UPDATE*
Large lavender eyes looked up, a toothless mouth smile, she was born only a few hours before their meeting, but Elyse showed instant love for her older brother.
"She likes you," said their father, rustling the boys hair. Devon tickled his new sisters chin earning him another smile. "You're to look after her, she is in your care when we are not around."
Devon is a little disappointed, it'll be a few years before they can run in the gardens. When she is bigger he begins helping her to her feet and it's not long before her legs are strong enough to keep her up until finally Elyse is able to run.
She's much older and they are in the gardens running through the grass. They play mage and warrior, Elyse likes to play the mage. In deep concentration Elyse pulls at something she's never felt before, and a purple lightning bolt shoots forth when she thrusts her hands forward.
Devon eyes are wide, it is no secret to the family of Templars what this means.
Fear in those large eyes, It's the first time he's seen her cry since she was a babe.
"I'm sorry, please don't tell," she begs.
The boy is stunned, still and silent. Running over Elyse pulls at his sleeve, "Brother, please."
Pulling her into his embrace he answers quietly, "you are in my charge. I will keep you safe."
They are careful when they play, no more mages and warriors. He keeps a close watch, a blade at his side he's heard stories knows of the monsters that can be born through persons with magic.
Fear plaques the small girl, and that fear is revealed with dancing lights.
"Elyse," Devon calls, a soft shake pulls the girl from her slumber. When she wakes the lights retreat into her.
"Move over," he says playfully," scooting besides her she rolls over and the dream world takes her.
"Happy celebration day!" her parents surprise her with affection and a gift. The box is large and in it a dress.
"You'll wear it today," her mother informs happily. Elyse is distracted by the gown, it's white with lavender ruffles.
Standing in the gardens, young Elyse Trevelyan is quite bored, at the gathering. Her brother has disappeared and there aren't many children around. A table full of gifts, buts it's not yet time to open them, so Elyse plays in the fountain careful not to ruin her dress. As she plays a tall man in shining armor catches her eye, she doesn't recognize him but they've met. The Templar approaches her father, she knows what he is it's no secret and fear grips her.she doesn't want to be taken away. Doesn't want to leave home, nervously she looks for her big brother carefully moving around in attempt to hide from the Templar, her uncle.
xXx
Devon's lips thin and he smiles, the young man's warm mouth wrapped around him sending a delightful sensation up his shaft. The young Trevelyan dug his fingers into his partner's shoulders hips struggling to go slow. The boys see each other so rarely Devon wants this to last. Pulling away, Devon watches his lover untying his trousers. The young man handing him a small bottle, and Devon pours the contents into his hands generously applying it to his hard, the other young man bends over and shakes his ass teasingly.
xXx
Returning to the party feeling satisfied, and pleased, Devon hears his little sister's cry,
"No, please."
The Templar before is confused, "don't you remember me?"
Her fear keeps her from hearing his words, her eyes are locked onto the sword surrounded by flames on his breastplate.
Breathe shallow the purple lights surround her extending to the ground around her instinctively putting space between her and those around her.
"Calm down little one" the Templar said gently.
"Elyse!" Devon called and he watched as the Templar forced her powers to subside, and she collapses to the ground. The celebration ends early, with apologies from many of the guest to the family.
The next day Elyse is seated in a carriage, and she watches her family shrink before her eyes as she was taken away to a circle tower.
O0O
Arms swinging in the air, Cullen practices the swings and strikes the Templars have share with him this day. He continues to practice them until his movements are swift and easy the heavy stick he uses doesn't feel so heavy now. He'll show them his devotion to the practice when he is visiting the markets again in another ten day.
The days go by slowly and he's is anxious the night before he returns to the market. His father slows the cart but before it's had a chance to stop, Young Rutherford is jumping off the edge of the wagon and he quickly makes his way to the chantry where they are often on guard. Little did he know, today his persistence would pay off.
Going through his routine of practiced swings, the older men cheered laughing,
"Well you are dedicated young man, I'll give you that "
Ruffling his thick curls, Cullen's chest heaved and he smiled hopefully.
"Where's your parents, pup?" Asked one of the older Templar.
"With the wagon," Cullen answered and pointed. The older man nodded when he spotted a man of similar pale blonde hair as curly and the boy before him. The Templar took off in that direction without another word. Cullen stayed behind to practice sparring games with the Knights on watch.
The Knight returned, "Cullen Stanton Rutherford, bid your family farewell today you are recruited into the Templar order."
Ecstatic Cullen also felt extremely sad, he would have to leave home, but it was the best option for him his father knew. Cullen was meant for more than a commoner life. He's was too smart and determine a child. Back home he would share one final meal with his family, and saying farewell the following morning was harder than he could have imagined. When he was taken back to the market to be taken away for training.
xXx
Cullen is sits in a small chamber, he is meant to be calm before taking his final vows before becoming a Templar, he tries to stay focus, mumbling the words from the chant of light. Shaking his head he try to remain awake and he rubs his eyes, twirls his thumbs. Until finally it's over and he is escorted to the Chantry temple. In a line before the Holy Mother and her priestesses. Cullen promises his sword and loyalty of duty to the Maker. Other promise more, things he is not willing to wish away as he had been raised by a loving family. It is then Cullen is given his first taste of Lyrium and his life as a Templar begins.
It's not two days later and Cullen is guarding his first Harrowing, he sees the mage, she's about his age, her skin dark hair thick with full lips that offen make him smile. The mage greets him and Cullen can barely speak not yet knowing where to place the line between Mages and Templars. Wishing her good luck, she smiled though her attention is on the door to the room. Emerging victorious, Cullen smiles with relief, he wasn't ready to take a life.
It would be some months later when an outbreak of demons would overtake the circle tower. Blood mages revealed, and he is forced to fight. Cullen is cornered, the alluring form of a succubus transforms before his eyes, she appears to him as a mage, the one he so fancies fingers in his shortly cropped curls but he can feel the magic, and he knows it's not real. The voice one familiar wrapped with one rough and harsh, it's not her he repeats to himself and the battle for his mind begins.
The chaos is quieted when a group approaches, they try to convince him they are here to help, but he refused them believing they are also lies feed to his mind. He been in the barricade for days. Hours would past since the group has left him behind and before Cullen would feel the strength of magic fading. It would be sometime after that that his Templar brothers would find him, and escort him down to the entrance. Along the way he sees many of his friends were struck down. This was not what he imagine when he dreamed of becoming a Templar.
O0O
Elyse is anxious and it is known, those familiar purple lights are dancing over her shoulders.
"Calm, little sister," soothes her brother, it's not usual for family to attend a Harrowing, but he needs to be here he promised her if something went wrong she was in his charge, he would be the one to take the finishing blow.
"Do not give them reason to seek you," he said about the demons. They showed up with promises in exchange for possession.
"They will not have me,"she said confidently, no one could mimic the only person she love and missed, her only known sibling.
Deep in her slumber she walked in a world that seemed real, save for the surreal way in which her surroundings where displayed.
She was dancing, aren't we having fun said a familiar face and she giggled, the creatures face hidden from her and he whispered something sweet into her ear.
"What?" she smiled pulling away.
"Darling we've played long enough, now it's my turn. Let me in." The creature said caressing her cheek.
"I..have overstayed my welcome," she said as she considered her surroundings.
With a gasp she woke from the realm of dreams. Fingers rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Emerging from the room to the relief of her brother, cradling her cheek he congratulated her.
"Good girl."
She smiled and rested her cheek onto his shoulder. But their visit ended quickly and when it did Elyse sought out a young mage she had become close to.
"Giles!" she called cheerfully but the young man was not in his room. Word was delivered to her, he had been sent to another circle.
"He'll come back, but when he returns his heart will belong to another. It's just what they do, to keep us in our place."
0o0
Looking around the blooming rose, Cullen finds himself in a difficult position, the establishment is full of people, he knows his Templars frequent the place. He thinks this will give him an advantage but the women and men on display are not there to speak of things they were never meant to see.
"Well," came a familiar voice behind him. "Never thought I'd see you in here Knight Captain."
"Maker, it's not what you think." He says looking dismayed.
"Pity," Hwake says with an ever flirtatious smirk on her face.
Rolling his eyes Cullen thought to ask her for a favor.
"No way, I'm here to relax, Knight Captain. Not to chase after your leads, ask the guard I've got plans." her eyes sweep over smiling faces those she's known and those still waiting for a taste.
Standing tall he questions her love for her adopted city, it works she's not sure how but his loyalty to duty is ever inspiring.
"How could I say no to such a face," her response is playful and Cullen finds his fingers rubbing his eyes to hide the blush rising in his cheeks.
"I have one request,"
"Do I want to know what it is?"
"Buy me a drink after?" She smiles and he agrees.
Task done, she reminds him, "you owe me a drink, remember?"
"Not here," he says with discomfort.
Seated at the back of the Hanged Man, they drank quietly, Hwake could tell Cullen did not wish to be here, he seemed uneasy and distracted.
"Tell me Knight Commander, do you ever take a break from your duties?" She asked breaking the silence.
Drawn from his thoughts he considered the question, "I….not lately, no" he said somberly. "It distracts me, the work."
"Walk me home."a friendly smile on hèr face.
It was late but being the gentlemen he was Cullen agreed. The kiss was sudden and unexpected, yes she had been unyieldingly flirtatious but tonight they spoke of work and for a while they drank in silence. Cullen was not expecting it, but neither had he shied away from her lips. But against his own desires he pulls away.
"In can't," he repeats thought he responds to her lips.
"I can't," Cullen says more to himself but he pushes the smaller woman back more roughly then he intends and she can see the fear in his eyes.
"I'm sorry," he sighs regret in his eyes and he rushes off.
0o0
News of the outbreak in Kirkwall spread quickly, Devon Trevelyan was sent with urgency to remove his sister from the circle tower. Though surrounded by relatives Her father, Lord Bann Trevelyan would not have his daughter sit in a tower, should a similar rebellion break in Oswick.
"I would like to go in support of the side of Mages," Elyse said to her father. "Please my Lord, the chantry of the Free Marches believe they will stand idelly by and let the world figure itself out. But we must make a stand. We must choose our cause."
"And you would stand with the Mages?" Her father asked with a little surprise in his voice as their family for many generations had participate and worked with the church.
"Yes, we are not what people think."
Her brother Devon offered to escort her and it was the only way their father would allow her to go.
"You are not to leave her side," he commanded. Devon had always been in his own world the older he got the more distracted he became. It was a miracle he leaned to wield a blade and defend with a shield. But to Lord Trevelyans everlasting disappointments he did not join their families tradition and join the Chantry.
"Thank you pa-pa, she said humbly..
She had gone on her way to the chantry in Haven the journey was long and the mountains to cold for her liking. Similarly Cullen had been on a boat back to Ferelden. Feeling sick on a boat the velvet coat and leather shirt barely enough to keep him safe from the cool air on the waters, but it helped with the sickness.
"You'll be fine curly," a dwarf traveling with him commented handing him elfroot to chew on in attempt to settle his stomach.
xXx
Blurry eyes opened to a rough woman with short cropped hair, Elyse would barely understand what the woman was saying.
"Explain this," the dark haired woman demanded.
At the sight of a strange green mark in her palm on her hand, a sharp pain shot up Elyse's arm and she groaned against it..Taken outside Elyse saw a year in the sky, it glowed with the same color the mark on her hand did.
"You were the only survivor."
"No,"can Elyse sighed. Her brother Devon had escorted her. But he had not been in the conclave. Her memory of his we're abouts foggy.
Demons were everywhere, and the green color of the in the sky spread far. Cassandra, fought fearlessly against the demons that poured out of the sky. The beasts aggressive headed for them everytime. Elysed hardly believe what was happening.
Hand extended towards the breach between worlds Elyse looked at the glowing mark on her hand. It's strange and she feels a tingling sensation along the thin mark. Her eyes raise to met soft golden ones and she is speechless.
Cullen approaches Cassandra relieved they were able to close the rift., His eyes fell on a woman he only heard of his voice booms with command and expectation..
Arriving before a larger breech in the sky, there are voices pouring from the fade. Cassandra recognizes the voice of the revered mother. Then the voice of a man and after Elyse's voice bleeds through.
"What's going on?" She says.
"You were there, who is that?" The Seeker questions.
But Elyse struggles
"I don't know. I can't remember any of this," she sighs.
"Kill them," came the last command of the unknown male.
"So you are innocent," Cassandra sighs. She seems sad by what she has heard. And Sorry for her treatment towards you.
With a warning of what might come from the other side. Elyse opens the breach with ease. But the door way calls the attention of many watching from the other side. The spirits pour through the breach, so many that those surrouning the area can hardly send them back. For every one slain two more merge from the fade.
The ground trembles, a pride demon has come through. With eyes on Elyse the demon isn't fazed by her magice. He too is.a creature of lightning. She is useless.
"Close the breach," Cullen calls to her.
"Your magic is useless on him, focus on the breach," Solas advised.
Elyse attempts to close the opening breach time and again, but there are to many distractions. And this one is too powerful.
"Close it now," Cullen called out over his shoulder, he had been standing with Elyse defensively.
The sound of rushing wind blew away his command, Elyse shook her hand, she could barely feel it. She reaches her hand upward once more, each time holding on a little longer. Cullen takes note of her struggle, she is kneeling an outstretched leg to support her and she hold up her marked hand with her free one. Cullen repositions himself behind her. moves behind her.
Wrapping an arm around her waist, his free hand holding the wrist of her marked hand.. Cullen feels her weaning in his arms. An eruption of dancing lights emerge covering her shoulder running down to her waist they reach down her long legs and spread out sparkling against the grown. The lights make Cullen nervous until he realizes they are little more than a display.
Teeth gritting, Elyse cries aloud from the intensity that shoots through the mark. Drawing from her magic Cullen feels her strengthen as she stands firmly on her own once more. The demon is down and a strong wind shoots through the area. Elyse and Cullen are thrown back by the force of the wind landing on a pile of rubble. The woman sinks in his arms and when he confirms she is breathing he rests his head back against the rubble letting out a sigh of relief.
The breach returns to the state in which it had been sealed but not close.
"She's not strong enough," Solas offered.
Eyes on the sky the group returned to Haven. They must find a solution.