Hi all! I am so excited to see the interest in this story. Sorry about the wait, I have been really busy.

I want to thank my Beta T.K. Edwards with his help and for all who have read, followed, favorite and reviewed so far, you all are awesome.

If you are looking for more Cullen angst stories, check out these stories by my fellow group writers:

Duty and Devotion Series: Kyla Baines

Storm Before the Calm: Awinters 25

Lurking Shadows: Keliandra- I am also betaing for this one.

Also please check my Beta's dragon age stories on his page.

I start of with some background because I forgot to add something in the last chapter but here is chapter 2.

Sometime after the Temple of Sacred Ashes

The woman woke up with a gasp. Her lungs felt heavy when she took a deep breath. This air felt different compared to what she was used to breathing. Her eyes narrowed at the realization. Where was she? She remembered a green plane with floating rocks and a black city visible in the sky.

Her eyes soaked in her surroundings. The bed she was sitting on had seen better days since it was covered in patches. The hut had a small hole in the roof where sunlight was able to seep in through the cracks, causing her to shield her eyes. Odd, she was not in the green plane.

Her musings were cut short when someone entered the room. The intruder had an appearance of a girl with bright blue eyes and pointy ears, not like her flat ears.

The girl gasped and dropped the small box she was holding on the ground. Moments later, she fell to her knees.

"My Lady Herald. Please forgive me!" The girl pleaded, lowering her head closer to the floor.

Was her name Herald? Herald did not sound familiar, but she did not have a chance to ask as the girl continued in a rush.

"I did not expect for you to wake up so soon. I must go and tell Lady Pentaghast that you woke up, at once!" The girl scrambled to her feet without looking at her once, taking a fearful step back to the door.

The woman sighed disappointedly, not getting her questions answered left her feeling frustrated. As she lifted herself off the bed she staggered, for she had an uneven feeling in her legs. How long had she been out? The room started to spin from her lack of balance. Her body felt heavy, feeling a little foreign. Clutching the wall for support, she closed her eyes and waited until the dizziness faded.

Eventually, the Herald turned her gaze to the red box that was on the ground. She found some elfroot and dawn lotuses, it was the box that the girl had dropped. There was a mortar and an alchemy set that was in the corner of the room. Her hands moved on instinct to begin mixing in the ingredients. She was surprised at herself, for she was making a potion to help her nausea. The brewing felt as though she had done this before a hundred times that it was almost instinctive like breathing. Time passed quickly the more she focused on her task.

The sound of the door creaking open caused her to jump, sensing there was danger about.

"My apologies. I did not mean to startle you." The strange intruder was bald, wearing a brown tunic. He had the same pointy ears as the girl, the same race. "My name is Solas." He greeted with a small, curious smile.

She stared at the outstretched hand in curiosity before shaking it.

"Nice to meet you, Solas. I am Herald, I think." Her greeting caused him to lift an eyebrow in confusion.

"Herald?" He drawled the name, considering his next words. "Do you think that is your name?" He asked, bemused.

"That's what the girl who looked like you called me this morning." She answered impatiently.

She did not know what her name would be otherwise. If he knew, why did he ask? She did not like the way the situation was dragging out so far. Everything was foggy in her head. If she had a name, it had been lost in the murky depths of her mind.

"Looked like me?" He questioned her with a frown while rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"She had pointy ears." She answered with a sheepish smile.

"I am an elf." Solas stifled his laugh with a cough before looking at her seriously. "Tell me what you remember."

She looked to ground, debating to reveal the existence of the green plane. Besides that knowledge, there was nothing to remember.

"Nothing."

"Does the word 'mage' sound familiar to you?" The elf continued his probing. His brow furrowed as he awaited her response.

"No." The woman replied honestly. She knew what a mage was but the word held no significance to her what so ever, but something in the pit of her stomach made her uneasy about being asked that question.

"I see." He paused for a moment and looked out the window of the hut. "Let's get you outside. I need to speak with the advisors."

Solas lightly pushed her back to guide her to the door. When he opened the door, she was greeted with the cold morning air, causing her to shiver in response. There were dozens of people trading wares, and the sound of a blacksmith tampering metal could be heard somewhere in the camp. In the distance, majestic mountains touched the sky.

The elf continued to guide her, preventing her from taking in the rest of her surroundings. She could hear murmurings of the people who walked by. They kept their voices low enough, so she couldn't make out what they were saying. As they passed, people were bowing at her and looking at her with reverence. Her cheeks flushed from embarrassment because she did not know why they were praising her. Was she some sort of religious figure?

Solas's stride was slowing down as they approached a short man with a brown ponytail, who was bartering with a merchant. The man's eyes grew wide when he saw her standing in front of him.

"Varric, this is Solona Amell." Solas introduced.

Amell. She had the strangest feeling that the introduction of that name was more for her benefit than the small man.

"Solona, this is Varric Tetras. He is a dwarf from Kirkwall." The dwarf smiled and bowed courteously to her before frowning at Solas's close proximity.

Solas walked forward and whispered something in Varric's ear, causing the dwarf's eyes to widen.

"You got to be shitting me? You mean to tell me-" Varric's surprise was cut short when his eyes landed on her. She had a feeling that they were talking about her. He masked his surprise with a grin. "I apologize, Chuckles. Go see the advisors."

Solona, if that truly was her name, suddenly missed Solas's company because this dwarf was smiling at her with the biggest grin and with eyes burning with curiosity. She felt like he was going to interrogate her.

"You look a lot like your cousin Helena." He stated, trying to put her at ease. Her shoulders relaxed at the statement, and she could tell he was holding back on trying to question her. What exactly did Solas say to the dwarf?

"My cousin?" She couldn't help hide her surprise. If she had a family member, then she would like to meet her, maybe she could help regain her lost memories.

"Helena Hawke, champion of Kirkwall," He began with a nostalgic smile. "You both have the same blue eyes and long black hair. The only exception is that you have a lost look on your face." He answered with a smirk.

"This is all overwhelming." Amell agreed with his observation. Not remembering anything was rather taxing on her.

"I bet. Staying in the Fade for ten years and walking out are enough reasons to change one's outlook on life." Varric brushed the snow that landed on his jacket off.

She was trapped in the Fade for ten years? Fade was a word that sounded familiar. Was that the green plane that she remembered?

"The Fade is it green?" Her question caused the dwarf to frown.

"You are asking the wrong person. I have been to the Fade once. It was not green the last time I visited. Though, by the color of the Breach…" he glanced up at the rift in the sky. "I would put my gold on it. It was ass-deep in demons too." Varric laughed without humor at the thought.

She was going to question the dwarf more about her situation until she saw his jaw clench in irritation. She looked in the direction of his ire and saw a woman with short black hair with an eye engraved on her black armor. The woman was striding towards their direction with a purpose.

The woman stood next to Solona and accessed her with a shrewd gaze.

"Ah, Seeker, it seems like Satinalia has come early for you this year." Varric greeted with a tease, causing the Seeker's eyes to narrow in disapproval

"Varric." The woman greeted with her heavy accent in annoyance.

"Solona Amell, I am Cassandra Pentaghast. If you would follow me, please."

Solona considered the woman for a moment, debating whether or not to follow her blindly. Solona was getting tired of being shuffled around, and she wanted some answers. Her mouth was open in protest, but from the serious look in Cassandra's blue eyes she felt that this woman was not one to be trifled with. Sighing in defeat, she nodded to the woman in understanding.

"See you around, Hero." Varric called after Amell as she was walking away. She could hear the smug smile in the tone of his voice.

Solona had to keep up with Cassandra's long strides. The woman was briskly walking towards a frozen lake. They passed a throng of soldiers practicing in a training area. Amell spared them a glance before continuing to walk forward.

Suddenly, the Seeker stopped walking and Solona almost bumped into her. Cassandra crossed her arms while looking at her pensively.

"Do you know who you are?" She questioned, leaving no room for argument.

"You already know my name." Solona stated in annoyance. She was tired of these games, and she wanted to know what was going on.

"Do you remember anything else?" The Seeker asked a little impatiently.

Well, it does not take much the set Cassandra off, Solona wanted to roll her eyes at the thought.

"No, it is still all a blank." Solona answered simply. There was no reason to make this woman mad. Besides, she didn't even know what else to say since she had no idea what the woman wanted to hear.

"Then, how did you know how to make potions?" Cassandra continued with her interrogation.

What is this the Inquisition? Solona thought in annoyance. She was tired of this constant questioning. She had been bombarded with questions since she woke up.

"I am not sure. It just came naturally." Amell answered in exasperation, pushing the hair out of her eyes.

"It is true then, you do not remember anything." The woman answered with a frown.

"What am I supposed to remember, exactly?" Solona asked in curiosity. Things were making a little sense for her, these people expected her to have answers when she had none to give.

"Who you are. The person we hoped you to be." Cassandra gaze softened when she looked at her with pity.

"What makes me so important?" Solona was pretty sure she had a confused look plastered on her face. She failed to see how remembering herself would help any situation.

"Look to the sky." Solona looked in the direction that Cassandra was pointing. There was a green swirling vortex in the sky. The clouds surrounding it made it look ominous. "We call it the Breach, a massive tear in the Veil that allows demons to exit from the Fade."

Solona returned her gaze to the Seeker and saw her looking at her with reverence.

"We attempted closing the Breach but we failed. Though, I can't say that it was a total failure since it brought you back with that mark." Amell looked to her left hand that glowed a faint green near the proximity of the Breach. "You are now Thedas' only hope in closing it." Cassandra stated with seriousness, causing Solona to look over at her in shock.

An overwhelming feeling of dread took over Amell. She barely knew who she was, yet she was roped into saving the world.

"How can I help the world if I am pretty helpless myself?" She questioned, taking a step back and her eyes looking for an opening to escape. Were these people getting ready to offer up as a sacrifice?

Cassandra stepped forward swiftly clutching both of Solona's shoulders, making her wonder what Cassandra was going to do to her. "You give yourself too little credit. The members of the Inquisition will help you every step of the way. I am here to help you train."

Cassandra took advantage of her confusion and shoved a sword in Solona's hand before she was able to protest.

"Let us begin." Cassandra instructed lifting up her sword.

Hours had passed after her training with Cassandra. Solona was left with so many cuts and bruises that were left untreated for long periods of time. To add to her pain and suffering, she was given to Solas to be trained by the man. This was not training but a boot camp.

"Are you serious? I am sore, Cassandra." Solona looked at Cassandra with a pout. Her muscles ached and she did not know how much more she could handle.

"We cannot wait, you must master your magic." Cassandra answered in earnest.

"How can I be a mage if we were practicing sword fighting? I don't see any other mages in this camp with swords." Solona pointed her sword at the group of mages with staves, leaning against the wall near the gates of Haven.

"We were informed that you were an Arcane Warrior. Magic wielders who can use swords in combat." Solas smiled in approval with his hands behind his back.

"I am assuming that it's a rare ability and hard to master?" She rubbed her eyes in disbelief. Her situation was complicated.

"It is an ancient specialization of my people. How you came across that knowledge is something that you have to remember yourself." She gawked at Solas. These people seemed to know all about her life story. She wished she did.

"Can someone please tell me how you seem to know all about me? I would appreciate not being kept in the dark." She pleaded.

Cassandra sighed at her request. "I am afraid we are not the best people to ask. Leliana knew you best; she was with you throughout during the Fifth Blight."

Solona wanted to interrupt but decided to let Cassandra continue.

"Also, Commander Cullen seems to know about you." Cassandra pointed at the stern Commander. His glaring brown eyes directed towards her direction seemed familiar, and the longer she stared she felt herself be drawn into a distant memory.

She must have been asleep that had to be a fact. Her eyes opened groggily through narrow slits from the lyrium induced sleep after her Harrowing.

The sound of metal footsteps echoed across the steps as she was being rocked back and forth from the person's stride who was carrying her. Lifting her head slightly, the silver armor reflected the candlelight of the Circle halls. Who was carrying her? Her muscles protested as she tried to lift her head higher. Brown eyes met hers-

Solas' soft voice broke her from her memory. "Are you alright? Did a memory come back?" His eyes looked at her with worry.

"I am fine and I think I did, nothing substantial though." She gave him a comforting smile while rubbing her eyes. She was going to confront Cullen once her training with Solas was over.

Solona Amell thought she would never meet someone that she disliked, but fate proved her wrong. Commander Cullen was a despicable man. Coming to him for answers was a serious mistake. Her responses to his questions seemed to agitate him.

How dare he accuse her at not trying her best? She knew that the fate of Thedas rested on her shoulders, and she did not run away from her duty. The more she continued to talk to him the more her memory began to make sense. He was a templar and templars hated mages. When she reminded him of this fact he egged her on for details, trying to humiliate her.

Cullen's hostile attitude fuelled her drive to prove him wrong. Victory would be sweet once she drove that smug grin from his face.

Leliana

Two weeks had passed since Solona awoke, and Leliana was concerned. The mage would get up at dawn to run laps, practice magic, and practice sword fighting with the practice dummies. The mage did not have time to find rest as she would spar with Cassandra, and soon afterwards, Solas would teach her. There had been some improvement but not enough that she was able to protect herself in the field.

Cullen would spare a glance at the mage and walk away while shaking his head. During Leliana's travels with Solona throughout the Blight, she remembered that Solona spoke quite fondly of the Commander. From Solona's tale, it was obvious that they were very much in love. Now whenever Cullen looked at the mage, he would look at her with pained contempt. Why was he treating her that way?

Her musings were cut short when Cassandra entered the war room, shutting the door behind her. Leliana looked around and noticed that Cullen and Josephine must have entered the War Room at some point.

Standing in attention, she revealed the reason why she called those present in the War Room to the meeting. "My scouts report that Mother Giselle wishes to speak with the Herald of Andraste."

"That means we have to send Amell out earlier than we planned." Cassandra sighed, rubbing her temples in disbelief.

"Have a little faith. You were so sure that she is Solona Amell. The Solona I knew would be able to handle it." Cullen mocked bitterly. He held up a clipboard to his face, but by the way he was gripping the clipboard Leliana could tell he was angry.

She threw Cullen a dark look at his comment. His attitude made sense. He did not believe that the Herald was Solona.

"So, you suggest sending her out in the field?" Leliana questioned with controlled anger.

Cullen lowered the clipboard and turned his attention to the Spymaster. "After she shows us the results of her training. If she can best a mage and a templar then we shall let her out." Cullen answered tactfully.

"Okay, we can find a mage and a templar and have her spar against them separately." The former bard offered her input to protect her friend from harm. The Commander gaze hardened at her suggestion.

"No, she would have to spar against them together."

"Together? Do you know what you are suggesting?" Cassandra could not hide her shock.

"She cannot be coddled forever. This is beside the point. The Hinterlands is a battleground between both mages and templars." He placed his finger on the map where there were pegs that represented the location of enemy mages and templars.

"If she walks into the middle of the fighting, do you think they will engage in one-on-one combat with her?" Cullen paused, staring at those present in the War room before continuing."Exactly, they will attack whoever they see. This test will show her what to expect in the Hinterlands." He returned his hand to the pommel of his sword, gripping it rather tightly.

"If we are going with your suggestion, then Solas and I will be the ones who will participate. We won't pick an unknown mage and templar she is not familiar with to humiliate her." Cassandra answered, earning a grateful smile from the bard.

"Ensure that she is ready on the morrow." Cullen informed before walking out the door.

Leliana had a horrible time sleeping. She did not know what was going to happen during the match. If Solona was not ready, then she would be injured. The Maker only knew the outcome of the demonstration.

Varric's voice broke her out of her reverie. "Don't you think it is a little harsh pitting her against Cassandra? Hero or not, the Seeker is relentless." Varric stated in concern.

"If we are to have any hope of closing the Breach, then this is a necessary evil." Cullen informed without looking at the dwarf.

"I know you Templars hate mages but this is a little harsh, even by your own standards." Varric answered while shaking his head.

"I am no longer a templar, Varric. And I don't hate mages." Cullen corrected with impatience. Leliana felt that Varric was touching a sore spot with Cullen. He may seem like he did not care, but his anger betrayed his emotions

"Could have fooled me. Hopefully, there is enough of the Hero left to save Thedas again. Curly, I hope you know what you're doing." Varric let out a frustrated sigh at Cullen's indifference to the dwarf's words.

Leliana's fist clenched in anger at Cullen's disregard to Solona's situation. She was actually thankful that her friend's memories have not returned because the mage would have been hurt by his admission.

"There is an audience?" Solona entered the forest clearing, regarding Varric, Cullen, and Leliana pensively. Solas and Cassandra stood beside her.

"There is a matter that has been brought to our attention. We cannot act until we know you are ready." Cullen answered her question.

"Ready?" The mage asked confused.

"You have practiced your skills within the last few weeks. This is a test of sorts to determine whether you could handle what lies beyond Haven's gates." Cullen gave her an assessing gaze while his hands were crossed in front of his chest.

"What sort of test is this?" Solona asked, frowning at the thought of yet another test.

"A combat test."

"Who will I be up against?' Solona looked at Solas and Cassandra as though she already knew the answer.

"Us." Cassandra confirmed, unsheathing her sword.

Cassandra's sword gleamed in the morning sun while Solas removed his staff from his back.

"Don't hold back. Show them the results of your training." Solas said with a hint of a smile.

"Both of you? I am not sure I am ready." Solona reasoned with apprehension.

"You are ready." Cassandra reassured with a small smile.

"Don't doubt yourself. After all, you are the Herald of Andraste." Solas teased with his snark.

The mage looked at Cullen's hard gaze and glared at him with a look of determination. Her displeased look was a sign that she was going to prove him wrong. Leliana's mood suddenly soured at the display.

Solona unsheathed her sword and looked at Solas and Cassandra warily. Both her opponents stared at her in turn. Solas made the first move. He slammed the end of his staff on the ground, causing the staff to reverberate. The ground beneath Solona's feet shook, causing the mage to let out a helpless yelp, as she dodged the fist made of stone that came out of the ground beneath her.

Solona did not have enough time to compose herself before Cassandra swung at her. Cassandra pressed relentlessly. Every time Cassandra's sword made contact with Solona's sword, the mage staggered from the force of the swing.

"This is not looking good." Varric commented with fear. The bard saw Solas rear his hand back, gathering mana to power his spell. His hand started to glow red with flames.

Cassandra broke contact with Solona when Solas threw a fireball in their direction, causing the mage to throw up a barrier recklessly to defend herself.

Boom!

Solona was knocked backwards. Despite the barrier, she fell to the ground as soon as the fireball had dissipated. Her barrier evaporated as soon as the flames had died down.

Solona huffed in irritation as she lifted herself from the ground and ran towards Cassandra. Cassandra raised an eyebrow at the mage's antics and lazily lifted her sword to block the mage's swings.

Cassandra lifted her shield to block Solona's final swing, and from the corner of the bard's eye she saw Cullen stiffen. Does he sense something that I don't? Leliana wondered.

Cassandra pushed Solona's sword away with her shield and lifted her sword in the air. Solona cried out as a blue pillar of light radiated from Cassandra. The bard used her forearm to protect her eyes from the holy templar ability. The blast from the spirit magic was enough to cause Solona to fly in the air, landing on the ground with a thud. The Warden painfully used her forearms to lift herself from the ground.

He cannot be okay with this, Leliana reasoned with apprehension, she spared a glance at Cullen and saw his jaw clenched.

"Do you give up?" Cassandra taunted.

"Surely, you can do better than that, Hero." Solas spat out the name to get the mage riled up.

Solona panted while picking her sword from the ground. She ran towards Solas with her sword trailing behind her.

She swung down vertically at him, reacting to this Solas raised his staff to shield him from the blow.

"My mana," He clenched his teeth, falling to his knees. His arms were shaking as the mana was being ripped from him. Leliana smiled. Her Spirit Magic has returned to her.

In the past, Solona used her magic to steal the magical energy from her mage opponents, and she used it in such a way that many would never consider.

"So, her spirit magic has finally manifested." Cullen mused with a puzzled expression.

Cassandra stood behind Solona, holding her sword near the mage's neck.

"It's over. Do you yield?" Cassandra demanded, pressing her sword closer to Solona's neck.

Solona regarded the Seeker's sword from the corner of her eye. "No." She said in defiance.

Solona suddenly disappeared in a shroud, leaving Cassandra's sword hovering in the air.

"What kind of magic is that?" The Commander asked in shock.

Leliana smiled at the familiar ability. "That's the Arcane Warrior specialization." She answered with a smile.

The air began to crackle with electricity as an electric ball formed in Solona's hand. The Warden feigned throwing the ball at Solas, causing him to throw up a wall of earth for protection.

Cassandra fell to her knees as the electricity shocked her nerves, but the spell did not stop as it forked from Cassandra's armor and hit Solas in his back.

The elf fell face forward on the ground because of his loss of balance.

"I am so sorry!" Solona ran towards Cassandra and Solas as her magic retreated into nothingness. Solona tried to help her two defeated foes back onto their feet.

"That was better than I expected." Solas complimented with a smirk and a twitch of pain. "I see that the Arcane Warrior specialization has awakened."

His response caused Solona to frown. "I-I am not sure I could repeat what happened…" Solona answered, bowing her head in dejection.

"Your experience in the field will make you remember. Do not worry." The elf answered, giving Solona a reassuring squeeze on her shoulder.

"For a second there, Elementa, I thought your ass was almost handed to you." Varric complimented her with a cheerful pat on the back.

"Solona, that reminded me of old times." Leliana cheerfully provided her input.

"Commander, what do you think? She did just beat us." Solas looked at the Commander for approval.

"That was adequate." The former bard stared at the Commander in disbelief. "At least, we know that you will not die out there." He regarded Solona with a blank look.

Cassandra looked at Cullen with a scowl and turned her gaze to the Warden. "Come, let's return to camp. We will meet in the War Room later on to discuss the next course of action."

Leliana glared at Cullen's retreating back. She was going to have a long talk with the Commander and give him a piece of her mind.

Cullen

All he knew was that he had to get away from the mage, who wore his love's face. Throughout the fight, he felt guilty for putting her through the ordeal. Watching her fall was a reminder of his inability to help Solona in the past. Shaking his head, he reminded himself that the Solona in the past was dead. It was easier to distance himself than to think of her differently. Now, he had to face her in the War Room later on. He walked up to the Haven Chantry and saw Leliana leaning casually against a stone wall supporting a scone.

He nodded to her in greeting, and she quickly caught up to his stride.

"Commander, a word." From her tone, it was a demand and not a request. He could not help but wonder what the former bard wanted.

Her strides were fast, and he could barely keep up with her when he followed her into the prisons. The door shut behind him as he walked into the middle of the room with no sign of the bard. Before he had a chance to turn around, he felt a cold metal kiss on his neck. The force of the dagger was enough to draw a little amount of blood. If she pressed a little harder he'd be at the Maker's side.

"I don't know what your problem is, Commander, but it needs to stop." The spymaster hissed into his ear.

"I don't know what you are talking about?" Cullen rasped out. He realized that Leliana was angry, but at what? Him? What did he do to incur Leliana's wrath? His hand inched towards his sword and Leliana did not miss the movement as she pressed a little harder.

"I can forgive the fact that you had Solona spar against Cassandra and Solas. But-But your attitude towards her needs to go." Leliana warned, feeling her hot breath in his ear.

"Attitude? You are a spy, and you should know the dangers of emotions. Do you expect the bandits, templars and mages in the Hinterlands will go easy on her? The Herald needs to understand the reality of the situation." Cullen yelled, justifying his actions.

"She has a name. It's Solona!" She reminded him as her voice became dangerously low. "I have already lost much within these ten years. Now that we have Solona back, I intend to protect her. Even if it means from you." She spoke darkly.

"Me?" Cullen asked incredulously.

"This façade you are wearing is hurting her. I saw these past few weeks she would get up early from dawn until dusk to the point of exhaustion for training."

Cullen felt his breath involuntary hitch. He remembered a time when he watched over a mage during her training in the tower, she had begun to learn how to heal. She would spend hours putting her heart and soul into the spell, trying to get the spell to work. Every time he watched her, he would smile at her proudly at her determination to not give up.

"You have the nerve to say that she is adequate. What happened to the Cullen she told me about? A templar who would ensure she blossomed to her full potential by telling her not to give up, instead of saying her best is not good enough." Leliana mocked.

"Stay out of our business." Cullen stated in anger. Could it be that she was Solona? The way she swung her blade, was how he taught her in the past.

"Solona Amell is my business. One of these days she will get herself killed trying to prove you wrong. I saw that look in her eye after you spoke down to her. "She recounted her observation. "Commander or no, if you break her heart or she dies, I will end you." She threatened with dark promise, removing the dagger from his neck and pushed him away.

The door slamming alerted Cullen that she left the room. Cullen clutched his neck to clean up the small amount of blood that seeped out of the tiny wound on his neck. Leliana seemed to be a woman of faith and she believed that the mage was Solona. Her threat was confirmation of her faith.

He wished that his own faith was strong. Lately, his faith had been shaken thanks to Knight-Commander Meredith's madness, the Conclave exploding with extremely strong and unknown magic, and now…

He shook his head at his own beliefs. He would have to worry about them later since he had a meeting in the War Room to attend.

"Leliana are you alright?" He heard Cassandra question from outside the door.

"I will be fine." The bard reassured. He sighed and opened the door, and took his place between Leliana and Josephine on the other side of the War Table.

"Now that we are here, I believe introductions are in order." Cassandra began while looking at the mage.

"Solona, these are the advisors to the Inquisition. Josephine works with diplomatic affairs." She gestured to the Antivan, wearing a gold dress.

"Your reputation has proceeded you. It is a pleasure to meet you at last." Josephine curtsied politely, earning a small smile from the mage.

"Commander Cullen," He noticed that she was not looking in his direction and she stiffened when Cassandra mentioned his name. "As you have met is in charge of the training of the Inquisition's forces."

"How are you feeling?" He asked softly. Leliana looked at him, she was trying to mask the shock on her face, and she was failing. Solona also looked taken aback.

"I-I am a little sore. But I should be fine." She answered still looking at him curiously.

For a long time, there was nothing but silence in the War Room. Cullen could hear all the priests outside singing the Chant of Light, the pilgrims joining their voices to theirs in hope that the Maker would hear them and return to save them in this world gone mad.

"Oh and lastly, Leliana. She is our Spymaster." Cassandra said to break the awkward silence.

"Tactfully put, Cassandra." Leliana said with a subtle dissatisfaction at how Cassandra introduced her to her former best friend.

"A spy then. That explains the hooded cloak and dagger look." Solana observed with a grin

"Good to see you have not lost your dry sense of humor, Solona." Leliana answered with a smirk.

Cullen could not help but smile at the joke, but was starting to feel guilty on how he treated to mage. These little things were reminding him of the past. But his mind began to lurch back, he needed further proof, he still couldn't believe that his woman was the Solona Amell from his past. It could easily be a demon. A demon who may have been responsible for the Conclave explosion.

A part of him was afraid that he too, was falling into the same madness that struck Knight-Commander Meredith. I'll not be that. I cannot. I have a duty. A duty!

Cullen was snapped back from his thoughts as Solona began to speak. "What an impressive group with many skills. I am a little anxious being in your company." Solona stated incredulously.

A knock resounded on the door. "Come in." Cassandra beckoned.

"Sister Nightingale," A scout bowed."Sorry to bother you, but here is the report you wanted without delay."

Leliana's eyes scanned the contents of the report before frowing."That's odd. Originally, I was informed that the mages were in Redcliffe, but now they are in Denerim. I guess things can change within a few weeks."

"We are going to go that route?" Cullen asked with disapproval. He did not like approaching the mages for help. Allowing untrained mages in Haven's walls would permit abominations to destroy the Inquisition from the inside.

"Her mark needs more power to close the Breach for good." Cassandra reasoned, causing Cullen to step forward in protest.

"I was a templar. I know what templars are capable of. They could help close the Breach. Look, if too much power goes into the mark it may kill us. The templars will use their abilities to suppress the Breach and weaken it-"

"You are only assuming Commander. "Leliana interrupted Cullen coldly.

"Neither group will speak to us." Josephine reminded them all as she was looking through the contents of her clipboard for information. "We already know that Chancellor Roderick has condemned the Inquisition. They warned Solona to not go to Val Royeaux."

"Why?" Solona questioned taken aback. Cullen could see genuine fear in her eyes.

"Your return has scared the surviving Chantry clerics." Leliana informed.

"They have begun to call us necromancers." Cassandra reminded with obvious distaste.

"They are too busy worrying about us, than they are about picking a new Divine?" Cullen scoffed. The Chantry seemed to be losing their priorities these days.

"Some are calling you Solona Amell, The Hero of Ferelden, the Herald of Andraste. That frightens the Chantry because you died ten years ago." Josephine recounted the rumors that were going around.

"I died?" Solona asked with shock. The hurt look on Solona's face made Cullen compelled to comfort her but he decided not to act. If he did, it would show weakness. Weakness he could not afford to show anyone.

"Yes, exactly ten years ago." Leliana confirmed with a soft voice.

"The remaining clerics have declared it blasphemy, and calls us heretics for starting the rumor and necromancers for summoning you." Josephine finished, with her mouth settling in a grim line.

"We already know we have Chancellor Roderick to thank for those rumors." Cassandra reasoned with anger.

"Since we cannot approach either faction, our options are limited." Josephine answered with a sigh.

"How am I the Herald of Andraste?" Solona was still reeling in the news.

"A revered hero who came back from the dead stabilized the breach. They have also heard of the woman seen in the Rift when we first found Edmund Tullius. They believed that woman was Andraste and used him to deliver you from the Fade. His disappearance was a sign that you are Andraste's champion." Cassandra retold the story that she heard for the last couple of weeks.

"Where exactly did he go?" Solona asked bemused.

"He was trapped in the Fade and you came out." Cassandra shook her head at the memory.

"We are not stopping that view from spreading because people are looking for a sign of hope. You are that sign." Leliana instructed those in the room before her gaze was landed on the mage. "A chantry cleric by the name of Mother Giselle has asked to speak with you."

"Wait, you just said she was from the Chantry. Why would she want to help us out?" Solona asked in disbelief.

"She is not unreasonable." Cassandra commented.

"Look for her tending to the wounded near Redcliffe." Leliana informed while crossing her arms over her chest.

"Alright, if we are going to settle this thing, I must depart right away." Solona Amell answered with determination. Cullen felt his heart fill with pride watching the mage readily take the role as leader.

"Please be safe, Solona." Leliana gave the mage a hug.

"I'll try." Solona answered with a small smile before directing her gaze towards Cullen.

He nodded in her direction, causing her to look at him warily. This mage was proving him wrong, and he was starting to hate himself for the way he had been treating her. He was going to need Solas' help to put his troubled mind at rest.

AN: I want to thank Melissa , Kyla Baines, lawrara, Pegg, and Adrienne Valentine for their reviews for the story so far.

This story is going to be far from Canon. I am changing events dramatically throughout this story.

Sorry for the long wait. I will try and get the next chapter up after I finish chapter 6 of my other Amel/Cullen story. It is 60% done.