This is my first ever full fledged fanfic so please bear with me lol. This story takes place pre-Origins as well as coincides with the Origins timeline. Story surrounds Cullen and his infatuation with the female mage Solona Amell. This fic was influenced by the Cullen Romance mod and Karmas Origins Companion mod, though the content is geared more towards my headcanon lol. I'm actually pretty surprised that my first fic is a Cullen one given my obsession with Fenris xD but I hope you all enjoy it just as well.

All characters and Dragon Age belongs to Bioware! I do not claim any as my own! However content is mine ;P

Please R&R! POV is mostly third-person omniscient, but some chapters will focus mainly on one character at a time.

Chapter 1

The tall stone tower loomed over head as it made itself prominent against the setting sky. The newly appointed Templar, Cullen, took it all in awe as the creaky wooden boat made its way across the water towards his new home.

He was a mere 19 years old when he took his Templar vows, but he had been a child of the Chantry most his life. His parents had been victims of an illness that had struck his village when he was only 5 years old. Luckily he had evaded the illness, but being made orphan, the Chantry was the only place he could go. He first resented the thought of being there; being so young and thrust into a life you had yet to understand, but after a few short years, he had developed a love for the sword and the Knight-Commander certainly was not blind to the skill the boy possessed.

He was thrust into training almost immediately, learning strict discipline, the ways of the Chantry, as well as the dangers of mages. Cullen had never given much thought to mages before, he knew they existed, but they seemed like a far off truth, but now here he was being taught how to hunt and kill them. He was practically a natural with the ability of sapping mana; this pleased the Knight-Commander immensely.

Finally, after some years of rigorous training, the young Cullen was finally able to take his vows, and he was given his first dose of lyrium. Not even a week after he had taken his vows had the transfer papers come to his room. You are hereby instated to the Circle of Magi tower overlooking Lake Calenhad in Ferelden.

"You are to leave immediately." The Knight-Commander added.

So here he was, on his way to his first ever station, and he prayed to Andraste that he wouldn't mess this opportunity up.
The tower looked so at peace as he approached, he was surprised at the bustle of the place when he entered.

There were mages everywhere, and more Templars than he has ever seen in one place walking about the corridors and standing aside each entrance. Cullen swallowed hard; he felt so out of place even though he was a Templar just as them.
He noticed some of the mages giving him glares through slanted eyelids. He shuddered. He had no idea what was warranting those looks, but he didn't like it.
He was a new Templar, so young and naive to the atrocities some Templars inflict upon the mages.

Soon he was approached by two older gentlemen. One wore the armor of the Knight-Commander, and the other an elaborate robe, the First Enchanter he presumed.
"Hello. You must be the Cullen I've heard so much about. My name is Greagor." The Knight-Commander extended his hand towards Cullen.
Cullen took his hand and shook it firmly.
"And this," Greagor gestured to the gray-haired man next to him, "is the First Enchanter, Irving."
"Pleased to meet you, Cullen." Irving said, his voice old and wise.
Cullen nodded towards him.

"Let's get you set up in the Templar quarters shall we?" Greagor directed to Cullen.
Cullen nodded and followed the two men through the large doorway that lead to the apprentice quarters.

"This is the lower mages quarters," Irving pointed out, "this is where the apprentices stay and learn until they are brought for their harrowing."
"You'll be patrolling here often." Greagor added.
"Excuse me," Cullen interjected, "but what is a harrow-oof!"
Suddenly Cullen found himself on the cold floor of the tower with the wind knocked out of him. He glanced to the side near his feet and saw a young female mage lying there as well.

The girl, somewhere in her late teens he guessed, slowly peered up at him through thick lashes. For a second their eyes met, then her eyes flew open and she hurried to scramble to her feet.
"I am SO sorry!" she shouted, face burning.
"Amell!" Greagor boomed, "What do you think you're doing charging through the halls in this manner?"
"I-" she started.
"Now Greagor," Irving interrupted, "surely even a young girl such as Solona needs to have some fun during her life." He gave the girl a quick reassuring wink.
"She is to behave, as all mages should, Irving!"
The two elder fellows began bickering.

Cullen brought himself to his feet, adjusting his armor as he did so. The girl, Amell was it, stood there with downcast eyes and red cheeks. Cullen's mind noted how her lavender-tinted raven hair nicely complemented her red-tinged cheeks. Realizing what he was thinking, he quickly shook the thought from his head.
So young and so naive to the dangers the mages possess.
She lifted her gaze at him and mouthed a wordless "sorry" to the new Templar.
He smiled at her, letting her know she was forgiven.

Soon Greagor and Irving had finished their argument and their attention was turned back to the younger bodies accompanying them in the corridor.
Irving cleared his throat. "Solona, please head back to your chamber, and do try to watch where you're going next time."
"Yes First Enchanter." she complied sheepishly before heading through a door down the hall.
Cullen's eyes followed her as she retreated, mesmerized by how silent her footfalls were on the stone floor.
"Cullen." Greagor called, bringing the Templar back to attention.
"Yes Knight-Commander."
"Without further delays, please accompany me to your quarters." Greagor extended a hand in the direction of the hallway before them.
Cullen followed him vacuously all the way up two more levels before finding himself in an empty room with a single bed, small vanity, armoire and a sectioned off area for bathing. He looked around the unfamiliar room, noticing his bags had already been delivered there by the elf he had seen at the entrance to the tower.
"I'll leave you to it then." Greagor started, "I expect to see you in the grand hall for supper in two hours."
Cullen nodded.
When Greagor had left, he dropped himself heavily onto the small bed, his armor clattering as he did so. He glanced up at the tall stone ceiling above him, reveling in the intricate architecture.
"Home sweet home I suppose."