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The journey back to Skyhold from the Winter Palace was long, slow, and lonely.
Following the Inquisitor's - just Adaar now, actually - declaration of the Inquisition's dissolution, and her abrupt departure from the Exalted Council, many of the Inquisition's personnel had checked out already. The majority of the organisation's soldiers and dignified allies had said their brief goodbyes and gone, though some, truly touched by the former Inquisitor's drive, chose to stay to help pack up the fortress. They were the ones now leading the scattered forces back to the mountaintops.
Many of Adaar's closest companions had decided to go their separate ways too, direct from the Winter Palace. Sera off to Val Royeaux to cause mayhem (Adaar had promised to join her some time in the future). Dorian off to Tevinter to resume his father's position, Bull closely, but not too closely, behind. Vivienne off to manage her new Circle. Varric off to his duties as Viscount of Kirkwall. Before long, Adaar was left alone in Palace courtyard, heaving bags and various other crates of equipment into carriages to be taken away. It felt strange, being alone after all this time. It made her realise just how much of her life the Inquisition had consumed.
One person, however, stayed by Adaar's side, unmoving. One Josephine Montilyet.
The two now found themselves side by side in a carriage being pulled home. Or, home for the past couple years, but not for much longer. Adaar sat to Josephine's left, her lone arm draped over her love's shoulders. Josephine's head rested against her, drifting off to sleep, Adaar keeping guard. What was there to be keeping guard against? Nothing, really, not anymore. But Adaar was a creature of habit.
"After we clean the shit outta Skyhold, we're going on a holiday." Adaar assured, after a long bout of silence, "A long one. Solas said we have at least a few years before he comes for us, so I don't see the urgency to try and stop him."
"Mm-hmm," Josephine mumbled, "I would love for you to come home to Antiva with me. My parents simply adore you. They've been hoping to meet you in person for years now."
"They better," Adaar laughed, "I didn't make a major fool of myself dueling what's-his-face for their daughter's hand just for them to hate me."
"I can assure you that they do not hate you whatsoever. How could they?"
"I do look a little improper when it's you I'm standing next to."
"Whatever could that mean?" Josephine smiled, leaning closer to press a kiss to the side of Adaar's neck, "At least you've personality."
"I don't have steaming hot looks too?"
"That too."
While Adaar had never wanted to be Inquisitor, she had to admit it had given her far more gifts than she'd anticipated. The workload was torturous, but she'd never met so many people she cherished as much as the friends she'd made throughout the journey. She'd fought countless battles with her life on the line, but she'd do it all over a thousand times if it meant Josephine was waiting for her at the other end.
But she also knew Josephine had been under more stress than she let on. Adaar excelled at punching and kicking, but she could never compare to Josephine's prowess. The way she could tear down nations with a single letter, destroy family lines with one business deal, secure thousands of allies with the scribble of a pen. Anyone could be the Inquisitor, she figured, but only a select few could be the Inquisition's ambassador. But this also meant Josephine had just as much, if not more, pressure as she did. She was the face of the Inquisition, but Josephine was the voice.
"I'm sorry for all the shit we made you do during the Exalted Council. I probably should've helped a lot more than I did."
Josephine sat up to face her properly, "Nonsense. You had the qunari to pursue. You were under more danger than anyone."
"But I still feel like I should've attended more. I am- er, was the Inquisitor. Was kinda my job to be there, no?"
Josephine took her hand in both of hers and looked into eyes, earnest, "We work together. I deal with the council's ramblings, and you fight the demons." She stroked her thumb over her knuckles, "I signed up to do this, and you didn't. Don't apologise."
Adaar smiled down at her, then leaned down to bring their lips together in a kiss, quick and to the point, "I love you." What more was there to be said?
"I love you too."
With each passing day on the road, it seemed as if Skyhold only got further and further away. But finally, after Maker knows how many days, they arrived at last.
While Adaar only wished to sleep and relax, Josephine got to work immediately, tidying both her office and their shared bedroom. Reluctant to work, but eager to support her girlfriend, Adaar got to it, reaching the high shelves Josephine couldn't and lifting the heavier boxes, even with only one arm.
The tidying of the office became something of a synchronised dance. Adaar packs away this, then Josephine cleans that, Adaar pushes this out of the way, then Josephine folds that up neatly. Neither could help but imagine their shared future together, picturing the pair setting up and decorating their future rooms. Houses and estates that would become homes once the two set foot inside. This was simply practice, they decided.
"Herah." Josephine spoke her name like no other. Spoke the word like she was pulling it fresh out of garden of roses. Adaar couldn't put to words the things Josephine did to her, just by calling for her. Perhaps it was the knowledge that Josephine referred to most by their titles or surnames, at least to their faces. Perhaps it was the understanding that when Josephine called her name, she called to her other half.
"Yes, dearest?" Adaar spun around, raising an eyebrow daringly.
Josephine stood atop a neat pile of thick books, raising her so that the two could look each other straight in the eye. The golden evening light pouring in from the window captured her form. The sway of her skirt, the curve of her body, the confidence in her gaze. "Come here." She extended her arms.
Adaar wasn't one to disobey orders, so she strode across the room to meet her, not a second of hesitation. The ambassador looped her arms around her neck, as she held the side of her waist. They smiled at each other like the rest of the world had faded away, just for them, like the other was the only thing each needed to see. Adaar's eyes flicked to Josephine's lips, and the latter wasted no time leaning forward so the pair could meet. And suddenly, it was as if all their worries ebbed away, like evening waves off to meet the sunset. They breathed in each other's scent, letting out years of stress with each exhale. In this moment, there was no hounding from Ferelden, no Orlesian eyes piercing their spirits. There was no darkspawn, no demons, no Dread Wolf. Just Josephine and Adaar. Just the two of them, together at the end of time.
After some time, the two pulled away, but Adaar's arm stayed firmly wrapped around her beloved, while Josephine's hands framed her face. If every day could look like this now that the Inquisition no longer held her in chains, perhaps Adaar could get used to it.
"Care for some dinner?" Adaar asked sweetly, "Most of the kitchen staff have left so we'd have to be independent for once."
"You are in no position to cook, my lady." She smiled back, teasing.
"But I can put things in a pot like the best of them."
"Alright then." Josephine stepped down from the stack of books, moving her hand away from Adaar's face and into hers, interlocking their fingers as they walked to the kitchen.
Once they'd arrived, they scrounged around for ingredients then got cracking. Josephine cut the vegetables, which Adaar then put into a pot of broth, as advertised. Josephine sliced the meat, which Adaar then roasted over the fire before adding to the dish. More practice for later, they both thought the same.
Soon enough, they sat across from each other at a small table in the kitchen, happily enjoying the warmth from both their meals and each others' company. If this is what life could be, then life was good.