A few mornings later, Cullen wasn't sure what to think when he woke to some odd cracking sound, followed by more cracking, but it was metallic the second time around. Years of being paranoid caught up to him and he all but shot up out of bed, slid down the ladder and launched himself at the door. He threw it open and jogged to the nearest edge of the battlements.
And then very nearly fell over from relief to find nothing was amiss. It was merely just Solona and Dorian and a handful of new mages throwing up ice walls and Dirk was training his own people to cut the walls down as quickly as they could. Dirk had only been on his job as instructor three days, Dorian for a week and Solona for ten and there they were, already working as a perfect team constructing an obstacle course. And if the wide smiles on all of their faces were any indication, they were enjoying themselves as they did so.
It was good. The people in the Hold needed that break. Not to mention if they were enjoying themselves they would be more likely to take the lessons and fine-tuning to heart.
"Good. Next one. Mages, take a rest," Dorian instructed.
Cullen leaned forward to see what he was doing and wasn't sure what to think when the mage raised his hands and half of the recruits' blades erupted in flame- not to damage, but just apparently to coat.
Dirk took his turn and nodded. "Right. Partner up, one without the flaming sword- Dorian I will end you if you follow up that smirk with whatever you're thinking- let the others swing away, parry as much as you can."
Cullen decided to make his presence known and walked down the stairs to join them. "How are the recruits?"
Dorian turned to him, then tossed his arm around Solona's shoulders, and Cullen fought back another bit of unearned jealousy when she leaned right into him and beamed. "The mages are fantastic under our even more fantastic guidance, Commander. The ones currently swinging around swords looking petrified yet dashing with all that sweat in the right places-" he caught Cullen's uncomfortable look. "Still less than our stellar pupils."
Solona's smile widened, then touched Dirk's arm when the man scoffed, good naturedly all the same. "They're spectacular teachers, these two. I'm impressed. I traveled with one for months and I'm still impressed," she added and gave Dirk an extra nudge.
Cullen let out a breath's worth of a laugh until he realized that touched on a subject he had been curious. "Speaking of which, Dorian, Rhia never told me- how did she come across you?"
Dorian shrugged. "I was apparently part of that… worst case scenario future she lived through. In that timeline was in hiding but found my way into the castle, I had answers and powers she needed, helped her out, presto chango- that's the story I got as far as that goes. Point is she kicked in my friend's door in Redcliffe, claiming she was late to the party but I might need her help in this whole thing, even if we managed to take down Alexius in the other world…" he trailed off, then shook his head. "I accepted more for the change of scenery more than helping all of you- no offense, but here I am."
"And you just… believed Rhia, no questions asked?" Cullen asked.
"Well, when the woman comes in, blurting all of your and your mentor's research it gets your attention, and then when it ventures into serious territory and she confirms old fears that your mentor's gone mad- killed so many people in one world and would've done it in this one, what would you have done?"
Cullen stared at the man for a moment and then realized that he wasn't in the small crowd that knw he had crossed that bridge already. Solona seemed to catch on quickly and she went to open her mouth to protest furthering the conversation, but he put his hand up. "I did the same thing you did, in that case."
Dorian caught his meaning after a moment. "Oh, you must tell me that story someday."
"We'll see."
Solona looked around the entirety of Skyhold from her spot on the battlements. It seemed so much smaller down below, and then here it was, grandiose and regal and strong. The sight to behold was one she didn't think she would ever see, and she realized she had almost missed it because shaking hands with Death seemed to be an annual tradition now. But this allowed for some peace from the disarray that had been her life for ages.
But of course, as per usual, things got interrupted when the silence was broken by someone shouting in the tower to her right. She could barely make out the voices, but two were deep- male, one was low but feminine. She jumped when the door slammed open. Varric was on the other side- there was one voice.
The dwarf merely blinked at her before backing up and closing the door. The voices continued.
A few moments later, it was Cullen who opened the door and leaned out of it. . "Solona, would you… come here for a few minutes? I… need…. a… second opinion on… a thing."
"Oh, great wording, Curly!" Varric snapped from inside.
Solona frowned, and when Cullen jerked his head and motioned for her to come into the tower. She did, and turned around sharply when he practically slammed the door shut behind her. "Cullen, what…?"
"They figured you could be trusted to know that I'm here."
Solona turned at the new voice and frowned upon seeing a woman who looked like her, just with lighter hair and a rounder face. "Who-?" she knew before she even finished the question. "Hawke…"
Ariadne Hawke nodded. "And you're Amell. Distant cousin of mine, if the stories are true. You left me quite a giant set of shoes to fill."
"Sounds like you filled them just fine," Solona countered.
Ariadne beamed and looked at Cullen. "I like her."
Solona smiled, then looked around. "So why all the secrecy?"
Ariadne pointed at Varric. "Turns out this one didn't tell the biggest name of this operation he knew I was alive despite the fact that I was needed."
Varric tossed his hands out. "I was protecting you! I didn't know if Cassandra was legit or not and-"
The door swung upon with a bang, and Cassandra was on the other side. She advanced on Varric. "You!" she called, then spotted Ariadne. "… You?!"
"Time to go!" Cullen blurted and grabbed Solona's wrist before all but dragging her towards the door.
"Cullen!" Ariadne hissed, the same time Varric muttered, "Curly!"
He looked back at her and the pair exchanged pleading looks all their own before Cullen continued on, switching to pushing Solona towards the door. They made it out, and both started when the door slammed behind them and they could hear Cassandra yelling, muffled as it was.
She turned to him. "Should we really have left them?"
"If it's anyone who could take on Cassandra when it comes to yelling matches, it's your cousin. She took down the Arishok, she can take on Cassandra…" he stopped short and looked back at the tower door like he was contemplating running back in. "… The Arishok. Shit. She might not be too happy about Iron Bull- then again, she did help that one who just wanted swords…" he trailed off.
"What does she want? Does Varric just want her here to keep an eye on her? Or is there business? I don't recall."
"Something about the Wardens. I'm not exactly sure myself. Some sort of… sickness, maybe?" he paused and turned back to her, Ariadne's potential trouble all but forgotten. "Are you? Feeling ill, I mean."
Solona hesitated, and something in him twisted with worry. It wasn't until he remembered how he found her that he figured that was the reason. He rubbed the back of his neck. "Right, stupid question. Of course you've been ill recently… or… close enough to it."
She smiled weakly, and Cullen wasn't sure what to think about the fact she still seemed off. "Well, I've been fine lately, that's the important part," she replied. "What about the other Warden? The one I haven't met yet- Black… well?"
"Blackwall, and I'm not sure myself. He's seemed fine the last few times I've seen him…" Cullen shrugged. He turned back towards the tower. "We'll see what it's about shortly, I assume-"
"If Cassandra doesn't rip the poor woman limb from limb, judging by what I just saw," Amell objected. "You know, she just went on about family before, and I've checked the lines- we are cousins, so I don't think I'm okay just leaving her-"
Cullen let out a bark of a laugh. "I doubt it's going to be Ari Cassandra would kill. It's Varric we should be worried about. She's been after the Champion to be part of this since day one so harming her would be counter-productive. She's had it out for Varric for ages though."
"Why was she after us?"
"Same reason that we needed you- power, experience and influence," he shrugged. "Uh, not that I- not that we would've … let you drown… or die from bloodloss if you weren't you."
The pair turned when they heard the door to the tower opened when there was more shouting. Varric stormed out, Hawke was at his heels, and to their surprise, Rhia shuffled out a few moments later. Varric merely spared them a glance before continuing into the main hall. Ariadne went to follow them, then stopped short in front of Cullen and Rhia had to swerve to Solona's side to avoid a collision.
"You left him with… that woman?!" Ariadne hissed and punched his arm. "How could you just leave us with her when you clearly knew she was going to try to tear Varric a new one?!"
"I wasn't willing to get involved…" Cullen supplied.
"Right, which left me to get forced to take sides," Rhia finally cut in. "I just walked in there to try and get to your side of the Hold and the next thing I knew I was getting dragged into this fight! And now Cassandra hates me and I could've used you to back me up, so thanks."
"She what? Ugh, Rhia, I'm sorry-"
"You owe me," Rhia pointed out.
"Fine," Cullen shrugged.
Ariadne looked between them before she heaved a giant sigh. "Right. Cullen, not talking to you right now-"
"Wha-"
"Amell, I will speak to you later, maybe regroup with- Rhia, was it?" the woman nodded. "-Good. We'll see what I can do here if I can get my assistance. Before that- I need to go talk to Varric and find a way to avoid whoever that was-"
"Cassandra," Cullen cut in.
"Whatever. Point is I'm not thrilled with her right now. If you all will excuse me," she nodded, then started her way up the stairs to the main hall. She stopped short at the base and backed up. "… … Cullen?" she called.
The man blanched. "First right, another right, down the stairs to the left. He'll be in the back," he instructed.
"… Thank you."
Cullen couldn't help the satisfied smirk grace his face.
Solona smacked his arm. "Don't! You did leave her with Cassandra!"
"Lady's got a point," Rhia supplied.
"Oh, shut up."
Cullen was half convinced that some higher power hated him when suppertime came around. He had gotten caught up with paperwork and delayed eating an hour. When he had gone to get something, Solona, Rhia and Ariadne were huddled together, trading stories. Solona waved him over, and to his own surprise, Rhia scooted over in preparation to give the man room before he even came over. Ariadne still seemed distant, and it was then that he realized she still hadn't exactly joined with them by name. She had just shown up for some mystery reason that he wasn't even sure about. He threw caution to the wind and sat beside the two redheads. "Well, Ari. Are you officially part of our operation yet?"
"Not… exactly. Look, I'll admit I didn't come here just to help out or see Varric…" she looked genuinely guilty about the last bit.
Cullen leaned forward. "So I've heard. What is it, then?"
"I need… some of your resources. Even if it's just using some of that woman Leliana's contacts, sources, books, anything like that."
He frowned. "I don't know. With that latest attack we're still building in number and no one knows if Corypheus is going to strike days or months from now and-"
"I understand. I just… that's why I don't need that much."
"Well, it's my call now, isn't it?" Rhia asked, and when Cullen shrugged in agreement, she looked back. "What do you need, Champion?" she asked.
"And does it involve Anders in any way?" Cullen added after a minute.
If looks could kill, Ariadne could've killed the man in a second flat with the look she gave him.
"I have to ask. He's dangerous, Ari. You know as well as I that I was skeptical about the man but… didn't mind him when we met. I know you have your reasons to keep him hidden, but we need to be careful. As do you," Cullen insisted.
It was Solona's turn to cut in again. "Would he really be capable of harm? Look, the man might have had a… problem with authority, but the man was a romantic. If anybody is safe with him it's the woman he loves…"
"You knew him?" Ariadne asked.
"Briefly. I knew the spirit before he… took the man over, too. It's a long story. But… I was friends with the both of them… and before the spirit changed too. Point is… has he changed that much?"
"You have no idea," Cullen and Ariadne muttered at the same time.
Solona frowned and looked at her hands and sighed deeply. "Too much has gone wrong lately…"
"And it's time we all change that," Rhia offered, and the others smiled weakly.
After a few moments, Ariadne sighed again. "Also, just… because I feel like it needs to be said after all that, before you ask, I didn't approve of-"
"I wasn't going to ask," Solona cut her off. "I… get being… attached to loved ones who do… extremely stupid things with or for magic. I paid for it- not nearly as much as you and Anders have, but… I understand."
Cullen frowned at her. She meant Jowan. Of course there had been feelings there. He should've known. It figured though. The bastard, tossing her aside when he did… that. He could've ruined her.
"Point is- well, kind of does. Loosely. Not exactly sure, but it's not centered on him, if that's what you're getting at," Ariadne admitted. She looked between her companions, then spared a few extra seconds looking at Solona. "Maybe this should wait…"
"With a build-up like that?" Rhia interjected.
"I need more information myself. I just need to know… if it's what I think it is, I'll have your help."
"I suppose…?" Cullen shrugged. "Come to the War Table tomorrow, we'll see what we can do."
Rhia nodded. "We don't have anything planned for the next couple of days, so if you change your mind about travelling for information, nothing big is planned, so we can give you manpower if you need it."
"Sounds like a plan," Ariadne replied. "And… Solona, would you mind if I had a word with you later? I can come to you, if you'd prefer."
"I don't see why not. Family should know each other, like you said," Solona replied.
"Good. Then I'll see you later. If you'll excuse me, Varric's offered to catch me up with what I've missed here," Ariadne got up and left without another word.
Solona rose as well. "Someone I knew from Ferelden showed up the other day. I think I should go see how he is. If I don't see either of you, have a good night." She got up and left as well.
After a few moments, Rhia looked at Cullen. "Are those two always so… off?"
"I… have no idea anymore," Cullen admitted.
"You know, Dirk and I fancy ourselves as fairly decent snoops-"
"No,"
"Bu-"
"The last thing this Inquisition needs is distrust, Rhia. It could be nothing."
"And if it's not?" Rhia questioned.
"Then we'll deal with it when it happens, just as we've done everything else. The bloody Inquisitor has more to worry about than little things."
"He says, when he's the one who's going to be affected most since he's apparently friends with both. I mean someone has to look out for you, you stupid, broody lout. Or at least arrange to get someone in those trousers of yours before things go wrong."
"You. Are. Insufferable."
"Don't act like you don't feel like you need these conversations in your life right now."
"You know, I should arrange for my sister to come so you could meet her. You two would get along famously and tip me over the edge into madness."
"We would do it proudly." She hit his arm and winked.
Cullen scoffed, then watched her leave before he glanced back at his plate. He had no idea what was to come, but for the first time, he did feel like the people around him were suitable to help him cope. And that was enough for that moment- that was all he could have asked for.