Author Note: A new little series I'm working on for Cullen. Love him way too much, he demanded for a story being written.

All Dragon Age content belongs to Bioware and EA. Thanks to them and all the people that help create such a wonderful story and game for us all to write about.

Cullen would never forget those devilish golden eyes. They had belonged to a particular nasty Maleficar that had fled from the Templars when he was a boy. The mage had stared at him with a pitiful glare contemplating if his life was worth taking before she faced her pursuers. Cullen never knew what she pondered in her cruel mind, but all he knew was she had slaughter his entire family during her escape from the town's Templars. Blessed the Maker in all his glory but, Cullen found the Maker's irony of fate to be twisted and cruel.

The Circle of Magi wasn't paradise, but it was home to Mage and Templar alike, despite some disagreements. None of the Templars could admit that they felt at home with their mage counterparts. After all they were there to watch mages every waking hour of the day. It was quite boring.

Cullen did not mind. Occasionally some excitement struck the tower. The most common occurrence was mages attempting to escape. It was nearly pointless at times, while others it was a headache. Especially one typical mage that had given them the slip nearly four times now. Cullen and the other Templars had no idea how the mage had succeeded in his breakouts, but it had become a game for both mage and Templar alike. Most typical days were quiet except for the occasional spell backfiring from students and the mess that went along with it. Cullen didn't have much interest in magic. It was intriguing, but that was all. His attention was always drawn on…

"By the Maker…" Cullen mumbled under his breath as Mir a fellow Templar brother patrolling with him raised a questioning eyebrow to his outburst.

"Problems, Cullen?" He asked in his usual cheerful voice.

Cullen shook his head, "No, just my thoughts wandering too freely. It's difficult to keep them where they should sometimes."

"Cullen you take your duties far too seriously," Mir said with his typical smile he wore from day to day. Mir was a young Templar, perhaps ten to five years younger than Cullen. He was a short man, but broad in his shoulders giving him extra width. Cullen would hate to see anyone try to tackle the man. Being young Mir was not a believer in all his vows. He tended to justify some of his behavior by finding loopholes in phrases or in his own actions. Cullen had to admit behind closed doors many Templars engaged in many things that would be considered in breaking their vows, but as long as no one was caught they all believed they were safe. This type of thinking bothered Cullen. The Maker would not turn a blind eye to semantics.

"I don't take my duties too seriously. I just do them. Anyways, did that mage escape again recently?" Cullen tried to steer the conversation elsewhere, but there was a look to Mir who wasn't ready to give up on Cullen.

"No, he's still locked up in solitary confinement today, but that's not what we're talking about. Come on Cullen there's no harm in fantasizing desires. As long as you don't act on it, right? I mean if it was me-"

"If it was you we wouldn't have vows nor would we have armor."

"So true, mages are lucky. They have robes, easier for a quick roll. Blasted bulky armor that's required to fight mages"

Cullen sighed, "I can't believe I just heard that."

"Well you did, don't get me wrong. I'll kill any one of these mages if any hint of blood magic or other dark arts. They are still people of Fereldan and the woman are…" Mir gestured to one of the young apprentice mages approaching them in the hallway, "…well there's quite the selection here."

Cullen narrowed his eyes slightly as his jaw stiffened. The young apprentice he had gestured to was Neria. She was one of the brightest apprentices in the tower. Most of her free time was spent studying in the library and if she wasn't there she was practicing her skills in the training rooms. She was from elven descent, but Cullen didn't know if she was from the city or if she had originated from the Dalish. In all honesty he hardly talked to her. It wasn't that he never had the opportunity, it was the fact his heart always leapt into his throat. The sad fact was he desired her with all his being. He was ashamed of such feelings, but she was beautiful, brave, and cleaver. She was everything he wanted, except she was a mage. The one thing forbidden to him.

Neria looked at the two with her emerald green eyes with a curious expression. Being an elf she was much smaller than Cullen and Mir. She only stood up to their mid chest level. Cullen felt like he could crush her easily if he ever tried too… 'Bad thoughts!' He yelled at himself silently while Mir gave Neria a small salute in greeting.

"Where are you off too…?" Mir was trying to remember her name as he looked at Cullen for help, but Cullen was too busy trying to shake evil thoughts creeping into his mind.

"It's Neria," the young apprentice said bowing her head slightly. "I was going to go to the training rooms."

"Oh! Excellent. That's where Cullen and I are heading. We can escort you unless you rather walk alone. No pressure."

"I would be honored to have two escorts. I've known Cullen since I came to the tower. Of course he was new here too, right?" She looked up to Cullen with a twinkle in her eye. Cullen nearly choked on his own breath, but he quickly hid it back acting like he was sneezing.

"Uh…yeah. I, I was much young then." Cullen managed to squeak out before mentally cursing himself again for sounding like an idiot.

Mir seemed to be enjoying the torture Cullen was going through as his smile seemed wider and much more amused than normal. He gestured for the group to continue down the hallway together. Mir asked Neria about her training, while Cullen listened. While they talked Cullen snuck a few glances at Neria. Her body had grown much more muscular over the years. She did trained hard every day which resulted in keeping her body nicely trimmed. Of course that didn't affect her chest area. Her breast looked as lovely and supple as they always had, Cullen wondered if she had to secure them with extra support. Before he could even curse himself Neria caught his wandering eyes and raised an eyebrow.

"Well! I uh…did you get new robes?" Cullen said quickly before she realized what he was staring at.

Neria blinked at him with a blank look which nearly made him pass out in embarrassment, but she smiled finally. "Yes I did. I'm afraid one of my fire spells backfired and my clothes were burnt to a crisp."

"I think a heard about that. I wasn't there, but one our brothers said they had to cover you up with the rugs," Mir said with a laugh.

"Yes, it was quite embarrassing. How often does one burn their clothes away? I can't imagine it's often."

"I…I don't believe it…it is," Cullen said with quietly. In his mind all he could think about was who had seen Neria nude. Worst of all it was one of his brothers. It only caused his jaw to stiffen and eye twitch in annoyance.

Neria stopped at the training entrance and bowed to her two escorts before stepping inside to claim a training spot. Cullen and Mir were stationed inside at the farthest corner. Two other Templars guarded the front area and they waved a greeting to them as the relieved their brothers from the back corner. Mir let out a bored sigh as he leaned back against the wall to begin their watch.

"I don't see how you do it, Cullen."

"Do what?" Cullen asked as he kept his gaze on Neria who had claimed a training spot across the way from the two. She noticed them both and nodded her head to them in acknowledgment.

"I can tell you like her and before you deny it, don't worry my lips are sealed. How can you just sit here and watch such a pretty thing? I mean her body is like the perfect fit and those curves," Mir sighed. "How I wish to grab those curves of hers and-"

"Knock it off," Cullen was annoyed now. He didn't view Neria as some sexual fantasy like Mir did. She was much more than that. She was a woman he could peruse and then make his wife if she wasn't a mage. Outside of the tower he was most certainly have claimed her as his own now, but a mage…that was impossible.

"You say that now, but come on. Don't tell me you don't want a piece of her?"

"Mir, by the Maker would you shut up already and do your job? I don't want anything from her. She's a mage and I'm a Templar. I watch her to make sure no demons take over her or she isn't dabbling in something sinister. There's nothing else then that."

Mir finally got the point and didn't say another word. Cullen was grateful he didn't push the issue any further. He silently watched the training grounds. Each apprentice was practicing their magic spells and each spell was crude and sloppy, while some hardly could caste anything. As Cullen watched Neria she had her palms in front of her shut until she opened them. From the inside of her palms a wisp in the form of two butterflies slowly fluttering around her until the two butterflies exploded into tiny little stars. She truly was a beauty amongst the shadows of the tower. Her magic was always enchanting and graceful, even Cullen could appreciate such skill. It was too bad he didn't have the courage to express that to her.

After a long day Mir and Cullen were relieved of their duties around midnight. Mir left Cullen to raid the kitchens, while Cullen decided to do one last sweep of the hallways. It was late in the night and Cullen didn't expect anyone to be awake walking them unless they were up to something. As he strolled down the dimly lit halls he spotted Neria sitting against the wall on the floor.

"Neria is that you?" Cullen asked in a hesitant voice unsure if she was ok or not.

She nodded her head slowly, "Yeah. Sorry Cullen, I know it's late and we're not supposed to wander the halls. I…just wanted to talk to you. I know you make the final sweep of the halls at night."

Cullen was a bit surprise to find she was looking for him in particular. He took a deep breath and offered her a hand up. He was glad this was happening at night since he couldn't see her as well as he could during the day. It made him feel slightly less nervous. She took his hand when it was offered and he helped her to her feet. He gestured for her to walk with him.

"Is…something bothering you? I would think I'm the last person you would seek out."

"Really? I always saw us as friends."

"Well…I..I don't deny that. I thought you were close with Jowan." Cullen was well aware of her friendship with the male mage. Something about Jowan though didn't sit well with Cullen. He hadn't spotted anything to prove his feelings, but Jowan had begun to act outside his normal behavior. That was usually an indicator that something major occurred for a personality and behavior change, but it wasn't time to ponder that now.

"We are, but this concerns the Templars. Since you're a Templar, well who better to ask?"

"True, but I can't reveal much…it's against-"

"No it's not that. I wanted to ask you if you knew where I came from before the tower. I don't remember my family at all. I don't even know what kind of elf I am. I know I got my tattoos from my parents, but that's it."

"That…is something only the Templar that brought you here knows. I'm afraid he's long gone from this world."

Neria sighed, "Well it was a long shot."

"Why the sudden curiosity?" Cullen asked in a kind tone.

"It's dangerous not knowing yourself, no? I want to learn everything I can."

"True…" Cullen still found it odd she was suddenly dwelling into her past. Neria wasn't the type of mage to really care. She wasn't the social type either and tended to keep to her studies pressing forward and never looking back. "You're not telling me something."

Neria had a grin across her face, "Am I that transparent?"

Cullen couldn't help but chuckle lightly, "No. I'm just good at noticing things."

"I suppose you are," Neria let out a sight. "I'm to go through with the Harrowing in a week from today."

"Ah…" Was about all Cullen could say at the moment. The Harrowing was a rite of passage for mages. When apprentices were chosen they are tested to see if they can resist demons. If they pass they become proper mages of the tower. If they don't than they are killed. As they walked Cullen could see the news of her Harrowing was an honorable one, but it also was a frightening one. He understood now why she wanted to understand more about herself. She wanted to be prepared for the demons tempting her. "Hey you'll do fine. You're one of the most talented apprentices here. Continue your studies and you'll be ready for the Harrowing."

Neria only nodded her head to him and remained silent through the rest of their walk. Cullen had no idea what he could say to make her feel better. He hated seeing her in such distress. When they approached the apprentice quarters Neria bowed her head in thanks to Cullen.

"Neria, wait," Cullen said quietly as he walked over to her. "Give me your hands."

Neria was a bit surprised by the request as she stared at him wide eyed, but she placesd both of her hands in his grip. Cullen held them firmly with his fingers interlaces with hers. He was trying not to focus on the fact he was touching her, but more on what he was trying to prove. "I saw you cast two butterfly wisps earlier. Can you do that again for me?"

"Yes, but-"

"You'll see. Go ahead."

Neria didn't need to make any hand gestures for the spell. She nearly flexed her hands slightly and two butterfly wisps emerged, one from each hand. They slowly began to flutter their wings into the air their soft glow illuminating Nera's and Cullen's face. When they were eye level with them both Cullen concentrated on his own abilities and suddenly a surge of power flowed from his hands through Neria and dispelled the butterfly wisp spell which caused them to explode in a rainbow of colors showering down upon them both like falling stars. Neria gasped in awe and surprised as she looked at all the colors falling before her eyes. Cullen merely watched her silently before she caught his gaze.

"Neria, you make beautiful magic. You won't become a demon. Your magic comes from you and this is true beasty at its best," With that Cullen released her hands and left her in the fading colors of her own spell breathless.