AN: This chapter as a few mildly sensitive subjects. If any of them bother you, I apologize as they are necessary for this story. Thanks! And enjoy! Like and Review! ~AelrindelDA

Cullen took a step towards the demon. It's fangs dripped venom as it hissed at him. "I will not let you have her!" his voice strained against his better judgement as Cullen gripped the ebony handle of his sword. The first attack was swift. The justified swing was precisely executed. A clash of iron and sharpened bone filled the air. A perfect break as the demons limb came shattering to the stone floor. The second blow, however, was miscalculated and sent Cullen sprawling to the ground. Raising his arm to shield himself from the blow, a shadow cast over by him. Looking up, he saw Sarah Trevelyan standing in front of him. "You will not touch him." her voice echoed a growl like a lioness protecting her mate. The arrow shot quick, a through shot into the demons eye. The monster stumbled back as her boot made contact with it's skeletal rib cage. Without hesitation, Sarah slid a poison tipped dagger across the creatures throat. It choked and gurgled blood black as night before dying. Turning on her heel, she held out a hand to Cullen.

Gripping his sweat stained sheets, Cullen awoke from his dream. It was the first of many good dreams he had had since he first fell in love with Sarah Trevelyan. He was quite concerned for her as of lately though. The letter she recently received a little over a week ago, still seemed to haunt her. Sarah made it more than clear when she first joined the Inquisition that her family was not very close to her. And often times he did wonder why? Sarah was a fine, strong woman. There was no reason not to love her. Yet, it seemed equally disdained as Sarah made very little effort to make contact with them. Pulling the sheets back, rubbing his neck, he looked off into the setting sun. It had been a few days since he had seen his love. Perhaps she was practicing again with Rainier. Or maybe she was sitting on the rooftop with Sera. Or even helping Varric write his new novel. Still, her absence was prominent more now than ever. He usually felt her slide beneath his sheets, press her naked breasts up against his back as she ran her left hand over his abdomen up to his chest. Her hand protecting his heart from everything and anything that could pierce it in the night. Yet, much like the last few evenings, he woke up alone. Standing, Cullen stretched in the sunlight. A warm golden glow swept over him, curtains of the night being pulled open by the warmth of the day. It seemed to never get too warm here in Skyhold. The frostbacks provided enough cold to leave a cool breeze swept across ones skin. Getting quickly dressed, Cullen made his way to the courtyard in hopes of finding Sarah and perhaps some answers.

She came out of the fire like the pinnacle of victory. Long brown hair like the soil she challenged him upon. Raising her bow to the creature, she exhaled. Tight like the string of her bow. Tight like the muscles in his thighs as he trained the soldiers. His stance of pride. He wouldn't let them take her. She wouldn't give up this life for anything...Hurtled into the chaos... You fight. The release of the arrow. Sharp like a sword. A blissful kiss in the middle of the night with a sting of fear to follow. They've awoken the lioness.

"Inquisitor." Leliana's voice was short but serious as Sarah Trevelyan sat up, startled from her desk. Realizing quickly she was still at Skyhold, she let out a sigh of relief. It had been days since she slept well. The constant fear of her betrothal ball weighed heavy on her mind. The fate of the world was one thing, the fate of her world was another. Finally it dawned on her that she was not alone, as she ran her left hand through her hair. "Inquisitor." Leliana prompted of her once more.

"Yes?" Sarah responded this time. She studied her spymasters face. It was not good. Behind the shield of reserve, Sarah could see the worry that was greatly shown. "What is it?" Sarah asked this time, after reading her face.

"It seems you have a visitor." Taking a moment to pause before she continued, "In the war room."

"Who is it?" She was curious now, even though in the back of her mind she feared that her nightmare had come true.

"Arthur Vandeguard."

Darkness cradles the stars like a curtain of nightfall. Cullen leans up against the cool, stone wall outside of Skyhold's war room. He had looked for Sarah everywhere and it wasn't until he confided his concern in Leliana, did he find out she was in the war room. Behind the door he could hear Inquisitor Sarah Trevelyan's angered voice as well as an unfamiliar males.

"What are you doing here? What gives you the right to come here of all places?!"

"You will hold up to your promise!"

"I have made no promise to you! My parents promised you that. Take it up with them."

"It's time you come home, Sarah. It's time you stop playing leader."

Light as a feather but heavy with rage footsteps came closer to the door. Cullen narrowed his eyes at the floor as his blood boiled in his veins at the sound of his lovers voice, painfully angry, "Who are you to tell me what to do with my life?"

"You are acting like a child. You are fine young woman of royal blood with lineage and prestige. You need to learn your place."

A deafening silence falls over the war room as Cullen closes his eyes, listening to Sarah's teeth practically grinding. Hoping the lingering silence will give him a reason to kick the door open. "Get the hell out of my war room. And get the fuck out of Skyhold!" Cullen wasn't sure she noticed him as the war room door swung open, slamming against the wall beside him. And she stormed out. Concerned, he followed her. "Inquisitor!" He called after her but it wasn't until they go to the balcony of her quarters that she actually stopped and turned to him, "Yes, Commander?" she asked, her voice sounding hurt, broken, angered and defeated.

Cullen lifted his fingers to her cheek, wiping the tears away. "Up here, I am just Cullen." His was so gentle and he cupped her chin turning her gaze back to him. Having her meet his eyes, "Who was that man?"

Sarah crossed her arms, pulling away from him as she walked to the railing of balcony. Looking over the edge, she sighed. How weightless she felt here, above it all. Only to have it all come crashing down on her. "His name is Lord Arthur Vandeguard. He is my betrothal. My parents arranged it long ago in exchange from property rights. My parents sent him to bring me home." she leaned a little farther over the railing. How blissful of a fall it looked from so far up. Surely the pain would be less severe than being force to walk away from Cullen, the love of her life. And into the arms of that scum. She loathed it. She would rather die.

"B-betrothal?" Cullen stumbled over the word. The love of his life was promised to another. "So the ball is not for your sister. It's for you?"

Sarah glared at the river below, "I ran away so many times to escape that bastard. I was promised to be his wife long before I was even of age. That never stopped him from taking what he wanted. The first time he laid his hands upon me, I told my father. Who did nothing. The next time it happened, I ran. I hid outside of the city, living among a small dalish clan. One of their warriors taught me archery and how to fight. I became their best shemlan rogue. I r-refuse to marry that slime." Cullen's heart ached at the growl of disgust that left her throat. She was so strong, so beautiful. Like a lioness no matter how many battle scars she had. He reached for her hand as her eyes teared up and overflowed once more, "What would you do if I flung myself off this balcony?" Sarah uncrossed her arms before leaning as far she could over the rail before falling.

Beating like a war drum in his chest, Cullen reached for her shoulder and turned her to him. Sarah gasped as Cullen wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug, "I'd follow you. Hold you tighter than this and cradle your head into my chest. I'd protect you even if it meant shattering my body from unbelievable heights." Sarah tilted her head up to him and looked deeply into his honey gold brown eyes. His heart yearned for her. Pulling away from her slightly, Cullen grabbed her hand, placing it over his chest. Nervously, he sighed against her touch, "This heart beats for you. And...and-" his voice began to shake as he felt tears fall from his own eyes, "I will die before I ever let you fall." Suddenly, Sarah grasped his dirty blond hair, pulling him into a passionate kiss before breaking it.

She leaned her forehead against his lips, "I will take down every enemy, every evil in this world before I let you die." Cullen smirked as he looked down at her with his devious smile, "Don't worry. We will find a way to get through this." As the embers in her eyes roared with fire, clasping his hand and pulling him to her bed. The King fights for his queen and in turn; the Queen protects the King.