"No, we are not naming the child Hetron if it's a boy."
She burst into giggles rolling against his chest as he prodded the coals in the fire with a long stick. "But it's okay if it's a girl name, right?"
"Are you determined to make the child hate us?" He countered shifting a leg until she was mostly leaning across his lap.
"Don't tell me you've never thought what you'd name a strapping son or a darling daughter of your own." She adjusted until she was comfortable and able to look up at him at the same time.
He laughed, the sound low and rumbling like thunder. "You're the only woman mad enough to want me to be the father."
"Lucky, you mean." She countered in an almost daring tone.
Amused, he bent over and gave her a lingering kiss. "Aye. I am." After a long, pleasant moment, he pulled back. "We're still not naming whichever one of them it is Hetron."
She snickered and gave a one shoulder shrug that meant nothing.
"Fine. We name the child Hetron, we get Sera as a nanny." He countered.
The humor in her expression fled between one blink of the eye and another. "Are you insane? We'd leave her to watch the child and we'd come back to a nug or something else she'd traded for."
"Hunh. I was thinking we'd come back and the child would be painted blue…because reasons." He looked down at her. "You're right, your scenario is much more likely."
"I'm so making Cullen change a diaper, though." Her quirky humor was back in full force. "Maybe even on the war table."
"That I would like to see." He set the stick aside and wrapped his arms about her tighter.
They were both quiet, just enjoying each other and the night, when he finally stirred and spoke.
"We'll have company soon, most like."
"They've been more patient than I thought, Cullen especially given how we've tormented him." A snicker of wicked delight had her lips curving at the memory. "We had almost an entire week to ourselves." This time the words were said with a resigned sound.
He glanced at her. "Wasn't sure you knew the Commander and his men were there."
"Oh, I suspected a couple of days ago." She reassured him. "I knew for certain when I started waking up with a blanket on."
He laughed and leaned over for a kiss. "They will find you, wherever you go." He pointed out.
Sighing she brushed her hair away from her forehead. "I know. What do you want, Thom?"
"You. The child." He said instantly. "Where doesn't matter so much."
"I did good work as the Inquisitor." She said after a moment's pause. "I could still do good work."
"Lot to be done." He agreed.
"I miss Skyhold." She finally admitted.
"Honnleath can always be a backup plan." He said amiably enough.
Her laughter didn't quite hide the sound of very deliberately noisy footsteps coming closer. "Do you think Cullen has finally realized that each time he approaches we start having sex on purpose to drive him away?"
"Maker, I hope not." Thom breathed with a heartfelt sigh that sent her into peals of laughter.
"Yes, he did realize." The man himself answered in tight tones. "Blessed Andraste, you'd think you'd have gotten bored by now."
Both of them stared at the Inquisition Commander as if he were insane.
"We have got to get you a girlfriend, Cullen." She said with true pity.
"Tessa seemed mighty fond of you…" Thom agreed with a nod.
"No." Cullen stated in flat tones but the anger in his face didn't last. "I am sorry, Inquisitor, but matters back at Skyhold require your immediate attention. I gave you as long as I could."
A sweet smile curved her lips. "I know, Cullen. Thank you." She sighed looking around the camp that had been such a happy place for her. "In the morning, then?"
"First light, if possible." Cullen agreed with nod. "I'll have your escort ready to go when you are." He drew a small leather pack from his side handing it to her. "I asked one of the healers if they had something to ease the morning sickness and they provided this."
Surprised, she took the bag. "I wasn't aware you knew." She said but didn't seem upset by the matter.
"When you took to your room after his departure we had healers assess you." Cullen ignored the glare she sent his way. "We wanted to make sure you weren't seriously ill. The healers informed us your vomiting was likely something else entirely and suggested you were with child." A disgusted look crossed his face. "One even thought I might be the father. I stopped that quickly enough by telling her I wasn't and that if she wanted to know who was she could ask the Maker because it was no one else's business."
"Which would be why you said nothing to me about it at Tessa's." Thom rumbled, looking at the Commander with a pointed look.
Cullen met that look without a qualm. "It wasn't my place." He stated.
"Doesn't matter." She cut through the tension. "Thank you, Cullen."
"You'll both be coming back?" Cullen looked directly at Thom, his expression unreadable.
"Aye." Thom nodded.
"There are plenty of pilgrims that arrive daily with tales of bandits or blight creatures or other difficulties. I imagine someone will need to address the problems." Cullen said sitting next to the fire across from them. "I'm far too busy, of course."
She looked at Thom who was watching after the Commander.
"I'd need a small crew of soldiers capable of moving quickly if needed." Thom said quietly and then looked at her. "It might mean travelling."
"As long as I get the option of going with you, I don't care." She gave a one shoulder shrug.
"I've recently added an ex-soldier from Orlais…" Cullen began, the words addressed to Thom but his gaze was steadily on the Inquisitor
"No." She cut him off in flat tones. "I'd prefer that ex-soldier be stationed at Griffin Keep."
Thom glanced at her for a long study and then his blue eyes moved to Cullen. "Who is it?"
"Thom, there is no…" She broke off her own words, frowning, her thoughts fierce as the argument going on in her mind took a physical form on her face. Finally she grimaced and shook her head. "Cyril Mornay." She rushed the name out as if not sure she would speak given time to think.
Expressionless, Thom studied her for a long moment and then his gaze moved to Cullen. "Agreed."
Her mouth opened and she almost spoke once and twice before shoving herself to her feet. "I need a minute." She snarled and stalked out of the camp.
"She worries for you." Cullen said quietly.
"You've no idea how humbling that is." Thom answered in a low voice.
"I do deserve you!" Came a fierce shout from the trees causing both men to laugh.
"How is Mornay?" Thom asked into the quiet.
"He's seen some hard times." Cullen agreed bluntly. "I'm not sure what went on between him and the Inquisitor but he speaks highly of her. Almost worshipfully. He has no idea that you're still alive."
"I would prefer…" This was another shout from the trees that was quickly cut off and followed by a thumping noise as if a branch was being banged against a tree trunk.
Thom stared down at the hot coals of the fire. "Another chance. To make right what I messed up."
"Not many get a chance at redemption." Cullen's gaze was removed, almost turned inward before he focused on the older man. "Take this one. Prove not only to yourself, but to everyone else, that past mistakes need not cage a person. Not forever."
Nodding slowly, Thom poked at the coals. "I will." He said, the words a vow.
"He's searching. Like you were." The Inquisitor spoke returning to the fireside. She tossed two pieces of a rather thick branch in the wood pile drawing a smile from Cullen. "We can help find the answers."
"I'm glad you're not mad at me." The Commander said with a shake of his head.
She narrowed her eyes at him. "I'm still considering it."
"Full plate mail." Cullen countered. "Up several flights of stairs to your bedroom."
Thom glanced back and forth between them, the Inquisitor very determinedly not speaking and an almost smug look on the Commander. "Well, it's a unique form of chastity belt, I'll say that."
Cullen snorted his laughter. "As if I'd dare." The words were full of derision as he shook his head and stood. "I'll leave you for the night and plan for breaking camp at first light."
"First light…maybe lunch." The Inquisitor gave an uncaring shrug. "If there's a great deal of growling noises going on as you arrive…"
"Don't hail us, we'll hail you." Thom finished and Cullen still shaking his head quickly departed.
Epilogue
"Home sweet home." She grinned looking up at the tall walls of Skyhold as they began to enter the small village in the valley just below. "I wonder if they've managed to fix that wall in the corridor next to the war room yet."
"Leliana's here." Cullen said abruptly, scowling.
"Josephine, too." Thom agreed. "That doesn't bode well."
The two women quickly joined them as the group was noticed and villagers began to come closer.
"We've a problem." Leliana said abruptly with no hint of greeting.
The Inquisitor was looking about as pilgrims came closer, many smiling at her with joy and happiness. "What's going on?" She asked in wary tones.
"Word of your being with child has spread." Josephine began in her diplomatic voice.
"As have rumors about who the father is." Leliana continued.
Cullen paled. "I told them I was not the father!" He stated in adamant tones.
"We know." Leliana soothed, sparing him a look. "Unfortunately, you also said that the Maker was."
He stared at the spymaster in disbelief. "I did not! I told them to ask the Maker because He knew and it wasn't their business!"
"Unfortunately, they chose to interpret it as you saying the Maker was the father of the Herald's child." Josephine stated with sympathy.
Thom burst out laughing in great guffaws.
"That's not funny!" The Inquisitor snapped at him, outraged.
"Yes, yes it is." Thom contradicted.
"Fix this!" She snarled back at her advisers, glaring at the pilgrims who were drawing closer. "My child has a very definite, very flawed, very human father!"
"Maybe we should call them Hetron after all." Thom continued, still chuckling. "The child starts getting bigger than their britches, that will keep them humble."
She smacked him on the shoulder of his gambeson armor. "You're not helping!"
Thom reached out an arm and snagged her off her horse, dragging her onto his saddle before him. "How's this for help then?" He asked and cupped her cheek carefully in his large hand, tilting her head to the side and then studying the position for half a breath as if to make sure she was aligned properly. Then he closed his mouth over hers, stroking deep.
Cullen rolled his eyes nudging his horse forward. "I've seen too much of that recently. I'll be in my office catching up on reports." He passed through the now very confused pilgrims.
Leliana laughed gently. "That's one way of stopping the rumor."
"Oh, my." Josephine was unabashedly watching the kiss continue on. "I believe that will put the rumor to rest quite nicely. Only…"
The spymaster glanced over. "What?"
Josephine leaned closer, whispering. "How does he kiss and breathe through all that hair?"