Chapter 17

Notes: Just a few words before you start reading the chapter, lol.

'Love Me Forever' is Part 1 of a series called "Inquisition Revisited". After this fic is finished, I will continue with Part 2 which is a modern Thedas AU with Beatrix and Cullen as the main protagonists. I have always had this idea when I planned my Inquisition fic, and am grateful that I can write about my two favorite characters. Part 3 is all of the short stories I've planned, one of them has already been written and is posted on Fanfiction. I have hundreds of short stories planned and written out in my head. Some deal with Cullen and his romance arc, some with Dorian and the male Inquisitor, some with the Iron Bull and so on.

In other words, I've created monster, hahaha! Take that Frankenstein! :P

Thanks so much for all your feedback and lovely comments! A special thanks to my wonderful friend and editor, LadyDarksbane, who is always there for me!

Please feel free to leave a comment – I really appreciate your feedback!

…

After a grueling night of pain, Cullen had finally fallen asleep when both Dorian and Solas had succeeded in making the lyrium withdrawal symptoms almost disappear. When he had started to protest upon their arrival, Dorian had flicked a dismissive hand at him.

"Oh, please," Dorian had chided. "Do you honestly believe we hadn't guessed already you are off lyrium? We're intelligent beings, Commander. There is some common sense in us after all. Now shush and behave like a good boy."

Cullen opened his eyes to the sunlight and a weight around his left leg the next morning. Turning his head slightly, he found Beatrix fast asleep on his bed. She was wearing nothing but a long tunic, which he instantly recognized as his. She was sleeping on her side, turned towards him, one of her shapely legs over his left one. He felt his heart start thumping as the blood rushed south, directly to his groin.

Groaning inwardly to himself, he realized he had to leave if he wanted to preserve his sanity. The whole thing was tempting, far too tempting, and he could barely keep his will and emotions in check. Maker help him, did she have to look so beautifully innocent?

Straining to leave the bed, he inched along as much as he could without disturbing her. He was about to grab her leg gingerly when there were three loud knocks on one of the doors to his office below that resonated loudly, right up to his loft. He closed his eyes briefly, willing the other person to leave. But it seemed he would have no such luck.

He heard the door opening then closing. Then the Spymaster's voice floated up to him.

Shit. It had to be Leliana. Of course it did.

"Commander, are you awake? I heard what happened and wanted to check in on you," the bard called up from below.

Beatrix opened her eyes and smiled at Cullen who had been looking at her directly.

"Ah, yes, Leliana, I'm feeling fine this morning, thank you," Cullen said in a loud voice, only to suddenly see that she was already climbing the ladder to his loft. Beatrix rapidly covered herself with the blankets and giggled.

"Oh!" Leliana cried out in what seemed to be surprise. Cullen wasn't fooled. He knew full well that she probably already knew the Inquisitor had been here all night. "I did not know the Inquisitor was here. Good morning, Beatrix."

"Good morning, Leliana," Beatrix replied with a laugh. "I trust you slept well?"

"Not as well as you, apparently," Leliana replied, her blue eyes twinkling merrily as she looked at them both.

"Maker's breath," Cullen muttered in a low voice.

Beatrix burst out laughing as she rose from the bed, quickly picking up what she had been wearing the night before.

"Commander, if you are well enough to get up this morning, I have two reports waiting on your desk," Leliana said. "One of them requires your immediate attention. The Inquisitor's parents are on their way to the main gates as we speak, though still a great distance away."

"What!" Cullen exclaimed, his eyes opening wide.

"Oh, dammit!" Beatrix exclaimed at the same time. "Weren't they supposed to arrive tomorrow?"

"Apparently, they have some of their faster horses pulling the carriage. They made no stops when they reached Orlais," Leliana informed him, her eyes resting on Cullen's face who was now scowling as he put on a shirt and quickly began to button it up.

"I see," Beatrix replied, pursing her lips. "I'll dress immediately then head to my quarters for a bath. I should be in the main courtyard just in time to see them arrive."

"I'll be there with you," Cullen promised as he finished putting on his armor, then donned his famous red cloak. "I'll take a quick bath in the barracks first."

…

By the time the carriage had arrived in Skyhold, both Beatrix and Cullen were standing before the gate in the main courtyard. Leliana was also there, accompanied by Josephine. It was clear that they wanted to lend their support, although Leliana constantly grinned whenever she looked at the Commander.

The carriage door opened and the footman held out a hand. Lady Trevelyan was helped down the steps and rushed forward to embrace her daughter and her husband stood behind them both with a smile on his face. Maximillian, Beatrix's eight-year-old brother, moved closer to his father. He was looking up adoringly at Beatrix, waiting for his turn to be greeted.

"My dear child!" Beatrix's mother exclaimed several times. "How I have missed you!"

Cullen smiled at the display of affection, noticing how Beatrix and her mother looked so very much alike. In fact, it could be said that Lady Trevelyan looked like Beatrix's older sister instead of her mother. Later, Beatrix would tell him that her mother married her father when she was sixteen and had her the following year. For now, he just enjoyed the love that could be felt all around. It certainly was a close family. Her father, a man with graying dark brown hair and piercing dark blue eyes, held her close and Beatrix finally bent down a little to give her youngest brother a quick hug after he released her.

"I've missed you all so much!" Beatrix said happily. She stepped back and took Cullen by the arm, pulling him beside her. "This is Cullen Stanton Rutherford, Commander of the Inquisition forces. Cullen, my mother Lady Eleanor Trevelyan, and my father, Bann Alexander Trevelyan."

Cullen took Lady Trevelyan's hand and bent down to kiss her knuckles with a smile. Much to his surprise she giggled and then retrieved her hand with a blush. "You're right, my dear. He is a handsome one," she said in an aside to her daughter, but her voice carried clearly to the whole group.

It was Cullen the one doing all the blushing now. Leliana giggled behind him and Josephine seemed to be biting her lip in order not to laugh.

Bann Alexander Trevelyan stepped forward and shook Cullen's hand heartily. "Ex-templar, boy?" He asked. But before Cullen could answer affirmatively, Beatrix intervened.

"Father!"

She shook her head, but her father merely shrugged.

"Just merely checking the facts, my dear. You look so well," her father smiled at Beatrix again. "I daresay the cold mountain air suits you."

"Beatrix, can I go see the horses, please?" Maximillian interrupted and grinned at Cullen when he was introduced.

"Sure you can!" she replied ruffling his hair as he leaned back with a scowl, then turned to run towards the stables. Beatrix, on the other hand, turned to introduce Josephine and Leliana. Once they were done with all the pleasantries, she led her parents up the stairs into the Main Hall of the fortress. Lady Trevelyan, in the meantime, had already started chatting with her daughter about the dresses she had brought for the upcoming ball at the Winter Palace.

Cullen followed in silence, suddenly noticing that Beatrix's father was actually walking beside him.

"Beatrix wrote to us about you," he spoke after a few moments. "You're from Ferelden, aren't you?"

"Yes, Ser," Cullen replied. "My family is living in South Reach now, but I was born and lived in the village of Honnleath until I was thirteen and the templars recruited me."

Beatrix's father smiled back at him, but made no comment. Cullen felt uncomfortable all of a sudden and Bann Tevelyan did not speak to nor look at him again. They stepped into the inner garden and her mother instantly fell in love, calling the garden 'quaint' and 'romantic'.

"Where is Andras? I remember in one of your letters that he was with you in Skyhold. You wrote that he had joined you during the attack on Haven," Lady Eleanor said, turning to face her daughter. "And you didn't mention him at all in the letters that followed."

Beatrix's face fell, but then she shook her head and smiled at her mother.

"Mother, we have a lot of catching up to do. Andras isn't here at the moment," she swallowed, unable to hold her mother's gaze and hurriedly leading them up the stairs to the battlements. "I've had a tower prepared and furnished especially for you. Come, it isn't far. I'm sure you want to freshen up and unpack after the long journey. We can talk after dinner tonight."

"Don't tell me you two fought again!" Beatrix's mother exclaimed, facing her daughter.

Cullen could tell this was going to get emotional and immediately placed himself beside Beatrix, silently looking directly at her mother who was now narrowing her eyes at Beatrix.

"Mother, please, just let me guide you to the tower, we can speak more there," Beatrix pleaded.

After a short while, her mother finally relented and agreed to let herself be led to the tower where they would be staying.

Cullen exhaled deeply, suddenly realizing he had been holding his breath, following Beatrix and her mother closely as they made their way to their destination.

…

As soon as they had gone inside the tower, Lady Trevelyan turned to face her daughter, who looked like she was on the verge of crying. All at once she took her daughter into her arms for a quick embrace.

"What's wrong, darling?" she asked in a concerned voice. "I didn't mean to make you cry."

Leliana and Josephine stood quietly by and Cullen moved again to stand by Beatrix, wishing he could take her in his arms and comfort her. Bann Trevelyan, in the meantime, had made his way to a stuffed chair and sat down on it, his gaze fixed intently at the scene before him.

Beatrix broke down and sobbed as her mother let her go.

"I'm so-sorry mother," she managed to say after a while. "Andras betrayed us. He is with the enemy and no longer by my side."

"What?!" Beatrix's father exclaimed angrily, standing up quickly.

"No! That can't be!" Lady Trevelyan exclaimed, turning so pale, she looked almost white. "He's a good boy, why would he do this?"

Cullen intervened, giving Beatrix a momentary respite.

"Lady Trevelyan, the templars who are against us have been ingesting red lyrium. This concoction is far more addictive and is highly dangerous as well. The templars who take it…change. They are no longer what they used to be. The Inquisitor found her brother drinking a vial of red lyrium. Apparently, he had been given orders to meet us at Haven and follow us wherever we went. I personally suspect the enemy needed to know where we were relocating."

Cullen's explanation was met with silence.

Beatrix turned to Cullen, tears streaming down her face. "Thank you. Cullen. I think I need to be alone with my parents, now."

"Yes, Inquisitor," Josephine nodded, turning to Leliana who inclined her head. Cullen stood quietly there for a few moments then turned to leave, following both the Spymaster and Ambassador and shutting the door behind him.

Even though Beatrix's request hurt him slightly, he understood why they needed some time to themselves. They needed to hear the whole truth directly from Beatrix. They needed to hear about the monster they were fighting. They needed to hear the changes that red lyrium produced on those addicted to it. They also needed to understand that they had lost Andras, and possibly mourn him, even though he wasn't dead.

But Andras was dead.

He died when he took that first vial of red lyrium.

…

Beatrix had invited her entire Inner Circle for dinner at the grand main hall, and Josephine had seen to it that they had the best of everything in Thedas, decorations included. Both the Bann and his wife looked regal, dressed in their best, while Maximillian was frowning because he had been made to wear his best. Beatrix had a smile that didn't reach her eyes, and Lady Trevelyan chatted all the while with both Dorian, who was seated on her right and Beatrix, on her left. Cullen sat across them both, keeping his eyes on Beatrix as much as he could.

Even though the intention was to have a pleasant meal, the whole atmosphere was somber and charged up – as if it was ready to explode. Cullen sat as straightly as he could trying to respond to Lady Trevelyan's questions about his childhood first, then his siblings and finally his life as a Templar. It was at this moment that Bann Trevelyan, who was sitting on the left of Beatrix, chose to speak.

"Tell me, Cullen," he spoke out loudly, his gaze fixed on Cullen. "What are your intentions regarding my daughter?"

The whole room was suddenly silent, and Cullen sat frozen to his seat, his eyes on the Bann as his blush started to creep all the way up to his face and ears.

Sera giggled and Dorian suddenly developed a cough that sounded much like a short laugh, but the rest of the room was painfully silent, everyone expectant on Cullen's answer.

Cullen cleared his throat.

"My…intentions?" he echoed dumbly, his face a deep burgundy. Varric groaned and Sera let out a raspberry, which caused both Cassandra AND Vivienne to glare at the blond elf at the same time, who promptly stuck out their tongue at them.

"Do I have to repeat myself? Beatrix told us you were smart, Commander!" Bann Trevelyan replied, anger lacing his sentences.

"Father!" Beatrix protested with wide angry eyes, but Alexander Trevelyan held up a palm in her direction, gesturing for silence without even glancing at his daughter.

"Alexander, Beatrix is old enough to – " Lady Trevelyan began, but the Bann cut her sentence short.

"He was a templar. I must know what he intends, Eleanor!"

"I'm no longer taking lyrium, and therefore will never succumb to red lyrium if that is your concern," Cullen replied, prompting the Bann to look at him again.

"Do you honestly think that you won't become a Red Templar?" the Bann queried angrily.

"If that should happen I would leave Skyhold never to return or kill myself. I would never hurt Beatrix or put anyone here in danger of myself," Cullen replied quietly, turning to look at Beatrix lovingly. "I love her too much to hurt her."

While the admission of Cullen's love didn't surprise anyone in the room, the Bann's next words stunned them all to silence.

"If this is true, then you should end your relationship with her immediately!" the Bann exclaimed, standing from the table and looking down at Cullen with stormy eyes.

"Alexander!" Eleanor Trevelyan exclaimed. "You should NOT interfere! She is old enough to – "

"She isn't old enough to die, Eleanor!" the Bann interrupted. The man stood there for a short while, gazing at his wife. Then he spoke directly to Josephine. "I thank you for your lovely meal, Ambassador. I'm afraid I must retire."

Without another word, he turned and marched out of the main hall, heading directly to the tower where they were staying.

The silence in the main hall was deafening for several long minutes.

"Well," Varric said loudly with a sigh. "Whoever is thinking of calming the Bann, good luck! Looks like you'll be needing shitloads of it."

…

Beatrix paced in front of the blazing fire in her room unable to quiet her thoughts. She had just witnessed the worst display of temper from her father. She felt herself grow angry and ended up overturning the small table next to the love seat in the room, the objects on it falling to the floor. At that very same moment, a series of soft knocks on the door made her stop and walk towards it instead, flinging it open.

Cullen stood there, unable to say a word. He stepped into the room and took her into his arms.

"Cullen," Beatrix managed to say after a short while. "I'm so sorry about my father."

"Hush, love," he crooned, kissing the crown of her head gently as he rocked her in his arms. "It isn't your fault."

"I know, I just – " she stopped and looked up, directly into his sad eyes. "What? Why are you looking at me like that, Cullen?"

"Maybe he's right, love. I could hurt you and, and I'd never be able to live after that."

"No!" Beatrix's eyes widened with fear. "You get that horrible idea out of your head this instant, Cullen Rutherford! I will NOT let you end this!"

Cullen sighed and moved to pull her closer, but Beatrix leaned back, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.

"Do NOT stand there and tell me you came here to end this!"

"I thought I would, but I can't Beatrix, I just can't! I love you too much, I –"

Beatrix stood on the tips of her toes, a kiss interrupting what Cullen was saying. He kissed her back with all the love, longing and passion he could muster and she hummed, prompting a hum from him as well.

They sat on the love seat, still holding each other, their kisses fueling the passion between them.

"Beatrix, I –"

A knock on the door interrupted whatever Cullen was going to say and she stood up to open it. Her parents walked silently into the room.

"Beatrix," her mother said, her eyes falling on her husband, who looked troubled.

"I'm sorry I lost my temper that way, Princess," her father said contritely, interrupting Lady Trevelyan. The Bann then fixed his stare on Cullen, who rose from the love seat and stood quietly beside Beatrix. "But I will keep my thoughts about you, Ser. I don't feel I can trust you yet. We shall see what happens in the future."

Cullen inclined his head respectfully, but kept quiet.

"Let me make something clear to you," the Bann continued. "If you hurt my daughter in any way, I shall personally kill you. Understood?"

Cullen stared back – bold, unflinching and undaunted.

"Understood."

…

The morning before their departure to Halamshiral, Beatrix found herself rushing to the room where she was scheduled a fitting with the tailor and Josephine. It was to be the last one for the dress was all ready and they merely wanted to see how it looked on her.

She was hurrying as much as she could, her thoughts on the recent developments between her parents and Cullen when she inadvertently ran into Sera in the main hall.

"Then there's you, yeah?" Sera chortled, looking at Beatrix with a twinkle in her eyes.

"Sera," Beatrix said as she tried to resume walking with no such luck as the blond elf stood in front of the door to the garden, impeding her pass. She knew very well what Sera had in mind, the twinkle in her eyes had told Beatrix everything.

"Come on!" the blond elf said. "Been a while, yeah?"

"I can't stop what I'm doing and run off to do pranks!" Beatrix started to protest. "I'm the Inquisitor!"

"Pfft! That's why you have to do pranks!"

Beatrix's only response to that was a roll of her eyes.

"It'll be fun, yeah? Only one!" the blond elf almost pleaded.

"You said that the last time, and it ended up turning into three!" Beatrix replied, crossing her arms in an attempt to look angry.

But Sera would not be fooled. She knew very well that above all, Beatrix loved the pranks they had played on the advisors in the past.

Beatrix sighed and shook her head. "Alright! But just ONE!"

…

A short while later, Cullen emerged from his office, only to be doused from above by what felt like a bucket full of water. Completely drenched, he looked up to see a blue sky above him, not a cloud visible for miles.

"Sera!" he yelled as he heard giggling on the tower roof. He hurried down the steps to look for the elf, who he knew would be running to her room above the tavern. In his haste, he forgot all about his hair…and how he'd look after the dousing. Flinging the door to the tavern open, he stomped inside, completely unaware of what he was walking into.

Varric turned to look at him, breaking into the widest grin he'd seen in a while. Bull let out a guffaw and the Chargers all twittered from their seats, two of them raising their glasses as they snickered.

Cullen blinked back, unaware that his curls had sprung to life and were now decorating his head wildly, frozen in place due to the cold mountain air. He stomped up the stairs and towards Sera's room. He did not knock, but flung the door open wide.

Sera and Beatrix, of all people, stood there staring at him. Sera broke into a peal of laughter while Beatrix suddenly bit her lip, the laughter still bursting out in spite of this.

"Curly!" Beatrix managed to scream as she continued laughing out loud. "Varric is right!"

Her scream and words resonated throughout the tavern, causing everyone on the ground floor to burst out laughing as well. Only then did Cullen realize why everyone was snickering or laughing at him. His hand automatically went up to his hair, touching the wild curls as he cursed.

"Maker's breath!"

Glaring at both the elf and Beatrix, he turned around holding his head up high and went up the stairs to the top floor, passing by Cole without a glance and trying to look as nonchalant as he could, but failing miserably.

He'd get the elf with a prank of his own one day even if it was the last thing he did.

…