The journey to Skyhold took many days, allowing some of those lost in the blizzard to catch up. Many had requested that Eostre rest during the journey, but she was determined to get her people to the safety of Skyhold, often stumbling only to be helped back up by Solas who lead the way.
Cullen hung back away, helping where he could but rarely taking his eyes off Eostre. He had almost lost her before; he would be damned if he would almost lose her again.
Dorian, who had been noticing the stolen glances between Eostre and Cullen, sidled up to Cullen, deciding to accompany the commander.
"Resilient force of nature, isn't she?" Dorian remarked.
"She is definitely something," Cullen proceeded to speak in a dream-like tone before he quickly snapped back to reality, fearing that he had said too much.
This amused Dorian who walked on ahead, leaving Cullen to slightly despair.
Soon the magnificent fortress came into view, rousing a cheer from the exhausted travellers, who rushed to reach its inner walls.
Eostre breathed a sigh of weary relief, finally allowing her body some kind of respite. Taking an arm each, Solas and Dorian helped Eostre the remainder of the way.
Hours later
Fully rested, Eostre opened the door and stepped out into the magnificent courtyard. Even though Skyhold was little more than a crumbling ruin, it still had the ability to inspire awe.
Her attention was quickly drawn to Josephine, Leliana, Cullen and Cassandra who were standing around, discussing something. Upon noticing Eostre, they smiled and departed, leaving Cassandra to call her over.
"They arrive daily from every settlement in the region. Skyhold is becoming a pilgrimage."
Together, they climbed the stairs up to the second courtyard as Cassandra continued.
"If word has reached these people, it will have reached the Elder One. We have the walls and numbers to put up a fight here, but this threat is far beyond the war we anticipated."
"His name is Corypheus, and he is no God."
Cassandra smirked at Eostre's words and how much hatred flowed through them. They stopped for a brief while at the top of the stairs.
"But we now know what allowed you to stand again him, what drew him to you."
"Yes," Eostre lifted her left hand, almost mesmerized by its glow. "It was Andraste's blessing."
"Yet, did her blessing grant you worthiness, or was it given because you were already worthy?"
Walking again, Cassandra proceeded, "your decisions let us heal the sky. Your sacrifice saved us in Haven and your determination brought us here. You are nothing short of amazing."
Eostre blushed at Cassandra's words and continued to follow her, climbing the next set of stairs.
"You are that creature's rival because of what you did. And we know it, all of us."
"All of you?" Eostre stopped, her eyes wide and her heart in her throat. Before them stood Leliana, holding a sword. Twin snakes wrapped around the hilt.
"The Inquisition requires a leader; the one who has already been leading it."
"Oh no, not another title."
Eostre's attention turned to the crowd that had now gathered below them, in the courtyard where she was standing moments ago.
"You."
The hopeful faces looking up at her made her feel queasy and she fiddled with her hands, the entire prospect was quite unnerving.
"It's unanimous? You all have that much confidence in me?"
"All these people have their lives because of you. They will follow."
"That wasn't the question."
"I will not lie," Cassandra turned and gestured to the sword, "handing this power to anyone is troubling."
"Especially someone who was previously your prisoner." Remarked Eostre in her mind.
"But I have to believe this is meant to be."
Eostre slowly walked forward, the murmurs from the crowd below slowing becoming louder and louder. Her hand shakily hovered above the hilt.
"There would be no Inquisition without you. How it will serve, how you lead; that must be yours to decide."
Taking the sword in her hand, Eostre inspected it. It was considerably heavier than her daggers and more difficult to weld, well, for her at least. A sense of determination filled her, engulfing her in angst.
"Corypheus will never let me live in peace. He has made that clear. He intends to be a god, to rule over us all. Corypheus must be stopped."
"Have our people been told," Cassandra called down to the crowd.
"They have," Josephine beamed, "and soon the world!"
"And the Trevelyans. Oh no. Maybe this is a bad idea."
"Commander, will they follow?"
Determination filled Cullen as he turned to the crowd, his words of "Inquisition! Will you follow?" gaining a galvanizing response.
"Will you fight?"
"Will we triumph?"
"Your Leader! Your Herald! Your Inquisitor!"
Eostre thrust the sword into the air, the cheers echoing throughout Skyhold.
"And my heart," Cullen whispered under his breath as he looked up at Eostre, unaware that she was trying to lock his eyes and only his. He had kept his feelings for Eostre a secret from everyone, except for Cole.
But keeping anything secret from Cole was impossible. But he remembered something Cole has said, "She had thoughts of you. You kept her going. She feels strongly for you." These thoughts had swelled around in his head since he first heard them.
An hour passes
Cullen stood over a make-shift desk in the courtyard of Skyhold, trying his best to keep his mind on the much-needed task at hand.
"Send men to scout the area we need to know what's out there!"
"Yes, Ser!"
His mind kept racing back to the attack on Haven. No more than two weeks had passed since Eostre had stayed to fire the last trebuchet, something that would have easily caused her death and still the guilt weighed heavy on him.
"Commander, soldiers have been assigned temporary quarters."
"Very good I'll need an update on the armoury as well …. NOW!"
As the scout left, he returned to his work however he felt eyes upon him. He stood back up and turned to see Eostre beside him, her grey eyes shining. He looked away from here, the guilt still evident.
"We set up as best we could at Haven but, could never prepare for an Archdemon or whatever it was with some warning we might have …."
"Do you ever sleep?" A soft smile formed on Eostre's face, in her eyes flashed a look of concern. Cullen began to feel nervous.
It was the first time he had gotten one on one time with Eostre after learning of her feelings.
"If Corypheus strikes again, we may not be able to withdraw" he paused for a second, put his hands back on the desk, "I wouldn't want to. We must be ready!"
"Work on Skyhold is underway, guard rotations established. we should have everything on course within the week."
Cullen turned back to Eostre, their eyes locking. A sense of warmth washed over him. "We will not run from here Inquisitor!" A hint of defiance in his voice.
Eostre let out a gentle sigh and began to fiddle with her hands. She looked at the ground, "how…. how many were lost?"
"Most of our people needed to Skyhold, it could have been worse. Morale was low but it's improved greatly since you accepted the role of Inquisitor."
Cullen noticed Eostre's demeanour shift slightly, as she continued to fiddle with her hands. She looked back up to him, pleasantly smiling.
"Inquisitor Trevelyan," she almost sighed the words out. "I wasn't looking for another title."
"It sounds odd, don't you think?"
"Not at all," replied Cullen. "Although I do prefer Eostre better."
"Is that the official response?"
Cullen chuckled lightly, "I suppose it is but it's the truth. We needed a leader and you have proven yourself."
"Thank You, Cullen," Eostre smiled almost sweetly. He returned the smile and met her gaze. "Just do it!" screamed the voice inside of Eostre's head as she stared deep into Cullen's golden eyes.
"Our …. our escape from Haven …. it was close. I'm relieved that you …. that so many made it out."
For a brief moment, the entire world stopped. Cullen could feel his heart pounding in his chest. "She's relieved that I made it out …. Does this mean?".
Cullen noticed that Eostre was still staring at him, waiting for him to respond. "As am I," he replied before looking away again. Eostre turned to walk away but did not get far before she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"You stayed behind. You could have-" Cullen ran his hand down her arm to her hand and grasped it lightly.
"I will not allow the events at Haven to happen again. You have my word."
"I will never allow anything to happen to you again."