Chapter 3 – A Dangerous Game
Leliana thought things would move along more smoothly between the inquisitor and the commander now that they had spent some leisure time together. That didn't seem to be the case, however, since they were still just stealing glances at each other at the war meeting five days later. Leliana had asked some of her people to keep an eye on the two of them, but all reported that Cullen and the inquisitor hadn't seen each other since the night in the tavern. When they walked out of the meeting, Leliana saw Blackwall in the keep entrance and talking to Varric. Blackwall did not seem to understand that he was out of the race, if the way he was eyeing the inquisitor was any indication. Neither the inquisitor nor Cullen noticed his gaze. Leliana sighed. She couldn't believe the amount of help these people needed to fix their love life.
In the end, she decided on something simple to solve this problem: jealousy. She decided to give them a small push and use someone other than Blackwall to be the rival.
Leliana went back to the tower and wrote a message to one of her people, Stanford, who was stationed in Crestwood but was currently heading to Skyhold to deliver some goods. He was to come to see her at once when he arrived and talk to no one else. She hoped it would reach him before he arrived at Skyhold. Just like Leliana, Stanford was a former bard and a very good actor. He was from a minor noble family in Ferelden and quite handsome. He would do well in this little game. The key was to keep it all a secret, so neither the inquisitor nor the commander ever knew that it was a setup. Leliana called a messenger and told him where to go and who to find, and he set off at once. Now she could only wait.
It took two days until Stanford turned up at the keep. He went straight to see her without talking to anyone else, and she thought it very unlikely that anyone had noticed him with so many people were moving around Skyhold. Now they needed to transform him to look the part of a noble's son.
He was to become the young Arl Edvin Winstone, who had taken over his father's arling recently when his father died in the explosion at the conclave. The inquisitor would be introduced to him and he would turn on the charm for her. Leliana would make sure that Cullen was there for the show. From having worked with Stanford previously, she knew he would enjoy a role like that and excel at it.
When Stanford was looking the part, Leliana was left with the task of figuring out how best to put the plan in motion. She had to involve Josephine, because the ambassador knew every noble who came to see the inquisitor and it would be very suspicious if she didn't this time. She might also have met the real Arl Edvin Winstone, and it would be very awkward if she ruined the disguise.
When Leliana told Josephine the plan, she giggled and agreed to help. Josephine loved gossip and games, and she couldn't wait to be part of this scheme. Especially when it involved romance and two people she liked.
Josephine introduced Arl Edvin Winstone to the inquisitor outside the war room the next day after their daily meeting. It was the easiest way to make sure that Cullen was there to watch. Stanford was an excellent actor and played his part very well. He kissed the inquisitor's hand and lingered a long time on the kiss and continued to hold her hand for quite some time before letting it go. Leliana was watching Cullen out of the corner of her eyes and saw him balling his fists as the noble stroked the inquisitor's hand before letting it go. The inquisitor seemed quite intrigued by the stranger.
Arl Edvin invited the inquisitor for a walk in the gardens and, just like Leliana had hoped, Cullen made an excuse to go off in the same direction. She followed him and saw him walking a distance away from the inquisitor and the Arl, who had their arms interlocked as he escorted her around the blossoming garden. Cullen watched them through narrowed eyes and looked more agitated than normal as he skulked in the shadows.
The Arl stopped in the middle of the garden to reach for the inquisitor's hair to pluck out a small twig that had nestled itself in there. When he had taken it out, he reached out again to touch her hair and let his hand travel down to her neck before again locking arms with her. Leliana thought it was a nice touch, even though she assumed that it was Stanford who had placed the twig there in the first place. Cullen looked positively furious as he watched them. His eyes had gone dark and his hand had moved to rest on the hilt of his sword. Leliana decided it was time to end this before Cullen lost his temper completely.
"Commander". She walked up to him in a relaxed sort of way and smiled. "Josephine would like us to meet her back by the war room to discuss one final point before sending out the messengers".
Cullen grunted as a sign that he had heard. He shot one last dark look at the inquisitor and the nobleman before heading inside towards the war room. Leliana then went to the inquisitor and the Arl.
"Sorry to disturb you, inquisitor. Josephine wanted us to meet back in the war room to discuss one final point before sending the messengers out".
Leliana nodded to the Arl with a small smile as he released the inquisitor's arm, bowed deep to both of them, and strode off towards the other end of the garden. Leliana motioned the inquisitor to come with her and together they walked back towards the war room, where Cullen was waiting.