Author's Note: I am going back to teaching soon, so updates will be coming a little less frequently again. I've really enjoyed being able to take whole days to write as much as I want with nothing else to worry about. This is a longer chapter to hopefully hold you guys over until I can get the next one written. Thank you for sticking with me through this story so far! It's a ton of fun for me to write it, and it's made even more fun by having it on here. Please leave me a review if you like it, or a follow, or a favorite... I'm not picky.

Shout Outs to abellew1987 and Ferrilsblood for the favorites! I'm so happy you guys enjoy my story! Thanks for the support!

If I haven't given you a shout out because I didn't start until just a few chapters ago, I am sorry. I also thank you for your reviews, favorites, and follows. You guys really make this teacher feel proud of herself.

Enjoy the chapter! 3

Chapter 11

Elena rode her horse beneath the portcullis leading into Skyhold. It felt good to be back after such a long time away. She and her team had been out scouting locations for watch towers and small settlements for the many people who poured into Skyhold every day. The castle couldn't hold the number of refugees who were flocking to them. Erik, seeing her itch to get back to work, had assigned her the task after Josephine had suggested it in a war council meeting. Marston had been ordered to remain at the castle while his arm finished healing. Elena, Reeves, and Porteur had picked up a mage named Hospell for the time being. Hospell was of a jolly nature, but had the tendency to slack off whenever he possibly could. This was something that the group had a hard time coping with. She would be glad when she could have Marston back. She had left Reeves and Porteur in the nearest settlement helping the people there build their watch tower while she came back to Skyhold to report progress and gather Marston. Hospell she had sent ahead of her since she and the others really had no need for him and he was fast becoming a nuisance. Elena pulled her horse to a stop at the stables and dismounted. Master Dennett himself came and took the animal's reins from her.

"Lady Trevelyan." He said by way of greeting before leading the horse away from her.

"Master Dennett." Elena replied before she left the shade of the stable. She headed for the stairs leading the main keep, head down, trying to organize her thoughts for her report for the war council. She hadn't had to deliver one after the Fallow Mire because Erik had had to retrieve her and her team. Carefully, she mounted the stairs, each step bringing her a new thought. There was a lot to report on from her team's health to the locations of watchtowers and settlements and numbers of refugees in each one. Plus, there was the matter of requesting that Marston be allowed to leave Skyhold early to help them finish their work.

She entered the main hall and stopped, amazed at the transformation. "Sweet Maker that's a hall." She breathed out as she took in the gigantic draperies in Tevinter pattern, Ferelden war dogs that lined the walls, a giant wooden throne sitting in front of massive stained glass windows worked in designs that represented the Free Marches, and Inquisition tapestries hanging from the free spaces left. Strange, golden mosaics decorated the walls closest to the main door. Tables and groups of chatting people stood in small depressions that dotted the sides of the main aisle's red carpet. She spun slowly as she walked down towards the throne, taking it all in.

She reached the door her last correspondence with her brother told her would have the war room behind it and entered a small stone entry way with another wooden door in front of her. She opened that one as well and saw Josephine sitting at a large desk in a room lit with a hearth fire. Bookshelves lined one wall and a seating area was laid out on a rug.

"Ah. Lady Trevelyan. I take it you are here to meet with us about the progress of our refugee housing?" Josephine asked looking up from her work and giving Elena a courteous nod.

Elena walked closer to the older woman, "I am. I was told the war room was in here, but this looks like your office."

Josephine laughed a little, "Oh, yes. I see how that would be confusing." She stood and moved from behind her desk, bringing her note-taking board with her, "If you'll follow me, it's just this way." She headed to another door opposite the one that Elena had just entered. They walked through to a plain stone hallway and up a small set of stairs. At the other end of the hallway, Elena saw two great wooden doors with a smaller, more regular-sized one set into one of the two. Josephine went through that door. Elena ducked into the room and once again had to stop and admire her surroundings.

The war room was octagonal with tall, narrow stained glass windows on the half of the room facing away from the door. They were open to let the gathered war council members view the surrounding mountain landscape. Along one wall stood a couple of bookshelves overflowing with books and scrolls and in the middle of the room stood a rough-hewn wooden table with a map of Thedas laid out on it. The map contained pieces showing the Inquisition's efforts to expand and make itself a force to be reckoned with. She walked up to the table and scanned the map, interested to see how far the Inquisition's influence reached.

"Josephine, this is… impressive." Elena whispered, awe struck, picking up a piece surmounted by a fist clenching a spiked semi-circle. "All the way to Andoral's Reach?" She looked up at Josephine, obviously astonished.

Josephine nodded her head, "Yes, we have friends in many places now."

She heard the door open followed quickly by a jubilant shout, "Elena!" She was quickly lifted from her feet in a vice-like hug that pinned her arms to her side, "I've missed you!"

"Oof!" Elena said as the air was forced from her lungs, "Erik! That hurt!" She complained as she turned to face her brother. "Surely you don't miss me all that much when I'm away."

Erik gave her a wounded look, placing a hand dramatically over his heart, "Elena… that hurts. You don't believe that your dear, older brother would miss you?"

Elena rolled her eyes and ignored his dramatics, "Where is everyone else?" She asked, leaning against the table with her arms crossed.

Erik shrugged and joined her, "On their way, I assume. Why? Looking forward to seeing someone special?"

Elena felt her face go red, "I'm sure I don't know what you mean." She hedged, turning around and examining the map again, "This was my mission?" She asked pointing to a pick with a bell on top of it near Skyhold.

"Yes." Erik told her, "And you do know what I mean. You two haven't spent any time together since Haven."

"Something, I'm sure the Inquisitor had nothing to do with." Elena grumbled under her breath petulantly.

"Ah, here are the others." Josephine cut in before Erik could respond to Elena's accusation.

Leliana walked into the room with her usual self-assured grace and dignity. "Inquisitor, Lady Trevelyan, nice to see you. Josie, do you have any word from my agents in Nevarra?" Josephine and Leliana stepped together to read over a document that Josephine pulled from the stack on her board.

"Inquisitor, my lady, how good of you to come report to us in person." Cassandra acknowledged Elena as she came to a halt next to the younger woman, "Though, a note by carrier raven would have sufficed."

Elena looked Cassandra in the eyes and put her hands in the air innocently, "I was asked here by the Inquisitor personally?"

"Of course you were." Cassandra cut her eyes to Erik who was busy throwing a small pyramid into the air and catching it repeatedly. "It's not like he has more important things to do."

"Who?" Erik caught the pyramid and pointed to himself, "Me?" He flashed Cassandra a wide, winning grin.

Meanwhile, Cullen had entered. Elena made a concentrated effort not to stare at him; however, she couldn't help but notice that he looked as dashing as ever in his armor and cowl. She cleared her throat as he spoke to them, "Inquisitor…" His eyes slid over to hers where they locked and held. She had to look away feeling strangely embarrassed, "My lady Trevelyan. I'm glad to see you well."

"Commander…" Elena gulped out feeling like a school-girl. "How goes the war?"

Cullen frowned slightly, "There's really not much a war in the first place. We're working on preparations for the peace talks at Halamshiral. It's not as dangerous as a war, but it requires no less care and preparation." He sighed and leaned his fingertips on the table, his eyes searching it for something.

"Lane." Erik interrupted her gawking, "Your report?"

Elena stepped back from the table and assumed her best posture, clasping her hands behind her back. She looked directly at Erik, blotting everyone else from her mind, "Of course. I've been in the field with the refugees for several weeks now." She shifted and pulled a folded sheaf of paper from her belt pouch, "We have begun work on watch towers and settlements which I've marked on this map." Erik reached out to her and took the map, handing it off to Cullen quickly, "A few watch towers are nearing completion. I've left Porteur and Reeves supervising those. Hospell I sent back here last week when he proved to be more of a hindrance than a help. The settlements are thriving. The refugees have built more permanent structures with the supplies you sent them and are following the chore rotations with no issues. The people feel safe so they are happy. Some of the soldiers have begun teaching them how to handle weapons and hunt for themselves. There's very little danger to them other than wolves and the occasional bear or group of bandits this close to Skyhold. I expect with the completion of the watch towers and regular patrols getting set up even those dangers will cease to be a problem." She stopped speaking and waited for their response.

"Do you have any requests that we aren't already aware of?" Erik asked.

"Just one." She took a breath, "I know that Marston's arm has only recently healed, but we need him out there with us."

"We?" Erik said raising an eyebrow at her questioningly.

"Reeves, Porteur, and myself need him out there with us."

"I thought you didn't like him?" Cullen blurted.

Elena turned her head slowly to look at him and addressed him with a tight voice, "Yes, sir. He's been part of our team. He's been part of the team since we all enlisted. My personal feelings aside… we work well together for all he is a hot-headed half-wit from time-to-time."

Erik blinked at her, "You want a hot-head on your team?" Elena nodded in a way that she hoped conveyed confidence at him. Erik rubbed his neck and looked sidelong at Cullen, "I don't know. I'll have to discuss it with the healers, the commander, and Marston before I can answer that request either way."

Elena nodded, "That sounds reasonable to me, Erik."

"I can give my answer now, Inquisitor." Cullen started, "Lady Trevelyan is right. Marston has been part of her team since she went to the Fallow Mire. He may be a hot-head and a half-wit occasionally when he's had too much to drink, but from what I've observed he is a competent and courageous fighter. If he is fully healed, allow him to go."

Erik nodded and stuck a knuckle in his mouth, considering, "This bears more thought, but thank you, Commander." He looked at Elena, "I will have my decision tomorrow morning before you return to the settlements to supervise the finishing of the construction of the watch towers."

"Very well." Elena said, relaxing her posture, "Do you need me for anything else?"

Erik shook his head motioning at the door dismissively, "You are free to go. We still have matters to attend to. I'll find you later to catch up more fully." He turned away from her and bent over the table, "Leliana, have you heard anything on the Hightown matter?"

As Leliana replied, Elena cast one a last look at Cullen. He was watching her. She smiled and waved good bye to him. He returned the smile and raised one hand from his crossed forearms in a small wave. She turned and left the room, closing the door quietly behind her. That wasn't so bad. She thought as she headed back the way she had come. Tomorrow morning? Erik must not want me to stick around Cullen too long. She laughed quietly to herself. What a worry wart.

XXX

Elena went to her quarters and got out of her armor. She put on simpler clothes: a close-fitting white shirt with loose sleeves that bunched tightly around her wrists and laced half-way down the front, paired with fawn breeches, and her usual knee-high black boots minus her metal greaves. She brushed her hair out and re-braided it behind her ears. Then, Elena made her way to the new tavern that had been set up inside Skyhold's walls, The Herald's Rest, for some much-needed relaxation. Marston had heard that she was about and had come to join her. She told him about her meeting with the war council. He was excited to get back out into the field, even if it was just to help build watch towers and teach refugees basic fighting skills. He hadn't stayed long due to his patrol duty starting, but he promised to try his best to convince Erik to let him leave the following day.

Elena wandered to the bar, slapping a couple of coins and her mug down on the counter in front of the new bar keeper. "Another ale, please." The dwarf grunted and poured out a measure into her empty mug as she took a seat next to Iron Bull. "Bull!" Elena greeted him, "Enjoying a rest while my brother messes with politics?"

Iron Bull looked up from his tankard, "Hey! It's the mini boss!" He slurred slightly at her, "Where have you been? Normally I see you following the Commander around like a puppy." He laughed heartily, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand.

Elena hid her face in her own drink guiltily, "Not always."

Iron Bull plunked his tankard down, "I know. I know. As far as couples go you two are pretty discreet."

"We're not a couple!" She blurted out, slamming her fist onto the counter defiantly.

"Woah!" Iron Bull laughed pretending to scoot his stool away from her, "I didn't realize you felt so strongly."

Elena pinched the bridge of her nose, "Don't lie. You're Ben-Hassrath. You probably knew what was going on with us before we did." She sighed and took a gulp.

"I probably did." They settled into companionable silence, each sipping their own drinks. Elena liked Iron Bull, but found she rarely had much to say to the Qunari spy. She knew he was one of Erik's preferred party members because usually whenever Erik was gone, so was the Bull.

Elena finished her ale and slid the mug across the counter to the bar keeper, "I'd like a bottle of wine, please." She said as she dug more coins from her belt pouch and held them out. The dwarf exchanged the coins for an opened bottle silently. Elena patted Iron Bull on the shoulder and left the tavern. Once outside, the cool night air settled on her pleasantly. The Herald's Rest had been warm. Liking the feel of the night, she looked around and spotted some stairs leading to the battlements. She walked up them and wandered along the circuit, heading towards the stables, sipping her wine as she went. The soldiers on patrol greeted her quietly when they walked by, but other than that, the only sounds she heard were her footsteps and the wind whistling past the merlons. She went through a couple of deserted towers, taking in their broken ceilings and walls as she did. Skyhold has come a long way, but it still has a long way to go. She mused slinging back the rest of her wine as she reached yet another tower. She weighed the empty bottle in her hands, wondering what to do with it. Deciding to carry it with her, she entered the tower.

She was surprised to find it well-lit and furnished like an office. On the desk lay a map with battle plans and supply movements tacked to it with little pins. Several sheafs of loose paper were scattered across it, held in by a barrier of opened books, candle stubs, and writing materials. She moved behind the desk and picked up one of the loose pieces of papers, examining it absent-mindedly. It was a letter to… Cullen!? She stopped reading and looked around, Where is he? She spied a ladder across from her and let the paper fall to the desk. She set her wine bottle down as well and went to it.

Taking a deep, steadying breath she looked up the ladder. It was so tall. "Cullen?" She called hesitantly up it, "Are you up there?" She giggled at herself and grasped hold of one of the rungs, pulling herself onto the ladder, "It's me… Elena… I'm coming up." She climbed one step, "Don't freak out or anything and knock me off." She couldn't help but giggle again, "That wouldn't be very fun." No reply came, so she kept climbing, going as quickly as she could with the world slowly spinning around her like it was. When she reached the top she was greeted with an empty bed on a wooden platform. The bed had been neatly made. Its red cover pulled up next to creamy white pillows that looked so fluffy and soft. Elena went over and picked one up, hugging it to herself as she sat cross-legged in the middle of the spacious bed. She looked up at the sky, which was visible through a large hole in the ceiling. This is nice, but what if it rains? She wondered as she laid flat on her back and shoved the pillow under her head.

Elena was almost asleep when she heard one of the doors below her open and close. She heard the clank of armor and a masculine sigh. She sat up and carefully got off of the bed. She laid on her belly and edged to the side of the platform. She curled her fingers over the wood and pulled her eyes over the edge to peek down at who had entered. It was Cullen. He was taking off his armor. Elena watched in fascination as the man managed his bracers and greaves. Next went his breastplate and cowl, which when released from the breast plate turned into his cloak. I knew it. She thought as he set the cloak aside. His boots and stockings came off next. Now all he was wearing was his undershirt and breeches. He stretched, scratched his stomach and yawned audibly.

Oh. Oh my. Elena realized she should do something before he got much farther and backed away from the edge. She took off her own shoes and stockings, setting them neatly by the foot of his bed before going to the ladder. She slid down it as silently as she could, a trick Reeves had taught her one time in a barn when they had been hiding from Porteur for fun. She slowed herself to a stop a couple of rungs from the bottom. This was much harder when I was sober. I'm doing so good. Elena complimented herself as she stepped lightly from the ladder onto the stone floor. Cullen had his back to her and was reading something as he ran his hand through his hair over and over, pacing.

Elena snuck over to him and stood a foot behind him, holding in excited giggles with extreme difficulty. She reached out and covered his eyes playfully. Cullen cursed and reacted so fast that Elena couldn't quite tell what had happened, but she ended up leaning backwards on her elbows on his desk with his hand firmly grasping her throat. He glared down at her, pure anger in his amber eyes.

"C-Cullen?" She stammered out, swallowing nervously.

Recognizing her he released her and stood back, his face going beet red, "E-E-Elena! I-I-I didn't realize it was you. I'm sorry." He spluttered out stumbling into his dresser and sending his armor crashing to the floor, "Oh sweet Maker!" He lamented whipping around to face the new noise. Elena sat up, running a hand along her throat. She started to laugh at him. He glared at her viciously, "How did—where did—how long have you been in here?"

Elena couldn't stop laughing, but still her best to answer him between outbursts, "I was… haha… exploring… hahaha… and I… and I found this tower…" She had to stop altogether and take several large breaths before trying again, "I thought you were up there," She pointed to the loft, "So I climbed the ladder."

"You c-climbed—I just got here. How long have you been here?"

Elena shrugged spreading her arms out to him while pressing her lips together to suppress her mirth, "Long enough to see you take off your shoes?"

Cullen stared at her horrified, "You watched me undress?"

Elena giggled self-consciously, "Well not intentionally at first. I did come down before I saw more than your bare feet." She pointed at his toes and smiled, "You have nice feet."

He glanced down at his feet and then back up at her, "Thank you, but Elena, this isn't very lady-like of you."

Elena grinned broadly at him, "Since when have I been 'lady-like?'" She pushed away from the desk and walked up close to him, dragging a finger down from the hollow at the base of his neck to somewhere around his navel, "Besides, I didn't see anything important." She winked at him flirtatiously, tilting her face up to him in what she felt was an inviting manner.

He tried to back away from her but was stopped by the dresser again, "What's gotten into you?"

She bounced her head from side to side, "Nothing." She pressed herself against him, her hands going up and locking behind his neck, "I just like you." She stood on her toes and nuzzled against his neck, placing light kisses wherever she could find bare skin. She pulled away and looked at him. "Didn't you miss me?"

He reached up and gripped her wrists, a pained expression on his face, "Of course, I did… you're just not yourself tonight."

Elena took her hands away and moved to the bottom of the ladder, "I see, well, I'll just get my shoes and… get out of your way." She started to climb.

She heard Cullen pad over to stand at the bottom of the ladder, "Elena. Come down."

She shook her head, focusing her gaze upwards, "No!"

"Must you be stubborn?"

"Yes!"

"Please, come down. You're going to fall."

"Cullen! I'm not going to fa—"Elena looked over her shoulder at him sassily, still climbing, the ground yawed away from her and she felt dizzy. She missed her next grip and fell backwards. She landed in his arms, the force of her fall sending him to the ground beneath her. They sat on the floor, breathing heavily. "I'm sorry." She whispered refusing to look at him. "You were right."

Cullen started laughing and hugged her close to him. "I'm what now?"

"Right." Elena squeaked out as she was smushed sideways against his chest. He released her and she scrambled away to sit in front of him. "I'm sorry."

Cullen reached out and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, his hand lingering on his cheek. His eyes softened from amber to liquid honey. Elena leaned her face into his warm hand and smiled dreamily at him. "I'm just glad you're all right." He told her his voice going rumbly and deep. Elena felt her body warm up at this sound. She scooted closer to him as he pulled her face to his. Their lips met and all the mishaps and awkward fumblings of earlier were forgotten. Elena felt like she had been made to be kissed by him. She deepened the kiss, pressing herself against him, her arms going around his middle. He responded in kind, one hand sitting warmly on her hip, the other resting against the back of her neck. She pulled away for a breath of air and he let out a small groan of frustration. As they continued kissing, Elena felt him pull her shirt hem up over her hip so he could rest his hand on her bare skin. She followed suit and let her hand rest on the hard muscles of his stomach.

"Sweet Maker…" He breathed out against her throat as he broke away for air. She hadn't noticed, but both of his hands were touching her bare skin. One was inbetween her shoulder blades, the other gripped her hip lightly still. "You are a dangerous person."

Elena giggled, extricating her own hands from his bare body, "Where… where did… Sweet Maker indeed." She let the air out of her lungs in on big rush when she noticed that she had somehow managed to undo all of the lacings on his shirt front to expose his entire torso. He had leaned back slightly so she could see most of him.

"Elena?" He asked, taking his hands off of her and sitting up a little straighter, scooting himself a little farther away.

His open shirt fell to either side of his body artfully. Elena was transfixed. She had never seen a man shirtless before. Cullen's body was as close to flawless as she could imagine a man could be. His muscles were well-defined and large. He had a slight smattering of dark brown chest hair that trailed down past his navel and into his breeches. He had a large scar in the shape of an 'x' over the right side of his chest the longest arch of which crossed his ribs. Interspersed on the shortest arch of the 'x' had another, smaller 'x' near the bottom of his sternum. She reached out and touched the large scar, it was raised and pinker than the rest of him. It felt smooth and warm beneath her touch.

"You told me you had other scars." She stated softly, tracing the X as it went from just below his collar bones down and across his body. "Ones that were private."

Cullen grasped her hand, stopping her fingers, "Don't…" He breathed out. His face had taken on a strangely desperate expression. He let go of her hand and started to lace his shirt up again.

Elena felt like he had slapped her, "What?"

"I need to... I need to go check on the patrols." He told her in a harsh, ragged voice, standing as he tied the last tie. He shrugged his cloak on and struggled into his boots.

"Why do you need to check on them? I thought—"

"I just do!" He snapped at her, "You can stay or not. It doesn't matter." He slung open the door behind the ladder; revealing the main keep across a bridge from them and was gone. Elena watched the door close on his running form.

Is he literally running away from me? She thought as she stood and straightened her clothes. She followed him through the door, completely forgetting about her boots at the foot of his bed in the loft above her. The only door that she could find on the other side of the bridge led to Solas in the rotunda.

"Did Cullen just come through here?" She asked the elf.

Solas looked at her with unsettlingly knowledgeable eyes, "He did, though I feel he would not want me telling you where he went."

Elena groaned and rolled her eyes, "If he comes back through can you tell him I'd like to speak to him?"

Solas turned away from her, "If he speaks to me I will."

"Thanks." She muttered and looked around herself. Solas had been busy. He had painted a mural of Erik's accomplishments all around them, leaving space for future ones as well. "This is amazing. You're very talented, Solas."

Solas looked over at her briefly, "Thank you."

Elena nodded and noticed a set of stairs winding up and away from the floor, "Did he go up those steps?" Solas remained silent long enough that Elena decided she'd go find out herself. Up the stairs she found a sleeping Dorian, a collection of other mages, and Leliana's rookery. She went back down the stairs and out through the door she had not originally come through. This door led to the great hall. Deciding to give up, Elena returned to her room. She got out of the clothes she had been wearing and slipped into a long, shapeless shift. She climbed into bed and lay still, hoping sleep would find her.

Author's Note: I don't know if you can figure out these crazy mood swings, but Elena spends too much time being the boss lately. She's gotta let loose when she can. Especially since she has this guy who likes her but won't DTR with her for whatever reason! She's feeling very confused and frustrated at him. I hope he decides that a good bye is a good idea because I don't know if she'll forgive him if he doesn't show up before she leaves in the morning.

Anyway, thanks so much for reading! Thanks in advance for any favorites, follows, or reviews! I love you guys, Happy New Year, and peace and blessings. -Danbamina