A Song from Skyhold Chapter 4, a dragon age fanfic

Chapter Four

"Your Worship." Krem greeted me as I opened the door to the Herald's rest. He and a few other Chargers were all gathered around a table with Varric, Hawke, Sera, and Dorian, playing cards. I grinned and walked over to them.

"Boss!" The Iron Bull bellowed as he made his way to the table carrying a couple of mugs in his hands. "I'm glad you could make it!" He set the mugs down and passed them to those that didn't already have a drink in hand.

"Wouldn't miss it, Bull. I'm going to go grab a drink. Don't let anything stupid happen without me here to see." He laughed as I smiled and casually walked over to Cabot at the bar.

"What're you drinking?" The dwarf asked gruffly, his expression unamused as usual.

"Hmmmm, just the standard Fereldan ale. I'm a woman of simple taste." He grunted and filled a mug for me to take back to the table. I thanked him, put a few coppers on the bar and made my way back over to my friends.

"So, what is everyone playing?" I inquired as I pulled a chair towards the table.

"Wicked Grace. What else?" Varric answered. "Want me to deal you in?"

I looked at the deck of cards with trepidation. It was well known among my friends that I was an awful "I think I'll take some time to watch. I don't remember the rules very well."

"Ah come on, you can remember as you play." He nudged me and I rolled my eyes. "We aren't even playing for money this round, just stories."

I looked around at the faces of my expectant friends. "Alright fine." At least all I put at risk was my dignity.

"Atta girl," Hawke gave me a gentle pat on the back and smiled. I took a swig of my drink and looked at my cards. My hand wasn't great, but I could bluff my way through for a while. We laughed as Varric and Hawke told tales of their adventures in Kirkwall for a solid hour.

"Sera, please think about it!" Bull said out of nowhere, gaining the attention of the table.

"No way! I'm not lettin ya launch me through the air! I like havin workin legs."

"But the mayhem Sera, think of the mayhem." Bull pounded his fist on the table, rattling our drinks.

"Damn it Tiny, you're still on about this?" Varric smirked from behind his mug. "Who on this planet would be reckless enough to let you literally throw them behind enemies?" Hawke slowly raised her hand with a grin. Varric's mouth pressed into a thin line. "Why did I even ask. You're a madwoman."

The Iron Bull guffawed and I could hear Krem snort from the other end of the table. "Sorry Hawke, you'd be too heavy. That's why I'm asking Sera! She's light enough that I could toss her! Come on Sera, I know you want to try it!"

"No. Way. I'm crazy, not stupid." She shouted over Hawke's complaints asking if Bull was calling her fat and I couldn't help but smile. Sera and the Qunari wall had been having this argument for months.

"Ah fine," The Iron Bull waved it off, disappointed. "Anyone else need another drink?" He asked, standing up with his own mug. I lifted mine up and cheesed a smile.

"I need another mug if I'm going to get drunk enough to keep company with you lot!"

"You got it, Boss! But if you're aiming to get drunk, you need something strong. None of that ale that takes forever for you to even feel the warm. I know just the thing." He stared at me pointedly and I knew I was going to regret letting Bull choose my booze, but I agreed nonetheless because I knew whatever he picked was bound to help me loosen up.

"Oh frig, Quizzie. You're gonna hate yourself in the mornin!" Sera giggled and snorted. "Bull only drinks the strongest stuff." I shrugged.

"Seriously, Your Worship," Krem shouted from down the table. "He once brought me a cup of mead that burned my throat and the next thing I remember was waking up under a table." A round of laughter erupted from the group at the image of Krem literally drunk under the table.

"Are you saying that you don't think I, The Herald of Andraste, can hold my alcohol?" I shouted, puffing out my chest in pride.

"Don't say we didn't warn you when you regret this later!" Krem laughed and I just raised my hands in acceptance. Bull returned with his drink and mine. I took a sniff of the brew and felt the walls of my nostrils burn. I took a fast gulp and nearly choked as the brew stung my nose and throat, leaving a trail of fire.

"Fuck!" I spluttered as the Iron Bull laughed and Sera snorted. Hawke gently patted my back, but I could feel her shaking with held back laughter. "What is this stuff, Bull?"

"A Chasind brew. Some of the strongest Southern drink you'll ever have."

"Maker's Breath, it stings." I steeled myself and took another drink, the pain less this time. I could feel the warmth spreading across my face as the alcohol began taking effect. "But I guess that means it'll do the job."

"You're damn right it will." Hawke cheered and held up her own mug to smack against mine.

We all drank and I could feel my body warming and I knew that I was in for a fun evening. Krem started talking about some of the scars he had gathered during his time with the Chargers and Bull told to story of how he lost his eye helping Krem. Hawke stood and lifted her shirt over her stomach to show us a scar she had left over from some bandit on the wounded coast and Sera gave a whistle of approval at the lack of modesty from the Champion. It seemed like everyone had interesting stories regarding the large scars they sported from their adventures and I thought about the ones I had. My soon to be newest scar was from my own incompetence and wasn't something I was going to be proud of. I lifted my hand to my face and gently traced the large scar that had marred my right cheek. It wasn't a pretty scar, running from my ear to across my nose, but it was the one that I wore with pride.

"What about you Ava?" Dorian asked. "I don't believe you've ever told us the story of how you got that one." He tapped his cheek in the same place that I was tracing the puckered skin on mine. I smiled and thought for a moment about how to best tell the story.

I was just about to begin the tale when the tavern door opened and Cullen walked in. I was surprised for just a moment before The Iron Bull shouted, calling for Cullen to join us. Of all the people in Skyhold, Cullen was one of the last I expected to see in the Herald's Rest. He smiled and scanned the faces of those at the table and a faint look of surprise crossed his face when his eyes met mine. My face was suddenly warm from more than just the Chasind brew and for a moment I thought I saw a tinge of pink across his cheeks before he regained his composure.

"Inquisitor." He acknowledged me as he grabbed a chair and joined us.

"Commander." I nodded, taking another drink, wincing, and looking at my cards, trying to avoid his gaze.

"Shouldn't you be resting?" I could hear the gentle concern in his voice and I looked up from my abysmal hand.

"I'm alright. I got the ok from the healers to move around as long as I don't strain myself for a few more days. And the potion you sent me is definitely helping. Thank you for that by the way." I smiled and say the worry on his face lessen.

"You're welcome." He smiled at me and I'm sure my cheeks turned pinker than dawnstone, but if anyone noticed, they didn't say anything. Cullen turned to Varric, "Is it too late to be dealt in?"

"We're almost done with this round so we can deal you in after this, Curly. You got here just in time, Ava here was about to tell us how she got that scar." The dwarf nodded towards me. Cullen raised his eyebrows and I shrugged my shoulders.

"I got it a few years back in a seedy Ostwick tavern." I drank the last of my pint and continued. "I was about sixteen and foolish. I had snuck out of my family's manor to go meet with a dashing young kitchen boy for a few drinks and a possible toss in the hay."

"Tsk tsk Inquisitor," Dorian said, leaning forward. "How unladylike of you." I laughed and gave a snort.

"I knew that, why do you think I had snuck out? Anyway, I was enjoying my time pretending that I wasn't the daughter of a Bann when there was shouting at the back of the tavern. Some asshole had apparently pinched the ass of a barmaid and she was yelling at him while he laughed and kept grabbing at her. Everyone else was just staring into their drinks or food, trying to ignore the commotion at the back. Needless to say, I wasn't going to ignore it, so I stood from my table. The kitchen boy- Gerard- tried to pull me back, but I smacked his hand away. I wasn't going to leave some poor girl to deal with that alone." I stopped for a moment to pull another card and see if it did anything to help my hand. It didn't.

"Well?" Bull prodded, pushing my shoulder.

"I held my head high and marched right over to the man sitting at his table and demanded that he leave the young barmaid alone. Of course, I held no authority in his eyes, so he stood up and let me tell you that I about shit my pants when he did." Hawke laughed and Cullen ran his hand over his face, sensing where this story was headed. "That man was much larger than I was anticipating. I had to crane my neck to look up at him and he was about twice as wide as I was, but like I said, I was young and foolish so I took a deep breath and stood my ground. He asked me to repeat myself in a very threatening manner, but I was just as stubborn back then as I am now and I said Leave this young lady alone or I will make you. He didn't like that. Luckily, my father had insisted that I have some sort of combat training when I turned fifteen, so my reflexes were quick enough and the man was at least a little drunk and off balance. He threw a punch and I ducked under his arm and behind him where I boxed his ears. He shouted obscenities and everyone around us scattered as we entered into a regular tavern brawl with him mostly punching and me mostly ducking and feinting. Eventually he got frustrated and pulled a small knife from his belt and took another swing at me. I misjudged how far the blade would be from my face as I tried to lean away from his swing and he sliced me open from my ear to my nose. I ducked and got behind him one last time where I picked up a stool and hit him across the face with it as he turned around. That knocked him out and a city guard came running into the tavern. Apparently Gerard had gone to fetch one as soon as the man stood up. I got taken to an apothecary to stitch up the cut and he was arrested for assault when the patrons agreed that he had started the fight. However, I still got in considerable trouble with my parents when they saw the wound the next morning at breakfast. But that tavern never had a problem with him again."

The Iron Bull let out a hearty laugh and everyone chuckled with him. I looked up at Cullen and saw that he was staring at me, studying the scar before Varric spoke.

"Well I'm going to file that story away in my memory to write down later. Inquisitor Trevelyan, gallant and reckless hero of the little guy. The title may need some work and the story definitely needs some embellishment, but the meat is there."

I rolled my eyes, took one last look at my cards and knew that I wouldn't be able to bluff my way out of that hand.

"I fold. I'm going to go get a drink. Anyone need another?" I stood up and Bull, Sera, and Krem handed me their mugs. I looked at Cullen. "What's your poison, Commander?"

"Oh, uh...Just ale." He smiled shyly and rubbed his neck. I nodded and took the mugs back to Cabot.

"Same stuff?" He asked. I nodded.

"But uh, just give me ale again oh, and one more for the Commander." I didn't think i could handle another of Bull's brew, I feared i was already wobbling from the first one. Cabot took our mugs and filled them wordlessly and handed me a new tankard for Cullen.

"Do you need help with that?" Cullen's graveled voice came from behind me. "I figured you could use an extra set of hands for five full drinks."

"Please?" I smiled sheepishly and the Commander returned my smile before taking three of the cups. "Thank you." He nodded and I placed my coins on the bar before we walked to the table where we set down the drinks. I could feel his shoulder almost unbearably close as he moved back to his seat across from me. How I wished it could be closer. I gave my head a small shake and giggled as I passed the drinks out, trying to remove certain thoughts from my mind.

"Are you okay, Inquisitor?" Cullen asked. Of course he would notice, just my luck.

"Of course, just feeling the hum of a pleasant drink is all." I grinned, feeling a blush spread over my neck and chest. I wasn't lying exactly, that Chasind brew was definitely coursing through my body and clouding my thoughts, but Cullen didn't need to know what those thoughts were.

I took my seat as Varric dealt a new hand. The area was strangely quiet as we all took a moment to study our cards and it hit me.

"Where's Maryden? I just realized she isn't here." It felt even weirder now that I finally noticed why there wasn't any music playing. Maryden was in here playing almost every night.

"Oh, she's sick." Krem quickly replied. I raised my eyebrow at him and saw his ears turn red. "I mean, uh, so I've heard."

"Suuuure Krem." Bull drawled and Sera cackled.

"Stop tryna to hide it. Anyone can tell you fancy her by the way you look at her from your little chair. I bet you were visiting her earlier to check on her." Sera said as she leaned back in her chair, her face flush from alcohol. Krem was turning red for a different reason. Poor fellow. I guess I wasn't the only one dealing with feelings of fancy.

"Well she's a lovely lady so I can see the appeal." Dorian said casually. "And there's nothing wrong with finding someone that makes you happy." He looked pointedly at me and I didn't meet his gaze, focusing instead on a suddenly fascinating knot in the wooden table. I looked up and met Cullen's eyes for a split second before darting mine away.

"Dorian's right Krem, the world is dark enough, especially right now. Take your happiness where you can find it." Cullen said and I looked back at my friends. Krem had his face in his hands and Bull was smiling like a knowing father at his son. I took a swig from my mug, the conversation was getting uncomfortably familiar.

"Well I hope she gets better soon. The tavern feels a little empty without her music." I put a tokens into the pile, " I raise."

"Alright, Songbird. I'll see that bet." Varric threw his own tokens into the pile.

"Songbird?" Hawke asked. Varric laughed.

"Oh yeah. She sang for us a few days back when we were in the mountain camp. Dorian can tell you. It was unexpected that's for sure, but I've gotta hand it to her. She sounded pretty good."

"It was quite amusing. After hearing her yell at demons so often, it shocked me that she could make a sound so pleasant." Dorian deadpanned and I laughed.

"No way." Bull stated. "No offense Boss, but you do not seem like the musical type. Too rough around the edges." I opened my mouth to respond, but Hawke beat me to it.

"I dunno. I could see it." She replied. "I've seen weirder things happen."

I wasn't sure if it was pride or the alcohol, but I actually started to feel offended. "What's so odd about it? I had passions and interests before the Inquisition. My life didn't always revolve around slaying demons and leading the faithful." I crossed my arms and narrowed my eyes.

"Well I'd like to hear it." Cullen said smoothly, taking a long drink from his cup. I remembered telling him that I enjoyed playing music earlier that day and was glad that he seemed to trust that I could do it. "If Varric and Dorian and you say that you can, then I believe it, but Bull clearly needs more convincing." He smiled at me and I suddenly felt a surge of confidence.

"You know what, fine! What have I got to lose? Wait here. I'm gonna ask Cabot for some spoons." I really hoped I wouldn't regret doing that.

Bull laughed and slapped the table. "What do you need spoons for?!" I simply smiled.

"You'll see." I turned and walked to the bar, "Cabot, I need two metal spoons." He raised his eyebrows at me, but handed me two spoons regardless. I puffed out my chest and strode back to my friends. "Listen and learn." I stared at The Iron Bull and adjusted the spoons between my fingers until I had them placed just right.

I propped one leg up on my chair and began clacking out a rhythm with the spoons resting between my fingers on my right hand and hitting them between my left hand and my thigh. I looked Bull dead in the eye and started singing an old Free Marches song.

"'S é'n trua nach mise, nach mise

'S é'n trua nach mise bean Pháidín