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Skyhold's main hall had been rearranged to welcome the people of any neighbouring villages and towns to visit the Inquisition with any problems or concerns that they may be having. The Inquisitor sat at the top of the hall at a large desk. Seated next her to her left was Josephine and Cassandra, to her right sat Cullen and Leliana. Bull, Dorian and Varric sat on a smaller table at the side of the Inquisitor's main desk. Blackwall and Vivian had placed themselves on the other side of the room. Josephine and Leliana tried to steal glances towards Cullen to embarrass him on the earlier situation but he had tactfully brought his reports along with him, making sure that he didn't look up and meet the eye of anybody.

''Thank you, Inquisitor, I will tell my wife that you send your regards. She will be so pleased.'' The elderly man bowed to Evelyn in thanks.

Evelyn sat smiled and sat back in her chair, satisfied that the old man and the rest of his village were happy. Evelyn sighed, she had been listening to people ranting, crying and begging for help for three hours now. She looked to her friends and even she could notice the exasperated looks on their faces. She turned to Cullen who still hadn't looked up nor gotten himself involved in the discussions.

'You know Commander, it would be nice for you to voice your opinion to the people. I don't want people thinking that the Commander of my forces is a mute'.

'Well the way I see it Inquisitor is, I could listen to an old man complain about the geese infestation or I couldn't sign off plans to build further watchtowers in Fereldan to protect our forces.'

She sighed, he was so stubborn.

''Right, well who is next?'' Evelyn asked cracking her neck.

Varric stood up and read a name from the list. ''Next Inquisitor, we have Lady Emilie Berthoud of Littlebourne.'

'Very well, bring her in'

Varric nodded to the guard to allow Emilie to come in. The doors opened and in came a young, blonde woman. She was petite, in fact Evelyn couldn't believe how beautiful she was, even Dorian raised his eyebrow at the sight of her. She had long flowing wavy hair, she had big beautiful blue eyes, a bone structure that looked as though it had been designed by the Maker himself and she had, as most of the people in the room had notice, aside from Cullen, quite possibly the perkiest and fullest breasts in all of Thedas. However, there was one huge factor that stood out more than anything with the young woman, she was at least 8 months pregnant.

Evelyn raised her eyebrow, wandering what a heavily pregnant woman would what and how far she had travelled to get here. Evelyn cleared her throat and gave Emilie an inviting smile.

'Good day Inquisitor. It is such an honour to be here' Emilie had a sweet voice, one which made everyone in the room smile, aside from Cullen, of course.

'The pleasure is all mine, Emilie. I hope you haven't travelled far with your…...condition?'

''Oh no, I had my friend bring me here.''

'Well that is good news. I would hate to think that you have walked all this way by yourself. How is it that I may be of service to you?''

Iron Bull, Dorian and Varric leant in, eager to hear.

Emilie smiled an innocent smile and laced her fingers together on her baby bump.

''Well it comes as no surprise to tell you that I am pregnant''

Blackwall sniggered when he saw Iron Bull, Varric and Dorian laugh across the room.

'No, of course' Evelyn replied smiling.

'But you see, I am unable to work. My family are very poor and I feel that I should receive some maintenance payments from the father to help raise the child.'

Evelyn nodded, 'I agree, raising a child is very tough. Does the father of your child object to paying you money?'

'I don't know. But he does earn a lot of money. More than enough to feed our baby and put a roof over our head'.

'Then we must speak to him' Evelyn replied sternly, 'He must help you.'

'Thank you, Inquisitor, I know you will make sure that he will.'

Evelyn smiled again at the polite young woman. ''So young Emilie, do you know who the father is?''

'Yes. Your Commander'

A deathly silenced filled the room. Cullen very slowly lifted his head to look at Emilie. Iron Bull, Dorian and Varric sat there with their mouths wide open almost trying not to laugh at what they just heard. Josephine and Leliana looked at each other in shock and then turned their attention to Evelyn, knowing full well of her relationship to Cullen. Cassandra and Vivienne looked disgusted and Evelyn, Evelyn had flushed so red. Tears immediately filled her eyes, with rage and sadness.

Cullen looked at Emilie, completely lost for words. He dropped the quill and his report and slowly stood up from his chair. He was shaking.

'My lady.' He croaked 'I assure you. I am not the father of your child'

Dorian covered his eyes with his hand, he knew this was going to get awkward.

'Yes you are Ser Cullen' Emilie replied

'No, you see,'' Cullen pinched his nose. ''I've never met you in my life''

''I don't expect you to remember me. You were very drunk at the time''

''Drunk?'' exclaimed Cullen

''Yes, you and your men visited the inn and asked for 'company'''

Evelyn's eyes closed, a tear ran down her cheek.

''Company? I'm an honourable man, I would never lay down with a whore''

''Cullen'' yelled Evelyn.

Culled turned to her and his heart sunk, he could see the pain in her eyes.

'Evelyn' he said softly, 'I do not know this woman. I have never met her'

Emilie stepped forward, 'I know who you are. You told me all about yourself that night. Cullen Stanton Rutherford of Honnleath. Your parents died in the Blight, you joined the templars when you were thirteen years old…..''

''Enough!' he yelled at her so loudly she took a step back.

''Who are you!?' he demanded.

'Cullen, calm yourself' Cassandra stood up, glaring at him.

'Calm myself? I am being excused of being the father of a child whose mother I've never met.'

Varric raised his eyebrows, ''Well if this isn't awkward and deserves a story written about it then I don't know what does'

Emilie looked to the floor, 'What must I do now?'

Evelyn's hands were shaking. She couldn't look at Cullen. She leant forward toward the young woman. ''You are to stay here for a few days whilst I…...decide what will happen. I will provide a room for you.''

Emilie nodded, 'Thank you Inquisitor. I am very, very sorry for the disturbance I may have caused.'

The young woman turned and walked out of the hall.

The silence of the room came back. Cullen sat down and put his head in his hands.

'' This is madness'' he exclaimed. '' I have no idea who she is''

''She said you were drunk and with your men. We all know what men do when they are alone and drinking, darling'' Vivienne stated in a judgmental tone.

''I am not that type of man'' he replied sternly

Evelyn stood up. ''All of you go, you are dismissed.'

Cullen reached for her wrist but she quickly pulled it away and looked at him, ''No Cullen. I need a moment''

The Hall emptied and Cullen was left alone, he was completely dejected. He sat in silence for a few moments before usual proceedings returned to the main hall.

'Commander Ser, a report from Redcliffe.' Jim was right on queue.