Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Age.
Forbidden Love
Chapter Eleven
Cullen watched the expedition leave Hightown to head out to the Deep Roads. Ashlynne seemed to sense his presence and looked back over her shoulder at him in the shadows. She raised a hand to her lips and blew him a kiss. Anyone around her who noticed would have just thought she was blowing a final kiss of goodbye to her mother and brother. He knew Varric would protect her, but he still didn't like the fact of her going on this expedition. Regrettably, there was nothing he could do to stop her from going because of the situation they were in.
When Ashlynne had informed him that she had confessed the truth to Varric, he had been furious at first. She had explained in her note that Varric was trustworthy and would be able to help them in the long run. He could nothing but take her word for it until he saw otherwise. He prayed that she would right. As much as he wanted some sort of a normal life with her, it would kill him if the Knight-Commander ever gave him the order to arrest her and throw her in the Gallows.
Ashlynne could not stop thinking about Cullen as they went deeper into the Deep Roads. What if she never saw him again? In some ways she had been grateful that her monthly had arrived earlier that week right on schedule. She secretly dreamed of having Cullen's children, but she knew that the way things stood in their lives now; it was not a good idea to throw a child into the mix, especially the child of a mage and a Templar.
A few days later, Cullen was the furthest thing from Ashlynne's mind as she stood watching Varric continue to curse his brother long after the door had shut behind him.
"Varric, that isn't going to do you any good now, Bartrand is long gone. We need to focus on trying to find a way out of here." Ashlynne finally spoke up. Varric did not seem to hear her at first, but then he sighed and turned to face his companions.
"Let's try to find a way out of here so I can kill my brother." Ashlynne just sighed and shook her head as they headed for the other door at the other end of the room.
Two days later, everyone groaned in relief when the rock wrath finally collapsed to reveal what it had been guarding. They found a key that unlocked the door that should lead them back to the surface. Anders created a magical sort of pack that held more treasure than they ever would have been able to carry normally.
After departing from her group upon reaching Hightown, Ashlynne made her way home to tell her mother and Carver about the success of the trip. The last thing she expected to see was Cullen standing in her uncle's house and Carver standing beside him in Templar armor.
"What is going on here, Ser Cullen?" She questioned, trying to keep her voice calm, but inside she was bubbling with excitement at seeing him again so soon.
"Ser Carver is joining the order." Cull replied smoothly, sadness in his blue eyes. He knew how her relationship with her brother was.
"Don't worry, Sister, you secrets are safe with me." Carver snarled. Worry crossed Ashlynne's brow for a moment as she looked away from her husband and towards her brother.
"That is reassuring, Carver, thank you. If you have said your good-byes to Mother, don't let me stand in your way. Good luck in your new life as a Templar." Ashlynne answered sweetly. Carver stood up a little straighter and Ashlynne had to keep herself from rolling her eyes. Her brother would never understand that he was the only one holding himself back from what he wanted to achieve in life. He just blamed her because he did not want to admit the truth to himself.
"Good-bye, Mother, I will come visit you soon." Carver said.
"Look for us in Hightown, Lord Carver. I will be going to visit the viscount in the next few days to buy back the Amell family estate." Ashlynne informed him. Cullen smiled slightly at the shocked look on Carver's face at this sister's announcement.
"We'd best be on our way, Ser Carver." Cullen finally broke the silence as Carver continued to stare at his sister in disbelief.
"You did not think I would succeed, Brother?" Ashlynne asked, appalled.
"I…I think Ser Cullen is right and we should be going. I will visit the estate once you and Mother are settled." Carver walked out the front door with Cullen behind him. Cullen wanted to look back at his wife and offer her congratulations, but he knew he couldn't do so.
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