9. The Skill
"Room for a small one?" Lady Trevelyan lifts her eyes from the book she is currently reading and has balanced on her lap when she hears the warm timbre of Lord Trevelyan's voice and notices he is approaching where she sits curled up in one of the large chairs in front of the fire.
"There is nothing small about you, dear husband." Cassandra smiles at him and notices her words make the smile on his face only grow as his eyes meet hers. "That is one complaint you will never hear from me." She mumbles and returns her attention to the page she was reading, trying to keep her own smile from her face when she hears him chuckle and watches him crouch down in front of her.
"Perhaps I should get my own chair then.." The Inquisitor begins drawing her eyes to him again when she watches him glance around them and then move to stand to fetch one for himself so she wraps her arm around his thighs to keep him in place.
"Perhaps you should share mine." Lady Trevelyan whispers and sees a lopsided smile appear on his face when she lowers her book to the arm of the chair and sits up, letting her feet move to the floor as she lifts her hand to take hold of a handful of his shirt and pulling him down to her. "It will cost you one kiss." Cassandra smiles and notices his eyes lower to her mouth.
"Only one?" Ashton chuckles and she watches him grip the back of the chair behind her head and leaning closer until his lips are almost touching hers. "I accept your terms, Lady Trevelyan." He whispers before capturing her mouth in a deep kiss as she slides her hands down to his hips.
Lady Trevelyan smiles at him when he removes his mouth from hers and she reluctantly lets go of him. Cassandra watches him turn and he carefully lowers himself into the space beside her, she notices he lifts his arm around her and brings it to rest along the back of the chair behind her. She looks into his face and sees him smile, a look of love on his face when he looks at her so she cuddles up against his side, feeling so happy and grateful that they were together and safe at Skyhold.
"As much as I'm happy to see you." Lady Trevelyan begins as she picks up her book and begins finding her place on the page before glancing at him. "I thought you were training with Cullen?" She adds and relaxes against his chest.
"I was supposed to be.." Lord Trevelyan nods lightly and smiles innocently at her.
"Ashton." Cassandra sighs quietly and hears him laugh when he hears her response. "Are you hiding from him?" She adds with a smile at him as she notices the soft touch of Lord Trevelyan's fingertips on her shoulder. "He's trying to help." The Seeker mumbles and hears her husband laugh lightly.
"I know." The Inquisitor smiles. "I just think he should trust me with something more than a broom handle." Lord Trevelyan chuckles drawing her eyes to him. "It's been weeks." He sighs quietly so Cassandra lifts her hand to stroke his chest. "I may be hiding." Ashton smiles.
Cassandra knew her husband was getting frustrated with the progress he was making, desperate to feel that he was useful again and to be able to use his weapons like he used to. But Lord Trevelyan had always been dual-blade wielding and was now forced to use a single weapon and was struggling with this decision being taken from him. She knew he was finding it hard to balance at times, let alone carrying something so heavy too, and it had only been two short months since he'd lost his arm. He was quickly learning how to ride again, and how to fight with the help of Cullen. When he wasn't hiding.
"You must be patient with him, and yourself." Cassandra smiles and sees him nod in response. "There is no need to rush into anything." She adds and hears him sigh and lower his eyes. "We are peacekeepers." Lady Trevelyan rubs his chest again which draws his eyes to hers. "We don't need to be armed to do that."
"You're right." Lord Trevelyan replies. "I just feel like I'm not getting anywhere. I'm not progressing. I'm spending hours every day and I'm getting fed up of it." He mumbles so she leans closer to him, wrapping her arm around his shoulders and turning to face him. "I'm just frustrated." She hears her husband sigh and his eyes meet hers when she lets her fingers stroke the hair at the back of his head.
"I know you are." Lady Trevelyan smiles sympathetically at him. "But, your riding is going well?" Cassandra asks him and notices he nods, she knew he hadn't fallen off in a while so that was progress, but oh how they'd both laughed when he continued to end up on the ground. "Your strength is returning, too?" She adds which receives another nod. "Then why are you worrying?" Lady Trevelyan smiles at him.
"I miss my blades.." He sighs quietly. "I miss that feeling.." She hears him mumble but his eyes are fixed on hers. "When it becomes an extension of your body." The Inquisitor huffs lightly. "I miss that beautiful Dragon Bone." Lord Trevelyan sighs so she leans towards him and rests her forehead against his, knowing he is talking about the twin blades that she had gifted him on his birthday. Beautiful, deadly, and all his.
"You'll have that again." The Seeker lifts her head from his and looks into his face, hoping that her words are some comfort to him and he believes her. "Just give it time." She whispers and places her hands on his cheeks, stroking her fingers against his skin.
Lady Trevelyan had hoped that Lord Trevelyan would put less pressure on himself since their roles had now changed, The Inquisitor and the Inquisition had been pardoned after the real threat had been revealed, and much to their relief the Inquisition hadn't been disbanded. They were now working directly for Divine Victoria to continue their good work and aid everyone that they could. This idea of course sounded perfect when suggested, they both no longer really had the taste for danger, and were looking forward to a more sedate future at Skyhold.
"I'll try, my love." Lord Trevelyan whispers as she draws him closer to kiss him gently. "If you see Cullen, will you ask him to progress me to a sharp stick?" He smiles making her giggle when she hears it. "Even a blunt stick." Ashton sighs dramatically.
"I do not know why Cullen thinks you are not progressing." The Seeker smiles. "You are doing so well in our lessons. Even if I have hardly had you to myself for weeks." Lady Trevelyan whispers and bites her bottom lip when she feels his eyes on her again.
"I'm glad you think so.." Lord Trevelyan grins at her. "Maybe it's because my Lady Trevelyan is such a good teacher." He mumbles as he presses his mouth to hers, making her sigh when he lowers his arm from the chair and wraps it around her.
Cassandra knew that it had been him teaching her all about the ways of the world and the ways that they could enjoy each other when they'd first met, but now they were learning together and finding out what still worked and how to make sure they were both comfortable. This he was adapting to very well.
"I still have much to show you." The Seeker giggles and leans against his chest, sliding her arms around his neck. "I think your time is better spent with me and not with Cullen," Cassandra whispers before kissing him again and carefully moving to straddle his lap, she feels him lowering his hand to her lower back and holding her tight against his chest.
"I completely agree." Lord Trevelyan smiles against her mouth before she feels him lift his hand to tangle his fingers in her hair and deepen their kiss, his lips demanding and his tongue finding hers.
Cassandra hears him groan quietly when she slides her hands over his chest and down to his stomach, lowering her hands between their bodies and beginning to undo the buttons on the front of his shirt. Lady Trevelyan hears the doors to the Great Hall bang closed so she quickly breaks their kiss and glances down the long room, noticing that her husband does too and he lets out a frustrated huff when he sees who it is.
"Just as it was about to get good." Cassandra whispers to her love before she glances at Lord Trevelyan, noticing he is gazing at her flushed and dishevelled beneath her and she wishes they could finish what they'd started.
"You know, I think he does this on purpose." Lord Trevelyan whispers. "Hides outside the door until he knows we're undressing." He adds making her giggle quietly and press a final hard and lingering kiss against his mouth.
"No, wait let me guess.." Cullen begins as she watches him following the line of red carpet towards them. "You have broken your bed?" He laughs making her sigh. "You are both under the influence of blood magic and have lost your minds?" The Commander chuckles and shakes his head as he reaches them. "Or maybe you lost the key to your quarters?" He smiles at them.
"Actually, our bed is perfectly fine." Lord Trevelyan grins and she feels his eyes on her. "So possibly blood magic." He adds. "Let's take this elsewhere, my love" He whispers quietly. "We were just leaving anyway. I think it's time for bed." The Inquisitor nods and glances at Cullen.
"I'm glad to hear about the bed." Cullen chuckles. "I was looking for you both, Cassandra is so very easy to find with her constant waves of happiness." He adds with another smile that makes her huff quietly.
"You do know you do not always have to monitor my feelings." Cassandra sighs as she slowly climbs off of Lord Trevelyan and lets him sit up. "Sometimes I do not want you to know where I am, or what I am doing." She continues and notices Lord Trevelyan stands and begins straightening his clothes.
"Same, Lady Trevelyan." Cullen nods and she notices he tries to smile at her. "I just don't find ignoring the feelings as easy as you do." He adds and she notices he lowers his eyes for a moment.
Cassandra knew that they were going to have to discuss why it was bothering her so much that she never felt alone anymore, or truly alone with her husband. Cullen was their best friend, and he had done so much for all of them and was part of their family, but there was always that thought in the back of her mind that he wasn't trying very hard to block out her feelings like she had become quite good at blocking his. She knew it upset Lord Trevelyan and that they were the three of them the best of friends, but sometimes she saw the disappoint and hurt on Ashton's face when Cullen knew what she was feeling, and he didn't. She wanted him around, he'd been her rock through the whole thing, but she also wanted to know she was free to get completely caught up in the Inquisitor and not worry about Cullen's feelings.
"I just came to fetch Lord Trevelyan for training." She hears Cullen add so she glances at Lord Trevelyan, knowing he'd been hiding and wondering if he's going to agree to go with his friend.
"You know what, Cull.." Lord Trevelyan sighs and she watches his eyes meet hers and then go back to Cullen. "I'm going to take the evening off." He nods and she can't help but smile when she hears his words. "There's no rush, and I think I'd like to spend it with my wife." The Inquisitor smiles at her.
"I hoped you'd say that." The Commander smiles which draws their eyes back to him. "I've been trying to get him to slow down." He adds making her laugh lightly when she realises Cullen had been holding him back on purpose. "Enjoy your evening, my Lord and Lady Trevelyan." Cullen smiles and turns on his heel to leave.
Cassandra watches Cullen walking away, glancing back to wave at them both before he heads back through the door and she assumes to his tower. She feels Lord Trevelyan wrapping his arm around her and pulling her against his side so he can kiss the side of her head.
"Maybe we could spar instead?" Cassandra whispers as she feels his mouth pause when he's heard what she has said. "I am sure we could find a broom handle or two?" She adds and glances at him, noticing a large smile stretch onto his face.
"I'd like that." Lord Trevelyan replies and she can see how genuinely happy he is with her suggestion. It had been a long time since they'd sparred together, and maybe he'd feel more at ease with her than with Cullen. "In here?" He adds and she notices he glances around them.
"Upstairs?" Lady Trevelyan asks felling his eyes return to hers and him grin at her.
"Is this an excuse to get me up to the Tower?" The Inquisitor grins making her giggle and shake her head at him, in truth she didn't want their evening to be disturbed again now they were getting time together. "That's not sparring." He laughs.
"It makes you sweat does it not?" Cassandra begins and notices he laughs again. "Come with me, husband." She smiles as she wraps her fingers around his and begins walking towards the door that leads to their quarters and taking him with her. "I may have a small gift for you." The Seeker smiles when she glances behind her and sees his eyes are on her.
"It's not my birthday." Lord Trevelyan returns the smile as he follows her up the stairs and she feels him squeezing her hand as they walk. "What's the occasion?" He adds as she feels him letting go of her hand and pushing open the door to their staircase.
"Surely I don't need an occasion to give my handsome husband a gift?" Cassandra giggles quietly as she notices that he quickly moves past her and begins taking the stairs two at a time until he reaches the top.
Lady Trevelyan climbs the last of the stairs to join Lord Trevelyan, noticing that he turns to face her and waits at the top of their stairs and sees the smile stretch onto his mouth when his eyes meet hers. Cassandra smiles when she reaches him, placing her hands on his waist and drawing him into their room with her following her until he is in front of their chaise. She carefully steps him backwards until the back of his knees come into contact with it and he lowers himself to sit on the padded cushions.
"Can I have a kiss first?" Lord Trevelyan begins and she feels him wrap him take her hand as she starts to step away from him. "Now you've got me upstairs and alone." He adds with a smile making her wonder if she kissed him she'd be able to stop. "Please?" The Inquisitor whispers making her smile and step closer to him.
"As you said please." Cassandra smiles and lifts her hands to his cheeks, stroking her fingers against his skin as she looks into his brown eyes that are on hers. "I can't deny you of anything." She whispers and lowers her head to kiss him gently.
"Have I told you how much I love you?" The Inquisitor smiles as she feels him lifting his hand to the back of her head and drawing her into another kiss. "I love you." He whispers between soft kisses. "More than any man has ever loved his wife." Lord Trevelyan adds making her sigh at his sweet words and lift her hands to his cheeks when his eyes meet hers again
"And I love you." She smiles and wraps her arms around his neck, hugging him tight against her. "More than any woman has ever loved her husband." Cassandra sighs and presses a kiss against the side of his head before loosening her hold on him so she can stroke her thumbs against his cheeks. "Ash." She whispers and lets her eyes travel over his face.
"What are you looking at?" Lord Trevelyan smiles making her shake her head lightly. "Do I have something on my face?" He adds and she notices he grins at her.
"No." Cassandra returns his smile. "I just look at you and see that all of this was worth it." She adds with a nod, laughing when Lord Trevelyan wraps his arm around her waist and pulls her down onto his knees. "We worked so hard for this life." The Seeker whispers.
"We did." The Inquisitor nods in agreement and she feels his hand stroking her back. "People doubted us, they doubted the Inquisition, and they doubted our love. But, here we are." He smiles at him and she can't help but smile, they'd made it through the darkest times and they were here together.
"Here we are." Cassandra giggles as he leans closer to kiss her again, so she wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him back with just as much enthusiasm. "I love you." The Seeker sighs when he breaks their kiss and realises she's going to have to let go of him or she'll never get to give him his present, and he was very distracting. "Now, let me get your gift." She sighs and rests her forehead against his for a moment.
"Is it a cake?" She hears her husband chuckle before she shakes her head and silences him with another kiss and hears him sigh when she runs her hands down to his shoulders.
"It's not a cake." The Seeker laughs as she lets go of him and stands from his lap. "You'll need to take your shirt off." She adds and notices that he grins and is about to comment. "Ashton, my love." Cassandra sighs lightly. "Just, do as I ask." Lady Trevelyan smiles and notices he nods and lifts his hand to begin unbuttoning his shirt.
Cassandra steps away from him and across the room towards his desk, crouching down in front of the wooden chest beside it that she knows contains his gift that she has had made for him. She opens the lid and takes hold of the leather that she finds inside in her hands and lifts it up and out of it. Lady Trevelyan continues to rummage in the trunk until she finds the bag of metal discs and picks that up too.
"What's that?" Lord Trevelyan asks and she glances over at him and notices he is watching her. "Is it armour?" He adds so she just shakes his head at him and climbs to her feet, walking back across the room towards him and noticing he's managed to remove his shirt. "Is it a harness?" She hears him continue and can see she's piqued his interest.
"Sort of." Cassandra nods lightly as she reaches him, watching his eyes lower to the leather that she holds in her hand. She places the bag down at her feet, hearing the heavy contents rattling at it hits the stone. "I had this made for you by Dennet." Lady Trevelyan smiles as she begins undoing the straps and the buckles.
"I know I can be a handful.." Lord Trevelyan chuckles. "But do you need to restrain me?" He grins as he stands from the chaise to face her.
"How else can I keep you under control?" The Seeker giggles quietly as she motions with her hand for him to turn around. Cassandra lifts the harness onto his back, helping him slip it over his shoulders and his arm. "Okay, turn around." She whispers as he turns to face her again and she looks into his face.
"This leather is soft." The Inquisitor smiles at her as she takes hold of the ends of the straps in her hands and begins buckling it beneath his arms and at his waist. "You had this made for me?" He asks and she nods, smiling at him and then lowering her eyes to what she is doing as she tightens the buckle across his chest.
"I thought it would help with your balance." Cassandra begins as she continues fastening the last of the buckles on his shoulders. "In here.." She smiles as she watches him looking to where she points at some pockets stitched into the leather on the same side as his missing arm. "We can add or remove weight." The Seeker continues and she notices her husband nod slightly and that she'd have to show him the weighted discs that Bran had made for her.
"Will I always need to wear it?" Lord Trevelyan asks and she sees his fingertips moving slowly over the edge of the leather that is strapped to him.
"No, think of it as a training aid." Cassandra smiles, making sure that all of the buckles are attached and it is flat on his body and comfortable. "It will help you and your body adjust to your new weight distribution." She adds and notices that his eyes are on her and he's gone quiet. "Once you've built up your strength we can add weight so you'll be able to hold a fully weighted blade again." Lady Trevelyan continues, starting to feel worried when he doesn't say anything and wondering if she has overstepped the mark and interfered so she lowers her eyes from his.
"You thought of this yourself?" She hears her husband mumble so she nods again, she'd been considering for weeks how she could help him and this was what she'd come up with. She hoped it would aid his recovery, and help him regain what he felt he'd lost.
"I did." Cassandra sighs and nods again. "I'm sorry, I should never have interfered." She adds and lifts her hands to take it off. "I just felt so helpless and wanted to do something to show that I love you." The Seeker sighs quietly.
"Cass.." The Inquisitor begins and she feels him lift his hand to place over hers, glancing into his face and noticing his eyes meet hers. "This is incredible." Lord Trevelyan whispers and she sees a smile stretch onto his face. "I'm sorry I was just a little overwhelmed." He smiles at her.
"You like it?" Lady Trevelyan smiles, seeing him nod and another grateful and large smile appear on his lips.
"I love it." Lord Trevelyan grins at her and she watches him lowering his eyes to take in the sight of it. "I already feel more balanced." The Inquisitor adds with another smile as he begins moving his body and stretching beneath the leather. "How can I ever repay you for this?" Ashton sighs and lifts his eyes to hers.
"I'll think of something." Cassandra smiles and sighs when he wraps his arm around her waist and draws her closer to him. "Do you want to spar now?" She adds and hears him making a negative sound in his chest when she rests her head there and slides her arms around his waist. "Is that a no, Lord Trevelyan?" She giggles.
"We could do it tomorrow." Lord Trevelyan sighs as she feels him lifting his hand to her cheek and rubbing his thumb against her jaw. "There's no rush." He smiles at her and she feels his eyes meet hers. "Will you promise to go easy on me?" She hears him whispers as he leans to kiss her again.
"Of course not." The Seeker smiles against his lips. "You'll never learn if I make it too easy," Cassandra adds with a positive nod and fixes his eyes on him. "We'll spar with full weight and sharpened weapons." Lady Trevelyan notices him frown at her words.
"Cullen!" Lord Trevelyan suddenly shouts. "I'm ready for training!" He adds with a chuckle making her giggle and unwrap her arms from around his waist. "Cullen! Save me from Cassandra!." He shouts.
"Shh, you'll wake Robert." Cassandra laughs and lifts her hand to cover his mouth but feels the smile beneath her palm. "It took ages to get him to sleep." She adds and feels him nod before she removes her hand from his lips.
"I'll be quiet." The Inquisitor whispers and she watches him glance up to the mezzanine that he knows their son is currently sleeping on, above their room. She smiles when he glances back at her. "Broom handles then?" She hears Lord Trevelyan add with another smile.
"Broom handles." Cassandra laughs quietly. "Tomorrow.." She adds and feels his eyes on her when she begins unbuckling the leather from his waist and slipping her hands beneath it and onto the bare skin of his chest. "What are we going to do with this time to spare, husband?" Lady Trevelyan whispers and hears him sigh when she strokes her fingertips lightly against his skin.
"I have several suggestions." Lord Trevelyan begins making her giggle quietly and wrap her arms around his neck. "I see we have the same." He smiles before pressing his mouth against hers.