Chapter Four

Strength

{-Ellaina-}

She felt the power coursing through her just as she had in Starkhaven. Any pain she had experienced in the past weeks melted away. The memories that the Nightmare had stolen from her rushed back all at once. It made her feel as if her head would explode but the warm glow that covered her body kept it from overwhelming her. Her mind was her own again. Thank you Andraste. She said a silent prayer as she turned to Commander Cullen, her lover, her Lion. They had collapsed to the floor as the Nightmare took over his mind. She refused to allow him to be consumed. His lyrium withdrawal sent his chances of possession to soaring heights. She would not lose the only man she ever loved the same way she lost her sister. Bring him back to me. He belongs to me and no one else; he can't have my Lion. Ellaina began to recite the Chant just as she had all those years ago. Soon after she began Cassandra, Varric, Cole, and, surprisingly enough, Dorian joined her. Cassandra and Varric had been staring at her this entire time. No, lyrium doesn't normally do this people, or me for that matter. I'm going to a lot of explaining to do back at Skyhold. Ellaina thought to herself. All she cared about right now was bringing Cullen back from the clutches of the Nightmare.

"Cullen, my darling. Wake up. I can't do this alone." She whispered, as she bent over him and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead.

Cullen jolted and sucked in air as his eyes fluttered open. He looked up at her with those gorgeous amber eyes of his. I am so lucky to have you.

"You are…" he hesitated to find the right words, "You are the strongest woman I have ever met."

Ellaina saw what looked like deep understanding flash in his eyes. What did the Nightmare show him exactly? It didn't matter; she was sure he would explain later. All that mattered right now was that he had come back to her.

"Come with me my Lion?"

"To the Beyond and back."

Hearing that was all Ellaina needed. He got up and helped her to her feet. Despite feeling all the power coursing through her veins she could also feel how weak she remained. She knew she would need a weapon of some kind, but there was no way she could lift a greatsword. Frankly, she wasn't sure she would be able to lift a falchion.

"Can you walk?" Cullen asked her gently, seemingly sensing her fear of weakness.

"I think so. The lyrium has given me a lot of strength, but I don't think it'll be enough to make me effective in a fight."

"You don't have to worry about fighting. I'll be your sword and your shield."

"Cullen, I can't-"

"Yes you can. Let me be the strong one this time." Cullen cut her off, his eyes pleading with her.

"Alright."

With that he scooped her into his shield arm and the party marched up to the top of the stairs where Ellaina turned to face them. By this time she had stopped glowing.

"I can use my Templar abilities to stun them. I don't have the strength to disrupt the rift so we'll have to wait until all the demons have spawned from it before I can close it. I'll can only buy you about ten seconds."

"We already have soldiers on the ground fighting. They should be able to cut us a path to the rift. Once we're there we'll draw as many demons to the center as we can to give you a chance to stun them. After we clear them out close the rift." Cullen snapped into Commander mode as he conveyed their current situation.

"Cullen and I will take Ellaina to the front with us. Varric and Dorian you stay at range. You especially Dorian, we can't have you out of commission after the Inquisitor unleashes the Wrath of Heaven. Cole will be your flanker if things get hairy." Cassandra barked out orders to the remainder of the party.

"Ellaina my dear." Dorian interjected, "Try not to die. I would notice you were gone."

Ellaina smiled weakly at him, "Everyone ready?" she asked.

"Ready." They all replied.

"On your mark then, Commander." Ellaina addressed Cullen.

Cullen drew his sword once again signaling the party to charge. When they exited the dungeon light flooded into Ellaina's eyes. She had been in almost complete darkness for two months, and the assault on her pupils was more than she could bear. Her eyes closed against her will as the sounds of war filled her ears. She could hear Cullen and Cassandra challenging their enemies as screams of rage filled the battlefield. The sound of steel clanging against demon claws rang in her ears. The shouts of terror demons shook her very core. It had been too long since she'd been out of battle. It all seemed familiar, but so distant. Finally, after what seemed like ages had passed, she forced her eyes to open.

They were close enough to the rift that she felt her hand crackle and pop before she saw the rift itself. Her nerves were on fire as she looked over Cullen's shoulder to see the party had drawn a horde of demons towards the rift. Once they reached their destination Cullen gently placed her on the ground as he roared above the cacophony.

"Ok, Inquisitor! On my mark!" What seemed like hours passed as the legion of demons closed on their position. Ellaina felt the Wrath of Heaven building up, begging for release, "Now!" Cullen bellowed and the spell shook the ground. She watched helplessly as her comrades fought off the stunned demons.

This was the first time she had seen the Commander fight since Haven. His skill and grace on the battlefield reminded Ellaina of the other Templars she had trained with at Starkhaven. Even her own brother, Loren, who had been a Knight-Captain himself, couldn't begin to match the Commander. I'd like to see that sparring match. Ellaina thought to herself her thoughts seeming to block out everything that was happening around her. She couldn't help but recall training her own recruits. She had been promised to the Order at birth, just as her brothers had been, and her father before them. Her brothers left when they were old enough to officially begin training at eleven. Bryanne, her sister, was the first mage ever to be born to the Trevelyans. She was treated as an outcast. They never spoke of her, almost as if she didn't exist, after sending her to the Circle. Ellaina was ten years old when the First Enchanter showed up at their doorstep and took her baby sister away. She had never felt more betrayed in her life.

"Seal the rift Ellaina!" Cassandra yelled at Ellaina, shaking her out of her thoughts. Ellaina extended her left hand despite the shaking that wracked her entire body and was using all her strength to try and force the rift shut. Then she felt it. First it was gentle, a caress like a cool breeze on a warm summer day, then she felt the strength of it keeping her atrophied muscles from shaking her limbs loose. She turned around to look at Dorian. He was focusing on her, no past her, channeling his magic into her mark. She smiled at him, hoping that her silent thanks were conveyed. Cullen bent down and wrapped her in his shield arm again, holding her outstretched hand in his and lending her his strength. She needed him and he understood that without her saying a word. How did I get so lucky? I don't deserve this man.

Just when she thought the rift would never close she felt the surge of fire spread from her arm toward her heart and yanked back to slam the rift closed. Her power left in waves as she finally allowed the exhaustion to take her over. She didn't have to fear the Nightmare any longer.

She looked up to see the rift dissipate and then collapsed into the arms of her Lion. His face was the last thing she saw before her world faded into darkness, and she was so very happy.