Chapter Four

Dalish

The next morning, I woke up still smiling and nestled firmly in Cullens' arms. In fact, I was held so tightly, that I felt like I would never be able to get away without waking him. I heard him muttering in his sleep and wiggled my way around so that I could kiss him.

He woke mid-kiss, "Good morning, my love… I just realized… I'm addressing my wife. I kind of like that."

I giggled. "Check your arm…" when he saw his new tattoo, he blinked. "That's new."

"All three of you guys have one. You all have the basic heart surrounded by the infinity symbol. I seem to be the only one to have the extra hearts on mine."

"Makes since to me; we only have the one 'mate' each, but you have three… you would need a way to differentiate which part of your tattoo belongs to which mate."

That's when there was a knock. "Come in, Fenris!" the elf saw us curled up in bed and smirked. "It appears we are the only three awake. I thought to ask whether I should begin wake the others."

"Yeah… I'll get started on breakfast. We'll be having bacon, sausage and waffles with Orange or Apple Juice." As I spoke, I got out of bed and dressed the 'old-fashioned' way since both my mates were watching me. I shot Cullen another appreciative look as I gave him a once over before walking out of the room with Fenris, leaving the Templar to get dressed while I cooked and Fenris roused the others.

I was just finishing the batter when Cullen came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. "Hello, husband; sleep well?"

"In fact, that was the best nights' sleep I've had in 7 years." He chuckled against my neck as I started 4 Waffle Irons and waved my hand making the 2 cookie sheets – one of bacon and one of sausage patties – float into the oven.

"Well that happens when you're sleeping in the same bed as your mate. At least… I haven't had the usual night terrors since I've regularly had one of you in my bed. During the whole thing in Amaranthine, I was sharing a bed with Nathaniel – purely a friend thing and I was always dressed – and while it was lessened, I still had the dreams." I had to add the clarification when I saw his eyes darken at the mention of a non-mate in my bed.

I took out the 4 complete waffles and replaced the batter as the waffle irons dinged. I handed Cullen 7 plates and a corresponding amount of silverware. He chuckled and went to set the table.

"You know, Mia contacted me a few days ago. She got an 'invitation' from the Divine for our wedding in Val Royeaux in a few months. She plans to bring Rose and Branson, of course."

I smiled at him when he leaned in and gave me a quick peck on the lips as the crew filtered in for breakfast. Fenris came over and gave me a kiss as well.

When there was enough waffles for each of us to have two, I floated the platter of them to the table along with the two platters for Bacon and Sausage.

"So Feathers… I'm going to need some details," Varric smirked.

"Oh what and why?" I lifted an eyebrow but I was sure I already knew.

"You know Rivaini is going to ask about last night. From the proposal to this morning."

Cullen choked on his bacon as Fenris thumped his back. I handed Cullen a glass of apple juice and looked to Varric. "No why would I kiss and tell?"

"Come on, Feathers! It just sex, not like it can kill you!"

I smirked. "That's where you're wrong Varric. To borrow the words from a favorite medical show of mine… Sex could kill you. Do you know what the humanoid body goes through when you have sex? Pupils dilate, arteries constrict, core temperature rises, heart races, blood pressure skyrockets, respiration becomes rapid and shallow, the brain fires bursts of electrical impulses from nowhere to nowhere, and secretions spit out of every gland, and the muscles tense and spasm like you're lifting three times your body weight. It's violent. It's ugly. And it's messy. And if the Gods hadn't made it unbelievably fun, the humanoid races would have died out eons ago. Men are lucky they can only have one orgasm. You know that women can have an hour long orgasm? Not to mention a woman like me, who can get off more than one time in a session?" I was half quoting House M.D… but I adapted it to humanoid since there were other races.

My words left all the men at the table speechless, Varric included. "I didn't realize sex was so… dangerous," Anders said. Hawke and Varric were the only ones not blushing. Even Merrill was red.

"Oh there have been cases of people dying from the… excitement, back where I'm from. But it's not so common. But for people who are used to sex… the sudden loss of it can be just as dangerous. Not to mention the benefits of sex far out-weigh the risks! Having sex 2 to 3 times per week rather than 1 time per week or less will reduce your likelihood of a heart attack by 45%, and reduce your risk of Sudden Cardiac Death by 35%… sex is also good for anxiety relief, exercise, and helps with sleep. There are some people who don't like or want sex and that's fine, but me? I'm addicted to it," I smirked.

"Somehow, I've gotten a lesson and no answers… not fair, feathers."

Cullen was still bright red as I leaned against him. "I can tell you about the proposal, but my sex life is the buissness of only me and my mates. If you can get them to tell you, I'll allow it, but I know two of them are far too gentlemanly for that and the third is a private broody bastard," I shot Fenris a wink as he snorted.

"But… Isabela…" Hawke started and I chuckled. "It had been years since I took another woman to my bed. If she wants to talk about our time together, that's her prerogative. I have no modesty about these things."

"I would never have guessed… I mean, you only gave us a medical lecture on the benefits and downsides of sex just now…" Anders commented dryly.

"Like you haven't done worse? I seem to recall you trying to get me into your bed, just to rile up my brother."

Cullen and Fenris both stiffened at my words and I continued, "Not to mention, I think you only did it for that… you were never actually interested in bedding me. If you were, then that one night we shared a bed, you would have made a move."

Fenris growled, "You shared a bed with him?"

"Only one night. The other nights were Nathaniel. Like I told Cullen, it was purely a brother-sister relationship and I was always wearing clothes. I just need that contact at night or I'm reliving my slavery days in my sleep…"

My words subdued both men. "You shared a bed with my brother-in-law?" Hawke looked like he couldn't believe it.

"Uh-huh; don't worry, Bethany knows that I never… had relations with her husband. I knew even back then that he belonged to her. I may have been raised in a culture of perverts, but we all had our boundaries."


We made it to the Dalish camp a good 6 hours later. I told Cullen to stay with the clan – who only tolerated him when told that he was my mate – and that this was a personal fight. He reluctantly agreed before giving me a kiss and wondering over to look at the wares sold by master Ilen. I smiled as he spoke respectfully to each elf that made the effort to talk with him.

Merrill did stop at the altar to give a quick prayer to Mythal before we moved further up the mountain. We entered the cave at the very top of the mountain, though I had already warned Fenris, Anders and Hawke what was about to happen.

Merrill approached the statue at the back of the cave with confidence but faltered when she got close.

"Something is wrong… this is where the spirit was bound but now it… feels empty."

"So… why was this spirit bound here? And by whom?" Hawke asked. "There was a war, long ago… between my people and the Tevinter Imperium. After the Magisters sunk Arlathan my people made a last stand here, fighting on the graves of our elders. I'm not sure if it was the Elvhen or the Tevinters who bound the spirit, but he was left here from the war. It would have taken powerful magic to free him from this prison. You couldn't just set him loose. Not without doing something terrible… this is wrong."

Marethari stepped in then. "I'm sorry, Merrill."

"Keeper… what have you done?"

"Something foolish. She thought that the Demon would try to possess you through the Eluvian, so she took the demon into herself. She didn't recall that I said you would be okay, that I said I would guide you onto the right path for you… but she was always meant to die here, Merrill. It is now the only way; kill her and the demon dies too – she knows that."

Marethari nodded but Merrill cried out, "I can't… I won't do this!"

"You always knew blood magic had a price, Da'len. I have chosen to pay it for you… Dareth Shiral, Da'len."

That's when the demon burst forth as Merrill looked at me in horror. When we subdued it… it tried to take Maretharis' form once more. "Keeper!" Merrill rushed over.

"You have beaten it… Da'len… you are much stronger than I imagined…"

Fenris was the one to step forward, "You have to die demon – Marethari was the one to confirm Aras words."

Merrill was silently crying as she stepped forward, knife in hand, "Ir Abelas, Keeper…" before shoving the knife into the womans chest.

The light that surrounded the Keepers body was brilliant as she and the demon both succumbed to death. A tear slipped from my eye as Merrill sobbed and fell to her knees.

"What have I done? I don't want this… I never wanted this… Creators, let this be a bad dream! I'll wake up and feel like an idiot and… and she'll scold me for not listening…"

"This path was set before you met us, Merrill. When you talked to the demon alone and it told you how to cleanse the Eluvian. Were it possible, I would have kept you from it, but… it needed to happen. You would not have listened to me back then, anyway."

"Why didn't you tell me?!" she shouted, sobbing as Varric wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

"Last time I told someone what would happen, they tried to change it. No one wanted this, Merrill; not even me… now we have to face the clan and let me do the talking, because otherwise they will attack and we will be forced to kill them."

She stiffened. "I'll… I will stay quiet, then. I have no wish for their deaths, as well."

"Just know… Marethari really loved you, Merrill. You were more than her first – you were he daughter, in her eyes. It is what caused her to disregard my words of caution and do this."

She gave me a helpless look, "You… you tried to warn her?" I nodded and she stood, throwing her arms around me; "Thank you, Lethallan; I'm sorry I blamed you…" I held her and smoothed my hand down her now-mid-back-length black hair.

We walked out of the cave and as predicted, there were several hunters waiting for us.

"What's going on? We know the Keeper came up here behind you, where is she?" the male at the lead of the group asked, trying to peer around us.

"Fenarel…" I started when the only female in their group shouted in dismay and anger, pointing at Merrill, "Look at her! She's covered in blood and the Keeper is nowhere to be seen!"

Fenarel stepped forward, "Merrill… what have you done?"

"She's dead, Fenarel. Merrill… this was a tragedy. I give you my word, no one else will be hurt by her blood magic unless they are true enemies. I will see to it she does not come back here," I bowed my head. The woman snarled, "You expect us to take the word of…"

"Stand down, Ineria. Merrill was our First once. The keeper loved her more than she loved the clan, it seems. Dirth'len… you've always honored your word, and the Keeper trusted you. Take Merrill away from here, the clan will be moving on…" Fenarel sighed.

"Fenarel, Melana en Athim las enaste; I gift you a feather from my wings – if you have need, it will protect you. Be warned that it will not work for anyone else, and it will vanish once its job is complete." I flared my wings and stretched one toward the elf. Now let humility grant favor. He plucked a single feather and it painlessly seared into his hand – marking him like a tattoo.

The Hunters around him looked stunned. "These are times of war, Fenarel. As your clan had no First when your keeper died, I place you in charge until such a time as you find a worthy replacement at the Arlathvhen. Be safe, Sabre Clan… within 3 years, there will be a large scale war… if you've a mind, make your way back to Ferelden at that time, to the town known as Haven. You would be welcome allies as I save the world, and Merrill will be staying here."

They all watched as Fenarel nodded, "That… you say you will be fighting to save the world?" I smiled with a nod, "Then we will make our way there. 9:40 Dragon?"

"When you hear tell of a Conclave, you will know it is time."

"Dareth Shiral, Dirth'len." He nodded as the Hunters entered the cave to retrieve Maretharis body for burial.


We made camp once more for the night, since it was dark out by the time we got 4 hours away from the city. Cullen monopolized on the fact that he would have to go back to the gallows for at least another 4 days after we got back to sleep in my bed that night.

I made chicken and dumplings using magic to speed up the cooking process – I would have had to have started a whole chicken to boiling early in the morning otherwise. I seasoned the chicken with Curry spice to give it a bit of kick and it turned out amazing… the others loved it too. Who knew that Cullen would ask me for something to add more spice? I gave him my favorite garlic hot sauce.

After dinner, I pulled Cullen into the shower with me.

"I must admit, Alano, Axel and I all miss these contraptions. They're so much better than a simple bath after training…"

"I can follow you to the Gallows and set up a few communal showers… if you want…"

"I fear I'm selfish in that regard. I'd ask you to set one up in my quarters and just allow Alano and Axel to use it on occation. I hate to say it, but… many of the Templars are falling into Meredith's paranoia. Thrask is positive she's going crazy, and… I'm trying very hard not to believe him."

"Oh, but she is! You'll see soon enough though, so just continue as you are… otherwise things will change for the worse. But I would love to set up a shower for you in the Gallows, Knight-captain." With that last sentence, I began kissing my way down his chest… it was eye-level to me, after all.

He groaned, "Here?"

"Why not here? One day, I hope to do this in a very large bathtub with all three of you pleasing me… but until then…" I slowly lowered myself to my knees with a mischievous glint in my eyes.


As expected, Fenris decided to follow us to the Gallows. "Knight-Captain, there you are," Meredith sneered at me. "Forgive me, Meredith, I fear we were gone longer than we intended. We had to go see the Dalish after we cleared out the Bone Pit."

"I suppose you think I should just be happy that you took a Templar with you?" she glared. "I don't care if you're happy or not; I only care that I got done what needed to be done to save the lives of others. Now, obviously – as the 'Lady of the house' so to speak – you may follow if you wish, but a request has been made of me by your Captain and two of your Lieutenants, and since I actually like those three, I plan to fulfil that request."

She huffed and followed, not speaking even as I told a recruit to have Lieutenants Alano and Axel meet us in the Knight-captains quarters. The recruit rushed off like I had lit a fire under her ass.

We arrived at Cullens rooms at the same time as the two Lieutenants. "Cullen, do you have a preference on where you want this?"

"Not really, though I think it would be best if the area was… closed off, like at your place."

I nodded and walked over to a wall that faced the waters rather than the interior of the Gallows.

I 'dissolved' a door in the wall, opening it to the sea before using the now displaced brick to make a platform large enough for three people. "Cullen, come stand here with me, I need to test the stability," true, but mostly I wanted him close. He smirked at me, guessing my true intent as both Cullen and Fenris moved forward. "What if she pushes you into the sea, Knight-Captain?" I rolled my eyes at Meredith and built the walls up with Magic, making it so that all three of the new walls were cut out at Cullens eyes-level. He lifted an eyebrow, so I said, "It's for natural light during the day. Even if someone comes along out there and tries to take a peak, all they will see is your head." When the elf and Templar both stepped into the shower room I crawled onto Cullens back for… added weight to one area… right.

"Okay, now for the 'roof'. Window or brick?" I asked, shooing the two out of my work space. "Window!" Axel and Alano shouted. I chuckled and went ahead with it.

I also added shelves with shampoo, conditioner and body wash… along with three modern-style razors with clear labels on which one belonged to which man, so each of the three men could continue to keep 'clean' shaved. I made sure Cullens would keep him with stubble… I made it a three in one shower; Waterfall, regular, and bath-tub. This meant I expanded the room so that there was a crystal bathtub big enough for three to lie down in.

"All-right, men; the shower/bathing room is done. Alano, Axel, this room is mainly at Cullens request, but he told me that you two could use it on occation. Meredith, I'm sure you are curious what this is, so come over here." She looked wary, but when the two Lieutenants whooped and high-fived each-other, she came over. I closed the two of us into the shower alone.

"Practical demonstration or explanation?"

"What is the difference?"

"One means I get naked." I had no modesty but I could hear Cullen choking outside the door; that's what he gets for eavesdropping!

"Hmm… I guess both," she grumbled.

"Stand in the tub, over there. You'll get soaked if you don't," she did… I then took a shower as normal while explaining that the water would always be warm but more hot than cold. That it was the most effective way to get clean.

"Where did you get your tattoos?" she asked as I shut off the water and put my hair up in a towel before getting dressed. "I earned them. The one on my face is Dalish markings from where they adopted me into a clan; my back was done after the birth of my son… the music sign, here, is from my attempt at suicide. This one on my wrist is for good luck, and this one on my breast is three symbols of my religion in one. As for this one on my arm… it just appeared. I had a tattoo there before, but it morphed 7 years ago."

"Well… I would… request you add a few more showers to the area. I still don't trust you, and I still think you should be watched…" I cut her off there.

"About that; I have a way for a Templar or… two, actually to stay with me off and on, each week."

"Tell me." I opened the shower door and we walked out while everyone looked at us.

"You and Cullen are going to have a fight. You're going to storm out of this room with Cullen following you. You'll be yelling how I'm a mage and he's a Templar – we can't have a relationship. Cullen will point out that it's not actually forbidden, and in-fact he has a letter from the Divine blessing our relationship if he decides to peruse it – because he really does have that. That's when I want you to point out that I'm Alistairs' mistress; Cullen will get flustered and say he doesn't care about that – he still loves or wants me, or whatever… then you growl about how Alano is already spending so much time at my place trying to woo my servant, Orana – she's an elf with no magic so there's that… make it up as you go, but those are the main points."

Meredith considered that for a moment. "You have permission from the Divine to court her?" she asked Cullen. He nodded. "Look, Meredith, if you're worried about me seducing him, you should know, he is still loyal to the Order. The note is only if he decided he did want to be with me. As I've said for the last 7 years, I do love Cullen, but…"

"Very well, we will go with this plan. I don't know why a 'free' mage is working willingly with us in attempting to get Templar guards placed on her, but since it aligns with my desires, I will allow it."

She motioned to Cullen and slammed his bedroom door open before beginning the fight. "She's a Mage, knight-captain! I can't allow this!"

I patiently followed behind them, my hair still damp. I saw quite a few mages and Templars watching us as we made our way through the Gallows toward Meredith's office. I listened to the fight with a neutral expression though there was shock in the faces of all that we placed.

"If you're going to do this, why don't you just move in with her?! Since apparently even the Divine approves, how can I even… this is so wrong…" Meredith was a wonderful actress when she wanted something done…

"I would, but I do still have duties here, Knight-Commander. Training the recruits, paperwork, watching… I'll just go over when I have an off-day the next day."

I heard a few gasps around us. I heard Meredith whisper her last line, "Sell it when you walk her out, Captain."

He came out of the office, offering me his arm, "My Lady, might I escort you to the ferry?"

I smiled and took his arm with one hand and Fenris' with the other. As he walked us out, I heard the whispers and comments so I told him, "You will be answering questions from your men for at least a month, Knight-Captain. I'm afraid we've made such a fuss…"

"You let me worry about that, my love. If I wasn't absolutely sure about us, I wouldn't have…" I gave a forced blush at his words, making people think he was talking about sex, not the proposal.

"Well, this is where we must part, I'm afraid… I'll miss you these next few days," he said as we reached the Ferry. I looked up at him and gave his hand a slight tug downward. Catching the hint, he leaned down and we shared a kiss before Alano, Fenris and I headed off.