Author's note:
I do not claim ownership of Dragon Age or any of its characters. This is not intended for monetary gain.
The Lady's First Trial - End
~..*..~
Elnora's eyes slowly opened, only to close them tightly at the sharp pain that spread over her head. She blinked and grimaced. Her body felt heavy, as if s a pile of rocks was laid out on her. When her blurred vision finally cleared, she noticed the wooden ceiling above her, sunlight filtering through the thin cracks between the boards.
The scents of burning campfires and fresh bread drifted into her nostrils, pulling her further into consciousness. She gradually pushed herself up, joints protesting against the shifting pressure and drawing a soft groan out of her.
"Oh!"
Elnora's head whipped around at the sound of something clattering, her startled eyes landing upon a prostrated elf.
"Forgive me, my lady!" the girl pleaded, her forehead touching the floor, "I am but a humble servant!"
Elnora tilted her head in bewilderment, "It's alright. I was only-"
"You were asleep for three days, my lady. I was told to watch over you!" the elf worded quickly, "Your mark stopped spreading and so did the Breach."
"Stopped spreading?" Elnora echoed in disbelief, eyeing her open palm, "Does that mean we're safe?"
"The Breach is still in the sky, but that's what they say," the elf then shakily stood up, "Lady Cassandra said to meet her at the Chantry as soon as you awaken," she then began to back away slowly, "She said 'at once'!"
Elnora watched puzzled as she ran out the door, announcing her recovery to someone outside.
She sighed and slid out of the bed, taking notice of the elaborate set of silk breaches and top she was now wearing. She looked over to a chair by the open window, her clothes laying neatly over it.
It was still hard to believe what was going on. She knew that participating at the Conclave would be a challenge for her; she was the youngest of her family and therefore the most inexperienced. But never did it cross her mind that she would end up fighting demons instead.
She was probably lucky to have survived.
After changing and putting her hair up, Elnora approached the door and opened it. The picture that greeted her gave her pause.
Soldiers lined up ahead, spreading out just enough to allow her passage through the mob of people outside. They all stared at her with heads held high, their fists lying across their chests in a respectful salute.
Elnora swallowed and looked around, realizing she was now at the mountain village of Haven.
"That's her! She stopped the Breach from spreading!" a voice whispered loudly from somewhere in the crowd, "That's The Herald of Andraste."
She nervously stepped forth, following the line of soldiers and villagers down a snowy slope. She looked up to see the Chantry temple of Haven, standing tall above cabins and tents.
She continued through the line of people, noticing the clerics gathering outside the temple doors. She didn't know what to make of the situation, but despite her noble birth, the attention was making her uncomfortable.
Elnora then slowly opened the heavy doors of the temple, stepping into a large candle-lit main hall. She glanced at the two Templars standing guard by the door, suddenly feeling small under their piercing stares.
Halfway into the hall, Cassandra and Leliana were speaking with Chancellor Roderick. Cullen stood a few steps to the side, leaning against one of the pillars lining the hall. His arms were crossed as he shook his head at the words being thrown about.
"What you did was absurd!" Roderick bit out, his voice echoing in the room, "We lost good people in your ludicrous attempt to close the Breach!"
"Don't be short sighted, Chancellor," Leliana spoke softly, "We did what was necessary."
"Nonsense! Then why do you continue to protect that girl?" he snapped in a loud whisper, "She may still be the culprit!"
"We do not believe that," Cassandra shot back.
Elnora closed the door, drawing the attention of everyone in the hall.
Roderick took a step, pointing his finger towards her, "Detain her!"
"What?" her eyes widened, looking up as the knights took hold of her arms. The cold steel of their gauntlets dug through her chainmail and into her skin, making her squirm.
"Let go of me!" she cried out in indignation, feeling cheated. She had risked it all in that mountain and had just woken up from her sickbed, only to be pushed around once more.
"Chancellor…" Cassandra warned, her hands closing into fists.
He ignored her, gesturing dismissively to the knights, "She is to be chained and taken to the capital for trial!"
"But I didn't do anything!" Elnora argued, desperately trying to free herself.
"Maker's breath," Cullen finally spoke, pushing himself off his resting spot and approaching the Chancellor with an incredulous glare, "That girl helped us and instead of thanking her you patronize her?"
"Have you looked to the sky lately, Commander?" the man cast arrogant eyes upon him, "She did nothing! The Breach still remains!"
"And executing her, the only one who can possibly help, is your solution?" Cullen retorted, copper-colored eyes narrowing.
"How dare you question me?" Roderick uttered venomously, nearing the Knight Commander to look him in the eye, "Know your place, Templar."
"You…" Cullen's jaw tensed, his hands closing tightly.
"Take her away," The Chancellor barked out to the knights.
"Disregard that order and release her," Cassandra commanded from behind him, arms crossed over her chest, "She is no longer our prisoner."
The Templars exchanged conflicting glances and slowly let go of Elnora, stepping away to resume their positions.
She rubbed her arms with an irked look upon her grey-blue yes.
The old man whirled around with a huff, "Have you lost your mind?"
"Come, Chancellor," Cassandra ignored his protests, placing her hand upon the man's back, leading him to the room at the end of the hall. Leliana nodded her head towards the girl and turned to follow her friend.
She sighed, walking up to Cullen.
"What was that all about?" she ruffled her ponytail, frowning at the closed door in the distance, "I thought I did everything I had to do to prove my innocence."
"The Chancellor was not there, so he will continue to blame you no matter what we say," he responded, following her line of vision.
"It seems that way," her brow furrowed and she looked up at his profile. Without the fighting around them she now noticed how handsome he was. Her eyes took in his well-kept blond hair, sharp brown eyes, and strong jaw.
She quickly looked away, inwardly cursing herself for staring.
"You should go in there, Cassandra has something important to discuss with you," he said and turned to leave.
She spoke before he could take a step, "By the way…"
She saw him glance over his shoulder at her and smiled, "Thank you for speaking up for me."
"You're welcome, Lady Trevelyan," Cullen bowed his head curtly with a one-sided smile.
Elnora then watched him leave, her smile slowly vanishing as she readied herself to face the situation at hand.
~..*..~
The tension in the room could be cut with a knife. Cassandra stood with arms crossed, the Chancellor paced angrily, and Leliana had her hands on the large table at the center of the chamber.
Elnora anxiously eyed the three.
"You walk a dangerous line, Seeker," the Chancellor muttered in silent warning, looking menacingly at the woman.
"The rift is stable but still a threat," Cassandra countered, regarding him with unwavering bravado, "I will not ignore it."
"Someone is responsible for the explosion at the conclave," Leliana's velvet voice then filled the room as she clasped her hands behind her back, "Someone Most Holy did not expect," Her blue eyes narrowed at him, "Perhaps they died with the others or have allies who yet live."
"I am a suspect?" He took a step back, his hand flat upon his chest.
Leliana's nose curled up, "You and many others."
"But not the girl?" Roderick gestured to Elnora, who gave him an aggravated stare in return.
"You still think I'm responsible after what we did out there?" she retorted in disbelief, "I nearly died!"
"Then explain why the Breach is still in the sky," he lifted his chin up, "I must say, this is quite fortuitous for you, is it not?"
"Have a care, Chancellor," Cassandra worded slowly, "I heard the voices at the temple. Most Holy called out to her for help."
"Then why was she the only one who survived?" Roderick crossed his arms over his chest, greying brows meeting at the bridge of his nose, "And that mark upon her hand! Do you expect me to believe it was all a coincidence?"
"Providence," Cassandra responded solemnly, "She was sent to us by the Maker in our time of need."
"What?" Elnora breathed, her brow furrowing, "You think I was chosen?"
"Yes," the Seeker looked at her with conviction, "Regardless of what you believe you are exactly what we needed, when we needed it."
The girl swallowed. She had no memory of what happened or how she got the mark, but she didn't like the message behind her words.
"The Breach is still a threat. Your mark is still our only hope of closing it," Leliana added with a nod of her head.
"That is not for you to decide," Roderick glowered at the hooded woman.
Cassandra emerged from the back of the room with something in her hands. It was a thick book, clad in hard brown leather with a golden eye upon it.
She slammed it on the table and put her index finger over it, "Do you know what this is Chancellor?"
He scowled down at it, tensing up.
"It is a writ from the Divine, granting us the authority to act!" Cassandra glared at the old man, taking a step towards him.
"As of this moment, I declare the Inquisition reborn!" she poked at his chest with every word, forcing him to take a step back each time, "We will close the Breach, find those responsible and bring back order with or without your approval!"
Roderick gazed at Leliana, then at Elnora and back to Cassandra. He grimaced as if he had swallowed something bitter, and without another word he left the room.
Cassandra released a frustrated breath, irritably scratching the back of her head.
"This is the Divine's directive," Leliana gazed down upon the book, "'Rebuild the Inquisition of old. Find those who will stand against the chaos.' We aren't ready. We have no numbers, no leader and now no Chantry support."
"But we have no choice," Cassandra's brow tensed, her eyes trailing to Elnora, "We must act now. With you at our side."
Elnora tilted her head quizzically, "What is the Inquisition of old, exactly?"
"It preceded the Chantry," Leliana explained quietly, "It was a group of people who banded together to restore order in a world gone mad."
"After that, they laid down their banner to form the Templar Order," Cassandra added, "But the Templars have lost their way and we need people who are willing to do what must be done united under a single banner once more."
Elnora raised an eyebrow, "But aren't you still part of the Chantry?"
The Seeker snorted, "Is that what you see?"
Leliana shook her head, "The Chantry wants to wait until a new Devine is chosen and then follow her direction."
"But we cannot wait. So many grand clerics died at the conclave..." Cassandra scowled at the memory, "No. We are on our own. Perhaps forever."
Elnora mauled things over in her head, reflecting upon the situation. She couldn't go home, regardless of her options.
She wanted this war to end just as much as everyone else. But she also had unresolved issues to address. The well-being of her family depended on this.
She licked her lips and nodded, "If you are truly trying to restore order..."
"That is the plan," Leliana nodded.
"Please help us fix this," Cassandra reached out for a handshake, her stern gaze softening a little in a welcoming gesture.
Elnora shook the Seeker's hand with a firm grip, determination reflected upon her youthful features.
