They had walked in silence through the hidden corridors of the Starkhaven castle. Sebastian weaved them through dark passageways that only few had knowledge of. Places where Sebastian knew as a youth when he would sneak in and out of the castle without his parents' knowledge. After leaving Evelyn's room, they did not speak to each other. Lost in their own thoughts.

"Why didn't you tell her?" Sebastian asked as he lifted the torch higher to brighten the path.

"About her father?" Cullen returned. "Why would I want to add more to the pain she is already feeling? Knowing her father is possibly an abomination is not what she needs right now."

"Nay, that would not be handled well even when not under pressure as she," Sebastian said. He paused and turned around to face the other man. "Nevertheless, that is not what I was asking."

Cullen's eyes furrowed as he looked at the man. When the prince did not volunteer an explanation, Cullen shook his head. "Spit it out, Vael?"

Nodding, Sebastian sighed. "You didn't tell her you loved her."

About to protest, Cullen's jaw slacked to speak but quickly closed. Running a shaky hand over his face, he groaned. "This is not the time or place," he said. Dropping his hand down to his side, he pointed past Sebastian. "We need to get moving. We're running out of time before the ball."

"There never is a right time or place, Commander," Sebastian said as he continued down the path. "All that is required is yourself and the one you love."

Shaking his head, Cullen clenched his hand into a fist to try to fight his anger. "And if you had done the same with Cousland we wouldn't be in this situation either."

"I know that Eve will never forgive me for what I've done to her by putting her in this dilemma. I am trying to make this right." Taking a deep breath, Sebastian looked back over his shoulder. "I'm not telling you what to do but don't wait too long."

Cullen had eased himself into the borrowed armor of Knight-Captain Rumford. It had been years since he had put on the familiar armor with the bright red sash with the golden rays. The flaming sword engraved across the breastplate. As natural as it would seem for him to be in the uniform after many years of wearing it, now it felt – odd.

"Do you miss it?" Rumford asked as he looked at the other man.

Looking down at himself in the mirror, he tightened the sash around his waist before smoothing his hand over it. "It gets ingrained in your body to wear the armor. It's like wearing your own skin." He turned to face the templar and smiled. "But your question was do I miss it?" He shook his head. "No. I do not."

"The Chantry has no hold over you any longer?" Rumford asked.

"On the contrary," Cullen said as he walked beside the man. "My faith in Andraste has come to be greater since joining the Inquisition." He lowered his head and closed his eyes. "Seeing the death and destruction that I have you would suspect that I would turn my back on the Maker." He opened his eyes to stare at the palms of his hands. "Seeing the Herald being delivered from the Fade by Andraste herself has strengthened my faith."

Rumford watched him lower his shaky hands to his side and return his gaze to him. "The prince tells me you no longer take lyrium."

Shaking his head, Cullen answered, "No, I do not. I no longer allow the Chantry to hold its leash on me." Seeing the expression on the templar's face, he continued. "It is my choice to do so. As it is with any other templar that has joined our cause if they wish to do the same."

"And how is that going for you?"

A wry laugh came from Cullen. "Some days are better than others."

"Aren't they all," Rumford said, nodding. "The prince fears that something may happen tonight. Do you think that there might be trouble?"

"Right now, only speculation," Cullen answered. "We must stand vigilant tonight. Fenris will ensure that the royal guard is prepared as well. If not for something unnatural but for the protection of both the prince and the Inquisitor." He shook his head. "This is a wedding party after all."

"So, I've been told," the templar said, smiling. "And you are not pleased with this?"

Shaking his head, Cullen removed the helmet that he had tucked in between his arm and side. "I do not understand nobility and the need to auction off their children as if they were commodities. Her father traded Evelyn's life to Vael for an army."

Rumford nodded. "It is not our place to debate what the nobility does behind closed doors. We have a duty to serve the Maker whether it is with the Chantry or with your Inquisition." He looked at the other man and released a wry laugh. "Aye. The prince was trying to retake the throne. He was impetuous, not thinking straight. His only thoughts at the time was taking the throne once again for his family. To avenge them."

"And after Kirkwall he was full of anger," Cullen said. The templar lifted an eyebrow as he stared at him. "I was there. Remember?"

"Oh, I remember well, Knight-Captain Rutherford," Rumford said. "I pray that this does not turn into another Kirkwall."

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Cullen closed his eyes. The withdrawal from lyrium was escalating as his tension level soared. It took all his strength to even stand upright. Tonight, would be difficult for him to remain still. When the withdrawals were this bad, he needed to keep his mind clear and keep his body moving. This would be the long hours that he would spend training. That was not an opportunity that he had right now. He needed to stay focused on the plan.

"As do I, ser,"

"And you understand your orders?"

"I will remain in the back with the other templars. Fenris ensures me that he will be near them through the night," Cullen said.

"I will as well," Fenris replied.

They stopped at the exit of the corridor that would lead out into a main hallway. It was time for Cullen to come out of hiding. Rumford was against this plan, but he had no choice after Cullen and the prince did not agree with his disapproval. The Commander would stay in the back, in templar uniform, and just observe what was happening during the ball. Fenris would remain at the prince and his betrothed's side as his bodyguard.

Placing the helmet on, Cullen closed his eyes and inhaled deeply to try to clear his mind. Wearing the uniform was one thing but trying to enter that mindset was another. He had to not only play a templar tonight, but he needed to be a templar. That meant standing still, watching and not allowing idiotic nobles from annoying him to the point of retaliation. It was the negotiations at the Winter Palace all over again.

"At least in armor no one will be grabbing my ass all night," Cullen thought.

Opening the door, Rumford allowing Cullen to step out into the hallway of the templar barracks. Cullen's hand instinctively went to the handle of the sword at his side. The templar patted him on the back to reassure him…or maybe to push him forward. Either way, Cullen had felt his feet planted until the elf nudged him a little.

"Come. My men are waiting for us," Rumford said, trying to get his attention again.

Nodding, Cullen followed Rumford down the hallway. The chatter of templars in the background, the smell of the kitchen Returning to Skyhold and battling Corypheus seemed like an easier mission than what he was about to face over the next few days.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

"You need to trust me," Sebastian said as he took her hand into his. "Please, Evelyn. We must do this as planned."

Evelyn shook her head. "I did not help plan this. I don't like it."

He lowered his forehead to rest it against hers. "You do not need to be apart of everything, my dear. Sometimes you fail at delegation."

She chuckled. "Why would I delegate something if I can just do it myself, Sebby?"

Lifting his hands, he cupped her cheeks into his palms and kissed her gently on the forehead. "And that is why I've always admired you, Eve."

Sucking in a deep breath, she stared into his blue eyes. "Funny, isn't it? There was a time when we were kids that I would have wanted to be betrothed to you. To be your princess."

He pulled away slightly to look down at her. "Truly?"

Evelyn nodded slowly. "I said when we were kids." She gave him a playful shove as she stepped back. "I was young and stupid." Shrugging, she looked at him. "I didn't want to get stuck with some old, fat noble that I didn't have anything in common with."

"So, you'd rather be with me? A lecherous drunkard? A man that blew in the wind like a fallen leaf?"

"Considering my other options?" she countered. Smoothing her hands over the skirt of her dress, she took a long deep breath. "I was not going to allow my father to pawn me off to the first noble with promises of trade or to ensure some sort of treaty." Evelyn reached up to push a lock of hair behind her ear. "You know at one time he was going to send me off to Orlais to marry someone." She laughed. "Could you see me in Orlais being all gentile and ladylike?"

"Maker, no," Sebastian teased.

"You're awful, Sebby," she said, slapping him on the shoulder. "Being stuck with you wouldn't have been that bad."

"Aye, it would," he said. "I was not worthy of your hand then."

"Nay, you weren't, buggerlugs. Right big idiot with his head shoved up his arse, you were."

Nodding, Sebastian stepped up to her again, taking her hand. "That I was."

"I told you that one day the Maker would kick your backside and straighten you out."

"Aye, you did," he said, squeezing her hand gently. "I must apologize for bringing you into this without your consent."

"Next time, ask," she said as she poked him in the shoulder. "I don't like surprises, Sebby."

"I remember that well and good. You left a shiner on me that time I scared you in the woods."

Nodding, she laughed. "I remember knocking Luca's tooth out as well. You're both lucky I didn't do more."

"Max saved us when he started crying. He thought he was next." Sebastian squeezed her hand again. "I was always jealous of your relationship with your brother."

"You can have him if you want him?" Evelyn joked.

"He's a good person," he said.

Shaking her head, she said, "He's a pain in my arse, too. Just like every other man in my life, he doesn't listen to me when I tell him to do something."

"Wouldn't be the first time that Vael didn't listen to someone," Fenris said as he walked into the room. The elf walked further into the room, looking at the prince. "I can remember several times that – "

"Now is not the time, Fenris," Sebastian interrupted, shaking his head. He turned back to Evelyn. "Ready to meet the guests?"

She winced, feeling her left-hand throb. The mark had been relatively quiet for a few hours but had began to increase in discomfort. Even beneath the glove she wore, she could see the faint eerie glow of her palm. "Not really. But we can't stop this now."

Hearing another knock on the door, Fenris announced it should be his guards. Walking over to the door, they found Bann Elliott Trevelyan entering the room with a smile on his face.

"You have guests waiting for you," Trevelyan said as he approached them. Dressed in his royal Ostwick finery, he was all smiles and pleasantries. "Daughter," he said as he took her hand into his and kissed her cheek. "You are looking well."

Her color had improved and without Knight-Captain Rumford casting cleansing aura she was able to stop being nauseated. After a bath and a pair of handmaidens assisting her dress, fix her hair and apply powder, she was able to look almost like her usual self. The beige and gold dress she wore was perfectly made for her. A gown that Josephine had created herself and sent the designs to the seamstress in Starkhaven to be prepared for Evelyn's arrival. She just wished that she were wearing it under different circumstances.

"Thank you, father," she replied, keeping her voice low. Evelyn kept her head lowered and her eyes down. "Sebastian has been ensuring that I have been well cared for since our arrival."

"I have been informed that Commander Cullen was not in his room when Captain Malloy went to retrieve him," Trevelyan said. "You wouldn't know anything about this, would you, dear?"

Shaking her head, she said, "No, I don't. The only templar that I have seen was Knight-Captain Rumford."

Trevelyan turned to look at Sebastian. "You do not know where the commander is, do you?"

Stepping to hold Evelyn at his side, Sebastian shook his head. "I went by his room to speak with him earlier and your men said he was indisposed. Unfortunately, I was unable to talk with him."

"It doesn't matter where the man is," Evelyn said. She wrapped her arm around Sebastian's to hold him close. "I am where I should be with my future husband."

Lifting an eyebrow, he looked at her for a moment. "It is good to see that you finally have found your place in this matter."

Sucking in a long deep breath, she nodded. "My place?" she repeated to herself. "My place should be in Skyhold trying to stop Corypheus from destroying all of Thedas. Not messing with this shit."

"The Chantry has allowed both of you to revoke your vows due to your pending wedding in two days," he said, looking at the two.

"How nice of the Chantry to do that," she said. "I'm sure they weren't happy about that."

"The Chantry understands that our marriage is of great importance," Sebastian said, turning to her. "Two loyal families of the Chantry to wed. It would be appropriate for heirs to be had."

Fenris stepped forward to whisper in Sebastian's ear. The prince nodded as he turned to look at the bann.

"It is time to go," Sebastian said. He turned to look at Evelyn. "I will need to go first, then you will follow. Fenris will remain with you until you enter the hall."

"That will not be necessary," Trevelyan said. "Captain Malloy will accompany my daughter as it should be."

Fenris stepped forward to look at the bann. "As future princess of Starkhaven, I am to ensure her safety. It is no longer your captain's concern."

The elf felt the slight touch of her hand on his upper arm. Turning to look over his shoulder, he found himself staring at Evelyn.

"It will be all right, Fenris," she said.

Turning to look at Sebastian, he waited until the prince nodded before turning back to her. "Very well."

Evelyn leaned over to kiss Sebastian on the cheek. "I'll be right behind you."

Nodding, Sebastian stepped out of the room with Fenris following behind him. The elf paused briefly in the doorway, looking back at her. When she nodded to him, he looked over the room one last time before following Sebastian out and shutting the door.

Evelyn turned back to look at her father, folding her hands together in front of her. She wanted to wrap her arms around herself but in her mind, she could hear Josephine telling her to stand up straight, to keep her arms down to try not to wrinkle the dress.

"Where is the commander, Evelyn?" her father asked as he approached her.

Shaking her head, she looked at him briefly before turning to look at Captain Malloy. "I don't know. I haven't seen him since you locked us up in Ostwick." She turned back to her father with a smirk on her face. "I hope he's gone far from your grasp."

Her father moved closer to her until he was standing directly in front of her. "He will be found. I've already sent people looking for him."

Evelyn glared back at him. "Why waste your time and energy searching for someone that you won't be able to find? I told you I will not fight you over this any longer."

"You will marry Vael willingly?" he questioned.

"Do I have a choice?" she countered.

He shook his head. "No, you do not."

"Then there's no reason to continue this discussion, now is there?" she said.

She started to walk around him to make her way to the door when he stopped her. Grabbing her by the arm, he pulled her back to him. Tucking her arm into his bent elbow, he moved her to stand by his side.

"It is good that you have finally decided to do as you are told," he said.

Captain Malloy stood by the door, opening it for them as they walked towards the door. Evelyn's eyes focused on the captain only briefly, she was met with a cold glare from the captain as she moved past him. There was something terribly wrong with not only her father but with the captain. A crowded castle full of nobles was not the night to end all of this. She needed to wait until everything was in place to do it. Sebastian assured her tomorrow would be the time. They just needed to make it through the night without any further issues.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Evelyn had remained by Sebastian's side the entire evening, greeting nobles and dignitaries from across Thedas that were there to join them at their nuptials. She hated the fake smiles, the meaningless conversations. Sebastian had excused himself to deal with a private matter with Seneschal Granger and left her to herself with several royal guards nearby. She was ready to leave the ballroom for the gardens to get some fresh air when she was greeted by a guest that she did not expect to be there.

"Your worship," Evelyn said as she held out her hand to the man.

He stared at her hand briefly before accepting it. His eyes stayed focused on hers as he kissed her knuckles. "Your Inquisitorialness." Straightening himself, he continued to keep his hazel eyes focused on her emerald eyes. "It's a pleasure to see you again under much different circumstances."

Evelyn released a soft sigh as she looked at Alistair. "It's good to see you again, your lordship."

"I may be wrong but the last time I saw you, you were threatening to shove a pike up my backend."

Smiling, she brushed back a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I may have spoken before I knew who you were." Taking her skirts in her hands, she stepped back and lowered herself down to bow before the king. "I apologize for my disrespectful behavior and humbly request that your lordship will forgive me of my indiscretion."

"Dear lady, you're not the first person who threatened me with that," Alistair said as he scratched the side of his head. When she straightened herself to face him again, he laughed. "You're probably not the last either."

Stepping outside through the large window doors, Evelyn stepped out into the cool night air. Alistair stood beside her, looking up into the clear sky.

"Nights like this I miss being out on the road with the Wardens," he said.

Nodding, she looked up at the twin moons. "You could always join the Inquisition and travel around with us. Be like old times during the Blight."

"As tempting as that sounds, I'm a little busy trying to prevent Ferelden from falling apart."

"Then I must do something to help," she said, turning to face him. "My Ambassador Montilyet made me promise to apologize to you and beg for your forgiveness."

"Forgiveness, huh? That's a first," he said. "Usually I'm the one opening my mouth and shoving my foot into it." He started to look around the garden as he lifted his hand to rub his neck. "I'm lucky Teagan's not here shoving a sock in my mouth to keep it shut."

"A sock? Usually I got Leliana or Josephine trying to gag me every time some noble is pissing me off." She covered her mouth when she realized she was cursing. "Sorry. I've been told to behave," she said with a lowered voice.

He leaned forward to whisper against her ear. "Teagan told me the same thing. He's afraid that I'll say something to screw up relations with the Free Marches. Last time I was here I visited Kirkwall right before it blew up."

"And now you're here in Starkhaven?" she said, smiling.

"Oh yes, destruction follows me everywhere," he said.

Evelyn laughed. "Who knew we had so much in common, your lordship."

"Alistair," he said. He removed his crown and ran a hand through his reddish-blonde hair. "I really don't like titles."

"Then call me Evelyn. We do have a lot in common."

"Isn't Sebastian enough for you?"

Alistair and Evelyn turned around to find the woman walking in their direction. Evelyn frowned as she took in a long deep breath, clasping her hand into a fist at her side.

"Look what just slithered in," Evelyn said as she watched her. "Hello, Elissa."

Elissa Cousland stepped up to Alistair's side and lifted herself up on her toes to kiss the king on his cheek. "Ali, so good to see you."

Nodding, Alistair looked down at Elissa as he stepped away from her. "Did you just fly in?"

Sneering, Elissa released a wry chuckle. "Still no love for me?" She placed the palm of her hand on her chest, feigning a pained look. "I'm hurt."

"Doubtful," Alistair replied.

Evelyn turned to look at Elissa. "I knew you would show up eventually."

"Why wouldn't I?" Elissa asked as she turned to look at her. She stepped closer to Evelyn. "I mean, the man I love is about to marry someone else. Don't you think I should be here?"

Alistair stood there quietly between both women as they stared hard at each other. Turning his head from one woman to the other, he tapped his fingers at his side. "Well…this party just keeps getting better and better."

Before Evelyn could say anything, Sebastian walked outside along with Fenris. He stopped to stand across from Alistair and looked at both women.

"Ladies," Sebastian said as he looked at the two. "I don't think now is the time to…uhm…talk."

Elissa tilted her head to the side, keeping her dark brown eyes focused on Evelyn. "We'll just wait until tomorrow. Is that better for you, Evelyn?"

"Fine by me, Elissa," Evelyn said.

Sebastian felt his shoulders slump, feeling the tension ease a little between the two women before him. "We have a problem, Eve."

"What is it?" Evelyn asked, still looking at the other woman.

"Your brother's here?"

Pulling herself away, she turned to look at Sebastian. "Luca."

He shook his head. "No. Maxwell."