The sun shone into her room and onto the face of her sleeping lover. Maeven smiled at the sight, he slept much better here. Although she suspected it had more to do with the warmth rather than the location. She carefully extracted herself from him, and slipped into a robe. Breakfast had been left outside the door, and she carefully brought it up to her desk. She sighed, eyeing the mountain of correspondence that had piled up in her absence. She sorted them into rough piles; one for her family, one for her advisors, and one for everything else. Satisfied, she hunted around the bed for her boots, the floor was cold despite the warmth of the fire. She then settled down in her favorite chair and stuck a piece of toast in her mouth, while she further sorted through the letters from her family in order of date. They always dated the outside, a wonderful practice from when she received letters back at the circle. Now chronologically sorted, she opened the oldest and began to read as she slowly laced up a boot.
Cullen woke to her muffled laughter, he stretched out, but didn't find her on the bed. He opened his eyes in the direction of her voice and saw the most wondrous thing he'd ever seen. Maeven Trevelyan, framed by the sun, hair tumbling out of a messy bun to spill over her shoulders, half-in and out of a robe, lacing up a boot that rested on the seat of the chair. Giving him a very good look at certain places. A piece of toast hung clenched between her teeth as she laughed through it at a piece of paper. He stared enraptured; she was beautiful. She hadn't seemed to realize he was awake, and he watched as she pulled another parchment from the table. She carefully extracated the seal and placed it neatly with the others she'd accumulated. She bit off several large pieces of toast and placed the rest back onto the plate. Unfolding the parchment, her face lit up again with delight, but it was replaced with a small frown as she began counting on her fingers. Her eyes widened and she blinked rapidly, suddenly she shot from her seat.
"That's today!" She said breathlessly. She ran to her wardrobe and yanked something out, hastily pulling it on.
"Maeve, what's-" He began to ask when she interrupted him.
"No, no, no, no, no. You need to get up. Get dressed. Downstairs now!" She said flusteredly, doing up the buttons, and somehow doing them all up correctly. With that, she raced out of the room.
Cullen dressed hurriedly and rushed downstairs. He moved quickly towards the doors of the great hall and looked out. Maeven was there watching the gates like a hawk. A large party was approaching on horseback, carrying a banner that looked familiar. As the party approached he realized that all were armored and helmeted. A knot of worry grew in his chest. But Leliana gently touched his shoulder and nodded reassuringly.
As the party gathered in the courtyard, Josephine began to speak. "Announcing Bann-"
"Daddy!" Maeven shrieked racing from the doorway of the grand hall, down the stairs and into the arms of a large warrior, who had just dismounted and removed his helmet. The big man laughed and gave her a tight squeeze before guiding her to a female warrior who dismounted her horse with ease.
Josephine sighed, "Yes, Bann Daddy." She muttered with a smile.
"Mother." Maeven practically sang as the two embraced tightly.
Cullen spun round to Leliana and Josephine. "Why wasn't I told her family was coming?"
Leliana and Josephine blinked in surprise. "We thought she would tell you. The letter arrived weeks ago. We assumed you knew."
"She only opened her letters today, not ten minutes ago." He hissed.
"Perhaps if you didn't take up her time yesterday…" Leliana hinted with a knowing smirk.
He flushed a dull red, he'd been so happy to see her in one piece yesterday that he'd whisked her off to her room and kept her in bed. He turned back to the scene in the courtyard. The Trevelyans were now watching their daughter as she greeted some of the soldiers they had brought, evidently her childhood friends. A templar walked up behind her, took off his helmet and handed if off to someone before tapping her on the shoulder. She turned around, and let out a sob. Her hands flew to her face as she stared at the templar. She suddenly lunged and flung her arms around him. The templar stumbled back before returning the embrace. The two stood for a while like that. Meanwhile, Trig was greeting his parents, who greeted their son with reserved joy. After a while Maeven pulled back as her mother suggested that they be introduced to everyone. Maeven flushed, slightly embarrassed by her behavior, but still grinning wildly she turned to where her three advisors stood, as well as most of her companions, and introduced her parents.
"Everyone, these are my parents." She beamed with pride. "My father, Bann Dunstan Trevelyan, my mother, Lady Lorelei Trevelyan, and my big brother, Knight-Lieutenant Lucan Trevelyan."
With the family standing together, it was easy to see the resemblance between everyone. Bann Trevelyan was a large man, clearly a warrior. He had dark hair, darker than Maeven's, streaked with silver, predominantly by his temples, and piercing blue eyes. Lorelai Trevelyan was a petite woman, although, still taller than her daughter. Her hair was a rich golden, though like her husband, streaked with silver. Her eyes too, were rich golden, paler than Maeven's with hints of green. Lucan Trevelyan was built like his father, a warrior with dark hair but with his mothers golden eyes, just like his sister. Trig Trevelyan was slimmer, a rogue, with his father's blue eyes, but his mother's golden hair. Maeven was dwarfed by them all, particularly when she stood by her father and Lucan.
"She is a midget." Trig grinned at everyone.
"Trig!" She squeaked, and poked her brother in the ribs.
He laughed and moved out of her way. "It's true, and they were all thinking it. You can see it in their faces!"
Maeven refused to let go of Lucan's arm so sent out a small spark from her fingertips, which was promptly neutralized by a silence from Trig.
"I will get you Trig." Maeven warned with a giggle.
"I look forward to it." He laughed back.
"Children." Their mother said somewhat reproachfully.
"Well, its not fair mother. Lucan and Maevi have each other as backup, I don't have Juno." Trig pouted.
"That is true." She said in amusement. "Don't gang up on your brother too much." She told the other two who grinned evilly at their brother.
It was strange for everyone to see the Inquisitor like this. Relaxed, smiling, and generally youthful. More often than not she was grave and stately, with only hints of her bubbly personality showing through small random acts.
"So." Maeven said suddenly, looking at all her companions with an incredibly smug smile on her face. "I believe you all owe me something." She grinned, wiggling her fingers.
"You want us to pay up now?" Varric asked incredulously.
"Oh very well, tonight then. After dinner." Maeven said with a magnanimous wave.
"What was the bet?" Lucan asked
"Oh, I told them you all loved me, but they didn't believe me. So I told them you would all come visit, and they wouldn't believe me either. But here you are, and I'm right." She laughed. "I like being right."
"Makes you damned insufferable." Trig muttered with a grin.
"Aww, is baby Trig feeling insecure?" Lucan teased back.
"Shut up." Trig rolled his eyes.
"Forgive my children. They were raised better, and they will come to their senses soon." Their mother sighed.
"Yes mother." Chirped the bickering trio.
By now the party had moved into the great hall, Josephine instructed several soldiers to see to the Trevelyan's belongings. Maeven was busy introducing her companions to her parents, and the three advisors stood to the side listening.
"Mother, Father. I'd like to introduce my fighting companions and dear friends. Seeker Cassandra Pentaghast, Ser Varric Tethras of Kirkwall, Skyhold's resident healer and fade expert Solas, my good friend Dorian of Tevinter, Cole of the Fade, Iron Bull of the Chargers, Lady Vivienne First-Enchanter of Montsimmard, Warden-Constable Blackwall, and my friend of Red Jenny, Sera."
Her parents nodded at each companion as they were introduced. When Maeven finished, her mother spoke. "It's good to finally meet you all. Maeven has told us so much about each of you."
"We thank you for keeping her safe." Her father added solemnly.
Maeven smiled happily and turned to her advisors, her parents following suit.
"And finally, my advisors. Sister Leliana, Skyhold's resident spymaster, Lady Josephine Montilyet, Skyhold's diplomat, and Commander Cullen Sta…" Maeven paused, a flush crept up her face. She coughed awkwardly before continuing. "Commander Cullen Stanton Rutherford, leader of the Inquisitions forces."
Her family stood there blinking, "Stanton… Really?" Asked her mother incredulously.
"Is there something wrong with my name?" Cullen asked carefully.
"Oh no, forgive us Commander, it's merely…" Lady Trevelyan paused, uncertain as how to continue.
"She's got a horse called Stanton." Trig said with barely contained laughter.
"You've what?" Cullen said, turning to a bright red Maeve who was staring at the ground.
"It never really… I didn't notice until I said it just now!" Maeven said in embarrassment.
Lucan cleared his throat. "Speaking of which. I think he's rather upset you didn't greet him just now."
Maeven immediately looked at her brother with wide eyes. "He's here? You brought my baby, he's really here?" She cried excitedly before rushing out.
Dorian declared he needed to see this horse immediately and followed after Maeven. Cole, Blackwall, Bull, and Sera followed after him. Solas excused himself and returned to the atrium, while Vivienne merely bowed and left. Only Varric and Cassandra remained with the three advisors.
Lady Trevelyan turned to Cullen, fixing him with a look. "I understand you and my daughter are in some form of relationship. Maeven says you are a former Templar. Do you still consume lyrium?"
"No, I…do not." He said shortly.
She nodded, a strange understanding in her eyes. "Then you have the nightmares?" She asked.
Cullen wondered how she knew about those, but nodded.
"My daughter is a mage. Are you not fearful you might harm her? Perhaps during one of those nightmares, where you cannot discern friend from foe."
She really was cutting to the center of his fears, and he could feel the eyes of her father and brothers on him. For all their bickering and sibling rivalry, Cullen had no doubt Trig would come to his sisters defense if ever she needed it. He thought of his answer, and spoke truthfully looking into eyes so much like Maeven's.
"It is my deepest fear."
"And would you send her away?"
Cullen felt his heart squeeze painfully. "Only if I truly could not contain myself. I would beg her to leave. But I would never force her."
Her mother nodded, but hid her smile. "We'd best get Maeven, she'll be taking a nap with the horses if we leave them together for too long."
"That is something she does often?" Josephine inquired lightly.
"Maker, she's still doing it?." Her mother sighed. "I had hoped she would outgrow such proclivities. Does she still climb?"
"Yes." Everyone answered.
"Don't worry mother, I'm sure someone will marry her." Lucan squeezed his mother's shoulders. Lady Trevelyan just gave a despondent sigh.