Notes:
Finally able to post this one. The muse went completely insane and ran off at the last minute. Had to wait for her to return, lol!

Hope you all enjoy, we are almost at the end, dear friends! Thanks so much Lady Darksbane for all your help and big hugs to all who have been here for me!

I would love some feedback! Comments are like chicken soup to my soul! 3

…

Gradually, her friends moved from Skyhold to pursue their dreams, promising to keep in touch. Varric moved back to Kirkwall. Vivienne finally left to take her position in a newly established Circle, which was much more lenient towards the mages. Dorian travelled to Tevinter, just for a short visit he'd said. But he hadn't come back as quickly as Beatrix hoped. He was a true friend and Beatrix found her missing him most of all. They had, after all, become close friends since she'd met him in Redcliffe. Blackwall had been home to ask his relatives and friends for forgiveness. The consequences of his actions followed him around wherever he went. He corresponded regularly to Beatrix and always stated how he missed Skyhold in his letters. Sera stayed in Skyhold, but would often be out and about with her Jennies. Cole stayed in Skyhold as well, helping those injured or in pain. Beatrix often found herself extremely sad about how life was slowly pushing them all apart.

After several months, Beatrix received a missive from Divine Victoria. She smiled as she tore the wax seal apart, dying to read the written words as quickly as possible.

Cassandra Pentaghast had been made Divine over two years ago, shortly after that last battle with Corypheus. She had expressed her thanks to Beatrix for supporting her and had donned the mantle of Divine shortly afterwards. Even though Beatrix wished to travel to the coronation ceremony, she hadn't been able to for this was about the same time the twins had been born.

Beatrix had missed Cassandra terribly. They had been writing to each other regularly before her coronation, but as Divine, she had so much to do that gradually word from her had been far and in between.

Lately, however, it was Beatrix who just couldn't bring herself to write. The problem with her mark had put a damper on everything else. She couldn't bring herself to tell her friend what she was going through. She knew Cassandra had problems of her own. Being Divine was not a walk in the park, but so far she had done her work admirably.

The words that jumped up at her weren't at all similar to the ones Cassandra would write. The whole thing, in fact, was a document from Divine Victoria herself, with her signature at the very end of it and a seal to confirm her identity.

"To the Inquisitor and Herald of Andraste,

Let it be known that even though we are in debt for the work the Inquisition has done, it has become imperative to call upon an Exalted Council to decide the organization's future.

The two kingdoms requesting this intervention are immediate neighbors of the Inquisition's present stronghold known as Skyhold. They will not rest until the decision is made to intervene directly with the Inquisition's future.

We are advising you and your staff travel immediately to the meeting. If this is not done, the Chantry will excommunicate the Inquisition and the countries requesting this Council will be free to attack Skyhold at any given time.

We hope to see you there at your earliest convenience.

Respectfully,

Divine Victoria I

Head of the Chantry"

Beatrix frowned until she discovered a mark written on the far right of the page. Further scrutiny revealed a note written hastily in almost illegible handwriting.

"My hands are tied, could not do more for you my dear friend. Please come quickly."

Beatrix folded up the parchment and immediately left the room, calling an emergency meeting with her advisors. She arrived at the war table room before the others and sighed deeply, placing the parchment on the carved table as she waited for the others to come into the room.

Josephine, being the one in closest proximity arrived first, coming to a stop at her usual place in front of the table, directly across from Beatrix. She tried to talk, but Beatrix immediately stopped her from doing so by holding up her right hand and shaking her head. Leliana immediately appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, with Cullen following closely behind. Beatrix didn't even chance a look in their direction until they were all standing in front of the table across from her.

When she looked up she saw a serious look on all three. Cullen's frown reached his eyes as soon as he caught the distraught look on her face. She shook her head and opened the parchment, starting to read the Divine's words almost immediately.

When she was done, she looked up. Josephine had a vacant look on her face and was shaking her head. Cullen looked at her in shock for a few moments, then nodded his head as if lending her his silent support, but Leliana – Leliana was the picture of calmness. Indeed, she looked positively serene and actually smiled at her.

Beatrix's eyes narrowed, her heart thumping in her chest.

"Anything you'd like to share, Sister Nightingale?" she asked through clenched teeth, straightening her posture and glaring directly into her eyes.

"Inquisitor," Leliana's smile disappeared, concern shining briefly in her clear blue eyes. "My scouts have – "

"You knew!" Beatrix hissed angrily, cutting off her remark. "You knew all along and did not tell me? Why?"

"Inquisitor!" Leliana exclaimed, speaking her next words in a rush. "Divine Victoria wrote me a short missive, explaining what was brewing and asked me not to share it with anyone. She wanted to try to dissuade both Ferelden and Orlais from taking immediate action against us and you worried me with your mark–"

"How could you keep something so serious from me? You no longer work as Left-Hand of the Divine! You work for the Inquisition!" Beatrix declared angrily.

"My scouts have –" Leliana began trying to calm Beatrix down.

"Shove your scouts up your ass!" Beatrix snarled at her. And then, right after she had uttered the words, her mark flared to life, causing Beatrix to double up in pain. Everyone in the room started, freezing in their places as Beatrix took her left hand into her right, trying to stop the mark from getting worse. The voices in her head drowned out everything else and she screamed.

"SHUT UP IN THERE! BY THE MAKER!"

The silence in her head was a sudden sweet reprieve for Beatrix. She looked up to the shocked faces of her three advisors and shook her head. "Ever since I drank from that BLOODY WELL by mistake these voices keep chatting to me! Fuck!"

No one replied to her comment. Leliana's apparent concern was too much for Beatrix.

"We'll regroup once I've taken something for my…nerves. You are all dismissed," she barked as the mark calmed down slowly, now pulsating softly.

They filed out of the room, but Cullen stayed behind at the last moment, shutting the great doors quietly. He walked to where Beatrix was standing – her back to him, straight and stubborn; her stance rigid. He heard her sigh and her shoulders slumped a little.

"Cullen, I know you're there."

He walked to her then, embracing her from behind and she turned in his arms to lay her cheek against his silver chestpiece, sighing again as he held her closely.

"Love," he murmured. "I've got you."

"But – " she murmured and he shushed her gently.

"Shhh. Just relax for a moment, alright? The world will not fall apart right now."

Beatrix relaxed feeling her heart slow down as she melded into him even closer. A smile suddenly appeared on her face as she leaned back to look up at him.

"You're good!" she exclaimed with a laugh. "I'm feeling –"

But Cullen cut her sentence off with a passionate kiss that made her tremble with want and desire.

"Cullen," she broke apart, "we should – "

"I locked the door. Tell me, what should we do, Inquisitor?" Cullen rumbled, his hoarse voice making her shudder with pleasure – the intensity in his eyes making her weak in the knees.

"I have a few ideas," she purred, stepping backwards carefully towards the great table.

"I like the sound of that," he smirked as he got closer to her.

"Mmmm, I do too…" came Beatrix's reply as he bent over to kiss her again, softly and lovingly this time, and very slowly, as if they had all the time in the world.

…

Their journey to Halamshiral was uneventful. Beatrix rode in the front of the procession, with Cullen and Josephine right behind her. Leliana was riding in the carriage with the twins, as well as a couple of her most trusted scouts – Scout Harding amongst them. A tenth of the Inquisition armies rode behind them all.

The balconies leading up to the entrance of Halamshiral were full of people who waved or nodded to them. On one side Beatrix could see Arl Teagan's serious countenance, while on the left side she spotted a man dressed in armor wearing a ridiculous gilded mask. She correctly guessed he must be the Orlesian representative.

As soon as they got to the gates and dismounted, Beatrix and Cullen headed directly to the carriage where the twins were and then busied themselves with their duties as parents first and foremost. They would leave the toddlers to appointed aids and once that was done, they walked out into the courtyard to meet with the Divine herself.

The nobles in the area smiled at them, but the ladies smirked and hid behind fans and whispered. Beatrix bristled at this. It most certainly didn't go unnoticed as far as she was concerned. By the time they reached the area where the Divine was said to be, she felt frustrated to say the least.

"Most Holy," Beatrix saluted Cassandra as formally as she could. She had been talking to Arl Teagan, who was representing Ferelden. Teagan did not even acknowledge her presence, which made Beatrix's anger bubble upwards. She still maintained control over her features, willing herself to look only at Cassandra who was smiling at her.

"My apologies," Beatrix said stiffly. "I hope I am not interrupting anything?" The words were meant for Teagan, but she did not even look in his direction.

"No," Cassandra said, taking her arm and leading her further away. As soon as they were out of earshot, the Divine breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, my friend. You cannot imagine how much I wanted to punch the Arl! It is good to see you," she turned to Cullen, who inclined his head. "And you, Commander Cullen. You are looking well."

"Most Holy," Cullen returned her smile. "We came as soon as we could."

"Yes, I am pleased to see this," Cassandra nodded to both of them, the love for her friends visible. "I could not contain this any longer. I had to write you that missive, Beatrix, I hope you understand."

"I do," Beatrix responded. "What I don't understand is why now? It seems they have forgotten everything I have done for them."

"Orlais is a bit more understanding," Cassandra commented.

"Probably because thanks to us, they have their dear Empress on the throne still?" Beatrix shot back at Cassandra with a frown. "We would have given our lives to save theirs. Now I fully understand what Dorian meant when he said no one would thank me. I believed it then, but I only see it happening now. I didn't do it for them to thank me. But they could at least remember this."

"They do," Cassandra assured Beatrix. "But not to the extent that they should. Come, my friends. We shall wait for the remainder of the Inquisition to arrive and in the meantime have some tea in my office. I must update you on what the situation is at the moment."

"Remainder of the Inquisition?" Beatrix replied with a puzzled look on her face.

"Yes. All your companions have agreed to come and have sent me missives. I suspect the rest are now arriving as we speak," Cassandra smiled.

"And here I thought they had neglected my letters because they didn't want to come," Beatrix shook her head with a smile.

At that moment, Arl Teagan appeared at their side. Beatrix struggled to keep the smile on her face.

"Most Holy, we will continue our conversation later, I trust?" He asked, his eyes on Beatrix. As soon as Cassandra nodded at him, he inclined his head and turned his full attention to Beatrix. "Inquisitor. How nice of you to come to this Council meeting and honor us with your presence. We have much to discuss, but it is better to say it all at the first Council meeting."

"Arl Teagan," Beatrix replied with a nod, her anger barely contained. "I will enjoy discussing the points you wish to make then. I trust you will be kind enough to hear me out?"

Teagan frowned at her words, but Beatrix gave him a brilliant smile. "We will speak later, my Lord."

They turned around and accompanied Cassandra, weaving their way through the crowd of nobles until they finally reached the interior of the palace. The Divine led them to her offices and shut the door behind her. She then asked them to sit down and smiled at the assistants who came forward with food and tea on trays.

"Eat, my friends. I cannot wait to meet the twins!"

…

Divine Victoria had so much fun with the toddler twins, she nearly forgot she had to plan ahead for the Council meeting that was to be held in two days. She hurriedly excused herself when her assistant came looking for her and promised they would talk more at a later date.

Cullen went to check the Inquisition's armies while Beatrix wandered around, looking for her former Inner Circle to say hello.

She nearly ran Varric down, momentarily distracted by the great fountain in the main courtyard.

"In all the time we've been together, you've never stepped on me once," Varric chuckled as he looked up at her surprised and apologetic face. "Don't tell me today is going to be the first time you do that!"

She practically scooped him up in her arms and Varric's chuckle turned into a hearty peal of laughter that rang across the courtyard.

"Buttercup, I want you to keep this a secret, but I've really missed you," he grinned as they broke their embrace.

"So have I!" exclaimed Beatrix excitedly. Then in a more serious note she added, "Is it true what I've been hearing about you?"

"People make up all sorts of stories about me," Varric grinned. "You'll have to be more specific."

"Well, Divine Victoria tells me you are the Viscount of Kirkwall now?" she smiled.

"I'll have to think of a way to get back at her without her reacting too badly now," Varric commented playfully. "Apparently they have elected me Viscount."

He sat down in one of the stone benches that were farthest away from the fountain and gestured at her to do the same by patting at the empty space beside him.

"I can't believe it! You? Viscount of Kirkwall?" Beatrix laughed as she sat, turning a little to keep Varric in her sight at all times.

"None of the nobles wanted the position and since I got back, I had been fixing Kirkwall to look like a grand city again. The punishment for that was the title of Viscount," the dwarf sighed. "You know, better buildings, better housing in the poor areas and no red lyrium statue in the Gallows." He paused, his eyes twinkling merrily. "I do have several gifts I'd like to give you! That's the best part about being Viscount. No one around to tell you to stop!"

At that moment, a man appeared at Varric's side, sweating a bit and looking uncomfortable. He inclined his head and proceeded to talk.

"Viscount, there were no missives at all in the grand hall like you told me!" the man stated clearly.

"There weren't? I could have sworn I saw a tray full of missives, that's strange. Allow me to introduce you to the Inquisitor, Bran. Inquisitor, this is Bran Cavin who used to be the Viscount of Kirkwall."

"Provisional Viscount," Bran muttered, his nod barely perceptible to Beatrix as he turned towards Varric again with an anxious expression on his face. "Please don't give away anything else! You've already promised several estates!"

"I have only two gifts for the Inquisitor, Bran, and you have to find those missives," Varric reminded him with a smirk.

"Right! I'll look for them more carefully and return with them immediately," Bran said as he turned around and left them.

"There aren't any missives, are there?" Beatrix asked with a smile on her face, trying in vain to look serious.

"Nope!" Varric replied cheerfully. "Wait until you see what I have for you, Buttercup! You're going to love it!"

…

Beatrix thought she would never get over the generous gifts Varric had given her – after all the key to the city, which was really the key to a portion of the great chains of Kirkwall, and an estate and title were hardly gifts one could put aside easily. Yet as she walked ahead, she saw Dorian and her heart actually thumped a little faster. The Tevinter mage was chatting with a man that looked like a gilded popinjay. As soon as Dorian spotted her, he made his excuses to the man who smiled and turned to walk away. Dorian embraced her so hard, she was having difficulty breathing. He quickly released her with a smile and she laughed.

"My goodness!" Dorian exclaimed. "We must be careful! I have a reputation to protect after all!"

"It's so good to see you, Dorian!" Beatrix exclaimed. She quickly embraced him again and then swatted his arm three times in succession. "You naughty, naughty man! How dare you disappear on me?"

"It isn't the fact that I disappeared that drives you up the wall now, is it? It's the fact that I haven't replied to the last twenty-three missives you sent me. Although, you might consider showing me some respect. I am no longer just an altus." Dorian then gave her his brightest smile.

"Moved up in the world, have you?" Beatrix laughed. "And what is it that you are now, pray tell?"

"You stand before the official Tevinter ambassador to the Inquisition, I'll have you know," Dorian said in mock indignation. "After all this time, I'm apparently in a position that would certainly have satisfied my father."

"Doesn't he know already?" Beatrix cocked an eyebrow.

"He probably did when he came up with the title and presented it to the Magisterium. Sadly, he was murdered, thus preventing him from congratulating me in person."

Beatrix's hand flew to her mouth. "I'm so sorry Dorian," she whispered contritely. "I know you weren't on best terms, but I also know you loved him."

"Yes, well, you know I detest mushy feelings and mushy confrontations. Why don't we talk about the twins instead?"

"They have grown and are impossible! Cullen spoils them far too much!" Beatrix laughed. "But you'll see them soon, I promise."

"Promises like those are truly motivational," Dorian smiled.

"So when do we expect you to arrive at Skyhold?" Beatrix smiled back. "I'd really like to do something when you return. A party, perhaps?"

A look of fleeting sadness suddenly skirted across the handsome mage's face. It was so fast that Beatrix wasn't quite sure she had seen it. "What's the matter?" she joked. "Afraid to tell me you'll be dallying?"

Dorian sighed deeply. "I suppose I'd better tell you myself, since I don't wish you to find out from anyone else. It ruins my pariah status, you see."

"You're not going to stand there and tell me you aren't coming back home with us, are you?" Beatrix asked, her emotions suddenly getting the best of her.

"That, my dear friend, is something I have to tell you. It isn't pretty, but you must know."

Dorian led her to one of the benches and had her sit down beside him. By the time he finished letting her know that he would probably never return, her eyes glistened with unshed tears. Even though he pulled out a gift that turned out to be a sending crystal to keep in touch, it did not make Beatrix feel any better. Dorian had quickly taken the spot in her heart that had exclusively belonged to her brother. She would miss him terribly.

She clutched his gift to her heart as she watched Bull take Dorian away to get reacquainted, wishing fiercely and selfishly that there would be a way to turn back in time.

Sighing, she stood facing the direction of the impressive waterfalls in the third courtyard. She walked towards them, curious at what she would find in the building underneath and found Cullen, who was playing with a mabari.

Her heart constricted and she felt her pulse miss a beat as the mark flared up again. Breathing deeply she managed to control it, but it took a great deal of effort on her part. All at once she remembered she should not be so selfish.

Her life was ebbing away thanks to the bloody thing. Who was she to make demands of her closest friends and family when she herself had so little time left?

Forcing herself to smile, she approached Cullen and the dog. When he looked up and saw her standing there, his face immediately lit up.

"A dog?" Beatrix mused. "I daresay you both have hit it off."

"He was next to the quartermaster's building. The previous owners abandoned them," Cullen said as he straightened. "I couldn't just leave him there, a Fereldan in the midst of all those Orlesians. Reminded me too much of myself when we were here before. So I…rescued him."

"Rescued him?" Beatrix repeated dumbly as she watched Cullen turn a bright red color.

"Yes. I – Could we keep him?" Cullen added after a few moments of silence. His eyes were pleading and this made Beatrix melt inside.

"Keep him? You want a mabari near the children? Is that wise?"

The dog whimpered, his accusatory glance making her smile in spite of the seriousness of the situation. "Aww, who's a good dog?" She said next as she bent down to pet him. The dog waved its little tail about, then promptly rolled on its back, begging to be petted there.

"Mabaris are very loyal and protective. I'm sure you have nothing to worry about concerning the children," Cullen said with a chuckle as he watched the mabari now licking Beatrix's face. "And I see he really likes you."

"That doesn't matter, Cullen," Beatrix started, but the dog had made up its mind and gave a short bark, followed by a whining sound and licked Beatrix's face again and again, making her topple to the ground.

Cullen burst out laughing and quickly helped her up, his eyes shining with love and adoration. Before he even had a chance to think it through, he said two words he had been thinking of saying ever since they had arrived at the Winter Palace.

"Marry me?"

…