Hi everyone! Thank you so much for reading and for all the feedback I've gotten so far. This chapter is very game-dialogue heavy. My apologies but it was a necessary evil for what lies ahead.
Onward!
Ellie will never forget her awe when she first looked at the massive stone fortress that would become their new home.
Skyhold.
Even the name of it was majestic in its own right. Sitting high on a mountain that was nestled in the Frostbacks, it appeared as though it was somehow in the sky itself.
Whether it was dumb luck that Solas knew about this abandoned place or disconcertingly convenient, she wasn't sure. Either way, she was grateful. Sure the structure was a little worse for wear, but according to Solas it had lasted for ages and that said something. It had the bones to withstand Corypheus, if he chose to attack again. And this time, they would be able to see him coming. They would not be caught with unprepared again.
Ellie wandered on the ground, peering straight up around the impressive fortress, taking it all in. People were bustling all around her, busy unloading what they managed to salvage after abruptly leaving Haven. They were setting up camps, places for people to sleep and tend the injured. Morale seemed a bit higher now, luckily, and Ellie couldn't blame them. This place was a magnificent upgrade for them.
Across the courtyard, she spotted her three advisors and Cassandra huddled together in a circle discussing something. The Seeker spotted Ellie and gestured for her to join them. The blond obliged and began closing the distance between them.
She didn't dare look at Cullen. They hadn't interacted at all since Dorian interrupted them in the tent that one night. Even things related strictly to official business of the Inquisition seemed to be mediated by one of their comrades. There was no denying there was a part of her that was let down by his complete avoidance of her. But it only solidified her resolve to not let her heart get involved.
As she came into the inner circle's fold, Ellie could feel his golden eyes on her but she refused to meet or acknowledge them. She didn't mind giving him at taste of his own medicine. Then, all except Cassandra broke away, tending to their own duties.
"They arrive daily from every settlement in the region. Skyhold is becoming a pilgrimage," the Seeker informs, motioning for Ellie to follow her as she starts walking up the steps to the second level of the courtyard. "If word has reached these people, it will reached the Elder One. We have the walls and numbers to put up a fight here. But this threat is far beyond the war we anticipated. But we now know what allowed you to stand against Corypheus, what drew him to you."
Ellie cocked her head, unsure of exactly what Cassandra was getting at. She raised her glowing hand, "He came for this and now it's useless to him so he wants me dead. That's it."
Cassandra was undeterred, "The Anchor has power. But it's not while you're still standing here. Your decisions led us heal the sky, your determination brought us out of Haven, you are the creatures rival because of what you did. And we know it. All of us," They walked up the staircase that led to the main hall, stopping on the landing to see Leliana holding out a sword in both her hands, "The Inquisition requires a leader, the one who has already been leading it."
The sword was held out to Ellie and she became very aware of what was happening in that moment. They overlooked the courtyard and to her surprise she saw everyone assembled below her, the ambassador and Commander included. She was in shock, pure and utter disbelief. People had went from incriminating her for mass murder to being wanted as the leader of a movement that would affect so many lives, all in the span of a few short months.
But as she gazed into the crowd, she saw the hope in their faces. She saw loyalty, faithfulness and purpose in people who had almost lost everything just a few days ago. Ellie was moved beyond words. "It's unanimous. You all have that much confidence in me?"
"All of these people have their lives because of you. They will follow."
Ellie raised an eyebrow, "That wasn't the question."
"I will not lie. Handing this power to anyone is troubling, but I have to believe this is meant to be. There would be no Inquisition without you. How it will serve, how you will lead, that must be yours to decide."
Ellie eyed the sword that symbolized her position, unsure if she was ready for this, if she could live up to everyone's expectation of her. She was not perfect, she was no angel and she certainly didn't feel like a hero with divine backing. But if she could actually succeed in saving the world and was given the power to try, how could she in good conscience refuse?
Reaching out her right hand, she grasped the handle of the ornate sword, instantly feeling the heavier weight of it compared to her daggers, but she did not falter raising it upright.
"Corypheus will never let me live in peace, he made that clear. He intends to be a god, to rule over us all. Corypheus must be stopped," her words were firm, decisive.
Cassandra nodded back at her in agreement, pledging her loyalty to Ellie's leadership. The Seeker then turned to face the crowd below, speaking in a voice that was loud enough for all to hear, "Have the people been told?" She addressed Josephine who had a warm smile gracing her features.
"They have, and soon the world."
"Commander, will they follow?"
Cullen turned towards the people, "Inquisition, will you follow? Will you fight? Will we triumph?" Each question was followed by a wave of thunderous cries of affirmation from the crowd. Adding to the dramatics, the Commander drew his sword as he spun to face Ellie, "Your leader, your Herald, your Inquisitor!"
There was a momentary lull when Ellie wasn't sure what to do. She received a gentle nudge from Cassandra, giving the new leader her queue to mimic Cullen's actions. Without sparing another second, she raised her sword high and proud, unable to hide the satisfactory smile on her face when the crowd erupted with applause.
It was in that moment that Ellie wholeheartedly concluded that she would give her heart and soul for these people, for this movement. They would be successful. She would be successful. Corypheus would be defeated at her hands if it was the last thing she would do.
The commotion had died down enough for Ellie and her advisors to walk through the main hall together for the first time. Rubble and debris littered the floor, making it difficult to walk without having to step over something. But considering how relatively in tact the abandoned fortress was, there was no room for complaint.
Ellie was the first one to walk in. Josephine was to her right and Cullen was to her left while Leliana trailed behind. She could feel Cullen's eyes dart over to her for fleeting moments, but she wouldn't meet them, still opting for the cold shoulder treatment. The last thing in the world she needed was a man who couldn't make up his mind about how to treat her.
"So this is where it begins," sounded the only masculine voice in the room.
Leliana corrected him, "It began in the courtyard. This is where we turn that promise into action."
"But what do we do? We know nothing about this Corypheus except that he wanted your mark."
Ellie regarded her glowing hand for what felt like the millionth time. She didn't think she would ever get used to it being there. She still had to sleep with a glove on just so the constant light wouldn't bother her.
"Corypheus said he wants to restore Tevinter. I am hoping that this isn't going to be a prelude to a war with the Imperium and that he's merely chasing the glory of an empire that is not how he remembered it to be. Though I'm sure Tevinter wouldn't put up much of a fight to stop him from destroying the southern kingdoms," Ellie reasoned out loud, trying to give her inner circle as much information as she had about the darkspawn magister who was wreaking havoc on Thedas. "What worries me is that his sole purpose for creating this mark was so he could enter the Black City and become a god. Is that really possible?"
The spymaster was the one to answer her concern, "He is willing to tear this world apart to reach the next. It won't matter if he's right or wrong."
"What if he's not wrong?" Cullen asked thoughtfully, "If he finds some other way into the Fade."
"Then he gains the power he seeks, or unleashes catastrophe on us all," Leliana replied, as if it were the simplest answer in the world. Perhaps it was, but her candor did not bring comfort.
Ellie thought for a moment, biting her lip before speaking, "And if his dragon were really an archdemon, there would be more darkspawn, but so far the only one we've encountered is Corypheus himself. I doubt we're facing another Blight, or at least I hope not."
"Whatever that beast is, it's dangerous. Commanding such a creature give Corypheus an advantage we can't ignore," Ellie couldn't be in more agreement with Cullen's logic on that subject.
Ellie sighed, "Someone out there must know something more about Corypheus."
Cullen just shook his head, "Unless they saw him on the field, most will not believe he even exists."
"We do have one advantage," the red-head of the group mused, "We know what Corypheus intends to do next. In that strange future you experienced, Empress Celene had been assassinated."
Josephine revelled at the effects her death would have and how that chaos paired with Corypheus' demon enforced army could enable him to conquer the south of Thedas without reaching the Black City. While Ellie already knew what the aftermath of that looked like, the thought of it still made her shudder. They needed more information still though, they needed to know where to start.
"I know someone who can help with that," a familiar voice rang as the owner of it entered the hall, causing everyone to turn their attention to the dwarf, "Everyone acting all inspirational jogged my memory so I sent a message to an old friend. She's crossed paths with Corypheus before and may know more about what he's doing. She can help."
The offer more than piqued Ellie's interest. She was a little surprised that Varric had that kind of contact over someone like Leliana who seemed to have an endless network of associates. But she wasn't going to complain by any means, they needed all the help they could get.
"I'm always looking for new allies, introduce me."
Varric looked around almost nervously, "Parading around might cause a fuss, it's better for you to meet privately on the battlements. Trust me, it's complicated." He threw his hands up in minor irritation before taking his leave.
At that, everyone was ready to begin the work ahead, though Leliana eluded to knowing who this mystery contact of Varric's was. Ellie would get there eventually. As it stood now, there were only about a million things on her plate it felt like.
Her advisors left, Cullen just barely peering over his shoulder to give the Inquisitor one last look before disappearing out the door.
Ellie sighed, running a hand through her hair. As far as she was concerned, her next order of business was to check out her new quarters. During the whirlwind of activity prior to this point, someone had actually been appointed to get her living arrangements set up right away. While she thought that maybe the amount of priority placed on her having suitable accommodations was unnecessary, she was looking forward to sleeping on a real bed tonight as opposed to a cot in the freezing cold.
The door to her quarters was the last one on the left, right before a rather ominous looking throne sat at the end of the hall. She entered with the curiosity of an excited child as she ascended the steps to her room. Her jaw nearly dropped when she passed through the archway that led into the space. For the second time today, she was completely awestruck.
They clearly spared no expense, she marvelled as she noticed the fine drapery and décor that was scattered throughout the room. Ellie almost jumped for joy when she saw that she had her own mini library behind her work desk. There were three doors that led to two separate balconies, both were absolutely breathtaking. Ellie never considered herself a materialistic person, even when she still lived at home, but she couldn't deny how pleasantly surprised she was with quality of her new living environment.
She lingered on one of the balconies, the one that overlooked the garden and courtyard. Leaning her elbows on the railing, her head resting on her propped up hands, she sighed contentedly as she observed the scene below her.
People were bustling about, doing everything they could to make this place a home and a headquarters. She absentmindedly wondered where her advisors and friends would be laying their heads at night, where they would spend their time while they were here.
Her mind drifted to the Commander. She was taken aback by how he could be so compassionate and nearly intimate one moment and then act like he wanted nothing to do with her on anything but a professional capacity. And yet today, he's been secretly trying to catch her eyes or illicit some kind of attention from her.
Perhaps he was too embarrassed the other night in the tent, she reasoned, trying to give him the benefit of the doubt.
She simply shrugged the idea off. Ellie hated guesswork when it came to men. They were both adults, ones who would be working closely together. She figured it wouldn't hurt too much to try and be friendly with him, but she resolved she wouldn't allow herself to think it could be anything more than that. She was the leader of the Inquisition now and he was the head of their army. If an unlikely romance could bloom under those circumstances it was probably ill-advised, no matter what Dorian said.
Friends, Ellie concluded, I can do that.