Notes: I was posed the challenge by a friend to write a fanfiction on Dragon Age Inquisition that included a role for all possible Inquisitors, since they were all at the Conclave. I couldn't pass it up, but I decided to bring back all the characters from previous games that I wish we had seen in Inquisition.
Drop me a review or a note if you like it, I would love to hear from readers!
"My Lady Inquisitor!" A guard banged on the door of the War Room, causing all the inhabitants to stop conversation.
Cullen reached out to open the door, allowing the guard and one of Leliana's scouts through. "My Lady, a rider approaches us. He's just about at the main bridge."
Evelyn set aside her map, her delicate features scrunching into a look of confusion. "We have people from all over come here on a daily basis. What makes this one such a cause for a fuss?"
The Scout stepped forward, a bit of excitement in her posture. "Master Dennet says he rides an armored black Anderfel Courser." A soft gasp escaped from the Spymaster, a look of comprehension crossing Leliana's face while everyone else only looked more perplexed.
"He came," Leliana had a look on her face that Evelyn never saw before. It was a girlish excitement, less guarded than she ever presented herself. For just a moment, Evelyn saw a glimpse of an old Leliana, a woman from a life far before they met. "Go get Morrigan. Tell her to meet us in the courtyard. Now!" the Spymaster ordered her Scout, and without another word, ran out of the War Room.
Evelyn, Cassandra, and Cullen exchanged perplexed glances. "Um, did I miss something?" Evelyn asked.
"Apparently we all did." Cassandra eyes were narrowed in suspicion, which seemed to be her default emotion when presented with something new.
Josephine on the other hand, began to look as excited as Leliana had. "If it is who I think it is, none of us will want to miss this. Come on!" Josephine rushed out of the room, and the rest followed.
"Evelyn, you must go first. It is proper for you to greet any high profile guests." Josephine fell back to let the young mage go first. Evelyn didn't argue, but was rather thrilled that the proper Ambassador to the Inquisition had finally started getting used to calling her by something other than a title.
When they got to the Courtyard, a small crowd of Skyhold's inhabitants had stopped to watch the commotion, obviously sensing that something was happening. Guards parted the crowd, making way for the Leaders of the Inquisition. Just as Evelyn reached the bottom steps, an armored man rode through the gate on top of one of the largest horses she had ever seen. It was an intimidating sight to say the least, but she found herself studying his armor more than anything.
It was made from some kind of unknown material that she had certainly never come across in her travels. A gleaming black material that glinted blue in the sunlight, molded to contour his body so well that Evelyn knew it had to have been made by a Dwarf.
The armor on the large Anderfel Courser matched that of it's rider. They certainly made a majestic sight.
Evelyn straightened her back and watched as the rider dismounted, handing the horse's reins to Master Dennet. The rider faced Leliana, who stood to the side with a wide smile on her face, which only grew wider when the he took off his helmet.
"Red," his deep voice said in an obvious tone of affection. That was all it took for Leliana to momentarily throw her composure aside and launch into his arms, causing the rider to willingly drop his helmet so he could catch her.
Everyone, save Josephine, was slightly shocked to see their intimidating and calculating Spymaster come undone. The group may have been stunned by the Spymaster, but Evelyn, and from the looks of it Cassandra and Hawke too, were stunned by the rider.
Tall. Not Iron Bull tall, but taller than most men was the first thing anyone would notice. He had long chestnut hair that was tied back, a black tattoo of unknown symbols on the side of his face, and a scruffy beard covering his strong jawline. Dark brown eyes completed the picture of a wickedly handsome man.
"Wow," A stunned Hawke let out from behind her. That pretty much summed it up for Evelyn too. From past conversations with Leliana, she began to suspect who this man was, and opted to wait patiently for the two to conclude their reunion.
Leliana's eyes were shining bright with affection and joy, looking up at the man as he held her by the shoulders to get a better look at her. "It's been a long time, and you're as sunny as ever." Someone, and Evelyn was sure it was Varric, snorted in disbelief behind her.
"And you're as much of a rake as ever. Thank the Maker you're safe." Leliana wrapped her hand around his wrist, squeezing it tenderly.
"Of course I am. An Archdemon tried to kill me and failed, I sincerely doubt anything else can. Unless you count my lovely wife." She stared at him for a moment longer before stepping back and facing the group.
"Inquisitor Trevelyan, may I present Warden-Commander Aedan Cousland, the Hero of Ferelden." Cousland turned his attention to Evelyn, mouth widening into a rakish smile. He stepped over to her, bowing in respect.
"Lady Inquisitor, it is an honor. Your deeds have spread to every corner of Thedas, even in the most remote that I have been the past year," He took her hand in the customary noble fashion and kissed the back of it. "Though I must say, your reputation does not do your beauty justice."
Despite everything, Evelyn could not keep her cheeks from matching her deep red hair. "Thank you Warden-Commander Cousland, for your presence and the flattery." She knowingly glanced over at Leliana, who had rolled her eyes at the whole exchange.
"I'd like to present the leaders of the Inquisition. Right hand of the Divine, Seeker Cassandra Pentaghast." Evelyn gestured to her friend, greatly amused by the fact that even suspicious and stoic Cassandra had a light blush on her cheek when the Warden-Commander took her hand to greet her in the same way as he did Evelyn.
"Seeker Cassandra, Leliana often wrote of you in our letters. It is about time I put a face to the lovely image she painted over the years." Oh Evelyn was just tickled at Cassandra's reaction. Not that she could blame her, the Hero of Ferelden looked like he came right out of those smutty romances that Cassandra loved to read so much.
"Ambassador Josephine Montilyet, whom I believe you've met." Josephine offered her hand to the Warden-Commander, smiling widely but composed and graceful as ever.
"It's a pleasure to see you again Warden-Commander." Josephine bowed her head gently in respect.
"And you as well Josephine. You look lovely as ever." It seemed that Josephine was as familiar with his charm as Leliana, for she showed nothing more that a polite reaction of familiarity.
"Commander Cullen Rutherford, leader of the Inquisition military forces," Evelyn could not keep the fondness out of her voice when she introduced Cullen, though the smile dropped from her face when she looked over at him.
She knew Cullen didn't care for nobility, but he regarded the Hero of Ferelden with a stiff coldness she was unaccustomed to seeing. He gave a curt nod, but his entire demeanor could not be less welcoming. He wouldn't even meet her eyes.
Aedan Cousland, on the other hand, looked at him thoughtfully. "Cullen… we've met before haven't we? At the Circle Tower right?"
Evelyn's eyes momentarily widened in horror before she composed herself. It was just yesterday that Cullen had broken down in severe lyrium withdrawal and told her about what happened in the Circle Tower all those years ago. This was not the best timing on to be so blatantly reminded of it.
Though she didn't think it was possible, Cullen's posture stiffened even more. "Yes."
Evelyn rushed to introduce Marian Hawke, the Champion of Kirkwall. It proved a good move, as the witty Marian Hawke bantering with the famed Hero took the attention off of Cullen.
"So the Hero of Fereldan and the Champion of Kirkwall meet. Smut writers everywhere are rejoicing," the Rogue Champion was a master with of the playful and nonchalant drawl.
"Ah yes, I think this the part where I sweep you off your feet and we get back on my horse and gallop away into the horizon, never to be seen again. All we leave behind is the tale of love at first sight that rivals that of Andraste and the Maker." Mirth danced in the Hero's dark eyes, before looking past the Champion, searching for someone.
"There is one face that I do not yet see Leliana. Tell me, has my dear wife finally come to her senses and left me for some powerful apostate?"
Leliana laughed, grabbing his arm and leading him up the stairs. "She never did have much sense when it came to you. I'm sure she's waiting. Come, let us find your wife and speak in a more private setting before you get settled."
The party seemed more than happy to get away from all the excited whispers of the Skyhold residents. After all, the biggest heroes of Thedas were all together in one place for the first time in history, people would be talking and telling stories of that moment for years to come.
Evelyn fell back from the party, who were all talking amicably with the Warden-Commander so she could see how her own Commander was doing. He breezed past her, not stopping or acknowledging her in the least. She reached out and placed her hand gently on his arm, causing him to stop dead.
"Cullen?" she questioned tentatively. "Are you al-," She was cut off when he shrugged her hand off and continued marching forward, completely missing the look of hurt and confusion that fell on Evelyn's face.
Dorian, who had stood back to walk with the Inquisitor, didn't miss it. His eyes narrowed angrily at the Commander and placed a protective hand around Evelyn's waist. The bond between the two mages was well known not just throughout Skyhold, but through most of Thedas at that point. Since Evelyn liberated the Rebel Mages from Alexius's hold, Dorian and her grew closer than ever.
He held her when the event of the time warped reality hit her and she broke down, realizing just how much was depending on her success. She in turn was his rock when he was confronted with his father, giving him the strength he needed to face him. Dorian always went with her on the missions, fiercely fighting by her side.
There were rumors about the nature of their relationship. The rumors were so strong that at one point even Cullen had tentatively asked her about it. The two didn't care. They knew the truth, and that was enough to tighten to bond to unbreakable proportions.
"Say the word and I'll burn his pretty golden hair to a crisp." Evelyn looked away, taking a deep breath to compose herself. It was not the time for her to focus on personal matters. "It's alright. He's… under a lot of stress."
Dorian scoffed. "Oh yes, he is under so much stress. I mean he has the whole world depending on him to lead them in a fight against an Ancient Tevinter Magister while having to jump knee deep into political horseshit."
Evelyn sighed and rubbed her temples. "It's not his fault, he's working through some things. Look… I'll deal with it later. I have to play noble Inquisitor right now." Evelyn squared her shoulders and marched up the stairs.
She instructed the guards to clear all civilians out of the grand hall for the time, shutting the door behind her. Evelyn smiled when she saw Morrigan stop short in the doorway, smug smile on her face. "And here I thought the ring I gave you was malfunctioning. I thought to myself that surely the man who romances me with words promising me the world, the fade, and beyond would not just show up unannounced after no word for months and expect me to welcome him with open arms?"
Aedan Cousland slowly walked toward his wife, the roguish grin on his face only deepening. "I have always been bold that way, my love. Allow me to spend the next several days on my hands and knees, begging your forgiveness for my deplorable behavior." His arms slid around his wife's waist, and at the same time the Apostate Mage's arms wove themselves around his neck.
"Oh that won't do at all. I will have to see that you are punished appropriately." Evelyn smiled when the two kissed, finding herself just slightly envious at the depth of their relationship. She had strong feelings for Cullen, but she had so many insecurities too.
He was a Templar, and she a mage. More than once, Cullen would share his wariness and distrust of mages. He never flat out said he hated them, but the things he did say were enough. Evelyn was terrified that he could never feel for her what she did for him because ultimately she was a mage.
Evelyn tore her eyes away from the Warden-Commander and the Apostate mage when Leliana spoke. "Your son is most likely in the library. I am sure he will be thrilled that you are here."
Aedan pulled his lips off Morrigan, but kept an arm firmly around her. "Just as I am thrilled to be here. Let me get settled for tonight, and then tomorrow morning let us meet to discuss my real reason for returning."
He turned his head toward Evelyn, bowing it slightly. "Good afternoon Inquisitor, everyone." The couple walked out arm in arm toward the garden, leaving the rest of the Inquisition advisors and allies.
Evelyn felt her stomach drop slightly when Cullen stormed out through the door that lead to his office. She so badly wanted to follow him and make everything better, but she doubted it would do any good. He needed space, and she respected him enough to give it to him.
Sighing, she pushed herself off the wall, looking over at Dorian. "Don't worry about it. I have some letters to write, including one to my family. I will see you for supper, alright?"
"Leaving me again I see? I do so love to watch you go though," Dorian flirted, earning a delicate laugh from her. Evelyn felt him watching her as she made her way to her room, dead set on distracting herself away from her thoughts.