By lunchtime the following day, everything was over. The Herald had led the mages up the mountain to the remains of the Temple of Sacred Ashes early that morning, and now all that remained of the breach was a scar in the sky to serve as a reminder.
Upon their return, the celebrations had begun. Practically every keg of ale was opened and drained in quick succession, so by the evening all of Haven's residents were merrily dancing and singing in the streets, care-free for the first time in weeks. All except one.
Seren sat in her tent, finalising reports by candlelight, still sipping the first beer she had been handed many hours previous. When the celebration had first begun she had joined in, but something was troubling her that she couldn't put her finger on, a niggling thought at the back of her mind which she couldn't quite shake.
Something's wrong, very wrong.
Cullen had told her of the Grey Warden disappearances the night before, just in passing, a trivial fact from the day he'd overheard from a conversation between Leliana and the Herald. But it had bothered her.
Seren thought back to the night the Queen had gone 'travelling', of the secret she had shared, one that Seren still held to this day. She wondered if the two things were connected. But the King was still in Denerim. He hadn't vanished. It didn't make sense, so Seren had retreated to her tent, needing space to mull it over.
"Seren?" Cullen appeared at the tent flap.
"In here." At the sound of her voice he entered, squinting through the gloom.
"Maker's breath, you're not actually working?"
"No I'm writing love letters. Would you like one?" He blushed a little. She shook her head, a small smile on her lips. "I'm just finishing a few things."
"Your Commander must be a real slave driver."
She laughed. "Nah, he's alright." She carried on writing but Cullen didn't move.
"Come on Seren, it can wait till tomorrow. Join the celebrations while they last." When Seren didn't respond, he added "Don't make me order you."
She laughed a little. "You are persistent." She gave up. "Fine, I'm coming. Grab me a drink will you. Proper Ferelden stuff though. None of that flowery Orlesian shite."
"Your wish is my command." And he left the tent.
The nagging feeling still gripped her heart as she blew out the candles.
Cullen turned to check she was actually following before disappearing into the crowd, as she exited her tent. She reluctantly trailed after him, knowing that alcohol was not the best idea in her current state of mind.
One drink. You can manage one drink. And smile, for Maker's sake smile. Happy thoughts…
When Seren caught up, the Commander was in conversation with a mage, his cheeks slightly flushed, laughing nervously. He looked relieved when she approached. He handed her a drink.
"Sorry to interrupt." The Commander opened his mouth to speak, but he was interrupted by the mage.
"Not at all. The more the merrier. You must be the lovely Lady Seren I have been hearing so much about."
"No Lady, just Seren." She replied before she could stop herself.
"If you insist."
"And you are…?"
"Of course, how careless of me! I am Dorian of house Pavus, at your service." He reached out, grabbed her free hand and kissed it before Seren could resist.
"A pleasure…" Glancing at Cullen, an 'is this guy for real?' look on her face. He returned it with a 'you'll get used to it' look.
"I find it strange that we have not been introduced before now. Where have you been hiding this beauty Commander?"
Seren coughed on her drink, spluttering "Beauty? Are you kidding me?"
"I may joke about many things Lieutenant, but beauty is not one of them. Nor is hygiene for that matter. It strikes me that the South has this unique and…" He sniffed the air. "Pungent smell."
"And Tervinter lacks this I'm assuming?" She raised an eyebrow, trying to read Dorian.
"It has a different variety, yes." He grinned devilishly, and Seren could not deny he was rather handsome, in a conceited, egotistical sort of way. She couldn't help feeling like he was studying her too.
The Commander shifted uncomfortably from one foot to another, which did not go unnoticed by Dorian.
"It appears we are neglecting the Commander." He said without removing his gaze from Seren.
Cullen rubbed the back of his neck. "No its…"
"I shall leave you two. Drinks to see, people to consume, or something along those lines." He winked at Cullen, who went bright red, and then he strode off in a way only Dorian Pavus could manage.
Seren eyed Cullen, raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile spreading across her face. "Did I miss something?" The Commander blushed deeper.
"No, no not at all."
I definitely missed something. Her smirk grew.
"Honestly. Nothing. You missed nothing. We were just talking…"
"About?" She persevered, determined to get to the bottom of it.
"Well… you actually." He was rubbing the back of his neck again, an awkward look in his features
"Me?" She was shocked. "What were you saying?" She demanded, worrying she was the butt-end of some joke.
Cullen saw her face. "Nothing bad I promise. I was just…telling him about you."
"I see." Still confused, she let it drop.
Unexpectedly, a recruit who'd had a tad too much to drink bumped into Seren from behind, pushing her forward into Cullen.
"Watch it recruit!" The Commander shouted.
"Maker! Ser, I'm sorry…" The recruit tried to stand to attention, failed miserably and ended up on the floor.
Seren and Cullen glanced at the recruit, amusement clear on their faces, both stifling laughs. It was then she realised that the Commander was still gripping her arms, his cup lying on the floor, his drink splashed across the cobbles, running along the channels between the stones. She looked up, his amber eyes scanning her own face, his features soft and charming. For one moment, she thought he was going to kiss her.
And in that moment she wanted him too. How she wanted him to pull her close, to feel his lips pressed against hers, for him to whisper sweet nothings in her ear. She wanted to run her fingers through his blonde curls, to feel the heat of his skin in contrast to the sharp chill of the mountain air. She wanted to feel…
A horn blared. Seren's heart stopped.
We're being attacked.
Cullen let go, his features suddenly unreadable and set, his eyes hollow, dead. "I've got to…"
"Go." He looked at her one more time before racing towards the gate.
