A short telling of the events leading up to Florence Trevelyan and Cullen Rutherford finally coming to terms with the fact that they have feelings for one another.

When he first sees her, he isn’t expecting her to be there. She is blue eyed and determined. She is pale and petite. She is unfamiliar and looking right at him. He forgets his words for only a moment before addressing the task at hand. This is bigger than them. He prays that the Maker watches over her when she turns to go.



When she first sees him, she is overwhelmed. All she knows is terror and uncertainty and the mark on her hand. But his eyes are warm like a summer’s day and his hair is gold. She sees the impossible light in the sky and tries to swallow her fear. She looks back when they take their leave, watching him help an injured soldier. His eyes find hers briefly and she offers him a smile. There is still some good worth risking her life for.

When he addresses her as Herald, he sees the subtle twitch of her hands. She is composed of polite smiles and nods. She takes on her newfound responsibility without a fight. He respects her sense of duty. He wonders who she is, who she was. He worries about what she might become.

When the room clears, she grows uncertain and halts the Commander with words. She has never been to the Hinterlands. She wants advice, she says, but truly she does not want to be alone. He gives her a report on the area and the people, professional and focused. She feels frustrated and lost. She stares at the map even after he leaves.

When he receives her first report from the Hinterlands, he shakes his head. There are rambling sentences and words crossed out. He can hear the frustration in her words. He can imagine her discomfort and aching limbs. He makes a private note to make sure her shoes are the right fit.

When she writes her second report, it comes more naturally. There are no scratched out words or thoughts. She is able to recite the recent events with ease. She hopes it is a suitable enough report for him to read. As an afterthought, she adds a more personal note, a bit of happiness she wants to share. She has a horse–maybe the Hinterlands isn’t so bad.

When he sees her return to Haven, her face is in the crowd. He is frustrated with the infighting. But seeing her takes weight off his shoulders. The Herald is back and safe. He fends off Roderick as she asks him to fetch the others. She looks better than he had expected. She looks ready.

When she steps out of their meeting, she is wondering if things will ever feel normal again. She watches him gather his reports and walk through the Chantry. He wears the same fur - lined coat everytime she sees him. For some reason, she finds it amusing. The sight of it makes her smile as he walks into the cold.

When she leaves for Val Royeaux, he wishes her luck. She gives him a quiet smile before nodding. He is reminded of the smile from the first time her saw her and wonders why she parts in such a way. Later that evening, her smile unexpectantly enters his thoughts. He decides that he will try to talk to her more upon her return.

When she sits by the campfire during their return trip from Val Royeaux, she struggles to write him a report. She wonders what he will say about the Order. She worries that it will hurt him to read the state the Templars are in. She sighs and folds the parchment, deciding to sleep instead.

When the meeting comes to a close, he is startled when she asks him to stay behind. She asks about the Inquisition and if he has faith in the organization. He begins to talk from the heart, lecturing proudly before cutting himself off. She encourages his enthusiasm with a smile he hasn’t seen before. He is suddenly very aware of just how beautiful she is. He is unable to forget it even after he leaves her presence to pursue work.

When she sits by the lake in quiet contemplation, he arrives and asks for her time. He wants to discuss the Templars, but she tries to tell him there is no need. She snaps at him when he still tries, informing him that she will be going to the Order. She explains why and wonders if she is doing the right thing. When he goes to take his leave, something causes her to stop him. She asks him to stay a little longer and enjoy the view. She smiles when he agrees and the world feels a bit easier to face.

When he reads her report from Therinfall Redoubt, he feels ill. He sees living nightmares that he calls memories. He grips his desk tightly and grinds his teeth. He imagines her in the grasp of Envy and it makes him furious. He worries if she is okay. He knows the pain.

When she returns to Haven, she is unsettled. Her advisers remind her of the demon’s tricks and it makes everything harder. She has a difficult time talking to him, yet she wishes she could. She wants to tell someone about the nightmares. She wants comfort and stability. After a few days she apologizes for her distant behaviour and talking to him again feels like home.

When the Breach is closed, he isn’t sure it feels real. He watches her walk through cheers with newfound ease. She carries herself with less tension. He smiles when her eyes meet his. When she grins and nods enthusiastically, he cannot help but laugh. He is amazed that she was able to accomplish such a feat and yet not surprised. He admires how capable she is. He means to tell her next time they talk.

When the alarms sound above the celebrations, she feels her stomach drop. She sees her Commander at the front gate and is suddenly grateful he is on her side. She let’s the confusion turn to anger as the first wave of Venatori appear. The anger fuels each burst of magic that leaves her fingertips. She will not let them have Haven.

When she arrives in the Chantry, he realizes her head is bleeding. He wants to reach out and make sure she is okay. There is one glimmer of hope as a plan comes together, but it would cost them her. His mouth goes dry as he watches her. He sees her for the first time. He realizes that he wants so much more than what was. He wants to ask her everything about herself and give her happiness, yet he asks her to sacrifice everything to save them instead. It hurts worse than he expects when she agrees. He doesn’t want to let her go–he can’t.

When she braces herself for the final task, she stands in the Chantry doors and dares to hope. She looks back to him and sees his hurting expression. His eyes are locked onto her own. Her chest aches when she realizes she wants to go to him. She feels a fool for never seeing it before. It stings when she realizes how much he means to her. She offers him a parting smile to ease the look on his face. A silent promise–she will find a way to save him.

When they realize, their world is burning and it feels like it is too late.