Chapter Text
Elayne Trevelyan almost ran into the Commander as she entered the smithy as he was taking his leave. "Forgive me." he mumbled in a low voice not bothering to stop as he continued heading across the yard.
The way Cullen spoke the words made Elayne pause. Was she imagining the pain she thought she heard behind those two words? He never once turned back as she watched him walk away. Entering the smithy, she was greeted by Cassandra who shot a glaring look at her. "What is wrong with the Commander?" Elayne asked, unable to hide her curiosity or concern.
Letting out a frustrated sigh, Cassandra crossed her arms over her chest and looked over at the Inquisitor deciding where to begin. "Cullen has stopped taking lyrium." With the lack of response from Elayne, Cassandra realized she didn't understand the implications of what she had revealed. "Lyrium grants Templars their abilities. When a Templar decides to stop taking lyrium it isn't a pleasant transition. Some go mad, others die. Cullen made the decision to stop taking lyrium when he joined the Inquisition." she explained.
"What?" Elayne blurted out in shock, "Why would he stop taking it?"
"After the events he witnessed in Kirkwall, he did not wish to be bound to the Order any longer. Cullen asked me to watch him and should I consider his ability to lead compromised, then I would be responsible for letting him know it was time for him to step down." Cassandra shook her head angrily in disbelief, "He came here asking that I relieve him of his command, but I refused. Its not necessary." Cassandra's voice grew softer as she continued, "Besides, it would destroy him and he's come so far." Elayne felt helpless unsure of what to say or do. She had no idea Cullen had been going through all this alone, it was no wonder he kept to himself if he was battling the effect of the lyrium withdrawal. Cassandra watched her friend struggle to find the right questions to ask or words to say. "He and I agreed to this arrangement long before you joined the Inquisition. As a Seeker, I could evaluate the dangers. Cullen didn't approach you about this since he didn't want to--" Cassandra stopped unsure of how much to reveal, "risk your disappointment in telling you this if it weren't necessary for you to know."
Elayne had been so worried about not disappointing her advisers that she never once stopped to consider they might feel the same way around her. She had been thrown into this situation without prior knowledge and had to keep her wits about her as she tried to figure things out. The Herald of Andraste had to be confident and sure, but the same burden would be placed on those who advised her, if not more so since they were supposed to guide her. His apology to her outside of the smithy now making sense. Cullen knew that Cassandra would tell her what was going on when he almost ran into her, he must have felt as though he was disappointing her somehow. Elayne couldn't imagine anyone more capable or inspiring to lead the Inquisition's forces than Cullen. "Is there something we can do to change his mind about leaving the Inquisition?"
Cassandra hesitated before answering, "If anyone could, its you." Cassandra moved over towards the fire watching its flames dance and flicker, "Mages have made their suffering known, but Templars never have. They are bound to the Order, mind and soul with someone always holding their lyrium leash." The Seeker turned her gaze to Elayne once more and the Herald saw the conviction in her eyes, "Cullen has a chance to break that leash, to prove to himself and anyone who would follow suit that it is possible. He can do this. I knew that when we met in Kirkwall." Cassandra gave her a look that if Elayne didn't know better she would have thought it was pleading. "Talk to him, decide if now is the time."
"If he didn't believe you, what makes you think he will listen to me when I tell him we need him to stay?"
Cassandra gave a derisive snort, "Haven't you noticed the way Cullen acts when you're around? I don't cause him to trip over his tongue, and neither Leliana or Josephine have made that man become flustered, yet around you he becomes awkward and self aware. And don't think I haven't noticed the way you purposefully tease Cullen into that state. The two of you need to stop playing games and figure out what it is you want." And with that bit of advice imparted, Cassandra turned and headed up the stairs to the loft as Elayne stood there watching the Seeker's departure with her mouth agape in surprise at her directness. Never had Cassandra ever spoken to her like that before and she felt a little embarrassed by being chastised by her.
Cassandra was right, it was time to talk with Cullen. She needed to make him see reason and hoped that he listened to her. As to how she felt about him...well...one thing to worry about at a time. First she had to convince him that she needed him-that the Inquisition needed him to lead their forces. After that...after that she would have time to figure out where to go from there.
****
Cullen stood leaning over his desk looking down at the kit he had received the day he became a Templar. The instruments to aid his addiction lay within, waiting on him to pick them up and use them once more. It represented his weakness and desire for something that he was denying himself to have, it was a reminder of what he once was and it made him angry just looking at it. Snatching up the kit from his desk, he heaved it into the stone wall by the doorway with an anguished yell. As the box shattered against stone, Cullen stood there in shock seeing the Inquisitor narrowly being missed by the flying kit.
"Maker's breath! I didn't hear you come in!" Cullen swore as the Inquisitor's eyebrows shot up in surprise more from the commander swearing than by the flying object that now lay broken beside her foot. "I--!" He bowed his head low closing his eyes briefly as he apologized, "Forgive me." The words were spoken quietly and Cullen wanted her to leave. He could feel the addiction weakening him and he didn't want her to see him this way.
"Cullen," She never called him by his name before whenever they were together. It felt strange to use it in such a familiar way, but as his name fell from her lips, it just felt right to use it. No hiding behind titles, no formalities; she didn't want to play games or worry over maintaining propriety. She wanted to break through the pain she saw he was in, to reach him so that he could hear what she had to say. Taking a few steps towards him she held his gaze, "if you need to talk--"
He interrupted her softly spoken words walking around his desk to face her, "You don't have to--augh!" his knees buckled and his hand hit the desk with a hard slap as he cried out in surprise. He silently cursed his body for failing him, for showing the Inquisitor just how weak he had become. Maker what she must think of me? It was almost too much to bear. She walked closer and he held out a hand waving her back, to stay away. "I never meant for this to interfere." He swore unable to look at her, to see the pity and disappointment she felt at him reflected in her eyes.
Elayne forced herself not to draw closer to him, to keep from offering him comfort. Cullen was too proud and he wanted to do this on his own, in his own way and she respected that. "Are you going to be alright?" she quietly asked him.
He heard the concern in her voice. "Yes." He answered the question automatically without thought or hesitation even though he knew it wasn't truthful. He sighed realizing she deserved at least that much from him. He noticed that way she was watching him, the worried look in her eyes, but there was no trace of pity or disappointment that he had feared to see there. Instead she stood there wanting to understand and help. "I don't know." he admitted answering more honestly. He had recovered enough strength to stand without having to brace himself up on his desk. "You once asked me what happened at Ferelden's Circle. It was taken over by abominations. The Templars...my friends...were slaughtered." He moved to stand in front of the window behind his desk looking outside at the sky as Elayne watched him. His voice grew heavy with emotion as the memories that were always haunting him were given shape through his words, "I was tortured. They tried to break my mind, and I..." he hung his head low as a strangled laugh escaping from his throat, "how can you be the same person after that?" He asked trying to convince her to understand that he was no longer that idealistic young naive Templar. "Still, I wanted to serve, so they sent me to Kirkwall." He turned away from the window to look at the Inquisitor, to face her while he confessed his actions and deeds, "There I had trusted my Knight-Commander and for what? Her fear of mages ended in madness." His voice grew hard and angry that he had not seen the danger sooner, that he had not known just how much Meredith's hatred had twisted her. He was the Knight-Captain in Kirkwall, it was his responsibility to protect people against things like that and he had failed them all. "Kirkwall's Circle fell and innocent people died. Can't you see why I wanted nothing to do with that life?" His voice pleaded with her to understand why he made such a decision. He wanted her to understand why he chose to no longer take lyrium and why he would rather walk away from everything he had helped build with the Inquisition rather than allow himself to be leashed to lyrium once more.
"Of course I understand. I--" Elayne reached out towards him and Cullen reacted angrily to her gesture meant to bring him comfort.
"Don't!" He cried out angrily at her while taking a few steps away from her. He was unworthy of her comfort and her support after all he had done and had admitted to. "I don't deserve your understanding! You should be questioning what I've done!" He started pacing back and forth by his desk like a caged animal as he spoke trying to reason with her and himself, "I thought that this would be better, that I would regain some control over my life. But these thoughts...won't...leave me." He sounded bitter and angry at himself for not being stronger and more resistant. "How many lives depend on our success?" He asked rounding in on her, his eyes staring at her accusingly. "I swore myself to this cause," his voice held the strength of his conviction in it, "and I will not give less to the Inquisition than I did to the Chantry! I should be taking it!" He punctuated his statement by punching the frame of his bookcase next to him hard causing the wood to creak and groan as a few of the books fell with a loud thud in the silence following his words. His voice softened as the pain in his hand grounded him and tempered his anger as he repeated the words he was trying to convince himself to believe. "I should be taking it." He stood with his back to her, his shoulders slumped forward in defeat.
Elayne took a tentative step towards Cullen closing the small distance between them. She gently reached out her hand, the anchor pulsing as she carefully touched him on the shoulder, his fur mantle lightly tickling her fingers. Keeping her voice as light as her touch, she wanted to help him to see that there was another way. "Cullen, this isn't about the Inquisition right now." He turned his head towards her and she held his gaze asking him, "Is this what you want?"
He watched her as emotions warred within him. He didn't want to fail anyone else as he had in Kirkwall...as he had in the Tower. They all deserved better, she deserved better. Letting out a shaky break he answered, "No, but these memories have always haunted me. If they become worse...if I cannot endure this..."
He looked at her with a vulnerability that stole her breath away. He was looking at her in such a way that she suddenly realized what he wanted, why he revealed what happened at the Circle in Ferelden and in Kirkwall to her. He wanted her to decide what he should do since his choice would directly affect the Inquisition. Knowing Cullen, Elayne knew that he would honor whatever decision she made. The fact that he trusted her with this decision made her realize that what Cassandra had told her was true. He cared about her. The realization made her feel uncertain for a moment before she reminded herself to not be distracted since it wasn't the time or place to for her to be wondering about it. Right now Cullen he needed a decision from her, one that would have a profound affect on his life. Squeezing his shoulder gently, she tried to give him the strength he needed and to see how much she believed in him. She didn't want to be the one to tell him what to do, so instead, she confidently assured him, "You can. I have complete faith in you Cullen."
Cullen's eyes searched her trying to see if there was any trace of doubt in her eyes before he allowed himself a small smile, "All right." He spoke the words quietly, but Elayne could see his resolve strengthen as he straightened up. She let her hand fall from where she had laid it on his shoulder as Cullen looked a little sheepishly at her while rubbing the back of his neck. "Thank you for coming by to talk with me Inquisitor."
She couldn't help but smile at the change in Cullen quipping, "I hope that you don't revert to using my title because you have forgotten my given name Commander."
Cullen's face flushed slightly at her teasing, "Of-of course not!" He answered, the corner of his lips quirking into an enticing smile, "It is always good to see you...Elayne."
"See? That wasn't so hard now was it?" She teased as she made her way out of his office rewarded by the sound of his laughter ringing out behind her. She allowed herself a broad pleased smile as she returned to the Keep's main hall and her quarters. She was grateful her general had the chance to tell her what had been troubling him and that she had managed to convince him to stay. The look he gave her when she told him that she had faith in him...well, she was going to have to think about what she intended to do with what Cassandra had revealed to her.
As she approached the door to her quarters, she noticed a messenger waiting by the door leading to it. Watching her as she closed the distance, the messenger held out a small slip of rolled up parchment, "Message for you Inquisitor." Elayne took the paper as the messenger hurried off. Glancing over the message from the rookery Elayne felt her smile disappear and her stomach turn unpleasantly. The words were brief, but it appeared that the bird she sent to her family the previous evening had been received. Bann Trevelyan and her brother Orren were already making their way to Skyhold having left immediately after receiving word, though she knew the letter she had taken the time to write and send by courier to Ostwick hadn't been received before their departure. At least her mother would benefit from reading the penned words she had carefully crafted to help her family understand the full measure of what was happening.
Elayne moved to her chambers for privacy as her mind raced with what she planned to do. Being the youngest child in her family, her parents busied themselves arranging all aspects of her life far longer than they had with either of her other two siblings causing her to rebel against many of the decisions they forced upon her out of habit. As the youngest child, she had been promised to the Chantry upon coming of age and she was all to aware of how her life would play out. Already she had begun training as a templar recruit which is why she fought with a sword and shield. If it weren't for the events in Kirkwall, she would have already joined the Order and completed her training, but her family had kept her from being sent off to the Chantry. When the Conclave gathering had been discussed, her family thought that she would better suit their interests there. Elayne had felt certain her family had chosen her to attend the Conclave because they felt she would be safer there than at home where the violence from the mage rebellion was starting to spread.
Elayne had been careful with the information she shared with her family keeping her correspondence brief and concise. She had not informed them of things like nearly being condemned for having caused the destruction at the Conclave or the true nature of Corypheus. Elayne also failed to mention that she traveled with a Qunari mercenary, an apostate elven mage, a spirit assassin or any of her other companions that she trusted her life to. She had truly relished the freedom she had with the Inquisition. Even with as much as the Inquisition demanded from her, her advisers and companions respected her decisions while following her lead. Elayne hoped her family's presence wouldn't affect that, though she knew that was a conversation she would have to have with her father and brother. Elayne knew that at some point her family would be drawn to visit Skyhold to see her, she had only wished it were not this soon. Tucking the paper in her pocket, she knew that Josephine and Leliana were already aware of her father's unannounced arrival since the Spymaster had received the message and would have sent word on to the Antivan adviser as well. Walking up the stairs to her bedchambers, Elayne shook her head trying to not think about her family and instead refocus her attention on the matters that were currently preoccupying her thoughts.
****
Evening repast in the main hall was usually a less formal affair, but with the arrival of the Ferelden delegates and the poor showing of the Inquisitor's first meeting with them, Josephine went above and beyond setting the tables for a small feast. Placing the King of Ferelden and his adviser along with the Inquisitor and her advisers at the head table made the most sense when she worked on the seating charts. The raven haired adviser had gone through the trouble of ensuring that the Inquisitor's companions would have plenty to drink and eat at the Herald's Rest hopefully keeping them out of the main hall. Better to take certain precautions than to live with regret in this situation. Not even leaving the Herald's appearance to chance, Josephine had sent up a gown and two servants to assist her with explicit instructions along with a not so veiled threat as to the consequences if her wishes weren't carried out. As she surveyed the room making sure everything was as it should be, the Antivan adviser saw Leliana arrive in the dining hall. The graceful bard certainly captured the attention of those in attendance there. She made her way slowly across the room stopping to talk and flatter the nobles trying to claim her attention. Leliana's demeanor was always open and delighted making her seem almost carefree though it was, as the Spymaster admitted was only a mask. A shrewd master of the game, the nobles here had no chance matching the red headed adviser, though Josephine found it entertaining to watch them try.
Many of the guests arrived early enough to put in a proper appearance, all of them standing around talking amicably with one another. The Ferelden nobles who had arrived with King Alistair were also notably there making sure their presence was noted. When the Herald entered the dining hall Josephine breathed a small sigh of relief that she was wearing the gown she had sent up to her quarters and that she looked radiant. Her auburn hair was styled up with a few tendrils left to frame her face, her makeup was carefully applied, and the sapphire gown with crystal flowers looked better than Josephine could have imagined when she had placed the order with the dress maker. With the poor first appearance the Herald had put in with the Ferelden delegation, everything needed to be perfect in order to win them over. They could overcome the initial poor impression if they worked hard to impress them for the remainder of their visit.
Glancing at their Ferelden guests, Josephine smiled pleased with herself noting the way they openly stared at the Herald as she made her way across the room, a stark contrast to the woman caked in mud who had greeted them earlier that day. The Inquisitor was practically glowing as she greeted the nobles gathered there while making her way towards the head table. Josephine couldn't help but look over at the King to see what he thought of the Herald and she was happy to observe him looking at her in the same stunned way as his companions. In fact, the same could be said for all gathered there in the main hall since the Inquisitor had never been presented this way. Mentally filing that observation away for later contemplation, Josephine directed the Inquisitor towards the head table where the King and the respective advisers joined them.
Standing by his chair across from the Herald's, Cullen watched as Elayne approached the head table. He had never seen her wear anything other than well worn armor or the formal attire she favored when at Skyhold. To see her in something other than a uniform or armor, especially something that defined her figure, he couldn't help but stare. When she turned her attention to him, he inclined his head slightly towards her in greeting. "Inquisitor." He spoke the word formally, but he couldn't help the heated look he gave her or the way the corners of his lips turned up in appreciation.
Elayne smiled at Cullen standing across the table in his Inquisition dress uniform. The man looked every inch like a Commander of the Inquisition's forces. His eyes held her in place as she looked at him appreciatively. "Commander." She answered, her own amusement showing as she reached out to claim her chair.
"My lady, if you will allow me?" A low voice rumbled from beside her. Turning she noticed King Alistair who looked resplendent in his formal attire bowing respectfully to her.
"Thank you your Majesty." Elayne answered as the King pulled her chair out for her to be seated. Sitting down, she felt the king gently push her seat closer to the table before claiming his own seat beside her.
Smiling over at the Herald, Alistair had gotten over his initial surprise at the Herald's formal appearance. Having met her covered in mud, he had no idea just how beautiful the Inquisitor was before seeing her arrive in the dinner hall. It was a very pleasant surprise, though noticing the reactions of the others in the hall, he knew he wasn't the only one caught unaware. "You clean up well Inquisitor." Alistair teased with a mischievous glint in his eye.
Elayne laughed at the glib observation, "As do you, your Majesty." She complimented Alistair and noticed how he straightened his up a little more as his smile grew a little broader. Elayne filed the observation of him taking well to compliments away as she looked around at the others gathered at the table.
Josephine took her seat beside the Inquisitor as the rest of the group settled in around the table. The adviser felt pleased at how everything looked casting a quick glance around the table as everyone settled in around the table. The servants laid out the food before them removing the tray covers and pouring wine into their glasses as she had instructed them to do. It was all going so well that Josephine couldn't help but think this night would work out better than expected.
There was some murmuring around the dining hall as everyone else followed suit to sit down for their meals before those in attendance looked towards the head table, more precisely to the Inquisitor expectantly. Elayne couldn't help feeling on display, the gown she wore was cut low, not so low to be immodest, but lower than Elayne preferred. The corset underneath reminded her of how much she loved breathing as it constricted her pressing her ribs in and her breasts out displaying a figure she could naturally never possess. It was all part of putting in appearances and she quietly suffered through it as she had when she was younger and living at home in the Free Marches. Not for the first time this evening she found herself wondering if the corset was additional punishment created by Josephine for being caked in mud earlier.
Seeing everyone in the dining hall were now seated, Elayne took her goblet in hand standing to address everyone assembled there. "Your Majesty," she inclined her head towards the King, "lords and ladies, I know many of you have traveled great distances for our help or to be heard. This evening as we dine, may we keep our thoughts with our loved ones and our respective people hoping for their continued safety. With your help, the Inquisition can be the shield that helps protect them as well as the instrument in which to strike against Corypheus. May we all stand united against whatever is to come, but let us all not forget to enjoy moments like these that are granted to us. May Andraste's blessings be with us all." She took a sip of her wine to honor the toast and its heartfelt meaning before reclaiming her seat.
Alistair's voice close beside her nearly made her jump, "You certainly have a way with words Herald of Andraste." The King had leaned in a little closer towards Elayne to speak to her and his close proximity was both casual and intimate.
Elayne looked over at him trying to take full measure of the man and what he meant by his statement. Was he truly being sincere, or did his words hold a deeper meaning? He stared back at her without any trace of irony or insincerity in his honey colored eyes. The King of Ferelden was either a better player at the game than she was led to believe, or he was being very open with her. She hoped for the latter though she prepared herself if she was wrong, "I truly believe that the only way to bring down Corypheus is to unite the nations into one force to fight his army. What he is capable of, the plans he has made..." she couldn't quite hide the shiver that ran down her spine at the chilling thought of how easily Corypheus could defeat them if left unchecked. Even the rifts were enough of a distraction to keep them from stopping him if they didn't have the anchor to seal them. She shrugged her shoulders slightly trying to dismiss her worries and serious words, but she had been more honest than she initially intended. With Josephine listening in to every word she spoke, the Commander's watchful eyes, and Alistair's attention, Elayne was very self aware. "I shouldn't bring up unpleasant topics when there is a wonderful feast before us to enjoy." She gestured towards the trays of food before them and everyone started helping their plates to the sliced meat, cheese, roasted vegetables and fresh baked rolls before them. Unsure of how much she would be able to eat with the corset keeping her from even breathing comfortably had Elayne take only a sampling from each tray. Slicing her meat into small bites, she cast a quick glance at Josephine hoping this was the last time she would need to don a corset during the King's visit.
They all sat in a comfortable silence enjoying the meal when Leliana complimented Alistair, "So, Ferelden is recovering nicely under your leadership your majesty." The bard smiled knowingly at Alistair, "I am glad that you are doing well and seem to be happy."
The look on Alistair's face was unreadable as he looked over at Leliana. She always had a silver tongue and a way with words that possessed hidden meanings and implications within. Now that she was a Spymaster Alistair couldn't help but wonder how much she truly knew of him since they parted ways. Leliana knew that Alistair protested at taking on the responsibilities of the throne arguing that he wouldn't make a good king when the Warden insisted that he go through with it. He had done as the Warden had asked him, he had loved Elissa Cousland, how could he not agree with her decision at the Landsmeet when she believed in him? When they faced the archdemon in Denerim, Elissa had ordered him to stay with the soldiers on the ground to keep the darkspawn from climbing up into the tower to flank her party. She told him that he was too important to risk, that he had a nation to lead as she left him behind. The guilt he felt for not following her up the tower, of not letting her know that he planned to marry her, damned the consequences of him taking a fellow Grey Warden as his wife all ate away at him. Alistair had been angry for a long while, at everyone including himself. He had lost track of his fellow companions as he tried to become the man Elissa thought him to be and the ruler that Ferelden needed since he swore to himself that he would never let her sacrifice be in vain. "As you can see, I haven't ended up lost and all articles of clothing are currently present and accounted for." he joked dryly. Leliana looked surprised at the tone in his voice choosing to return her attention to her plate rather than comment further as the tension left by their exchange hung heavy in the air.
Looking around the table, everyone was busying themselves by eating and avoiding eye contact so Elayne decided to redirect the conversation, "What do you think of Skyhold King Alistair? Is it what you expected?"
Alistair looked a little relieved by the change in subject, "It has exceeded my expectations from what I have had a chance to observe so far. I will admit to being disappointed to find that Skyhold doesn't have a mabari kennel. Not that I mind having my mabari stay with me, but this is Ferelden and it is remarkable that a hold as large as this would be without one."
Elayne hadn't thought about kennels though the keep certainly had room enough to house one. Turning towards her commander, she asked, "Commander Cullen," she waited until she had his attention before asking, "what do you think about the addition of kennels to Skyhold?"
Her voice had drawn Cullen's attention away from the idle chatter Josephine had been engaging him in though he saw the sharp eye his fellow adviser was keeping on the Herald. Cullen didn't mind since he wasn't one to discuss politics and was grateful for the distraction. "The kennels wouldn't take up much space, but we will need to find those able to care and handle mabari. Other than a few additional staff members to be hired and deciding on a location for the kennels, I don't foresee any issues with adding one while we are renovating the keep." Cullen reasoned aloud.
"Wonderful." Elayne smiled broadly at Cullen glad for a direct and positive response to her question though she couldn't help but notice the idea excited the Commander as well. He was Ferelden after all and they did adore their mabari, "The next time you visit Skyhold we will try to remedy that oversight your majesty." Elayne flashed another grateful smile to Cullen who had returned his attention to his plate. Looking down at her own plate, she speared a small slice of cheese on her fork to sample. It was unexpectedly delicious, so different from their usual selection of cheeses and she savored the flavors as it hit her tongue as her fork speared a larger slice to enjoy.
Alistair looked on with a pleased smirk noticing how much she was enjoying the cheese. The Herald quirked an eyebrow at him when she realized he was watching her. "We brought the cheese in from Ferelden, it is one of my favorites and I thought the Inquisition and your guests would find it enjoyable as well." He popped a piece of cheese into his mouth and hummed in appreciation.
Elayne sampled another bite enjoying the creamy texture and taste. "It is delicious and greatly appreciated. The cheeses we have here are aged longer and are sharper in taste." She explained before taking a sip of her wine. The mingling flavors on her tongue from the wine and cheese made her eyes widen a little in surprise at the unexpectedly delicious combination.
Alistair smiled smugly pleased that she was enjoying it so much. "Once trade routes are secured between Skyhold and Denerim, I will be sure to send over a wheel of cheese for you to enjoy."
Bann Teagan spoke up, "Your majesty, I hope you aren't boring the Inquisitor with talks of cheese." A pained look crossed King Alistair's face, not unlike a child who was being scolded.
Speaking up, Elayne answered before Alistair thought of a response, "Quite the contrary Bann Teagan, he is offering me a delicious incentive to have the Inquisition stabilize trade routes and ensure safer traveling conditions for commerce." The Inquisitor smiled broadly at the Bann as Alistair couldn't help but stare at her in surprise. He hadn't expected her to come to his defense.
The Bann looked surprised as well as pleased, "Well, then, please carry on." Teagan returned his attention to the beautiful bard sitting across from him.
Leaning closer towards the Herald, Alistair kept his voice low, "Thank you for coming to my rescue."
Elayne gave him a sympathetic look joking, "My pleasure. When you see me in danger of being corrected, please feel free to return the favor."
Alistair gave a genuine heartfelt laugh. It had been too long since he had found someone who truly understood the situations he had faced and had to deal with. Once a hero, now a leader of a nation, he faced all of these things alone and for many years. The majority of Ferelden's nobles had never taken up a sword when the Blight hit their lands, many went untouched in their holdings while their outlying farms and countryside were being razed by the darkspawn. None of them understood war, of being a part of a force that stood at the front and faced the worst dangers head on. For the first time since losing Elissa, he felt as though he may not be as alone as he once thought. The idea gave him a small measure of hope. "So, my Lady Inquisitor." Alistair held her gaze as he claimed her attention once more, "Ferelden has been hearing tales of your heroic deeds and adventures which have been popular with the bards, though I must admit I find the tale of you fighting a garrison of guards without any pants on the most entertaining." The King smiled and Elayne saw the way his eyes sparkled with mischief and amusement. "Is the story true?"
She couldn't help but laugh recalling the unusual fight as she noticed Cullen's attention had returned to her as he showed an interest in hearing this tale as well. "It is, though admittedly it was an unusual circumstance even for us." Elayne wished that Varric were there to tell the tale justly, "It started with a cryptic note instructing us to arrive in the dead of night to the barracks to meet with a contact. It turned out that the contact had a wicked sense of humor and that she thought it would be amusing to deprive the men stationed within the barracks of their pants before the alarm sounded." Elayne smiled remembering the surprise and shock of her and her companions at the soldiers they faced off with. "One of my companions asked our contact why she took the soldiers' pants and not their swords and she laughed replying, 'Because...no pants!' as they attacked our group. We ended up leaving there with three large sacks filled with pants. It was certainly one of our more memorable encounters." Cullen snickered in amusement knowing Sera and her tricks.
The king laughed picturing such a fight. "That must have been quite a fight!" He sighed wistfully, "Sometimes I miss the days I spent adventuring, though at the time I couldn't wait to be done with all the fighting and the constant traveling across the countryside. Funny how sitting around a bunch of nobles you can't kill makes you long for days like that again."
"You and the Hero of Ferelden ended the Blight-you faced an archdemon!" Elayne looked over at the king in genuine admiration as she spoke, "The tales sung are still inspiring if a little difficult to believe. I suspect you have quite a few interesting tales to tell yourself your Majesty."
"Indeed. The group I traveled with were...unique." Alistair glanced over at Leliana briefly before continuing, "One of them was an assassin hired by Loghain to dispose of the Warden and myself. Thankfully for us, things didn't work out the way he had planned and the Warden thought it would be prudent to have him work with us. I brought up objections that he wasn't a very good assassin, but in the end, he joined our little party. Shame he never had the knack for picking locks." A thoughtful look crossed his handsome features, "We did have some great adventures, but those days are long gone and we've all gone our separate ways once the Blight ended." His voice was tinged with sadness and regret at the same time.
Elayne felt sorry she had brought up something that he was pained by recalling and tried to cheer him up. "You should consider joining the Inquisition then your majesty. There is no shortage of dangers to face, demons to kill, or problems to solve." She winked at him to show she was teasing.
Alistair leaned in towards her holding her gaze while his eyes sparkled with amusement, "You have no idea how tempting your offer is Lady Inquisitor."
Elayne had to keep herself composed under his intense gaze. She saw hunger lying just beneath the surface. She forced her eyes to look away from him as she felt her face flush slightly from his comment and attention. The King was very charming in his boyish way and his compliments and conversation had been kept friendly and entertaining throughout the evening. Now however, she saw something more that scared her, something she wasn't sure how to respond to. She couldn't help but wonder what his true intentions were yet again as they spent the remainder of their time at dinner chatting amicably about almost everything keeping the conversation light and friendly.
As the hour grew late, the hall slowly emptied out and grew quieter as people took their leave, many of them stopping by the head table to thank their hosts and to greet the honored guests. Leliana and Cullen had already excused themselves shortly after finishing their meals explaining they had work to get back to. The Bann and Josephine remained at the table making Elayne feel as though she and the King were being chaperoned. King Alistair was better at ignoring his adviser than she was at not feeling Josephine weighing and measuring each of her words any time she opened her mouth to speak. Even with uncertainty stirring within her, it had turned out to be a very pleasant evening and Elayne couldn't help feel a little disappointed when the time came to say their farewells for the evening.
As Alistair wished her good night, he took her hand in his brushing his lips gently across her knuckles. He felt her fingers tremble slightly as his breath fanned across them. He noticed her skin prickle slightly from his unexpected gesture and the reaction her body had to his. He lingered only a moment longer than necessary before he released her hand from his trying to not worry if the reaction she had to him was because she was displeased by his attention. As he straightened back up, the blush spreading across her cheeks revealed that she had indeed appreciated it. "It has been an pleasure getting to know you Herald."
"The pleasure has been mine your grace." Elayne gave a deep curtsy bowing her head respectfully before rising. Bann Teagan offered his farewells before turning towards Alistair to leave.
Josephine stood alongside Elayne watching as the men took their leave from them. She had waited for them to be out of earshot before she asked the Inquisitor, "I believe that went better than we could have hoped for."
Elayne thought of the evening, of how pleasant the King's company was and how much she truly enjoyed it. "Indeed." The word was weighted with uncertainty. "Thank you for making sure that everything went as well as it did."
Josephine looked at the Herald knowingly, "I was not the only one who worked hard to ensure it went smoothly. You handled the King very well this evening."
"Lets hope that I can handle my father and brother equally as well when they arrive." Elayne's hand went over her stomach that contained more chilled wine than food. "I trust that there are no more formal engagements that will require corsets in the near future?"
Elayne saw Josephine try to not smile so openly, the corners of the woman's lips twitching in effort to conceal her amusement, "I can't promise there won't be any, but I can try to...limit...the frequency if that sounds like a fair compromise?"
It wasn't a fair compromise, but Elayne agreed to it anyway, "Agreed." She couldn't help but feel resigned, "I need to see to one other matter tonite before turning in. Good evening Lady Montilyet."
"Good evening Lady Inquisitor." Josephine returned just as formally as Elayne took her leave. Glancing around the room once more, Josephine gave a few more orders to the servants there before heading to her own office to take care of a few matters of her own.