Chapter Twenty-Three

Many topics came up during the meeting, several of which concerned Kirkwall and the changes being implemented there. Their suggestions were met mostly with cautious optimism, but then, this group seemed more mage-friendly than others Evelyn had encountered. Still, it gave her a bit of hope.

The meeting lasted the remainder of the day and well into the evening. After it adjourned, everyone felt that they had accomplished much and was looking forward to taking their ideas to the larger conclave in Orlais later that year.

Evelyn and Cullen had a late dinner with Alistair and Solana, where it was suggested that instead of waiting for the chantry in Kirkwall to be finished, which would take a couple of years, they could use the chantry in Denerim and get married there. Both she and Cullen were from Ferelden, after all, and although some of her family would be traveling from Kirkwall themselves, it wasn't a bad idea. They decided to give it consideration and would let the King and Queen know soon.

After supper, they withdrew to their rooms. Cullen escorted Evelyn and told her goodnight, then kissed her.

Evelyn wrapped her arms around his neck, deepened the kiss, then said, "You could just move your things into my room. We are engaged, after all."

Cullen hugged her and kissed her shoulder, "That is an extremely tempting offer, my love."

Evelyn smiled, she kissed his neck and asked, "Why is there even a question?"

Cullen sighed, "Because, I want to, so badly, but I also still have an example to set."

Evelyn furrowed her brow, "Your prisoner is gone. There is no need to have your Templars here any longer. Send them off and we can spend the rest of the week in each other's company. Just the two of us."

Cullen paused, "Instead of leaving for Kirkwall tomorrow?"

Evelyn nodded, "Why not? I'll send word to Bran that the two of us decided to stay in Ferelden a bit longer, then we can have an entire week to ourselves. Once we're back, we won't have another opportunity until we're married."

Cullen hesitated a few seconds, considering it, then gently grabbed her wrists from around his neck and kissed her fingers, "We mustn't. We both have obligations that we should get back to and I fear that in this unstable environment, even a week might be too long." He smiled at her, then continued, "Besides, it's only a matter of time now before we will be able to spend each evening together."

Evelyn was understandably disappointed, but nodded and decided not to press the issue. She reluctantly opened her door, entered her room, and looked back at Cullen, "Goodnight, my love."

Cullen nodded at her, then entered his own room for the evening.

Evelyn cleaned up and got ready for bed. As she was about to settle in for the night, a thought crossed her mind. Out of curiosity, she went to her table and picked up a gold locket. She stepped out onto her balcony and opened it. The red glow emanating from it was faint and pointed northwest. Wherever Anders was heading, the Divine certainly wasted no time making sure he was on his way.

Evelyn understood why he had accepted her offer. If he could proceed with the consent of the Divine in making the difference that he had wanted to for so long, it was infinitely better than wasting away for maybe twenty years in a prison cell. She would have done the same. It was also very characteristic of him. Instead of metaphorically trading "one prison for another", he had literally done so this time.

She closed the locket. The ring now on the fourth finger of her left hand caught her attention. It did have an ethereal glow to it, especially in the moonlight. As she looked at it she wondered aloud, "What do you anticipate, Cullen?" Did he really have such a grim view of the future, or was it just a reassurance he hoped she would never have to use? She wished, and suspected, it was the latter - otherwise, why help with the changes in Kirkwall so much? Lately, though, his outlook had seemed more pessimistic.

She remembered what he had said about Templars seeking dispensation to marry; the chantry wanted to ensure that should the worse happen, wives would have a means of supporting themselves and their families. Well, she was certainly more than capable of that, but his status as Knight-Commander in Kirkwall practically assured that he would remain there, relatively safe from any larger conflict. The mages seemed as happy as they could be, under the circumstances, and once the changes were implemented, she'd hoped that more mages would want to come and to be welcomed within the city. Even if the circle in Kirkwall rebelled with the others in Thedas, she had no doubt they could quell an uprising. They had done it before, so there was no reason to think they couldn't do it again.

The more she thought about it, the more her head hurt. It was late and she was very tired. She felt as though there was more there, but what it was eluded her. She decided to leave it for another day. She placed the locket back on her table, then settled into bed and went to sleep.