After
"How much longer are we doing this?" Cullen murmured to Cassandra.
"Another decade or so, it seems." She had a fake smile plastered on her face, her eyes far away.
They stood in the full sunlight on the steps to the great hall. The courtyard swarmed with unfamiliar faces. Cullen, Josie, and an assortment of their intimates stood as the honour guard, giving some extra presence to the Inquisitor for the occasion. His armour was sweltering in the heat but Josie insisted that they all look their best for the cream of Southern Thedas, who were being introduced, one by interminable one, to the happy couple.
The only one who didn't seem to be feeling the heat was Seamus, turning diplomatic chatter into heartfelt sentiments with his guests. The Inquisitor wasn't in his best clothing, instead playing the barefoot prophet in modest attire. He always doted on Cassandra, but today he had the audacity to do it in public, holding her hand, pressing kisses on her cheeks and lavishing her with praise. While Cullen detested the Game he knew that Seamus was wise to play it. Many of the faces here had accused him of power seeking, warmongering, social climbing and plenty of other unpleasantness. It would be almost impossible to believe this humble, affectionate man had anything nefarious lurking behind the curtains.
"Is that the King of Ferelden?" Cassandra asked, eyebrow raised.
"He came himself?" Cullen said. He was surprised enough to miss the much bigger problem climbing the steps until it was almost on top of them.
The Champion of Kirkwall was as tall a woman as Cullen ever knew, and the hefty longbow she carried only gave her extra height. That suited, as she could never be in a room, or city, without making her presence as big and loud as possible. He had not missed Kirkwall. He might had mixed feelings about the Champion but he also had the absolute certainty of Cassandra's feelings about her. Feelings which would not be improved by the horde of brigands following them.
"Inquisitor!" Lorelai Hawke gave a sweeping bow, matched by the daringly dressed woman on her arm. "And Seeker Pentaghast, it is such a delight to see you again. We really should catch up more often."
"Lorelai," Seamus snatched up the bait by taking Hawke's hand in a firm grasp. "So glad you could make it. I don't think I've met..."
"Isabela! Isabela, meet Handsome Seamus. Seamus, this is my paramour, Isabela of Rivain, captain of the Siren's Call. And her crew, of course."
Seamus paused for a moment before processing that. "Always nice to have new friends at Skyhold. I'll look forward to getting to know you, Isabela."
Isabela laughed. "Oh, Lorelai, you were right about this one. Definitely worth knowing."
"A pity you won't be staying long, Lady Hawke," Cassandra said. "Your visits are always so short."
A weaker woman would have been turned to stone by Cassandra's gaze in that moment. Cullen smothered a laugh into a cough.
Lorelai clapped Cassandra on the shoulder, towering over her. "We'll catch up later, Seeker, I'll tell you all about the last few years, shall I?"
With that parting shot the group moved on. There was silence among them as a good two dozen people in scavenged clothing and glittering jewellery followed the pair. They carved a path right through the milling nobility, drawing eyes from all quarters.
"So," Seamus spoke up. "Those were pirates, right?"
"I'll have the silverware counted," Josephine said.
Without introduction a Grey Warden approached them, arms behind her back. She was slight, with the grim, gaunt look of all Grey Wardens, hair tied into a flawless braid, uniform pressed and gleaming.
No one moved to introduce her. Josephine scanned her list of guests, caught off guard but a twinge of familiarity hit Cullen. There was just something about her. In the line of the nose or the colour of her eyes. As she stood silently before the Inquisitor, assessing him, it hit him.
"Teddy?" he blurted out. The others turned to look at him and he coughed, composing himself. "Uh, Your Worship, may I introduce Warden Commander Theodora Amell, Hero of Ferelden."
"Warden Commander," Seamus said, surprise evident in his voice. "It's a pleasure, I know you rarely find time for social engagements."
Cullen couldn't believe it. He remembered a pimply-faced teenager with an irascible grin, always getting him into trouble. And the flirting. She had been incorrigible. It was surreal to see her fully grown, a Grey Warden, and the distant, distracted look in her eyes. She looked right through the Inquisitor, even as she spoke to him.
"Your Worship," she said, bowing stiffly. "Lady Pentaghast."
"It is an honour to have you among us," Cassandra said. "I hope you will favour us with tales of the Blight, when we have the chance."
"Mm," Theodora hummed noncommittally and bowed again. "Cullen, good to see you."
"Ah, yes," he said, tongue-tied. "I... It's been a long time. We should... It's good to see you, Theodora."
She politely ignored his ramble and drifted away from them, eyes still somewhere else. He watched her go for a moment too long and didn't notice that all eyes were on him until he turned back. He must have turned beet red at their gaze. Even Cassandra was suppressing a grin.
"What?"
"Did you just call the Hero of Ferelden 'Teddy'?" Seamus asked.
"It's– I knew her as a girl, of course I–" He cut himself off before her could embarrass himself further. That crush had been fifteen years ago. He was not still hung up on her. If the others thought he was then they could just think that.
"Did you invite her?"
"I didn't think she'd come! It was a courtesy."
At least there was a little real laughter to go about, even if it was at his expense. They needed something to tide them over through the afternoon. Despite his thoughts earlier Seamus was starting to look a little worn and favouring one side. Cassandra was edging closer to him, as though she expected him to drop at any second.
Cassandra nudged his shoulder. "I think you are needed elsewhere, Commander."
She nodded to the crowd and he followed her gaze. His blush was forgotten in an instant and he grinned. Making his apologies he hastened down the stairs and into the crowd, hoping to catch her unawares.
It was a touch childish, but he managed to sneak up and wrap his sister in a hug before she knew what hit her. She let out a little yelp of surprise before wrapping her arms around him and squeezing, laughing into the fur of his collar.
Mia stood a head shorter than him, her gold hair now streaked with grey and her best dress just a flowered frock in a sea of silk and samite. But her smile was the same, broad and warm. "You scared me, Cullen."
"I'm glad you made it. I was hoping. The others?"
She shook her head. "Branson's wife is expecting any day now, and Rosie just took her orders. But I brought... Lewyn! Come greet your uncle!"
She beckoned to a boy of about ten, who looked like a rabbit in a cage, wide eyed and confused. It was all a lot to take in for an adult, Cullen couldn't imagine how the poor boy must have been feeling. He hadn't ever met the boy in person, only hearing of him in letters.
"Lewyn, is it?" He bent down to meet him face-to-face. "I'm Cullen, your father's brother."
"G-good afternoon, sir," the boy said.
"Don't mind him, he's shy on a good day," Mia said. "Oh, but look at my little brother. Leader of the Inquisition's forces and don't you look handsome. We hoped to greet the Inquisitor and his lady, give them our best."
Cullen laughed. "You will, but have mercy, they've half the Orlesian court to greet today. I'll have you sit near me at the welcome feast, you can meet him then."
He glanced back at the party and saw the same scene he had been part of. He had just missed Leliana's arrival with a gaggle of Revered Mothers. Some of the strain was out of Cassandra but the Inquisitor was paler than before, a casual arm around Cassandra's shoulders that might have been affectionate but also might have been for support.
He shook his head. It wasn't time to worry about that, no one on the podium would allow Seamus to get heat sick, even for the sake of appearances. He turned back to his sister and nephew. He hadn't seen her in years and had time to make up for.
"Come on, let's get out of this heat."