A/N: Hello! Sorry there hasn't been an update lately! A dear friend is getting married soon and I have been preparing for that. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing because I am not cool enough. There I said it.


Things hadn't gone exactly according to plan at Val Royeaux. The Lord Seeker had attacked a Chantry Mother, the templars had left calling the Inquisition heresy. I was really getting tired of being called a heretic. A mysterious flying arrow had left a cryptic message and after following the instructions on the clues we had ended up recruiting a strange elf called Sera. She spoke in riddles and hated nobles, she wanted to help though and at this point I was not turning down any help where it was offered. We had also received two invitations, one from the mage resistance at Redcliffe and another from Madame De Fer. Lady Vivienne had also pledged her help to the Inquisition and Fiona had invited us to talk an alliance with the mages.

We were almost back to Haven now. Vivienne had a very elaborate carriage and more luggage than I thought she needed, and Sera had only brought herself and her bow. Sera was puzzling, but I really like the elf. She gave Varric a run for his money with sarcastic jokes and it was amusing to watch them banter. Solas disapproved of her, he thought she was flighty and immature. I had laughed and told him that everyone seemed immature to him. Solas was the wisest person I had ever met, even wiser than my dear father. He seemed like he'd been alive for a thousand years, the way he talked of elven history like he was there. I had told him this once and he had chuckled with a sad look in his eyes.

"You'll get premature wrinkles frowning like that." Sera said as she caught up to me on her horse we had provided.

I looked over at her, "I wasn't frowning." I said defensively.

She chuckled and scrunched her face up dramatically, "This is you."

I rolled my eyes and laughed, "You're silly."

"You should be more silly, don't want to get too self important. Then maybe I'll be stealing your breeches." She waggled her eyebrows and I laughed loudly at the memory of the men attacking us in their small clothes.


A knock on my door woke me. I opened my eyes and waited to hear the noise again. Sure enough three more knocks came. I lit a candle on my bedside table and pulled a robe on over my nightgown before going to the door and opening it slowly. Cullen was standing there and I tucked my hair behind my ear self consciously. We hadn't had much time to speak since my return to Val Royeaux, I had left the day after our moment on the snow bank.

"You were sleeping... of course you were sleeping. It's an ungodly hour, but I just wanted to see you." I was becoming accustomed to Cullen when he was flustered, and the sight always made me smile.

I pushed the door open and beckoned him to come in. "Come in, it's cold out."

He looked slightly hesitant, and I thought it was probably odd for him to be alone with a mage still. He nodded and came in anyway.

"I shouldn't have woke you..." He started but I held up my hand to stop his apologies.

"It's really okay, I hardly sleep these days. It was probably only a matter of minutes before my own mind woke me." I lit a few more candles and tied the sash on the robe I wore.

Cullen looked around at the small cabin that I had began to make my home. I had drawn several pictures of Simon and placed them on the walls. I had also drawn other of mother, father, and even Sutton. Cullen ran his fingers over the parchment and smiled slightly.

"These are very good."

"You sound surprised." I said as I walked over to stand beside him.

"Truthfully, I am." He looked over all of the drawings with a smile on his face.

"People are often blinded by first impressions. Is it so bizarre to think that a mage might also be an artist?" I asked conversationally.

Cullen looked to me, "I am sorry, I didn't mean to off-"

I giggled, stopping his rambling. "I am teasing you, Cullen. It is true though, I am not only one thing. I am a collection of things. We all are, I just wish people took more time to see the whole of a person, instead of particular talents they are born with or without."

"You are a most odd woman, Bretta Trevelyan." Cullen said as he looked at me.

The look in his eyes made me shy, and I looked down as I blushed.

"That" He said as he lifted my chin with his fingers. Blue eyes met hazel ones and my heart fluttered.

"You are such a leader, you're commanding in your plans and confident; and yet I can still make your cheeks redden that way. I must confess I enjoy it." He massaged my cheek with his thumb.

I felt a breath leave me as we moved closer together. Cullen rested his forehead against mine and his hand moved from my cheek to my hair, his other hand reaching down to intertwine with mine.

"Cullen... I'm glad you woke me up." I said quietly. It was as if he had saved me from the nightmares and I was truly grateful.

"I missed you, is that odd?" He said. He pulled away and looked at me with a smile.

"I missed you too." I grinned widely. I felt like I could dance, I felt like I could take on a pride demon singlehandedly.

We stared at each other for a moment. I was locked in his eyes, it was making my heart beat irregularly. I stepped closer without breaking eye contact. I leaned up and finally closed my eyes as I planted a kiss on his cheek, just as I had the day we met in Kirkwall. I moved and kissed his other cheek slowly. Cullen suddenly grabbed my face between his hands and his lips were on mine. I gasped in surprised and then returned the kiss in earnest. He began walking me backwards and I felt the back of my knees hit the mattress and we fell. Cullen's weight was pressed on me and I ran my hands up his arms and through his hair as we continued to kiss. His tongue met mine and he tasted like tea and just... Cullen. His hand moved down my leg to hitch it on his hip and I gasped.

"Cullen!" I said in a breathy voice. He kissed my neck and I thought I might explode.

"Cullen!" I said again and slightly pushed on his shoulder.

He stiffened and pulled away with an apologetic look. He tried to leave me completely but I held him to me with my legs.

"I am so sorry, Bretta! I don't know what came over me! You're a lady and I just assaulted you like some sort of brute." His face was aflame and I chuckled and touched his cheek, coaxing him to look at me.

"Cullen, I quite enjoyed it, please don't apologize. It's only... I am not..." I sighed in embarrassment.

I looked away from him as I spoke. "I have never... been with a man, in an intimate way..." My face was flaming by the time I stopped talking.

I bit my lip and looked to Cullen, he was smiling at me. He rolled off of me and propped himself up on his arm as he laid on his side.

"How old are you, Bretta?" He asked.

"I turned twenty-two just before I came to Haven." I answered.

"Maker, I am nearly ten years older than you!" He said as his eyes widened.

"Does that bother you?" I really hoped it didn't.

He thought about it for a moment, he ran his hand over my loose hair and let one of the curls wrap around his finger. "No... I don't suppose it does. It's just you seem so much older than that."

"My father always said that death ages people, I have seen much death in this last year, so I suppose that means we are about the same age." I snuggled closer to him and tucked my head under his chin.

"Will you stay here with me tonight? Just as we are?" I didn't want him to leave. His presence had silenced the terrible thoughts that plagued my mind and my sleep.

Cullen touched my face and looked down at me. I smiled up at him slightly and he returned it.

"My lovely Bretta, why is it me you have chosen?" He kissed my forehead and I leaned into him again and sighed happily.

I fell asleep before I could answer his question.


When I opened my eyes I felt a warm arm wrapped around me and I smiled happily. I rolled over and looked at the sleeping man beside me. Cullen looked younger in his sleep, less troubled. I reached up and traced my finger over the scar on his lip and wondered where he got it. There was so much I still didn't know about him, but he set my entire being on fire and I felt safer with him than I had in a long while. He was beautiful, and he was here with me. I leaned up and kissed his cheek. I began to move to get out of bed but his arm tightened around me.

"Don't get up yet" he murmured and buried his head into my hair, I chuckled and relaxed into his arms.

"What will people say when they see the commander sneaking out of the Herald's cabin this early in the morning?" I said jokingly.

"Will it bother you that they'll talk?" He asked, suddenly nervous.

"No, it won't. I am used to people whispering about me as I walk by, this is one thing I wouldn't mind them whispering about." I said truthfully.

Cullen's arm tightened around me slightly and he kissed the back of my neck, I sighed happily. "Can we just stay here, just like this?" I asked as I ran my fingers over his.

"If only..." He replied.

He was right, so this time when I pulled away he let me. He didn't move however, he just watched me as I began brushing my hair and braiding it down my back. I caught him staring and blushed brightly.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You are the most beautiful woman I think I have ever seen."

I blushed and rolled my eyes. I reached into the wash basin and wet my hand so I could flick water on him. He held up a pillow as a shield and laughed.

"Disarm, my lady!" He pleaded and I laughed.

I chuckled and walked behind the dressing screen to dress. He couldn't see me, but it made me shiver a bit to know that I was naked in the same room that Cullen was in. My cheeks flamed as I pulled the leather breeches on and pulled the tunic on over them. I stepped out from behind the screen and Cullen was standing and stretching.

"I suppose we should face the music." I said wearily.

Cullen walked over and grabbed my hand and brought it to his lips. He smiled at me and tucked a stray hair behind my ear.

"You walked into the Fade and lived, you can do this."

I nodded and squared my shoulders before heading towards the door. Cullen grabbed my arm and pulled me back to him quickly and kissed me until I was breathless. When we parted I chuckled.

"You aren't making this easier!" I said excitedly causing Cullen to chuckle.

We both walked towards the door then and I opened it slowly, taking a deep breath. People were busy bees walking all over the place as usual but when Cullen and I stepped out of the cabin together they all stopped to stare. I thought I might puke. I looked at my feet and I felt Cullen take my hand comfortingly. I looked up at him and I wondered why he was so put together all of a sudden. He nodded encouragingly and I returned it and began walking.

"All right, all right! Nothing to see here! Move along people. I know you all have some place to be." It was Varric. I tried to convey my gratitude with my eyes. He merely winked and walked along, shooing the gawkers. I looked up at Cullen once more and squeezed his hand before turning and walking towards the Chantry.


"Maker, I don't think I will ever get used to the smell of these things." Sera said as we slay the last of the shades falling from the rift at the Redcliffe Chantry. I looked to her and wiped the sweat from my brow. I looked to the mage that had met us here.

"I assume you sent the message?" I asked.

"Yes, I am Dorian Pavus." He bowed slightly and I returned it.

"Bretta Trevelyan." I said quietly, "This is Solas, Sera, and Cassandra" I introduced my party.

"Where is Felix?" Dorian asked as he looked around us.

"He fainted at the tavern, is there something wrong with him?"

"Felix has been sick for some time..." Dorian said just as the man in question came forward.

The two men then told me of the Venatori and just how Alexius had gotten to the Redcliffe mages before us. Time magic, it sounded dangerous and it sent fear through me at the chaos it could potentially cause. They then told me of Alexius's obsession with me, and how I was the sole reason he had even used the magic to get to the mages. That scared me, but it also intrigued me.

"We must return to Haven and tell them of this plot. If I know it's a trap then we can plan accordingly."

"I'll be joining you if you don't mind. I know Alexius, he used to be my mentor. I can help you move against him, also I bring charm and good looks, a winning combination." I smiled at the odd man and nodded.

"Considered yourself hired." I told him, and we shook hands.


"Why would you knowingly walk into a trap?" Cullen boomed.

We were all in the war room planning our next move. I had decided to try and contact the mages, we needed a lot of magic to power up the mark in my hand if we were to close the Breach for good. Cullen was still adamant that we go with the templars.

"If we know it's a trap then we've won half the battle. He doesn't know we are aware." I said, trying to keep calm.

"We could send agents in a secret tunnel below the castle. I know of it, the entrance is in an old windmill and was built for the family to use in case of emergencies." Leliana piped in.

Cullen shook his head stubbornly and paced around the room once before leaning over the war table. "No, it's too risky. You could be killed." He muttered.

I sighed and looked at the three woman standing in the room with us. "Could you all give us just a moment?" They nodded and left the room quickly.

I looked at the man across the room from me and sighed, "You are being irrational" I said quietly.

Cullen's head shot up and he glared at me. "I am not! The templars are just as capable of helping you seal the Breach as the mages and they don't have a plot to kill you, might I add."

I shook my head at him and walked around the table. I perched myself on it and touched his cheek. "I will be fine." I told him.

"You don't know that." He said quietly, letting the worry show through.

"Do you remember what I said to you that day in Kirkwall?" He sighed and closed his eyes and I knew he did.

"I told you that if we don't help people then we let the darkness and suffering win, and that my life is insignificant in the grand scheme of things. I have to take this risk, but we will be careful. I promise."

"Your life is not insignificant to me, and if you die then we are all condemned regardless."

"Which is why Leliana will send in her best men to infiltrate the castle, Alexius doesn't know we know of his plan. We are one step ahead of him."

Cullen stood up straight and looked at me, his eyes were still worried.

"Forgive me, I am letting my personal feelings dictate my decisions. You're right... you're always right." He chuckled at the last part and I smiled at him.

"And don't you forget it."

"I doubt you will ever let me." He kissed my forehead then and I sighed.

We would plan to go to Redcliffe.


A/N: I know I changed the original kiss scene but it's fanfiction people! I hope you all liked the changes I made. Until next time!