A young woman stood in the hall, her hand poised to knock on the door of the war room, but she wasn't sure if she should. The stack of papers she had clutched in her arms was heavy, but they needed to be delivered quickly. Taking a deep breath, she made to knock on the door, but it opened and someone ran into her.
"Maker's breath! Lainey, are you alright?"
Her papers scattering about the floor of the hall, she quickly dropped onto her knees and tried to pick up the papers- all reports and requisition forms. "Oh, dear, this is such a mess..." She gathered them all up in her arms and stood, looking at the person who had run into her. Bowing, she blushed. "Please, forgive me Cullen, I was just bringing you and the other advisors the paperwork you asked for."
Cullen stood there, rubbing his neck. "Sorry to make you do all this, Lainey."
"It was no trouble, Cullen." Lainey replied, offering a smile.
"Thank you, Lainey, you can take the rest of the day off."
Lainey looked at the person who joined them and let them take the papers from her. "No, no, Eddie, it's alright. I still have things to prepare for the King's visit." She bowed, then looked up at Cullen, her smile growing a bit. "Again, Cullen, please forgive me." She bowed and turned to leave, hurrying down the hall.
Edmund Trevelyan, the Inquisitor, chuckled. "Ever think of her more than just a friend?"
Cullen shook his head and glanced at the Inquisitor. "Maker's breath, Ed. Let's just get this paperwork taken care of."
Edmund grinned and led the Commander back into the war room. "When will you get the courage to admit you care for her?"
Cullen blushed, earning a giggle from the other advisors, Leliana and Josephine Montilyet. "Would you lot shut up about it already? We have work to do and the King is due within the next couple of hours. Besides, Lainey and I are friends, nothing more."
Edmund, Leliana, and Josephine just laughed and went about their work, teasing Cullen here and there as they worked.
Lainey went about the courtyard, making sure the streets were clear of clutter, the infirmary was cleaned and stocked, the horses were groomed and fed and their stables cleaned, the market patrons shut down their stalls early for the party, and a million other things. She was so busy getting everything ready that she ran into someone. When she looked up, she blushed. The man she had run into was handsome. His bearings were similar to Cullen's, so she suspected he had been a Templar at some point in his life- or at least had training. He stood with another man at his side, then a few men behind him, bearing the crest of Ferelden on their armor.
"Please forgive me, ser. I wasn't looking where I was going." She stepped back and bowed, not realizing who it was. "I haven't seen you around Skyhold before, so welcome! The party will begin within the hour, once the King arrives, and everyone is welcome. Please, make yourself at home, there are some refreshments and food set aside in the kitchens so help yourself if you need a pick me up from your travels. I must return to my work, so again, welcome to Skyhold!"
"We need to see the Inquisitor. Could you show us the way?" Asked the man standing next to the one she had run into.
She nodded, looking at the man she had run into, meeting his gaze. He seemed quiet, not saying a word. He wore a royal blue vest over a beige tunic, dark brown trousers, and dark brown leather boots. He was tall, blonde, olive green eyes with specks of gold. He looked like his early to mid thirties, but he had clearly seen many battles. She felt herself blushing and looked back to his companion. "I was headed inside the keep myself. I can point you to the right hall if you'd like?"
"We'd greatly appreciate it." he replied.
She smiled. "Of course! Follow me, then."
She led them up the stairs, through the upper courtyard where the tavern and other buildings were housed, then up the next set of stairs and into the keep. Stopping just inside the main hall, she pointed to the left side of the hall. "If you go through the second to last door on the left, it'll take you through Josie's office and to the war room. I believe Eddie is still there with the others." She offered a smile. "I do apologize, but I must return to my preparations for the King's arrival. Please, if you need anything, anyone here can help you. If you'll excuse me..." She bowed, then turned and hurried off, shouting orders to some men bringing in tables from their storage room before she turned to one of the kitchen staff to sample something- smiling as she gave her approval.
The man she escorted to the main hall into stared after her, watching as she moved gracefully throughout the hall until she went through the door with the kitchen staff to check on things.
"Your majesty, we should proceed to the war room." His companion said, the one who had asked for directions.
The man he spoke to tuned him out, unintentionally as he watched this strange young woman he had just met. "She's beautiful..." he said to himself.
"Alistair! Are you listening?"
Alistair turned to look at his companion. "Sorry, James, you were saying?"
James Cousland- brother to the Teyrn of Highever Fergus Cousland and the Hero of Ferelden- sighed. "Alistair, you can't make doe eyes at every beautiful maiden you see. We're here as a formality to connect and potentially ally with the Inquisition."
Alistair sighed. "Of course." He looked back to see the young woman come back out laughing with a Qunari who was carrying things for her. "I wonder who she is... Perhaps I can ask her name at the party tonight..."
"You could, but for now, we need to meet with the Inquisitor." James said.
Alistair nodded and they made their way down to the second to last door and through towards the war room. As they approached the war room, he couldn't help but thinking about the strange young woman he had just met: her mousy brown hair with blonde tips, her brilliant blue eyes, tanned skin, her blue and gold dress and matching headband, the way she gracefully moved from place to place- her dainty feet poking out from under her skirts.
"I can't wait for tonight."