Author's notes:
Hello! Thank you so much for reading this far!
This chapter is pretty much just CullenxErelan
You can skip this chapter if you want or not interested in their relationship, nothing to miss!
For those of you that do read this, hope you enjoy it!
Campfire shenanigans and Cullen's resolve.
Lavellan and her party had left for Redcliffe Castle. The only ones left at the campsite were Erelan, the advisers and some scouts. For the first time Erelan had found herself sitting with three of the most respected and feared people. Josephine, the sweet and caring Antivan, but behind her demeanor was an assassin that was praised by her skills till this day. Now she serves as the inquisition's ambassador and diplomat, which is interesting, considering she is the heir for the Montilyet family fortune. Leliana, the renowned "Nightingale", inquisition's spymaster. Erelan had heard of tales about her that would give even the adults nightmares. She barely knows her, except she was Divine Justinia's Left hand, along with Cassandra as the Right hand. Leliana tends to keep all her secrets and whatever else she knows to herself. Then there is Cullen. The inquisition's Commander of its military force. Dedicated, fierce and well respected by all. From the outside these three, along with Lavellan and her inner circle formed a formidable force to reckoned with. On the inside for the circle however is entirely different story. Erelan witnesses this first hand.
"OH! Your hair would look wonderful if we braid it and loop it around behind your back! So elegant!" Josephine exclaimed excitedly.
"I agree! Maybe…we could get you in a nice dress one day. Silk…pale blue silk, yes…with gold embroidery…it should be cut low in the front, of course. We don't want to hide your features Oh! Maybe add some poufy sleeves. And Shoes!" She gasps. "Her shoes will be…glass slippers intricately adorned with different blue and white pearls on them. We should really go shopping together!" Leliana added. Erelan covered her chest.
Erelan was stuck sitting between them. She looked towards Cullen with pleading eyes. Cullen, sitting on the other side, smirked and shook his head. Josephine was already sketching the idea they had come up with for her. Erelan was glad she is getting to know each of the inquisitions inner circle, aside from the people Lavellan usually takes for mission. Josephine finished her sketch and exclaimed in delight.
"Oh Josie! That is perfect! You even got the details of the shoes correct!" Leliana said staring at the sketch.
"Oh…well it's nothing." Josephine replied. "If only we are back in Haven, this would…-" Josephine looked over at Erelan. Leliana followed her gaze and grinned.
"You know Josie…we can do one of the things on her. Her hair!" Josephine's eyes gleamed with delight that she got up and walked behind Erelan.
"Wha-!"
Erelan reacted too late and Josephine is now behind her and pulled off her hair tie letting her hair flow down her back. Josephine and Leliana stared in awe at how different she looked with her hair down. Cullen, who is sitting on the other side drinking some ale, almost spit out his drink at the sight. He caught his breathe and swallowed. She looked so ethereal. It was the first time he has seen her hair down. She always had it tied up. Erelan saw Cullen staring at her and blushed crimson red. Leliana, satisfied with the result of her plan, smirked. Everyone in the circle knew Cullen has strong feelings for Erelan, but no one knew how strong it really is until now. It was clear to Leliana that the Commander has fallen in love, but he himself doesn't realize it… yet.
"Oh my…I did not realize your hair was this long." Josephine started combing her hair with her fingers. "How do you keep it so smooth, and silky? I am flabbergasted."
"I brush it every night before I sleep. One hundred times every night." She replied as Josephine started parting her hair three ways.
"One hundred times?! I cannot imagine doing that every night." She started with the braids, pulling, and locking the hair in place.
"I've been doing it my whole life, I got used to it." Erelan replied and smiled.
"I'm just glad to have short hair. Less distracting." Leliana said. Josephine let out a slight chuckle and said.
"I remember you grew it out before, but then got frustrated with it and cut it." Leliana put a finger on her chin, remembering that day and smiled.
"Ah…yes I remember. I had to cut it because it got caught with the wind and obscured my view, while aiming at a target." She replied.
"I don't mean to pry…but how did you two meet? I gathered that before this inquisition, you two were close friends before?" Erelan asked. Leliana answered her question.
"I met her a long time ago, but we didn't become good friends until years later, after the blight, in fact. I'd just returned to Val Royeaux and she welcomed me back by throwing a diplomatic ball." Josephine snickered and continued with her braiding. "She was the Antivan Ambassador at the time, you see. The ball was…all right. Too many politicians. At midnight, we left to find a real party. We've been friends ever since."
"A real party? What do you mean by that?" Erelan asked. Leliana grinned.
"It's not a real party until…someone's smallclothes are pinned to a chantry board. And that's all I'm saying about it." She teased.
Erelan made a silent "Oh" on her lips, knowing what Leliana is referring to. Cullen who was listening on their conversation choked on his drink. He was coughing and gasping for air. The women giggled at his reaction. Josephine finished the last braid and started putting everything in place. Twisting the braids over and under each one, after a while her "vision" was finished. Josephine walked over to Leliana and the both stared at her with approval.
"What do you think Commander?" Leliana asked as she moved back to show reveal Erelan with her new hairstyle. Cullen looked at her and was lost in her beauty. Josephine did a great job with the style. It was perfect. It showed how define her cheekbone and jaw are and her long elegant neck. Erelan was fidgeting and looking around, avoiding eye contact with him. When their eyes did meet, it felt like the world around them fell and they were the only ones alive.
'Fenedhis! Fen'harel is going to kill me…breathe…breathe…do not…get lost in his eyes…SHIT! Already did…this is harder than I thought…oh creators help me.'
The sound of someone clearing their throat broke eachother's trance. Josephine was smiling, and Leliana was grinning.
"You still…haven't answered Commander." Leliana asked.
"What? Oh! The- its uh…it looks beautiful." He rubbed the back on his neck. Erelan blushed.
"It would be more beautiful with the dress." Leliana said.
"Maybe one day…but for now…it will only be a faraway dream." Josephine sighed, disappointed that it most likely never will happen.
"Cheer up Josie, it may happen." Leliana said patting her back.
The night with the advisers was interesting. Erelan was learning more and more about them. Leliana loved shoes, in short she's obsessed with them, and a pet Nug named…shmuples? Shnuples? That was surprising, Leliana has a soft side, rarely seen only to those she trusts. Josephine's family were merchants and once had an entire fleet across Thedas but not anymore. She is a strong believer of the inquisition and its cause. Also she is a romantic. Adorable.
The night air was crisp and soothing. Erelan strolled by the riverbank. Everything was dark and peaceful. No stars. No moon. Normally it would be hard to see anywhere you go with this darkness, but she is Elvhen. Ancient Elvhen. Her eyes glowed with a soft purple around her pupils. She could see everything from each step she took, rocks that would normally trip someone and holes anyone could slip into. She carefully unbraided her hair letting them fall back. She kneeled near the water and looked at her reflection. Her hair was now in waves.
'This doesn't look bad…a nice change for a moment.'
She reached out to touch the water and twirled her fingers around making a ripple effect. She noticed movement from the corner of her eyes. A figure was silently approaching towards her. Her ears twitched and heard a soft metal sound. She figured it was an assassin trying to sneak up on her. Alert and ready, she went on with playing with water. The figure was getting closer and closer, she heard a "puff" sound. The assassin went invisible. People would usually be afraid by now, but not her. The best part of an Ancient Elvhen with eyes that can help you see in the dark, is the fact it can see through everything. Erelan looked down on the water and right behind her she saw the reflection of the attacker. The daggers were raised up ready for a kill. Erelan swiftly turned around and freeze the attacker. She released a bolt from her hands and shattered it pieces. She jumped away from her spot as soon as two daggers were thrown. Two more attackers came. Bandits. A fireball was thrown at her, she fades stepped away and threw ice ball towards the mage. The mage conjured up a shield on himself right after getting hit.
'A mage…that explained how they saw through darkness.'
One of the bandits shot an arrow towards her. She deflected it with her fire wall. With the fire's light she can now see these were not mere bandits, they had red lyrium growing out of them. The mage shoots out multiple fire balls, swiftly she dodges each one and threw ice balls as she jumped out the way. The archer shot five arrows behind her. With no time to counter, Erelan summoned up disruption field around her. With limited time, she threw a fire blast to the mage, burning him, then froze the archer and slaughtered him with her spirit blade in time for the field to dissolve.
Erelan drop on her knees and breathed heavily. She had used a lot of her mana fighting these things. She looked around and saw nothing but fragments of what used to be something. Loud footsteps, like someone was running, could be heard from where she is. She looked up and saw fire floating. Another mage? Did she miss one? She used up the last of her mana and had her ice spell ready. As the steps came closer, she got up and had her hand ready for release. The figure stopped a few feet from her, she tried to focus her eyes on it but with her mana drained and weak her eyes could not make out who or what it is. She was not about to be brought down like this. Without thinking she released her ice blast, then she heard a familiar voice. Cullen.
"Erelan?"
It was already too late; her magic was now going to hit Cullen. She braced for the impact, but it never came. Instead, she felt a tight grip, yet gentle hands on her shoulders. She opened her eyes and Cullen was in front of her. The torch he carried was now on the ground. She sighed in relief and let body fall onto Cullen, as he caught her. He sat down and placed her on his lap, held her with his arms.
"Cullen." She found her voice. "I…am so sorry…I thought you-"
"Shh…it's alright. Leliana told me to come to you." He said cutting her off.
'Leliana? Did she see everything? My magic? My eyes? Was she spying on me? Has she figured me out?! SHIT!'
Erelan wanted to move but her body disregard her mind. Cullen continued talking.
"She told me to find you and to be careful, I was confused at first…but…as I got closer I saw flashes of lights from where you are. As I walked closer everything just stopped. Now that I'm here." He looked around. "I see you were attacked. I am so sorry…I could not help you."
'Why is he apologizing? I- he almost got hit with my magic! I should be the one apologizing!'
"No…its fine. I'm fine. I should apologize…I threw my magic at you." She heard him chuckle.
"Magic doesn't really affect Templars…not really." Erelan looked up at him, surprised that she can move her head at least.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"We- Templars have the ability to dispel magic…and has immunity to it."
"Meaning…when I did cast my magic…you dispelled it?"
"Yes."
"How…?" She could feel Cullen's hesitation for a moment before he replied.
"Templars…take lyrium. It is the source of our immunity per say."
"I see…"
The torch was starting to slowly die down. Erelan's mana had slowly returned and with a small gesture of her hand, she scattered tiny fireballs around her and Cullen. She felt Cullen's body stiffened, and felt guilty. She barely knows anything about templars only that they were told to hate mages. They were a force not to be taken lightly when it came to mages. It took a while for Cullen to relax again and once he did he looked down at her. She in turn looked up at him. Cullen's gaze at her with the look of concern. His ember eyes were locked on her dark-blue ones and they stayed like that for what felt like an eternity. Cullen broke the silence.
"Makers breath…I forgot to ask if your alright. Are…you alright Erelan?" It took a moment for her to process his question. She blinked her eyes twice and finally answered.
"Oh yes…yes I'm fine! I should ask you…since I…are you alright?" He smiled.
"Seems you've forgotten what I just told you…but yes I'm alright."
"Ah…right…templar." He gave her a slight grin. She forgot that she was still on his arms, until realization hit her.
"Cullen…?"
"Yes?"
"I'm feeling…quite better now…do you mind…helping me…up?" Cullen felt his blood rush.
"Wh- oh! Yes of course." He simply got up, carrying her bridal style for a moment and set her down. When her feet touched the ground, she felt dizzy and lost balance. Cullen caught her before she fell. He helped her sat down and then sat next to her. They stayed quiet as they watched the river.
"So…you're a Templar. What made you become a Templar? I heard Templars hunt mages down." She said.
"I was…I left the order when Cassandra recruited me for the Inquisition. When I was young, I told my brother and sisters I will become one of the Templars. I always had the desire to protect and help people. Honnleath, where I come from had only a few Templars, but they humored me and taught me basic sword techniques. I was excited. At the age of thirteen, the order took me in. They had some concerns about me becoming one, normally Templar recruits were taken in at a young age, so I was much older than the others. Everything I had hoped for in training was everything I imagined and from there I caught up and finally took my final vow, the first time I took lyrium. The rest…is history. Templars only hunt mages that became abominations or blood mages. I did…hunt some mages and killed. I didn't take any pleasures in taking their lives, but such was the way."
"I see. You…have siblings?"
"Yes…I have an older sister Mia, and a younger brother Branson and sister Rosalie."
"Do you keep in touch with them?"
"I recently sent my elder sister Mia a letter not too long ago. I haven't received a reply yet."
"Oh I see…"
"Do you have siblings Erelan?" The question caught her off guard, and tried her best to lie.
"I…had…siblings." She replied.
"Had?" Cullen asked now looking at her. She hesitated for a moment, pondering what to say.
"They…are not here no longer." She whispered.
"I- Forgive me…I didn't mean to pry." He replied with guilt in his voice.
"Don't worry. You're not. I…it's been a while since I talked about my family. I am not used to having company…not that is a bad thing! I'm still…adjusting." She replied, embarrassed.
Her story wasn't all lies. She did have siblings; they may all not be blood related but they were family. Her family. When her magic grew to being almost God-like, Mythal, her mother took her in. She helped her shape and control her magic. As she grew older it was clear that she was a talented fade walker, she surpassed even the Evanuris. She could pull people from nightmares, manipulate people's dreams. She used to sleep for days on end. In time she became known as the Goddess of Dreams, a title she did not want. Dedicated priests and priestesses erected a temple for her. Overtime the temple had become almost a palace fit for a Goddess. Like her brother Fen'Harel, she did not want slaves, but like her mother, she had priests and priestess that had slaves do their bidding. She rarely stepped foot in her own temple, and rarely joined the meetings with the other Evanuris. She couldn't exactly tell Cullen that one sibling is alive and that he is in the inquisition. She wouldn't know how to explain that part.
Cullen noticed she became quiet and still. Thinking he had upset her, he searched her face for some kind of emotion. It was hard to find, when the only light they had was the fireballs dancing around them, and it didn't help there was no moonlight to bright things up. Then he noticed a single tear drop rolled down her face. Thinking he had hurt her, he felt remorse. His hand reached out and touched her face, thumb wiping the tear away. His action surprised Erelan, who jerked and looked at him, wide eyed. Cullen's eyes went wide, apparently his action also bewildered him. Although both were surprised, no one moved away, they just stared at each other.
"I…I'm sorry if my question caused you pain…" He said as he rubbed his thumb on her face.
"No…you didn't. I was just remembering the fun moments I had…with them." She replied smiling weakly. She moved her right hand and lightly touched his hand caressing her face.
They stayed that way for a long moment. Nothing prepared Cullen for this. He never thought he would find someone like her when he joined the inquisition. The way she makes his heart beat stop, every time he sees her. Butterflies forming in his stomach when she's with him. Making him feel speechless and breathless with her beauty. There are a million words to describe the feelings that is building up inside him, but only two words fit them. He was in love with this woman, it didn't matter that she is an elf and a mage. The moment she started accompanying him around in Haven, was the moment he fell in love with her. She was different from the other mages he had encountered. It was obvious she is a powerful mage, but she rarely shows it. Not only that, she is a mage who knows hand to hand combat, that was a surprise. He wants nothing more than to be with her for the rest of his life. The question is, does she feel the same?
Erelan looked at Cullen's eyes, lost in their gaze. She couldn't quite figure out why in such a short time she developed feelings for this man. He was a Templar, well an Ex-Templar so he says. From all the stories she had heard about them through her run ins with villages, they were respected but feared by all. Yet, here is a Templar who is nothing like everyone described. He is loyal, determined and valiant like a Templar, but he is not a cold hearted, and cruel as the others perceived the Templars to be. Cullen did not take pleasure in hunting, or killing Mages, he regretted every single kill. He may have some reservations with Mages, but it is a working progress. The first time she met him was the day she arrived in Haven, Lavellan had introduced her with the advisers when their eyes met only for a moment, but in that moment something her heart started to stir. In Haven, she wanted seek him out anytime Lavellan and the others went on missions, but couldn't find the courage to do so. Her fear of everyone around her was stronger than her will of finding him. The moment he knocked on her door and asking her to accompany him everywhere, the more she realized she had grown to like him. As the days turned to months her feelings were now clear, she has fallen in love with him. She knew fully well that nothing good will come out of this, she will have no choice but to leave him when all of this is done. As much as she wanted to deny her love for him, she could not stop it.
They titled their heads as they inched closer and closer, their lips were about to touch when…BOOM. Their trance like stare broke and saw the sky turning green. The Breach had spread and rifts opened everywhere, demons pouring in and wreaking havoc. Cullen and Erelan looked at eachother, fear was written on their faces. They heard a piercing scream at the camp, both jumped and ran towards it. To their horror, disoriented bodies were everywhere on the ground. They saw Leliana and Josephine fighting but demons kept pouring out. Cullen and her helped out but they were in a disadvantage and outnumbered, until they were captured. They were brought inside Redcliffe Castle, and they were told "The Herald of Andraste" is dead, and the elder one will rise to be the new God. All of Thedas was turn into turmoil. Empress Celene has been assassinated, the King and Queen of Ferelden has been killed as well. There was no one stopping this madness. No one.
Author notes:
Everytime...when two people are about to kiss someone or something always ruins the moment!
Dun dun dun! Leliana was spying on her! Oh my!
Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Like/Hate/suggestion comments are always welcome!
Until next Chapter!
