2
Days turned into weeks, and the Inquisition grew with every new ally who joined the cause. Rumors about the Herald of Andraste spread, where some priests demanded that Ophelia be captured and tried. They saw her as a threat, someone who might have been responsible for the death of the Divine and the explosion that destroyed the Conclave.
But inside Haven, the story was different. Ophelia remembered nothing of what had happened on that fateful day, and her only desire was to find the truth and close the Breach before it destroyed everything. Her brave actions on the battlefield, her dedication to the soldiers and refugees, began to change the opinions of those around her. Even Cullen, who had been one of the first to show distrust toward her, often found himself defending her when some of the newcomers arrived with doubts.
"She's not the cause of the Breach," he would reply when a soldier raised his voice, questioning Ophelia's decisions. "I've seen her fight to keep us safe. Whatever happened at the Conclave, she's not our enemy."
For Ophelia, every closed rift was a small victory, but also a reminder of how much still needed to be done. There were nights when the mark hurt, a burning sensation running up her arm to her shoulder. In those moments, she thought about the stories she had heard about the Templars, about how ruthless they were with those who bore magic. And sometimes, her eyes would linger on Cullen.
One night, as she prepared to head out on patrol again, she found Cullen by the fire, organizing the guards who would watch the entrance. He looked at her as she approached, and for a moment, they stood in silence, the glow of the flames illuminating their faces. Cullen spoke first, this time with a more reflective tone.
"I've seen many fall under the weight of their own burden," he said, without taking his eyes off the fire. "Don't let the weight of the Inquisition consume you, Ophelia. You're not responsible for what happened at the Conclave, even if some believe so."
Ophelia looked at him, surprised by his words. She saw the weariness in Cullen's eyes, a weariness she knew well, and for a moment, the distance between them disappeared. She nodded, a silent gratitude reflected in her gaze.
"Thank you, Cullen," she replied, the usual hardness in her tone softening a little. "But as long as there's a breach in the sky, I can't afford to falter."
They shared a moment of silent understanding before she went back out into the cold, dagger at her belt and the mark glowing faintly in the darkness. And that night, as Cullen watched her walk away, he knew there was something about her that made him want to believe, for the first time in a long time, that they could win this war.
The crackling of the fire filled the air as Josephine, Leliana, and Cullen shared a brief pause in the war room. Outside, the Haven camp was livelier than ever, with the clinking of armor and the murmur of voices blending with the wind. The three gathered near the warmth of the fireplace, each lost in their thoughts about the elven woman who, day by day, was earning a place in the Inquisition.
"It's curious," Josephine remarked, her voice always soft but full of intrigue. "I can't help but wonder what an elf from the Lavellan clan was doing at the Conclave? Maybe she was a spy?"
Leliana nodded, her eyes scanning the map spread out on the table, though her mind seemed to be elsewhere.
"She's strong, that's clear. And she has something people need right now: hope. Maybe she doesn't realize it, but her actions inspire others. I've seen how soldiers approach her, seeking a word of encouragement, even though she herself seems to be battling her own fears."
Cullen, who had remained silent, pressed his lips together. From his position, he had seen firsthand how Ophelia confronted the battles, always with the same determination. But there was still something about her that kept him cautious. He looked at Josephine and then at Leliana.
"But we can't ignore what we don't know," Cullen said in a more somber tone. "She comes from a clan that, until now, has stayed isolated from the rest of Thedas. The Lavellan... distrust us as much as many distrust her. And though Ophelia has proven to be more than capable, we can't forget that the Breach appeared the same day she did."
Leliana observed Cullen, her sharp eyes searching for something beyond his words.
"She didn't ask for this power, Cullen. And if her intentions were different, we would have seen it by now. Maybe... maybe this is something bigger than us. Something Andraste might have wanted."
Josephine smiled slightly, trying to lighten the mood.
"If there's one thing we can say for sure, it's that Ophelia isn't easy to read. But the truth is, people are responding to her. And that's something we can't ignore if we want the Inquisition to have a future."
One quiet afternoon, Ophelia found herself in Josephine's tent, where the ambassador was sorting through the papers from the Inquisition's recent alliances. The documents covered the wooden table, and the sound of Josephine's quill was constant.
"Ophelia, dear, thank you for coming," said Josephine, looking up with a warm smile. "I wonder, if it's not too much curiosity, but people want to know...what was your life like before all this?"
Ophelia paused for a moment, playing with the buckle of her belt before speaking.
"I lived with my clan north of Thedas," Ophelia said, glancing at Josephine. "I trained as a rogue and scout. My duty was to protect our own." She sighed, absently twirling her dagger with her thumb. "Mostly hunting," she added, her voice quieter. "But I always had this need to see beyond our forest, to understand the world."
Josephine listened with a soft understanding, observing the vulnerability that was rarely seen in Ophelia.
"There are many who are starting to see you differently, Ophelia," Josephine said "Not just as the Herald of Andraste, but as someone who fights for everyone, no matter their origin."
Ophelia nodded, though a shadow of doubt still clouded her expression.
"I hope that will be enough, Josephine."
The fire in Haven's war room crackled, casting shadows on the serious faces of Josephine, Leliana, Cassandra, and Cullen. Maps of Thedas were spread out on the table, showing the chaos that spread with the Breach. As the Inquisition grew, so did the need for powerful allies to sustain their fight. But the debate had become complex and tense.
"We can't ignore the power of the templars," said Cullen, his voice firm as his fingers traced a path across the map. "They have the discipline and experience needed to face the creatures of the Fade. And if we gain their support, we could secure protection and a strong army." Leliana raised an eyebrow, her expression calm but her tone leaving no room for doubt.
"The mages are also necessary, Commander. They can control magic and close the rifts faster. Besides, if we extend our hand, we might prevent more of them from joining the Venatori or other enemies. It's not just about strength; it's about controlling the Fade itself."
Josephine looked from one to the other, her brow furrowed as she leaned over the map.
"The problem is that both sides are hesitant to approach the Inquisition..."
The discussion was interrupted when a raven burst into the room, its dark feathers contrasting with the warm light of the fire. The message tied to its leg was clear: the templars agreed to receive the Inquisition in Val Royeaux to discuss a potential alliance. A spark of hope lit in Josephine, but both Cullen and Leliana remained cautious.
"This could be a step forward," murmured Josephine, untying the scroll and examining its contents. "But we must tread carefully. Val Royeaux is dangerous ground."
Cullen nodded gravely, but Ophelia, who had been listening from the doorway, stepped forward with determination.
"Let me go," she said. The others turned to her, some surprised, others doubtful. "If I go alone, it's less likely they'll see it as a threat."
Cullen studied her for a moment, considering the implications of her proposal. Finally, he nodded, though not without a certain concern in his expression.
"Val Royeaux is not like Haven, Ophelia. It's a place where words are as sharp as swords. Be careful. Not everyone there will want to see the Inquisition thrive."
After the meeting in Val Royeaux, Ophelia decided to ally with the mages. With the power of the Elder One spreading across Thedas, she knew they needed magic to match the threat. For her, the strength of a group didn't lie only in the prowess of a warrior but also in the ability to adapt and use every available tool.
Cullen, though he didn't fully agree with the decision, respected the clarity with which Ophelia saw the situation. Despite his initial distrust of the mages, he began to trust Ophelia's judgment, surprised at how much her word had come to mean to him.
One night, as Ophelia was preparing her weapons for the journey to the Hinterlands, Cullen approached her. He was thoughtful, his face marked by shadows and years of battle.
"It wasn't an easy decision, I know," Ophelia commented, not looking up from her work. Her tone was serene, as if she already knew what he was going to say.
Cullen sighed, crossing his arms. "No, it wasn't. But I trust your judgment."
She turn to see him, with a small smile on her face.
"Thank you, Cullen" she said softly, turning her eyes back at her work.
He looked at her in silence, feeling a warmth he hadn't experienced in years.
When they journeyed to the Hinterlands, Ophelia was accompanied by her loyal team: Cassandra, Varric, and Solas. Dorian later joined them with urgent news—Alexius, a powerful mage manipulating time, was tied to the Elder One.
The path was treacherous, filled with rifts in the Veil and corrupt soldiers. Despite the peril, Ophelia remained resolute, her unwavering determination inspiring the group. But each night, as the fire crackled and her companions slept, her mind drifted to her insecurities. And, amid the chaos, thoughts of Cullen crept into her heart.
Dorian, ever observant, noticed Ophelia's distraction one night as they shared guard duty. "So, the brave Herald of Andraste has something on her mind besides saving the world. Does it have something to do with a certain commander?"
Ophelia glanced at him, but a smile formed on her lips. "You're not as subtle as you think, Dorian."
Dorian laughed, his tone light-hearted. "Of course not. But life is short, dear, and sometimes you must follow your feelings before the war consumes them."
Ophelia didn't respond, but Dorian's words stayed with her. She knew the world was full of darkness, but there was also something in her heart that longed for a brighter future.
The battle against Alexius was brutal. Ophelia and her team found themselves caught in a whirlwind of temporal magic, facing how the future would look like if the 'Elder One' won. It was dark, despair and red lyrium everywhere. Dorian fought at her side, his magic combining with Ophelia's skill to overcome the obstacles Alexius threw at them.
Finally, after a fierce struggle, they managed to defeat the mage. When the last spark of energy disappeared and time returned to normal, Ophelia and her team found themselves in a shattered room, the air thick with dissipated magic.
Dorian knelt, catching his breath. "Well, that was… intense. But it seems we've won this time."
Ophelia nodded. The battle was over, and the mages now stood by her side. She should have felt satisfied with their victory, but instead, the glimpse into the future made everything feel even more real. The weight of the world was on her shoulders.
Thank you for reading! More to come. Next chapters we will see more of Cullen's and Ophelia's relationship. I just needed to add this part of the story because I felt it was important.