I Dreamed a Dream (of banana pancakes) - A Dragon Age Inquistion Fan Fiction by Foxfire79 (Cullen/Inquisitor)

Disclaimer: I don't work for Bioware, nor have I ever been involved with the creation of any of the characters within the Dragon Age universe. I'm just playing with them (as we were meant to). The only original characters are the ones I created in-game, and have brought over to the fanfic universe: Ceridwen Cousland, my human female rogue Grey Warden from DA:O, Rhiannon Hawke, my female rogue from DAII, and most importantly Lilah Trevelyan, my human female rogue Inquisitor who is currently breaking heads and taking names while tearing around Thedas. Apparently I like being a rogue, human and female. Who knew?

So just as a warning or whatever, Cullen's not in this chapter much, either. I did seem to end up writing a LOT of Cole, though. Hopefully that worked out alright. Also, it turns out I really like a Blackwall/Josephine pairing. Just sayin'.

So it turns out this is actually a really long chapter featuring little chats with all of the companions. I was going to break it in half, then then I thought... Nah. Best to just get the whole thing out of the way, then back onto the Cullen goodness in chapter 7.

Also I think I need to thank all the people who have followed and favourited so far. You guys are the reason I'm still writing this. I love you all. Happy New Year. :-)

Previously...

"I believe we've reached the end of your list of troubled hold-folk. You'd best grab yourself some lunch at the tavern, and might I suggest... having a relaxing afternoon?"

Lilah blinked, happy with her reprieve.

"I... thank you, Josie. I know there is more to be done, but I think I do need to let my mind settle a little. I'd also like you to call the War Council together later this afternoon. I think I'd like to see which operations need attending to."

Jospehine nodded, once again all business.

"As you wish, Inquisitor. Shall we make it for the same time as yesterday?"

Lilah stood up from the throne, the bones in her back cracking as she stretched out her aching muscles.

"Sounds good, Josie. Thank you. I'll let everyone else know to meet us in there, too. I think I need to allay some fears amongst my Inner Circle."

Josephine nodded and started to head back to her office, writing down a few notes on her board as she walked. The woman could multi-task like nobody else. Lilah jumped down off the platform and almost scurried out into the sunlit courtyard. She'd go out, and chat with all of her companions. That should waste a couple of hours, at least. Then maybe catch up on some of her paperwork, or go to the garden and check on the herbs. Maybe pop into the chantry and pray for the strength she'd need to face Ser Cullen across the map table during the War Council meeting. Oh, Maker... This was not going to be an easy meeting.

Now...

Lilah trudged to the tavern, still not a hundred per cent convinced that she'd almost, for want of a better word, shagged Ser Cullen the previous night. The throbbing in her nether regions had ebbed, thank goodness, but all of her other muscle pains were still fairly bad. Harritt had confirmed that she's been crafting weapons last night, the kitchen staff had confirmed that banana pancakes had been cooked, and Harding had confirmed her little jaunt up the wall. The only one that could actually confirm what had happened with Ser Cullen was the man himself, and he seemed to be making himself somewhat scarce, today of all days. She'd asked Varric to join her in the tavern for lunch, so she could break the news about the destruction of his works in a comfortable space. With many people around, so he couldn't make too much of a scene, hopefully. She'd left him in his writing corner, picking up all of his bits and pieces to bring them to the tavern instead. He wouldn't be too far behind her though. She wandered up to the bar, and ordered two tankards of mead and two serves of the stew of the day, labeled 'venison' in commas. She didn't want to think about that too hard.

Varric sauntered into the tavern, amidst cheers and rounds of applause. Apparently almost everyone present was a fan. That might work in her favour. He sat down at the table across from her, just as their 'venison' stews arrived, and their mead tankards placed carefully beside them.

"What's the problem, Lize? You were so serious when you asked me over here. Wait wait wait, is this a confession of Love? Will Wynter Frost finally have a love interest in my next chapter? Please tell me that's it?!"

Lilah barked out a laugh and punched him lightly on the arm.

"Varric! I'd never come between you and Bianca, perish the thought!"

Varric placed both his hands over his heart, and breathed a deep sigh of relief.

"Thank the Maker, my chastity remains intact. But what did you call me out here for? I'm in the middle of writing a great chapter, what with The Steel Ox becoming all serious with his religious beliefs conflicting with his new relationships..."

Lilah chewed on her lip, trying to figure out how to break the news gently. To the Void with it! Varric was an adult.

"Listen, Varric... It was brought to my attention that late last night, or possibly this morning, someone burned a great many copies of your latest series in the library fireplace. I'm so sorry."

Varric sighed, and scratched his chin.

"It's only to be expected, I guess. Not everyone's going to be a fan. Still, I feel bad for the printers, all their hard work gone up in smoke."

Lilah looked at him, slightly confused.

"I thought you'd be madder than this."

Varric gave her a lopsided grin and punched her back on the arm.

"Oh, I'm completely livid, Lize. I just have an incredibly charming angry face. I still have all the original texts, I can get them printed again, at my own expense, and recirculated. Nothing to lose any sleep over. Speaking of which... How are you doing? Cassandra was rather..."

Lilah grinned, rubbing some feeling back into her arm and taking a deep swig of her mead.

"Cassandra-ish?"

Varric scooped up a mouthful of the mystery stew, grimaced and swallowed it.

"For want of a better descriptor, yes."

Lilad put down her tankard, and started eating her own bowl of mystery stew. It wasn't that bad actually.

"I'm fine, Varric. I'm better than fine. In fact, I've called another War Council meeting for this afternoon, and all of you are invited. I think I've regained faith in myself. Hopefully."

Varric looked up from his bowl and smiled.

"We all believe in you, Lize. Don't ever forget that. Now hurry up and eat, the colder this stuff gets, the less palatable it becomes."

They finished their lunch in a companionable silence. As they were about to stand up and leave, there was a slight gust of wind, and Cole suddenly appeared, sitting beside Varric.

"Maker's Breath!"

Varric almost sprung out of his seat, then once again covered his heart with one hand.

"You've gotta stop doing that, Kid! You'll give me a heart attack!"

Cole looked seriously at Varric, peering at him from under his large, floppy hat.

"There's nothing wrong with your heart, Varric."

Varric stood once more, and bowed slightly to both of them.

"It's a figure of speech, Kid. Just... stop jumping out and scaring people like that. I need to go anyway, so I will see you at the meeting this afternoon. Same time as yesterday, I assume? I have to contact my printers in Kirkwall, let them know there's been an increased demand in the first few volumes of 'Eye'. Maybe they'll give me a discount, seeing as I'm their best customer..."

He left the tavern, leaving Cole and Lilah at the table by themselves. Cole perched on the bench, birdlike, now peering at Lilah as she finished her stew.

"It's Nug."

Lilah looked down into the almost empty bowl, horrified, and back up at Cole.

"What? The stew? Oh Balls... Why didn't you say something earlier?!"

Cole looked down at his fingers, breaking eye contact.

"I didn't want to interrupt you while you were eating. You seemed to be enjoying yourself..."

Lilah dropped her spoon and sculled back the last of her mead, trying to get the unfamiliar stew taste out of her mouth.

"I was enjoying the company, not the food!"

Cole snickered softly under his breath, watching her antics. Then his face grew serious again

"I just wanted to thank you, Lilah Trevelyan, The Herald of Andraste, The Inquisitor."

Lilah placed her tankard back on the table, and glanced at him, curiously.

"Thank me? For what?"

Cole peered into her eyes, still perching birdlike on the bench across from her.

"You could have blamed everything you did last night on me, but you didn't. Josephine thought I did it. You could have just agreed, it would have been so much easier than dealing with all of those people. You didn't though. You admitted it all, even though it was embarrassing. Why?"

Lilah looked at him, and smiled.

"Why would I blame you for something I did? We're friends, Cole. You don't blame your friends for the ridiculous things that you do yourself."

Cole looked down at the floor, then back to his hands dangling between his legs, then back up at Lilah.

"Friends. I'm glad we're friends. Can I call you Lilah, then?"

Lilah reached over and took one of his hands in hers, giving it a squeeze. He startled, then smiled softly and gave it a squeeze in return.

"Of course, Cole. I'd be delighted if you called me that."

He took his hand back, and looked at it. Then he looked back up, his eyes fully revealed as his hat slid back a little on his head.

"Lilah, I need to ask you something, but I don't know if it's a private question. Solas has been trying to teach me the difference between private and public, but I still haven't gotten a proper grasp on it."

Lilah leaned forward, a serious look on her face. Cole could be very childlike sometimes.

"You can ask me anything, Cole. I don't mind."

Cole lowered himself to sit on the bench properly, feet now resting on the floor, as he leaned forward to ask his question softly.

"When Ser Cullen left your room last night, why was he so conflicted? I could sense his thoughts from the tavern..."

Cole stopped speaking. He stopped speaking because Lilah had grabbed his hand so tightly his knuckles had popped.

"You saw him? You saw him there? That means that he... that WE... Oh, Balls!"

She rested her head on the table, then started banging it slightly against the wood, each hit accentuated with an utterance of the word 'Balls'. Cole reached out and stroked her hair, not really knowing what to do in this kind of situation.

"I've made you upset. I tend to do that. Sorry. Would you like me to leave?"

Lilah stopped hitting her head and just let it rest on the table, eyes gazing at nothing. This pretty much clinched it. She'd taken advantage of Ser Cullen, somehow.

"Please don't leave. Just tell me how much you saw, or what you saw. Anything at all. Please, Cole."

So he told her. He told her about the kitchen, the Undercoft, the map room, scaling the wall. He'd pretty much been following them all night. Then his speech faltered. Lilah gave him an encouraging look, so he took a deep breath and continued.

"I see him carrying you, to your chambers. He was so afraid when you fell from the wall, his heart hammering in his chest. He wants to seem angry, so he refuses to speak to you, but he relishes the feel of you in his arms. He struggles with the door, but he doesn't want to let go of you, so he perseveres. He wants you to go to sleep, then you say something that makes him want to comfort you. He turns away so you can change your clothes, but he spies your reflection in the mirror and he can't look away, eyes drinking in flesh, precious, pale, perfect. He recognises the shirt as one of his own, the vision is so alluring he wants to touch you but he holds back once again. Then you say something that spurs him into action, and he kisses you, touches you, presses you against the wall, wishes to take you completely but once again he is held back by a single thought..."

Lilah had sat back up at this point, cheeks flaming, but hanging on the young man's every word. It HAD actually happened.

"What was the thought? What kept holding him back?"

Cole closed his eyes, concentrating.

"All I can see is a small glass bottle with a purple liquid in it. Every time he wanted to push his advantage, this thought held him back. That's all I see, sorry."

Lilah reached out and took Cole's hand in her own once more, giving it a squeeze.

"Thank you, Cole. I needed to know all of this. Seeing as Ser Cullen isn't making himself available today, at least I now know that what I thought happened actually happened. And that what's left of my virtue is still intact."

Cole looked away, his face turning toward's Ser Cullen's tower.

"His thoughts are still muddled, but they are full of memories of you. He tries to sleep to forget, he chastises himself for being weak, but he also longs for your touch again. He fears he'll go mad if you refuse him, as he will never push his luck like that again. He considers his options if he has to leave the Inquisition because working beside you and not being able to be with you would be too much. He realises he's falling in love, and it scares him, because he's never been in love before and the emotions that come with it... My... My head hurts..."

Cole trailed off, staring at the table.

"That was too much, wasn't it. I'm sorry. I think those were his private feelings, and I just made them public. Solas will not be pleased with me."

Lilah's cheeks were bright red again. Ser Cullen had proper feelings for her? He was beginning to fall in love with her? She still barely knew anything about him, she didn't even know his full name. As far as she knew, he didn't know her full name either. He knew about her family, but she knew nothing about his. She was definitely physically attracted to the man, but she couldn't possibly be falling in love with him yet, could she? The memories from last night rose to the forefront of her mind again, his tender first kiss, his fervent whisper of her name, telling her he wanted her, her fingers threading through his hair as his kiss had deepened... She'd have no problem partaking in all of that again. She just had to get to know the man better before admitting to any deeper feelings. Cole reached out, hesitantly, and rested a hand on her forearm.

"You're confused too, aren't you?"

Lilah gazed at the worried young man before her. Cole truly was an enigma. She found it hard to think of him as a spirit entity, or a demonic one, depending on which of her mages she was discussing him with. She preferred Varric's way of thinking of him, simply as a young man desperately in need of companionship. Lilah sighed and rested her chin on her palm, her elbow braced against the table.

"I am confused indeed. Thank you though, Cole. For sharing."

Cole still looked worried, so she tried to give him a reassuring smile. Her lips did feel a little wobbly, though, so she wasn't sure how reassuring the smile would be. He leaned forward, as if to whisper to her, and Lilah mirrored his stance. This just seemed to be a day full of people wanting to convey things to her via whispers.

"When he thinks of you... the hard edges of his mind soften. I can feel him relaxing, for the first time in a long time. Like when he found you in the snow. Blue needles under the skin, picking, prodding, but no more. He carries you in his arms to the warmth of the tents, to safety, and for the first time he wonders what it would be like to be... of importance to you. He wants to be the first person you see when you awake, but he is called away and the Revered Mother takes his place. It's not fair, not fair. He wanted you to see him, wanted you to know that he cared for you, that he waited out there in the cold, and the dark, alone, shivering, shaking, but sure that you would return. He knew you would return, even when everyone else had given up hope."

Lilah's throat had gone dry. She could feel the beginnings of tears starting to form behind her eyes. Oh, Maker...

"I didn't know... No-one told me what happened after Haven. He waited for me?"

Cole nodded, his hat once more obscuring his eyes.

"Every night, until the afternoon you finally appeared. He could have died himself, sitting there, refusing meals, peering out into the darkness. His belief in you drew your spirit, like a beacon. Brought you back to safety. Home."

She could feel the tracks of tears rolling down her cheeks, but she could also feel her lips curling up at the corners of their own accord. Maker's Breath, what on earth was wrong with her? She'd never really been an emotional sort before. Maybe she was still feeling after effects from the sleeping potions? If so, there must have been some powerful ingredients in those little purple draughts. Wait a moment... Small glass bottle with a purple liquid in it...

"One moment. You said that Cullen kept thinking of a bottle of purple liquid whenever he wanted to... ahem... press his advantage with me. That bottle was a sleeping potion I procured from Solas. Do you have any idea how Cullen would have known about it?"

Cole nodded, eyes still obscured.

"Solas asked him to check on you, to make sure you were alright. He was afraid you wouldn't want to see him after you hit him."

Lilah rubbed a weary hand over her eyes, still resting her chin on her other hand.

"I slapped him, I didn't hit him."

Cole's hat tipped back and once more he made eye contact.

"What's the difference? Skin still makes contact against skin in anger. Eyes flashing with rage and desperation. 'This is what I need to keep the Inquisition going!' Regretting the words, but still believing them, staring blankly at the map and wondering who else will die because of indecision and bad judgement... But that's not right. People die, Lilah. People die every day. In the Inquisition, outside of it, in Orlais, Ferelden, Nevarra, Tevinter... Do you accept the blame for all of those deaths as well? Many people have a stake in the Inquisition and it's various operations, people you've never met, nor will you ever meet. Will you feel badly when each and every one of them meets their end, be it related to the Inquisition or completely unrelated?"

Lilah uncovered her eyes and chuckled softly.

"When you put it like that, Cole, I suppose I have been a little over dramatic about the entire situation. Still, I would feel badly about people giving their lives for the Inquisition, be it near or as far away as Nevarra."

Cole smiled at her, a rare wide grin which showed his teeth.

"That's why I like you. You care. You care about everybody, even me, the forgotten boy."

Lilah smiled at him warmly, and reached out to take his hand once more.

"You won't be forgotten ever again, Cole. I'll make sure of that. For now, though, I'll have to take my leave, and find the rest of the Inner Circle. There's a meeting..."

Cole nodded.

"I know. This afternoon, the same time as yesterday. Hopefully Cassandra won't be as angry with you today. Though, she did feel badly about it last night. Wistful, worried, wanting to apologise but not knowing how, she believes her words were true, but just a bit too harsh. She hopes she's still considered a friend after her rash actions, but understands if it is not to be. The Seeker is... a confusing person."

Lilah nodded, standing up from the table, and Cole did the same.

"She is confusing, I'll give her that."

She made her way towards the door, then hurried back and pulled Cole into a hug. He stiffened in her embrace, then relaxed, his arms remaining at his sides.

"What... what are you doing?"

Lilah peered under the brim of the ridiculous floppy hat, and saw the confusion in his clear blue eyes.

"It's called a hug, Cole. I'm giving you one as thanks for making me feel a bit better, and for helping me to begin to understand an... overly complex man. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable."

He stared back at her, still confused.

"But people don't like touching me. People go out of their way to not touch me. I've seen people cross the courtyard to get away from me."

Lilah pulled back, holding him at arms length, still looking him in the eye.

"Don't let that bother you. People are always afraid of things they don't understand. You have friends now. Friends who don't mind giving you the occasional hug, when it's called for. Now I really have to go, see you later!"

Cole gazed after her retreating form as she dashed away from the tavern towards the stables to find warden Blackwall. He found himself smiling.

"I have friends. This... is a good thing."

He climbed up the two flights of stairs to the top floor of the tavern and sat in his quiet, dark corner to contemplate what having friends meant to him. It was, indeed, a good thing.

On her way to the stables, Lilah realised that she should have told Iron Bull and Sera about the meeting while she'd been in the tavern still, and cursed herself for having just doubled her journey. Then she realised, with that extra time, she could think about the new information she'd received about Cullen from Cole. He'd waited out there, alone in the snow, after Haven. Waited for her, every night, sure that she would appear, even when everyone else had given up. He'd carried her in his arms, brought her back to warmth and shelter, and no-one had told her. She supposed they had their own agendas, it was fairly obvious that Blackwall and The Iron Bull were interested in her, romantically. She just hadn't felt a spark with either of them. With Cullen, there wasn't just a spark. There were all-consuming flames that threatened to eat them both alive.

She supposed that Josephine and Leliana had 'forgotten' to mention Cullen's involvement in her rescue to keep her mind on the tasks at hand. That was sensible, but still... And Sera and Vivienne, well, who knew what they were thinking most of the time. Solas had probably only been worried about her wellbeing, after three days and nights wandering through the snow. Cassandra had most likely been trying to keep all of the rag-tag members of the Inquisition organised. Dorian... well, he'd probably given up on her as dead and had decided to get stinking drunk, as was his way. Varric would have no doubt been trying to keep everyone's good spirits up, as hard as that would be at a time like that. And Cole... Cole probably would have been trying to sense her mind, across the fields of white, as she stumbled through that blinding maelstrom. At least he'd told her now. Probably because no-one had warned him not to. Lilah sighed and continued on to the stables.

"Blackwall? Are you around?"

The bearded warrior was walking down the stairs from the loft where he slept, straightening his jacket ties, when he answered.

"Yes, Inquisitor?"

He'd been nothing but polite to her since the day they'd decided not to pursue any kind of romantic relationship. He'd approached her on the battlements and, in his own roundabout way, had let her know he had feelings for her by telling her not to have feelings for him. It had definitely made things between them easier when she'd agreed not to. He'd actually seemed kind of relieved, but then on occasion she had noticed him staring at her in a decidedly heated fashion. Perhaps he was having second thoughts? Recently, though, he hadn't been throwing any of those aforementioned looks at her. Maybe he'd realised there was no chance for him and he'd moved on. Hopefully.

"I've just come by to let you know about a meeting this afternoon. Same time same place as yesterday. That's all."

Blackwall cracked his neck and grinned.

"Should we bring weapons, just in case it gets ugly again, My Lady?"

Lilah snorted out a laugh, and shook her head.

"No, I think today will be much calmer. Hopefully. Stay alert maybe?"

Blackwall put four fingers against his forehead and saluted her, grinning.

"In Peace, Vigilance, My Lady. I'll see you then."

Lilah saluted him back and wandered over to the training dummies where Cassandra was forgetting her troubles by breaking some straw dummies. Blackwall hurried back to the stairwell, undoing his jacket again as he all but ran up the stairs. He stripped it, and his shirt off, and started undoing the ties on his trousers. He looked down at the dark haired Antivan beauty lying on the meagre straw pallet he used as a bed, drinking in her naked splendour.

"Maker's Breath..."

Josephine smiled up at him, arching her neck and back languorously as she awaited the return of her lover.

"Did you know about this meeting?"

He settled himself between her legs, holding himself up on his forearms so he didn't crush her beneath him. She pulled his face down closer to hers, a smile teasing her lips.

"Of course I knew about it. Why do you think I ran over here so quickly? We don't have as much time as I would have wanted, though..."

Blackwall lowered his face to her throat, placing a delicate kiss on her pulse point, and Josephine moaned.

"I'll just have to be fast, then. Fast, but thorough..."

Jospehine pulled his face back up to hers, and kissed him passionately and deeply.

"How thorough?"

Blackwall kissed her throat again, then moved himself lower to kiss the top of both of her breasts. Josephine's breath quickened.

"Extremely thorough, My Lady..."

He continued to move lower, kissing her stomach, her abdomen... She braced her feet against the floor, and bent her knees, as he continued his downward exploration.

"And... H...how fast...?"

He kissed her inner thigh, his beard tickling her, as he moved himself into a more comfortable position. He blew a puff of air across her most delicate of areas, and she gasped, her back arching again, hands grasping at the edges of the straw mattress. He smiled to himself, then answered, before he set about his 'work'.

"You'll see, Lovely One. You'll see..."

As Lilah walked over to the sword-play area that Cassandra favoured, she could have sworn she'd heard two voices coming from Blackwall's attic. And moaning. She shook her head, and continued walking towards Cassandra. The pile of broken dummies on the ground beside her didn't bode well for a calm conversation.

"Cassandra? Cassandra!"

The Seeker was so intent on hacking this particular dummy's right arm off, she didn't seem to even hear Lilah's call. Lilah continued approaching, and stood off to the side while Cassandra finished hacking the arm off the unfortunate straw man.

"Maker take you!"

The arm finally lay on the floor, and Cassandra sliced the dummy's head off in one stroke. She then turned around, sword still brandished, and almost ran Lilah through where she was waiting.

"By the Maker...! Trevelyan, I could have killed you! What were you thinking, sneaking up on me like some kind of...?"

Lilah grinned lopsidedly, and knocked the blade of the sword away from her chest.

"Rogue? Sneak thief? Oh, giant sneaky spider!"

The exasperated Seeker rubbed her forehead wearily, sheathing her sword and walking towards the wooden benches nearby to sit and talk.

"Trevelyan. I... have been told that I may have been a little... rough. In my treatment of you yesterday. I trust you are feeling better today?"

Lilah slumped onto the bench beside her, staring at the ground through her open knees.

"I'm fine. If anything, you gave me a little shove in the right direction yesterday. Perhaps all I needed was a good shake."

Cassandra shot her a quick sideways look, then looked away, biting her lip.

"I don't deal well with indecisive people. And I've also been told, in no uncertain terms, that I can be rather bullheaded when things don't go my way. As one of the public faces of the Inquisition, I need to learn to curb my anger, especially when I am dealing with the Inquisitor herself."

Lilah glanced over at her, and noticed that the Seeker was hugging her arms around her middle, and looking rather worried. Lilah reached out and placed a hand on the older woman's shoulder.

"Cassandra. It's fine, really. You don't have to apologise. We're still friends, right? Occasionally, friends need to give each other a push, to start them in the right direction. Although, I don't think it's usually an actual push. Normally it's just a figure of speech."

Cassandra choked out a small laugh, her lips relaxing into a small smile.

"Friends... Yes, I suppose sometimes friends do need to give each other a push. I promise though, next time, it won't be as violent."

Lilah chuckled, removing her hand from Cassandra's shoulder.

"I'll thank you for that in advance. You are rather strong. I thought I'd have an imprint of the Map table in my rear for the next few days."

Cassandra's small laugh turned into a proper full throated chuckle, and she quickly covered her mouth and looked away.

"Maker's Breath! You can be as vulgar as Varric sometimes..."

Lilah grinned and turned to face the Seeker.

"That's why you like me, though. I didn't just come over here for a chat though. There's a meeting this afternoon, same time and place as yesterday. I'm informing everyone. I have to get the Inquisition back on track. I hope you'll be standing by my side. I do respect your opinions."

Cassandra looked a little lost for words.

"I... Thank you, Inquisitor."

Lilah moved to stand up, but Cassandra grabbed her wrist.

"One moment, before you go..."

Cassandra pulled her dagger from it's sheath, and held it out towards Lilah. Oh yes, that's right. She'd sharpened it the previous night.

"That's your dagger. Is there a reason you're showing me your dagger, Cassandra?"

Cassandra's eyes narrowed, and she hurled the dagger at the last remaining standing dummy. It embedded right into the straw face, which had a lopsided smiley face painted on it. Someone had also scrawled on the chest in messy script 'Eat it, Coryphenus!'. Ah, Sera.

"Yesterday that dagger was so blunt it would have bounced off that straw and probably stabbed me in the foot. Today, however, it's as sharp as it was the day it was forged. Is there anything you'd like to tell me?"

Lilah shrugged and stood up without interference this time.

"Maybe some helpful, dagger sharpening spirit swooped into the Map room last night and felt sorry for it?"

Cassandra crossed her arms, still smiling slightly.

"Is that so? What sort of offering should I leave for a dagger sharpening spirit?"

Lilah blinked innocently.

"Why, I wouldn't know. Perhaps cookies? On the armrest of the Throne. So that the spirit can find them easily."

Cassandra smiled more widely.

"I'll keep that in mind. See you later, Trevelyan."

Lilah waved as she headed back towards the tavern. Iron Bull was easy. He was drinking with the Chargers on the bottom floor of the tavern, laughing uproariously at something that Krem had said. He'd clapped her on the back, almost sending her flying across the room, and promised he'd be there.

"If it's as entertaining as yesterday's meeting, I wouldn't miss it for all the gold in Thedas!"

She'd ducked up the stairs after that to tell Sera, but the elf had still been fast asleep. Sweet Maker, that girl knew how to utilise a day off. She decided to come back later and try again. Vivienne was her next stop, and luckily for her, Dorian was visiting the Ex-First Enchanter. As Lilah sauntered up the stairs towards Vivienne's balcony, Dorian spotted her.

"Well, if it isn't my favourite Inquisitor!"

Lilah grinned, finding herself enveloped in robe clad arms, his moustache tickling the side of her face. He smelled of expensive wine. Naturally.

"Aren't I the only Inquisitor?"

Dorian let her go and held her at arm's length.

"That's why you're my favourite. Sharp as a tack, this one. Here, have some wine! Oops..."

He sloshed some of the red liquid onto her sleeve, staining her Fennec leather jacket.

"You'll want to get that cleaned up, my dear. Red's always stain."

Vivienne sounded slightly amused as she moved forward to give her a kiss in greeting on both cheeks, as was the Orlesian way.

"But before you do, come, sit and have a drink. I've also had some new cheeses delivered, you should try them."

Lilah looked down at the decorative table, absolutely covered in different bottles of wine, varying in emptiness, and platters of cheese.

"Is this what you two do on our days off? I should come and visit you more often."

Dorian had slung his arm around her shoulder to steer her towards the couch.

"That you should! I do so miss our little chats, Lilah."

She leaned her head into his shoulder and closed her eyes.

"I've just been so busy, Dorian. If anyone had told me how hard it would be to run an Inquisition, I don't think I would have put my hand up."

His arm around her tightened, and she felt him place a light kiss against her hair.

"I didn't think you had a choice, sweetheart. But every so often, you do have to take a step back and enjoy some good company. And some good wine."

Vivienne handed her a silver goblet, half full of the sweet smelling liquid.

"In moderation, of course, Dorian dear. Not everybody has your... constitution."

Dorian took another swig from his own goblet, and blinked at Vivienne innocently.

"My constitution? Is that what they're calling it nowadays?"

Lilah took a sip, and the sweet, warm liquid slid down her throat. Oh Maker, this is... lovely...

"I did come here for a reason though. We're having another meeting tonight, same time, same place."

Vivienne took an elegant sip from her goblet, and gazed at Lilah.

"Is that wise, my dear? When only yesterday you and Cassandra were practically at each other's throats. So scandalous..."

Lilah sighed and took another sip, picking up a small wedge of the Antivan Cheddar.

"I've already spoken with Cassandra. We're fine."

Vivienne crossed her legs and rested one elbow on the armrest of her high backed arm chair.

"Very well, dear. I will get Dorian sobered up enough to stand, and we'll be in attendance. In the meantime, please enjoy your drink before you make your next stop."

Lilah extricated herself from Dorian's grasp, and finished her goblet and cheese, before heading down to her quarters to change her jacket. On removal of her stained jacket, she noticed the red spots on her chest were still there, and not yet starting to fade. Maker, what were they? She hoped she hadn't picked up some sort of Blight sickness the last time she'd been out fighting darkspawn. Now clad in a clean ensemble, she headed out to find Solas and tell him about the meeting. Easily done, she actually met him as she was walking down to his chambers. He nodded, and placed a hand on her arm.

"How is your day going, Trevelyan?"

Lilah smiled at him, crookedly.

"Surprisingly well, considering..."

He cocked an eyebrow at her.

"Considering...?"

She looked up at him. He wouldn't have sent Cullen to look after her on purpose, would he? Did he know about the ex-templar's feelings for her?

"I... apparently had quite a few interesting adventures last night. Some good, some bad. Some... confusing."

Solas walked beside her, matching her pace.

"Do you need some time away? I could speak to Leliana and Josephine, explain you're feeling some effects from over-work, if you like?"

Lilah's eyes widened.

"No! I need to keep myself busy! I need to keep my mind occupied or..."

Solas's grasp on her arm tightened.

"Or...?"

Lilah sighed. 'Or I'll be obsessing about a certain ex-templar's upper body strength' was not the best answer she could proffer.

"Or I won't be doing the best work that I could do. I won't settle for anything less than my best."

Solas smiled, gave her arm one last squeeze, then released her.

"Very well, Trevelyan. I'll see you at the meeting."

Lilah hurried out the doors of the Main hall, and back towards the tavern, hoping Sera would be awake by now. Solas sighed, and scratched his chin.

"Humans. So odd about their feelings. I honestly thought I was helping. If THIS is what happens when you put two people together who have feelings for each other... Maker help us all..."

Lilah climbed the stairs of the tavern again, and this time heard a pained groaning coming from Sera's room. She entered to find the elven woman lying on her love seat with both hands pressed hard into her eyes. Solas had said she'd been drinking the previous night. She was just lucky that Lilah hadn't dragged her out to the Emerald Graves to hunt Great Bears or something today. Her growling was pretty much on par for a great bear at the moment. Lilah knelt by the seat and poked Sera in her side, lightly.

"Sera. Sera, wake up."

Sera rolled over, facing in to the back of the seat.

"Piss off, I'm dying..."

Lilah poked her in the back, harder this time.

"Wake up. You're not dying, you're just really, really hung over."

Sera remained facing the back of the seat.

"That's not any better. Isn't Andraste supposed to be all about nurturing and caring? If you're her Herald, shouldn't you be leaving the drunken elves of the world to sleep it off in their little beds?"

Lilah grabbed her by the hands and pulled her into a sitting position.

"You're not in a bed, Sera. You're sleeping on a couch in a tavern."

Sera squinted between her fingers at Lilah, looking altogether sorry for herself.

"Details, details, bloody details. Why are you waking me up so early, anyway?"

Lilah blinked.

"Early? It's past four in the afternoon."

Sera groaned again, finally uncovering her eyes.

"Well, there goes my day. To what do I owe the dubious pleasure of your presence, Lize?"

Lilah sat next to her on the seat, resting her elbows on her knees.

"We're having another meeting..."

Sera threw a dirty look at her.

"You Inquisition lot and your shite meetings, why do you have to have so many of them? All blah blah blah, kill this, do that, find this artifact... So boring. Why can't we just go out, kill some bandits and profit?"

Lilah raised an eyebrow, and patted Sera on the head.

"Sera... we do that all the time. The meetings are for the more... diplomatic things we have to do."

Sera's head hung down, elbows also resting on her knees.

"Diplomatic stuff's boring."

Lilah nodded.

"Yes. Yes it is."

She was struck with a thought. Sera had been in Ferelden during the Blight. Maybe she knew what Blight sickness looked like. Lilah gave Sera a nudge, and she looked up at her, albeit a little blearily.

"What's up?"

Lilah turned to look at her seriously, and Sera twisted in her seat so they were facing each other.

"Sera, I need you to help me out with something. It's... personal. So if you can be discreet that would be appreciated."

Sera blinked, still obviously quite out of it, but nodded. She mimed buttoning her lips, and leaned forward.

"You were in Ferelden during the Blight, right?"

Sera's steady gaze faltered, and she looked down.

"Yeah, I was. It wasn't my favourite time, but I remember it. Why?"

Lilah leaned in again.

"Do you know what Blight sickness looks like?"

Sera's face screwed up, and she looked like she was about to be sick. Lilah glanced around, looking for a bucket.

"I saw lots of people with Blight sickness. Lots of elves, and poor people, dying in the streets. All pus and boils and blood, skin turning black and rotting off. I got out of there as quickly as possible. Why?"

Lilah hurriedly unbuttoned the top few buttons of her fresh jacket, baring her corseted chest to show Sera the red marks.

"Did it look anything like this?"

Sera's face turned blank for a minute, then a wicked grin spread across her face. She started cackling, rolling around on the seat until she eventually fell on the floor.

"What? I take it from your reaction I'm not about to die."

Sera's cackle had died down to random bursts of giggles, but she was still lying on the floor.

"No, you're not dying. But somebody has been very, very naughty."

Lilah's cheeks grew red, as she remembered her previous evening's activities.

"What do you mean?"

Sera rolled her eyes, and poked Lilah in her still un-clad chest.

"Those are kiss marks. Love bites. From the look of them, someone wanted to mark you as their own, quite a few times. So, who's the lucky man? Or lady?"

She waggled her eyebrows up and down, making Lilah snort, even as she was completely mortified. Love bites. Cullen had left love bites all over her chest. She did remember him spending quite a lot of time, tasting and teasing her there. As she recalled, she had enjoyed it quite a lot. She wondered if he'd left those marks on her on purpose, and her cheeks were suddenly flooded with heat. Cullen, in the heat of passion, taking the time to mark her as his own. It was almost too much to bear. She couldn't possibly tell Sera who'd left those marks on her. Not yet anyway.

"Man. And... I don't think he'd like me to reveal his identity just yet."

Sera scowled, and punched her in the leg.

"Spoilsport. At least I got to see your ample bosom, M'lady. You might want to put those away before you leave. Just sayin'."

Lilah re-buttoned her jacket, and stood up, pulling Sera back up onto the seat.

"So. Meeting. Same time as yesterday. Just... stay awake for it. Maybe you and Dorian can just lean against each other and try not to snore too loudly."

Sera waved goodbye, once again cradling her head in her hands.

Lilah headed out of the tavern, and moved toward the stone steps that led to the battlements. Each step she climbed, her feet seemed to grow more leaden. She had to talk to him, didn't she? They couldn't just leave this one night hanging between them, unspoken, filling any silence with tension. He'd kissed her, she'd kissed him, he'd marked her with his teeth and tongue, so sweetly she hadn't even realised it had happened. His hands had been everywhere, well, almost everywhere. She'd tried to go further, but he had stopped her. He hadn't wanted to take advantage because of the sleeping potions, at least that's what it sounded like coming from Cole. Ser Cullen, a gentleman to the last. Lilah paused halfway up the stairs, wondering what a completely un-gentlemanly Ser Cullen would be like. He'd probably never make it to the bedroom... Then again, his strong arms holding her up against the wall, and the steady, even thrusts of his hips against hers would make not making it to a bed completely bearable. Lilah wasn't exactly one to stand for tradition, anyway.

She reached the top of the stairs and noticed a familiar yellow glow emanating from Ser Cullen's door. Magically sealed. She imagined the other two doors would be similarly locked. She sighed and walked slowly back down the stone steps, heading back towards the Main hall. There were only a few minutes before the War Council meeting. She'd surely see him there. She might be able to steal some of his time after the meeting to discuss the events of last night, and figure out where they stood. She couldn't just leave these feelings unexplored. 'Find him. Find him and tell him. He'll understand.' Maybe this is what Fiona was talking about. Discussing her feelings with Ser Cullen so they could come to some sort of... agreement? Or so they could start courting, perhaps? They were almost beyond courting now though, after last night. Hopefully they'd be able to find some sort of happy medium. The way she was feeling right now, though, they'd just have to come to some sort of solution where they could be in a room together without either (a) ripping each other's clothes off, or (b) not being able to speak to or make eye contact with each other. There was a lot to consider. She only hoped she'd be able to find the perfect compromise.

END OF PART 06

Well, Cullen was mentioned in passing, I guess, which sort of counts. Part 07 is on its way. Sorry this was so long, but I had so much fun writing it! I love all the characters in this game. I'm not sure if Part 07 will be the last part or not, but I must be getting close by now, surely! As always, read, review and enjoy!

Foxfire out!