Chapter Two - The Hero of Ferelden

There was so much noise. The bell clanging. The sound of feet running down stone steps. A murmur, a whisper. Half the people at Skyhold knew who it was already through gossip. The other half couldn't believe it till they saw her with their own eyes. Cullen already stood in the courtyard; Josephine and Adela stood on the stone steps before the main tower's entryway. Cullen watched the slow approach of the cloaked figure on a black charger. The horse was now in the courtyard and stopped before Cullen. A gloved hand reached up and lowered the hood. Thick black tresses came tumbling out as Raven Amell also pulled a scarf away that had covered her mouth. She looked down at Cullen. Her deep brown eyes found his, and he saw a flicker in them - recognition? Cullen stretched out his hand.

"Lady Amell -" he had barely gotten the words out when he heard a bark, followed by a cry from Raven, and the sensation of being hit by what felt like a barrel. Cullen Rutherford, Commander of the Inquisition's army, was sprawled on his back in the mud being licked half to death by a bloody mabari.
"Maker's breath!" Cullen exclaimed as the great brute of a mabari licked at his face.
"Stand down, boy!" cried Raven. The mabari instantly obeyed.
"Welcome to Skyhold," sighed Cullen as the Hero helped him to his feet.
"Forgive Ser Fluffy, Commander. He pegged you instantly for a fellow Fereldan and he obviously wanted to say hello." A happy bark from Ser Fluffy confirmed this.
"Ser... Fluffy?"
"Not my fault. He was named by one of my former comrades. Probably revenge because he was made to give up his cat. I mean, it's not the sort of name that would strike terror into your heart in the midst of battle, is it?"

They had reached the stone steps where Josephine and Adela stood.
"Lady Amell, it's a pleasure to meet you at last," said Adela as she stretched out a hand. Raven shook it warmly.
"The pleasure is all mine, Inquisitor Trevelyan. I'm sorry that my dog embarrassed your Commander - and you must be Lady Montilyet? Leliana speaks highly of you both, you know."
"She is a dearly beloved friend," replied Josephine, "But I'm afraid that we are not able to be as hospitable to one of your reputation as you deserve. Leliana did not advise us of when you would arrive, so unfortunately, the feast in your honour will be held tomorrow instead. I hope this is not too much trouble, Lady Amell?" Raven smiled.
"Not at all. Please, call me Raven. I do not wish to stand upon ceremony. May I ask where my quarters are? I'm in sore need of a bath."
"This way, La- Raven. I shall have the servants bring up hot water directly," replied Josephine, and motioned Raven towards a door.

"How is your backside, Cull? That must've hurt," grinned Adela.
"It's fine. It's my pride that really got hurt."
"I wouldn't worry, you know. It'll be old news by tomorrow."
"I hope you're right." Adela smacked Cullen's backside playfully.
"I have to say, Commander, I rather like the way you look with mud. Remind me to pit you against Blackwall next time there's a wrestling match."

Raven found herself pleasantly surprised by her quarters. Sure, they were above the Great Hall and slightly less private than she would have liked, but she still had fantastic views from the balcony. She leaned against the balcony as she waited for the servants to bring up hot water for her bath, and contemplated.

She had spent the best part of the last decade on the road, and there was very little that could surprise her now. Yet, she was surprised when she saw Cullen Rutherford. She'd heard he was the Commander of the Inquisition forces, but the last she'd heard of him before that was his time in Kirkwall. She'd read The Tale of the Champion by the famed author Varric Tethras. Cullen had served willingly under Knight-Commander Meredith, a zealot terrified of mages, whose terror helped drive her insane. It was only when her insanity became obvious that Cullen stood with Hawke. He had still distrusted mages. She remembered rescuing Cullen in Ferelden's Circle only too well - the hatred and anger that he directed at her.
"Damn that Uldred to the Void, damn him," she muttered under her breath. But Cullen had changed - somehow. She saw it in his face when he greeted her. Gone was the awkward young Templar who'd run away from her when she flirted. Gone was the angry, mage-hater he became.
"It felt sharp for a long time. But he feels softer now. It doesn't hurt so much now," said a voice from behind. She turned round and saw a young man before her.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"I'm Cole. He's sorry for what he said to you before. You're sorry too. I can feel it."
"Er..."
"It wasn't your fault, you know. Do you want dinner?"
"I think I'll have my bath first. Could I have some privacy, Cole?" Cole smiled and walked away. The servants had finally arrived with hot water for Raven's bath.

Dinner that evening was a pretty quiet affair by Inquisition standards. Raven had declined eating with everyone as she felt tired from her journey. Cullen had taken his meal down in the barracks to keep an eye on some new recruits. Josephine was eating and working, as she did most evenings. Cole still did not eat at all. So Adela was left having dinner with Sera and Blackwall.
"So, Warden, yeah? One that stopped the Blight or so they said, she's here, isn't she?" asked Sera.
"Yeah," replied Blackwall.
"Where is she then? She a dwarf? Cos I can't see her anywhere."
"She's definitely human, Sera. She's just tired."
"Well, that's no fun! What's the point in wardens then? They're always serious pricks."
"Oi, that's enough of that, young lady."
"What're you getting offended for? Isn't like you're a warden. Glad you're not. You're nice, yeah? Fun. Being a warden takes that out of you."
"Well, I would've been a warden if the Inquisitor had seen fit to send me off."
"Blackwall, I think you are invaluable and needed here. The Grey Wardens have plenty good soldiers without taking from the Inquisition's best," Adela stated. When she used her authoritative voice as now, there was no arguing with her.

Slowly, the night came on and Skyhold settled into a peaceful slumber.