Chapter 8

Cullen took a leave and virtually moved into the estate to care for Shaye and to help her bury her Mother. It was not only the loss of Leandra that so devastated Shaye, but it was the manner in which she died. Cullen did not leave her side, and Shaye was grateful beyond words.

Cullen arranged the flowers, the food for the visitors, the service, and the vigil held by the Grand Cleric herself. He made sure she ate and watched over her as she slept. They all came to give their support and condolences - Varric, Isabella, Aveline, Sebastian, Merrill and even Anders. Anders was particularly distraught for Hawke. It was not only that he loved her deeply, it was the horror of knowing that a Mage had killed her Mother. He wondered if she would turn against the Mages now. After all her lover was a Mage-killer. Would Cullen influence her now that he had significant ammunition? It was a nasty thought, Anders acknowledged, but it gnawed at him. But what Anders observed between Cullen and Shaye was undeniable. And Cullen had been nothing but kind and gracious to Anders. Begrudgingly, he admitted to himself that Hawke was probably better off without him and Justice.

Shaye was resting in her room. Cullen came in with tea and jam cakes, and placed them on her night table.

"Lay with me Cullen?" Shaye asked.

"Of course, love."

He lay on the bed with her, and she cuddled up to him, head lying on his chest. He held her in his arms, stroking her soft hair.

"I have run out of tears Cullen. I am not sure I will ever get over her death, what that Mage did to her." She shuddered. "Thank you for being here for me. I can't imagine how I would have managed if not for you."

His kissed the top of her head. "You would have managed just fine. So many care about you."

"I know they care. I am truly blessed. I just hate being so weak, especially when others expect me to be strong." Shaye said.

"You have taken care of everything and everyone since the day your father died. You are not weak Shaye. You are allowed to grieve." Cullen responded.

"Cullen, you are the only one I feel safe with, safe to be myself. I want you to know how much that means to me."

"I feel the same way Shaye. Who else but you would tolerate my compulsive need to have everything in order?" Cullen laughed.

"Or your insane need to wear your socks to bed." Shaye said rolling her eyes.

"Now that's not fair. My feet get cold at night."

"Yes, but you look foolish totally naked except for your socks!"

"Fine, I will put on my boots too! Happy? At least I don't pout when I don't get served breakfast in bed."

"It was just the one time Cullen!"

"Just the one? I seem to recall … ouch! That hurt!" Cullen chuckled. Somehow she managed to dig her elbow into his ribs.

Shaye laughed. For the first time since her Mother died. Cullen kissed her and Shaye responded with such passion, that Cullen's breath was taken away. They made love with an urgency that spoke of Shaye's intense need to feel life inside and of Cullen's ardent desire to please her.

In time, Shaye came to grips with her Mother's death. To Anders relief, Shaye didn't seem to turn away from the plight of the Mages. Cullen returned to The Gallows, and life reverted to its usual state of chaos and madness. That is, until the death of the Viscount's son at the hands of Mother Patrice and Ser Varnell, and the Viscount's refusal to return to his office. The fragile peace between Kirkwall and the Qunari had shattered. The Qunari attacked and Kirkwall was under siege.

On the day of the battle for the Viscount's Keep, Shaye finally met Meredith and Orsino. She felt as though she knew them, having heard so many tales through the years from Cullen. Orsino seemed sincere, yet there was an arrogance about him. And Meredith struck her as being colder than ice and more inflexible than the strongest steel. Meredith absolutely scared her.

Against her better judgement, Shaye volunteered to lead the fray into the Keep. With Orsino distracting the Qunari guarding the Keep, and with Meredith mobilizing her troops, Shaye and her companions found themselves alone with the Qunari and the unfortunate citizens they had taken hostage. And although Isabella retuned their relic, the Arishok insisted Isabella be taken to face Qunari justice. In a moment of rashness and foolish bravado that in many ways Shaye would come to later regret, she faced the Arishok one on one.

He was dead. Saved perhaps by the Arishok's blind outrage that a woman would dare challenge him. Cheers erupted as his lifeless body lay bloodied on the floor, and the few remaining Qunari left the hall. And then, as in a dream, the cold cruel voice of Meredith saying

"It would seem that Kirkwall has a new Champion."

When she retold the tale to Cullen later she said smiling, "All I could think about was how mad you were going to be at me if I died fighting the Arishok. I could hear the 'I told her so' lecture as you eulogized me, and I was damned if I was going to let you be right!"

"Well, I am glad I inspired you to beat that bastard. But more so I am just glad that you returned to me." Cullen said his voice full of emotion.

"As am I. But it was reckless and foolish." Shaye whispered.

"Perhaps. But it was also you being you, the woman that I love. You stood up for a friend that you care deeply about, and for a principal that you believe in wholeheartedly. I am not sure I could fault you for that Champion."

"Don't call me that Cullen!" She said as she kissed him.

"Are you sure? Champions get lovely massages in the baths their Templars draw for them." Cullen whispered as he began to undress her.

"Well, perhaps I can be flexible, just this one time." She murmured.

He got into the tub, and kneeling before her, took the soapy sponge, gently washing and massaging her neck and shoulders, her arms and her legs. He caressed her feet and her toes. His hands found her breasts, and then his lips found hers. She was so aroused, she could barely stand it. She caressed his chest, his back, his arms, his legs, his groin. He brought his lips to her breasts rolling his tongue and gently nibbling her dark and erect nipples. As she moaned his hand found their way between her legs. Her touch and her moans excited him and he felt himself grow hard and ready. With his hands between her legs, and his fingers deftly rubbing her, she moved to kiss him deeply, their tongues thrusting and exploring. She kissed his hard chiseled chest, his neck, and caressed his legs. Finally as his groans and breathing began to increase, she reached for him, her hand moving up and down his length in perfect synchronicity with his fingers that were moving in and out deep inside her. She guided him inside and together, they exploded. Gasping. All delicious tension released as one.

"Perhaps I can be flexible again later?"

"As you wish, my Champion!"

~XXX~