Running the Gauntlet - A Dragon Age Inquistion Fan Fiction by Foxfire79 (Cullen/Inquisitor)
Disclaimer: I don't work for Bioware, nor have I ever been involved with the creation of any of the characters within the Dragon Age universe. I'm just playing with them (as we were meant to). The only original characters are the ones I created in-game, and have brought over to the fanfic universe, namely Lilah Trevelyan, my human female rogue Inquisitor who is now living through a second incarnation and yet another play-through (and another romance with Cullen, of course). Apparently I still like being a rogue, human and female. Who knew?
Insert words here!
~Lilah's Morning~
As Lilah dashed down the shortcut which led to Solas' chambers, she relived the events of the previous night in her head. She and the Commander... No no no, She and Cullen... They'd decided to try it. Being in a relationship together. A proper relationship, with the 'getting to know one another' and the 'deep conversations about their fundamental beliefs'. Oh, and the physical aspect as well, of course. She could feel her cheeks growing pink with the memory of his hands roaming all over her skin this morning, his lips on her neck, his tongue gently caressing the shell of her ear... Maker's Breath, what was wrong with her? It's not like she was a blushing virgin, but it had been about ten years since her last romantic interlude, and that had not ended well. Maybe that was the reason why every time she came into contact with his body she responded so... explosively. He'd barely touched her, they'd still had half of their clothes on for goodness sake, and still she'd... and twice! I mean, the first time she could blame it all on the Harlot's Blush, but this morning... No. Her body had clearly realised that she was about to break a ten year drought, and it was letting her know how pleased it was by over-reacting every time the handsome ex-templar threw her a passing glance.
She reached the door and slammed both of her hands against it, trying to dismiss her embarrassing thoughts before she ran into her stoic elven mage. With whom she still had to have a very serious chat about rare blossoms and how they shouldn't just be handed out all willy-nilly. The bolt on the other side of the door lifted in response to the loud bang she'd made on arrival, and she found herself looking up into the elf's slightly bleary eyes.
"Good morning, Solas!"
She chirped it rather brightly, and found her right hand reaching up to her hair to re-check it for any tell-tale messiness. The elven mage looked her over, blinking in confusion.
"Good morning, Trevelyan. Why...?"
She pushed past him, hurrying through his quarters and rushing toward the door that led to the main hall.
"No time to talk, Solas, sorry! I'm running late! See you when we get back!"
Solas looked after her retreating figure, a slightly bemused look settling across his face.
"Well then. It seems my meddling panned out after all."
He was going to enjoy his next few days off. Maybe he'd go and tease the Knight Captain again later.
Lilah paused at the next door as it led directly out into the main hall, and she could already hear the voices of people starting to mill around, most likely hoping to catch a glimpse of their beloved Inquisitor. She took a deep breath, patted her hair down once more, and slipped through the door as quietly as possible. She edged her way down the hall, hugging her body as closely to the wall as she could, and managed to make it to her own door unmolested. She pelted up the stairs and into her bedchamber, undoing the buttons on her jacket as she went. The one good thing about wearing armour was that she didn't have to wear a corset underneath it. She grabbed at the top of the restrictive garment and tried not to think about Cullen doing almost the exact same thing earlier that morning. She imagined she could still feel her skin burning from his touch, and she growled in annoyance when the hooks and eyes refused to bend to her will. She almost jumped out of her skin when a cheery voice called out to her from the vicinity of her desk.
"You know, I could just slice that open for you, Lize. Then we might actually get out of here on time!"
Lilah's hand flew up to her throat, then the chair spun around slowly revealing Sera sitting with her legs crossed on the seat.
"Gah! Sera, what on Thedas are you...?"
The eleven rogue stood up, stretching, her neck cracking loudly.
"Doing here? Well, I was hoping to catch you mid-shag with your secret lover man, but it looks like you spent the night at his. Wherever that is, you sneaky, sneaky thing you. You do have a nice glow about you, though. So he must have been very good, whoever he is. Yay you!"
Lilah sighed, and continued to undress facing away from Sera, grabbing her armour from the dummy by the wardrobe.
"How long have you been here, Sera? I could have you arrested for sneaking around my personal chamber, you know."
Sera gave a dismissive snort and moved closer to help Lilah with the buckles on her chest plate.
"Pfft! Don't be daft, you like me too much! Besides, I was only concerned for your welfare. If he'd shagged you too hard, you never would have taken us out on our dragon hunting trip today. And you did promise. I just didn't want to be the one to tell Iron Bull that it wasn't happening. An angry qunari... I don't even want to think about it."
Sera shuddered, her eyes closing, and Lilah chuckled softly. She slipped her feet into her knee-high leather boots and tightened the buckles, then threw her dark brown leather duster over the top. It was very cold on these early mountain mornings. She walked over to her wash basin, splashed some cold water on her face and neck, and wiped it off again with the towel hanging below. She felt a sad pang in her chest when she realised she was removing any traces that Cullen may have left on her, then closed her eyes and pressed her lips together tightly. This was getting ridiculous. She ran her wet fingers through her hair, followed this with a quick brushing and tied it back tightly in her usual no nonsense ponytail. She turned to look at Sera, and found her looking her over, appraisingly.
"How do I look?"
Sera nodded, and folded her arms.
"Very professional. Not at all like you just took the longest 'walk of shame' ever, then threw this look together in five minutes."
Lilah sighed once more, and sheathed her daggers on her back.
"Shut up, you. Let's just... find the others and get going."
Sera clapped her on the back, walking jauntily beside her.
"Oh, come on Lize! I'm just joking around, you look fine. We've already got all the supplies ready, and Dorian has your breakfast waiting for you. The horses are saddled, the tents are loaded, all you have to do is show up. Oh, and you might want to adjust your collar... like so."
Sera pulled the collar of Lilah's undershirt up to cover something on the right hand side of her neck. Cullen had clearly been leaving marks on her again. Damn him and his beautiful body! Lilah's head dropped in defeat, and she looked up at Sera slowly. The elven girl was clearly holding back an onslaught of giggles.
"Thanks Sera."
Sera looked away, then let loose with a snort followed by a massive bout of giggles. In the couple of minutes it took her to catch her breath, they'd reached the front gates where Dorian and The Iron Bull were waiting by the horses.
"No probs, Lize. Don't want just anyone knowing that your blight sickness... is spreading..."
The blonde elf almost collapsed with laughter, causing Dorian and Iron Bull to look down at her first, then over to Lilah, questioningly. Lilah took the now cooling slice of toast from Dorian's fingers and started munching on it industrially, ignoring the giggling elven rogue. Lilah grabbed the reins of her favourite horse, the dark blue roan she'd lovingly nicknamed 'Blueberry', and hefted herself into the saddle. Iron Bull looked down at Sera who was now leaning heavily on her knees, trying to calm her breathing.
"I don't even want to know what that was about."
He mounted up on the large black and white cart horse beside her, handing her an apple to go with her toast. Lilah nodded her thanks, wiping the crumbs from her face with her sleeve. Dorian clambered up on his grey horse on her other side, looking at her curiously, seeming to note her upturned collar with interest.
"I do. I'm very curious as to what could have sent Sera into such a state this early in the day. Usually she's grumpy."
Lilah shrugged as Sera regained her senses and mounted her strawberry blonde horse on the other side of Iron Bull.
"Who knows? Anyway, daylight's burning. Let's head off to Hafter's Woods and seek out that mercenary stronghold. And keep an eye out for logging stands."
Iron Bull flicked the reins, heading out through the gates.
"Sure thing boss. Then we're going after the dragon, right?"
Lilah grinned, slipping the apple into her saddlebag for later, all thoughts of Cullen disappearing for a brief moment as she imagined Iron Bull taking on a dragon, one-on-one.
"That's the plan, Bull. That is the plan."
Sera slipped into the spot Bull had left empty by moving forward, and nudged Lilah's arm, a cheeky smile crossing her face.
"Are you certain your lover boy will be able to live without you for a few nights? And vice versa. Can you deal with not having him leave more love bites on you?"
Lilah looked over at Sera in a panic, her eyes growing wide.
"Sera! Be quiet, people might hear you! I'll... WE'LL be fine, I'm certain. Now don't bring it up again!"
Lilah nudged Blueberry with the heels of her boots and she cantered off after Iron Bull. Dorian threw Sera a sharp look and she looked away, innocently, then urged her horse forward as well. He looked off into the distance where Lilah's horse had taken the lead for their expedition.
"Interesting. I think I need to have a little chat with my dear long-lost cousin."
He urged his horse into a gallop, following after the other three members of the team, the early morning light glinting off the buckles on his saddle. This was going to be an interesting trip indeed.
~Cullen's Morning~
Cullen cinched the leather belt holding his chest plate together a little tighter and eyed his reflection in the mirror. The smug little half smile still hadn't dropped from his lips yet. He and the Inquisitor... No no no, Lilah and he... They were together. The smile tugged even harder at the corners of his mouth as he recalled her words... She could grow to love him, in time. He knew that he was well on the way to falling himself, he was just glad her feelings were along the same lines as his. And she certainly seemed to enjoy his company. So far the few kisses and touches they'd shared, well... as unlearned as he was in the romantic arts, he could gauge from her reactions that he seemed to be doing something right. Extremely right if you were keeping a tally of any kind. The sounds she made when he kissed her throat... That sigh with the slight catch to it as she moaned when he'd brushed against her womanhood... He could feel himself growing hard again just thinking about it. Yes, physically there didn't seem to be any issues between them. But there was no time for that now.
Since Josephine already knew he was awake, there would be no escaping the early morning advisor's meeting. He splashed some cold water on his face, frowning when he saw how thick his stubble was. He'd shave later, surely Josephine and Leliana would forgive him for looking a little scruffy after a full day's convalescence. He ran his wet fingers through his hair, then pulled his brush through it, styling it as flatly as he could, then climbed back down the ladder to his office and grabbed his sword, securing it in the scabbard at his waist. His stomach growled loudly as he began to head out the door, so he changed direction, heading toward the door leading down to the stables and the rear of the kitchen.
He could hear voices near the front gate and his steps slowed as he saw Lilah, Sera, Iron Bull and Dorian milling around their horses while getting ready to leave on their trip. Lilah seemed to be eating a slice of toast, while Sera was laughing so hard she seemed to be almost ready to collapse on the ground. His eyes stayed on Lilah though, and he heard himself gasp as she mounted her horse with such ease. Only a mere hour ago, those lithe legs of hers had been wrapped around him... No, he couldn't think about it now. He willed the dirty thoughts away, and hoped that his groin would obey the order. When he turned to look at her again, all four horses were already well on their way out of the gates and down the mountain path. He breathed out a small sigh of relief, but he also felt a sad twinge in his chest. He wouldn't be seeing Lilah for a few days. He shouldn't have felt so downtrodden, seeing as their romance was brand new, but still... He would miss her. He always missed her.
He headed up the steps into the kitchen, pushing the door open to a cluster of rather starstruck kitchen staff.
"That there Dorian, I don't care if he's from Tevinter, he's certainly easy on the eyes..."
"That Iron Bull, though... The things the serving girls in the tavern say about him... I wouldn't mind riding the bull if you know what I mean..."
"The elf does it for me. That choppy haircut, those chunky boots, the skin-tight armour... Phwoar!"
Cullen cleared his throat, announcing his entrance, and the chatter stopped. He edged around to where the cheese and bread were stored and grabbed a large chunk of both before heading into the bowels of the castle. As the door closed behind him, he heard the girls start giggling behind it.
"Oh, and then there's HIM... Commander Cullen..."
He heard what sounded like a collective sigh from the entire group, and he shook his head as he headed up the stairs leading to Josephine's vestibule. She wasn't there, which meant she was probably already in the council room. It still seemed rather odd to him that she'd be coming up the stairs that led down to the stables to come and see him in his office. The closer entrance would be Solas' shortcut, but she probably hadn't wanted to disturb the elven mage's sleep. That didn't explain the straw in her hair though. He puzzled about it a few more seconds while he opened the door and found her, Leliana and Cassandra huddled over the map table, shuffling the markers around. They all looked up as he entered, Cassandra throwing a slightly annoyed look in his direction.
"I certainly hope you're feeling better today, Cullen. You missed an entire day of missives, messengers and general mayhem."
Cullen nodded, rubbing the back of his neck self consciously. Her abrasive manner this early in the morning after one of the best nights of his life was just a little too much of a shock to his system. He decided to play the one sympathetic card that he knew she'd react to.
"Yes, sorry. I believe you understand the circumstances of my illness better than anyone, Cassandra. It won't happen again. At least for a while."
He might have imagined it, but he swore he could see a touch of red colouring her high cheekbones.
"Uh, yes, I understand. Please keep me informed if you need any more help with your... condition."
Josephine coughed all of a sudden, and looked away from the table. Cassandra gathered up her things and began to head for the door. He assumed this meant that seeing as he was back in action, she was free to continue her normal daily routine.
"Good day, Cassandra."
Leliana bid the taller woman farewell, and all she received was a slight shrug in response. She sighed and turned back towards Cullen, a small smile gracing her lips.
"And welcome back Commander. Is that your breakfast?"
She glanced down at the huge chunks of bread and cheese in his hands and he nodded, placing them on the table.
"Would you like some? I fear I slept in this morning and missed the bell for breakfast. This was all I could grab from the kitchen before the staff... Uh, for want of a better phrase, attacked me with kindness."
Josephine almost choked as she started coughing again, and both Leliana and Cullen shot sharp looks at her. She covered her mouth and looked down studiously at the map, cheeks turning pink. Leliana smiled at him kindly, breaking a small corner off the cheese wedge to nibble on.
"Ah yes, the kitchen staff. They fall in love so easily with authority figures. You should see them when the Inquisitor goes in there, they almost faint with joy. That being said, are you feeling well this morning? Your colour seems to have improved..."
Josephine stifled another giggle, and Leliana turned towards her, one eyebrow raised.
"Is there something you need to say, Josie?"
Josephine shook her head, looking away toward the window, and Cullen spotted another piece of straw sticking out of the golden sash she wore as a belt. He leaned forward deftly, snatching it before Josephine had a chance to snatch it, and looked at it curiously. What on Thedas could she possibly have been doing in the stables that she'd end up with hay through her hair and through her clothes...? Oh Maker. His eyes widened at the realisation, and his lips turned up at the corners. He could play the game just as well as anyone if he had the right ammunition.
Josephine turned back to the table, and suddenly noticed Cullen holding yet another piece of straw between his fingers. She noticed the look in his eyes, and the smug smile on his features, and decided she had to act.
"Cullen and the Inquisitor are sleeping together!"
Cullen set his jaw and narrowed his eyes, pointing at her across the map table.
"You're shagging Blackwall!"
Josephine gasped, her hand flying up to her throat as she searched for something to say in return. Leliana just tore a piece off the bread Cullen had brought in and chewed on it, smiling to herself. Cullen and Josephine's stand-off didn't seem to be going anywhere. Leliana swallowed her mouthful, then glanced up at both of them.
"So what? Who cares! You're all adults, you can sleep with whomever you want to. Besides, this is all old news to me anyway."
Josephine and Cullen both turned to look at her, slightly shocked. Cullen more so, because technically he was yet to actually sleep with the Inquisitor in the sense that Josephine was speaking about. They'd only been playing around so far. He could feel his cheeks turning red though. Josephine looked over at Leliana, exasperated.
"But, but... I was so careful! There was no-one around when I sneaked over to the stables, I always checked!"
Leliana simply raised her other eyebrow, and smiled knowingly. Josephine visibly deflated, defeated.
"Ah, there's no sneaking around you. You are the spymaster after all. So have long have you known about us? Ser Blackwall and I, I mean."
Leliana swallowed the second piece of cheese she'd sneakily taken while Cullen wasn't looking, and wiped a crumb from the corner of her mouth.
"Since the night you started, of course, about three months ago. I have eyes everywhere, Josie, you should know that by now."
Josephine pointed an accusatory finger at Cullen over the table, and he glanced over at Leliana to see what her reaction would be. She said nothing more, so Josephine sighed, and calmed herself.
"And how long have you known about the Inquisitor and Cullen?"
Leliana smiled over at him, her eyes twinkling with mirth, and he found himself looking away, blushing.
"Oh, watching those two has been so much fun. They're both so clueless, it's adorable."
Cullen scoffed at this, dismissively waving his hand in the spymaster's direction.
"I am in no way adorable! And Lilah and I..."
Josephine leaned over the table, grinning widely.
"Oh, so it's Lilah now, is it? You've never called her by her first name before. Things must be progressing nicely..."
Leliana placed a hand on her arm, eyes still twinkling in Cullen's direction.
"Oh Josie, it's nothing like that. Our Cullen is a proper gentleman. They've barely done anything untoward, though I do believe the Inquisitor spent the night with our smitten Commander last night. From the look of her, though... I still don't think she's been completely satisfied."
Josephine's eyes got the same twinkle in them as Leliana's, and Cullen found himself edging slightly closer to the door.
"Oh, how sweet."
How did he keep finding himself in these situations? First it had been all the flirty but slightly uncomfortable conversations he'd had with Lilah, although those had led to them eventually becoming closer. He could look back at those talks fondly now, but at the time... Maker, he hadn't known what to say. And here he was again, reduced to a blushing, silent mess. This was... intolerable.
"What the Inquisitor and I do in our free time is none of your business. Either of your business'. And yes, I am a gentleman, and no we haven't done... what you're discussing yet. We've literally only been together for two days."
Leliana puffed out a breath, rolling her eyes.
"So all of those little chats you two had were just that? Little chats. Ugh, how old are you again?"
Cullen crossed his arms, glaring across the table at her.
"What does it matter?"
Leliana strolled around the other side of the table, linking her arm through his.
"Cullen, it only took a few weeks for Alistair and Ceridwen to get together, and they were on the road, fighting darkspawn. With Zevran interfering the entire time, no less. You two have known each other for over six months and what? Have you even kissed her yet?"
She began leading him towards the door, Josephine hurriedly grabbing up her writing board to follow them.
"So, the meeting's cancelled then?"
Leliana threw a look at her over her shoulder, opening the heavy door leading back out into the corridor.
"This is more important than the meeting, Josie. I'm not sure how to say this, but... Cullen, have you ever actually... been with a woman?"
He raised his unencumbered hand and rubbed the back of his neck, wishing for all the world that he was anywhere but here. Maker help him...
END OF PART 01
Ta da! Here's the beginning of it, I told you guys I'd be getting a lot of stuff written during my holidays. So this is the beginning of 'Running the Gauntlet', the sequel to my other story 'I Dreamed a Dream (of banana pancakes)'. I'm not even going to try and guess how long this thing is going to be, chapter one was only going to be one part and now it's already two parts. As long as you guys are enjoying it, I'll keep writing it. As always, read, review and enjoy! Part two coming soon!
Foxfire out!