no, i thought of you.

Dawes held his hand out for Lace to help her down a jagged stone slick with mud. He knew she didn’t need it, but she blushed all the same, smiling up at him as she dropped down to the dirt. Ferelden was damp and fresh, the air heavy with pine. Morrigan had led them to an eluvian not far from Redcliffe, a two day hike to the village Lace had grown up in. It was late morning, and Dawes had fallen completely in love with the Hinterlands. The trees soared higher than even those in Arlathan, snow clinging to the shaded spots and a sharp chill on the wind. The land dipped and soared, mountains and valleys affording a view he’d only read about in books. Spring shoots were pressing up through the rusty brown carpet of pine needles. Everything smelled fresh and different, and he could almost ignore how the cold made him shiver. The heavy cloak with a fur collar had seemed ridiculous when Lace had pushed it on him, but he was grateful for it now, though she teased him relentlessly about winter being well over with. She seemed immune to the biting wind, and had barely let her tongue rest as she talked about every plant or trail they came across. She shone, here. Beautiful and flushed, her hair fighting to free itself from her braids. They’d seen little of the blight out in the wilderness, and all his promises to Dorian and thoughts of home had swiftly fled his mind in favour of the paradise he found himself in at her side. He didn’t even mind the mud all that much.

As Emmrich tended to Dawes, she moved to stand beside Morrigan, not bothering to stifle a tired grunt as her muscles protested. “Where do you think they went?” Morrigan tilted her head. “Even I cannot fathom what waits for them. The Fade is vast, and holds many dark secrets. This you must know by now, Lace Harding.” She sighed. “Don’t I ever.” “I found the Inquisitor’s company rather refreshing. There are few that match my taste in both wit and amusement. ’Tis a great shame, what she chose. Though, matters of the heart can be as much a meddlesome puzzle as the Grand Game itself.” “We got Rook out. Couldn’t we find her?” “And you had his blood, did you not?” She looked over at the small group. “No. Were you to have every means and capability to find the Inquisitor, she would not wish to return, I should think.” Lace was quiet for a moment. “When we pulled Rook from the Fade, I thought for a moment I was gonna fall in after him.” She sighed, heavy. “I would’ve been okay with that.” “And there you have your answer.” “I’m still gonna miss her. No one really comes back from the Fade.” Morrigan gave a small, private smile. “Ah, but when the opportunity arises to leave someone rather irritating behind, would not you wish to give them a short push?” Lace scoffed. “You can’t tell me you don’t miss Alistair.” “I like to think he has quite successfully annoyed all the Fade creatures to distraction.” She raised her chin, her jaw set. “Yes. ’Tis quite amusing to think of.” Lace didn’t really believe her.