Chapter 18

Notes:

I apologize in advance for taking so long to post this chapter, I actually wanted to post it two days after the previous one, but I was suffering again from a mild case of writer's block and my health hasn't been exactly perfect either! So I've finally managed to get this done! Yay!

Once again thanks to all of you for being so sweet in commenting and favoriting my crazy fic! A huge thanks to Lady Darksbane as well, who helped me tremendously today!

This chapter is all about Halamshiral. I disliked that mission/quest with a passion, especially due to the stupid time limits everywhere. I also hate the Game the Orlesians play, much like Beatrix! LOL! So this is how I think it would have gone for my potty-mouth, angry Inquisitor!

I hope you enjoy! Feel free to add any comments/feedback. I love reading them! :D

…

The trip to Val Royeaux was uneventful. Cullen rode his horse with some of his soldiers, but occasionally galloped forward to ride beside the Trevelyan carriage. Beatrix, her parents and Josephine sat in it and spoke no more than the usual pleasantries.

In short, the whole atmosphere inside the carriage was silent and uncomfortably awkward. The tension in the air was so thick, you could probably cut it with a knife. Beatrix turned to look at her father, who sat straight, his gaze lost to the images flashing outside the window.

She was getting extremely annoyed at his whole attitude and had to work hard to calm her anger several times as they got closer to their destination.

The grand Orlesian capital city of Val Royeaux gradually came into view. Halamshiral was to the north, a three-hour drive. Because their invitation was to the masquerade ball and not to stay at the Winter Palace itself, they arrived at the Trevelyan estate instead where they would rest up and ready themselves for the evening event.

The Trevelyan estate was large and lavish, about a few miles away from Val Royeaux, but still within the city limits. Its beautiful white structure stood out in the green landscape and it loomed over the rest of the mansions around. The horses pulling the carriage cantered along a circular path that led them directly to the massive front door of the estate.

Before they left the carriage, however, Beatrix held out a hand to her parents, gesturing them to stay behind as Josephine gracefully let herself out. Her mother turned a puzzled look at her, while her father decided not to look at her at all, as if sensing what was coming.

"I'd like to let you both know that Cullen and I are in love. We will be together always whether you approve or not, Father. I know you are behaving this way because of…Andras, but I will not let you ruin what is between us because you are overprotective."

Her father said nothing to this, but he turned his head to look at his daughter. His eyes flashed with fury, but Beatrix also saw the sadness in them.

"You cannot keep me from living, just because I am in danger of dying. I was made Inquisitor and can die at any given moment, with Cullen or without. Bad things happen. They happened to Andras. I can die before or when I face Corypheus. It is out of your hands. If I can be happy beside the man I love, I will not let you get in the way. Even if you never speak to me again. That's all I wanted to say."

Her mother squeezed her hand and smiled at her before leaving the carriage. Her father, however, merely nodded and stepped outside without a backward glance.

Cullen had approached the carriage and was dismounting his horse when he came face to face with the Trevelyans. Lady Trevelyan smiled sweetly at him, a smile which he returned immediately. Bann Alexander, however, walked pass him without even acknowledging his presence. Cullen shook his head slightly and walked to the door of the carriage, extending a hand to help Beatrix out.

She grasped his hand as she left the carriage and stood in front of him with a slight frown on her face. Standing on the tip of her toes, she kissed him briefly, sighing afterwards.

"I suppose you've figured out where my stubbornness comes from," Beatrix commented with another sigh. "Father is terrible once he's made up his mind…

…

Halamshiral was built by the elves. The Winter Palace, however, was built by humans, so it was like an ostentatious mark amidst the peaceful greenery of the Dales. Beatrix looked up through the window of the carriage, her eyes sweeping over the grandeur of the place. Golden filigree around many of the golden lion statues caught in the moonlight and sparkled, shining brightly – golden even in the darkness of night.

Her dress was making it difficult to breathe at times, but she smiled when she briefly remembered the look Cullen had given her when he saw her. It made all the discomfort of wearing it worthwhile. It hugged her in all the right places and fell gracefully around her, covering the tips of her dancing shoes. Shoes that were uncomfortable even when she was sitting.

She was glad she had brought her armor and boots to change into for they were here to protect the Empress from an assassination plot. She didn't think she'd need the dress once that was accomplished anyway.

Her mother was chatting in a low voice with Josephine and Leliana, but the Bann had kept his eyes on the landscape passing by through the window. Lost in his thoughts, Beatrix had observed him quietly at times, wondering briefly if he'd ever talk to her again. She shrugged to herself and continued to observe the Winter Palace from her window, growing closer by the minute.

When they finally arrived, Cullen suddenly materialized at the door of the carriage, helping Leliana, Josephine and Lady Trevelyan out. He kept quiet as Alexander Trevelyan left the carriage, briefly nodding to him in acknowledgement, which seemed to sail right over the Bann's head. Catching Beatrix at her waist, he lifted her out of the carriage, then embraced her quickly and was gone to tend to his soldiers.

Lady Trevelyan turned to her daughter and told her both her father and she would meet her inside. Beatrix nodded to this and gave her a brief hug before they turned and left her standing with Leliana and Josephine close behind her.

"Inquisitor," Josephine cried out, prompting Beatrix to turn around and wait for her.

"Inquisitor, there is something we have to talk about before we get inside," the Ambassador said, slightly out of breath. "We must speak about the game, and how you must try to be as diplomatic as you can."

Beatrix eyes flashed in the dark, but Josephine stood firmly in front of her. "I won't move until we speak about it, Inquisitor."

"It's the only way to get inside and stay inside," Leliana added, standing beside Josie. "You must watch your tongue and behave. We must rescue the Empress as you well know."

"Ugh!" Beatrix clenched her fists. "I hate playing the stupid game. I know how to play, alright? It just makes me SO angry!"

"Please save your anger," Josie was now really pleading. "Do not let it come to surface or it will be us behind the assassination plot, and only because we won't be there at all to save the Empress's life."

Beatrix sighed deeply. "I'll ty to do my best."

"No," Leliana replied shaking her head. "You won't TRY to do your best, you WILL be the best at the Game tonight."

"Fuck," Beatrix muttered.

"You can say fuck all you want, Inquisitor, but you know very well what must be done. Even if you don't want to do it," Leliana calmly added.

"Yes, but please don't use that word in front of the nobility tonight," Josephine said nervously wringing her hands.

"UGH, FINE!" Beatrix said in a very loud voice as she turned and made her way inside the palace gardens and courtyards.

…

They marched directly inside and Beatrix stopped only when Josephine whispered that the man apparently waiting for them was Duke Gaspard de Chalons, the Empress's first cousin. She then gave Beatrix a shove so that she could go ahead and greet the man in the golden mask who was looking straight at her.

"Inquisitor," he said as he took a deep bow with a flourish. "I am very glad you are here."

Beatrix steeled herself. She didn't like this stupid popinjay at all.

"Yes, well, I can think of a few places I'd rather be," she said as she curtseyed. The Duke of Chalons chuckled to this, his eyes fixing themselves on the top of her gown where the creamy skin of her breasts pushed against the tightly fitted corset of her dress. He was actually ogling her.

She didn't like him one bit.

"Allow me to express my profound surprise and amazement. I didn't expect the Inquisitor to be so…alluring and lovely."

Beatrix stiffened, getting angrier by the minute. She quickly inclined her head, wishing with all her might and soul this would be the end of the conversation and they would walk up the stairs leading into the Palace proper.

But that didn't happen.

"I often find myself at a loss of words, especially before such beauty," Gaspard said as he straightened to his full height, looking down at her with a smirk. "But I daresay the moment you walk into the ballroom on my arm will be exciting. I detest playing the Game, but might I suggest you play it tonight? I know Ostwick isn't famous for its nobility and wonder if they play the Game at all?"

That's it!

"Listen here," Beatrix growled. "I didn't come here to be mocked at because I come from Ostwick. I know how to play your stupid Game very well, but it looks like you don't, you stupid mother-fucking popinjay. Your air of superiority is disgusting, so you can just kiss my ass, you prick!"

The words were out before she could stop them and she actually didn't want to stop them.

How dare he make fun of Ostwick? Stupid twit!

Josephine let out a strangled gasp behind her, but Beatrix didn't even acknowledge it. She didn't even hear Cullen chuckling. She was breathing heavily as she faced Gaspard de Chalons and did not take her eyes off him.

His expression changed; she could see the flash of anger in his eyes and how he pursed his lips into a thin line.

"I'm sorry we will not get a chance to see how well you play," Duke Gaspard said in a low, angry voice. "As of this moment, I rescind my invitation. You are no longer welcome here nor will you set foot inside the Palace. Good evening."

…

Beatrix led them out of the outer gardens and turned to Josephine, Cullen and Leliana. The Ambassador was seething in anger, while Leliana merely gazed at her calmly. As for Cullen, he had a smile on his face.

"How could you have done this?" Josephine asked, her voice breaking a little at the end. "How are we going to save the Empress now?"

Beatrix shrugged, but was not prepared for what Cullen said next.

"He was…staring at her in a lascivious way, Lady Ambassador. I would have wrung his neck had she not said anything," the Commander stated, calm but serious. "I would not let anyone look at her body in such a fashion."

Josephine merely sighed heavily.

"We can still save the Empress," Beatrix stated. "All I have to do is find a way in for myself and some of my companions. We'll fight whatever gets in the way and save the Empress's life."

"And just how do you think you'll be doing this?" Josephine nearly snapped.

"Have a little faith, Lady Ambassador," Beatrix smiled warmly. "I know this place. I studied it when I was traveling Orlais to further my studies in History. There are places around the walls with trellises. Lots of trellises. We should be able to climb inside in no time at all."

Josephine said nothing to this, but Cassandra, who had just reached the small circle of advisors nodded her head.

"It is a good plan," she said simply. "I will go with you."

"I'm also thinking about taking Dorian and Varric with me," Beatrix stated, her brow furrowed.

"I think that is an excellent choice," Cassandra nodded. "Well, except for the dwarf."

Beatrix grinned at that and called out to the rest, explaining the plan to them in a low voice. Then she went into one of the tents to change into her armor. She was eager to do this. This dress was simply killing her. Besides, she couldn't fight in it or defend herself.

"Time to go, beautiful," she whispered as she started unclasping the buttons in the front.

…

By the time Beatrix had all of it figured out, she was walking towards a door on her left. The people she had encountered in the Royal Wing so far had filled the picture nicely for her. Briala, the Elven Ambassador, had been particularly forthcoming when they rescued one of the elven slaves from a certain death. Her candor didn't surprise Beatrix at all because she had once been lovers with Celene.

The fact was that Beatrix found out that the three of them were playing each other and it made her angry. If they could only get together and stop their stupid quarrel, she had no doubt that Orlais could be better. And be better prepared to face Corypheus as well.

All this didn't explain the fact that they had been running into Venatori agents all night, however. Now if only she could find out who really was behind the assassination attempt, it would all be alright.

Shaking her head, she stopped at the door. Dorian stood beside her, his eyes twinkling.

"I'm sensing trap," he told her with a wink. Then he turned to the door and nodded, tilting his head curiously. "Definitely a trap. Are you ready?"

"Always," she grinned, opening the door and walking into what looked like an inner courtyard, instantly surrounded by Venatori archers, all aiming directly at Beatrix and her team. She looked up and found a rift cracking and popping all ready to be opened and then closed properly.

Beatrix grinned.

Behind the rift and slightly above it, she spotted the stone rails of an upper balcony. A woman with short blond hair, dressed in one of the most ridiculous dresses Beatrix had ever seen appeared, smiling down at her.

Beatrix's grin widened as she quickly hid her left hand behind her back before the lady could see it. Her mark pulsed indignantly.

"Inquisitor Trevelyan, how nice of you to drop in," the woman said in a loud voice. "You are trespassing. I believe my brother rescinded his invitation. I did want to meet the woman who insulted him, however. Such a joy I can do this before you die."

"I'm always ready to prove I'm a distraction," she smirked. "I also love studying buildings. Is the Palace really this big? Big enough to hide an entire army of Venatori agents I mean."

The woman on the balcony frowned a bit, but kept her composure. Beatrix admired her for it briefly.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Grand Duchess Florianne, Gaspard's sister. And you are in the right place and at the right time, my dear Inquisitor. My master has been wanting to kill you for a very long time. He will be pleased to see I will succeed tonight."

"You're the one who's planning to kill the Empress tonight, right?" Beatrix asked.

The Duchess laughed. A tinkling laugh that set Beatrix's anger into overdrive.

"I cannot wait to see Gaspard's face when he sees I have outplayed him. He always was such a poor loser."

"You're royalty! Why would you do this? What's in it for you?" Beatrix demanded angrily.

"Why, the world of course!" Florianne replied with another smirk. "My master will rule from the Fade and I will rule Southern Thedas. None shall stand against us."

Beatrix burst out laughing at this admission, which caused the Duchess to growl angrily at her.

"Kill her!" she commanded the Venatori in the courtyard. "And cut off the hand with the mark! My master will be pleased when he sees it." Florianne walked off haughtily, disappearing from view.

The archers aimed directly for Beatrix, but missed her as she lunged forward into a summersault, coming to a stop directly under the rift and holding her mark out to open it. Immediately, the thing burst, hurtling demons into the courtyard that attacked everything in sight, killing several of the Venatori at once.

They fought the demons and what was left of the Tevinter forces and Beatrix closed the rift immediately afterwards. A man tied to a pole at one end of the courtyard struggled to break free from the rope that bound his hands around the pole. Beatrix hurriedly made her way over, releasing him. The poor man shook as he stood, gazing at her in awe.

Upon questioning him, Beatrix learned that he had been hired to attack and help in a coup Gaspard was planning. He told her that he knew about the Empress wanting to arrest him all along.

Beatrix nodded heading out of the courtyard with her team following closely behind.

"We'll have to gather everyone and get inside," she said to all of them, clenching and unclenching her fists as she walked. "The Empress will be dead if we don't hurry."

…

As soon as they climbed down the trellis and reached the Inquisition camp, Beatrix was stunned to see her parents standing in front of the fire pit they had built.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded. "You should get inside."

"I came here to apologize for my behavior towards you, but I see you are in a bit of a predicament," her father quickly supplied. "Allow me to assist you in getting inside. It's the least I can do for you."

They hugged each other and broke apart, Beatrix nodding as her parents led her, her team and advisors to the gates of the inner Palace. There was a solitary guard standing there. No one else.

"We need to get inside," Bann Trevelyan began, the authority in his voice making the guard flinch a little.

"Nobody gets inside," the man answered with a heavy Orlesian accent. "Those are my orders."

"I know the Empress personally," Lady Trevelyan chimed in. "She will want to see me inside."

"No one gets inside," the guard answered again calmly, stiffening slightly.

Beatrix gave a growl, stepping forward. There was no time to argue or discuss anything with this stupid specimen. The guard, noticing her bloody leather armor for the first time, widened his eyes slightly as she stepped closer to him.

Without a second thought at what she was doing, she suddenly took off the leather glove on her left hand and thrust the mark into his face. The guard took a couple of steps back as he was forced to look at it, the eerie green glow emanating from it pulsing repeatedly.

"You see this?" Beatrix growled. "THIS is extremely dangerous. I could use it right now to open a rift and the demons coming out of it would rip you to shreds before anyone came to help." The guard visibly blanched at this. "So, your choice! Either you let us in, or die at the hands of the demons!"

"You may enter," the guard said immediately, shivering in fear as he let them all pass.

…

In the end of the tumultuous evening, Beatrix managed to have Florianne arrested and spoke to the Empress, Gaspard and Briala in a secluded balcony close to the railing where the Empress was to deliver a speech to the nobility gathered below. She quickly asked the three of them to stop their petty arguing, and reminded them about the danger they were facing.

"If you don't stop all this fucking nonsense, ALL of us will die," she raged. "There are more important things than the power you pursue. Open your bloody eyes already and realize that nothing will matter if Corypheus wins! Just rule together, and make Orlais great and unstoppable again!"

The three of them stared at Beatrix, the Empress finally nodding her head. "I feel we need to stop arguing, as the Inquisitor is suggesting. We will all die if we do not."

Briala was the first to nod in agreement, her eyes on the Empress, eliciting a small smile from her. Gaspard shook his head, but smiled as well, turning to face Beatrix.

"You are remarkably convincing. And this is without playing the Game. I feel that you outplayed us all. Well done," he said inclining his head slightly.

"I will let everyone know we will rule together. We must help the Inquisitor put an end to this Corypheus and his demons."

Beatrix sighed with relief. At least there wouldn't be any arguing until after Corypheus was defeated. And she would have the Orlesian army to help her out with that.

The Empress addressed the nobles and a dark-haired woman wearing a tightly fitted black and burgundy dress walked to stand in front of her.

"Inquisitor Trevelyan," the woman said in a low voice. "I've been wanting to meet you since I heard all the rumors about you. I see that you are as formidable as they say you are. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Morrigan, and I am at your service. I will speak to you again later tonight."

…

Beatrix sighed as she leaned on the stone railings of one of the outer balconies. The music from inside drifted towards her, but she only wished to be alone.

It had been a very long night.

Light footsteps made her turn and she faced Morrigan, who was approaching her with a smile on her face.

"The nobles are drinking and making toasts to you, Inquisitor and you are here? Do you tire of the celebrations?"

"They can stick their celebrations up their arses as far as I'm concerned."

Morrigan shook her head with a smile. "I'm the arcane advisor to the Empress. I've come on her behalf to speak to you."

Beatrix quickly remembered the words Cole muttered at Vivienne when they were in the Fade. "So you are serving the Empress instead of First Enchanter Vivienne, right?"

"The Empress felt that a change was necessary. She was more interested in glimpsing other facets of the supernatural and the arcane arts. I graciously accepted, although I have been here with her for a time long before she asked me to take the post."

"And you are here in front of me because?" Beatrix asked a little impatiently.

Morrigan chuckled. "I see you are a direct person. I like that. I am here to lend the Inquisition my expertise to help you defeat Corypheus."

Beatrix narrowed her eyes, her brow furrowed in thought. She realized that there was power emanating from the woman before her, but there was something else in those yellow eyes that gazed into hers. A deep glow that indicated knowledge. Superior knowledge.

"I was not aware that the Empress would do this," Beatrix grinned. "I do, however, need all the help I can get. I trust you know about Corypheus? More than you are letting on?"

"Indeed," Morrigan replied with a nod, her eyes still holding Beatrix's.

"Welcome to the Inquisition, Lady Morrigan."

"A most gracious response. I shall meet you at Skyhold," the dark-haired beauty said, turning around and leaving. Beatrix sighed and leaned against the stone railings again. She felt incredibly burdened all of a sudden and incredibly exhausted.

How would she ever accomplish what she had set out to do, even with all the help she now had?

A voice cleared behind her and she knew who it was. Cullen stepped beside her with a smile, laying a hand on her shoulder.

"I finally found you," he whispered leaning forward to kiss the crown of her head. Beatrix smiled as she leaned to him slightly, but she was still daunted by the tasks ahead of her. Still afraid of what was to come.

"Are you alright?" Cullen asked, his voice laced with worry.

"I'm fine, just…" Beatrix sighed. "Tonight has been very long."

"For all of us," Cullen agreed. The music coming from the ballroom suddenly stopped then started up again. Cullen smirked as he leaned back into a bow. Beatrix turned to gaze at him with surprise.

"I may not get another chance, so…would you do me the honor of granting me this dance, my Lady?"

Her heart soared. "I will, my Commander. Of course I will."

Placing her hand in his he pulled her towards her in an embrace, leaning in to capture her lips in a sweet and chaste kiss before he started to sway to the music.

Beatrix smiled up at him, forgetting her previous discomfort. All her worries and fears and doubts suddenly vanished – the only thing that mattered was Cullen who was guiding her effortlessly in a dance that made her spirits soar.

She didn't know if it was the only dance they would share, but she did know it would be the one thing that would keep her going for a very long time.

And this was enough for her.

…