Alistair
Whatever guilt he might have felt for lying to Ashe about not receiving her letter evaporated as soon as she mentioned Cullen.
He hadn't told anyone that she was coming, had refused to risk Cullen finding out and then maybe change his mind about the marriage to Mahariel. In fact, as soon as Alistair had finished reading Ashe's letter, he'd burned it and did what he could to speed things up. Fortunately, Mahariel had listened to him and had even agreed to push the ceremony forward. It was in everyone's best interest, he'd said.
He was lying, of course. Because how could it, in any way, be in Mahariel's best interest to marry that dog of a man? And perhaps it was cruel of him to make her believe that he was beginning to feel the corruption already, but it was a necessary evil. She'd stared at him as if he'd gone out of his mind when he'd first suggested to her what he thought needed to be done, but she'd come around. He'd seen it on their journey back from Skyhold to Denerim, that she still – despite everything – had a soft spot for him. And making her believe that his Calling was drawing near had the desired effect.
He sighed and continued to listen to the others in front of him with only one ear – the meeting was dreadfully dull, as usual. He was anxious about what Ashe was going to say to Cullen, as she was no doubt meeting with him that very moment. She'd taken the news about Mahariel already being married to Cullen quietly but calmly. She'd said "I see," and then promised to come and see Alistair later that night, after sorting through all the practical things concerning Cullen's resignation, as she'd put it. Alistair was sure she was more upset than she let on but was encouraged by the fact that she wasn't so devastated that she couldn't control herself in front of him. All he could hope for now was that Cullen didn't mess things up.
Ashe
She didn't get it. She simply didn't get it. It had barely been a few weeks since she last saw Cullen, and by seeing him she meant he'd fucked the lights out of her and then she'd fallen asleep in his arms while he whispered to her how beautiful she was.
If he'd grown tired of her, she couldn't fault him for it. She was involved with Alistair, and perhaps even Hawke, at least a little bit. But Cullen had always known that, and had claimed time after time that he'd fight for her until she told him that he wasn't wanted anymore. And she'd told him no such thing, and yet he'd still left without even saying goodbye, and now he was married to someone else.
What she was doing now was beyond humiliating, but it had to be done. She took a deep breath and approached the gate to the large mansion that lay beyond it, only a short distance away from the palace. She wasn't surprised that Mahariel had been given such a lavish estate. She was the Hero after all, and now she had a Fereldan husband as well.
How fucking perfect for her, she thought with a sneer.
She was let in by the guards and escorted into the house itself. She was made to wait in a lavishly furnished parlor, and she sat down and took in her surroundings while waiting. It was luxurious but impersonal. Ashe assumed that Mahariel spent little or no time here, and why would she? She had things to do, an entire keep and arling to run up north. This estate must be meant for visits to the capital.
After a few minutes, Cullen opened the door and closed it behind him with a hint of a slam. He looked to be in a hurry, fully armored and in the process of putting his gloves on. Ashe flinched when his expression soured as he caught sight of her.
"I hear congratulations are in order," she said, keeping her tone neutral. She didn't know what she was getting into here.
"What do you want, Ashe?" His voice sounded strained, like he was fighting not to yell. It hurt, but she was determined not to let it show.
"Is it true? That you're leaving your position as commander?"
"Well, what did you expect?" he snorted. "Did you expect me to stay?"
"I... guess not. Still, a little heads up would have been nice," she said, trying to keep calm.
He closed the distance between them at that, got right up in her face and jammed his finger against her shoulder, making her jump back in shock.
"Are you fucking kidding me? A little 'heads up'? I don't owe you a Maker damned thing, little girl." He spat out the last words with such animosity that Ashe was helpless to stop the tears welling up in her eyes. He knew that was the worst thing he could call her, knew how much she hated it. What in Thedas had she done to him to deserve this? But as he turned his back on her, the hurt quickly turned into anger. She just needed to sort out the details and then get out of there.
"Have you a suggestion for a successor, then? As the new Commander, I mean." She tried to say it without her voice shaking, but she failed miserably and her treacherous tears overflowed and ran down her cheeks.
"I'm sure you'll sort that out just fine by yourself," he said and turned around to face her again. When he saw her crying, he looked surprised and then he cast his eyes down as if he was momentarily ashamed. She had no idea why. Did it shock him that behaving like a fucking bastard would hurt her feelings?
"I- I could write down a few names of good men who you could consider," he said, sounding considerably softer than before.
"Good. Send it to Leliana, I don't have time to wait for that now."
Cullen's eyes instantly hardened again. "Off to see Alistair, then?"
"Yes, of course, why else would I have come all the way to Denerim?" she said, pouring as much spite into her words as possible. Cullen probably didn't even care, but if there was a slight chance that she could hurt him, she'd gladly take it.
"Well, if there wasn't anything else?" he said and gestured toward the door. "My wife and I are leaving for Amaranthine shortly, I need to hurry all my business along."
So that was what she was reduced to now – business?
Go screw yourself, you mean bastard. "Nothing else, no. If there's any of your belongings you want sent to... to wherever it is you're going to live, please write it down in the letter to Leliana, and I'm sure she'll sort it out. Again, congratulations." She nodded to him and he muttered something she didn't quite catch. She didn't care enough to ask him to repeat himself and she let herself out. She dried her tears quickly, knew she couldn't be seen like this. She was sad and angry, but mostly disappointed in herself for being such a poor judge of character. Cullen had almost had her fooled, Maker, how could she had been so blind? It must have all been a hunger for power for him, and as soon as an easier alternative had presented itself, he'd run off to take it. Why stay and fight for Ashe's attention when he could marry the Hero of Ferelden, the Commander of the Grey, and rule Amaranthine and who knew what other things with Mahariel?
Ashe wiped away the last wet traces on her cheeks while walking back to the palace. Alistair had been right all along, he'd never trusted Cullen. At first she thought it was just rivalry, but now she understood. He'd warned her so many times not to trust the other man, but had she listened? Yet Alistair had stood by her, always, even when she'd hurt him. She swore to herself that she would make it up to him.
Alistair
He'd received a report even before Ashe had returned to the palace. She'd been seen leaving Mahariel's estate drying tears from her eyes, looking unhappy but determined. Alistair breathed a sigh of relief as one of his most trusted spies had whispered his observations in his ear. It could only mean that things had gone badly with her and Cullen, and nothing could make him happier. Well, except maybe for one thing.
He called over a servant and gave him very precise instructions.
"You got all that? Everything must be perfect tonight. Do this right and you're in for a promotion, my friend," Alistair said and the servant's eyes beamed with pride.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I'll see to every detail personally, I won't let you down."
"Good man. Hurry along now."
The man did as he was told and Alistair was left alone with his thoughts. If everything went the way it was supposed to, how he'd carefully planned the events of the last few weeks, Ferelden would soon have a new Queen.