Chapter Text
It was pure chance the night Cullen caught Ellana Lavellan sneaking off into the forests around Skyhold.
After a particularly grueling day of trying to get necessary supply chains set up and repairs scheduled, the incessant hunger for lyrium was less of a soft hum in the back of his mind and more of a hysterical shriek. Every time he closed his eyes, desperate for some sort of relief, the faces of his slaughtered brothers and sisters flashed before him. Eventually he abandoned the thought of rest all together, and dressed hastily before making his way to the outer walls.
He had only been pacing for a few minutes when he heard the gates creak open and caught a flash of golden hair and a lithe silhouette before it started towards the woods. More curious than concerned, he followed the figure at a distance and quickly realized he was shadowing the Inquisitor.
The elven woman seemed particularly skittish, stopping every so often and turning to make sure she wasn't being followed. He kept to the edges of her vision, his cloak and dark breeches lending him the ability to meld against the nearby trees. Cullen followed the woman for what he guessed was a mile before she stopped near a clearing within the forest. Ellana glanced around her once again before her posture changed. Instead of a tense anxiety, she finally relaxed for the first time since the attack on Haven.
Tilting her head back, she closed her eyes and reveled in the patch of moonlight that caressed her skin. Cullen was so transfixed on how her golden hair turned silver in the luminescence that he didn't immediately notice her undressing. When his eyes trailed down toward her collarbone in order to follow the silken strands, his breath caught when he saw the curve of her breast. Horrified, he glanced away quickly.
Cullen felt her pull from her mana, but the kind of magic she was using tasted foreign. The fact that he couldn't place it immediately disturbed him enough that he looked back to where Ellana was. Instead of the slender form of an elf, a golden wolf stood in the clearing with its emerald gaze focused squarely upon him. The Commander froze when the creature took a step toward him.
"I-Inquisitor?" he murmured after a moment. The wolf's eyes seemed to glitter with familiar amusement and he relaxed. "You managed to surprise a templar. I hope you're proud."
When he reached out to her, Ellana brushed her head against his hand and whined softly. Grinning like a boy, Cullen scratched behind the wolf's ears and marveled at how soft her fur was. She tolerated it for a bit before sneezing and prancing just out of his reach. Her tail drifted lazily behind her while she started to sniff around the clearing and Cullen leaned against a tree, content to just watch her.
The wolf occasionally wandered outside of his sight, but never for more than a minute or two. She also trotted over to him periodically, either sitting next to him with her head in his lap or dancing just out of his reach, tongue lolling out in a canine grin. They enjoyed the quiet solitude of the clearing for quite some time before Cullen yawned. The wolf next to him did the same and shot him an annoyed glance.
"I think I'm finally ready for bed," he said, groaning as he stood up. His back popped and he sighed in relief. "I...was having trouble getting to sleep."
Ellana whined softly, padding next to him as he started back the way they came. Every so often he would reach out and reassure himself that she was really there, and that this wasn't just some strange dream. When they made it back to Skyhold, Ellana's tail tucked between her legs and her ears flattened against her head.
"You don't want anyone to see you?" Cullen asked, voice low. When she looked up at him and gave a soft huff, he grinned. "It's not far from your quarters. I can take you and distract anyone we might run into."
The wolf's ears perked and her tail sprung up, wagging enthusiastically. Laughing, he rubbed her head and opened the door before bowing. "After you, my lady."
Ellana growled halfheartedly before padding into the keep, head held high with her tail straight and proud. They were fortunate enough not to run into any of the night's watch, and once they made it to the main hall he opened the door to the Inquisitor's quarters. He cleared his throat awkwardly, unsure of what to say.
"I..." Ellana watched him patiently, ears swiveling. "Thank you for letting me keep you company tonight." The wolf sniffed the air, and caught sight of the uncontrollable spasm in his hands. "I'll see you--"
Before he could finish, Ellana got a hold of the edge of his tunic and started to tug insistently. Stumbling, he followed the wolf into her quarters and once inside, the wolf butted the door with her head to close it. The next thing he knew, the wolf was replaced by a very naked elf.
"Well, now someone knows my little secret," the mage purred, taking a step toward him. Cullen's mouth went dry. She grinned, placing a hand on his chest before getting on her tiptoes so she could whisper her next words into his ear, "You can stay here tonight if you'd like."
"You don't--"
"Cullen." Ellana leaned back, frowning. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." Glancing down, she saw his hands tremble once again. "I could smell the sickness when I changed forms. It went away when I was close to you. I can stay that way with you tonight, if it would help." Her smile was wry, yet sincere. "As a wolf, nothing more."
"I..." He remembered the peace he felt, just running his fingers through her silken fur. Cullen cleared his throat nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "I would like that. Thank you."
The change was instant, the lithe elf replaced once more by the golden wolf. Ellana sneezed, her muzzle wrinkling in annoyance before she turned and hopped up onto the large bed. The Commander blushed as he removed his tunic and slipped under the covers, Ellana curled up against him. The wolf grunted while she got comfortable, a pleased rumbling sound coming from her chest when Cullen buried his face in the fur at her neck.
In no time at all, they both were asleep. For the first time in recent memory, Cullen wasn't woken by screams.