrust into another opening with his sword. Just when I thought Meira would lose, she brought her shadow blade up and parried Barris's weapon. Turning it until she disarmed him.
Barris switched his shield to his dominant hand, blocking Meira's blows. But in his defensive stance, he gave up ground, Meira pushing him back from his sword. He tried to disarm her by punching at her with his shield, but to no avail. In a final move, Meira bent to sweep Barris's legs out from under him. Instead, he leapt back and scooped up Henry's discarded blade. He hadn't been giving up ground, but intentionally moving them back. Ripping the last phial of lyrium off his belt, he downed it.
Meira moved to close in on him, but with a yell of defiance, eyes burning as the lyrium coursed through his veins, Barris ignited his abilities. Just as Meira was inches from him, he hit her with a massive spell purge. Meira's barrier, spirit blade, and conjured blade disappeared. She hit the ground and rolled, coming up behind him. She used magic in an attempt to distract him, but with the fresh dose of lyrium, he was immune—the magic just rolling off. He prowled towards her.
She closed her eyes. Enveloped in smoke, Barris rushed her. A great roar split the air as from the smoke a massive blur of muscle, teeth and claws leapt over Barris. Turning faster than my eyes could keep up with, the blur pounced the templar, knocking him to the ground. Barris rolled, bringing his shield up to protect from what was attacking him.
Snickers and jeers sounded from the others around me as my ears burned with a blush. For Meira had become the namesake of the fur sitting atop my shoulders. A red lioness.
The fur had been for sale by a merchant in Jader when we had first arrived in Ferelden. The others had been buying provisions for the journey to Haven so I, wishing to avoid conversation and in desperate need of stretching my legs, perused the merchants' stalls. I could not recall the last time I had purchased anything for personal use. Everything I had owned in the last nearly twenty years had been provided to me by the Order and I'd never seen the need for anything beyond the necessary. Gold was better spent on other things. Once Mia had found me, I'd begun sending nearly all I earned back to them for they had needed it more than I. But years of rarely spending, only saving had left me with a decent sum of gold to my name.
The fur had caught my eye as it shone in the rare Fereldan sun. The glossy rich brown a near black, accentuating the alternating stripes of russet-brown, silvery-grey and black. I had ran my hand over it, expecting the fur to be rough, but found it well tended. The furrier seemed to have taken great care to bring out the luxurious of the animal's pelt. The merchant noticed my interest, commenting that it was the mane of a red lion. While the Avvar generally stayed within the confines of the Frostbacks, they were not so foolish as to not trade what goods they could. The merchant told me an Avvar thane had taken the beast down, not his first, and had traded the pelt with the dwarves of Orzammar who coveted the fur for greater arms and armor. The dwarves had found it too flawed for their intended use, so the merchant had purchased it during his last visit.
A part of me had felt a sense of sorrow for the beast. Something so proud and mighty taken down for no more than its pelt. And then its magnificence had been seen as too flawed to be used. Stripped of freedom and life, for no more than superficial use. I'd related to the lion, an obstinate impulse to have the mane and give it due honor washing over me.
I'd haggled with the merchant, his original asking price nearing the obscene. We'd come to an agreement, I walking away with the mane and a lighter coin purse. I did not know what had come over me, but there was something…freeing in buying such an item. It was mine, something I had chosen. Not given to me, not chosen for me. Upon reaching Haven, I had commissioned it to be sown to line my surcoat. I had no desire to wear templar armor any longer, but the surcoat…I had always admired the golds and maroons of the templar armor.
I had been sorry to see the original surcoat destroyed following Haven. The fur burned, cloth ripped and torn. When Meira had commissioned my new armor, she had kept the fur mantle. Though not the original I had purchased, someone had gone to great lengths to find as close to the original as possible. And now, as I watched her lioness form ruthlessly assault Barris's shield, muscles rippling beneath the same, unmistakable fur, great fangs on display as her maw was open, eyes fierce, ears flat, deadly claws scratching the metal of his shield, I understood what she was saying. Not only to me, but to all. That she was mine.
She moved with such speed and strength, Barris could not get her off of him. Could do no more than use his shield to block her paws. Shifting the shield with effort to keep his face and neck covered, he worked his free hand down to his belt. Pulling a dagger free, pushing against Meira's heavy weight, he thrust the dagger at her face. She leapt back, transforming back to herself midair as the attack broke her concentration.
As soon as she landed on her feet, Barris kicked her legs out from under her. She slammed onto her back and he rolled to press his dagger to Meira's throat just as she thrust her own into the armpit of his armor. While the wound in theory would have killed Barris if not tended to in time, Meira's would have been immediately fatal. A draw, but in Barris's favor.
Roars erupted from the spectating crowd. Meira stood and offered Barris a hand. Helping him up, she gave him a deep bow of respect. The Battalion rushed onto the field, hoisting Barris up on their shoulders. Mages and templars laughed and clasped arms. Meira's joyful laughter rising above the others. From where she stood amongst them all, her eyes found mine.
A broad smile had pulled her mouth, the rain now a drizzle causing her hair to stick to her face, her eyes held a sparkle as her cheeks were flushed in exhilaration. As she looked at me, the flush darkened, her smile dampening to something that made my gut churn with nerves while my blood ran a little warmer. She glanced away as someone spoke to her from amongst the celebrating crowd, but when she looked back, her smile had turned bashful—an apology that she was being pulled away. I gave her a gentle smile and a small nod to let her know it was alright.
The others clasped my shoulders or nudged me. Varric told me how much gold I'd earned before he swept Mia and Rosalie away to the tavern. I made to go with them, not trusting the dwarf, but Ellana stopped me.

"They'll be alright," she assured, "Come, Commander. You've much to be caught up on."

"Lead the way, Inquisitor," I nodded.

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