The hall to the war room seemed to descend into the folds of forever. Beautiful, intricate designs of the stained glass danced before Sarah Trevelyan's feet in bright colors. It had been forever since she had seen a rainbow. Cullen followed close behind her. This morning's intimate moment now lost in the presence of urgency. The squeaking of the door hinges only seemed to add to the awkward silence as she walked into the war room. Cassandra turn to Sarah with a pained look on her face. Yet before she could speak, Leliana stepped forward, "Inquisitor, it seems your presence is requested."
"And who shall I thank for the invitation this time?"
"Your parents.." Josephine chimed in. A deafing silence fell over the room as Josephine continued, "You have been requested to attend the betrothal Ball."
"Betrothal ball?" Cullen inquired, raising an eyebrow to his love. What could she possibly be hiding?
Sarah turned to Cullen calmly, "The Betrothal Ball is hosted every few years once a lady of the royal family reaches the age of marriage to her betrothed." walking around the table, Sarah gave Cassandra a look. The kind of look that Cassandra knew would require further explanation. "My sister Penelope must be of age."
Josephine opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by Leliana's cool response, "Indeed. And I assume you will be attending?"
"Of course," Sarah responded without looking up from the invitation. She couldn't allow the doom and dread to show upon her face. Not in front of her true love. "I wouldn't deny the accompany of the Inquisition to my lovely sister's betrothal response." Leliana nodded as Cullen and Josephine exited the war room.
As the door clicked shut, Sarah turned to Leliana, "Tell Bann Oscar Trevelyan and Lady Indega Trevelyan to shove off. I will not be attending such a ridiculous event." Leliana nodded and soon she too left the room. Only Cassandra and Sarah remained. "Explain." Cassandra commanded of Sarah plainly. Sarah dreaded this moment. Shortly after an exhaled, frustrated sigh, she turned to Cassandra, "The betrothal ball is for me. From a young age I was promised to a vile man in exchange for property rights." Sarah looked down at the invitation, blood boiling in her veins. How dare they? How dare they think they can walk into her life and still command her? She walked away from that so called family long ago.
"His name is Lord Arthur Vandeguard. And he took my innocence against my will when I was young." Out of the corner of her eye, Sarah could see the shock on Cassandra's face. "I told my father who did nothing about it. So I left, I left and began training as a rogue. A dalish servant taught me in secret so I could protect myself. My mother, Lady Indega, forbid it. I was never to touch another arrow or blade again. So I left for good. Disguised myself as an elven spy at the Conclave hoping to seek some shelter from either the mages or Templars. And here I am. Leading the inquisition, defeated Corypheus and closed the breach. A woman so much more than the sad little girl stripped of her innocence before Lord Vandeguard."
"Inquisitor," Cassandra paused. Taking a moment to look at her friend. Sarah looked exhausted. Her eyes held a sadness within them as they were fixed on the map. Following her gaze, Cassandra could see they were fixated on the land of Ostwick. "Sarah," she spoke again as Sarah looked up at her this time. "I am so sorry for what they put you through." Taking a step forward, Cassandra wrapped her arms around Sarah's shoulders. For a moment, Sarah began to blink away tears. She buried her face in the leather armor that covered Cassandra's shoulder and cried.
Sarah was so young, much too young to know any better. And she feared telling Cullen. What would he think of her? Would he see her as some pitiful whore looking for attention? The human manifestation of lyrium? She couldn't bare the thought.
Pulling away Cassandra looked at her with kind eyes, "Are you feeling better now?"
"I am. Thank you." Sarah wiped the remaining tears from her face and proceeded to leave the war room. Her friend walking beside her stopped outside of Josephine's door, "What are you going to do now?"
Sarah looked back at her with a sly smile swept across her face, "I think I shall practice my archery with Rainier."
"If Commander Cullen asks for you, I'll let him know where you are!" Cassandra called from behind, only to have Sarah respond with a thumbs up over her head.
Outside of Skyhold was quiet, snow gently crunched the weight of Cullen's boot. He returned to her quarters only to find Cassandra there, leaving her clean smallclothes from one of the servants. Cassandra smiled at him and walked over to Trevelyan's balcony. Cullen followed as she pointed down below near the river bank, "She is practicing with Thom." on that note, Cullen turned on his heels and head down there. Although Corypheus was gone, danger was still afoot. He knew Solas was a shady elf so he worried he would come back for an attack. Not to mention the number of assassins that wanted Sarah dead.
Rainier looked over his shoulder as Cullen approached. He could see Sarah's ears perk up as she flashed a coy smile. Bending her knees slightly she released the arrow as she flipped backwards. Gracefully she soared through the air and landed on her feet. The small explosion obliterating what was left of the training dummy.
Rainier nodded to her as he shook her hand, "A pleasure as always, Inquisitor." Sarah nodded in return as she turned to Cullen. He smiled and checked to see if Thom had gone out of sight before wrapping an arm around the small of her back and pulled her close. His lips met her own with a hint of mint on them. He always wanted his kiss for her to taste delightful.
Pulling away, Cullen smiled, "I was looking for you. I worry about you." Sarah looked up. His golden eyes were full of concern, a lion worried about his lioness. "This invitation from your parents bothers you. When you're ready to talk about, I'll be here." Cullen lifted his right hand to her left cheek, his thumb stroking the gentle flesh of her cheekbone. How his heart ached for her. Although this battle with Corypheus was over, Cullen could see there was a more intense battle she was fighting within.