Author's Note: So I did have this finished by the end of March! I just... well, I forgot to upload it. I am SO sorry!
Shout outs to my three new followers: Raylis, Kanta48, and Rose13296! Thank you for the love!
To ALL my followers and people who have favorited my story: THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! I LOVE YOU GUYS!
Chapter 14
Elena groaned as the morning sun broke through her window, sending a singular golden ray straight onto her face. She wriggled around and rolled over, mushing her face into her pillows as she did so. It was warm and cozy in her soft bed. The blankets and sheets were clean and had the sweet smell of being dried out of doors instead of the smoky smell of being dried over a fireplace on a rainy day. It was too early to get up for her meeting with the War Council, after all, they only wanted her final report which was tucked securely in her saddlebags at the foot of her bed. However, it was not so early that sleep was likely to find her again shortly. For now, she decided, it would be nice to simply lie in bed. She stretched her arms out and came into contact with something firm and warm and not unlike another human.
Alarmed she pushed herself up on her arms and looked over to see Cullen sleeping peacefully beside her, head and bare chest exposed to the elements. One arm was crossed over his body so his hand could be pressed underneath his face, while the other one was shoved underneath the pillows to support his head. Elena felt her breathing and heart rate immediately begin to slow down. Well, this isn't so bad. She thought and then she looked down at her own torso to see only a breast band wrapped around her. She gulped, panicked, and scrambled backwards. What have I done?! Erik is going to kill me! She clattered to the floor and let out a big "Oof!" as her body made contact with the hard stones. Her arms shot out and knocked some things from her bedside table over as she went creating an even larger noise.
Cullen sat bolt upright in the bed with a small cry. He looked around and spotted Elena on the ground. "Elena, what's going on? Are you all right? Why are you on the floor?"
Elena picked herself up, covering her body as much as she could with her arms self-consciously, "Why are you in my bed?" She snapped back at him, casting about for her shirt or pants or something!
He smiled gently at her, apparently figuring out what had happened, "You invited me; don't you remember?"
Elena spluttered, "What? No I didn't!"
At this point, Cullen was chuckling, "Yes you did. After we left the Rest I asked to escort you back here. You agreed. When we got to your door I gave you a good night kiss and you invited me inside. I agreed."
Elena could feel her whole body turning pink at where this story was leading, "You're telling me that we—that I—with you—did we… do anything?" He shook his head and moved to the edge of the bed, draping his legs out and onto the floor. She could see he was also down to just his underthings. She couldn't help but notice that his legs were strong and well-muscled. She batted that thought away quickly. All of Lady Trevelyan's warnings and lessons and expectations were passing through Elena's mind. How could she have allowed this to happen? She was a noble woman! Common women were allowed such dalliances, but not women of her station. "Cullen, Erik is going to have to tell Father about this and then Father will tell Mother and Mother will send Adrian to come and get me and take me back!" She babbled breathing hard.
Cullen held out a hand to her, "I'll tell you everything if you'll just calm down. Take my hand, please." Elena hesitantly placed her hand in his. He pulled her down onto the bed beside him. "Once we got inside, we kissed and…" Now even Cullen was becoming flustered, "You really don't remember?" Elena shook her head. Her whole body felt as if it were on tinder hooks. "Nothing? Maker… there was some touching. We didn't do anything else, I swear it. It wouldn't have been right since we had both been drinking. That's not how I want things to be with us. I've had that and it's never been a good decision come morning."
Elena sat still and remained silent beside him, processing all of this information and what it actually meant. They had had some fun, but not too much fun. Her whole life she had thought that if she were to have fun with a man in any amount it would be an all-or-nothing situation. Cullen had taught her otherwise, and this was an intriguing thought. She wished to remain a maiden until she wed, but with the uncertainty of the world, who knew if that was even a logical idea anymore? She was still a noblewoman and if she were to wed a nobleman he would wish for her to be a maiden. It could cause quite a stir if she weren't, but if she was going to be fully honest with herself, she couldn't really see ever being with anyone else anyway. Would it really have been so bad to have allowed themselves to give into passion last night? Isn't that what she wanted? To be with Cullen in every way a man and a woman could be together? She turned to look at him, shifting so her body was facing him.
"Cullen, I want to thank you for doing that. I know I didn't make it an easy decision."
Cullen smiled at her, "No. You didn't." Then, he caught her lips in his. Elena's whole body warmed as she pressed herself closer to him. He broke their contact and trailed kisses down the curve of her neck. His rough hands roved over her bare skin. She sighed, enjoying the feeling of his lips on her body. Her hands ran down the length of his strong back, bumping over slick scar tissue here and there. She wondered idly about the stories behind each one and then his mouth had returned to hers, blotting all else from entering her mind.
"Rise and shine!" Erik's voice cut in along with the sound of her door being flung open.
Elena turned, pushing Cullen back and away from her body at the exact moment the door finished opening, "Can you knock!?" She responded loudly, pulling the bed clothes up around herself and avoiding looking at Erik. There was a lot of shouting and some awkward fumbling from the door before it was fiercely snapped shut. Elena was too embarrassed to turn around and see exactly what was going on in the doorway but she had a good idea of what it might have looked like. She looked at Cullen and smiled nervously, "I am so sorry for that."
He shook his head, "Perhaps it is best if we get out of bed and start our days. Unfortunately it appears that we are needed elsewhere."
Later, in the war room, Elena handed her brother the neat scroll she had brought with her detailing the on goings at the settlements. She rocked back on her heels pointedly ignoring Cullen who was also pointedly ignoring her. Leliana and Josephine bantered with the commander about this sudden disinterest in her when normally it seemed he couldn't stop looking at her on her infrequent visits to the war room. Cullen good-heartedly batted their teasing away. Elena stared at her brother while he read over the report.
"Everything seems to be in order for the refugees. I must say, though, I will be glad when they can all return to their normal lives in their normal homes." He rubbed is nose and groaned, "Organizing supplies for that many people is becoming a headache even for me. I can't begin to imagine how you manage it all, Josephine."
Josephine smiled and inclined her head, "It is simply part of my job, though I am not the only one involved in it."
"Of course not... It is too large a task for any one person to carry out." Leliana chimed in, "The refugees are the least of our worries, however. The reports from Adamant are troubling to say the least."
"Indeed. It seems that Corepheus is getting ready to launch a major operation there with the Grey Wardens and soon." Cullen tacked on to Leliana. "We must act before it is too late."
"Yes, but the Empress's life could be in danger long before whatever is occurring at Adamant comes to fruition. We need to—no, we must attend the peace talks at Halamshiral." Josephine responded quickly.
"Once again, it falls to me to decide where we send our forces first." Erik turned to Elena, "Lane, I'm sorry, but this is going to take quite some time."
"Of course," Elena replied. It wasn't a direct request, but Elena knew that Erik wanted her to leave. She bowed to the gathered council members and left through the small door feeling blessed to not have that weight on her shoulders.
The sun was setting on the main hall, casting brilliantly colored streams of light through the stained glass windows onto the stone decorations and lush draperies. Once again, Elena was struck with how impressive Skyhold's repairs were making it look. She chewed her dinner thoughtfully at one of the long tables that lined the sides of the hall. It was a good spot to call home and an even better spot to call the headquarters of the Inquisition. She hoped that once the Inquisition disbanded they would still remain there. Presently, Leliana came out of Josephine's office and headed for her tower. Shortly afterwards, Erik and Cullen exited the room as well, walking slowly, locked in a quiet and apparently serious conversation. Elena watched them with curiosity, wondering what they were discussing with such severity out here in the main hall. They both glanced up and noticed her watching them. They exchanged looks and Erik walked over to her. Well, this can't be good. She thought as her brother settled in across the suddenly-empty table from her.
"Lane! How ya doin' buddy?" he started in an overly cheery voice.
"Oh, fine. You can cut the theatrics. What's the problem?" Elena squinted at him from over her goblet of water.
Erik sat back and rubbed the back of his neck with both hands; pulling his elbows in towards each other and tugging on his neck. "Listen. I know you over heard us bring up Adamant in there… and I know you like to join in the battles whenever they pop up… and I know—"
Elena held up a hand, "Stop right there." Erik stopped and looked guiltily at her. "Now, spit it out already."
"I'm not taking you to Adamant." Erik said plainly.
"What!?" Elena shouted, her voice loud enough to echo in the vast upper reaches of the hall.
"Shh!" Erik clapped her hands down to the table, stopping her from getting up and storming off. "It's not because I don't think you're a capable soldier and leader! It's just… I can't tell you what is going to happen there. I would do better in my leadership role if you were not present to worry about."
"I can take care of myself!" Elena protested.
"Your past history says otherwise."
Elena rolled her eyes and tried to wrench her hands from Erik's grasp, "THAT WAS ONE TIME!"
"And I'd rather not make it a second!" he chided fiercely, pulling her back down to the table.
"You can't stop me from going, Erik! That's not fair!"
"It is! I need to leave behind an elite contingent of soldiers to hold Skyhold while we are away. You and your crew have been hand-selected to do that job!"
"You mean you picked us because it's the safest job for me! Don't sit there and act like Reeves, Porteur, and Marston are being held back solely because they're 'elite.' We all know that while we are among the upper ranks of your military we are far from the 'elite!' If I weren't their leader they would be headed off to Adamant to actually do something!"
"Not necessarily…"
"Oh shut it!" She snapped. Erik fell silent but didn't let her go. After several tense moments he let go of her hands. Elena crossed them across her chest, considering her brother's blue eyes carefully. "Did Cullen put you up to this?" She asked, her voice barely steady.
Erik blushed, "No. It was my idea."
"But he didn't argue with you."
"Why would he?"
Elena rolled her eyes, "May I be excused?" Erik nodded, watching her with some light anxiety, "Thank you." She stood and left.
"Don't do anything stupid, Lane!" Erik called after her. Her feet carried her through familiar pathways and before she realized it she was slamming the door to Cullen's tower open. She charged up to him and gripped his cowl in both hands, pushing him against his bookshelf forcefully. She brought her face close to his, "Whose idea was it really?" She hissed.
The two messengers in the room had moved to grab onto her. They tried to pull her away. She managed to shake their grips loose. "Leave us." Cullen commanded quietly, his honey colored eyes locked onto Elena's icy blue ones. "I believe this is a private matter."
Once the door clicked closed behind them Cullen reached up and gently laid his hands on her wrists, "Please, let go of me. This is most uncomfortable being shoved against shelves like this."
Elena released him and stepped back, hands on her hips. "I'm waiting."
"It was the Inquisitor's idea, Elena." He placed one hand over his heart and held the other up and open with his palm facing her, "On my honor as a Templar."
"You're not a Templar anymore…" She pouted. "Why didn't you make him see reason? There are better people to leave here than me."
Cullen reached out to her. Elena stepped back, just out of his reach. He sighed, "I knew you wouldn't like this decision, but why would I willingly send you into harm's way when I have an option available to me to do otherwise?"
"Because you know I'd hate it. I hate sitting uselessly around."
"You didn't mind helping the settlements."
"Helping the settlements is still being useful. Staying at Skyhold while the majority of the army gallops off to actual battle is just babysitting… I haven't babysat since I was a girl."
"What do you want me to do? I can't just change what's been done."
Elena groaned, "I don't know! Do something!"
"I can't. Would you please stop behaving like a child now?"
"I am not!"
Cullen chuckled and finally managed to catch her in his arms, "Yes. You are. You are throwing a fit because you don't get to play with the other kids." He planted a light kiss on her lips, "I know I'll feel much better knowing you're safe here waiting for me to return."
"You're going?" Elena asked, incredulous, pushing herself away from him so she could look at his face more directly.
Cullen nodded his head, his expression growing serious, "I know I rarely leave Skyhold, but for something of this magnitude… it is best I am there."
Elena sighed, "I guess that makes sense. If I stop behaving like a child, as you say, what do I get?"
Cullen cracked a wicked smile at her, "I'm sure we can think of something…."
Author's Note: I really struggled with this chapter because I want them to move their romantic relationship along, but I also don't want to rush it... though it is definitely coming soon. I think I'll stick to the timeline of Cullen's actual romance in DAI and have it happen after Halamshiral (worst part of the game for me, but we'll see how it ends up on paper)... or it could happen sooner. Who in the world knows!? I honestly have a general plot laid out, but how it happens is pretty flexible to allow myself to have some serious fun.
Anyway, I want to thank everyone again for their continued support and love for this story. I really appreciate and love all of you! Thank you so much! I hope you enjoyed this short little chapter. The next one is going to be MUCH longer so it's going to be awhile again. Spring Break is soon!
Peace and Blessings! -Danbamina