Chapter Twenty-Five

Her friends were very happy and congratulated her when they heard the news. Evelyn was right about Bran – he got to work right away, but told her it would take at least six months to prepare. By now, Evelyn had grown a bit accustomed to his time schedules, though, and pressed him to have it done in four.

The girls helped her pick out her wedding dress, trousseau, and decorations for the wedding. They also helped with the furnishings and everything she would need for her new home and new life with Cullen.

The next four months seemed to pass too quickly. Not only did Evelyn have to worry about the wedding and the house, but the Divine had agreed to start implementing some of their suggestions in Kirkwall right away. Her Perfection wanted to be able to report to the larger conclave that the changes could work and thought that, if Evelyn and Cullen were willing, Kirkwall could serve as a good testing ground. How to go about implementing the changes in time to actually have something to report on was entirely another matter.

There was a brief discussion about having the wedding in the keep instead, but since it was not a chantry and the legitimacy of their marriage might be questioned otherwise, the issue was immediately dismissed. The wedding was held in Denerim, with all of her family and friends in attendance, along many of the nobles in Kirkwall.

Afterward, they stayed with the King and Queen briefly (three days) before returning to their city. They each had responsibilities and felt with the current political situation, it would be foolish to take personal time away, even if it was for their honeymoon. They promised each other that once everything was settled, whenever that might be, they would certainly go on a much longer trip, just the two of them.

Once they were back, they settled into a comfortable routine. Cullen would leave in the morning, go to the Gallows and attend to his duties there during the day, then would return to his wife in time for dinner.

Evelyn found that while living at the keep did have its advantages, sometimes she wanted to get away to where she couldn't be disturbed. It was during those times that she would go to her estate and relax there, alone. Cullen had made it quite clear that he wouldn't spend the evenings there, so when she did go, it was always during the day before he would be back. He had no problem with her being there, he just did not share her enthusiasm for it.

And that's how their lives went for several months after their marriage. Once all of the commotion of their nuptials was over, they were able to fully concentrate on getting the mages' situation settled. Even that was presenting fewer problems than they anticipated. Despite the problems on Thedas itself, Kirkwall was doing very well. But, as usual, if something seems too good to be true…

"A rather important looking letter, for you sir." Bodahn said. He handed the letter to Cullen. He thanked Bodahn and took it from him. He immediately noticed the seal, furrowed his brow, and looked at Evelyn.

"What's wrong?", she asked.

"It's from the Office of the Divine," Cullen said as he broke the seal on the letter. He read the letter silently to himself. When he finished, Evelyn heard him mutter, "By the Maker..."

"Cullen...?"

He looked up at her and handed her the letter, clearly in disbelief. She instantly recognized the handwriting; it was the same as the one that had penned the pages of the manifesto that she still found stuffed here and there at the estate:

Cullen,

The Templars have decreed the Nevarran Accord null and void. I'm sure I don't have to tell you what this means. Please make all efforts to get the Viscountess to safety at once. The Queen is in a similarly imperiled state, although being a former warden, not nearly so vulnerable. I am to journey to Denerim posthaste. If you can get Evelyn there immediately, I will personally do all that I can to ensure the safety of the Viscountess and the Queen.

A-

Evelyn shook her head, "I don't understand...what does the Nevarran Accord have to do with my safety?"

Cullen took a deep breath, "The Accord is what united the Circle of Magi and the Templar Order under the Chantry. Without it, each is now working independently, toward their own goals. What this means," he paused, trying to clear his head, took a deep breath, then continued, "what this means is that the Templars no longer have to recognize any decree issued by the Divine. Your freedom and even our marriage could be considered null and void, if they so choose."

Evelyn could feel her eyes tearing up, her freedom was one thing, but the thought of no longer being married to Cullen grieved her tremendously. He continued, "As a mage, sitting in a position of power, just as your cousin is, you'd make an excellent example of Templar power, should they want to exercise it. And without the Decree of Freedom, or your marriage to me, they would consider themselves well within their rights to imprison you. Or worse."

Cullen could see that Evelyn was having as difficult a time hearing it as he was saying it, but he pressed on, "And there's more...without the validity of a circle in Kirkwall for the Templars, I could very well get called to the field."

Evelyn nodded then swallowed before saying, "Cullen, you have to let the mages know...you have to tell them to leave the city."

Cullen nodded in agreement, "I'll send word to the First Enchanter immediately. You need to start packing for Denerim. I'd like for you to leave tonight."

Evelyn looked at him in disbelief, "Leave Kirkwall? Really, Cullen? And what about the city, my responsibilities, my home?"

Cullen took her hands in his, "My dear, if the Templars decide to bring their army, the affairs of the city will be the least of our worries." He sighed, "I'll stay behind to make sure that the all mages are gone. I promise I will follow you as quickly as possible."

Evelyn nodded, then a thought occurred to her. She got up and started putting on her coat, "I'll be back shortly."

"Where are you going?", Cullen asked, a bit alarmed.

"I want to personally tell Merrill the news. She's going to have to leave anyway and there's something I need to discuss with her." She hurried and walked out the front door.

Looking at the shut door, Cullen was not happy, but knew there was no trying to stop her.

Fortunately, it was still early in the evening and the merchants had not yet closed up their shops. Evelyn had just enough time to find and purchase exactly what she was looking for, then she made her way to Merrill's house. She knocked on the door, but there was no answer. It took her about two seconds to figure out exactly where Merrill might be. With determination, she cast aside propriety and made for the Hanged Man. Once there, she saw Merrill, Isabella and Varric at the back of the room. She approached their table.

Isabella shook her head, "Is the world coming to an end? The Viscountess has decided to grace this humble establishment with her presence!"

Evelyn looked at her and pursed her lips, "Not now Izzy. I don't know about the world, but my days in Kirkwall are apparently numbered."

Isabella's eyes widened, "What?!"

In hushed tones, the Viscountess explained everything that was going on, then looked at Merrill, "You have to leave as well. Would you please consider coming with me?"

Merrill looked stunned, "You mean to Denerim? I'll get to meet the Queen? Oh, I think I should like that!"

Evelyn smiled and nodded, "Excellent! Let's get you home, quickly, then. You have to pack."

Merrill stood and Evelyn followed her out the door. As they hurriedly walked to Merrill's home, she wondered exactly how to bring up the next topic. Once they were inside, Evelyn decided that it was probably best to simply say it, "Merrill, I also have a favor to ask, if you don't mind."

"Of course, anything."

Evelyn took the locket that she had purchased out of her pocket and gave it to Merrill, "I need another of these made, please."

Merrill took the locket, "Whose phylactery will it be?"

Evelyn sighed, "Mine."

When Evelyn walked through the door to their home, Cullen immediately pulled her aside and hugged her, "I was worried about you." He smiled at her, "Do you mind telling me what was so incredibly important?"

"This," Evelyn said as she held up the locket. Cullen furrowed his brow and took it from her. When he opened it, the light emanating from it was bright red and pointed straight at her.

"Are you insane?", he asked incredulously. He quickly closed the locket and hugged her again, even tighter this time.

"I wanted to be sure that you'd be able to find your way back to me, no matter where I was."

Cullen looked at his wife tenderly, "You've also created a way for the Templars to find you, should something happen to me. Quite easily, I might add. You're not only putting yourself at risk, but anyone with you, you know that?"

Evelyn shrugged, "I don't care. I've been working for the good of everyone else for almost thirteen years. I'm tired of putting everyone else before me! It's worth the risk to me. I'd rather know that you have a way home than to think that once this is over, we'll never see each other again because I was too scared of what "might" happen."

Cullen sighed, "Thank you, my love." He took the locket and put it around his neck. Arguing with her right now would do no good and he didn't want their parting words to be in anger. He'd figure out what he would do later.

"After you ran out the door, I informed the First Enchanter and the Grand Cleric. They will be accompanying you. I also sent word to Denerim for them to expect your party. And, I took the liberty of asking Bodahn to pack for you. Why don't you take a look around, just to make sure he didn't miss anything?"

Evelyn kissed her husband, then went to their room. Bodahn was pretty thorough, and except for a few things here and there, everything seemed to be packed away. Speaking of lockets, Evelyn went to her bedside table and pulled out the one there. She put it around her neck and tucked it into her dress, then went back downstairs.

"Everything seems to be in order...," there was a knock at the door.

Merrill came in holding two bags, "Ready when you are."

Evelyn smiled at her, then looked at the Templar, "Well, then. I suppose this is good-bye...for now."

Cullen walked over to her, "I suppose it is."

Evelyn turned to Merrill, "Could you give us a moment, please. I'll be right out," then she smiled at her.

"Of course. I should probably get these in the carriage anyway," then she walked out the door.

Cullen pulled Evelyn close to him and gave her a passionate kiss, "I will see you again. I promise."

She smiled, but simply nodded. She wiped the tears from her eyes, "I'd better get going. Love you."

"I love you too."

They stood with their foreheads together for awhile trying to hold the moment. Eventually, Cullen kissed her again, then opened the door.