Ravens Song
Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Age, or anything involving the game except my Player Character: Raven Trevelyan.
Rating: M [Sexual Content]
Genre: Hurt/Comfort/Romance
Title: Ravens Song
Pairings: Cullen[x]Trevelyan
Songs Used/Inspiration: Caged - Within Temptation
Author's Note: This is my first Dragon Age story. Please be gentle if you comment, since I'm still not used to writing with these characters.
Information: Raven Trevelyan is a mage on the run from the tower of Ostwick. She got as far as Haven where the Divine found her near death and offered her Santuary. Leliana and Cassandra both know Raven from her time with Divine Justinia. Raven can also turn into a raven...I know it's cliched. This follows some story line but it also has some of my own story line. Duh...yeah it's been forever since I've written.
-o-
These are the darkest clouds
To have surrounded me
Now I find myself alone
Caught in a cage
There's no flower to be found in here
Not withering
Or pale to me
Everyone with a friendly face
Seems to hide some secret inside.
-o-
.:Chapter 1:.
'Raven, you must wake up.'
"Divine Justinia?" I whisper softly and glance around the brightening darkness frantically, hoping for just a glimpse of the woman who took me in.
'The world needs you.'
I feel a dull pain throbbing behind my eyes, and fear swelling in my chest. "Nobody needs me..." I murmur quietly, struggling against the light that is continuing to grow bright. "I'm just a mage..."
'You're more then that, Raven Trevelyan. Now wake up!'
I sit up and gasp when I hear a thump to the left of me and see a young, female elf staring at me with wide eyes. "Hello..."
The girl backs up and I watch as a flash of fear enters her eyes. "I didnt know you were still asleep, serah!" She falls to her knees and bows her head to me, which causes me to quirk a brow.
"Why are you so afraid?" I ask and sit up when the young elf stands up.
"I've said something wrong haven't I?!"
I shake my head and stand up from the bed, wincing when the bones in my back pop slightly. "What's happened? How long was I asleep?"
"You've been asleep for three days, m'lady." The elf sends me a quizzical look as she gathers up the empty mugs and vials that are littering the small desk in the cabin. "You sealed the rift in the sky, you did. "
I glance out the window and that's when I see that the tear in the sky is still there, but it is no longer expanding or shooting out demons. "People...are pleased?" I ask as my mind flicks back to the ex-Templar turned Commander and sigh.
"Lady Cassandra will want to see you at once. She is waiting for you in the Chantry."
I roll my eyes as I watch the girl rush out of the little cabin and sigh softly. "Weird..." I mutter to myself quietly as I walk towards the door that the elf left open in her haste. I gasp when I see people lining up on both sides of the walkway that leads towards the Chantry.
"That's her! The Herald of Andraste!"
"She's walked through the fade, she did..."
"I hear that she's a mage..."
I shake my head at the whispers that follow me as I get closer to the Chantry and sigh when I see the huge gathering of people surrounding Leliana, who it seems is waiting for me. "So much for keeping a low profile..." I mutter to myself as the Spymaster places her hand on my shoulder in a show of comfort.
"Come, lets us go to the War Room. The others are waiting there for you." The red head murmurs to me and steers me into the building and towards the back. I don't know if Leliana can feel my body trembling but she stops in front of me and places both her hands on my shoulders. "You're going to be okay, Raven. You do not have to fear anyone here in Haven."
I lock my eyes on hers and try to smile but I can't quite force one so I just sigh which causes her to chuckle softly. "Why do I get the feeling that you know more about me then I think?" I ask quietly, which causes her to laugh and just shake her head.
"I'm a Spymaster, Raven. Gathering information is what I do." Leliana sends me another smile before she opens the door to the War Room. I follow her inside and glance around the room quickly before I lace my hands together and step back nervously as the three people look up at me. Commander Cullen, with his golden eyes, and curly blonde hair, sends me a curious look when he notices me stepping back towards the door.
"Uh..." I gasp when Leliana gives me a little shove forward and I almost bump into Cassandra who is looking from me to Cullen.
"So you've finally woken up..."
"It appears so, Cassandra...unless this all some kind of Fade dream and I'm really dead or something." I smirk when the Seeker lets out a disgusted grunt and paces away from me. "Sorry Cassandra..." I send her a sheepish smile and try not to chuckle nervously.
"Let's move on to introductions..." Cassandra shoots a glare at me before she turns to Cullen. "You've met Commander Cullen..."
The Commander holds out a hand to me and I take it gingerly, gasping when a bolt of static shoots up my arm. He must feel it too because he lets go of my hand quickly and places it on the hilt of his sword. "It was only for a moment. I'm glad to see that you are well. Thank you for healing me after those demons attacked..." He mutters softly and rubs the back of his neck as if he's nervous.
"Raven, this is our Ambassador, Josephine Montilyet."
I turn my gaze from the Commander's to the dark haired lady who is beaming at me with a knowing look in her brown eyes. "Please to meet you, Lady Montilyet." I send her a small smile and cringe slightly when Cassandra lays a hand on my arm. I feel eyes on me and I glance up to see Cullen staring, a look of concern glowing in those honey colored orbs. I just shrug my shoulders and listen as the four people start bickering about the Breach that is still in the sky.
"We must approach the Rebel Mages..." Leliana glances at me as she says this which causes me to let out a small gasp.
"Or we could go to the Templars for help." The Commander challenges and I watch Cassandra nod in agreement.
"Why not...talk to both groups and see how that goes first?" I clasp my hands together behind my back as all eyes turn to me, which causes me to blush slightly.
"That's a good idea, Raven." Lady Josephine sends me a smile and I can't help but smile back. For some reason, Josephine causes me to feel slightly relaxed.
"But first, you should meet with Mother Giselle at the Crossroads in the Hinterlands." Leliana pipes up and places her hands on the war table. "Also, Cullen would like you to seek out the horse master. His name is Dennet and he runs the horse farm just outside of Redcliffe Village."
I nod my head and glance down at the two places she's marked on the map. "So I'm to meet with Mother Giselle and find the horse master?" I ask and watch as the three advisors nod their heads. "Well, I should go and talk to Harritt about some new armor." I mumble when I glance up and see Cullen staring at me again, so I send him a weary grin and back out of the room.
"She's a skitish one, isn't she...?" I hear Josephine ask and Leliana chuckle as I close the door behind me.
Once outside the war room I sigh and slide my hands through my hair, tugging it gently. After a moment I walk out of the chantry and wander around the small village of Haven. As I continue wandering I glance up when someone joins me at my side, so I turn to see Solas walking with me. "Hello, Solas." I send him a small smile when I notice him studying me with curious eyes. "Can I help you?"
The elf just chuckles softly and glances into my eyes, locking his blue ones on my violet ones. "It's been some time since I've met a person who possesses the magic that you do. It's not as common as it once was."
I step back and gasp softly wrapping my arms around myself as fear flows into me. I look down at my feet and nibble on my bottom lip nervously when Solas reaches out and places a hand under my chin to force me to look up at him. "I-"
"Hush, you have nothing to fear with me, Raven." He smiles softly when I relax a little bit, and he lets go of my chin. "When did you first know that you could change?"
I send the elf a small smile and starts walking again. "I don't remember much from when I was a little girl. It feels like I've always known though..." I sigh and shake my head sadly. "I know that I used to talk to Spirits while I slept...they appeared in the form of animals...when I mentioned it to the First Enchanter, he told me that it was Demons trying to possess me..." I bite my lip and glance up to look Solas in the face. "Even as a young girl, I knew the difference between a demon and a spirit. I always avoided talking to demons because I knew how easily they can tempt a person. The first time I changed was when I was twelve. I was in the Circle for about two years at that time..." I trail off and sigh softly, feeling slightly uncomfortable talking about my time in the Circle.
Solas must sense how I feel because he changes the subject quickly. "How do you feel now that you're away from the Circle?"
I can't help but smile as I stop walking again and lift my arms in the air, stretching. I chuckle softly when Solas quirks a brow at my actions. "I feel free...like I'm not being suffocated...I just wish I could become a raven whenever I wanted too without everyone in a twenty mile radius having a heart attack." I sigh softly and shake my head.
"Why not explain your powers to your advisors and Cassandra? They'd probably welcome the honesty."
"The Commander scares me..." I whisper softly which causes the elf beside me to quirk a brow at me. "You trust him...him being a Templar and all?" I can't help but ask Solas.
"Commander Cullen is no longer a Templar...and yes, I do trust him." Solas sends me a knowing look and I just shrug my shoulders because I don't know what to say. The elf just shakes his head and smiles softly as he locks his blue eyes on mine. "I believe you can trust him, Raven."
I watch as Solas walks back towards the cabin where he is staying and sigh softly when I catch a glimpse of the Commander training some of the recruits outside the gates of Haven. 'Can I trust him?' I shake my head and sigh as I make my way towards the Blacksmith again.
"Lady Herald, if I may speak to you for a moment?" I turn and look at Commander Cullen biting my lip in nervousness.
"What can I do for you, Commander?" I walk towards Cullen and watch as he instructs his group of recruits to keep practicing. I chew my lip nervously as he walks towards me and force myself to keep from fleeing his presence.
"I wanted to apologize, mi'lady. I know I was short with you when we first met the other day..." I watch as he rubs the back of his neck, which I notice must be a nervous habit.
"It's okay, Commander...things were hectic and kind of crazy..." I send him an unsure smile.
Cullen locks his golden gaze on mine and shakes his head slightly. "You seem nervous, Lady Trevelyan."
I take a step back and wrap my arms around myself tightly, blushing a tiny bit. "I...I'm sorry. Templar's make me a little uneasy..." I murmur and bite my lip.
"Don't worry...I'm no longer a Templar."
"I've been told...I'm glad you're well, Commander. The wounds...do they trouble you?" I ask softly and lace my fingers together behind my back.
"They're fine, thank you." Cullen gives me a small quirk of his lips but gasps softly when a raven lands on my shoulder.
I reach out and stroke the feathers on her chest, smiling when she lets out a croak before flying off. "Cullen, can I show you something? Solas told me I should trust you...and I'd perfer to show you before Cassandra..." I link my hands together behind my back as I watch the Commander give instructions to the Soldier that will take over for him.
"What did you want to show me?" He asks and I just nod towards the direction of the blacksmith. I know he's kind of worried that I might attack him with my magic.
"I'm not...please promise you won't Smite me..." I whisper as I lead him to the privacy of the rock face behind the stable. "I'm not going to hurt you...I promise." I lock my violet gaze on his honey one and send him what I hope is an easy smile. When he places his hand on the hilt of his sword I just sigh. 'If he kills me, at least I won't have to be this Herald thing...'
"You're making me nervous..."
"Watch..." I summon my raven form and flap my wings, landing on top of the rockface just above Cullen.
"Maker's Breath..." Cullen whispers as I croak at him, staying on my perch and away from his sword. "I've never seen-"
"...a mage do that?" Solas asks as he appears behind the startled man. "Not many mages can do that anymore...it's a magic that you don't see a lot of these days." I watch as the elf holds out his hand, his way of asking me to come to him so I fly down and perch on his shoulder. "If anything Commander, it will benefit the Inquisition..." He pets the top of my head and glances at Cullen who is staring at me with wide eyes so I croak at him and fly over to land on his head which causes Solas to chuckle. "Raven is cheeky I see." He locks his blue eyes on Cullen and smiles serenely. "I sense no evil in her Commander..."
"What's to keep her from just flying off?" Cullen asks and attempts to shoo me off his head but I just move to his shoulder, much to Solas's amusment.
'I'm meant for this...' I think to myself, hoping that somehow Solas can hear my thoughts.
"Commander...she wouldn't have shown you her...talent...if she wanted to fly off as you say. She also said that she's meant for this..." I shift slightly when I hear boots crunching towards us, but Solas just rubs my chest feathers and allows me to climb onto his hand. I see Cassandra walking towards us and attempt to fly off in fear but Solas stops me by murmuring softly. "She needs to know..."
'Can't I fly up above Cullen's head...away from her sword?'
I look up quickly when I hear a small chuckle and see the Commander grinning slightly. "She does like to stab first and ask questions later."
Solas glances at Cullen in slight shock but recovers quickly. "It seems the Commander can hear you too, Raven."
'Lyrium connection maybe? It's faint though...' I preen my feathers nervously.
"Why are you two playing with a raven?" Cassandra asks and quirks a brow at me, staring into my violet eyes. "Has anyone seen human Raven?" I croak at her and fly over to her landing on her head, deciding that if I'm going to be stabbed, I might as well have some fun. I glance at Cullen who has humor flickering in his golden eyes as I peck gently at Cassandra's head.
"I'm surprised Leliana hasn't told you Raven's secret yet..." Solas murmurs to Cassandra and bites back a grin when I croak again.
"Seeker, before you find out, Raven came to me and told me her secret on her own. She's trust worthy." Cullen looks at me, motioning me to his shoulder with his eyes. I know he's a bit worried what Cassandra will do so I fly over to him and perch on his shoulder, fluffing my feathers against his cheek playfully.
"Oh, I see Raven has shown you her gift, yes?" Leliana walks over to us and pets my head when she sees me on Cullen's shoulder.
'Okay, the million gold question is who didn't know my secret besides Cullen and Cassandra?'
Leliana chuckles and winks at me. "I can't answer that, Raven." She glances at Cassandra and motions towards me. "She is a shape shifter...there's not a lot of people who are born with this magic anymore."
"She lied to us! Why isn't she in the Circle?!" She draws her sword and snarls. "Apostate..."
I leap off of Cullens shoulder, shifting as I land and glare at the Seeker. "I'll tell you why I'm not in the Circle! I ran away!" I yell and turn my back to the group pulling my tunic up in the back, closing my eyes when all but Solas gasps out in shock. I start to walk away but stop when a hand grabs mine, causing me to turn and face the Commander who is looking at me with a horrified look. "Now you know why Templar's make me uneasy..." I murmur and shift again so I can fly off to perch on one of the Turbanches.
'I don't know if I can do this, Divine Justinia...' I sigh and fluff my feathers as I glance down at the group looking up at me. 'I'm sorry I lied to you...and I'm sorry if I caused this trouble.'
I don't know how long I stay perched on top of the turbanche but when I notice that it's starting to grow dark I decide it's time to face the music. I fly towards Cullens troops and perch on the tent closest to the Commander who must catch my feathers rustling because he turns and looks at me.
"Raven?" He asks softly and I hop onto his shoulder as he kneels closer to look at my eyes, probably to see if they're violet. "Cassandra can be rash but...she's calmed down now."
I hop off his shoulder and shift before hitting the ground causing the troops to gasp and draw their swords on me. "Sorry..." I whisper and send a shy smile at the troops staring at me then look at Cullen. "I forgot...troops...shape shifter...swords..."
"Maybe you should startle them more often so they don't get used to slacking off." He growls at the trainies standing there gawking. "At ease men, go get ready for bed." He mutters with a hand to his head and a moan of frustration.
"I'm sorry Cullen..."
"I'm the one whose sorry, Herald...I knew things were bad in the Circles but I didn't think it went that far." I see the guilt in his eyes and reach out to place my hand on his arm, gasping as a shock goes through us. "That always happens..." He murmurs and locks his honey eyes on mine.
"Static from the mark on my hand, maybe?"
"Maybe..." I turn to walk towards my small cabin but am stopped when Cullen places a hand on my shoulder. "If you wish to talk Herald, I'm willing to listen." He whispers and I just pat his hand on my shoulder.
"Thank you, Commander..." I send him a smile over my shoulder and pat his hand again. 'I know your secret, Commander and I admire you for what you're doing.' I whisper into his mind just before I walk away, hoping that he and I can begin to trust each other.
