Chapter 25: Goodbye

Theo agreed to appease Josephine this one last time. He stood before a mirror while the tailor finished the final few stitches to hem up the left sleeve of his dress uniform. It hung on him a bit after the weight he'd lost, and after shaving, his cheeks looked hollow. He let the tailor finish buttoning him up, then turned. "Do I look alright?" he asked.

Dorian eyed him critically to the point that Theo started to squirm, but then he smiled. "Always and ever a lovely sight, Amatus," he said. He gave Theo a peck on the cheek. "Shall we?" he asked, offering his arm.

Theo took his arm and Dorian led him out of their suite. Theo's fingers dug into his arm, through the weave of his robes and his leather mage armor underneath. They approached the doors of the guest wing, flanked by several Inquisition guards. The armored men stood at strict attention and saluted as Theo approached. "I'm not the-" he started to whisper.

"They don't know that," Dorian told him. "After your announcement you can object all you like."

Dorian would be lying to himself if he didn't admit he was nervous as well. He'd been relatively secluded over the last few weeks. He'd also stayed out of the public eye, letting the advisors and Cassandra field questions, largely because he didn't trust himself not to snap at the nobles and politicians angling to use Theo's situation to their own gains. And now as the double doors opened and the sunlight poured in, Theo's grip on his arm tightened even more. "Smile," he advised. "This is the last time you'll have to."

Sunlight flooded the hallway and outside on the stone terrace a corridor of Inquisition guards snapped to attention. As they took first one step, then another toward the main entry of the palace, Dorian saw that the guards were blocking a huge throng of curious nobles and politicians. After a moment of silence the cries for attention started.

"Inquisitor!"

"Your Worship, can you-"

"All hail the Inquisition!"

And other not so savory calls. The roar of voices was loud as an ocean during a storm, and Dorian glanced over at Theo. He stood straight, eyes forward as he took stiff steps beneath the sunlight. Dorian rested his other hand on Theo's. The death grip on his arm loosened slightly.

The meeting chamber was already full, the doors ajar so Dorian could see inside. "I'm with you," he whispered to Theo before slipping away and into the chamber. He took a seat toward the back, next to Bull and Varric.

"Boss okay?" Bull muttered, and Dorian nodded. "Never met a stubborner ass than him, even in the Qun," Bull said with a chuckle. "I was sad to see this end, but I think it'll be good to see where the Chargers can go next."

"I wouldn't mind having your on hand in Kirkwall," Varric offered.

Bull grumbled low in his chest. "I think too many people still remember the Qunari invasion. But I wouldn't say no to the occasional odd job. Or the occasional drink and game of cards."

It was odd to think of everyone going their separate ways. No one had come right out and asked Dorian about his plans, and it wasn't his place to tell them, anyway. Theo had earned some privacy.

But it would be a little longer before then. Suddenly the doors opened at the back of the chamber and everyone rose. Theo strode in amid gasps and whispers. His cheeks were red as he no doubt heard people talking about his missing arm; some of the less tactful people actually pointed. He stood before the dais. Arl Teagan still looked sour, but at least he didn't look pleased about Theo's state. And even with his mask on, Duke Cyril de Montfort still belied surprise.

"Inquisitor Trevelyan. We were assured that we were kept waiting for a good reason. Now that I see, I wish to apologize for our impatience," Duke Cyril said, and Theo's entire face was crimson: either from anger, or embarrassment at the oblique reference to his missing left forearm.

"I believe the Inquisitor has come to a decision," Cassandra broke in before Theo could say anything. "Lord Trevelyan?"

Theo took a deep breath. This was it. Dorian held his breath and leaned forward. Theo tilted his chin up and squared his shoulders. "I have, Your Perfection. Effective immediately, the Inquisition is disbanded. Effective immediately, I will no longer answer to Inquisitor."

Bull, Varric, and Dorian, and the other members of Theo's inner circle, were the only ones who didn't jump up and begin shouting. Arl Teagan looked smug; Duke Cyril leaned forward, trying to get Theo's attention. Finally Cassandra bellowed for silence. Dorian didn't know much about the Southern Divines, but apparently they weren't known for battlefield volume calls to action, because her volume alone scared them into silence.

"The Inquisition has served Thedas and its purpose," Theo continued. "This isn't a win for anyone, except maybe me. I'm tired. I've given everything I have and more and it's time to step down and stop fighting."

Theo turned and started down the central aisle. Duke Cyril kept calling after him, begging for more answers, begging to make a bargain, to reconsider. Theo made it to the exit and looked back at Duke Cyril. "I'd give you more reasons why I'm through with this, but I don't quite have enough fingers left to count on," he said. Dorian wondered if he'd ever let that die. At least the visible part of Cyril's face went pale. "And if… If something else happens and the world needs saving again? Find someone else." He sauntered out the exit, leaving everyone in stunned silence.

Cassandra had a small grin on her face. Somewhere in here, Josephine was groaning. "He's good at getting the last word," Varric finally said in a low voice. "I taught him well."

Cullen had plans to return to Ferelden, but would stop at Skyhold first. "Any one of our army forces should have no problem finding work after this, but I want to see to those that have concerns or need guidance," he said as he shrugged into his bear pelt mantle. He held out his hand. "It's been an honor, Dorian." Dorian took Cullen's hand, but Cullen pulled him into a rough hug. "Take care of him," Cullen added.

"Or Leliana will kill me," Dorian said with a smile. "She gave me that speech when he and I first got together."

"Leliana?" Cullen asked with a chuckle. "She'll have to beat me… and Cassandra…" He became serious again. "We have no doubt that you'll be happy together, and we say it only in jest."

"It's nice to be cared for," Dorian told him. And wait, were those tears forming in the corners of his eyes? Fasta vass, he was growing sentimental.

He and Cullen parted ways and he headed back to his rooms. A man stood before the door and when Dorian got closer he could see the man wasn't Inquisition- or former Inquisition- but Tevinter. "Greetings, Magister Pavus," the man said with a low bow.

Dorian's stomach flipped. "I believe you have my confused with my father, and you may be aware the Inquisition is no longer, so I'm not sure I'm even still an Ambassador anymore."

"My apologies, Ser," he said as he took out an ornate messenger scroll tube and presented it to Dorian. "But it would appear that, as the next in line of House Pavus, the honor and duty of serving the Magisterium now falls to you."

Only one in line, Dorian thought as he took the tube with a trembling hand. He pulled out the rolled parchment within and skimmed the letter… then read it more closely, and more closely still.

He felt numb as he stood there in the hallway with the Magisterium courier, who was probably used to this sort of reaction, for how disaffected he seemed. Halward was dead. After all the years of philosophical differences; betrayals; attempts at reconciliation; disinterest; clinging to tradition, his father was dead. And Dorian had until the end of month to return to Minrathous, before the ages-old Pavus seat went up for grabs to someone else.

He certainly wasn't glad his father was dead. It did feel strange, after all those years he pretended Halward was dead to him, for the man to actually be gone. To know that the next time he went to Minrathous, he would be expected to sit in the Magisterium. To know that when he went to Qarinus, the manor would be his home now. To know his mother would wear black for mourning… or maybe not. Maybe she was celebrating. Aquinea always did know how to make a statement.

Then the next punch to the gut: Theo.

"Thank you," he choked out to the page. "I will make arrangements. For your troubles," he added, handing over a small purse of coins.

He took the coins. "I'd say my troubles are nothing compared to yours," he said with a slight bow. "I've served as a Magisterium courier for many years. This is as close to the top as I ever want to get."

Dorian dismissed him and entered the room. The last of Theo's staff had been working on packing their things for the journey to Ostwick. Dorian had seen the maps: Ostwick was on the far eastern coast, about as far from Minrathous as they could get. But it would only be for a little while, just until things were settled. Just until he could take his place and reassure the Magisterium that the Inquisition was no longer a threat. Until he could convince his mother to take a smaller home in Minrathous, and he could assume control of the Pavus manor. A year, maybe less if Dorian was lucky.

When Theo walked in a half hour later, tugging at his top collar button, Dorian was reclined on the settee with the open decanter of Aureos whiskey on the floor beside him. He'd just taken a couple of swigs to calm his nerves. The wooden box with the sending crystals rested on the small table next to him.

Theo stopped. "What's wrong?" Dorian got to his feet and pulled Theo into a crushing hug. He dug his fingers into Theo's shoulders and held tight. Halward had never been there for him when he needed him; Theo had always been there and had always been who he needed. The loss created an emptiness that began to fill with fear and anxiety. Theo wrapped his arm around Dorian. "Tell me what's wrong, Dor," he said softly.

A spiny ball of emotion caught in his throat and his eyes watered with hot tears. "My father's dead," he choked out.

"Maker's breath, Dor, I'm so sorry." Theo sat down with him and rubbed his back and shaking shoulders. "What happened?"

"Murdered," Dorian mumbled. "Most likely an assassination, though I can't imagine why. He wasn't one to rock the boat." He sniffled. "Ugh, how am I crying over my father being dead?" he asked.

Theo kissed his forehead, his lips warm and soft and gentle. He ran his thumb over Dorian's cheek, wiping away a tear that rolled down. "He was your father. It was complicated between the two of you, though, and now that he's gone… well. All those complications won't ever be resolved now."

He had put into words just what Dorian was mourning but hadn't been able to define. Any hope of ever getting Halward to see beyond Dorian's sexuality, of maybe even convincing him that the Imperium could rise from its ashes, was gone. They would always have their differences between them. He would always have that memory of the last time he and his father spoke, how he told Halward not to counsel him, how he ignored the invitation to dinner…

He buried his face in Theo's shoulder and let the tears soak the material of his coat. Theo stroked his hair and let him cry. And then he remembered what his father's death meant for them, and he cried even harder.

Dorian swallowed his sobs and sat up. "Whatever you need, I'm here for you," Theo told him and handed him a silk kerchief.

"I need… I need you to understand something about what this all truly means," Dorian said after a moment. His voice was thin and strangled.

"You can tell me, love," Theo said, taking his hand.

How could Dorian begin to tell Theo exactly what he had to do, especially now, on today of all days? Theo had lost the ability to shoot his bow; he'd given up his Inquisition. And Dorian was about to ask him to return to Ostwick alone. For the first time Dorian found it hard to meet Theo's concerned green gaze.

"The letter told me more than just that Halward was dead," he said after a moment. His pulse fluttered and it was hard to breathe. "It reminded me that I am the next… well, the only one in line for his seat in the Magisterium." Theo blinked a couple of times. He shifted against the back of the settee. "I have until the end of the month to appear in Minrathous to claim the Pavus seat, or else it is forfeit and, essentially, up for sale to the highest bidder."

Theo slowly pulled his hand back. His face was pale and he swallowed. He reached down for the whiskey decanter but knocked it over and swore loudly as he tried to pick it back up. Dorian dropped to his knees to help, but Theo swatted his hands away. The heady smell of whiskey rose from the carpet. He finally took a swig of what was left. "When we first met you told me you would never serve in the Magisterium," he said, his voice low and trembling.

Dorian sighed. "I did. That was true at the time. I never wanted to."

"But now? You want to now?"

"Yes. No. I don't want to, I have to. Going back last month, it showed me what's happening there, and more than that, that I have it in my power to help fix it. Even more now that I'll be a sitting Magister." He ran his hand through his hair and dared to look up at Theo.

Theo was fiddling with the button again. He stiffened when Dorian undid the buttons down his coat and then shrugged out of it. "I can go with you," he said softly. "I'm not the Inquisitor anymore."

"To some you'll always be the Inquisitor," Dorian told him, desperate to make him understand just how unsafe the Imperium would be. "It wouldn't be long. Just until I can sort things out and get my footing." Theo's breath hitched in his throat when he inhaled and Dorian feared for one horrible moment Theo would start crying too. "The timing is less than ideal, but…"

"That's a bit of an understatement." Dorian reached for Theo's hand, but he pulled it away. "How long is 'not long'?" he asked without looking at Dorian.

"A year, give or take. Hopefully take."

"A year."

Dorian grabbed the box off the table and opened it. "See these? They're sending crystals. Very rare magical artifacts that allow people to communicate instantly over any distance. If we want to talk, we simply take the crystal and there we are." He tried to smile. His eyes were welling up with tears again. He undid the clasp of one and fastened it around Theo's neck with shaking hands before putting his on. The weight of the crystal felt strange against the top of his sternum.

Theo stared at Dorian's crystal and his fingers brushed over the one he now wore. "Rare artifact?" Dorian nodded. "Hard to come by, I'd suppose?" Dorian nodded again. "Funny then that you were able to procure one just in time to learn of your father's death."

He may as well have punched Dorian in the gut. "Are you saying I…"

"Had a role in your father's death? Never," Theo said. "But… you had to have figured out how to get these when you were back in Tevinter. You had to know you'd leave."

"It had crossed my mind. But after everything happened in those ruins, and with the Council…I thought to stay. I thought I'd return these after we'd settled down. And then I learned of my father's death." He grabbed Theo's hand and held tight when Theo tried to wrest his hand away. "Theodane. Amatus. Please. It's only a little while we'd be apart." Theo was silent, staring through Dorian; his nostrils were slightly flared and his jaw clenched tight. Theo's hand was stiff in his. "I love you. I'm not saying goodbye."

Theo pulled his hand away and turned from Dorian. "I am."

It left him speechless. "Theo…?"

He refused to look at Dorian, instead walking into the washroom and slamming the door.

Dorian stared at the door. He could hardly see through the tears welling up in his eyes. He went about packing his personal effects into his trunk and kept waiting for Theo to come back out, or maybe even try the sending crystal; if it worked across thousands of miles, it had to work between two rooms. But there was nothing.

He took one last look back before he left, staff in hand. He rubbed his golden wedding ring with his thumb. He'd made a promise to love Theo forever, and he would. But right now, Tevinter had called, and he had to answer.

Author's Note: Thank you to all who have read and reviewed and followed Theo and Dorian on this adventure. I promise it's not over yet.