The Inquisition's delegation to Val Royeaux ended up comprising of less than thirty people. Only a handful of the Inquisitor's inner circle was selected to go in the end—Cullen, Leliana, Josephine, Varric, and Elanna herself—plus a few clerics and an honor guard of fifteen of the Inquisition's finest soldiers, hand-picked by Cullen himself. While their procession across Orlais had two carriages at its disposal, Elanna insisted on riding at the head of the column herself. Cullen was not about to let her stick her neck out in the face of possible enemies still hiding in the Orlesian countryside, so he led the honor guard beside her.
Although harts were by no means large mounts, Elanna's petite frame seemed out of place atop her majestic steed. Yet, at the same time, Cullen could not help but think she appeared almost ethereal, like the legendary Dalish knights of old. If he had not spent the last several months serving with her, Cullen would have found her a very strange sight for the leader of the Inquisition and Herald of Andraste, on her way to the coronation of the next Divine. The world was changing, and Elanna and Cassandra seemed to spin that change around them.
They had not traveled far their first day before Cullen noticed Elanna riding stiffly in her saddle, hiding a grimace. He rode closely up to her and offered a few pointers to make a long day of riding more bearable, which she accepted with sheepish smiles and thanks, but had little else to say. The following six days of riding followed much the same. Now and then she would comment on the scenery as they traveled, but otherwise remained quiet. Cullen would not breech her solitude in front of his men. She was, after all, his commander. On the third day, it rained a light drizzle all morning and into the afternoon. While Josephine and Mother Giselle fussed about Elanna getting wet, she steadfastly stayed mounted, wrapped in a rain cloak like all of her soldiers. Cullen caught looks of awe and respect from his soldiers, and he felt a glow of pride for Elanna. The honor guard rode even taller from that day forward.
After the first night of camping in the mountain pass in the Frostbacks, every night was spent at the residents of some Orlesian noble or another, carefully arranged by Josephine. Even there, Cullen had little chance to converse with Elanna. At dinners and breakfasts, Elanna was always the guest of honor, her attention dutifully paid to their hosts. At night, Cullen stayed with the soldiers while Elanna was treated to the guest suites, during which time Leliana and Josephine coached Elanna on what to expect at the coronation.
By the time they reached Val Royeaux, Cullen had scarcely exchanged a full conversation with Elanna, even despite his promise to Varric. Yet Elanna seemed to brighten up all on her own as they drew ever closer to the capital city. As they passed through the city gates, she was practically beaming. At least, she was sitting up straighter with a light in her blue eyes and a slight smile on her lips. For someone as unexpressive as Elanna, that was a great improvement. Drawing up beside her on the narrow streets, Cullen observed, "You look pleased to be at the end of this journey. Looking forward to being off your mount?"
"I'm looking forward to seeing Cassandra," she replied, casting a small smile in his direction, "I've missed her."
"I admit, it's hard for me to imagine her looking like the Divine," Cullen chuckled, "But her steadfast faith and vision for the Chantry does credit to all of us who believe in the Maker."
Elanna nodded, chuckling lightly as well. "She's going to have a rough time solving problems without a sword to hit people with," Elanna joked, "I hope whoever she picked for her Right Hand likes sparring."
Cullen laughed.
"Josephine tells me we will not have much time with her in private," Elanna admitted, "But she is trying to get us at least a brief meeting as the leaders of the Inquisition. Though, I am not certain if we are seen as a branch of the Chantry or not, at present."
"Are we?" Cullen asked. Elanna's relationship with the Chantry, as a Dalish elf, remained complex, whatever his own personal beliefs were.
Elanna shrugged, "The Chantry did not recognize the Inquisition when Cassandra and Leliana formed it, and when you all appointed me Inquisitor, it stepped even farther from the Chantry. I plan to remain a personal ally of Cassandra as long as she remains true to her character, whether that extends to the Chantry as a whole, I guess that will depend on how everything evolves from here."
Cullen nodded, "You certainly are getting good at these human politics. Far better than me."
Elanna laughed, "No offense meant, Commander Cullen, but your expertise seems to lie more in war than diplomacy."
Cullen laughed with her, "You have found my weakness, Inquisitor Elanna. We're all better off that that is left to the more capable leadership of Josephine. Still, it's impressive how quickly you've adjusted to life outside of your clan."
"I had to," Elanna's eyes darkened as she shrugged. "And you all have been invaluable advisors, even you."
"For all my lack of diplomacy experience?" Cullen chuckled.
"From you—and Iron Bull as well, believe it or not—I learned how one is expected to lead their followers to victory," Elanna replied, "Not just in battle, but in spirit. The Dalish do not command armies. While I was in training as the Keeper's first, I was learning to lead a clan, but a Dalish clan is more like a family."
"Well," Cullen stammered, humbled, "I had no idea you were watching that closely. Here I thought you were a naturally-born leader."
"Naturally-born learner, perhaps," Elanna replied, "And leading was something I had no choice but to learn. And I am grateful for your help even now."
"Well, I won't be much help in there," Cullen chuckled, gesturing vaguely in the direction of the Grand Cathedral, "You're better off relying on Leliana and Josephine for advice in this city. This is there arena."
"You were once a part of the Chantry," Elanna observed.
"With a sword and shield," Cullen retorted.
"We will see if the Chantry lets Cassandra keep her sword and shield as the Divine," Elanna replied.
"Yes, that would make her happier," Cullen chuckled.
At the ceremony the next day, Cassandra was indeed allowed to keep her sword, if only ceremonially. The clerics had arranged for her to have an ornamental Seekers of Truth sword at her side for the duration of the coronation ceremony. Inside the great hall of the Grand Cathedral, the leaders of the Inquisition and their escort of clerics were given a place of honor to view the ceremony. From the back of the hall, Cassandra would have been nearly unrecognizable, save for the sword, in the white, red, and gold robes of the Divine. Cassandra's unruly dark hair had been shaved away as well, in preparation for the cap of the Divine. From scarcely twenty yards away, Cullen easily recognized Cassandra's scarred face and the fierce determination and devotion in her eyes.
The ceremony began with a chorus of chanters singing relevant passages from the Chant of Light, then it came time for Cassandra to step forward and sing, confidently though off-key, her own portion of the Chant. She stood tall and sang with a rich, raspy voice that Cullen could not help but be enthralled by, despite her lack of singing skills. He could almost feel Cassandra's faith in the air as it hummed with her voice. When this was done, a group of clerics approached her where she stood below the Sunburst Throne, carrying the cap of the divine. She knelt before them. Prompted by the clerics, she recited the formal vows of her office. Then, three of them together lowered the cap onto her shaved head. She rose, as Divine Victoria, and with fire in her eyes drew her sword and thrust it into the air, shouting, "Glory be to the Maker!" Judging by the stunned looks of the clerics as the staggered away from her, that had not been part of the plans. They relaxed again when she sheathed the sword and ascended the dais to the Sunburst Throne and took her seat. One of the clerics pronounced her as Divine Victoria, and the great hall erupted into cheers and applause.
Following the coronation, the leaders of the inquisition joined the long receiving line to greet the new Divine. Empress Celine led the line, nodding graciously at Divine Victoria, who stood to greet her. After Celine was escorted off, Victoria seated herself on the Sunburst Throne and greeted the rest of her new followers. Each curtsied, bowed, or took a knee before her in respect and she nodded to every person that passed. When the Inquisition reached the front of the line, Cullen quickly took his place to Elanna's right and kneeled, bowing his head to Cassandra—now Divine Victoria. When a sudden hush fell around them, he glanced up. While Josephine, Leliana, and even Varric kneeled before the Sunburst Throne, Elanna still remained standing, looking awkwardly stunned up at the Divine, who stood as well. Cassandra smiled warmly down at them, particularly Elanna. The grand clerics shuffled agitatedly around the base of the dais, until she took notice and sat down again. It was her second unconventional gesture as Divine, and the day was still young. She had just treated the leader of the Inquisition with equal respect as the Empress of Orlais.
As the other leaders of the Inquisition rose, Elanna remained bewilderedly rooted to where she stood. At a sharp glance from Leliana, Cullen gently took her arm and guided her away from the dais. Once they moved back into the crowds, he released her arm, asking softly, "Are you alright Elanna? That was unexpected."
She shook of her unease and chuckled, "I forgot what I was supposed to do, and then Cassandra—I mean, Divine Victoria…"
"Forgot what she was supposed to do too," Cullen finished for her, chuckling.
"She certainly is going to give the Grand Clerics some trouble until they get used to her," Leliana observed, laughing quietly. "She certainly will stir things up a bit as Divine. Possibly even more than Justinia did."
"She already is stirring things up," Josephine observed uneasily, "That show of respect for you, Inquisitor, could make our position…interesting."
"Leave it to the Cassandra to make a bunch of clerics uncomfortable just by being herself," Varric chided, "I think she'll do just fine."
They followed the tide of high-ranking well-wishers out into the vast courtyard where the rest of their escort waited among the masses to see the first public appearance of Divine Victoria.
Nearly an hour later, the new Divine appeared on the high balcony of the Grand Cathedral that overlooked the courtyard and the thousands of devotees below. Divine Victoria gave her first sermon as the leader of the Chantry. She praised the works, spirit, and vision of Justinia and vowed to continue her legacy. She spoke of the dangers of division and conflict, urging for unity in reconstruction and reconciliation after the horrors of the Breech. She never mentioned the Inquisition by name, but her references to their deeds were clear enough. The sermon concluded with a prayer for the people of Thedas. After another deafening round of applause, she retreated from view back into the Cathedral. It was the last they would see of her on their visit to Val Royeaux.
The remaining week in the Orlesian capital was spent attending parties of the wealthy and powerful. Josephine juggled conflicting invitations with her usual grace. They attended a luncheon at the palace, at the insistence of the still grateful Empress Celine. Both the empress and Briala went out of their ways to console Elanna on the loss of her clan. Vivienne, now re-elected as the First Enchanter of the Val Royeaux Circle, threw a dinner party in the honor of the visiting Inquisition. She was more than happy to show every respect for Elanna and her advisors, as well as to display her own intimacy with them to the court at Orlais. At Josephine's insistence, they attended four more gatherings thrown by other Orlesian nobles eager to show their support and gratitude to the Inquisition. On their final night in the capital, Leliana and Josephine contrived to rent out an entire tavern to throw a farewell party for Varric. Cullen grudgingly agreed to one last game of cards with the dwarf and the rest of the Inquisition. Josephine won again, but everyone kept their clothes. Varric seemed pleased, retelling impossibly dramatic versions of the adventures of the Inquisition, which grew more fantastic with every mug of ale he downed.
The next morning, the thoroughly hung-over group saw him off at the docks. Elanna gave him a long, heartfelt hug. When she turned away, Cullen could see tears at the corners of her eyes that she struggled to hide.
As Cullen stepped forward to shake hands with Varric in farewell, the dwarf said, "Take care of yourself, Curly."
"You too Varric," Cullen replied.
"Remember our deal," Varric said firmly, squeezing Cullen's hand more firmly and glancing side-long at Elanna.
"You have my word," Cullen vowed solemnly. He certainly could not forget about Elanna.
When everyone had finished their goodbyes, Varric hoisted his bag on one shoulder while slinging his crossbow over the other. "Thanks for everything," Varric said to all of them, "Bianca and I will miss you." He answered the chorus of goodbyes with a wave and turned towards the docks to find his ship back to Kirkwall. It was then time for the Inquisition to load their mounts and take the long road back to Skyhold.