Inquisitor Elyn Trevelyan/Commander Cullen Rutherford : Promises Ch. 2
"Good afternoon, Commander," a soldier stopped dead in his tracks.
"Have you seen my wife?" I asked. I was starting to worry. I hadn't seen Elyn all day, and that just was not like her. She was always around me. Always critiquing my posture and watching me train recruits, which I believe she enjoyed a little too much.
"Not since early this morning, Commander. It looked like she was on her way to see Lady Nightingale," the soldier replied quickly.
"Thank you, if you learn anything new come straight to me," I turned away from the soldier and started walking in the direction of Leliana.
This past year has been as calm as it can be, guarding Divine Victoria, while maintaining the order we created. Elyn and I have had plenty of time to watch our love blossom into something more epic than we anticipated. For a long time, I thought that she wasn't real. As if she would disappear if I didn't hold on to her. When Cassandra first created the Inquisition, I didn't think there was a single chance of a mage and templar ever putting their differences aside. I was a templar, a rather crummy one at that, and my abilities required lyrium. I hated everything about that life, the deceit, the lyrium leash, the constant reminder that we were never in control of ourselves. Elyn helped me tame my cravings for Lyrium and completely quit the templar life. The way she would cradle my face in her small hands calmed my fury. Knowing she was always there for me, a constant source of love and understanding. Elyn was a troubled mage inside of Ostwick's Circle. She couldn't trust templars due to the drastic measures they would take to keep mages locked up and in check. We found comfort in each other, because we didn't adhere to all of the mage/templar stereotypes.
Where is Elyn? She hadn't came to see me at all today. Normally, I'd see her stuffing her face at lunch time with Sera, but not today. A shiver ran up my spine as I contemplated the possibilities. My eyes scanned the courtyard thoroughly before opening the door to the barracks. I noticed Leliana's bright red hair out of the corner of my eye and my Mabari, Maric, who was hiding just outside of the doorway.
"What do you mean, 'she's gone'!" screamed Leliana from inside the spies bedchambers and Maric growled quietly, "And just what were you doing to Maric? You realize Elyn and Cullen would kill you for laying a finger on their Mabari, right?"
"I looked everywhere. All I could find was this," the unknown man handed something to Leliana as I entered the small room. I looked at what Leliana now held. It was Elyn's staff, made of pure dragon bone! This was the only thing she had brought with her from Ostwick's Circle of Magi, given to her by the First Enchanter. She would sooner part from her own heart than this staff.
"I told you to come to me as soon as you found this out, why were you delayed?" Leliana demanded.
"I-I was a-attacked, by a vicious Mabari!" the spy lifted up his arm to show us perfect teeth imprints with blood still pouring from the wound. Leliana crossed her arms over her chest to keep from laughing.
I called for Maric and grinned, "You've given yourself away. Maric would never attack Leliana's spies, he's a wardog, not a common ankle biter. He loves my wife almost as much as I do; it's more believable that you attacked my wife and she gave her staff to Maric. Knowing he would bring it to me, and I would come with reinforcements."
"Y-you're wrong. I found this out in the c-courtyard and he bit me!" the spy stuttered, frantically trying to cover his lies.
Maric entered the room and instantly went into a attack position next to me, "Is this the mabari that attacked you?" Leliana asked hiding a smile.
"Yes?" he said nervously.
Leliana nodded and whispered to me, "I will question him, personally. My scouts are outside with information on this man. He is no spy of mine," She gracefully walked out of the room. Leaving me to my fears. Please let Elyn be alright.
"Where is she?" I screamed into the man's face as I grabbed his shirt collar, lifting him completely off of the ground, "We all know you're not one of Leliana's spies."
The spy smiled, clearly not able to keep up his charade, "You'll never find her. You were right, but I got to Maric before he could get to you. Giving the rest of my group enough time to take her away."
I looked down at Maric who was ready to attack if I gave the order, "Can you help me track her?"
"Doubtful," the man spat as I sat him back down and knocked him into a corner.
Maric snarled at the 'spy' as I said, "Have some faith, man, you're speaking to a mabari. Maric is much smarter than you. He made tooth prints just in the off chance that you had of killed him. We still would have discovered you."
"Who needs to be smart when you have the numbers to destroy anything in your path!" the spy called as Maric and I left the room, "And even if you do find them, they'll be dead before you get there!"
Them? I glanced back at the door. What does he mean by that? He must think he knows something I don't. I have to find Elyn. Now!
Leliana was waiting for me in the courtyard with a small piece of parchment in her hand, "My scouts found his camp along with some letters. The group itself is just leftover Venatori. According to this letter, they desperately want our beloved Inquisitor. It appears that they have made their move, now let's make ours. Take as many soldiers as you need, I will inform the Divine and try to get more information. An attack on our Inquisitor is an attack on our Divine. Knowing Cassandra, we'll have another Exalted March on our hands if Elyn is not brought back in one piece."
"What in the world is going on, Leliana? Is there something that I'm missing?" I snatched the letter out of Leliana's hands. She gasped and tried to reach over me to snatch the letter back. It read:
S.
The Inquisitor is with child. Send for reinforcements, we'll need them. We're going to capture her at first light.
R.
My eyes widened, with child? Oh, Elyn.
"You knew, Leliana. Why didn't you tell me?! She should have had extra guards. Do you not realize how many enemies she has?! Now she has an even bigger target on her back!" I stormed towards the gates, Maric following suit.
"She made me promise not to because she was going to tell you today!" Leliana called after me, "You should know that Elyn allowed the mass of the group to capture her. I think she's trying to figure out what they want, but they want your child!"
My skin began to crawl, a cold sweat forming on the back of my neck. No, this cannot be happening. Why would she allow herself to be taken like this?
Out of nowhere, an explosion of flames erupted into the sky in the far distance. The flames seemed to almost reach the clouds. Without thinking, I took off running in their direction. Elyn, please hold on. I drew my sword and Maric followed close behind.
"Follow the Commander!" called a soldier.
Once I got closer to where the flames erupted, I saw enflamed corpses, burning their surroundings. Elyn's doing. Slowly, memories of Ferelden's Circle began to flash into my mind. Abominations trying to break my mind but a picture of Elyn brought me back to reality. Her pale blue eyes bringing me back from the brink of insanity.
So many bodies. How could she have defeated all these enemies by herself? Suddenly, a solid figure stood out in front of the flames. I recognized that long brown hair.
"Elyn!" I called as she fell to the ground.
Maric and I ran as fast as we could to her side, "Elyn? Are you alright?" I pulled her exhausted body into my arms and cradled her against my chest. Her arms and legs, unarmored, covered in shallow cuts and bruises.
"Commander, look at all the bodies." a soldier said over my shoulder.
Holding Elyn, I glanced around. Over fifty bloody bodies surrounded us. They tried to overwhelm her, to their own downfall. My blood was boiling under my skin. They dare attack her?
"Cullen…" Elyn whimpered in her sleep, bringing me out of my silent rage.
"I'm here, love. Hush now. Just rest." I tucked a stray hair behind her ear, "Quickly, we need to get her back."
"At once, Commander."
