So, some of you may have mentioned liking the last chapter and wanting another one. The truth then: I always planned for more. I will not rest until there is a horde of Bull Babies running around Skyhold.
Thank god my boyfriend has a sense of humor about all this.
Somehow, even though Krem had not told a soul, everyone in Skyhold knew by the next morning. Secrets never stayed that way for long in the keep, not when it housed a group called the Inquisition. Still, Adaar had to wonder at just how fast and far gossip traveled within the stone walls. The evidence was there in that morning's council meeting.
"Inquisitor," said Josephine, sighing as Adaar walked into the room, "please tell me that the rumors have gotten out of hand yet again."
"Which one?" The Inquisitor asked, trying to sound completely innocent as she shuffled through a pile of reports. Judging by Josephine's harried expression and Cullen and Leliana's smirks, she hadn't quite managed to sound convincing.
"The ones concerning your...love child. With the Iron Bull. Out of wedlock."
"I believe that's what the term 'love child' implies, Josie," said Leliana.
"Of course it does," said Josephine, looking more harried by the second. "Which is not something we want spreading around. That the Herald of Andraste was...was...indiscrete."
"You already knew we were sleeping together," Adaar pointed out.
"Maker, don't remind me," muttered Cullen.
"That is not the point!" Said Josephine. "The point is-" Her eyes widened. "Oh sweet Andraste, you're not denying it."
Adaar shuffled her papers more loudly.
"I may faint." Josephine clutched at the table.
"The dramatics are hardly necessary," Cullen said, rolling his eyes. "It's a baby, not the Breach."
"It may have the same effect," Leliana pointed out. "Our enemies may use this as an excuse to disparage us, and who knows how this may yet affect the faithful."
"Exactly." Josephine picked up her pen and began scribbling furiously. "It helps that you are qunari, and that Iron Bull has left the Qun. But if we are to satisfy our allies, I feel you should be married immediately."
"And have you already picked out a suitable husband for me?" Adaar straightened to her full height, looming over the table. "Or will I be allowed to decide that for myself, at least?"
Josephine stilled. The Inquisitor did not often take such an imposing stance. Her pose was usually relaxed, and sometimes she even slouched a bit so as not to stick out so much. But when she wanted you to, as Varric put it, 'see the horns', you did. Quickly.
"My apologies, my lady," she said. "This should be a happy time for you, and I have ruined it."
"Nothing's ruined, Josephine," replied Adaar. "You were only doing your job."
Everyone in the room visibly relaxed.
"Look," Adaar continued, "this isn't something I was expecting, either. But now I am. Expecting, I mean."
Cullen snorted, trying to suppress a grin.
"So let's try to make the best of it. Now, Josephine. Bull and I are already committed to each other. We share a dragon's tooth; that's as close as qunari get to marriage under the Qun."
Josephine sighed, smiling like a love-struck schoolgirl.
"That is so sweet," Leliana sighed with her. "I'd wondered why you commissioned that pendant."
"Still," Josephine said, shaking herself, "perhaps we could have a more public ceremony here at Skyhold? Something to appease the masses and improve morale."
"No." Adaar frowned.
"Inquisitor-"
"I am not going to push Bull into a huge, expensive wedding just for appearance's sake. I'm fine with the commitment we've given each other. You want more than that, you'll have to talk to him."
Leliana and Josephine looked at each other, and then turned to Cullen.
"Oh no," he said. "I'm with the Inquisitor. The whole notion is ridiculous."
"You will have a serious discussion with the Iron Bull about this," said Leliana, "or we will invite your sister to Skyhold."
Cullen blanched. He'd been outmaneuvered.
"So when's your little calf due?" Krem asked, ducking under Bull's swinging shield.
"How am I supposed to know that?" Bull said, stepping to the side as Krem swung his practice sword. "It would've been about two, three months ago, but she could pop the kid out tomorrow as far as I know."
"Ah well," Krem grunted. "Should still be plenty of time for me to make a blanket for it. Maybe a stuffed toy."
"Iron Bull!"
Cullen's shout distracted Bull just as Krem rammed a shield at his ribs.
"Ow."
"Sorry, Chief."
"Go cool off, Krem."
"Right, Chief."
"That looked like it hurt," said Cullen as he stepped into the sparring ring.
"It. Did. What is it, the boss need something?"
"Not her, no..." Cullen rested his left hand on his sword pommel, the right on his hip. "Look, Josephine and Leliana got in a bit of a snit this morning about the whole situation."
"For fuck's sake-"
"I know. The Inquisitor told them off, but our dear ambassador is still concerned about what the nobles will think."
"Let me guess," Bull said, leaning back against the training ring's fence. "She wants to put us in fancy, uncomfortable outfits, have some Chantry sister say a few words, and serve some shitty, expensive food?"
"That about sums it up."
"Well, shit. What did the boss say?"
"She's against it, but the decision is yours."
"Hmm..." Bull stared off into space. Cullen followed his gaze and saw the Inquisitor walking along the battlements, observing the goings-on of the keep.
Bull sighed, closed his eyes. "Be honest with me, Cullen. Is having this kid going to hurt Adaar politically?"
Cullen hesitated. "It's not really my area...look, you know the trouble she has sometimes, convincing ignorant fools that she's not a dumb brute. The way they spoke of her at the Winter Palace..."
"I know."
"Right. If she were not the Inquisitor, it wouldn't matter. But she is. If the two of you went about your business, some people wouldn't care. But they wouldn't care because they don't see you or Adaar as real people. And the folk that see you as normal and civilized expect you to do normal, civilized things. Like get married."
The commander looked away, scratching the back of his head. "I apologize for being so blunt. But you did ask for honesty."
"I did. So don't worry about it." Bull glanced at Adaar again and then back to Cullen. "I don't like this, but I get it. Whatever I have to do, fine."
"That's something I've been thinking about," Cullen said, smirking. "What do you have to do? All right, get married, but who says you can't do it in your own fashion? Qunari don't usually get married, so I'd say that gives you license to make it up as you go."
An evil grin began to spread across Bull's face, and he began to chuckle. "Ah ha, I like it! I don't care what Varric says about you Cullen, you're a genius."
"Well, thank you, I...what?!"
