The entire village was celebrating. The Breach had been completely sealed. People were dancing, cheering, and praising both the Herald and Andraste. The Maker, too, of course, but mostly those two. Most, if not all, were so thankful. So grateful. Cullen felt the same. He did. But here he was, standing on the Chantry steps, watching the celebration from afar. More specifically watching the Herald. His eyes seemed to dart to her position repeatedly. She sat on the roof of her cabin, one leg dangled over the side while the other was lifted. Her arm rested against her raised knee. He couldn't make out her expression from his position, but he believed there was a slight smile on her face. She had accomplished a miracle. Even if she did not believe in the Maker, she had to believe that what she had done had been nothing short of a miracle.
He wanted to thank her. She had been thanked so many times for her deeds. Cullen wondered if he were to thank her as well, would she become a bit irritated. She must have received many thanks already. Perhaps she wanted peace for now…? But he wanted to so badly to speak with her. Frustrating. Perhaps he should wait until the celebration died down. In the dead of night, that is when he usually spoke with her. The Commander rubbed the back of his head as his eyes, once again, found her. "Maker, why is this so hard?" he thought.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were nervous about something."
The familiar voice caused him to halt the pacing he hadn't realized he had been doing. Cullen looked to his left, and then down. Varric Tethras stood beside him with a smug grin on her face. The Commander dropped his arm and pursed his lips. "Varric," he greeted. Then cleared his throat. "Did you need me for something?"
"Hm… Yes and no," the dwarf vaguely replied. "Wasn't necessarily looking for you, but I figure since you're pacing about, I find out what in Thedas is freaking you out so much."
"What? Nothing," Cullen protested.
"Come on, Curly. No one paces like that over nothing," Varric retorted. "I'm pretty good at reading people, and I say you've got a bit of a problem on your hands. Something is making you anxious… or should I say… someone?"
"No…!"
"Ahh, and there it is!"
Maker's breath. He had answered too quickly. Varric had a 'knack for reading people,' as he so eloquently put it previously. He, himself, had just given the dwarf a confirmation. But a confirmation meant that he previously thought… certain things. "I do not know what you speak, Varric," Cullen said, narrowing his eyes. The rogue paid no mind and continued to grin. The Commander turned away. "If there's nothing, then I shall take my lea-"
"Hold your horses, Curly! I just want to talk," Varric interrupted. "In fact, I want to help your situation."
"Help…?" Cullen repeated incredulously. He turned to face him, eyeing him suspiciously. "Help is not needed. There is no situation to help."
"Don't be like that—we're friends!"
"We are not."
"Close associates, then," Varric rolled his eyes. "The point is, I can help you with your little problem."
"I don't have a little problem," Cullen said, though his heartbeat had begun to pound in his ears.
"Well, I'd say big problem, but that'd probably be a bit offensive to our Herald." The Commander felt himself flush. So the dwarf did know. Damn. He had believed he'd been careful. How had Varric found out? "It just so happens that I know a few words to get her heart racing." Despite himself, Cullen kept quiet. He had never read any of Varric's stories, but he knew the dwarf could spin a tale. Knew he had a way with words that captivated audiences. Perchance, could he speak words that would move the Herald? Make her look at him differently? As he now looked at her… "You could try asking if she wanted to play the Tevinter soldier and the Qunari dreadnought. While you lay down, she can blow the hell out of you."
"What?" Then the meaning behind Varric's words sank in. "What?!" The repeated question came equipped with heat in his cheeks. "I'm not asking her-!" he sputtered. "An-And she is no-no Qunari!" The dwarf ignored him.
"You could accomplish a great military feat if you casually invaded and conquered the Qunari. A great many of men would be proud to call you the greatest."
"Varric…!"
"You could also say-"
"No!" Cullen bit out.
Varric only snickered, apparently finding the whole situation hilarious. "You know, I seem to recall you telling Hawke one time that all Qunari were heretics, and that they needed to be watched because they were a danger to everyone," he continued. He, once again, ignored Cullen when he tried to repeat that she was not Qunari. "So this is progress. You making bedroom eyes at Freckles. It is remarkable."
"I do not!" Cullen lied. "And where did you hear this?!"
"A little spirit happened to say some cryptic things," Varric answered, shrugging. "I just happened to put the pieces together." The warrior frowned. That blasted Cole, he thought. A frown crossed his face. "Look, Curly, it's not a bad thing. In fact, I say go for it. She's not going to wait forever. With the big hole in the sky closed, it won't be long before she returns to her life before the Inquisition. Or someone else takes her away from reach."
"I cannot fathom why you are telling me this, Varric."
"Just take it my advice and go to her, Curly, before it's too late. It's only a matter of time before she leaves the Inquisition," he explained. "I also hear that some guy likes to read poetry to her. Perhaps she's itching to get back to him?" Cullen frowned. He had read that certain letter addressed to the Herald before giving it to her. So he knew the words Varric spoke were partially true. "If you wait around long enough, chances are you won't have a chance. Like I said, I only want to help."
The dwarf took his leave, leaving Cullen to glare at his departing back. If Varric knew, did anyone else know? Had he gossiped to anyone who would listen? It didn't seem like it had reached anyone's ears so far. The Commander bit the inside of his mouth, returning his gaze towards the rest of the village. Towards the Herald specifically. She still sat on her roof, but her eyes had lifted to the skies. Cullen found himself moving forward. His legs took him right to her cabin.
She had not noticed him yet. "Herald," he called up to her. Immediately, her golden eyes fell upon him. Her lips curled in a small smile, and Cullen's insides flopped. She stood, and then jumped from the roof. Right in front of him, she stood up straight. "I… um… wanted to speak to you. Well, thank you, actually."
"Oh…? I've gotten plenty of those," the Herald replied with a one-shoulder shrug. "But it is my pleasure, Commander, to accept your thanks." Cullen had a rough time fighting back a blush. He averted his eyes for a moment and coughed lightly. "Walk with me for a moment," she requested, motioning with her head. The Commander nodded, and then fell into step with her. "Though I've accepted thanks, I feel that this is only a… minor victory. There are still rifts that need closing. The investigation on who exactly caused the Breach is still ongoing. And there's still no word from the mages…"
"I agree," Cullen stated. "It feels like a beginning." He glanced at her horns, and then her face. "With you already knowing this… does it mean you will be staying for the time being?"
"I don't like not finishing things," the Herald stated. "So until everything has been settled, I suppose the Inquisition's stuck with the big, scary Qunari as its symbol." Cullen felt the tug of his lips. "What about you, Commander? Have any plans to leave?"
"None. I'll see this through to the end," he said. She smiled again, seemingly glad to hear it. Cullen could help but to recall Varric's words, though. "Uh… Could there be anyone you left behind, though? In your mercenary group? Do you want to go back to them?"
"Someone?" she repeated. Cullen swallowed hard, not wanting to clarify what he meant. "Well… they are my comrades, but they can take care of themselves. They don't need me." The Herald stopped. They so happened to end the walk right where he had been pacing earlier. "I was their captain, though. I doubt they viewed me as a friend."
"So… there isn't anyone that has your interest?"
"Are you asking if I'm married or have a lover?"
"… Yes…?" Cullen cleared his throat, feeling increasingly nervous. This is not how he pictured this conversation going. "I mean, I wondered if there was anyone special to you that we might have to pick up later on… to protect them."
"Nah, no one like that," the Herald answered. She looked away for a moment, so she did not see the reaction. Cullen felt himself grin widely. He had to force himself to stop before she looked his way again. "Well, I've never thought to take a lover when I was captain…" She appeared deep in thought. Then her gaze fell on him again. "But that is a thought. I didn't think to bring in my family for protection. They live in a small village, and I don't want them targeted. I'll ask Leliana if she can send a few scouts there."
"Allow me," Cullen requested. "A small group of my troops can escort them safely."
"You've already done so much for my men. I couldn't ask you to-"
"They are your family, Herald. I would do so much and more if it means you do not have to worry." She stared at him then, expression unreadable. Cullen shifted nervously, about to turn away, but then he noticed her cheeks had darkened, revealing her freckles. Her shoulders lifted. Clear signs that she was flattered. It was… She was… endearing. The Commander coughed, attempting to hide a smile.
"Thank you… Cullen," she murmured, shifting her gaze for just a moment. The warrior sucked in a breath. It had been the second time she had used his name. When her eyes returned to him, her cheeks were not has dark. "But let me send a letter first. They might not have to be escorted in the first place." She bit her lower lip. "What about you? Did you leave anyone back in Kirkwall? Friends? A wife? Husband?" Her eyebrows nearly danced with mischief.
"What? No! Maker's breath!" She laughed, showing teeth. Of course she had been teasing. Cullen sighed, suppressing his own chuckle. "No, as you know, my family is in Fereldan. I made few friends in Kirkwall. I… wasn't good company back then."
"There's no one that has your interest then?"
"No one… in Kirkwall," he stated. The Herald's shoulders lifted again, but this time both of her ears twitched rapidly. If her earrings had been any bigger, they would have clang together. Cullen wondered what her reaction meant. Rapid ear movement meant she was excited, but to have them both do so combined with the shoulders lifting? He could not understand. It would be something to look out for in the future. He opened his mouth to continue the conversation, but footsteps approached, causing her eyes to shift behind him. He, too, turned. Cassandra walked their way. She must have come from the Chantry.
"Cassandra," the Herald greeted.
"Herald, may I have a word?"
"Well…"
"Oh, don't mind me," Cullen said. "I was just leaving." His eyes glanced at the horned woman. "Another time, perhaps?" She slowly nodded her head, and then gave her full attention to the Seeker. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched the Herald as he departed. It had been a minor victory for him as well. So there hadn't been anyone, after all. Good. That was good. And he had finally flirted with her without sounding like a fool. He wondered if she had realized.
Cullen walked into the Chantry, taking a final glance before letting the door shut behind him. He sighed as he moved towards the war room. As it were, the victory was theirs, but the war was not yet won. As she had stated, there were many things left to do. He would celebrate later perhaps. For now, he would work on new operations. The Inquisition would need a new focus now that the Breach had been sealed. Before he could make it to the war room, however, a scout intercepted him, looking panicked.
"Ser…!" He appeared out of breath. "News! Marching! Haven! Danger! No banner!"
"Speak clearly," Cullen ordered, though his body had already tensed in anticipation. His mind connected the words, and realized what the scout had been trying to get out. "Go! Warn the village! Gather the troops!" He turned his body, heading for the doors. He forced the Chantry's door open, and they knocked against their adjacent walls. Cassandra and the Herald turned to him, startled, but his eyes were elsewhere. The mountains were covered with fire, most likely from torches. The fire marched in sync. An army. An army was moving towards Haven. Bells began ringing—signaling the emergency. The people began to panic. Running around with no clue what to fear. He had to stop this before it got out of hand. "Enemy forces approaches! To arms!"
The recruits nearby had heard his shout and began running towards the entrance of the village. He, too, began moving hastily through the village, commanding his soldiers to rally. Cullen made it to the barricade. Something was trying to get through, but the door held. The Commander narrowed his eyes. Seconds later, Cassandra was by his side. Though she only said his name, he understood she wanted to know what was happening. He pointed, explaining that a massive force was fast approaching. And they marched under no banner.
The banging of the door distracted him from speaking more. A voice, male, had requested the door be opened. The Herald moved, and Cullen drew his sword, following her. The doors opened, revealing a man. He held a staff—a mage. Despite how far he'd come from the Fereldan's Circle, his body still recoiled slightly. Bodies lay scattered around the mage as he panted. A hand on his shoulder made him relax, if only for a bit. He glanced at the Herald out of the corner of his eye. She kept her gaze on the unknown mage.
Cullen sheathed his blade as the mage stood from his knees. He stumbled a bit, causing the Herald to leave his side. She helped him stand. "You must be the Herald everyone's raving about. Not as scary as other Qunari I've seen," he remarked. The Commander frowned, stepping a bit closer.
"Who are you?" he questioned. That accent of his sounded familiar, but he couldn't quite place it.
"Pardon my rudeness. I am Dorian Pavus," he introduced himself. Then his expression turned grim. He explained what had happened in Redcliff. Mages were now under the command of the force known as Venatori. A woman called Calpernia led them in service to the Elder One. Cullen and the Herald exchanged a look. "Right then… I suppose you already know about the Elder One. So much for the warning. Risked my life to do that and everything!"
"Commander! Plan?"
"Trebuchets," he answered. She understood, for her lips curled into a wicked grin. The Herald turned hard eyes on the mountain. Her gaze darted all over, formulating targets. The Commander turned to his troops, removing his sword once again. This would be a hell of a battle. They were not prepared, but taking control of the battle now would result in minimum carnage later. He barked out orders to the soldiers. They immediately dashed, intending to carry out the orders.
"Cassandra, Blackball-!"
"It's Blackwall," the bearded man grumbled.
"-Solas! With me…!" The Herald continued as though she hadn't heard the Warden speak. "Let's go bring down this army! Everyone else, besides the soldiers helping, get to the Chantry!" She finally looked his way. "Commander…"
"May the Maker be with you," Cullen said.
"May the Spirits give you strength," she returned with a slight smile.
0-0
Cullen was shaking. He couldn't stop. It was not because of the biting cold. His very core trembled with apprehension. So he kept moving. Kept trudging through the snow. Ignoring anyone that told him to rest. Rest? Rest?! Their Herald was gone. She could very well be buried with Haven. Could be losing her breath. Could be so cold and dying. Why should he stop when the most important person to the Inquisition had been left behind? She had been left so that they may escape. It had worked. He had watched the entire village become covered in rock and snow. He had watched in horror as the realization hit. The Herald had buried herself as well.
That had all happened hours ago. The knot in his stomach had yet to go away. It had only been a mere twenty minutes since he, Cassandra, and a few scouts had left the campsite to search for the Herald. Leliana had deemed enough time had passed to do so, but in her mind, she must have lost faith. He had seen the way the spymaster's eyes had clouded when she let them go. Even Josephine did not appear too confident. Not him. Though, he was in a constant state of anxiousness, Cullen knew that he would find her. He had to find her. He had to. She… She had to be alive. "Maker… please let her be… waiting… alive and waiting for me… Please."
"Cullen… Cullen…!" Cassandra caught his attention. He did not falter, but he did look at the warrior woman. "Perhaps we should turn back," she suggested. The Commander furrowed his brow. "If we venture too far away from camp, we could be lost."
"If we go back," he spat, unable to control his ire. "There goes our best chance of defeating whatever attacked us in the first place! Our Herald will not be killed! She was sent to us in our darkest hour, and if we abandon her now, we might has well smother the rest of the light!" Cassandra narrowed her eyes and frowned. Cullen turned away from her questioning gaze and continued onward. "Go back if you must, but I won't-!" He stopped, a faint light catching his eye. It was a green light, reflecting off his armor. Green… The Commander lifted his gaze, and his breathe left him. Through the harsh wind of flakes and ice, he saw her. Her tall shadowed figure, visible only because of the glow emitting from her left hand, slowly stumbled across snowbank.
Cullen felt as though his heart had been revived. The knot in his stomach faded as his feet moved. Slowly, at first, and then quickened until he was running. "Akásha!" His shout had caused her head to snap up. She lowered her marked hand. As he came closer to her, he could make out her features. She had a bruised cheek and dried blood caked under her left eye. Also, she held her right arm awkwardly. But. Alive. Alive! He saw her lips move, but did not hear over the howling wind.
The last of her strength left her and she fell to her knees. Cullen made it to her before she collapsed completely. Her weight came down on him, causing him to grunt. He turned quickly, careful to avoid touching her right arm. Around his shoulders, he draped her arm. He pulled her close, gripping her waist. "Cullen…" she whispered. He could feel her warm breath against his cheek. She lifted her head, tired eyes boring into his. "I knew it… You found me…" It felt as though his throat had swelled. He could not swallow properly.
"You-"
"Thank the Maker…!" Cassandra's voice interrupted. Cullen looked to discover she had caught up, as well as the other members of the search party. "I'll help-"
"No, I have her. She's hurt," he responded, shifting his weight so that he could walk comfortable as he carried the Herald. "I have you…"
"Cullen, you…"
"Go ahead of me!" he nearly barked. "She needs a healer at the ready!" The warrior actually flinched before nodding her head. She turned to the scouts ordered the end of the search. Cullen began to walk, following at a much slower pace. "You… You had me worried," he mumbled.
"How do you… thi-think I felt," the Herald panted lightly. Seconds, maybe minutes, away from drifting. "Another minute and… and… Thank you, Cullen. Truly, thank you." Her lips lightly pressed against his temple. Though chapped from the storm, her lips were quite warm. In order to return the gesture, Cullen turned his head, slight smile on his face—first time after the chaos had begun—and stretched his neck to reach her lips. He abruptly stopped, realizing what he had been about to do. The Commander sharply turned his head away, eyes barely focusing on the path in front of him. He coughed.
"Y-Yes," he stuttered, abashed. "I…" His body tensed again. He hadn't even noticed how relaxed he had become. Heat spread throughout his body, becoming conscious of how close they were. Cullen tried hard not squirm. He had only ever been this close to her in his more amorous dreams. He cleared his throat. "As I said before… I would do so much and more. Your thanks is not needed… but appreciated, Herald." She chuckled lightly, resting her head against his.
"You really are… someone quite amazing, Commander."
"… Rest now. There are many things we need to discuss later."
"Hm." He felt her nod once before she should her head. "I'll rest later. I have to tell you what I've learned. Lend me your ear, yeah?"
0-0
Cullen stood waiting in anticipation. As did everyone around him. They all knew what was about to happen. They all hoped it was about to happen. He watched as the Herald and Cassandra spoke on top of the stone steps. Then Leliana held out the sword, the symbol of the Inquisition's leader. The very symbol of the Inquisition itself. The Herald simply stared down at the sword, lips unmoving. Take it, Cullen thought. She was meant to. He truly believed it. The Commander saw her lips purse before she wrapped her fingers around the hilt of the sword. He swallowed hard as she lowered the blade, hand still gripping the hilt.
She turned her back on Cassandra and Leliana, facing the crowd that had gathered. Her chest swelled as she took in a long breath. Her lips parted to release the air she had taken in. She addressed the crowd.
"Some of you may be frightful of me because of my appearance. Others may be in awe of me because I stepped out of the Fade," she began, using a loud voice. Not that she needed to. The murmurs of the crowd had died as soon as she had taken the sword. "Despite what you think of me, I will stop the monster that attacked Haven. This Corypheus caused the destruction of our home. He beat us down, and then mocked our efforts. I will not allow that to happen again. I will stop him. I will end him! And I will right this world not as a Qunari, but as a person. I do not stand for the Qunari. I do not fight for the elves, dwarves, or humans. I stand and fight for the people, the individuals, of Thedas. I stand for all of us!"
The crowd burst with cheers, elated by her words. Cullen, himself, felt the same. He was proud. It hadn't been the first time he felt such overwhelming pride—the first being when he had joined the Templar Order—but it certainly felt as though this was the first time. To be a part of something as great as the Inquisition. To be following someone as great as the Herald. It was… truly- "Commander…!" The crowd hushed and turned their attention to him. Cullen focused completely on the Herald as she stared down at him. "What does the Inquisition say?"
He smirked, feeling that pride grow. The Commander moved away from the crowd, only to stand before them. "Inquisition, your Herald has spoken!" He used his 'powerful and authoritative' voice that she liked. "Will we follow her?" The crowd lifted their fist and shouted agreements. "Will we fight for her?" Their shouts grew in sound. "Will we stand with her?!" Again, his question was met with excited cheers. "Will we triumph because of her?!" Their shouts equaled the sound of a thousand drums, and could very well shake the foundation of Skyhold. Though, he could have sworn he heard someone exclaim 'Yas, bitch, yas!' Once they settled, Cullen turned, shifting his gaze up. The Herald smiled down at him. "The Inquisition has answered!"
"Then I am honored to be your Herald, your leader, your Inquisitor!" She thrust the blade towards the skies, and Cullen found himself doing the same with his own sword. Cheering for the Inquisition's leader. "Now let me hear you roar!" At her command, the crowd let out a riotous cheer. Even Josephine screamed, letting the energy take her as well. She stopped, once she realized she still had an image to uphold. Laughing a bit to himself, Cullen returned his eyes back to the Herald. She was looking at him as well. She moved her head, motioning for him to come up.
The Commander moved up the steps, followed by Josephine. The Herald, and her advisors, continued up to enter the building whilst Cassandra chose to remain outside. They spoke about the enemy, Corypheus. However, they knew little of his intentions, even less when it came to what he truly wanted. Varric did appear and suggested speaking with one of his sources. Apparently the source had encountered Corypheus before. He then went on his way, but not before winking at him and gesturing to the Herald. Cullen would have kicked the dwarf had they been alone.
The Herald let out a long sigh. "For now, let's get settled in," she said. "Find a spot, rest if you can, and I'll see you in the morning. My advisors get first pick."
"And what will you be doing?" Leliana asked, curiously.
"Getting my pick, of course," the Herald replied, shrugging with one shoulder. "I'll also explore this place, maybe find some place suitable for a war room."
"Yes, Inquisitor," Josephine nodded, and then walked off. Leliana did the same. Right. She was the Inquisitor now.
"I suppose I should start referring her as such," Cullen thought. "Hera—ah, I mean, Inquisitor—do you have a moment to talk?"
"I suppose exploring could wait," she replied. "What is it?"
"… I wanted to apologize."
"For what?" She furrowed her brow as though confused.
"At the Chantry, my suggestion to spite the enemy… It was not my proudest moment," Cullen explained. "That mage, Dorian, he was right. I shouldn't have thought-"
"Don't worry about that, big kitten," the Inquisitor interrupted. "We were all shaken by what happened."
"Still, it was a mistake. I am the Commander of your forces. I should not falter nor waver like that ever again. I won't… do that again," he told her. "What happened at Haven, I won't allow to happen again. You will not be a sacrifice again for as long as I am breathing. You have my word." He saw her suck in a breath and hold it. Her freckles came to view. Ah. He liked seeming them.
"I'll… take you at your word then," she replied, dipping her chin. Her gaze fell for a moment before returning to him. "Um… When you found me on the mountain, you called my name." Cullen flinched. Had he? Oh, he had. He had been so relieved to see her that he completely disregarded how saying her name normally made him feel. "Very few address me with my given name."
"I apologize if that was presumptuous of me! I didn't mean to offend!"
"What? No!" the Inquisitor exclaimed. She breathed out. "No… I just… I liked it. I liked that you said my name. It doesn't always have to be Herald or Inquisitor… You can call me by name if you'd like."
"Oh, I see… Then perhaps I will." He shifted his weight from side to side, clasping his hands in front of him. He suddenly felt a lot younger than his age. "Akásha." She smiled and a shiver went through him.
"Good…" she murmured. "I hope it wasn't bold of me to call you by your first name."
"No, I… I liked it, too…" Cullen let out a nervous chuckle as his palm slid against the back of his neck.
0-0
