An Angry Elf

Katelyn and Cullen were in the main hall sitting together eating. They would steal glances at each other, smile, and occasionally touch. They were joined at the table by Dorian, Varric, Cole and Josephine. They were all talking and laughing, Cullen was even smiling.

"You know, it would not be all that unseemly if you wanted to wrap an arm around her waist, Commander," Dorian suggested.

Cullen reached up and rubbed his neck; a part of him knew that what Dorian said was true, but the well-trained, well-organized part of him wanted to appear professional and as much as he loved touching her, doing that as much as he wanted to was not exactly professional. Katelyn looked at him and smirked as she saw him rubbing his neck. She reached out and put her hand on his knee. He looked at her as he lowered his hand and smiled.

"Safe and sound, protecting and proud…" Cole started.

A flush started creeping up Cullen's face and Katelyn saw it. "Cole, thank you for sharing," she started. She lowered her voice and continued, "but we don't want everyone in Skyhold hearing that."

Cole looked sad. "Listen kid, not everyone in Skyhold wants their feelings broadcast out in public like that. When it's just you and them, it's okay to share, got it," Varric said.

"People like it better to hear that alone?" Cole asked.

Katelyn nodded at Cole and then looked at Cullen. Everyone knew they were together, they've kissed up on the battlements enough times to have been seen, and there really was very little harm in it. Cullen smirked after she gave him a slight nod and then wrapped his arm around her waist. She leaned back against his chest and put her hand on his. Cullen quietly sighed.

Dorian smiled, "Now that's more like it."

Cullen sent him a half-hearted glare.

Varric chuckled at the two of them. "You got it kid…"

Before Varric could finish, a messenger came in looking a little nervous. "Serah Varric, there is someone at the main gate who wishes to see you."

Varric looked a little worried. "One person, more than one person? I need more information, might be time to go hide for a bit."

"If it's the Carta here because…she was here, the Inquisition will protect you Varric," Katelyn said as her body stiffened.

"I can ensure our forces won't let the Carta step foot in Skyhold," Cullen added, trying to reassure both Varric and Katelyn, she was his first priority of course.

"Thanks for the thought, Curly, but the Carta is good at being sneaky and stealthy."

"And we have people trained to spot people using stealth…there will be no more instances like the attack on Josephine and the attempt to kill the Inquisitor," Cullen said, tightening his hold on her waist as his gut clenched at the memory of her getting attacked by the assassin's that had snuck into Skyhold.

Katelyn glanced back at him and their eyes met. She gave him a partial smile as she squeezed his hand; she could see the concern that had worked its way into his eyes. He still felt like he'd failed her because the assassins had snuck into Skyhold and attacked her; he'd taken it very personally, not only because she'd been hurt, but because someone had gotten past his guards to get to her.

She leaned close to his ear and whispered, "There isn't any place safer in Skyhold than where I am right now."

The concern in his eyes started to disappear and affection took its place as he gave her a slight smile and a squeeze.

"It is one man at the gate; an elf with strange markings covering his skin," the messenger stated.

"Shit," Varric muttered.

"Varric, what is it?" Katelyn asked, her body tensing.

"An old friend that I need to talk to."

"Are you sure you're going to be okay…you don't seem all that thrilled about this?" she asked.

"He's angry at me, but I should be fine…you know how good I am at sweet talking people."

Katelyn wasn't convinced, but there was only so much she could argue. She gave him a lopsided grin. "If you're sure Varric. I don't want anything…"

"I'll be fine, Red. Don't stop eating on my account."

Varric stood up slowly and made his way to the main doors; everyone just watched him go.

Katelyn looked up at Cullen after Varric was out of sight. He reached up and put his fingers on her cheek. "Hey, don't worry, there are soldiers out in the courtyard, if anything happens, they'll step in." He ran his fingertips down her cheek as he talked. When they reached her chin, he flipped his fingers and lightly ran his nails back up her cheek as he went on, "We aren't very far away ourselves. I'm not going to let anything happen to that dwarf considering how often he's helped make sure you came back to me," he said, finishing in a whisper as he cupped her cheek in his hand. He tipped her head up slightly, then leaned forward and lightly kissed her.

Their eyes met after he pulled back and she saw again how much he loved her. She reached up and cupped his cheek, then pulled him down again for longer kiss. She could feel him smile against her.

"Angry and hurt, lost and broken…his love is lost where he can't go," Cole said without being prompted.

Katelyn looked at Cole and her insides clenched as she remembered the messenger's description of the man at the gate and mentally compared it to the description of a certain elf in Varric's book on the Champion.

"Shit!" She stood up without warning and started making her way to the courtyard.

Dorian was surprised by how quickly she was moving. She since left right after Cole shared whatever he was sharing, Dorian looked to him for more information, but he was gone.

Cullen was just as surprised by her sudden departure, so much so that he didn't have a chance to stop her. "Katelyn, wait," he called after her, but she didn't even slow down.

Without missing a beat, he was up and following her, as he ran through what Cole had said. Then the messenger's remarks about Varric's guest registered and he stopped about halfway to the door. There was only one person it could be, Fenris and he was there because Hawke had been left in the Fade. "Damn," he swore, a little louder than he'd intended, causing heads to turn.

He started moving, quickening his pace. If Fenris were to find out that it was Katelyn that had made the decision to leave Hawke in the Fade, what would he do? A knot formed in his stomach as he vividly remembered the fight with Meredith and watching the elf's markings glow right before he ripped a man's heart out. "If he hurts her…he will not be leaving Skyhold," Cullen vowed, his features tight and his forehead furrowed.

Dorian stood up casually, a little put out to be all but abandoned so abruptly. He looked at Josephine, who had also stood up. She was just picking up her clipboard, when she looked up at him. "My dear Ambassador, I do believe we are missing something."

"It would seem so." She paused. "Are you going out there?"

"If there is going to be drama, I don't intend to miss it. I am most curious who this guest is. I suspect that our dear Inquisitor and Commander have both figured out who he is and they seem most concerned about it. I feel slighted that I am not privy to this secret. I must find out exactly who is here or else I might go mad. Care to join me?"

"It is rather important as Ambassador that I am privy to important matters regarding the Inquisition…I don't dare miss it. Hopefully they won't start without us."

Dorian smiled and together they made their way to the courtyard, walking.