Skyhold

Benjamin Trevelyan looked out over the Frostback Mountains behind and around the castle. He was standing by the balcony where he first met Hawke. His thoughts were deep, churning in his head, chasing one another giving him a far off look. He was observing the beauty of his surroundings, but only passively. The grand majesty of the Frostbacks. They were here long before the Orlesian Empire, before Ferelden, maybe even before the Tevinter Imperium. They were timeless.

Yet even they are not forever.

If he could reach out with his senses Ben could feel it, rain wearing down rock, wind blowing away sediment, the natural forces of the world slowly, through a million cuts were hewing the rock, and laying it low.

There is a lesson in there.

"Inquisitor."

Benjamin half jumped out of his skin as he turned on Cassandra, who so rudely interrupted his thoughts.

"Andraste's ass Cassandra."

She smirked at him, "Sorry Ben."

"Uh huh." You don't look sorry at all…but it is good to see you…man if only I could…AHEM. "I take it you have a report to make?"

She nodded stepping up to him. "The Orlesian Empire just released their official findings of the investigation. They do not blame the Ferelden for the incident at all and are looking for the last of Durnham's rebels. The peace summit continues, the assassination attempt seems to have brought a little good will between the various delegates."

Benjamin felt a grin tugging at his lips. "Well, good. Seems Durnham's little experiment had the exact opposite effect of what he intended."

"Of course, had he succeeded, then it would have been much worse." Cassandra pointed out.

Benjamin bowed his head slightly, "Indeed, but he did not succeed. We did. And Southern Thedas is safe once again."

"Yes, but what other threats will come? What problems will spring from this?"

Ben snorted, wrapping his arms around her, and pulling her close. "Oh Cassandra, my Cassandra, you can never take a moment off can you? Always with the future you are."

She chuckled, bringing up an amused smile, "It is why you love me after all." She laughed.

He nuzzled her cheek, "Yes, but that is why we have the Inquisition. We'll be here, at least for now, to stop and mediate in any dispute. That is the promise I made to you."

He spun her around and pushed her upon him, she let out an amused chortle. But groaned. "Oh Ben, Inquisitor…I could stay like this all day, but the others…they sent me to fetch you for a celebration. I think Josephine has ordered more of the finest vintage from her family farm, and she questioned that if it 'breathed' too much it would ruin its floral undertones."

Ben rolled his eyes, "Where does she find these things?"

Cassandra snorted, "I don't know," She separated, but held out her hand, "Come shall we find out?"

Ben sighed, "I suppose we can…but you owe me for this later."

She snorted, "Oh, I intend to deliver on that debt…later…I've got plans for you Inquisitor my Inquisitor."

The grin that graced his face was quite stupid indeed. As he let Cassandra drag him off to his destiny.

Heading down one flight of stairs, across the other, and then up the winding stair case up towards the main hall of the Inquisition.

It really hadn't changed much in the months since they started the Inquisition and came to Skyhold. The same rough throne was there, the one from Ferelden. The tables still went along either side of the hold, and various dignitaries and representatives flanked each side of the room.

There seems to be a lot more of them then of late. Ben thought to himself taking in the new faces he saw, the unfamiliar, and those that had not graced Skyhold in a long while. Must be thinking about coming along to see the new Inquisition now that we have put the screws to Durnham.

Jospehine saluted them with her wine glass as they came upon them, "A toast, to the Inquisition, and to its Inquisitor, Benjamin Trevelyan for winning the day, and keeping the peace."

A small smatterings of "here here's" broke out amongst the assembled delegates.

"Thank you, thank you all," Ben acknowledged waving his hands placating, "It was…well it wasn't nothing, but it was necessary, to preserving the peace and prosperity of the South. Which we have done. Knight-Captain Durnham represented a threat to us all. He wanted to bring change at the point of a sword. Instead, he ensured that real change will begin to happen, here, now, one step at a time."

"Yes, together, we can change the world." Leliana opined, leaning against the table. "And perhaps we can put an end to the chaos threatening Thedas, once and for all. Peace breeds change, chaos and death breed's tyrants."

"Indeed, well said Leliana." Cassandra said, getting a glass of wine for herself.

Which she probably would not have said a few months ago. Ben thought to himself sipping at his own glass. But, that is a conversation for another time.

"Indeed, and who could threaten us now? With our influence, the renewed stability in the South, and with Tevinter having its own problems from the war, who would oppose us?" Josephine asked around her glass.

"We didn't see Durnham coming until it was too late," Cullen pointed out gruffly, "And there are always threats, the Qunari are still out there."

"Indeed," Ben mused, "but that…ladies and gentlemen…is a problem for another time. Let us enjoy the here and now, at least here, and now. We have another party to consider, another threat has been ended."

"Here here," Josephine said, "I hope it's alright."

Ben smirked.

"It's a little dry." Cassandra, he, and Varric all said together.

Josephine rolled her eyes, "Why do I get the feeling you are teasing me?"

"Oh we wouldn't do that to you Madame Montilyet." Benjamin snorted.

The Inquisition's Ambassador glared.

Ben joined in the frivolities. Mixing and mingling with the local dignitaries. Expressing and exchanging dignitaries, accepting thanks and congratulations from many of them.

The 'party' extended far after dusk, but felt more like a chore then a hundred minor battles with a hundred such Templars. He was tired and his back was aching and his head joined it in its throbbing.

Yet upon retiring to his quarters he discovered Cassandra waiting for him. Stretching languidly by the balcony. The Frostbacks shadowy shapes behind her. A glass of wine in her hand.

"What is that, your second?"

She turned towards him and smiled somewhat demurely, "No, my third."

Benjamin tisked, "Well Cassandra, this is most unlike you."

She nodded, "Dealing with politicians…gives me a headache. This helps…dull the pain."

Benjamin nodded, before stepping to join her by the balcony. Enjoying the cool night air washing over him. Invigorating him and renewing him all at the same time. He closed his eyes and felt the roll of the world plow into him, and roll over him onto whatever destination he had to go on.

"I don't like it either," Benjamin finally said, eyes snapping open.

She murmured, "Then why don't we just…put the rest on the Inquisition?"

Both of Benjamin's eyebrows shot up. "You mean retirement?"

She nodded slowly.

"Cassandra…I'm…I." He closed his eyes. "I am only in my thirties Cassandra. And even when I developed my magical talents rather late in my life. I still have…so much to do. The Inquisition has so much to do."

"I know," She murmured, sounding perplexed and pleading, "but I am…much older," her mouth tweaked up in a small wan smile. "Though I suppose I can't complain I was the one who wanted to start the Seekers over. And to continue to serve me just hope…maybe this time for life to be quiet again. You can always turn the Inquisition over to Cullen or…someone else."

Benjamin frowned, "I know," He sighed, "but I just do not feel its time…not yet. Maybe not for a great many years. After all so many questions still need to be answered, this little distraction with Durnham has prevented our long term objectives. Mediating in disputes, finding out more about the Elder One…and finding Solas. Those issues still hang over my head."

"Mine too," She said cuddling into him, "but just give me the night, ok?"

He nodded, "you will have all the nights I can give you, my love."

He said taking her hand and leading her off to the bedroom, indeed, for many nights to come. Inquisitor by day, Benjamin Trevelyan by night.

AN: And so we come to it, the end of another Dragon Age Inquisition fan fic. Hope you have enjoyed and if you can read and review I will appreciate it.