Chapter 6
Athena sat on the balcony that led out from her quarters. Ever since she had became the Inquisitor a week ago, she has not stopped working. If she wasn't being informed about multiple tasks she needed to perform around Thedas, she was being overwhelmed by political movements and ongoing debates by Josephine or having Thedas' secrets whispered in her ear by Leliana. Peace and quiet was hard to come by and Athena had learnt very early on to cherish every chance she got to escape the madness. She sat on the banister that wrapped its way around the ledge, dangling her right leg over the edge, oblivious to the monumental drop that threatened to claim her at a seconds notice. Resting her back on the wall, she lifted back her head and took a deep breathe, letting the refreshing mountain air fill her lungs and settle her nerves. She let her mind wonder, allowing herself a brief moment to let go of all her responsibilities and for a second, feel like her old self again. For a moment she wasn't the Inquisitor.
She was so deep in thought that she did not hear the knock on her door, she did not even hear it open and footsteps make their way up the stairs leading to her quarters. She was only brought back to reality when the intruder let out a small cough, making their presence announced. Startled, Athena momentarily lost her balance and began wobbling on the narrow banister she had foolishly chosen as a chair. Cullen noticed what he had caused and rushed forward, reaching out to steady her. However, Athena managed to regain her balance and had chosen that exact moment to slide of the banister and plant her feet firmly on solid ground. She felt Cullen's hands wrap around her waist and snapped her head to look up towards his face, eyes round with shock at the sudden close proximity the two found themselves in. Cullen's expression mirrored her own as he realised his help was not needed and had ended up just holding her body.
"I'm so sorry! I thought you were going to fall and – Maker's breath" he gushed as he took a step back and removed his grip from the woman in front of him. Athena just looked at him, clearly trying to suppress her laughter but failing. Cullen turned his head away, shame written all over his face and lifted up his arm to rub his neck, stopping himself midway in an attempt to break the habit.
"I wouldn't say it was that amusing" and although his tone was stern, he could not stop the smile that crept onto his face as he watched the Inquisitor laugh before him.
"I'm sorry. I'm – your face was priceless" and with that, a new round of laughter began. Slowly she pulled herself together, letting out a slight cough and straightening up.
"What can I do for you Commander?" she inquired, the linger of a smile still resting on her features.
"I have some reports from our troops recent movements. I…also saw you sitting up here alone and thought I would offer my company" he responded looking rather sheepish. Athena looked at the man in front of her. He was always so strong and in control, two traits he had learnt during his career as a Templar. Yet here he was, looking bashful at the prospect of spending time with a woman. She offered him a warm smile,
"I would like that".
They spent the next hour, sitting on the couch that had been placed in her quarters, laughing and enjoying each other's company. At one point, Cullen had even demonstrated the dramatic take down of a giant he had once faced during an outing with his friends from the Templar order, which led to Athena needing some tissues as she cried with laughter at the play Cullen put on for her. Neither had realised how much time had passed. Neither cared. As the laughter died down, Athena looked at the Commander, noting to herself how stunning he looked in the afternoon light.
"We should do this more often" she proposed, gaining a dazzling smile from the man in return.
"I'd like that" and neither could deny the honesty in his voice. He looked towards the setting sun, sighing as it dawned on him how much of the Inquisitor's time he had taken up.
"I should go, I'm sure you have plenty to do" he said as he stood up. As much as Athena did not want him to leave, she knew it was inevitable. She followed him to the door, leaning on the rough wood as he stepped outside and turned to face her.
"Inquisitor" he said with a slight bow.
"Commander" she retorted, smiling affectionately at him. He returned the smile before walking away, heading back to the tower he had claimed as his own.
A deathly cold had settled over Skyhold that night, rain beating on the windows of her quarters. The fire was taking its last breath as the flames slowly died. Athena violently tossed in her bed, beads of sweat covering her forehead as tears began falling from her tightly shut eyelids. She shot up, suddenly breaking away from the nightmare that was plaguing her dreams. Her eye's darted around the room, desperately searching for signs of danger as she tried to calm her erratic breathing. Brushing aside the damp sheets, she climbed out of bed and made her way to the door. Dressed in only a small nightgown, thoughts of a coat or boots were the last thing on her mind as she made her way down the twisting stairs. She needed to escape that room.
She payed little attention to where she was going and found herself standing on the battlements, staring out into the world. The wind bashed against her bare legs and the rain quickly drenched her body. The thin nightgown clung to her shivering form, her hair, now out of its braid, stuck to her face. She felt nothing. Nor the rain or the cold. She just felt numb. Tears began falling from her eyes, mingling with the rain that soaked her face. She stood as still as a statue, paying no attention to her surroundings as the memories of what she had been through plagued her mind and robbed her emotions. She did not hear the Commander yelling her name, as he battled through the storm to reach her. She barely acknowledged the warm arms that wrapped around her icy form and guided her away from the walls. When the warmth of indoors hit her, she was knocked out of her fixation, suddenly very aware of the deathly cold that had chilled her to the bone and the sodding nightgown that gripped her body. She looked towards the man who had dragged her indoors, her eyes wide and full of fear. He briefly looked at her, concern flooding his features before he climbed up the ladders to his makeshift quarters.
Athena stood alone in his office awareness of her current predicament hitting her. She wrapped her arms around herself as she realised her nightgown had became somewhat transparent due to the rain, making it hard to hide her undergarments. Listening to Cullen shuffle about upstairs, she quickly tried to brush her tattered hair away from her face, failing miserably as the wind and rain had made it an untameable mess. Cullen reappeared, walking over to her and handing her what appeared to be an old shirt and a towel. Without saying anything he ventured back upstairs, giving her the privacy she required. Slowly she pealed away her ruined nightgown, drying herself as best she could before slipping on the warm shirt he had provided her with. It smells of him, she thought to herself as she nuzzled her nose into the worn material, drawing as much comfort as she could from the garment.
"Are you presentable?" she heard him say, waiting for her response before he came back down the ladders. Stepping closer to her, she could see the worry etched across his face.
"Why! Why were you out there? You could have made yourself ill! How long would you have stood out there if I had not dragged you inside? Maker's breath, Athena, what were you thinking!?" he demanded, losing his patients as worry overtook him and taking hold of her shoulders. She could not take his stern gaze any longer, looking away before whispering,
"I'm sorry"
He just looked at her, disbelief written all over his face. Suddenly he wrapped her up in his arms, resting his head on top of hers.
"Don't ever do that again" he said tenderly to her, closing his eyes and allowing himself to protect her, if only in this moment. Athena did not move, shock pinning her in place for a brief second, but slowly she wrapped her arms around his waist. She let out a sigh as the fear she had been overcome with left her body. That is when she realised she could not feel the familiar metal that usually adorned the Commander's body. She took a step back and he stood there, slightly disappointed by the sudden loss of contact. He stood in a lose shirt and trousers that she imagined he only wore for bed, as they were not as formal as his usual chose. He had no boots on and his hair was a mess. The candle light danced across his face and the soft lighting emphasised his handsome features. Realising she was staring, she quickly looked away for a second,
"This is the first time I have seen you without your armour" she said quietly. She never usually suffered from being a shy individual, however in this moment, with this man, she was suddenly overtaken by the unfamiliar feeling. He laughed at that, clearly not expecting such an insignificant detail to have been brought to light considering the circumstances.
"I guess you're right. I can go and put it back on if you'd feel more comfortable" he teased. She looked down, clearly embarrassed as she realised how silly she had sounded.
"You're not wearing shoes?" she questioned with a puzzled look.
"I saw you standing in the rain, by yourself, with no coat or boots. I was hardly going to stop and put shoes on, Athena" he responded, like it was the most obvious answer in the world.
"I quite like the idea of my dashing Commander running to my aid, disregarding all formalities, even boots" she teased, her usual confident demeanor returning to her.
"Your dashing Commander!" he retorted back, taking much enjoyment from the slight blush that made its way onto the Inquisitors cheeks. Suddenly, his expression turned serious and the worry returned to his eyes.
"Are you okay?" he questioned.
"I'm better now. Thank you, Cullen" she responded, taking a moment to look at the floor. She was clearly embarrassed by her actions, even though Cullen did not think she should be. Why do you always feel like you have to be strong? I wish you would let me help, he thought to himself as he observed the woman in front of him.
"Just know I'm always here if you need to talk. You're not alone. I promise" he said gently to her. She nodded and headed towards the door, knowing that she needed to let him rest. He followed her movement with his eyes, the conversation doing little to ease his concern.
"You can stay – if – if you want?". The unsure look gracing his features was enough the melt even the most guarded heart. Athena looked between him and the door, battling between her heart's desire to stay but knowing she should leave the man be.
"You need rest. I will be okay, don't worry about me" she answered as she began opening the door. He gave her a brief nod as he watched her go.
So after not being able to write for so long, I thought I had some catching up to do so here is the next chapter. Enjoy you good people of the internet!
