#I've always wondered about the whole plate armor thing

[triangle-strategy-notes]

Erador's ref/concept art sheet!

Translation notes:

"'I can rip you apart' sort of look" was actually more of an mimetic or onomatopoetic term that meant "ripping (apart), tearing (apart)", etc. Since there didn't seem to be a great English equivalent I ended up going for a literal sort of meaning.

I kind of have the feeling that the note about conviction parameters on the first page might have been making a joke about how the apprentice character wasn't included because they (the illustrators) didn't have enough conviction points, but I'm not super sure either way.

The ceremonial necklace one is something I'm not really confident on. It said something about ceremony, and something about an arrow/sword/mini-sword, but the specifics were a little hard to get down.

[ambroziadelphine]

Madara in the real world: Prologue

Masterlist

I was in my kitchen on a Friday morning, dancing in my socks to Good Feeling by Flo Rida as I cooked some eggs and bacon. I'm a 23 year old with my own house out in the middle of nowhere, nearest town being about 20 minutes south of me. I lived alone, no partner, no kids, even my parents were on the other side of the world traveling for their retirement. I was just here, in British Colombia all by myself, surrounded by trees as the first chill of winter hung in the air. I was glad my mother had helped prep my basement for the winter, she was always the 'prepare for the end of the world like its yesterday' type person. I guess now that she's so old she's trying to make sure I'm that prepared.

It's not particularly bad though, I have homemade canned goods to last me a lifetime, everything from canned fruit, pickled veggies, handmade wine that's actually good. My basement cellar was filled with goodies to last me for many winters to come. She always makes me keep an outdoor garden bed in the warm weather to grow fresh produce, including the many fruit trees and berry bushes my mother has grown and taken care of over the many years in this house, though I've never been too fond of gardening, I did it for her.

But lets not focus on that, its quite a small part of who I am, doing things just for my mother I mean. I'm technically a pornstar, only I more so review toys then fuck other people on camera. I've actually.. never had sex with someone else.. its kinda ironic, I know. I think I'm asexual sometimes but then again, the right fictional man and I can go all day. I really wish real guys were even half the men as I watch in shows or read in books. Take, almost any of the Uchiha men from Naruto. Itachi, Madara, Shisui, Obito… Sasuke is okay, not my personal cup of tea.

God, what I would do to get Madara or Itachi to spend one night with me. I'm be like a bitch in heat. I wonder if all the fanfictions claiming the whole clan has a breeding kink if true.. I chuckled as I plated my food, the stove off and dishes cleaned up as I took a few moments to eat in the living room before changing into some thick leggings and a sweater, grabbing my coffee in my travel mug on my way passed the kitchen. I walked over to the patio, my 3 month old Tibetan mastiff Seth waddling over to the door as I put my shoes on.

I grinned and put his harness on, clipping his leash on and locking the door behind us, making sure I had my keys first before we headed out for a morning walk I grinned and put his harness on, clipping his leash on and locking the door behind us, making sure I had my keys first before we headed out for a morning walk.

I let Seth wander around as we walked a short distance into the forest, it was nice out, maybe a little chilly but otherwise nice for early November. We only were out for a quick 15 minute walk, just as a morning potty break for Seth and a chance for me to stretch my legs before I spend the next few hours shooting videos for my YouTube or spicy accounts. Yes, I had YouTube. It was mainly just casual gaming and some streaming. I did cosplays and vlogs when I went to conventions but not many. Anyways, we were headed back when I felt something shake the ground slightly. At first I thought it was an earthquake but with how quickly it went away I chose to ignore it, emerging from the tree line only for Seth to freeze, starting to growl as we both set eyes on something… or someone, laying face down in the damp, cold ground. I carefully walked around it, quickly moving inside and locking Seth in before I carefully made my way to the pile of black and red in front of me.

I crouched down and noticed it was indeed a person, a very large person with very long black hair and strange but familiar red armor on. I carefully lifted some hair away from the persons face, jumping back at the pale face of Madara Uchiha, his eyes closed as it appeared he was out cold at the moment. He didn't look like a reanimation, but he also shouldn't be alive or even real. I bite my lip and sighed, guess filming can wait. I looked at the distance between him and my back porch, only a few feet, I could move him. Hopefully.

I took a deep breath and carefully lifted the man the best I could, more so dragging him into the house and onto the couch with major struggle. I noticed his armor and outer clothing were wet, he probably wouldn't get sick, but he might be uncomfortable in the wet garments. But he'd probably be more uncomfortable knowing a stranger undressed him. I decided, I'd take the armor off him so I could get him more comfortable, then just throw a heated blanket on him that I had in my bedroom. I gently managed to lift his red armor off, laying in on the chair next to him along with his Gunbai which I had to go back out to get afterwards, it was also very heavy. I laid the heated blanket on him after I got him settled, plugging it in and turning it up to max to try and heat him up from the cold of outside. He was ice cold when I touched his skin.

I bit my nails as I stared at him. This wasn't possible. He's not supposed to be real.

I quickly left the room, deciding I'd play a bit of the long dark to try and clear my head, waiting for him to wake up. Its a lone survival game where you have crash landed in the Canadian wilderness and need to survive the winter and get off the island. I managed to get through another episode on my channel before I decided a shower was in order seeing as he wasn't seeming to wake up any time soon, I got together all I needed and headed into the washroom. Turning the water on, making sure its hot while I stripped my clothes off, throwing them in the laundry hamper and stepping into the steaming shower.

I sighed happily, asking Alexa to turn on my Spotify shower playlist, the steam and hot water soothing my muscles as I lathered shampoo and conditioner in my hair, I was singing along to Devil Eyes by Hippie Sabotage. I was taking my time rinsing myself off after scrubbing my skin clean when I felt goosebumps on my skin and I turned to the shower curtain, seeing a massive dark figure on the other side making me freeze before the humor of the situation quickly caught up to me.

"I didn't realize the Ghost of the Uchiha liked sneaking up on girls in the shower." I chuckled, hearing something fall off the counter on the other side of the curtain as the dark figure took a few steps back.

"Where am I?" He asked, clearing his throat as I hummed in amusement.

"Can you let me finish what I'm doing? I'll answer all questions I can when I'm done." I said, before a mischievous grin crossed my face, peaking out from behind the curtain to see a slightly flustered Madara. "Unless you were looking to join me, Madara Uchiha." I teased, seeing his face turn bright red as he hastily left without a word, my laughter ringing out in the room as he shut the door behind him with a loud thump. I never would have guessed he'd get to flustered from such little flirting, then again, I don't know how bold women were where he was from. If Sakura was anything to go by, I doubt this bold of flirting was common. More so just stubborn and short tempered.

I quickly finished up in the shower, dressing quickly in my knee high socks and shorts before cursing silently as I realized I had grabbed an Itachi Uchiha shirt. Whatever, maybe if I'm wearing Uchiha merch he'll think I'm on his side. I quickly walked out, going down the hall into my bedroom where I saw him looking around my room, specifically at the poster I had of him.

I quickly walked out, going down the hall into my bedroom where I saw him looking around my room, specifically at the poster I had of him "I'm guessing you have more then a few questions." I said softly, seeing his shoulders tense as he turned to me, his dark gaze looking me over suspiciously, his guard relaxing slightly upon seeing my tiny stature and strange shirt with his clan name printed on it. I sighed and walked over to the bookshelf, picking out the Naruto shippuden series and setting them on the bed in front of him. "I won't have all the answers you're looking for. Hell, I don't even know how you got here, but I know who you are and I can take a wild guess to say you just came from the fight against Naruto, Hashirama, Tobirama, basically all shinobi ever, you know what I mean." I said, already feeling tired as he just stared at me, giving a slow nod. I sighed and ran a hand through my still wet hair. Might as well get the basic explanation over with before he gets too many questions.

"This is a world without Kekkei Genkai or Chakra. We have no jutsu's, the Uchiha and any other clan you know are mere fiction here, in this manga series, there is also a tv show. Yes, as you can see the Uchiha happen to be some of my favourite characters, which is why I have a poster of you." I said, gesturing to my room and shirt for examples. "If you have question's about that I can do my best to answer them but as for how you are a fictional character here and have now ended up here, I have no clue. I am merely a regular civilian and have no idea how to get you back." I finished, waiting for his response as he seemed to process this all.

"So, I am in a different world?" He asked, I nodded, sitting down on my bed, crossing my legs.

"Yep." I said, popping the 'p' as I stared at him.

"You are aware of what I am capable of, correct?" He asked, I rolled my eyes and inspected my nails.

"Madara, if you were going to harm me, you would've already. Besides, you don't know how to run half the things in this house so you're stay here would be quite miserable if you were to kill me now." I said with a slight smirk, he gave a small glare, going back to inspecting the various posters around the room of more then just the Naruto anime.

"Why are you so calm about this?" He asked after a moment making me shrug.

"I don't know." I mused, Seth jumping up on the bed and baring his teeth at Madara, half standing in my lap protectively making me chuckle. "You're one of my all time favourite characters. Besides, its not like I have any real issues to worry about with you here. I work from home, I rarely need to go out to shop, I'm well off financially, I don't see what would be a major issue with you being here." I explained, rubbing between Seth's ears as he settled down slightly, still eyeing Madara wearily, the man doing the same with the black fluffy bear like dog.

"Oh, I'm Alex by the way, and this is Seth, he's my little guard dog." I said, giving the puppy's fur a light ruffle which made him retaliate by attacking me with kisses making me laugh, lightly pushing the dog off me. "I just had a shower Seth! I don't need to smell like dog slobber again!" I laughed, standing up and grabbing a makeup wipe to get rid of the smelly slime he had left of my cheek.

"Why did you help me?" Madara asked making me turn to him, my brows knitting together in confusion.

"Madara, this isn't a place at war, you can have a little faith in strangers here." I said, smiling at him kindly. "Think of this as a little break from all the war and bloodshed you've experienced. Take a little time to relax while we figure out what happened to you. I doubt you'll be going home anytime soon given how little we know." I said, walking out of the room to set up one of the two guest bedrooms I had. Well, one was a guest room, the other was my brothers old room I never went in anymore. I made the bed, got some of my dads old clothes from the attic and washed them before putting them in the dresser in there. I walked down the stairs after, seeing Madara on the couch with the Shippuden books in front of him.

"I set up a room for you upstairs." I said, seeing him glance at me and nod.

"Thank you." Was all he said.

[coinofstone]

5x12 The Diamond of the Day pt 1

Final two episodes! Big finale! Why am I making myself cry in the middle of the afternoon! Both eps in this post.

I do love that they made Arthur a sore loser

Enter treacherous white woman #2. Srsly it was lazy writing when they did it for Mordred, it's worse now with Gwaine.

I do love the actual Round Table war room discussion but a) why isn't Merlin seated at the round table and b) why does Leon have so much goddamn faith in Camelot's walls? Like??? You literally said the same thing last year and yet Camelot *did* fall when Agravaine brought an army through the tunnels!

Poor Aithusa. Kid's had a rough life.

I do love Arthur responding to Merlin presenting him with all his supplies ready - which he prepared without his magic mind you - with suspicion 😂

But then he calls Merlin a coward and it's sad

Katie has such a great voice. That entire thing in the cave from her taunting to her laughter to the spell, it just just beautifully played.

Whole ass battle to prepare for and Arthur is just walking around moping cuz Merlin isn't there

So, Merlin's father-vision telling him he's magic itself and he just needs to believe in himself to get his magic going again, does this mean he *didn't* need to go to the cave to get it back? Cuz it seems like he needed to recharge in the cave itself, his injuries were healed when he woke up. That seems like magic cave stuff to me.

Also that "always have been and always will be" - I'm taking to mean 'always have been' in the sense that since he's 'magic itself' even before he was born, his magic existed in other, intangible forms, like we are all stardust etc. But now that he is, he will always be, aka he will not die.

Arthur waking up with his wife in his arms and Merlin's name on his lips, jumping out of bed to act on dream-info.

Balinor telling Merlin to trust in what will be.... like bitch that is literally not how this ends.

5x13 The Diamond of the day pt 2

You know that gif of the cat knocking everything off the table? That's literally Merlin shooting lightning at everyone from his perch on the ridge.

I have a lot of snarky things to say about Merlin coming out of the cave in full Dragoon gear and riding a horse instead of teleporting like the other witches but I'ma keep that to myself.

Mordred is a bitch and Aithusa has terrible aim. At least Aithusa's loyalty to Morgana makes sense.

Arthur said oh shit I'm magic - oh wait no it's that old man again

He also straight up "No! Bad dragon!"-ed Aithusa

Y'know, for all I've watched this episode and screamed about Arthur's death, I don't think I've ever focused on the exact moment he gets stabbed before.

Mordred catches him from behind and he meets it, no fault there. But as soon as he realizes his assailant is the knight who turned on him and joined Morgana, what does he do? HE LOWERS HIS FUCKING SWORD

He leaves himself wide fucking open and vulnerable and Mordred seizes the opportunity. I understand wanting the moment of recognition for Arthur, but on what planet is a trained warrior going to drop his sword mid-attack because he recognizes his attacker as a dude who only just recently decided to forsake him? It's soooooo dumb

There was a whole sequence a few episodes back where Mordred and Arthur are sparring, the point of it was to show that Mordred has become a skilled swordsman. So what exactly was the point in having Mordred run Arthur through as soon as Arthur idiotically lets his guard down? This should've been a meticulously choreographed sword fight, with Mordred getting the upper hand and sticking Arthur properly. Not this nonsense. Look at Arthur's FACE! Oh, Mordred... 👉👈 do you maybe wanna be friends again- STAB ... guess not

Uther's been rolling in his grave but he's taking an extra tumble watching Arthur forget all his skills and training in that moment.

I do appreciate Arthur getting Mordred back though. Like that moment of merciless anger followed by the hurt and regret playing on Arthur's face, warring with surety and responsibility. It was good.

I've rewatched the big confession scene about 16 times just now.

I don't quite understand why Merlin took Arthur to the woods to begin with. Instead of bringing him to the med tent in the battlefield or back to Camelot. What was the reason?

Merlin saying it feels strange (to use magic freely in front of Arthur) and him just going 'yeah' completely deadpan makes me laugh every time.

I really feel like Arthur's head should be elevated at a further incline if he's going to be fed.

Gaius refusing to outright expose Merlin as the sorcerer but nonetheless letting Gwen figure it out on her own warms my heart.

My God Arthur is sitting there dying, feeling betrayed about his best friend 'lying' to him, and still he can't stop himself from looking at Merlin's mouth.

Percival summoned MUSCLE POWER

Hey um random but why does Gwaine even know where Merlin and Arthur are headed? Why would Gaius tell him?

Arthur looks at Merlin so lovingly after he's killed Morgana 😭😭

And now he's literally grabbing at the man's hand 😭 "just hold me, please"

That's gotta be the gayest death scene in television history. If you can watch that without thinking Arthur puts his hand on the back of Merlin's head because some part of him wants to bring him down for a kiss, or that "just hold me, please" is in any way shape or form a 'bros' thing, and certainly not at all an intentional mirror/callback to Isolde dying in Tristan's arms, then I'm afraid you are what we professionals refer to as a dumb-as-nails fucknugget, more commonly phrased as 'willfully ignorant'.

"All that you have dreamt of building has come to pass" yeah except for the whole, y'know, magic still being illegal thing.

I've said this before, but, while I'm sure there was a determined intention to have Arthur die in his armor, probably in some kind of attempt to make sure the audience knows he's died a warrior's death, I *really* think it was kinda stupid that Merlin never removed it, despite Arthur being weak, despite the fact that there was something like five days between him getting stabbed and him actually dying, despite that for the duration of that time they were traveling or hiding out. Merlin managed to produce a cloak to put on Arthur, why did he need the full armor on that whole time? Like even if they left the chainmail on, those plates on his shoulder were just getting in the way, and it looked quite uncomfortable.

Also not for nothing but Lancelot got like, every flower in the forest surrounding lush verdant greens in his death boat, Arthur gets a bunch of sticks.

It suddenly occurs to me, watching this now, that the reason Leon/Percival is such a common side pairing in Merthur fics, is because these two motherfuckers are the only original Knights of the Round Table to survive the series. 🤦‍♀️ I dunno how I failed to notice that before now. My stupidity amazes me.

I'm *really* glad they decided to do this scene with Gwen wearing the Pendragon red dress instead of the black mourning dress. Yes she looks fabulous in it but it's more the symbolism than the 'reality' - with Gwen wearing her house's colors it represents a continuation rather than a finality. Camelot will go on, Gwen will undoubtedly end the war on magic and with Morgana dead (and frankly, I think by now she already brought about the death of all the angry incel type rulers in Albion) there stands to reason her reign will begin with a period of peace, possibly longer than Arthur's. We kind of have to assume that the 'time the poets speak of' is, inevitably, Gwen's reign - which only came about through Arthur's death. It's a little bit toooo subtle in my opinion, but at the same time, I understand the need for the focus on Merlin and Arthur - after all, this show was their journey - not leaving much time to focus on Gwen and Camelot in the aftermath of Arthur's death.

I will just say, the first time I watched this that fucking truck scared the ever living shit out of me. I also just immediately, viscerally hated that scene and declared it invalid - but I think it was because the truck made me jump out of my skin. It has since grown on me, particularly once I started reading 'Arthur Returns' fic.

Everything beyond this point is post-series spec and headcanon, so if that's not your jam you can exit safe in the knowledge that as usual, if there's anything worth commenting on in the S5 extras, I will create a separate post!

For those interested, my go-to post-series fic is We Begin Again by katherynefromphilly I fully headcanon this series as the continuation of the series.

I have a lot of thoughts about Gwen and Merlin post-Camlann.

For one, poor fucking Gwen. She's lost her father, her brother, and her husband, all by what, age 30? That's rough. And who knows what happened to her mom, that was pre-series and I don't think it was ever mentioned.

Merlin, dear god poor Merlin. First of all, I just wanna say straight off that my instinctive headcanon about Merlin was that he never returned to Camelot. I couldn't really say why exactly. I just don't think he could stand being there after Arthur's death. But practically speaking, Merlin's still got Aithusa to deal with, that dragon needs some godsdamned house training asap. He's still the last Dragonlord, it's reasonable to assume he'd immediately take that on considering Aithusa is partially responsible for Arthur's death (the sword Mordred killed Arthur with, only succeeded in killing Arthur because it had been forged in Aithusa's fire-breath) so he's either going to attempt to train the bad behaviors out of Aithusa, or...well...

The only thing is, I do not believe Merlin would abandon Gwen, or Gaius. So my hc is inherently flawed. I do think Merlin probably spend a couple months with his mum, and I do think he ultimately settled near lake Avalon waiting for Arthur's return.

But I do wonder, what must their relationship have been like? Gwen, surely, would've sought his guidance in establishing laws governing the use of magic. And surely, peace cannot last indefinitely, so Merlin absolutely would've defended Camelot and protected Gwen. There's just no way he could've completely turned his back on them, but I doubt he could bear living in Camelot. And Gwen is both strong and practical enough to get on without him there 24/7, even though I'm sure she'd miss him.

I also think she would've found love again. Whether with Leon, as many people hc, or someone else not in the series.

ANYWAY.

Thanks to everyone who came on this journey with me. I will post comments on the extras if I have anything worth saying - and I think I'll do a master post linking all these episode posts after I clean them up once I get time to sit at a computer and do so. Until then! 💙💚

(Gif source) (h/t @shut-up-merlin)

[themysticpages]

(So, hi. I've kinda been out of the writing scene for a while but I had this scene nagging at me for like the past WEEK so please give it a read and tell me what you think:))

After what felt like weeks trudging through through nothing but forest woodland and dense undergrowth, he finally found a settlement.

The correct term for it would have been "town" but he'd been alive long before the humans began putting sticks together let alone living together so he really didn't see the need to use the word.

His horse, a chestnut brown stallion he refused to name simply to avoid sentimental attachment, uttered a distressed whine and pulled on its reigns. But he'd long sensed that something was amiss long before the animal did.

He dismounted and secured the animal to a nearby stable before beginning to explore. If there WAS anything dangerous he doubted it could hurt him. Few things did as it were. So there wasn't any need to draw his Fae forged short sword currently sheathed at his hip.

He moved through the small yet sturdy white washed buildings, passing open doors and empty alleys, noting the lack of people anywhere. The mid morning breeze wafting new scents towards him. The scent of rotting fish from an open air stall a few yards north of him, stagnant water from yesternight's rain...and the stench of blood.

Blood and death.

Barely keeping up with the clumsy grid lock system the place had been designed with, he made his way to what he assumed was the town square. A space more open than he'd seen so far with a wooden platform at its center. Probably where religious fanatics made their pretentious sermons. Or where criminals were publicly executed. Petty, these humans were. Together with the gray stone cobbles and moderate standard buildings surrounding the place, it probably would have given the....... fine, he was going to just say it, town......... some semblance of organization.

We're it not for all the corpses.

Littered all round the what must have been the 30 foot square area, were bloodied bodies, similar to any battlefield. They weren't all civilian. Most were armored, helmets and breast plates decorated in the deep burgundy and gold of their feudal king. All had weapons, be it swords or rakes .... crude machetes or butcher's knives, but they were all Armed. They couldn't have been dead long. The scent of rot and decay wasn't all that strong yet. He didn't have to wonder what, or rather who, killed them all, for on the platform sat a brooding figure covered in blood. His head was down so his long lanky hair, darker than deepest night, hid his face. Whether in sleep or in deep thought, he didn't know.

So why not try his luck?

"I assume you're to blame for all this?" He asked. The man probably wouldn't have looked up if he didn't have his accent, slight over emphasizing on most the syllables of this regions language. His eyes were blue, but dulled by..... Something. Regret? Despair?

"You're Fae." he remarked flatly. He wasn't from around here too.

"I noticed. Now. All this?" He said gesturing with a wave of his hand.

The man sighed. "Because I'm a horrible person. But they were worse."

"Always a reasonable excuse." He shrugged. He was probably going to turn around and leave, he'd only bothered out of curiosity, he wasn't actually going to DO anything about it, but then he noticed the man's sword lying beside him. At a glance it was nothing out of the ordinary, until you noticed the way it caught the light on its edge. Unlike the dull sheen of grey steel, it was bright....piercing even.....silver.

Ethereal Silver.......

Only one kind of person hauled around a blade of that caliber. An almost mythical sect trained in the harshest conditions, dedicated to hunting the most vile and dangerous of the gods' creations.

"You're one of them aren't you? The Dragon Hunters."

"Yeah. What about it?"

For the first time in a while, the Fae smirked. "I just became a whole lot more interested in your story mate. "

............................................................................

(I appreciate any and all feedback in the comments. Reblog if you like the story and if you'd like to see more :))

[sleepy-sunlight]

Hello lovely! I hope you are doing amazing! And may you get your inspiration back soon (trust me, I've been there before and it's not fun at all). Anyway, in hopes of sparking something can you write a piece about the inquisitor (whether at Haven or while they were on a mission as inquisitor) being kidnapped and the brave Cullen has to go save them! Have a lovely amazing day!

Of course, I’d be more than happy to write the request for you dear !!! I just hope that you enjoy and have a spectacular day!!! 

———————————————————————————————————–

“Stop!” 

You twisted your head around to see a small cluster of guards, their faces, and bodies shrouded by the slick, sleek metal of their armor. 

“What is it?” Dorian wrinkled his nose, confused. “This land is Inquisition protected, isn’t it?” 

“We heard nothing of your band of revolutionaries coming through here,” One of the men growled, a peculiar sort of crackle in his throat. “What have you got with you?” 

“That’s none of your concern.” Blackwall huffed, narrowing his eyes, almost suspicious, his grip coiling around the mantle of his sword. 

“Don’t test your luck,” The leader warned, glancing at you before waving a heavy hand. “Search through their things!” 

Your companions groaned, yet uneasily brought themselves to relent at your assurances. 

“There’s no need for any trouble.” You had remarked, nodding curtly to the ground despite your lingering suspicion of the apparent soldiers. “Just do as you must and we’ll be on our way.” 

One of them nodded and they began to sift through your supplies, their questions seemingly mindless, as though only meant to fill the empty air.

To avoid the tension that threatened to flood every inch of the world around you. 

“What’re you doing here?” 

“Visiting my dear old grandmother,” Dorian scoffed, leaning against his staff. “Take a guess.” 

“Have you heard anything troubling?” Another wondered. 

“Is there anything ‘troubling’ we ought to be hearing about?” Varric retorted, laughing at the other’s huff. 

But eventually, the questions stopped. 

And were replaced with a single demand. 

“You,” One of them pointed in your direction, your gaze widening like dinner plates. “Come with us.” 

“What for?” 

“You’re the one leading, aren’t you?”

You frowned, folding your arms across your chest. “Yes, what of it?” 

“We need to talk. In private.” 

Your expression deepened into a scowl. “Whatever you feel the need to discuss with me, you can discuss with them as well.” 

Something like a chuckle emanated from the one speaking to you, nearly like a rumble rattling in his throat. 

“Are you sure about that?” 

You felt a chill run down your spine, looking back to the others, offering them a small smile to ease their worries.

But yours only seemed to worsen by the second. 

For you knew what would happen if they were to remain.

“Go back to camp, I’ll meet you there after this.” 

Your friends initially erupted into protests, practically stomping their feet like children in fits. 

They relented, however with a single, pleading word.

“Please.” 

They all gave a collective groan of frustration, Dorian pinching the bridge of his nose as he spoke out. 

“Fine, fine, but if you’re not back by sundown I’ll-” 

“I know, I know,” You grinned, laughing faintly. “So I’ll be sure to hurry back alright?” 

They nodded reluctantly, tearing themselves away, but not without the skeptical sideways glances. The guards hardly even moving until your friends had disappeared amongst the towering woods. 

Yet when they were gone, the defenders burst to life. 

A bit of you had known better than to truly believe they had no ill-intent but the hopeful part of you managed to win over, merely wrapping your grip warily around your weapon, watching carefully while they moved from their plastered positions. 

And they almost immediately withdrew their swords. 

So what else could you do, but follow?

In the first few moments, all you saw were the clanging and clashing metal, a sharp screeching when the blades would slice along one another with piercing speed.

You had been able to cut some down before you staggered back, a blow dealt to one of your arms that sent crimson seeping from the now gaping wound. 

“Who… what is it that you want…?” You rasped.

“You tell me, Inquisitor.” 

That was when something clicked in your mind. 

And before another moved to pin you down your launched yourself forward, ripping off one of their helmets, a body slamming you to the ground immediately after, the air knocked from your very lungs. 

Yet in the few minutes, until your vision gave out, you saw the unmistakable red lines and markings etched on their face that only brought a single thing to your mind.

Red Templars. 

Cullen had felt his heart soar to the clouds when he heard of your return to Skyhold in the coming days. 

Not that he would admit that to anyone, of course.

But he had missed you terribly. 

He always did, a deep unnerving pit growing in his stomach whenever you’d go on your travels. 

But his heart utterly lurched when he found you to be missing. 

A panic had been practically engraved upon all of your companions, a murky misery and guilt following not too far behind. 

And if they had been bad, Cullen was nothing short of frantic.

He’d like to think of himself as someone more composed but everyone could see the light in his eyes had drained and the warmth and care that you had brought to him was suddenly snatched away from the man.

Only to leave him as the cold, yearning person of the past. 

Dorian had explained the situation to him in a series of rambles, interruptions from the others while they paced about your commander, Cullen having wasted no time to meet them at the gates in a meaningless effort to greet you. 

“We went back after them!” The mage exclaimed, tugging at his hair worriedly. “We didn’t even wait until sundown like they asked!” 

“You shouldn’t have even left in the first place!” Cullen failed to stifle his snarl, shooting daggers at the trio. “Why in the world-” 

“You act like we wanted to!” Blackwall snapped back, a rare gloss in his gaze that left even Cullen in surprise. “Now we all may not have been as close as the two of you but-” 

He stopped himself, realizing just how loud he was becoming, softening his tone but not the rare emotion that surged through it. 

“But… they’ve done a great deal more for us than anyone else,” He conceded. “So don’t you dare think that this was something we ever wanted.”

Cullen stared a bit in surprise and disbelief for a moment before he let out a heavy sigh, holding back his bubbling vexation. 

“Then… then I hope you’re willing to help me resolve this.” 

“Of course.” 

They had agreed without even a second’s worth of hesitance. 

But that alone would hardly be enough.

And quicker than one could blink Cullen began to plan. 

Scouts were sent with your group to review the area, anything resembling a clue being sent back to him in an instant. 

However, at one point he had been greeted by what could’ve perhaps been his great nightmare awakening. 

Blood.

He couldn’t quite despite how much he prayed for it not to be yours, his entire soul having seemingly left to dangle on a string at the question. 

Yet a bit of him already knew. 

And it sent an anger unlike anything else roaring through him. 

He came to implant himself at the war table and at his desk, planning through potential assaults and battles despite Josephine’s reservations. 

“Maybe we could begin with negotiations rather than… total destruction…?“ 

“I prefer the second option.“ 

"You can’t truly mean that! What would the Inquisitor say if they heard you?" 

"I suppose we won’t know since they were taken,” He remarked, listening to the diplomat’s scoff. “I’m taking matters into my own hands.” 

“Will you at least try to listen to me?” 

He let out a sigh, setting a steady grip on Josephine’s shoulders to look her in the eye. , 

“Josie, in any other situation I’d be more than willing to give you control but I have to draw the line here. I want them to not only regret their decision but to fear that they even thought of hurting the Inquisitor.” 

She sighed, even as she gave in. “I know they often talk of doing ridiculous things when lovestruck but… you may have brought it to a whole new standard. You know that don’t you?” 

He stepped back, dipping his head curtly.

“I pride myself on it.” 

From then on, if he wasn’t dead set before, he was then.

And he didn’t stop until the day of the attack came. 

He arrived with his troops to where all the clues and accounts lead, his blood boiling at the sight of the heavily guarded estate, his only desire then to tear it apart from its very bricks. 

But even still, he had no worries.

Aside from you. 

He had arranged and thought out every detail and idea that could’ve affected the offense, the only thing left to the imagination being the actual execution. 

And that exploded to life in mere moments. 

Soldiers upon soldiers rammed against the gates, tearing and ripping along the wooden frames until it all tumbled down to ruin, Cullen leading the charge, his sword and shield held tight in his grasp all the while. 

He yelled out his orders as he stampeded through the fortress with a few close guarded people by his side, scarlet coming to nearly drench their armor through the constant clash with other guards. Tearing through each one with a ferocity Cullen hadn’t known, all the rage built up inside of him rearing out with a deadly force. 

He didn’t even know when they’d finally make it to the dungeon, the commander not even taking a second to sift through the other rooms. 

The only thing that mattered to him was finding you.

He couldn’t bring himself to stop until he did. 

And eventually, he was met with such a blessing.

He was met with you. 

The dungeon was craggy and ridden with age and sorrow melded deep upon the stones and cells. 

And within one of those cells was you. 

You were scattered with bruises, and searing, lingering gashes, your body hunched over despite your proudly raised head holding a steely unbroken glimmer in your eyes that lit up like pure sunlight at the sight of him. 

“C-Cullen?” You shot up from your seat, your voice hoarse and strangled yet still overwhelming with a pure and utter delight. 

“Love!” He scrambled for the keys they’d found from a fallen guard, wrapping you up in his arms as though even if the very earth itself shattered he still wouldn’t dare to let go of you. 

He never wanted to.

“Y-You came for me…!” You mumbled, your tangling around him, nearly desperately, allowing yourself to unravel in his hold, even burying your head in the crook of his neck while you began to cry. 

And Cullen began to break as well, the teardrops dribbling down his cheeks once he began to shake in his joy. 

“Of course I did!” He hummed, to you, lifting your head to pepper your face with kisses, laughing as the immeasurable happiness you brought into his life flooded back into his heart, the anger melting to reveal only the endless adoration he held for you and for you alone. “I always will dear.” 

And despite all that you’d been through, all the pain and hurt that had cascaded you in the past weeks, you felt truly safe then and there with Cullen.

But more than anything, you felt that familiar warmth bubble in your chest like a comforting fire flickering to life. 

So for the first time in ages, you smiled. 

And you felt truly happy, once again.