Blinding bright light flooding into her room was what caused Ellie to wake the next morning. It wasn't the gradual sunrise that normally woke up the Inquisitor since she usually rose at dawn. No, by the time Ellie had drifted out of her heavy slumber, the sun was already high in the sky and illuminating her entire room. She winced as her eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the amount of sunlight. A muffled curse fell from her when she realized how late it must've been.

She sat up in her bed expecting her head to start throbbing once she was no longer lying down. To her surprise, Ellie felt fine. She was pretty good at keeping hangovers at bay, but whatever she was given to drink last night was more potent than anything she was used to drinking. Stretching her body, she got up still mad at herself for sleeping in.

I suppose someone would've woken me if anything urgent needed my attention.

She still didn't want to get used to that attitude though. The only reason she had made it on her own for as long as she had was because she was disciplined. She sighed, sauntering over to her back balcony to see roughly just what time it was. The sun was not at its highest point in the sky and Ellie was thankful that meant it was still morning at least.

Not holding back a yawn she walked to her desk to address some letters she didn't have the chance to open yesterday when they were delivered to her. She flicked through the envelopes when one in particular caught her eye. She practically snarled when she recognized the cursive on the front of the envelope and wasted no time ripping it open.

To my dearest Elizabeth,

We were so surprised to hear your name whispered as being the leader of this so-called Inquisition. Surely, people must be mistaken in saying you're the Herald of Andraste, but we're so very relieved that you seem to be making a positive reputation for yourself at last. You know how much the Trevelyan name means to your father and I, and we're pleased you have seemingly begun to take your title seriously.

It has been many years since we've seen you, but we will do what we must to make sure you're looked after. Your father has some new connections in Starkhaven and is fairly confident he would be able to get you a meeting with Prince Vael, who has finally returned to take his place on the throne. He would be the perfect match for you, Elizabeth. A man of his status would be just what you need to guide you through your little antics and hopefully quell your constant search for adventure and rebellion.

Write us back soon, dear. We eagerly await you return so we can set you back on the right course.

Sincerely, your mother,

Nadine Trevelyan

Ellie fought hard not to scream in pure, unadulterated rage. She crushed the piece of paper in her hand and pinched the bridge of her nose with the other, willing herself to take deep breaths in an attempt to calm down.

When that didn't work, she knew she had to distract herself somehow. She quickly got dressed and left her chambers. Instead of taking the main hall out of the building, she took a different staircase down that would lead her straight to the gardens. Even if people were in there frequently, it was one of the few places that made her feel truly at ease in the fortress.

Before exiting outside, she slowly opened the wooden door and hesitantly peeked out. She wasn't in the mood to run into just anyone at the moment so she was taking precautions. To her relief she spotted her dear Tevinter friend across the stretch of green, sitting casually on a chair that was on the other side of the otherwise quiet garden. She made her way over to him, hoping his witty banter would pull her out of her murderous state of mind.

As she got close, however, she realized he wasn't alone. Sitting across from Dorian was a smirking Cullen with a chess board placed between them. Ellie didn't get too close before the blond man realized she was approaching.

"Inquisitor," he exclaimed, clearly startled at her sudden presence as he knocked over a couple of the game pieces. The sight of him getting flustered was almost enough to make her smile.

"Leaving are you? Does this mean I win?" Dorian taunted, his gaze not leaving his opponent as he relaxed a bit in his chair.

Ellie stood near the table, curiosity consuming her as she observed the two. It was obvious to her that Cullen didn't seem to care much for Dorian, though she was stumped as to why that was. The Tevinter never appeared to pay too much mind to the Commander's distaste, however. She was delightfully intrigued when she saw the pair playing chess together, shocked they had managed to find common ground. "Are you two playing nice?"

"I'm always nice," Dorian flashed her a smug grin then turned his attention back to Cullen, "You need to come to terms with my inevitable victory. You'll feel much better."

A mischievous expression graced the Commander's as he carefully watched Dorian's move, countering it with his own strategic maneuver, "Really? Because I just won. And I feel fine."

Ellie couldn't help but feel partially aroused at as she observed Cullen moving his piece so that Dorian's king was trapped. Not only did he triumph in a physical fight against someone nearly twice his size in front of her, but now he won a game of the mind with one of the most clever people in her party. He was proving to be quite irresistible, though that epiphany didn't make her any less confused about her feelings towards him.

Recognizing his defeat, Dorian left and she heard a sigh escape from Cullen, "I should get back to my duties as well, unless you would care for a game?"

She was a little surprised by the offer. There was a part in her that expected him to shy away from her still, even after their flirting the previous night. She thought that now that there was no alcohol in either of their systems that he would frown upon her forward behaviour in the tavern. But when she met his eyes, Ellie saw a warm sincerity in them.

A shy smile spread across the woman's face as she stepped towards the chair opposite him, "I suppose I could use the distraction."

He began preparing the board but she couldn't help but notice him eyeing her analytically. "Are you alright?" He asked slowly.

The question, though she knew it was out of genuine interest, brought back the frustration that caused her to come out here to begin with. She hung her head and ran her fingers across her scalp and through her hair. Ellie wasn't entirely sure she wanted to tell him about her dysfunctional family. But her eyes flicked back up to his and the concern was evident on his face. She remembered how she had taken a chance and opened up to him about her brother, and he did not disappoint or in any way make her regret that decision. In fact, he did the opposite. Not to mention, just yesterday he confided his struggle with his addiction to her.

He deserves my trust, I think, she concluded as she inhaled, bracing herself.

"I received a letter from my parents," she uttered quietly.

Cullen tilted his head to the side, clearly unsure why that upset her but the compassion didn't leave his features. "I take it you're not on good terms?"

"Hardly," she scoffed, "I haven't seen or heard from them in over a decade and now that I have a fancy title they decided to track me down."

The Commander nodded in mild understanding, "Were you ever very close with them?"

Ellie shook her head. "The only thing that was ever really important to them was their status and making sure me and my brother lived up to that. Cain was the oldest, so being the heir he naturally was groomed to be just that, the next Bann Trevelyan." She paused as she reflected on her childhood, "I guess I can't really blame him for leaving, as much as I wanted to at the time. When he joined the Order, my parents threw all of their ridiculously unrealistic expectations on me. I was only fifteen when they showed me the list of potential suitors they planned to start reaching out to. That was my breaking point. I had never liked anything nobility had to offer but I was not about to be wed to some pompous idiot I'd never met. I ran away from home that night and have never looked back."

She took a shaky breath, not entirely sure how she was able to so easily admit that. She had never told anyone that before. Ellie was too nervous to look at Cullen, afraid of what he might think of her vulnerable state.

It was a warm gloved hand covering hers that snapped her out of her thoughts. Hesitantly, Ellie gazed up at the soft brown eyes that were looking intently back at her.

"Was this the first time they've contacted you since then?" He questioned gently, his hand not leaving hers. She merely nodded in reply. "Do you mind if I ask what they wanted after all this time?"

Ellie bit her lip casting her eyes down, only now truly feeling the hurt of her parents obvious unloving intentions, "What they've always wanted. To make sure the family name isn't tarnished and to see me marry someone with a noble title and plenty of coin to heighten their own status. They've never seen me as a daughter. Just a dowry. At least they had the decency to suggest a Prince this time."

She let out a sharp, humorless laugh at her last sentence and rolled her eyes. Upon doing so she caught a glimpse of Cullen's face, then fixed her attention on it. His expression was filled with what looked like a mix of anger and disgust. Ellie worried for a moment if the look was directed at her.

He shook his head and his entire countenance changed, a more delicate one replacing it. He clasped his other hand on top of her hand he was already holding, looking her firmly in the eye.

"You deserve to be loved, Ellie, not to just be someone's trophy."

The earnest in his voice, though it was scarcely above a whisper, gave Ellie goosebumps and sent her head spinning. His words stirred a dizzying amount of emotions within her and it took everything in her to not close the distance between them and confess what she had been reluctant to admit with just how she felt about him. Reluctant until now.

But before she had the chance to come up with an coherent reply, he released her hand from his grip, cleared his throat and straightened his posture, "Shall we start our game?"

Ellie couldn't help but feel her heart sink to the floor at the subject change but did nothing to object, trying to convince herself that she had read too much into his statement. She simply nodded in agreement and began the game in a confused silence.

Author's note at the end this time! Thanks to everyone who seemed to enjoy the last chapter, hopefully this one satisfied as well. Not quite as flirty but there were some feels! Anyways, thank you for reading! Feedback is always appreciated. :D