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Rook opened his eyes to the sound of soft singing coming from the next room in their little two-room cabin. He could only hear every other word but it sounded like a Dalish love song he had read in the lighthouse library. A happy squawk sounded, and the song quickly ended. "Shush boy, Rook's still trying to sleep," he heard Davrin scold gently. Rook sat up on the bed, the sun was shining in through the window warming the bed where his feet rested. The sound of the water rushing along the nearby riverbed gave him a strong sense of calm and safety that he had grown accustomed to.

The door to the bedroom slowly creaked open and Davrin peaked his head in. "Did he wake you?"

"No actually I heard this beautiful spirit singing, I must have been dreaming," Rook smiled and Davrin smirked back.

"Yeah um, musta been," Davrin looked away before grinning at him. Rook could see the tips of his ears going a little more red than usual. "You hungry?"

"Quite actually," said Rook sliding to stand.

"No no, don't get up." Davrin backed into the room pushing the door open with his back to him. He was shirtless the sun hitting him giving his skin an almost golden glow. He turned slowly to reveal two plates of food. "Eggs, toast, fruit. Breakfast in bed?" Davrin sat a plate in Rook's lap then climbed over him with his own in hand careful not to spill it.

"What's the special occasion?" asked Rook looking the plate over.

"Do I need one?" Davrin leaned over and kissed Rook on the cheek. "Eat up." Davrin settled on the bed next to him when there was suddenly a soft coo from the doorway. Davrin had taught Assan to wait until he was invited into the room before entering.

"Come on in boy, it's okay," said Rook. Assan calmly walked into the room and curled up on the bed at their feet. Rook gave him a grape from his plate before taking one for himself. "You're getting big boy, we're going to need a bigger bed."

"We'll get him his own when the time comes." Davrin crunched on a piece of toast.

"Has there been any word on where we should head next?" asked Rook. He and Davrin had been clearing out the remaining darkspawn across Tevinter. After the events around the gods most of the blight around Minrathous itself had died off but outside, though it was weaker, it remained a problem.

"Actually, it's been pretty quiet. Finish up and we'll take Assan for a walk. Get a little fresh air in that field he likes so much." Davrin caressed the back of Rook's head, leaned in and kissed him.

Rook felt a bit of joy come over him, he could use a day to just relax! It didn't take long to finish their plate. Davrin put a shirt on and Rook got dressed in his Warden Fatigues before leaving the cabin.

"Don't get too far ahead now boy!" Davrin called as Assan immediately took to the air. A happy squawk was his reply. "You can fly all you want once we get there." Davrin walked up beside Rook and took his hand as they walked. "Have you been sleeping better?" he asked.

Nightmares had been a problem since they defeated Elgar'nan, he barely made it through the night without reliving the moments leading up to Ghilan'nain's death. Rook thought of both Varric and Harding often, the latter being the worst of the two. "I wouldn't say it's better, but last night was okay. When did you get up this morning?"

"Just after sun up, I needed to get wood for the fire to cook that breakfast." Davrin smiled at him.

"Which was very good by the way. I appreciate it." Rook felt Davrin's grip on his hand tighten as they walked.

The sun was warm, the breeze was fresh and the forest trail they walked on was quiet. It was a beautiful day to be outside and with the person Rook loved the most. He glanced over at Davrin who flashed him a smile. Rook looked down at his feet as they walked and Davrin took the moment to snake his arm around his waist. Davrin seemed to know exactly what Rook wanted him to do, the nightmares often left him feeling emotionally drained. He needed the closeness and Davrin always picked up on that.

"Still love you."

"I love you too, Davrin." A jealous squawk echoed in the trees above. "I love you too Assan!" Rook called out getting another happy squawk as an answer and Davrin laughed.

"I see how it is!" Davrin beamed at Rook and kissed him, and they walked on in silence.

It wasn't long before they reached their destination the cabin wasn't very far from the field. They had come here often because it was plenty open, giving Assan lots of space to fly. It was likely to be an old farm plot given the old foundation just at the edge and remnants of an old fence that stuck out of the ground at certain spots around the edges. Rook laid back in the short grass with his hands behind his head and watched as Assan soared through the open sky while Davrin tossed sticks in the air for him to catch.

"Nice catch boy!" Davrin laughed. "You're getting good at that one. I'll have to start mixing it up for you a bit." Anytime they did this Davrin would use a series of repetitive throws and items for Assan to try and catch or grab. Sometimes he'd throw high or low, testing Assan's reflexes and speed. "Whoo boy, I'm gonna sit with Rook for a while, stay in the meadow!" Assan let out a squawk and then dove at the ground before swooping up again. "Let him tire himself out for a bit." Davrin walked over to where Rook was in the grass and laid down beside him propping himself up on his elbow.

"He'll nap well this afternoon anyway," said Rook.

"This is a good day Rook," said Davrin.

"I was thinking the same thing."

Davrin laid down beside him in the same position, Rook took the initiative and rolled over to lay his head on Davrin's shoulder with an arm across his chest. Davrin put an arm around him and Rook could feel his fingers finding their way just under his shirt to be against his skin. Rook adjusted to lay there on Davrin's chest listening to his breathing and his heartbeat, he felt a certain peace wash over him. He brought his hand up to Davrin's smooth face and cupped his cheek, sliding a thumb across. Rook felt Davrin's face shift into a smile before he looked up at him, their eyes meeting briefly before looking at each others' lips. Rook pulled Davrin into a kiss, the warmth of his lips sending a shiver through Rooks' body just as it had done that day in Arlathan Forest, much like the first time they kissed. Davrin tightened his grip around him and the kiss slowly became more passionate, Davrin caressing Rook's face.

"We could you know…" whispered Davrin huskily. "Right here."

"I know we could…" They smiled at each other and Rook climbed on top of him pulling his shirt over his head and tossing it to the side. Davrin sat up and took his shirt off laying it underneath him before laying back down and giving Rook a smoldering stare. Rook leaned down and cupped Davrin's face in his hands as he kissed him, feeling Davrin's hands move up his legs and resting on his hips. Assan let out a call that they both ignored, tied up in the moment. Rook ran his hands down Davrin's chest and abdomen slowly untying the loop on his pants. Assan let out another squawk.

"It's okay boy," called Davrin, "There's nothing to…" Davrin realized Assan was trying to warn them something was approaching. He looked up in time to see that someone had come up behind them. "Rook look out!" Davrin did his best to push Rook to the side without hurting him and jumped to his feet pulling a dagger from the sheath in his boot. "Who are you and what're you doing here?" Assan hit the ground between them and took up an aggressive posture. Rook had gotten to his feet and a fireball was growing in his hand, quickly. Davrin assessed the person before him, the young man wearing Grey Warden colours instantly took a submissive stance putting his hands in up in front of him. Realizing it was a Grey Warden scout, Davrin sheathed his blade, Rook and Assan following his lead.

"Warden's Davrin and Rook. My apologies, I didn't mean to intrude. Antoine and Evka sent me," said the young man.

"Antoine and Evka?" Davrin sheathed his dagger and Rook and Assan both relaxed. "Is everything okay? What'd they need?"

"They wanted me to bring word to you that the blight around Tearstone Island has weakened," said the scout as he watched Rook putting his shirt back on.

"Tearstone Island?" said Rook passing Davrin his shirt. Davrin looked back at Rook seeing the immediate reaction in his eyes. "Harding." Rook took a breath and looked at the ground before looking up at Davrin and then at the scout. "Did they find her?"

"No, but the area she was last seen, we think we might be able to get a small team to it now."

Davrin knew that Rook needed closure, that he felt responsible for what happened to Lace Harding. They had looked briefly before, but no one ever found a body. "What's your name Warden?" asked Davrin as he slid his shirt back on.

"Warden Vincent, it's an honour to meet both of you," said the scout. "The Heroes of Minrathous…"

"Just two of them." Assan let out a squawk and bumped into Davrin. "Sorry three of them. Tell Evka and Antoine thank you. We'll head there tomorrow and see what we can find."

"Won't you need support? They told me to accompany you," said Vincent.

"No, I won't put anyone else in danger. Even with the blight weakened there's likely to be unforeseen dangers. Davrin and I have been there before, we know each other's strengths and weaknesses…" said Rook trailing off.

Davrin looked back at him before reaching out to take his hand. Rook had left a lot of trauma back on that island. The loss of Lace, and finding out that Varric had died along with being pulled into the fade thinking he'd never see his friends or him again. "Vincent, head back to Antoine and Evka. Tell them we will send for them if we need support," explained Davrin.

"Alright sir, if you say so." They watched as the scout slowly turned and walked away.

Rook fell to a knee and started gasping. "Davrin," he gasped.

"Rook it's okay." Assan positioned himself to be sitting right in front of Rook nuzzling his face and Davrin knelt with him. Assan let out a soft coo. "We're with you, we'll get through this." Davrin knew that a combination of the lack of sleep and not having had the proper time to grieve their losses was taking its toll on Rook. When Rook got out of the prison, they had been thrust into the battle for Minrathous and against Elgar'nan. They had been slowly working through it, but it was taking time. Rook put an arm around each of them and Davrin could tell his breathing was calming. "See, just breathe we're not going anywhere." Davrin ran a comforting hand over the back of his lover's head before slowly massaging his back. "We love you." Assan let out a happy cooing sound and nuzzled closer to Rook wrapping his wings around him and Davrin.

"Thank you Davrin, Assan," Rook pulled back and looked at them each before meeting Davrin's gaze. "I don't know how I'd get through any of this without the two of you."

"Come on, let's get back to the cabin and get our gear together. We'll head out tomorrow morning," said Davrin. He got to his feet and pulled Rook up with him and kissed him on the forehead. Rook nodded and they started back to the cabin with Assan flying overhead.

It didn't take long for them to get back to the cabin and went to work getting their gear from the large chest in the back room. Rook grabbed his 'Scorch Staff' from its brace on the wall while Davrin grabbed his 'Warden's Shell' and 'Blight Killer' from the nearby display case. Rook opened the chest and picked up his 'Garb of Kinship' before laying it out on the bed. As Davrin examined his sword and shield Rook looked at Davrin's armor that was underneath his when he pulled it out.

"Did you want your 'Monster Leathers' or 'Winged Cape'?" asked Rook.

"Give me the leathers. Good chance we'll be fighting Darkspawn. I don't wanna be slowed down by all the plate."

Rook smiled as he laid out the monster leathers on the bed, remembering the first time he saw Davrin and instantly falling for him.

"What?" asked Davrin stopping what he was doing and looking at Rook.

"Nothing." Rook knew that Davrin was playing coy. They had had that discussion over the last few weeks at some point.

"How's the staff feel?" Davrin tested the grip on his shield and held his sword in hand. It had been a couple of weeks since their last monster hunt.

"Still feels alive." Rook tapped against the floor and swung it around a bit when the top ignited in blue flame. Davrin smiled at him. "Your shield grip stay tight?" Rook calmed the flame on his staff and sat it against the wall.

"Might need a bit of a readjustment but it'll be good."

"We need anything else? I've still got some healing potions in my bag." Davrin picked up his rucksack and Rook could hear a couple of bottles clinking.

"No, I think we're good. I've got some rations prepared for us in storage that we can bring." Rook scratched his head and looked at Davrin. "You should let me braid your hair. Don't want anything to take the opportunity to grab a handful."

Rook smiled at the suggestion, he had been leaving his hair out lately but usually had it done in corn rows. It was nice not having to do it himself anymore. "I was just thinking the same thing."

"Let's go outside. May as well enjoy the rest of the day." Davrin laid his sword and shield against the bed and the two of them went outside. There was a tree stump right next to the cabin, Davrin sat down on it and Rook sat in front of him. Rook took a deep breath as Davrin began the process of separating his hair, Rook could tell that Davrin had experience braiding but didn't ask where from. The motion of his fingers over his scalp and the firm gentleness that followed as he braided helped Rook feel at ease. "That's it, just close your eyes and relax," said Davrin quietly as he worked. Rook listened to Davrin and let him work closing his eyes and feeling a certain serenity come over him. Davrin began humming something quietly and Rook quickly recognized it as the song he was singing earlier that morning.

"There's that singing again," whispered Rook, "Seems I only ever hear it when I close my eyes." Davrin let out a small sigh and the humming stopped for a moment. Rook thought for a moment that he had upset Davrin when he felt a tender kiss on the side of his forehead.

"Ar aravas tel' enfenim," Davrin sang and Rook couldn't help but smile to himself. "Mala lath ma ghilana." Davrin massaged Rook's scalp a bit as he sang having just given a bit of a harsh pull. "Ma lasa sulahn'nehn shiral, Dirthava mala vhenan." Rook was almost scared to open his eyes but tilted his head to meet Davrin's gaze. "Mir lath banal din'an, vhenan, Mala samahl na sulah." Rook wasn't fully versed in Dalish, but he picked up on some of the meaning. Promise me your heart. "Mala elgar na Elgara, Mala lath na enansal." Your love is a blessing. Davrin had continued to braid Rook's hair as he sang. "Ma atish'an, ma haminan, Ma lasa sulevin Shiral." Rook laid his head back and let Davrin work and closed his eyes again. "Ar lasa ma bellanaris. Ar lasa ma mir vhenan." I give you eternity. I give you my heart. Assan swooped down somewhere close to them and Rook could feel him curl up beside him, resting his head on Rook's thigh. "Ara dar mala atish'an, Ara dar mala hamin, Ar dirthavara mir vhenan. Ir mala bellanaris." Davrin sang, Rook, picking up every other line. I will be your peace. I promise my heart. "In sulahn la in somniar Var lath banal din'an. Var lath vir suledin, vhenan, Ar lath ma, bellanaris!" Davrin's voice fluctuated a bit in the final words and Rook could tell he was being emotional at the final words. Our love will endure, my heart. I love you eternally.

"That was beautiful Davrin." Rook stayed still as Davrin worked on his braids but reached up behind him to touch his face and could feel a bit of dampness on the man's cheek. The two of them stayed silent but Davrin kissed Rook's palm as he worked. Rook knew that Davrin thought of himself as a fearless warrior as did everyone else. Over the last few months, Rook would get these glimpses of a tender loving elf under all that armour and his tough exterior and Davrin wasn't afraid to show him that. Davrin continued to work in silence. The rest of the day passed rather quickly as they finalized their preparations and packed for the journey ahead of them. They had gone to bed early that night just after sundown to prepare to be up early the next day. They had discussed reaching out to the rest of the Veilguard but thought it best to not involve the others. Rook didn't want to get Taash's hopes up knowing that they had lost so much during their time together.

"Hey, kid. What're you doin' back here?"

Rook opened his eyes the cold stone pressed against his face. He stood up quickly and looked around. Confused at first about where he was but it didn't take long to realize. "The prison…" Rook had been having nightmares, but this felt somehow real. He didn't feel like he was sleeping. "Davrin!" he called out, his voice echoing through the emptiness around him. "How?" Rook's mind started swimming with possibilities, did he get out at all? Did the gods win and he had been trapped in the fade all this time? Was everything that he and Davrin had done just a trick of the fade?

"I did everything for you Rook, whatever it took!" Harding yelled.

"Harding is that…" He was suddenly hanging upside down he looked to see a stone statue of Ghilan'nain hanging much like when they fought, he tried to smash the stone bond with his free foot trying not to see the frozen moment in front of him. "No, not again!" He looked ahead of him to see Harding's final moment in stone. Rook's body almost went limp as he hung there he could feel the tears in his eyes as he looked at her. "I'm sorry Lace, I couldn't save you! I'm so sorry!"

"You didn't even try!" her voice clapped back.

"That's not true!" Rook cried out! Suddenly the whole statue turned to smoke, and he was dropped to the ground. He felt no pain but a crippling tightness in his chest.

"Why do you deserve to be here more than her!" he heard Taash's voice call.

"Kid, you're not supposed to be here." Varric's voice echoed around him and suddenly the dwarf knelt beside him. "We had this discussion already don't you remember?"

"I know Varric, I just can't shake the guilt, dammit!" Rook's emotion came to a head he had been angry when found out that Solas killed Varric and let him believe he was alive the whole time. He didn't have time to grieve like Neve and Harding who just knew the whole time. "I don't even know if I got out of this place or not!"

Davrin woke up to Rook tossing and turning in his sleep, he turned to face him having rolled away from him on the warm night and could tell that he was sweating. Davrin sat up in the bed and put a hand on Rook's shoulder. He could hear him murmuring in distress. He knew he heard his name at least once and then Varric's. "Rook," Davrin spoke softly at first, "Rook, wake up you're having a nightmare. You're safe." Assan who slept at the foot of the bed on the floor perked up and looked at them the moonlight illuminated the room enough for him to see. Davrin got to his knees on the bed stood over Rook and shook him until he opened his eyes. "Rook!"

"Davrin?" Rook sat up quickly threw his arms around Davrin and immediately started crying into his shoulder.

"It's okay. It's just us, safe in the cabin," Davrin comforted rubbing a gentle hand across Rook's back.

"I dreamt I was back in Solas' prison," he cried. "Davrin I don't know if I can go on like this. I feel like I can't even trust my mind."

"Rook…" Davrin paused. "Kalen, you were trapped in there for weeks. In a prison made to contain twisted gods. You can't be expected to just be okay."

"Weeks? No, it was only a few hours," Rook's voice was somewhat frantic.

Davrin could tell Rook was still confused from the nightmare they had had this discussion before. "No, it was weeks and with Emmrich's and Bellara's expertise we were able to get you out of there."

"How do I know that though?" Rook cried and pulled back from Davrin's arms to look at him. "How do I know that I ever got out of there? How can I tell that any of this is real? That the fade just isn't showing me what I want to see to keep me from going insane," exclaimed Rook, "Or worse I have gone insane and my mind is making this whole thing up to protect itself."

Davrin wasn't sure what else to do so he took his lover's hands and placed them on his face. "Do you remember what I said right after you got out and told me you thought you'd never see my face again?" he asked. "It's still right here." Davrin could see a doubt in Rook that he hadn't seen since that day on Tearstone Island. "I'll admit, I don't know much about the fade or any of that magic stuff. But there has to be some things that it can't recreate. Emmrich and even you told me that the fade is a reflection of this world. The details would have to be different right?" Rook's eyes turned down and then met Davrin's again. "You remember my face." Davrin ran Rook's thumb around the vallaslin on his chin. "My vallaslin…" He guided Rook's thumb over the scar on his cheek then his eyebrow. "My scars." He kissed Rook's hand. "My lips…" Davrin smiled at Rook. "Could the fade really get all that right?"

"Probably not."

Davrin could see the doubt fading.

"The fade doesn't do anything perfect. You're perfect," Rook huffed.

"Hey now," Davrin laughed feeling his face flush and suddenly glad that it was dark.

"I'm sorry Davrin, I know these outbursts can't be easy to deal with." Davrin smiled as Rook's hands fell to his sides resting his hands on his knees.

"That doesn't matter, I'm here for you, you know that."

"Maybe after we get this dealt with, I'll have a chat with Emmrich, maybe he'll have some answers on how to deal with death," said Rook.

"We'll go together."

Rook leaned in and kissed Davrin on the cheek before getting off the bed. "What time is it? I don't know about you, but I don't think I'm getting back to sleep tonight," Rook stood in the window and looked outside. "Sun up's not far off. Should we just get on the road?"

"I'm rested enough," Davrin stood up off the bed and grabbed his Monster Leathers, "What about you boy?" Assan jumped up and let out a happy squawk. "Well, he's ready to go. I say let's do it."

Davrin got into his gear and helped Rook with his Garb of Kinship, they each grabbed their rucksacks and using the Eluvian network at the lighthouse it wasn't long before they were on a rowboat heading to Tearstone Island. They were on the final approach to the shoreline; the sun was just starting to peak over the horizon. Assan flew overhead slightly ahead of them but circled back when he got too far. The island itself had a couple of torches in different places but mostly they could tell they were kept alive by elven magic.

"Looks pretty quiet," whispered Rook.

"I can't tell if that's a bad thing or a good thing." The last time they had come here the taint had Davrin's sense for the blight burning like a wildfire, even at this distance. This time he could barely sense it. "Can you feel the blight yet?"

"Barely. Certainly not like last time."

Davrin caught a glimpse of some movement on the shore. He was pretty sure he could see just a couple of ghouls skittering around with at least one greater Hurlock. "Looks like they're here, can you hit them from here with a spell or two? Take them by surprise."

Rook smiled at Davrin and stood up. "Keep the boat steady."

Rook took his staff in hand and Davrin watched as he moved his free hand in a motion along with his staff. In one quick motion, Rook thrust his hand away from him and slammed his staff on the floor of the boat, causing the small craft to rock a bit. A large ball of fire came crashing down on the darkspawn that had gathered together almost perfectly, the two smaller ones turning to ash instantly and the bigger one setting on fire seemed to fly into a fit of rage slamming its weapon on the ground and looking around to find the source of the attack.

"Nice shot Rook." They watched as they got closer, and the creature fell to the ground in flames. The death of the darkspawn seemed to wake something up as they both sensed the blight flare up. "Shit seems like that woke it up though."

"I feel it too." Rook sat back down on the boat, and they began rowing faster to get to shore. It wasn't long before the boat ran ashore and Davrin jumped out to pull the boat up on the sand, Rook got out on the other side to help, and they carried the boat inland off the beach so it wouldn't get swept away. Assan landed and walked alongside them. "I don't imagine things will stay quiet for too long. We should hurry. Let's head to the Stronghold Summit, we should see if we can get into the cave from there." Davrin nodded and they each unsheathed their weapons.

"I'll take point," Davrin assured. "Assan get up there and let us know if you see anything coming our way," Assan grunted and took to the air again. They proceeded into the ruin and as they continued on Assan stayed ahead of them but often perched on the structures overhead. Davrin was proud of him, he had learned to move almost completely silent overhead.

As they walked Davrin was at the ready sword and shield in hand and Rook was ready to throw a spell at the first thing that moved. They could feel the blight all around them, the whispers had gotten louder and continued to grow as they moved into the ruins. As they continued on more and more signs of the blight became visible. The fleshy pustules and wet black tentacles wrapped around most of the stone structures and covered most of the area except the path they walked through.

"It's odd to see this much blight and not see any actual darkspawn. Where are they all at?" asked Davrin.

"The scout did say the blight had weakened. Maybe Evka and Antoine had a team come and clear them out," Rook speculated. Davrin didn't respond they kept walking coming to a large patch of blight boils blocking their way. "This wasn't here before."

"So, it is still growing," Davrin noted. The two of them had several discussions about whether the blight would disappear from the world now that the Evanuris were dead. Davrin had hoped that Solas was lying or wrong about the blight not being stopped. Davrin looked at Rook as Assan let out a quick warning squawk. "Great." Davrin held up his sword and shield and took a few steps back, they could suddenly sense the darkspawn coming to life behind the mass and there were a lot of them.

"I'll get it. Be ready," Rook held up his staff and let loose a beam of fire as Davrin nodded at him. The boils burst from the fire and as the barrier came down they could see several dark spawn turning their attention to them. Rook spun his staff in the air letting loose several small fire bolts and killing some of the small ghouls. Davrin jumped in knocking a couple with his shield as he let out a battle cry. Rook followed him into battle and pushed through the opening they had created sending an Arcane Shot into the mass ahead of them.

"They've got us at range!" yelled Davrin pointing out the four Hurlocks at range readying a spear to throw in their direction.

"Get ready!" Rook yelled out as he slammed his staff to the ground sending an Ice Blast at the one about to throw. "Davrin now!" Davrin put his sword in the air as he smacked a nearby ghoul with his shield.

"Assan go!" Assan let out a shriek as he dove at the target shrouded in flames. The two elements reacted to one another causing a reaction from within the fade the ensuing explosion killing the target and injuring several others. "Good work Rook! We have to find the boils." Davrin slashed another target close to him, and several smaller darkspawn began crawling out of the ground beneath his feet.

"Davrin look out!" Rook felt the cold move through his body as he pulled it from the fade and threw it out in a Frost Nova around him. Freezing everything between him and Davrin. Rook ran and grabbed onto him using a fade step to take them several feet away. Assan dove into several of the frozen targets shattering them.

"I'll never get used to that!" The two of them quickly got to their feet. "Assan get the hell up there!" Assan jumped back into the air and Davrin swung his sword through the rest of the smaller targets with a Heroic Strike. "Find the boil boy!" Assan let out a shriek and dove at a seemingly random location they could hear a boil explode as Assan flew back up into the sky.

"Watch out for ranged attacks!" Davrin used his shield to deflect a spear before running at the creature that threw it. He jumped into the air and brought his sword down piercing the creature's chest. "Keep going they're almost done!" he yelled.

Rook called down a Meteor on the last two ranged attackers when they heard something roar from behind them. "Oh shit, Ogre!" yelled Rook as he turned to see the hideous beast come from a large boil on the wall accompanied by two greater Hurlocks. The creature started barrelling down on him.

"Get outta there!" As Davrin yelled Rook fade stepped several times to get out of its reach but the creature kept coming. Rook swung his staff at the creature letting out a couple of flames that landed their target but it still didn't stop.

"Davrin! I can't keep this up!" Rook fade stepped again giving up on attacking, as the creature seemed to be going berserk. The creature landed a blow with its large fist sending Rook rolling to the ground.

"In War! Victory!" Davrin let out a Battle Cry and the creature turned its attention to him giving Rook time to recover. "Get over here you big piece of shit!" Davrin ran at the creature and it ran at him. The creature took a swing at him as it got in range when Davrin dropped to the ground and slid underneath all the while swinging his sword at its legs. The creature let out an angry roar and black liquid poured from its wounds. Davrin got to his feet and readied for his next attack as all three of the abominations squared up on him. A volley of fire bolts hit all three creatures but it wasn't enough Rook knew he had to hit harder.

"Davrin! Get down!" Rook yelled as he pulled at the fade. He cupped his hands together and swung around feeling the energy collect in his hands. A destructive beam of fire flew from his hands colliding with all three creatures as Davrin hit the ground in time to avoid it. Rook could feel the power pushing him back as the creatures turned to run at him, the beam passing right through their bodies. As the attack ended Rook fell to his knees. The Ogre had gotten within arm's length of him, the creature reached for him and Rook held up his staff to create a barrier. To Rook's surprise, the creature just fell against his barrier dead.

"Good job Rook." Davrin smiled at him as he walked over. Rook quickly stepped to the side as he let his barrier down and the Ogre collapsed on the ground.

"Got it done. Won't be able to do that for a little bit though." Rook watched as Davrin walked over to the creature and cut off its head.

"Can never be too sure with these things," Davrin put his shield on his back and sheathed his sword. "With any luck, you won't have to." Davrin walked over to Rook and touched his side where the creature had hit him. "You okay got you pretty good there."

"I'll be fine. Not the first time I've taken an ogre hit. Thanks for getting its attention." Rook smiled as Davrin shrugged.

"I knew you'd return the favour." Assan let out a squawk and landed beside them and Rook took a moment to take in their surroundings. They were right where it happened.

"This is it," Rook paused a moment, "Let's find what we're here for." He walked over to the platform where Lucanis had killed Ghilan'nain. A flash of memory hit him, he could almost hear Harding's voice. "She fell down over here." Rook climbed up on the platform, there was an opening in the ground behind it. Davrin followed him up, and they could see where they had to go. It was still heavily blighted but they could see a cave floor through the blight tendrils.

"That's it, that's where we have to go."

"I can burn away the blight so we can get through." Assan let out a nervous coo as they took a step closer to the opening. "Don't worry boy we'll be okay." Rook held out his hand and a beam of fire shot into the hole burning away at the softer spots of the blight tendrils but for the most part, it would still be a tight fit. "That'll have to do it. Let's go see what we can find."

Rook went to jump in and Davrin put his hand out to stop him. "I'll go first." Davrin left his shield on his back but unsheathed his blade before jumping down the hole. Assan dove quickly after him and Rook followed, the three of them slid down a smooth cave wall for several hundred feet before hitting the floor of the cave. "Place is deeper than it looks." Davrin helped Rook to his feet. "Rook before we go any further, are you prepared for what we might find down here?"

"I'll be okay." Rook nodded his head and Davrin stepped to the side as they began looking around. Rook found a broken bow not too far from where they fell in. The cave had several of the same Elven lights that lit the rest of the ruin, it quickly became clear that they were still in the ruin likely just in the basement or dungeon of it. "This must have been hers look." Rook held the bow out to Davrin who took it from him and looked it over.

"It must have broken in the fall," Davrin ran the bow through the shield strap on his back, "I'll hold onto it for now."

"I don't see any remains," said Rook.

Davrin could hear hope in Rook's voice, and he didn't want to kill that in him. They both knew that if there had been a body of any type the darkspawn could have very well just eaten it. Davrin knelt by the spot where they found the bow. A puddle of long dried blood. He looked around a bit and noticed that there was a blood trail that had been partly scrapped away.

"Look here," Davrin knelt and ran his hand through the blood. "It's dried blood." Davrin rubbed his fingers together and the powdered blood fell away from his hand. Rook came to him quickly and knelt beside him.

"It has to be hers," he stood quickly looking at the floor in all directions to see if there had been a trail to follow. "There!" Rook pointed and Davrin followed his gaze as Rook ran to the spot. They could tell that most of the blood had dried but there was a trace and the trail led further into the dungeon. "She must have drug herself along."

"Let's follow it. Hopefully, we'll at least find her remains for her family." Davrin looked at Rook and he could see the pain in the other man's eyes. He could tell that some part of him was holding onto hope that they were going to find her down here. "Let's go."

Rook nodded and the three of them proceeded down the dimly lit hallway. The blight was still all around them and they could hear movement in the deepest reaches of the dungeon but for now, it was quiet. They followed the hallway, finding only remnants of the blood they had been following. It came to an end at a patch on the wall where they could tell that Harding had braced herself against it. Her Inquisition breastplate lay not far from where they thought they would find her.

Rook walked over and picked up the breastplate. "She must have taken it off to tend to her wounds," said Rook looking over the plate. "Where did she go from here though." The path ahead of them forked in two paths and Davrin knew his next words would be met with protest as he took a breath to speak.

"We should split up and check each tunnel to…"

"Davrin no," Rook interrupted. "How could you even suggest that? There's no way I'm letting you out of my sight."

Rook looked at Davrin his eyes glossed with emotion and Davrin instantly rethought his words. If Rook had another of his outbursts even if Assan went with him. "Forget it you're right. If we take longer we take longer."

"Good." Rook looked ahead at the paths before them. "Now let's go."

Davrin let Rook take the lead and followed them down the path to the right. Assan stuck close and Davrin could tell he was uncomfortable being stuck on the ground in such a small space. "It's okay boy, we'll be out of here soon," he comforted quietly.

As they walked the magical elven lights that lit the rest of the ruin seemed to be starting to disappear. Rook used his staff to light their path as they walked but Davrin was starting to grow uneasy. He knew Rook could feel it too but the blight ahead was thick and he was starting to hear the voice of something in his head. It was hard to pick out at first, there were other darkspawn ahead as well, but Davrin was confident they were heading into an Emissaries lair. "Rook." Davrin put a hand on Rook's shoulder he stopped and looked back at him.

"I know, Davrin." Davrin was worried that Rook's determination to find Harding was clouding his judgement but the look in his eyes told him otherwise. "Both of you be ready."

Davrin took out his shield and the path they walked opened up into what looked like an underground courtyard. There were several statues around them which Davrin recognized as tributes to the elven gods he and Rook had slain. He cut his eyes looking at them as he thought of the faith his people gave to those monsters for thousands of years. Several statues didn't seem to belong in the temple, some of darkspawn, grey wardens, griffon statues even several Andrastian statues.

"What the hell is this place?" he whispered. "Those are Andrastian, no way would they'd be in an old elven temple." Rook didn't respond as they walked the room. Assan flew up and perched on one of the taller statues. "We're never going to find anything in the dark Rook."

"You're right." Rook whirled his staff around sending a bolt of fire to several torches that lined the wall of the room. "Is that better?"

"Show off." Rook put his staff away and relaxed a bit the room was empty other than the statues and Assan would warn them if something showed up.

They walked a little further in, the call of the emissary beating at the back of their heads. Rook felt a deep pit forming in his stomach it was starting to look less likely that they would find anything more. He needed something to bring her mother and he had that with the chest plate and bow, but that was for her. He wanted to find something that proved she was gone with no doubt. Then he saw it, Rook stopped in his tracks as he laid eyes on a small stone statue in the corner. Frozen in a sitting position with a hand across her stomach and he head tilted back with her eyes wide open. Harding turned to stone.

"Davrin look." Rook ran to her and fell to his knees, his staff fell to the floor in a clang as he hit the ground. "Lace, I found you!" He reached out and touched her to make sure he wasn't just imagining it.

"Holy shit." He heard Davrin mutter behind him.

"She must have turned herself to stone when she couldn't get out of here. Help me, we have to find a way to get her out of here. There must be some way to reverse it." Rook clammered trying to find a good way to get some leverage on the statue. "She might be able to hear us!" Rook looked the statue right in the face. "Harding, Harding can you hear me? Lace, it's Rook! We're here to save you! Give me a sign, anything!" He cried as both happiness and sadness crept in. He felt Davrin rest a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Rook let's focus on getting her out of here. If she wakes up now we can't help her," explained Davrin.

Rook knew he was right. "Harding if you can hear me, we're going to get you out of here and find someone to help you." Suddenly Assan started shrieking and Rook and Davrin both turned toward the sound just in time to see him dive away from an Emmisary.

"You will not take my statues!" The creature shrieked. Rook felt a fire burn in him as he stood up and unsheathed his dagger Twist of the Veil and opened his free hand calling his Fire Brand.

"She's not your statue, she's my best friend!" Without hesitating Rook thrust his hand forward and a beam of fire hit the creature in the shoulder. It let out a shriek as it flew out of the beam and Rook could feel the fade opening up around them and a blast of blight tentacles crawled along the ground at them. Davrin rolled out of the way taking out his sword and shield and Rook fade stepped out of the way.

"Rook I'm ready let me know when to hit her!" The Emmisary waved its hands around and as it both hovered lower to the ground and sent black spikes of blight magic hurling at both of them. Davrin used his shield to block them and Rook rolled out of the way before fade stepping to attempt to close the distance between him and his enemy. A terrible guttural screech came from somewhere to their right in the room and more darkspawn appeared. Assan began diving at the smaller ones to thin their numbers. "That its boy, quick strikes don't let them touch you!" Davrin jumped at the Emissary and began dancing with the creature getting slashes in where he could but playing defensive. "I'll keep her busy for a minute, see if you can control the crowd."

"Got it!" Rook had a new sense of resolve. Now if he couldn't save Harding from her decided fate then he would at least get her back to family and her people as she was. There was no way he'd leave here without her. He turned his attention to the approaching hoard, he thrust his hands at the ground and called a wall of flame from within the fade that stretched the length of the room. "I don't care if I have to burn this whole place to the ground you're not keeping her!" Rook screamed as he called a meteor of flame crushing several of them and burning the rest. Rook turned his attention back to the Emissary, Davrin more than holding his own against the creature. "Davrin, Assan get ready!" Rook called up the cold the feeling of the ice moving from his hands to feet before he slammed his foot to the ground sending an ice blast at the creature just in time for Davrin to roll out of its grip.

"Assan now!" Davrin dove to the side and hid behind his shield as Assan dove at the creature causing the same reaction they had used earlier. The energy in the air exploded on the creature.

"Your pitiful magic is no match for the blight!" The creature shrieked sending blighted tendrils out in every direction. Rook was able to fade step through it safely but Davrin had taken a hit before diving out of its way and climbing up on one of the statues.

"I'm okay!" Davrin yelled clutching where the blight had hit him. "Keep going." The creature kept sending out wave after wave of blight. The room was filling quickly, Rook knew he had to get it and stop it. He fade stepped several times to get within range and thrust his 'Fire Brand' at the creature, performing a combination of attacks, just enough to stop its cast. Davrin jumped from his position on the statue and swiped his sword through it. Assan dove down on the creature and slammed it to the ground before jumping into the air again. "Do it Rook, finish it!" Rook used his magic to lift the creature into the air, before magically thrusting his dagger through the creature and slamming it to the ground.

Rook took a deep breath. It had been a while since they had fought anything that required as much exertion. "How's your wound?" Rook walked over to him and checked where he had been wounded. The wound was open but superficial.

"I'll be okay nothing a good healing potion won't fix," Davrin smirked.

"Another scar, another story."

"Yeah." Rook and Davrin ran back over to Harding and Assan landed beside them. "Come on we can use my coat to lay her on. Assan can help us move her." Assan let out a curious squawk as Davrin took his cloak off and laid it on the ground in front of the statue. "Give me a hand."

"Okay." They each took up a position on opposite sides of the statue and lifted it onto the cloak. "We should lay it back so it doesn't fall over." Davrin nodded and they both eased the statue so that its back was on the ground.

"Here boy," said Davrin holding up an end of the cloak to Assan who took it in his mouth. "Now let's get her back where she belongs."

Rook watched as Assan and Davrin slowly pulled the statue along he followed close behind to make sure it stayed steady. The deep feeling of dread that had been chasing him for the last few months had all but subsided. He had taken up this mission to hopefully get some closure and whether or not Harding was alive he had found the closure.

"We'll take her to Emmrich if anyone can find a way to break the spell…" A small part of Rook wanted to let him think that everything would be okay and that Harding would walk away from this as the person he knew her as. The other part fought for him to accept the reality that she wouldn't.

Through the use of the Eluvian network, they brought Harding back to the lighthouse, Emmrich and Strife and some of the other Veil Jumpers had been staying there since the battle for Minrathous. When they first arrived Emmrich was out at the Necropolis but Manfred quickly sent word for him. It was still strange for them to see Manfred being so independent. They had taken Harding to the garden that was her former room. Her little tent was still there and Emmrich had kept up her garden. It wasn't long before Emmrich and Strife walked in. Emmrich's face lit up at the sight of them.

"Rook, Davrin my boy's, I am overjoyed to see you both," he exclaimed as he walked toward them with outstretched arms. He pulled them both into a welcoming hug. Strife stood back and smiled at them and Rook welcomed the embrace.

"Emmrich it's been too long," laughed Rook. He looked up at Emmrich as he released them and the older man pinched each of their cheeks. Rook could tell that Davrin was a bit uncomfortable but went with it anyway.

"I see you've both been taking care of yourself." Emmrich rests a hand on each of their shoulders.

"It's good to see you too Emmrich," said Davrin.

Emmrich bowed his head to each of them. "Now Manfred said you were here on urgent business?" Emmrich didn't notice the small statue behind them. The two of them stepped to the side and Rook beckoned toward the statue. "Maker, is that…"

"We went back to Tearstone Island and found her like this," said Davrin.

"I think she turned herself to stone to save herself," said Rook, "I don't know if she's still in there or not. But I want to find her if she is. I figured if there was someone who could break the spell or … or something…" Rook looked at the floor and wiped at his face. "Can you help her Emmrich?" Rook looked up at Emmrich and could see uncertainty in the man's face, then determination.

"I'll certainly try," Emmrich turned to Strife as he spoke. "Strife can you get that Tome Stalgard gifted us from Kal-sharok? I believe it contained something quite detailed about this type of magic that will be quite useful."

"Of course Emmrich." Strife left right away and would return shortly with the book in hand. Emmrich stood over the statue and examined it closely. He ran his hands through the air near the statue and they began emitting a green glow. Davrin sat down with Assan over in the corner but Rook stayed near.

"The fade energies around this magic are different, but not so complicated. The only thing I worry about is her wounds. I was there and saw what Ghilan'nain did to the poor girl," explained Emmrich. "I fear if we bring her out of this state, she may succumb to her injuries."

"I can get our best healers to stand by," said Strife leaving the room. Emmrich flipped through the tomb seemingly knowing exactly what he was looking for. He came to a part of the book and stopped, reading through it quickly.

"Forgive me this might take a moment, my Thaigs is a bit out of use." Rook waited patiently as Emmrich read. Strife walked in with two other Veil Jumpers.

"Rook come sit with me, sounds like it'll be a bit." Rook looked back at Davrin as he sat on the floor laying back in his arms as Emmrich read through the pages. Emmrich had become almost like an uncle to him and Davrin both. He checked in with them often and would sometimes send them provisions while they were out. Wisps and spirits always kept an eye on them for him, but only when he asked. Rook relaxed in Davrin's arms thankful to at least have found her.

"Oh yes, well okay," Emmrich muttered as he read and waved his hands around a bit seemingly imitating something from the tome. Manfred entered the room and walked up behind Emmrich and seemed to be reading the tome along with him for a moment before walking over to Assan who was sitting next to them.

"Assan!" said Manfred putting his arms around the griffon, Assan cooed gently welcoming the hug. Manfred then sauntered over to Rook and held out his hand. Rook smiled and sat forward and the two proceeded to play rock, paper scissors. "Yay!" Manfred picked rock and Rook picked scissors.

"Damnit Manfred," said Rook.

"You shoulda known better, he always picks rock," laughed Davrin.

"Gentlemen please," said Emmrich.

"Oops." Manfred scurried back over to Emmrich and looked intently at the tome. Rook smiled back at Davrin and laid back. Several more long minutes passed and Emmrich snapped the book shut.

"That's it. Harding has afflicted herself with stone of will," Rook stood up quickly. Davrin followed.

"Can you fix it?" he asked.

"Yes, the ritual of breaking must be performed. I will need your help," Emmrich took a step back and passed the tome to Strife.

"What do you need?" asked Rook.

"I believe that if you, Manfred and I channel the arcane energies through her it will break the spell." Emmrich looked at Manfred and then to Rook as he spoke. "I will chant the words you just have to help me channel the energies. It also says the emotion of someone close to her being present will enhance the effect." Rook nodded and looked at Harding. "Right then, gather round," Emmrich instructed and Manfred and he took a position around the statue. He made eye contact with them and then began the spell.

Rook and Manfred extended their hands forming a partial circle around her. Emmrich began chanting in Thaigs and the energy began to swirl almost immediately. Rook closed his eyes and let the fade channel through him a warm feeling following it. He could feel Davrin come up behind him and Assan let out a curious squeak. Davrin didn't touch him just wanting him to know he was there. As Emmrich chanted the power grew and Rook could suddenly only think of happy memories he had with Harding.

"Harding you don't have to like it you know…" his own words echoed in his head. A sudden feeling of rage quelled by warmth, hands on each of his shoulders. The feeling of the Titan's calm flooded over him. A sudden vision of watching himself fighting a stone constructs a view overhead. "Everyone already loves you, you're Lace Harding." A warm feeling in his chest. It didn't take Rook long to realize these were Harding's memories, not his. Was she thinking of these all this time? A camping trip with Emmrich, the taste of her ma's turnip goat stew. Rook felt her memories rushing through him when Emmrich stopped chanting and the energies stopped flowing around them.

"It is done, Rook," said Emmrich.

Rook opened his eyes, she was still stone he looked at Emmrich who just shook his head. "Oh Lace…" Rook whispered. He knelt beside her put his arms around the statue and sat there for several minutes Davrin rested a hand on his back. "Part of me really thought this was going to work…" he trailed off. "But at least we found you." Suddenly there was a cracking noise. "Oh no," said Rook thinking he had broken something. He pulled back and noticed the cracks all over the statue itself. "Emmrich, what's happening?" A piece of the stone fell from her face first revealing flesh underneath.

"Is that…" Davrin started to speak and stopped as more of the stone fell away.

"Lace can you hear me?" said Rook. "Emmrich I think it worked." Suddenly Harding took a deep breath and the rest of the stone fell away from her.

"Rook," she gasped, "I can hear you!" Harding shook her head a bit and the rest of the stone fell away from her body.

"Emmrich you did it!" yelled Davrin.

"Am I ever glad to see you," said Harding putting a hand on Rook's shoulder.

"Lace, your injuries they're…"

"Gone," she interrupted. "The stone heals all. Did we win?" Rook felt a swell of happiness and he was sure tears streamed down his face. Rook nodded his head. "I knew you could do it. How long was I out for?" Lace asked.

"It's been months," answered Davrin. "We had to wait for the blight to weaken to get close to you." Davrin knelt and put a hand on her shoulder. "We tried to find you right after. We just couldn't get to you." Rook looked at her almost in disbelief as she and Davrin talked.

"I remember crawling away and thinking it was over. I got lucky, that stone in that ruin is filled with lyrium," explained Harding. "I used it to encase myself, the next thing I remember is hearing you call my name Rook. I've sat with my memories for so long then you ripped me out of them when you found me."

"We're you aware of how long it was?" asked Rook.

"Some part of me was, but memories of you and our friends kept me going."

"I'm so sorry for what happened Harding," Rook cried, "I couldn't stop it. I wasn't strong enough."

"You won in the end though. You were strong enough, I was the right choice you know it. If Davrin had gone like he wanted to and that happened to him, he didn't have the stone." Harding got to her knees and took Rook into a hug. Rook put his arms around the dwarf and cried happy tears. "It's okay Rook, you did good."