Okay, so after writing this for 5+ chapters, I realized that I totally and utterly forgot to say what state Thedas happens to be in at this point. So to give a brief rundown: *takes breath*

First off, SPOILERS. TO THE MAX. You can skip to the story part if you don't care about this stuff.

ORIGINS: (I don't reference DLC for this officially, but I mention a bit of Leliana's canon and my slightly noncanon backstory, so you can call that Leliana's Song if you want to. Oh, and Shale. Because Shale. So there's some Stone Prisoner, I guess) Saved Circle, and had mage support. Saved Connor and Isolde at Redcliffe (also lost Murdock…somehow). Got into a compromise with the werewolves and Dalish, and had Harrowmont as King in Orzammar. Recruited all possible main story party members. Killed Logain. At the end of Origins, Alistair became king with Elissa as queen (obviously. However, I also have Leliana and her "Warden" still in love and together, so there's that). Alistair did the ritual with Morrigan, so Kieran was a thing.

DA:2: (Again no DLC, but in my opinion Tallis should have appeared in Inquisition somewhere. Just saying) Bethany survived and became a Circle Mage (again…obviously). Friends will all main story party members, who except for Anders (because I killed him) are alive and well. Hawke sided with mages, romanced Merrill who stayed with her. Merrill also destroyed the eluvian. DA:2 isn't as important except for the mage thing and Merrill and Hawke.

INQUISITION: (oooookaaay…I will be referencing parts of each of the three DLC's eventually, but the big thing here is Trespasser. Solas can still be Fen'Herel, and destroy the world, but I will not be mentioning that. He's just super MIA. Also, Mari is keeping her arm. Because I really don't like that ending, but that's a rant for another intro. Inquisition will stay its own thing for now. Now what was the other thing…oh yes. I WILL WITHOUT ANY DOUBT REFERENCE THE WEDDING BETWEEN MARI AND CULLEN. Ahem, so there's the elephant in the room with that). Because this is a mostly Inquisition story, I won't directly say everything because that would take too long. So here's the super basic: did all the companion approval quests, including Leliana's, romanced Cullen (*sigh* the obvious again). I sacrificed Stroud in the Fade because I couldn't do that to Hawke, even if that was wrong gamewise.

So there's that. On with the story. I don't own Dragon Age, BioWare does (especially that Trespasser ending. They can shove that…somewhere most undesirable.) I claim Jonathan and Lyna…

Chapter 5: Reunited

The Inquisition forces would leave for Lake Calenhad tomorrow morning, and everything was ready and according to plan. Mari, Cullen, Hawke and Merrill (much to Hawke's disappointment) would make up the main part of the Inquisition party, dressed as noblemen and their servants. Bethany and Jonathan had left that morning to meet them there. Lelianna would have men trail them, but never reveal their position unless there was dire need. It's just like every other expedition we've done across Thedas. But not this time, thought Mari, gazing at the sunset glowing across the evening sky. She often took time to herself on the rooftop of her bedroom where no one could see her before a trip like this. It helped clear her mind of troubling thoughts and had her mind set on the tasks at hand; at least, it did normally. Mari sighed as she thought of her earlier conversation with Cullen, and shook her head.

"Come on Mari, focus on tomorrow's task. Don't worry about it. Maybe he'll just forget about it on the way."

"Something on your mind, Inquisitor?"

Mari nearly fell off the roof in surprise, as Lelianna climbed up from the window behind her and sat down next to her. "No, Leliana, I just…um…"

"If something is troubling you, there is no greater secret-keeper than a Spymaster."

"How did you even find me up here? No one sees me when I'm hid- I mean taking a break normally."

"I have eyes and ears everywhere, Inquisitor. Many of my ravens have told me of the times you came up here and gazed at the sunset before leaving." Leliana smiled at Mari, and her eyes went misty with remembrance. "I have often done the same as you have. Elissa and I, before her fight at Fort Drakon during the Blight, went into the attic of the inn near Denherim and talked for hours to relive our stress before the battle. If there is something troubling you, don't hold it back."

Mari took a deep breath and sighed. "You're right. And it's probably nothing to worry about anyways. If you really want to know…" Leliana looked at her and dipped her head as if to say yes. "All right. Well, yesterday, I was talking to Cullen about Queen Elissa and King Alistair's disappearance…"

"I hope they're alright. I mean, I didn't know Alistair so well when he came to Skyhold last time, and I never met Queen Elissa, but I still worry for them both, you know?" Mari was in Cullen's arms, with the both of them recovering from their lovemaking. Cullen looked at her, and pushed a lock of Mari's red-brown hair from in front of her eyes to the side of her face.

"I worry about them too. I still remember first meeting Elissa, back in my time in the Circle. She showed a compassion for the mages I thought long dead. I hope that compassion is spread to her children when they're born."

"Yeah, I forget that she's pregnant sometimes, with the whole 'Grey Wardens will never have kids' thing." replied Mari. A strange look filled Cullen's face; it was a mixture of longing and pain.

"I envy them, you know. I've always dreamed of that day, when I have children and can count my life complete. Haven't you?"

Mari stiffened. Children…with her? Cullen gave her a questioning look. "What's wrong?"

"Oh. Nothing. My…back just cramped. I need to sleep it off, is all."

I-alright. Goodnight, love."

…and I've been avoiding him since then." Mari looked at Leliana, whose face was unreadable.

"Cullen said he wanted to have children? With you?"

"I don't know! I mean, we've never even talked about marriage, let alone having children one day! I assume he meant me when he said that, but…I…what's that look for?"

Leliana now had a very large and impish grin on her face. "Cullen wants to have children with you someday? Oh that's wonderful to hear, Inquisitor! I have always loved you two together! I shall have Josephine begin wedding plans immediately!"

"What! No! I don't even know if Cullen wants to marry me, Leliana!" Mari knew she was as red as a cherry out of sheer embarrassment now.

"Well, if he is discussing future plans for children with you, I can only think that he wishes to have you be the mother of those children. And knowing Cullen, I think he wants his children conceived within the bonds of marriage. And the fact that he said this while in bed with you! Honestly Inquisitor, I have seen you map out plans of Thedas-wide assault on Corypheus, but you can't put together these simple facts?" Now Leliana was giggling between words, and Mari felt most humiliated.

"I-oh fine, I will admit I have thought of marrying Cullen one day, but this is entirely different! This is real!"

"Ah, so you are afraid of having a family one day? Of children? Or of commitment?" Mari could feel the blush down to her toes at that comment.

"No! Of course I've thought about it, my mother drilled it into my head when I was younger about having to produce heirs for my future husband, and I just accepted it was something I had to do. But Cullen and I have never once discussed children before. It was so…unexpected and…I don't want to have my hopes dashed if I lose him."

"Ah, I understand." Now Leliana had a look of sadness cross her face. "I felt the same way with my love once too."

"I didn't know you had someone you cared for, Leliana. Who is it?"

Leliana now had a blush to match her red hair. "You, ah, remember me mentioning my elven informant?"

"The one off on her own journey?"

"Yes. Her name is Lyna, and she was sent to kill me while I was travelling with Elissa during the Blight."

"You fell in love…with a woman who was sent to kill you?" Mari couldn't believe what she was hearing. The Leliana she knew didn't seem the type of person to fall in love at all, let alone with an assassin sent to kill her.

"Yes, I know it sounds a bit strange. But I knew her from when I was younger, and still living in Orlais. She came into contact with a…former employer of mine. But she and I eventually realized that in our passion for revenge of each other, there was also a passion of love that neither of us had known before. I had rather hoped that I would join her on her quest to cure the Calling by now, but that cannot be helped."

"So she's a Warden? Did Queen Elissa use the Rite of Conscription on her after she tried to kill you?"

"No, Lyna is not a Warden, but she did accompany us in our party after her trust was gained by all of us, and she and Elissa became very good friends. What she does, she does as a favour to Elissa for Elissa's allowance of her own life.

But love comes with great sacrifice, Inquisitor. I…almost lost my love to a poisoned Hurlock's sword at the battle at Fort Drakon. I was careless and did not see the bastard come up behind me. Lyna took its sword to save me, almost dying afterwards. I would not let her out of my sight for a great many months after that. But I realized that to love, you must trust your beloved to the ends of the earth, and in return, they will do the same to you. Think on that, Inquisitor." Leliana got up and gracefully went through the window. Mari looked quietly out into the setting sun, and followed her inside. She was so deep in thought that when Samuel came into her office ten minutes later, she didn't react until he tapped her on the shoulder, at which point she jumped a foot into the air.

"Maker, Samuel! You frightened the living daylights out of me!"

"Sorry, ma'am. I just came up here to tell you that you have visitors at the front gate."

"Oh? Who are they? And if it's an Orlesian noble, tell them I've died or something along those lines."

Samuel smiled. "No ma'am, it's no Orlesian noble. And…they've politely requested that their identity remain secret until they see you."

Mari felt unease run through her. "Alert the guards to be ready in case of trouble."

"All right, Inquisitor, but I have a feeling they won't shoot." With those words, Samuel ran out of the room. Mari shook herself and strode out of her office. She noted that the banners of Skyhold flew in the evening breeze, which they never did unless a truly important noble visited.

Damn it all, I bet Samuel was fooling me, and there is an Orlesian noble at the front gate, thought Mari and she went out into the courtyard. The armor of the guards shone a light in her eyes, and when she could see again, she saw something that made her heart stop. A small party of wagons and a carriage was inside the front gate, and in front of the front most wagon were two figures. One was a man, with blonde hair yellow enough to match Cullen's. The other was a woman much smaller than the man, with long, dark brown hair that curled down her shoulders to her breasts. She also sported a very rotund stomach. Both people were clad in dark blue, and on the woman's head was a line of gold metal that was only visible from the last daylight on her face. The soldiers kneeled, but Mari stood stock still, frozen and speechless at the sight of King Alistair and Queen Elissa.

"Your Majesties…I…" Mari's words were broken, and she finally forced her knees to bend.

"Please, Inquisitor, there's no need for that." Alistair spoke with the same embarrassment that he had used at his first visit. Mari stood again, and cleared her throat. "May I introduce my wife, Elissa."

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Inquisitor, and please, call me Elissa. My husband has told me so much about you." Elissa's was rich and warm like honey, and her words relaxed Mari to the center of her body.

"The pleasure is all mine, yo-Elissa. I welcome you to Skyhold. I hope-"Mari was cut off by the combined smack of a sword hitting the ground and a gasp of surprise. Mari turned to see Leliana standing behind her, completely white with shock.

"E-Elissa? Is that you?"

"Leliana." The sigh of relief that left Elissa's body was cut off by Leliana running up past Mari and embracing the Queen of Ferelden in a hug. The two women were speaking so fast (and Leliana's speech was so rushed it contained mixed in Orlesian), that Mari couldn't understand a word either of them were saying. She could also see the confusion etched in Alistair's gaze as well, so Mari turned and cleared her throat to Cullen, who had been standing with guard captain. He at once ordered the soldiers back to the barracks, and went to stand behind her. Mari again cleared her throat at Leliana and Elissa who stopped talking.

"Alistair, Elissa, you can follow me inside. Leliana, if you would get Josephine, Hawke and Merrill to the war room, I would greatly appreciate it." Leliana nodded, and walked back inside as if the wind were on her heels. "I'll also have the cooks bring up something for the both of you. Is there anything you'd like?" Alistair looked a little embarrassed, as he said, "I don't suppose you have any cheese…" Elissa snorted with laughter, and Mari laughed with her.

"Of course. I'll have the best cheese we have brought up immediately."

The dinner at the war table was full of laughter. Josephine had at first been angry at uninvited guests, but when she saw who their guests were, she dissolved into apologies. Hawke and Merrill had also reacted with great surprise. Merrill and Elissa bonded almost immediately, and were now at the end of the end of the war table discussing floral arrangements for the babies' room. Cullen, Hawke and Alistair were talking about Kirkwall diplomats, and Leliana was gazing across the table in silence, with a half-smile on her face. Eventually the doors were locked, and the table was called to order. Alistair and Elissa relayed their encounter with the two men on the road, which distressed everyone greatly.

"They must work for whoever is responsible for the disappearance of the mages. But who is it?" asked Cullen.

"Not Corypheus again?" added Hawke.

"No, Mari definitely took care of him." replied Cullen.

"The only name that was mentioned was Lord Herdal, and he was just the shorter of the two men we encountered." said Elissa.

"Herdal…that name is familiar…" broke in Merrill who had been sitting quietly next to Hawke, nervously braiding her hair.

"I'll look into it Inquisitor, and send any information I find." said Leliana, and Josephine started furiously writing at her clipboard, and when she finished, Josephine looked at Mari and said,

"There is one last thing that needs deciding, Inquisitor."

"What's that?"

"Who will stand in for you as Inquisitor while you are away?" Mari's mind went blank. Normally, she had Cullen stand in for her, as the two of them were so likeminded. But now that they were both going…

"If you don't mind, Mari…I would be honored to do so." Mari looked across the table at Elissa who had stood, a hand on her stomach.

"You? But…why?"

"Alistair and I talked on the way here, and he-or rather, we decided that I should stay here at Skyhold, for the sake of our babies. He would gladly accompany you, however."

"Erm…Josephine?" Mari looked to the Antivan diplomat for help.

"She…would be the most adequate to judge those brought here, with her experience as…queen. And I cannot see how having the King of Ferelden with you is going to impede your mission, especially with his experiences as a Grey Warden." There was the smallest hint of sarcasm in Josephine's voice as she spoke.

"All right, Elissa will stand in as temporary Inquisitor while I am gone. And don't worry Elissa, no harm shall come to Alistair while he's with us." Mari could see Elissa visibly relax at those words. "Now, if there is nothing else?" No words were spoken. "Good, then we leave at sunrise. Dismissed."

All of a sudden, Cullen raised his hand, drew his sword with the other, and whispered, "Someone is picking the door lock." Deathly silence fell over the room. Alistair stepped in front of Elissa, with sword raised, while both Hawke and Merrill had drawn sword and dagger. The door clicked, and swung open. A figure tumbled into the room; a small elven woman, smaller even then Merrill, with hair as dark as the night sky. She was dressed in ragged leather armor that was covered in dried blood. Her eyes were the colour of liquid emeralds and they poured into Mari's with a tepid brilliance. She made no movement to attack, but rather fell to one knee.

"Lyssa…I did it." Mari thought the elf's voice wise like the rustling of the great trees, but broken. There was a simultaneous gasp between Elissa and Leliana, as they both said in complete and utter unison,

"Lyna."

Well, things just got a lot more complicated for our Inquisitor. I also love the idea of not only Leliana but also Josephine secretly shipping Cullen and Mari (because let's be real: Josephine probably already has the wedding planned and a honeymoon spot reserved for them). I also like to imagine that Leliana and Mari are pretty close, so they can have "girl time" on the roof like that. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. And I really appreciate those of you that have taken the time to like/kudos/review this story. Now if you excuse me, I'm going to rest my hand after typing this