Chapter Twenty-Three

Wedding Day

Cullen looked at me, "Is he going to be okay?"

"One thing no one seems to realize about my brother is that he is highly adaptable – think about it for a minute, my love; when you were training with him at Greenfell, he seemed to know what he was doing yet somehow still kept failing, yes?"

"Yes, actually – somehow a 20 year old man before he would take his vows even though he was amazing with the abilities and the fighting."

I gave him a look, "And that didn't strike anyone as odd? That he was fast advancing in everything but the Chant of Light? Gaia – what is wrong with the people of Thedas? Solona successfully diagnosed me as someone with Depression and Anxiety, but not one person can recognize the signs of emotional abuse? Eamon was the only father Alistair ever knew – and Eamon kept cutting him down. Isolde kept telling him he was… well, that's not suitable for polite company. Gran would have my ears for repeating half the things Alistair was called or told. Michael made me feel worthless – even before Cole was born. He slowly isolated me – cutting me off from old friends and family so I had no support network. Before joining the Wardens, Alistair felt like he had no one – no home, no family and certainly no friends. Michael drilled it into my head that because I weigh a bit more, that I was lucky to have someone who was 'willing to be with me at all', let alone someone as 'good-looking' as he was. Though the physical abuse didn't start until after Cole was born, I was abused long before that. One doesn't have to hit to hurt."

Cullen looked sick, "I… that's why you have issues with how you look?"

I sighed, "It's one of the reasons, yes. Alistair grew up to be a handsome and charming man despite all he's suffered, though… He's my brother now, and I will let no one take that from him – that he has people who care now. He is my Kadan."

Sten looked critically at me, but said nothing. I knew he was evaluating my words.

I sighed. Mallol said, "I would be… more than happy to perform the ceremony."

Solona and Alim stood, "We'll help you clear up one of the Chapels."

Leliana grabbed Wynnes' hand, "You and I will bake a cake!"

Natia and Duran looked at each other, "We'll help people get things back in order."

Kallian stood, "I will help you."

Theron smirked at me, "I'll start making the ribbon."

I went bright red at that, causing everyone to freeze. Irving asked, "What ribbon?"

Morrigan chuckled, "The Dalish have a tradition where they tie a ribbon embroidered with the sign of Sylaise around a hand of each of the two being married or 'bonded' as they call it. Once that ribbon is tied on, it cannot come off until the bonding is… completed and morning has come."

Cullen coughed, "Completed?"

I buried my head in my hands, "Consummated; we… make the marriage official. That ribbon essentially tells everyone if we had sex when they see us without it the next morning."

Cullen went red too but whispered in my ear, "As though there would be any doubts to that?"

I chuckled, "No – I suppose not. Still, Theron will insist on my having the ribbon since I am part of his clan."

Theron nodded at my words, "Damn right – you wear Vallaslin; the Vallaslin of Mythal no less… you have to have a ribbon."

Cullen looked confused so I explained, "Mythal is the Creator of Justice and love."

He nodded as though that explained everything. Sten stood, "I will be going to change."

I stood too, "Cullen – I'm also going to change… you look your best, so I should look mine, yes?"

He smiled, "You always do."

I stuck out my tongue and handed Theron a black ribbon, white thread and a needle. He took it, "Symbolism?"

I shrugged, "White for new starts, black for old life."

Theron nodded, "Good as any – now… you know the traditions."

"He has more than proven his worth."

He nodded, "He withstood two weeks of torture for you… But how have you proven your worth for him?"

Cullen jerked in shock before saying, "She taught me the skills I needed to survive that torture. Without her training, I think my mind would have broken with how intense they were."

I looked Theron in the eye, "The torture he endured was worse than it should have been – because they were using him to get to me. I looked Theron – without me, the torture would have been less; he wouldn't have been targeted and he would have survived it easier. I don't think I have proven myself."

Greagoir snorted, "You saved him – even if you were captured you led the group that cleared the tower."

I was pulled into a vision and collapsed. I groaned when I came out of it – I hated these damn visions!

"Are you alright?" Irving asked.

I held my head, "I'll be fine – I need to go get changed…"

Theron said, "What did you see?"

"My test of worth – I will prove myself, Theron; never doubt that."

And before anyone could question it, I walked off. I had seen Honnleath – us saving it after getting the control rod for Shale. Rose, Mia and Branson were there – I thought they would have fled before then since they weren't in the game.

Cullens' parents die in that attack. I would make sure his siblings were okay though.

For my gown, I chose a Celtic style dress. It had a nug-skin corset to keep with the white coloring; it laced in the front with black ribbon. It had a gathered waist on the left side and flowed free on the right. The sleeves were loose and flowing and were off shoulder style. I added black embroidery on the skirt in the pattern of roses. I also made ¾ length gloves with nug skin and matching slippers.

I did my hair. It was hung in ringlets around my shoulders – I had used fire, water and my finger to make the curls before being elegantly piled and arranged.

There was a knock at the door as I did my makeup. "Who is it?"

I heard Therons' voice, "Let me in, brat – Cullen sent me up with something."

I let him in and he held up a plain gold ring. "He said this one is his – so I don't know why he's giving it to you before…"

"Thank you! There's a tradition about ring exchange in my homelands. I told you about it, right? Well, he took the liberty of having the rings made. This is the one I'm supposed to slip onto his finger."

I finished my makeup – black and white smoky blend with dark purple lipstick and cats' eye eyeliner on top with curved eyeliner on bottom. I also pained my nails, though they couldn't be seen through the gloves. Theron smiled, "You look lovely, Lethallan. I'll head down to the Chapel – they chose the Mages' Floor for it. Alistair will come get you once everything is ready."

I nodded and he left.

When there was another knock on the door about 30 minutes later, I was completely ready – and more than a little nervous. Alistair was there with a stunned look once he saw me, "Makers' Breath – you look lovely."

I giggled, "Thank you, brother. I take it that it's time?"

He nodded and held out his arm.

We got to the Chapel and Alistair walked me down the little Aisle while the Templars and Mages around us whispered about the outfit. Cullen was watching me with a dropped jaw.

I smiled at him as Mallol looked at me with a soft look.

"This is the part where promises are made…" she said softly.

"Oh, er… right. I swear unto the maker and the Holy Andraste to love this woman the rest of my days…" he had a soft smile on his face.

I flushed and said, "I… ahem; Cullen Rutherford, I swear to you to love you for as long as I shall live – from this day to my last, through wellness and illness, prosperity and poverty, times of joy and sorrow alike. I vow to protect you and should we face an obstacle know that I will stand with you to solve it. Come what may, I am yours – faithfully and wholly from this day on."

Mallol gave me a wide smile, "Then in the name of the Maker and his holy bride, I pronounce this union blessed."

Cullen leaned in and kissed me. It was sweet and only lasted a moment before he pulled away.

I then slipped his ring onto his finger and he held out a plain braided band to add to my own.

Theron came over and tied my right hand to Cullens' left hand – because Cullen was right handed and I was ambidextrous, so it worked out.

Wynne and Leliana had made a rather large cake – but that was a good thing with how many people were in the tower.

As we all sat to have some of the cake, Elissa asked, "So… are you seeker Rutherford now?"

I shook my head, "I'm keeping my last name as Vane – for many reasons; one; Vane works better with my name and title than Rutherford does. Two; if people don't know Cullen and me are married at first; I can have fun making people confused. A third reason would be that if people don't know we're married, they can't make things harder on him for my sake. All in all, it's just better if I keep my name as Vane. Not to mention, in my homelands, women were dominate so men would take the womans' name, not the other way around more often than not."

"Tell us more about your homeland…" Kallian asked.

"What's there to tell? My name used to be Sage until a coup killed my family so I took the family name of the ones I looked like to hide my identity from potential assassins. The land there was greener and more vibrant. There is no blight there. The nobility switch what family wears the crown every generation to keep one family from becoming too powerful. Mages were just like anyone else – and in fact, the minor noble families were all Magi. The Kossith, the ones the Qunari are descended from, are actually part of the Vane family tree – meaning I actually have familial relations with Sten here. The purple eyes are a family trait. We likely had better records on all things Thedas than Thedas does."

"Like what?" Leliana asked.

"The Veil did not always exist – its creation was what caused the fall of Arlathan. My people taught yours how to be seekers, seeing as seekers appeared in Thedas in 1:20 Divine, but my people have had seekers for 14 hundred years – that goes back to Ancient, yeah? Lyrium is actually blood from the titans – not an ore. That's right; you Templars drink blood to get your powers. Blight came from the Void – not the maker. Andruil – the Dalish Creator of the Hunt – once wandered in the Void and it was only thanks to Mythal that the illness did not spread back then. The Chantry did not attach the Magister Sidereal to the tale until the third blight, as I've told Leli already…"

Greagoir chimed in, "Titan Blood?"

I nodded, "Yes."

Theron said, "The Veil…"

I smiled at him, "Was created by Fen'Harel to punish the 7 Creators who killed Mythal – though Mythals' soul wandered and found a new host in later years. Fen'Harel was actually a good guy, you know? He was Mythals' second in command. Vallaslin used to be slave markings and Fen'Harel did not hold with slavery. He found a way to remove the blood writing and grant freedom to the people. He was a rebel but not a trickster."

Theron leaned back in his chair, "Yet you chose to allow the markings of Mythal."

"Mythal is one bad-ass bitch and I would gladly serve her if she had need of me – she was the one who started Fen'Harel on the path of freeing the slaves. Besides, the meaning of things can change through time. 7 thousand years ago, Vallaslin was slave markings. Today they are used to honor your Creators. I honor Mythal by wearing her marks. If your clan had something for Fen'Harel, I would have added that. But the man never had Vallaslin for his followers – because he did not approve of slaves. Besides, he would just remove it from me without a second thought when he saw it."

"You plan to meet Fen'Harel?" Theron asked in shock.

"Oh, yes – I will need his help one day, and he will need mine."

Cullen gave me a funny look, "You knew the history, but still got the markings?"

"Bearing the Vallaslin of Mythal will help me in 10 years – the guardians of her Temple will think twice before skewering me with arrows at least."

Cullen nodded firmly, "In that case, I'm glad you did."

I chuckled and shook my head. Sten spoke, "How did you come by your combat prowess?"

I tilted my head, "As I said – it was all stuff learned in my previous life. I was taught from a young age how to defend myself and handle weapons. My grandfather raised me and he used to train the elites in one of the military branches called the Navy. He made sure I was enrolled in 4 forms of fighting and personally trained me in 4 weapon forms; Throwing knives, guns, polearms, and what he liked to call 'miscellaneous'. That last weapon form was how to utilize anything from a toothpick to bedframe as a weapon in emergency. He's also the reason I can swim for 2 miles and hold my breath for 2 and half minutes underwater. He once told me – when I was a child and going to public school – that if anyone threatened me, I was supposed to tell them something…" I had a smile on my face as I thought of the memory.

"What were you supposed to tell them?" Sten asked.

I cleared my throat, squared my shoulders and gave Sten a hard look, "If you mess with me, my grandpa will tear off your head and shit down your neck."

It was silent for only a pin-drop before Elissa began sputtering in laughter – most others followed suit but Sten merely asked, "Would he have?"

"Pop never made a threat he couldn't keep. If someone had the balls to fuck with me after meeting him, they were a braver man than many. They didn't call him Dragon David for nothing. That man was my idol. He always said he never made threats, only promises."

Sten nodded firmly, "An honorable man."

"Maker, this explains a lot about how you operate. When you trained us, you were a hard ass – no mistakes were allowed and highly professional." Solona muttered.

Alim nodded, "It also explains why she seems to be a completely different person when training or in combat versus when she isn't."

Alistair nodded and rubbed his neck, "Sten is the same no matter what he's doing – Morrigan too for that matter. Some of us are more playful outside combat, but otherwise we all seem to be different when engaging enemies. But Val – she's actually like two different people."

I shrugged, "Pop raised a warrior because he couldn't always be there to defend me. His wife raised a sweet, loving little girl who would bake you cookies and pat you on the head when you messed up. I was raised to be both, so I am both. Even the strongest person, however, can fall victim to those they put their trust in. I was too fat to be accepted to any military branch, so I went local security until I had my son. After that… things went downhill rather fast. Pop would have loved all of you though."

Sten spoke carefully, "He was an Elite Warrior?"

"More than elite – he would be second only to the Arishok in the Qun… and as a Navy man; he'd be more in line with a Kathaban – like an admiral."

Stens' eyes flashed with respect, "You were personally trained by a Kathaban?"

I nodded slowly, "Yes – but only after I showed great promise in my other combat courses… Sten, what…?"

He stood swiftly, "This explains much – I am Sten, you are Karasten!"

I finally realized what was going on, "No – not Karasten; I beat pop – if I had been allowed into the navy, I would have been Kathaban in no time."

His eyes widened, "You truly are Basalit-an."

It was a little creepy having Sten show emotion when I was used to the game model where he only showed annoyance or indifference. I lifted an eyebrow, "What will you call me now?"

"What do you mean?" he asked.

I smirked at him, "Valeria is a title, believe it or not."

"… What does it mean?"

"In a language called Latin, it meant strong, brave and health… 'To be strong'… I picked it myself, too."

Sten looked thoughtful, "You are Kathaban and your name – which is something Qunari do not have – is also a title. This is a puzzle."

Cullen looked amused – I had a Qunari that pretty much adopted me.

I grinned, "Valeria – to call a thing by its name is to know its reason in the world. To call a thing falsely is to put out one's own eyes… part of the Qun, yes? To call me Kathaban would be to call me falsely when my true title is Valeria – a unique title, but one nonetheless. I am no longer Bas if I am Basalit-an; you have to call me either Valeria or Kadan now, yes?"

He hummed, "You make sense, Kadan."

I beamed. "I am happy you see me as such."

Natia sniggered, "Wait… that's why he doesn't use names and calls us all 'Bas'?"

I nodded, "Sten is a rank title – he is not the only Sten. Valeria is a title of Strength. Bas means foreigner. There is no point in calling you some special designation like 'Natia' or 'Duran' because those are not titles. I know Alistair could beat Sten using a pole-arm or a pike… that will happen one day, believe it or not. But that will be when Sten is Arishok not Sten."

Sten stiffened, "I will be… I will prepare for it then. Advanced knowledge is good."

I rolled my eyes, "Just don't be pissy that the Arishok is killed in single combat with me or one of mine."

"Single Combat implies a challenge was made." Lyna said. I nodded.

"He will challenge either me or mine for rights to a thief, but that thief will be one of mine who is not Basalit-an… the challenge will be to whomever the Arishok respects most in several years."

"You do not worry that telling us could change it?" Leliana asked.

I snorted, "You don't know the when, where, who, why… none of it. The Arishok will fuck up and even the Ariqun and Arigena will denounce what he did after his death. Knowing that, Sten won't even try to warn him because the Arishok is already on this path. Asit Tal-eb is a way of life."

Sten nodded, "If it is meant to be, it will be; a driving force of the Qun."

I finally stood, pulling Cullen with me with a smile, "I may not be of the Qun – but you will always see me as one now, won't you?"

Sten nodded sagely. "You are worthy – dying many times, trained by a Kathaban, you have bested me in combat and you respect the Qun. We have no word for one such as you – an outsider with rank equal to our Kathaban. Perhaps one day, we will."

"I doubt it." I shrugged, before turning to go.

"Everything has its place, Valeria – your name may hold greater meaning in the Qun in years to come."

I froze and looked at him. That was both high praise, and a threat. I smiled at him, "May we never fight on opposite sides in battle, Sten."

He nodded respectfully, "I would give it my all."

"I would expect no less."

Once we were at our room, Cullen asked, "What was that last part? The part that made you freeze up…?"

I sighed, "He has to report to the Qun – and I will be in his report. That he thinks so highly of me to say my name will hold greater meaning… if the Qun attack, I will be public enemy number one to them – take me out or convert me as soon as possible, kind of thing. That or I will be seen as the human leader regardless of what anyone says – the Qun may decide to only deal with me as a liaison and say fuck everyone else. Kathaban are seriously only one step down from Arishok – their supreme military leader. The Qunari are war people – the Kathaban do not personally train people. Sten means Infantry Platoon Leader. Next up the list is the Arvaarad – their version of Templars – then Karasten, which are Infantry Commanders. After that comes Kithshok – the Generals – then Kathaban and finally Arishok. Do you understand now?"

"He sees you as the second in command of all of Ferelden?"

I shook my head, "Of all humans, actually. Kathaban is in command of all Qunari Naval Personnel. He may even see me as the human equivalent of the Arishok – after all, I just told him I'd kill the current Arishok so obviously I'm strong enough and I'm already leading so I have the capabilities. Add to the fact that I'm more knowledgeable than their Arigena in scientific matters; he may see me as a whole Triumvirate of power. At that point, when he becomes Arishok himself, he may declare me as the human leader and I'd end up being caught as a 'middle-man' between the Qun and everyone else; now… why are we discussing this when we should be making our wedding… official?"

He chuckled and kissed me, "That… is a very good point, my love… very good indeed."

There was a pounding on our door halfway through the night. I answered in a robe. It was Greagoir holding a paper. He handed it to me.

I opened it and felt my eyes widen, "The Divine wants me to… well… it is far too late for that."

Cullen sat up, "What?"

"She wanted me to marry some mage of the White Spire Circle. No offence Greagoir, but Rhys is not my type and he's slated for a Templar woman anyway. Besides, I am now married."

Greagoir froze, "Why would I take offence to that?"

"Well… he looks a lot like you – there is a picture. But the expression on his face sort of reminds me of…"

Greagoir snatched the photo and stared at it in shock. Cullen – keeping the blanket wrapped around his waist – came over and read the letter, "Maker, I'm glad Alistair said yes – this is Divine edict and only negated by the fact that we were married before receiving it."

I nodded and stretched up on tip-toe to kiss his cheek, "I wouldn't have done it anyway – I'd tell them the truth too. Rhys is not meant for me and I can't be stationed in Val Royeaux because I'm needed elsewhere. I'll draft a return letter to send before I head out in the morning. Was that all, Greagoir?"

He nodded, "Yes – this actually arrived via courier so…"

I cursed, "Let me get dressed – I wasn't going to get back to sleep anyway. Once I'm up, I'm up."

Cullen sighed, "I'm the same way, you know."

I snorted, "Believe me, I know. Only a workout would put either of us back to sleep."

I put on leathers and sensible boots before heading down to the mess hall – it seems everyone had been woken by Greagoir – my group, Irving and such – so I sat with a pen and stationary paper from my pack while the Courier looked at me curiously. Cullen was rubbing at my back as I wrote. I was glad I was a master at Calligraphy because I wanted this professional 'fuck-you' to look and sound as pretty as possible.

After writing – with people glancing over my shoulder and sniggering from time to time – I sealed it with wax and my crest.

Dearest Divine Beatrix III,

I humbly regret to inform you that I am already married as of mere hours before receiving your letter. I was engaged for more than a month before that too. Another regret that I hold is that I am currently in line for the Throne of Ferelden, so marrying a mage would be a faux pas that I cannot afford to make. While Val Royeaux sounds absolutely lovely and the man you've picked is handsome, I am afraid that I could not follow your wish. I am needed elsewhere once I finish fighting this war here in Ferelden and Rhys would never have been able to follow me. Even had your letter been quicker by months, I'm afraid I would have to decline such a lovely offer which I am sure you put much care into choosing. I do kindly ask that you refrain from attempting this again as I am in love with my new husband and believe that one marriage is all I will ever have. I wish you all the best,

Valeria Vane

Princess of Ferelden; Seeker of Truth; Kathaban; Lady of Highever; Wife of a Templar; Interim Commander of the Grey

Cullen looked amused, "That is the most polite way of saying it, my love."

The Courier looked horrified when he realized what was going on. I shoved the letter into his hands and said, "You're late, I'm afraid – I got married yesterday."

The man fainted. Alistair coughed on a laugh, "How would you describe that letter?"

I gave him an amused grin, "A sugar-coated fuck off."

Irving choked on the tea he was drinking, "How sugar-coated?"

"Nice paper, nicer hand-writing and it would hold up to social graces in the winter-palace; so… sweet enough to give me a cavity."

Greagoir relaxed, "How many titles did you use?"

"I counted 6," Kallian yawned.

I nodded, "If it could be remotely considered a title of any kind, I used it. I added Kathaban, wife of a Templar and even acting commander of the grey. Let her chew on that."

Sten nodded, "Adding Kathaban was a good choice."

He would think that, wouldn't he?

I stretched, "We're all up now – start packing and getting ready. We leave at first light."

Everyone started moving – sluggishly, but still…

I headed into the kitchen and grabbed another portion of breakfast and a glass of juice. Cullen followed behind me as I grabbed Irving to follow me.

Cullen looked confused until we got to the basement door – Anders was still in Solitary, after all.

Once we got to his cell, I opened it and walked right in. Anders looked at me and for a moment, the dead look in his eyes lightened.

I knelt beside him while Cullen stayed outside the door and Irving had gone back after helping me in.

"Anders…" my voice wavered. He looked horrible – no one had visited him in the two weeks that the tower had been overrun.

"Val…? What… why…?"

"Uldred took over the tower two weeks ago – blood magic and abominations and… I'm so sorry this happened. If I had just done something to stop it, I don't know, I… oh, Anders…"

He shook his head, "Did you see it?"

I cried, "No – no vision came. But this is my fault – Uldred took Cullen as bait to get to me. He… oh, Anders… and now… I married Cullen yesterday – and this morning I got a letter from the Divine wanting me to marry someone at White Spire. I… You will escape this again, Anders – and damn it, it will be the last time you are ever in a circle if I have anything to say about it."

He looked stunned, "You got married?"

I smiled softly, "And then wrote the most polite 'fuck you' to the Divine for wanting me to marry someone else. The Courier was still out cold when I came down here."

He cracked a smile at that, "Thank you – for coming down here."

"I'm fighting with the Grey Wardens now, so… I will be leaving the tower in a few hours. Cullen will still bring you things, okay? And, I'm sorry, but… Mr. Wiggums passed on during the assault…"

He teared up – he loved that cat. Cullen came into the room, "Anders."

Anders looked confused at the change in Cullen before remembering that he had been tortured by blood mages and abominations – that was bound to change a person. Anders nodded, "Cullen – I hear… congratulations are in order."

Cullens' look softened a bit when he turned to me, "I'm a lucky man."

Anders nodded, "That you are – she hasn't had eyes for anyone other than you for as long as I've known her. Don't make her regret it."

Cullen gave him a nod before saying, "We need to be going, Love – Solitary means…"

I stood and started walking, "I know, Cullen. I just… promise me you'll still look after him? Please?"

He hesitated but nodded, "For you, anything."

I relaxed as we headed back out of the basement, "Thank you. I know you don't trust him – less now than before – but he's like a brother to me."

Cullen sighed, "After… after what happened, I just can't view magic or mages the same as I did. I'm… I'm sorry, Val."

I stopped just shy of the basement exit, "Don't you ever apologize for that, Cullen Rutherford. It took me more than a year and half to let a man close to me after that damn coup and what happened with Michael, and I am sure it would have taken longer for us to get to that point on my part alone if we didn't have this connection in our souls. I make no apologies for being distrustful of people, you shouldn't have to make apologies for this – do I make myself clear?"

He blinked, "I never… thought of that."

"Cullen, anyone who suffers a trauma of any kind will have issues with what happened to them. You are better now than you could have been. The Tai Chi helped you not only be stronger, but it helped you not suffer Lyrium Withdrawal while you were tortured – that would have made things worse. But the fact of the matter is, no matter how much worse this could have been, it still happened. I would be worried for you if you were fine – because that could be a delayed stress disorder rather than going through it now. If you need to view mages as weapons or tools for a few years then do it – just don't be unnecessarily cruel to them in the process. You will work through this – just like I did – in your own time. When you are ready, I will be there to talk about it or just listen or…"

He kissed me, "Thank you… thank you for understanding."

I passed him one of the bracelet shaped Sending Stones. He looked at it in confusion. "What is this?"

I pointed to the earring in my ear, "Sending Stones. I have the match – this is a 4-piece set; 3 are paired to this one. I gave one to a friend named Garrett Hawke – yes, the man I shared a bed with in Lothering – and now I'm giving you one. I haven't decided who will have the last one, though."

He looked completely stunned, "I'll be able to talk to you while you aren't with me?"

I smiled, "And we won't have to wait for ravens or Couriers. I love you, Cullen – now and forever."

He kissed me softly, "Now and forever."