The Theirin Family Extravaganza
30 August, 9:41 Dragon
My body really isn't sure whether it should be asleep or awake. Dawn isn't for at least another candle. Maybe writing will tire me.
The threat from Corypheus is well and truly over and I'm ecstatic at the sight joyful smiling faces everywhere I turn.
I also feel a sense of retribution: I brought that loathsome bastard back into this world and I'm the one who took him out of it.
When I returned from Haven, though, I practically collapsed into Alistair's arms. I was able to pull myself together well enough to stand before all assembled and thank everyone for making our victory possible, and I declared that the following couple of days would be rest days. At that point, Josie took over and announced that the "official" celebratory feast would be in two days (which is tonight).
While the unofficial celebrating already started, all I wanted to do was hug my children, sing my baby girl to sleep, curl up next to my husband, and sleep until the next age.
Yesterday, I woke up early afternoon. Ali wasn't in our quarters, but he left a note telling me that all was well, Lily was with Fiona, and Cricket was busily planting seeds for some of his experiments. Ali also warned me to avoid Josie lest I get roped into some "official noble hobnobbing."
After I dressed I had a bite to eat and went to the library to visit with Dorian. As we always did before celebrations, we gossiped about the arriving nobility. Dorian had a full-head of steam about the delegation from Tantervale: "They are wearing the most atrocious combination of orange and brown, and their Viscount looks like he's been constipated for 10 years!"
I was laughing at this last remark, when I saw Siobhan enter the library; she was clearly looking for me because when she found me she practically marched over to us, looking exasperated.
I asked her what was wrong and she told me that Cullen was still working – and that so was her dad.
"Mom, I reminded them that you had called for a rest day, but Cullen said that 'there were some things that couldn't wait.' Then Dad looked at me, pointed to Cullen and said, 'What he said.'"
I have to admit her imitation of both Cullen's and Ali's voices was spot on. Dorian and I both chuckled.
I wasn't sure why Siobhan was irritated, but I admit was irked. I had called for a rest day and Ali hadn't said in his note that he was working! I told her to follow me and we headed to their office. I opened the door rather imperiously, knowing that Cullen and Alistair would stand up as they always did when I entered their office. I was always a bit uncomfortable with it, but this time I took advantage of it.
Saying nothing, I proceeded to take every piece of parchment off Cullen's desk and handed the sheaf to Siobhan. I then did the same thing to Ali's desk. Amidst their protests I motioned to Siobhan to go out the door. Following her, I turned towards the men. "Commander Rutherford, Lieutenant-Commander Theirin, when I said that today was a rest day it was not a suggestion." I closed the door rather firmly, and sent a grinning Siobhan to Dorian, who I was quite sure would be willing to hide paperwork. I stayed behind waiting to see which one drew the short straw to come outside try to change my mind.
It was Cullen.
I only let him get to "Inquisitor–" before I held up my hand and said, "At ease, Commander." While he stood waiting, I asked, "Will anyone be physically, emotionally, or financially harmed, or would any of our soldiers be inconvenienced or neglected if the work was left for a day or two?"
Cullen thought about it and then very slowly shook his head. "No, Inquisitor."
"Then my order stands, Commander. Take today and tomorrow off." He nodded. Before he could turn away, I put my hands on his shoulders. He knew that now I was being Marnie and not his boss. "Please Cullen, you and Ali need to take time for yourselves, time to breathe."
He smirked a bit and nodded and then he turned his head to look out over the stables. I smiled. "Yes, even Dennet has taken a rest day."
After that small bit of excitement, I went back to bed and slept for most of the rest of the day, which is undoubtedly why I woke up before dawn. But now I'm getting drowsy and am going back to sleep.
1 Kingsway
9:41
The celebration was grand. Formal, but no Inquisition uniforms. Marnie wore a dress that Josie had apparently been hiding somewhere waiting for just this occasion. It was a lazurite-colored floor-length gown that made her pale skin look like porcelain and showed off her beautiful shoulders. The belt was a corset of dark blue suede— soft to the touch.
She looked regal, strong, and absolutely gorgeous! I was glad I wore my "Prince Alistair" garb or I would have looked a stable hand next to her.
Anyway.
Josie and I surprised Marnie by having Walter come to Skyhold with Teagan and Kaitlyn to attend the celebration! We did a good job of keeping it a secret – I didn't even tell you!
And that wasn't the only surprise: Teagan is knighting Walter here at Skyhold in two days. Neither Marnie nor Walter have any idea! I love surprises!
Well, not all surprises. But I'll get to that later.
For the early part of the evening, Lily was there with my mother. My little girl was entranced by the dancing. At one point, she climbed off her chair, came to me and said, "Daddy, dance?"
I moved to pick her up, but she shook her head and held out her arms. I nearly had to bend in half but I wasn't going to miss a chance to dance with my Lily-Pad.
After a few minutes, someone tapped my arm and said, "May I?" I was so stunned that someone was cutting in to dance with my three-year-old daughter that I didn't recognize Varric's voice. It was Lily who said, "Uncle Varwick wants to dance, too!" I let Varric cut in. Their height difference was similar to me and Marnie and Lily looked ridiculously happy. Varric is a good uncle.
It was past Lily's bedtime when Mother gathered her up. She whispered to Lily, who then called out, "G'night every one!" There was a rather loud chorus of "Good night, Lily!"
After dinner, I danced with Marnie as many times as I could, given that she still had to do the Inquisitor thing and dance with the other nobility…not something Marnie enjoyed. She did get to dance with Teagan, and with Walter, who is now a head taller than his mother.
Late in the evening things started winding down. The music became softer, the lights were lowered, and the couples took to the floor. I looked at Marnie and asked, "Shall we go to bed?" She recognized the old code and grinned. "Yes."
When we got to the top of the stairs, an idea came to me. I told Marnie that while she got ready for bed, I was going to go back downstairs and snag some of those big Gwaren strawberries. Then I whispered in her ear, "I know how much you love the taste… and you know how much love the taste of them on you." I left a scarlet faced wife as I happily jogged back down the stairs.
Remember when I wrote earlier that I didn't like all surprises? Now I will explain.
I took my time selecting the strawberries and then I went to the kitchen to put them in a bowl. When I got back upstairs I saw Cullen dancing…with Siobhan! She said something, Cullen laughed, and neither of them looked at all awkward!
I ran back upstairs to tell Marnie, but when I got there she was clad in a somewhat revealing pale blue night gown. Between the night gown, her smile, and the scent of the strawberries, my thoughts turned to Marnie and all my blood headed south. Needless to say, I didn't say anything about Siobhan and Cullen.
I'm planning on telling her about it when she wakes up.
~oOOo~
Marnie was laughing. "I remember when you told me. I think I had just opened my eyes when you said, 'Cullen and Siobhan were dancing!"'
"I wondered why you seemed so nonchalant about it, until you sat up and asked, "With who?"'…
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"With each other! As a couple, dancing, you know—slow music, standing close. They looked comfortable…Cullen even laughed without blushing!"
Marnie looked pensive. "That would explain a few things."
"Cullen's only a year younger than me!"
"Dear one. Yes, Cullen is a year younger than you and five years younger than me. Remember, we aren't old enough to be her birth parents: I would have had to get pregnant when I was 14 and you were 10!"
"But she's only just turned 20!
"And Cullen is only 10 years older than Siobhan. Love, given what her life was like before we became a family, can you honestly see her with a someone her own age?"
Alistair rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm fighting a losing battle, aren't I?"
"If they're serious, can you think of a better man for Siobhan to share her life with?"
"He would be my son-in-law!"
"He would still be one of your closest friends."
"That's true…Wait! I work in the same place he sleeps, what if…she….and he…"
Marnie chuckled. "Cullen is an honorable man. I'm willing to bet that their relationship isn't physically intimate. Cullen hasn't asked for permission to court her and if I know them, they've been waiting until we'd beaten Corypheus. In fact, I expect that within the next few days Cullen will ask to speak us."
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"My prediction was very good. It was three days later when Cullen asked us for permission to court Siobhan."
"Yes, and it was three days later when I started working at the desk in our quarters."
"I suppose it would have been rather awkward for you to get to the office and see Siobhan coming down the ladder."
Alistair paled at the thought…then he sighed. "I'm going to have to go through this with Lily, too, aren't I."
Marnie kissed the tip of his nose. "I doubt she'll want to marry someone 30 years her senior, so I think you'll survive."
~oOOo~
3 Kingsway
9:41
This evening before dinner, Cullen asked to speak with Marnie and me in private. We said he should come up to our quarters about two candles after dinner (Lily would be asleep). It was the most private spot in Skyhold.
Marnie and I knew he was going to ask permission to court Siobhan, but I was adamant that we pretend like we didn't know a thing.
Yes, I know what you are going to say: "looking clueless is my specialty." You know what, journal, I am Lieutenant-Commander of the Inquisition –feigned ignorance is no longer an easy option.
So there!
Well…that felt surprisingly good.
Anyway.
We waited for Cullen to start the conversation.
He was nervous, but not afraid. Knowing him as both a Commander and a good friend, I understood the difference: Cullen's nerves in personal matters are a part of his deeply humble. somewhat self-denigrating nature. There is no artifice in the man, no haughtiness, no guile, no pretension. In fact, it was at that very moment that I realized Marnie was right — I cannot think if anyone better for my daughter to share her life with.
Cullen stood before us and said, "I humbly ask permission to court your daughter Siobhan."
For the record, it was Marnie who asked, "I know that the two of you have grown close over the last year. Are you going to court her, or are you really asking for her hand in marriage?"
Cullen smiled; it was clear in his eyes how he felt about Siobhan, "I...ah…a bit of both, actually."
I asked if Siobhan felt the same way. Cullen nodded.
I looked at Marnie; she smiled. I turned to Cullen. "Then you have our permission to do a bit of courting and to marry our daughter."
I don't believe I have ever seen Cullen look as happy as he was when he left our quarters.
4 Kingsway
9:41
Busy day, I'll write more tomorrow. But I had to let you know. Siobhan came to us after breakfast, hugged us both and said that other than when she became our daughter, she has never been as happy as she is with Cullen in her life.
5 Kingsway
9:41
Today, as part of what I will forever refer to as the "Week-long Theirin Family Extravaganza," Walter was knighted.
I'm not kidding about it being a week-long: it has been 7 days since Marnie returned to Skyhold after defeating Corypheus. During that time, we celebrated victory (thanks to Marnie's courage wielding the anchor). Walter surprised Marnie by arriving with Teagan at Skyhold. Cullen asked to court and marry Siobhan, and now my eldest son is being knighted.
See what I mean?
It was always Teagan's and my desire to surprise Walter and Marnie by have the knighting at Skyhold, once Corypheus was dealt with of course! We even consulted with Josie who simply incorporated the knighting into her plans for the post final battle celebrations. Everything was ready to go as soon as Marnie, herself, declared victory.
Walter looked gobsmacked, incredibly happy, and very humbled. Marnie was beaming. Of course, Siobhan and Cricket were happy to be able to see his knighting. Lily was just happy to have Walter at Skyhold and attached herself to him, like a limpet.
As is traditional in Ferelden, Walter sat vigil the night prior. He used the small chapel off of the courtyard. The knighting ceremony was held after breakfast, and tonight was a (albeit smaller) feast. In attendance were all of Redcliffe's Knights including Bann Perth of Rainesfere as he had also been a Knight of Redcliffe.
I am so proud of my son, there are tears in my eyes – Happy ones, very happy!
Marnie is reading this over my shoulder. She said she is just going to write in her journal:
"What Ali wrote."
~oOOo~
Alistair looked at Marnie. "When all is said and done, it was a pretty big month for our family given we also celebrated our 10the year anniversary."
Marnie nodded. "It was good to have all of that happiness in the bank given the lack of solace I got from Solas."
"Ah my love, those entries will have to wait; I have other plans." Alistair said as he pulled Marnie to her feet.
Marnie arched an eyebrow. "Other plans?"
"Yes, they involve you and me...and a box of strawberries."
Marnie blushed.