Fires raged everywhere and screams echoed in the night. Demons chasing after people fleeing the carnage, Venatori slaughtering everyone in their path. Alena stood helpless, frozen by fear as the horror scene played out before her. Her sister stood guard, casting her spells and trying to protect her little sister. Venatori and demons alike came after Alena and her sister, each time getting annihilated. After what seemed like hours, the screaming had stopped and the two sisters thought they were safe when they saw no Venatori or demons in sight.
"Amelia, are they gone?"
Amelia looked down at her younger sister and smiled. "I think so."
Alena smiled in relief, then her face went ashen with fear and shock as Amelia's face contorted in pain. "A-Amelia..?"
Blood trickled down the corner of her lips and Amelia tried to smile. "It's going to be OK, Allie. I love you..."
Alena watched as her sister slumped forward, drawing her last breath as she spoke those final words, a Venatori lurker standing behind Amelia with a bloodied dagger in hand. Alena was frozen with fear, but something deep within her screamed for her to run as the Venatori inched closer and closer to take her life as well. She backed away and turned to run as far and fast as she could, leaving everything and everyone behind- all destroyed and dead. Without looking back, she kept on running and running until her legs wouldn't carry her any further. She had managed to run to the next village, over half a day's ride away, and collapsed on the porch of the Chantry. The door opened at the sound of a thud and a Chantry mother peered outside, her gaze falling to where Alena lay in an exhausted heap.
"Maker, child, what happened?" She asked, falling to her knees beside her. When Alena didn't respond, she called to the local Templars and asked them to bring her inside.
All Alena could remember after that moment was being carried inside and set on a warm bed, covers being pulled over her and a cool towel placed on her feverish forehead. She quickly fell into unconsciousness as news of a nearby village being burned to the ground and everyone within dead reached the Chantry.
Alena Errett knew then as her world went black that they spoke of her village and she knew that she was the lone survivor of the village of Ironbrook.
One month later...
Cullen sat in his office reviewing some requisition reports when a knock sounded at his door.
"Come in."
The door opened and he looked up to find Alena standing there with a few books in her arms. "Hello, Commander."
"Serah Errett, good day to you." Cullen said, offering a small smile.
Alena felt her cheeks blush a bit as she approached his desk, setting the books down. "I brought the texts you sent for. Rylen asked me to bring them to you."
Cullen looked through the texts, seeing they were all there. "Thank you, Serah Errett."
"Commander, it's alright if you call me Alena like everyone else." She said, looking from the books to him. "You don't need to be so formal with me."
Cullen chuckled. "Alright, then. Thank you, Alena."
Alena blushed a bit more and smiled. "Do you need anything else?"
Cullen shook his head. "That was everything."
Alena bowed her head, then noticed the large stack of reports he was sifting through. "Would you like some help with those reports?"
Cullen looked at the stack, seeing that he was nowhere near halfway through it yet and it was already passed midday. "If you wouldn't mind, yes I'd appreciate the help."
Alena smiled and grabbed half of the stack, taking a seat near the fireplace of his office. She started to leaf through them, reading over each one, only glancing up when she felt Cullen's eyes on her. "What?"
Cullen blushed a little, realizing he had been staring at her. "N-Nothing, I just uh-" He cleared his throat. "Thank you, for helping me with this."
Alena smiled, her blush growing a bit deeper. "Of course, Commander. Can't have you up all night again, now can we?"
Cullen chuckled. "That would be bad, wouldn't it?"
Alena's smile grew. "Yes, yes it would."
Cullen watched as she went back to the reports she had and he turned his attention back to his half of the stack.
-O-
By the time the reports were finished, it was beginning to get dark outside. Cullen stretched in his chair and watched as Alena stood, bringing over her stack and setting it on the desk.
"Would you like me to bring these reports to Rylen, Commander?" she asked.
Cullen looked up at her, seeing her silvery braid draped over her shoulder. "I'll have him take care of them in the morning. Right now, I could use a drink. Care to join me?" He asked, standing.
Alena smiled. "Sure, I'd like that."
Cullen returned her smile and they walked down to the tavern together, finding a nice quiet spot to sit and enjoy their drinks.
After a while, Cullen had a thought. "Alena, can I ask you something?"
Alena took a sip of her spiced ale and looked at him. "Sure."
"Why did you join the Inquisition?"
Alena cocked her head to the side, a puzzled look on her face. "Why do you ask?"
"I was just curious. You appeared out of the blue, saved our hides, then offer your services to the Inquisition. You have done more than prove yourself to be an asset to us, but even so I am curious."
Alena recalled what had happened years ago when she was just a young girl and the Venatori were just beginning to get a foothold in Ferelden. Her face fell a bit and she sighed. "I joined because someone needs to put the world right again and the Venatori need to be stopped."
Cullen sensed there was something more to it than that, something she didn't want to share that clearly made her uncomfortable. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked."
Alena looked at him and managed a smile. "Don't be. I have my reasons for joining, as do you."
Cullen sighed. "And so I do." He took a swig and looked at her as she traced the lip of her mug with her finger, staring into the alcohol. "Is everything alright? You seem distracted lately."
Alena looked at him and blushed a bit. "Yes, I'm fine. I've just been busy lately, as have you been." She smiled. 'That and I can't think when I'm with you. All I want to do is kiss you.' Her blush deepened as she thought that and she looked out the window as she took a swig.
Cullen chuckled and took another swig. "At any rate, thank you for everything you do around here." He said.
Alena looked at him and smiled. "I told you I offered my services to the Inquisition. I'm glad you are utilizing them."
Cullen chuckled. "Indeed we are."
Alena's smile and blush grew a bit more as she thought about how much she loved when he did that, his scar twitching upwards as he smirked.
