#cullen x delphine

[crystalessenceswrites]

Against A Wall

Welcome to day two lovelies! Prompt list for the month is still open, sitting at 15 of 31 days requested so far, so please send something over if you’re interested. Prompt list can be found HERE. Switching lanes a bit today, I’ve been missing Delphine and Cullen quite a bit so I decided to pull something together for them. Takes place during the Trespasser timeline of DA:I.

[Masterlist] [Kinktober Masterlist]

#2- Against a wall Cullen x F!Trevelyan Rating: Explicit (18+) Warnings: explicit sexual material, fingering, semi-public sex, maybe a little glove kink?

The first time Delphine had gazed upon the Winter Palace there had been an odd sense of familiarity for a place she’d never been to. It’s splendor hiding ugly truths brought her back into the world she’d been raised for. Decorum, stifling dresses and The Game, while an annoyance to their goal at the time were more familiar to her than roaming across the countryside hunting down demons and the venatori. Now that world seemed a lifetime away. Delphine was more comfortable in armor than a ball gown- though she was hoping there would be no need to wear either anytime soon. It was plainly obvious that a certain commander would rather be back in his armor though. He tugged, picked and adjusted the formal coat throughout the entirety of the opening talks, never one to sit still while uncomfortable.

“Cullen,” Del soothes a hand over his shoulder when they’re finally free of the meeting, “come walk with me.”

Golden eyes flicker between Del and the retreating figures of Cass and Josie. “Shouldn’t we…”

“They’ll live without us for a few moments, and you look like you could us a breather.”

“Well…you’re probably right,” Cullen sighs, “a few moments won’t hurt.” Ever the gentleman he offers her the crook of his arm as they wander deeper into the palace.

“Of course I’m right.”

Del’s pout draws a smile to Cullen’s face. “Of course, Delphine. I never should have forgotten.”

Rolling her eyes, Del shakes her head. “But in all seriousness, Cullen, are you feeling alright?”

The former templar had been doing incredibly well with his recovery in the last few months. The cravings had tapered off nearly entirely, only flaring up once in a blue moon now. Even when they did make a reappearance, they weren’t anywhere close to as strong as they’d been during the height of his withdrawals.

This time Cullen soothes her, his free hand rubbing calming circles across her arm. “I’m feeling fine today. It’s just this stuffy jacket and ignorant lords getting to me.”

Del tries to hold back her giggling. Figures the nobility was the true cause of Cullen’s mood. They never failed to get under his skin. “Well, I can’t do anything about the lords, but I do think you look very handsome in that jacket.”

Cullen sighs, “there’s no need to appease me, Del.”

The brunette comes to a sudden stop in the dim hallway, dropping Cullen’s arm. “I’m not appeasing you. It is a genuine compliment. You looked very handsome up there, facing down the nobles trying to tear us all apart.”

His face falls at the dejected tone seeping into Delphine’s voice. “I’m sorry, Del. I still can’t get used to-”

“Compliments. I know.” She shoots him a small smile, “that’s why I just have to remind you more often.”

Taking her hands in his, Cullen tugs the mage closer. “Well then, you must also let me remind you how beautiful you look today.”

Del blushes and averts her eyes. Cullen was one of the few people in her life who would never feed her false niceties, making his praise all the more special.

“And I’m the one who’s bad at taking compliments,” he chuckles, catching her chin and tilting her gaze back to him.

“What a pair we make.”

“Indeed.” He grins before leaning in to capture her lips with his own. Del gasps into his mouth, still often surprised by any display of affection out in the open. Cullen uses it to his advantage, sweeping his tongue past her soft lips, deepening the kiss.

Keening under his ministrations Del draws him closer, one hand holding tight to his uniform jacket, the other tangling into the loose golden curls at the nape of his neck. Cullen does much the same, wrapping one arm around her waist, the other coming to cup the back of her head as he slowly walks her back into the ornate palace wall.

“Cullen-”

“Yes, my love?” He grins as his lips leave hers to trail down her jaw to the delicate skin of her throat.

She squirms against him, already beginning to feel the heat blooming in her core at his actions. The rational part of her knows they should stop. They may be down a dim, unused hallway but they were still in public. Any servant, delegate, or Maker help them, any chantry sister, could come across them here. Yet, she knew she did not have the willpower to stop him, not when he kissed her like that. “Cullen, please!”

“Please what, Delphine?” He nips at her earlobe as he effectively pins her to the wall.

“Touch me, Cullen. Please,” she whines, tugging and grasping at him.

He groans against her skin, “as you wish.” With fumbling hands he tugs down the gray shawl wrapped around her shoulders. As it falls to the floor his lips drift farther down, splaying kisses across her exposed collarbone while his gloved hands drag down her sides, memorizing her curves over her olive green dress. One large hand anchors on her hip, the other continues its descent to her skirts. His name falls from her lips like a chant as he shucks up the layers of her skirt, giving him access to the damp spot growing on her underthings. “Is this what you want, Delphine?”

“Y-yes,” she rocks her hips against the hand cupping her mound. In the weeks leading up to their return to the Winter Palace they had not had time to themselves, no privacy. All that need seemed to wash over Del now as she begged for him.

Without warning Cullen pushes aside the cotton barrier to run his gloved fingers through her slick, drawing a keening moan from deep in Del’s throat. Cullen seals his lips over hers as he plunges two fingers into her dripping core. Del’s knees nearly give out at the sudden full feeling, and she latches onto her lover’s wide shoulders, her nails digging into that damned jacket.

It does not take Cullen long to find that spongy spot inside of her that makes her see stars. He attacks it relentlessly, leaving her crying out for him as the coil swiftly tightens in her belly. “Always so tight around me,” he hisses while she flutters around him. “Do you think you can come for me, my love?”

Delphine gives him a weak nod as he doubles his effort, his thumb rubbing tight circles over her pearl while his fingers drive into her with renewed vigor. Its all just enough to send her over the edge, the dam finally bursting as her walls clamp down around his thick fingers. He swallows her moans as he draws her in for another kiss, letting her ride out her high around him.

It feels as if her soul finally returns to her body as Cullen gently eases himself from her, leaving her boneless against the wall. Yet her heartrate picks back up as Cullen brings his soaked fingers up to his lips to lick her essences off his glove while she watches.

“Cullen-”

“Commander! Lady Trevelyan!”

Cullen snaps to attention, standing mostly in front of the disheveled Delphine as a servant rounds the corner. “Yes?”

“The Inquisitor has been calling for you. He requests both of you to join him before the talks resume.”

“Please inform him we will be there momentarily.” Cullen’s tone leaves no room for discussion. The servant nods before scurrying off again.

“We’ll just have to finish this later,” Cullen does not sound too disappointed at the thought. Instead, he drapes Del’s shawl back over her shoulders with a rather smug look on his face.

Kinktober taglist:

@chewychewyque

[nezoid]

“We just started being buddies. You know what I mean.”

[areemeers]

Tatiana Maslany is a goddess.

[strawberryprjct]

𝘼𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙡 𝙁𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝘾𝙖𝙠𝙚: Miembros.

En la presente nota se encuentran los códigos y nombres de los miembros de Strawberry Project.

CUPOS: 55/150.

Última actualización: 29/10/2020.

MIEMBROS:

A

Amber Walker;  #BABYPEANUT.

Angelien Vinke;  #PEARPRINCESS.

Adela Sea; #RASPBERRY.  

Aubrey Archibald; #BLACKBERRYGIRL.

Adette Fermont; #STRAWBERRYDAHLIA.

Alexandra Debnam; #MARSHMELLOW.

April Stone; #STRAWBERRYPRINCESS.

Adrien Agreste; #COUSSINNOIR.

Atticus; #ALFAJORPRINCE.

B

Bárbara Lake;  #WATERMELONSUGAR.

Beatriz Milligan; #VANILLASPRING.

Belphegor Kline; #CHOCOLATESPAWN.

C

Clarissa Elizabeth III;  #PEACHPRINCESS.

Cyrene Kirgýäkös; #GRENADESOLDIER.

Castiel Eones;  #HONEYCANDY. 

Charlotte Fabbiani; #SWEETBLACKBERRYFABBIANI.

D

Danielle Bellerose;  #WATERMELONPARADISE.

Dominique Weasley;  #MAGICBLUEBERRY.

Delphine Thréveler;   #BLUEBERRYADDICT.

Dean Winchester;  #CHERRYHUNTER.

E

Elizabeth Bouvier; #APRICOTGIRL.

F

G

Grace Mulder;  #STRAWBERRYGIRL.

H

Hazel Morgenstern;  #LITTLECHERRY.

Henry Bass; #CHERRYBOMB.

I

Irina Savage; #PLUMADEAZUCAR.

Isaac Mulder; #STRAWBERRYFIELDSFOREVER.

J

Jason Todd;  #REDBERRYICE.

Josephine Clarke;  #CARAMELGIRL.

Jaime Belmont; #PUMPKINCANDY.

K

Kylie Benson;  #BLUEBERRYGIRL.

Kelly McCollin;  #DULCEDECOCO.

L

Luisette Delacour;  #SUGARPLUM.

Luna Lovegood;  #GUMMYBEAR.

Leta Scamander;  #APPLEBLOOM.

Lucien Rookwood; #MANGO.

M

Miles Sokolv; #RASPBERRYKING.

N

Noah Wittenstein; #MELOCOTÓN.

Nicholas Cavey; #TANGERINESPARKLE.

O

Olivia Lupin; #GRAPESTAR.

P

Poppy Tolkalina; #PEACHYNIPS.

Q

R

Renesmee Cullen;  #APPLEHYBRID.

Rowan Grant; #OISEAUPHÉNIX.

S

Scott Maschwitz;  #BANANAKING.

Shelly Hofstadter;  #BUBBLEGUM.

Steve Harrington;  #PEACHKING.

Sam Winchester;  #HUNTERKIWI.

Stephanie McLaggen; #CHERRYVEELA.

Samantha LaRusso; #KIWIGODDESS.

Saphire McGregor; #LITTLEAVOCADO.

T

Tiberius Blackthorn; #CHERRYBOY.

Theodore Nott; #DULCEDELECHE.

U

V

Vastian Rothschild;  #STRAWBERRYPRINCE.

Vee Beaumont; #ORANGEGIRL.

W

Willa Turner;  #GUMMIESBEARS.

Wanda Maximoff;  #CHERRYHEX.

X

Y

Z

[rjalker]

The NEW Daemon Book of Daemons list, created 11/25/17. Has yet to be updated.

Under a cut because it. is. LONG. And it hasn’t even been updated yet....

Definitely....definitely use CTRL+F if you’re looking for someone specific.

Once I get back from work and have more time, I’ll finish adding in the fandoms.

Abel Giddeon–Sonraim–Nycitcebus Kayan (Kayan Loris) [Hannibal] Aberforth Dumbledor—Gleda–Capra Hircus (British Alpine Goat) [HP] Abigail Hobbs—Senteron–Mico Chrysoleuca (White and Gold Marmoset)[Hanni] Adam Baylin—Queniv—Lemur Catta (Ring-tailed Lemur) [Kyle XY] Adele, the Reporter—Koran–Ara Macao (Scarlet Macaw) [His Dark Materials] Aegis Perry—Serith–Canis Familiaris (Dalmation) [OC, BSG] Aeryn Sun—Corun–Spizaetus Ornatus (CV: Black and grey) [Farscape] Agdar of Arendelle–Rhysan–Upapa Epops (Hoopoe) [Frozen] Alan ???–Sertellina–??? [???] Alana Bloom—Chayvetz–Heliconius Sapho (Sapho Longwing) [Hannibal] Alana Kalmor—Keyvn–Alienus Wraii (Wray’s Deer)* [OC, Stargate ?] Albus Dumbledor—Delphine–Phoenix Ignis (Fire Phoenix)* [Harry Potter] Alestair Moody—Fraisha–Phacochoerus Merlinuscinerus (Tebo)* [Harry Potter] Alexander Hale—Haersan–Gorilla Beringei (Eastern Gorilla) [OC, BSG] Algar Shaw—Rinvik–Bombycilla Cedorum (Cedar Waxwing) (CV: Silver)[oc..?] Alice Cullen–Syzun–Colinus Virginianus (Northern Bobwhite) [Twilight] Alice—Keircha–Nisaetus Nanus (Wallace’s Hawk Eagle) [Resident Evil] Alrik Johansen—Furoyce–Meposittacus Undulatus (Budgerier) [Frozen] Amanda Bloom—Arros—Canis Familiaris (Samoyed) [Kyle XY] Amanda Gareth—Abner–Cinnyricinclus Leucogaster (Violet-backed Starling) [The Hunger Games] Amelia Pond—Verin—Zenaida Macroura (Mourning Dove) [Doctor Who] Amy Jacobs–Diantha–Puma Concolor (Mountain Lion) [The X-Files] Anastasia Dualla—Zinulfri–Eulemur Flavifrons (Blue-eyed Black Lemur) [BSG] Anastasia Nikolaevna–Corinth–Lepus Americanus (Snowshoe Hare) [Anastasia] Andal Shakespeare–Daryn–Microcebus Murinus (Grey Mouse Lemur) [Stardust] Andrea Palmer—Calor–Carduelis Pinus (Pine Siskin) Andy Jensen—Keon—Ursus Maritimus (Polar Bear) Angela Weber–Luke–Hylomantis Lemur (Lemur Leaf Frog) Anna ???–Karaven–Pluvialis Dominica (American Golden Plover) Anna Wu–Izanul–Iguana Iguana (Green Iguana) Anna of Arendelle—Kai–Lepus Timidus (Mountain Hare) Annabeth Chase—Taris–Felis Cattus (Aegean) Annie Sawyer–Senni–Phalacrocorax Auritus (Double-crested Cormorant) Anthea–Unnamed–Chamaeleo Calyptratus (Veiled Chameleon) Anya Jenkins—Andulan–Syvilagus Aquaticus (Swamp Rabbit) Anya–Roral–Lepus Americanus (Snowshoe Hare) Aqua–Tidan–Canis Aurora (Suicune)* Ariane Setter—Lochir–Barrus Pintiki (Elephant Mouse)* Artemis—Eros–Saimiri Sciureus (Spider Monkey) (Head!Six) Arthur Pendragon—Arsetis–Ursus Middendorfi (Kodiak Bear) Arthur Weasely—Toril–Raphus Cucullatus (Dodo)* Arthur–Taidin–Dolichotis Patagonum (Patagonium Mara) Arty The-Art-Dealer–Crysalzi–Felis Cattus (Nebelung) Ash Ketchum—Tiarmin—Ignismus Turbineoto (Pikachu) Asriel—Stelmaria–Uncia Uncia (Snow Leopard) Asuna (ALO)–Kozo–Buteo Jamaicensis (Red-tailed Hawk) Asuna (SAO)–Kozo–Soloccubuit Draconis (Orange Drake)* Audrey Parker—Delusheran–Polyhonus Savigny (Manuel’s Skipper) Audrey Ramirez—Inxie—Myotis Myotis (Greater Mouse-eared Bat) Augustus Shale—Keris–Phacochoerus Africanus (Warthog) Aurora—K'danin–Mydaus Marchei (Palawan Stink Badger) Baelfire—Haydn–Puma Yagouaroundi (Jaguarundi) Baro Blackwater—Vertessa–Caracal Caracal (Caracal) Bedelia du Mauer—Kerif—Aegolius Harisii (Buff-fronted Owl) Bella Swan–Charon–Arctictis Binturong (Binturong) Belle—Garo–Canis Familiaris (Australian Shepherd) (CV: Red merle) Ben Parker—Zitheya—Dipodomys Agilis (Agile Kangaroo Rat) Ben Stark—Claren–Didelphis Virginiana (Opossum) Beth LeBeau–Sanam–Corvus Corax (Common Raven) Beverly Katz—Kareij–Andorhynchus Hyacinthus (Hyacinth Macaw) Bill Burke–Kala–Phalaropus Lobatus (Red-Necked Phalarope) Bill Weasley—Icris– Panthera Leo (Lion) Bill Williams—Hibraxis–Canis Familiaris (English Coonhound) Billy Black–Azam–Picoides Pubescens (Downy Woodpecker) Billy Keikeya—Iristheo–Ailuroara Araurana (Parrot Cat) (PV: Pygmy) Blaine The-Rudo-Zombie-Creep–Agnigail–Heterodon Platirhinos (Hog-nosed Snake) Bobby Singer—Laris–Sciurus Carolinensis (Grey Squirrel) Bradley—Sethora–Hymenopus Coronatus (Flower Mantis) Bran Snowstep—Syo—Tyto Multipunctata (Lesser Sooty Owl) Brenda –Shaiyan–Eopsaltria Australis (Eastern Yellow Robin) Brian Zeller—Katila—Propithecus Tatteralli (Golden-crowned Sifaka) Brock—Geora–Felis Delicata (Delcatty)* Bruce Banner—Anaephis—Arctictis Binturong (Binturong) Bryce Larkin—Naemai–Oncychoprion Fuscatus (Sooty Tern) Buffy Summers—Hawnu—Panthera Senegalensis (West African Lion) Cady Heron—Adnag–Pterocles Lichtensteinii (Lichtenstein’s Sandgrous) Calvin Coolidge—Kevbe–Turdus Migratorius (Robin) Camille Wray—Oronil–Piranga Olivacea (Scarlet Tanager) Caprica—Ikua–Saimiri Sciureus (Squirrel Monkey) Carlisle Cullen–Vexun–Anhinga Anhinga (Anhinga) [wow] Carly-Anne Shay—Arison–Sigmodon Leucotis (White-Eared Cotton Rat) Carol Bloom—Vannol—Garrulus Glandarius (Eurasian Jay) Carolanne Madris—Charobol–Sericulus Chrysocephalus (Regal Bowerbird) Carson Beckett—Nemain–Oreortyx Pictus (Mountain Quail) Casimir Ravenwood—Daramiel—Fratercula Arctica (Arctic Puffin) Cassie–Alexander–Bombus Griseocollis (Brown-belted Bumblebee) Cavil—Skarenia–Didelphis Virginiana (Opossum) Charlie Swan–Kara–Geococcyx Californianus (Greater Roadrunner) Charlie Tanner—Zoey—Poecile Gambeli (Mountain Chickadee) Charlie Weasley—Aerissa–Draconem Codylus (Sungazer Girdle-tailed Dragon)* Chiana—Kadis–Mycophellia Arcturus (Golden Rynant) Chiyoh–Angina–Panthera Leo (African Lion) Chloe Armstrong—Keradem–Acanthisitta Chloris (Rifleman Bird) Cho Chang—Apophos–Cygnus Columbianus (Tundra Swan) Christine Everheart—Seirtan–Opheodrys Aestivus (Rough Green Snake) Chuck Bartowski—Irijaya–Petaurus Breviceps (Sugar Glider) Ciel Phantomhive—Karonel–Canis Familiaris (English Bulldog) Cinderella—Asher–Pica Nuttalli (Yellow-billed Magpie) Claire Novak–Sanan–Mustela Sibirica (Siberian Weasel) Clarice Willow—Zoretha—Cathartes Melambrotus (Greater Yellow-headed Vulture) Claudette Pelage–Vairgon–Sciurus Vulgaris (Red Squirrel) Claudiaboleyn—Arevaine–Gulo Gulo (Wolverine) Cleo Sertori–Kelmal–Bubo Virginianus (Great Horned Owl) Clive Babaneux–Diana–Rattus Norvegicus (Brown Rat) Clyde Langer—Alorama–Cyanocitta Cristata (Bluejay) Codi Chase-Jackson–Nenaim–Cynocephalus Volans (Philippine Flying Lemur) Connie Sky—Quoresh—Equus Keratus (Unicorn)* Cordelia Chase—Branshen–Felis Chaus (Jungle Cat) Crystal Caultrider—Jekora–Equus Caballus (Shetlaland Pony) Curt Connors—Loraika–Cryptoblepharus Egeriae (Blue-tailed Skink) (PV: Large) Curt Vaughan—Kralis–Otocyon Megalotis (Bat-eared Fox) Cyrus Xander—Cadence–Harpia Harpyja (Harpy Eagle) D'Anna—Celleron–Tyrannus Tyrannus (Eastern Kingbird) Dale Volkner—Eve—Tachyglossus Aculeatus (Short-beaked Echidna) Dana Polk—Thertin–Hemiprocne Mystacea (Mustached Treeswift) Dana Scully–Gidd’el–Prionodon Linsang (Linsang) Daniel ???–Sikan–Genetta Abyssinica (Abyssinian Genet) Daniel Fenton—Jaritho—Leiolepis Ngovantrii (-=-) Daniel Graystone—Pahaliah–Felis Margarita (Sand Cat) Daniel Jackson—Kharet–Canis Lupus/Canis Latrans (Coywolf) (Stargate on the Edge) Daniel Jackson—Seteraen–Vulpes Zerda (Fennec Fox) Daniel Osbourne—Traianel–Mustela Furo (Ferret) Daniel Shaw—Lepha're—Nycitcebus Bengalensis (Bengal Slow Loris) Daniel—Kara–Corvus Brachyrhynchos (American Crow) Daphne Blake–Helahn–Felis Cattus (TabShort-haired by) Darrius Gareth—Berai—Nycitcebus Coucang (Slow Loris) David Nolan—Nyoa–Ursus Maritimus (Polar Bear) David Telford—Trariel–Canis Familiaris (Dogo Argentino) Dawn Summers—Harwen—Propothecus Coquereli (Coqurel’s Sifaka Lemur) Dean Winchester—Danali—Canis Arctos (Arctic Wolf) Dean—Dyssebeia–Didelphis Virginiana (Opossum) Declan MacDonough—Kara—Passer Pyrrohonotos (Sind Sparrow) Deichman—Echo—Mephitis Macroura (Hooded Skunk) Derrial Book—Peytrathia–Potos Flavus (Kinkajau) Devin Woodcomb—Cardea–Falco Peregrinus (Peregrine Falcon) Diane Beckman—Layan–Sphex Pensylvanicus (Black Wasp) Dolores Umbridge II—Kragis–Rattus Niobe (Moss-forest Rat) Dolores Umbridge—Quaezel–Pantherophis Guttatus (Corn Snake) (CV: Lavender) Donald Sutcliffe–Quaedra–Pelecanus Thagus (Peruvian Pelecan) Donna Noble—Khalia–Lynx Lynx (Siberian Lynx) Donnie Millson–Kidan–Canis Familiaris (Saluki) Doralee–Sherrin–Canis Lupus Familiaris (Samoyed) Doral—Vitavia–Canis Familiaris (Australian Sheppherd) Doug Caltrider—Meyvris–Macaca Fascicularis (Crab-eating Macaque) Dr. Pedanski– –Canis Lupus Familiaris (Pharaoh Hound) Draco Malfoy–Zenderen–Bungarus Caeruleus (Common Krait) Draco Malfoy—Zanderen–Diadophis Regalis (Ringneck Snake) (HPMOR) Draco Malfoy—Zenderen–Bubo Bubo (Eurasian Eagle Owl) Drake Parker—Saravel–Lampropeltis Getula (Eastern Kingsnake) Dreilide Thrace—Vortisera–Psitacus Eritacus (African Grey Parrot) Duane Barry–Calotrix–Styloctenium Mindorensis (Mindoro Stripe-faced Fruit Bat) Dudley Dursley—Saravia–Patagioenas Leucocephala (White-crowned Pigeon) Echo—Nara—Ailurus Fulgens (Red Panda) Ed ???–Kora–Canis Latrans (Coyote) Edward Masen–Tarovi–Micrathene Whitneyi (Elf Owl) Edwin Morgan—Shervin–Phoneutria Nigriventer (Brazilian Wandering Spider) (Torchwood) Effie Trinket—Katira–cheilimenes Lunata (Ladybug) (CV: Gold) (Homogeneous) Eira—Kashik–Lepidodactylus Lugubris (Mourning Gecko) Eldon Stammets—Sharven–Caracara Cheriway (Northern Crested Caracara) Eli Wallace—Tiamat—Phodopus Sungorus (Djungarian Hampster) Elizabeth Mulder–Chozen–Urocyon Cinereoargenteus (Grey Fox) Elizabeth Swan–Noctis–Ninox Connivens (Barking Owl) Elizabeth Weir—Vitalinus–Athene Noctua (Little Owl) (CV: Red) Elize Nichols—Keylis–Mico Humeralifera (Santarem Marmoset) Ellen Harvelle—Edgar–Canis Familiaris (Beagle) Ellen Tigh—Sediel–Canis Familiaris (Bull Terrier) Ellie Bartowski—Cyorin–Somateria Mollissima (Common Eider) Ellie –Barunas–Urocissa Erythrorhyncha (Red-billed Blue Magpie) Elra Farren–Absolus—Spizaetus Ornatus (Ornate Hawk-Eagle) Elsa of Arendelle—Adalof–Tigris Altaica (Siberian Tiger) (CV: White) Embry Call–Golura–Peromyscus Truei (Pinyon Mouse) Emily Young–Cassren–Corvus Kubaryi (Mariana Crow) Emma Gilbert–Vitan–Martes Pennanti (Fisher Cat) Emma Swan—Kaman–Leopardus Geoffroyi (Geoffrey’s cat) Emmet McCarty–Urazen–Quiscalus Quisculla (Common Grackle) Emmett ???–Chena–Atelez Fusciceps (Black-Headed Spider Monkey) Emperor—Daemon–Grus Japonensis (Red-crowned Crane) Eragon Bromsson—Kirteyla–Buteo Lineatus (Red-shouldered Hawk) Eraqus–Stella–Canis Lupus (Grey Wolf) Eric Yorkie–Agara–Myotis Lucifugus (Little Brown Bat) Erica Jones–Vianae–Pholcus Phalangioides (Cellar Spider) Erik Redwood—Korek–Castor Canadensis (North American Beaver) Esme Evenson–Arjan–Ara Macao (Scarlet Macaw) Esmerelda–Djali–Capra Hircus (Alpine Goat) Eugene Thompson—Suderra–Spethos Venaticus (Bush Dog) Evan Lorne—Kerohtzlz–Phalcoboenus Carunculatus (Carunculated Caracara) Evan Moore–Shinon–Petaurus Breviceps (Sugar Glider) Everett Young—Cheyven–Canis Familiaris (Pitbull Terrier) Faith Caltrider—Xinphtanx–Unsettled Faith Lehane—Koschei–Naja Naja (Indian Cobra) (CV: Albino) Farder Coram—Sophonax–Felis Cattus (Physical and color variant large red cat) Felix ???????–Kalrinth–Canis Lupus Irremotus (Northern Rocky Mountains Wolf) Felix Gaeta—Huratha–Mus Musculus (House Mouse) (Cv: White) Finnin Daniels—Aremora–Felis Cattus (Cream Tabby) Fox Mulder–Marluscha–Callithrix Geoffroyi (White-headed Marmoset) Francine Briggs–Fanfir–Felis Grampia (Scottish Wildcat) Francis Dolarhyde–Agni–Dolichotus Patagonum (PatagonianMara) Francis, Old Master of Jordan—Zohariel–Natrix Natrix (Grass Snake) Franklin Hart–Lentia–Picoides Pubescens (Downy Woodpecker) [interesting…] Franklyn Froideveaux–Karan–Felis Cattus (Himalayan Cat) Fred Jones–Rani–Neovision Vision (American Mink) Fred Weasley—Auja–Dendrocitta Formosae (Grey Treepie) Frederick Chilton—Kosaio–Galeopterus Variegatus (Sunda Flying Lemur) Fredward Benson—Varinia–Cricetomys Bambianus (Gambian Pouched Rat) Furlow–Sova–Saimiri Sexcruor (Six-legged Squirrel Monkey) Gadreel–Meraeis–Sturnus Vulgaris (Starling) Gaetan Moliére—Dark–Canis Familiaris (Schipperke) Gaius Baltar—Castellaria—Gulo Gulo (Wolverine) Gaius of Camelot—Cinthereldra–Otocolobus Manul (Pallas’ Cat) Gale Hawthorne—Amireth–Haliastur Indus (Brahminy Kite) Galen—Shizan–Canis Familiaris (Pitbull) Galina “Red” Reznikov–Visata–Prionailurus Bengalensis (Leopard Cat) Garret Hobbs—Izora–Lanius Cabanisi (Long-tailed Fiscal) George Anders—Xiltera–Cerdocyon Thous (Crab-eating Fox) George Hammond—Aedelfrid–Sigmodon Ochrognathus (Yellow-nosed Cotton Rat) George Mendez–Caitan–Larus Canus (Common Gull) George Sands–Lola–? George Weasley—Xico–Dendrocitta Leucogastra (White-bellied Treepie) Georgia Madchen–Alaia–Felis Cattus (Long-haired Tabby) Geppetto—Veraenissa–Tanagera Seldeon (Green-headed Tanager) Geraint—A'eron–Fringilla Montifringilla (Brambling) Gerda of Arendelle–Abrain–Otocolobus Manul (Pallas Cat) Gina Inviere—Cherish–Saimiri Sciureus (Squirrel Monkey) Ginevra Weasley—Jequoa–Equus Caballus (Andalusian Horse) (CV: Light bay) Gita Chandra—Conraim–Manis Culionensis (Phillipine Pangolin) Granny—Ruffin—Canis Familiaris (Russo-European Laika) Gratuity Tucci–Keah–Tragopan Satyra (Satyr Tragopan) Gregory Lestrade—Wilrama—Ursus Arctos (Brown Bear) Gregory Lestrade—Zarania–Falco Macropus (Peregrine Falcon Sub.S) (The Republic of Heaven) Greg—Sorcha–Corvus Caurinus (Northwestern Crow) Grover Underwood—Teydris–Melanerpes Rubricapilus (Red-capped Woodpecker) [Daemon variant] Guy Matthews—Kraelara–Falco Rusticolus (Gyrfalcon) Gwen Cooper—Zapani–Icterus Auratus (Orange Oriole) Gwen Stacy—Sandalphon—Gampsonyx Swainsonii (Pearl Kite) Gwen of Camelot—Adinet–Mustela Nigripes (Black-footed Ferret) Hamish Holmes—Tazani—Hydrictis Maculicollis (Spotted-necked Otter) Hamish of Camelot—Caralan–Canis Familiaris (Greyhound) Hannah ???–Atlas–Aquila Chrysaetos (Golden Eagle) Hannibal Lecter—Stergata–Pyrroglaux Podarginus (Palau Owl) Hans Hubermann—Chofera–Gallus Sonneratii (Grey Junglefowl) Hans of the Southern Isles—Gerda–Actias Luna (Luna Moth) Haresh Chandra—Sitaven–Canis Lepturus (Dhole) Harriet Watson—Yeirna–Agelaioides Badius (Baywing) Harrolir—Ktorid–Praelcara Vestibulum [Daemon variant] Harry ???–Codena–??? Harry James Potter Evans Verres—Inara–Homo Sapiens (Human) (HPMOR) Harry Osborn—Seronna—Strix Nebulosa (Great Grey Owl) Harry Potter—Inara–Felis Cattus/Prionailurus Bengalensis (Bengal Cat) Hector Zeroni–Chain–Civettictis Civetta (African Civet) Helena Bariss—Orosan–Storeria Occipitomaculata (Redbelly Snake) Helena Cain—Aleceronin–Herpestes Ichneumon (Egyptian Mongoose) Helga Sinclair—Amata–Leptailurus Serval (Serval) Henry Mills—Khuera–Crocua Crocuta (Spotted Hyena) Hermann Gottlieb—Mariona–Chordeiles Rupestris (Sand-coloured Nightjar) Hermione Granger—Apralen–Lontra Canadensis (North American River Otter) Hermione Granger—Apralen–Not Settled (Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality) Hillary—Kaizu—Papilo Glaucus (Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly) Ho Yinsen—Ebiki–Upupa Ceylonensis (Hoopoe) Hoban Washburne—Sherem–Canis Familiaris (Yellow spiky-furred mutt) Holden McCrea—Nessura–Lophostrix Cristata (Crested Owl) Howard Stark—Chantho–Panthera Leo (Lion) Hua Mulan—Khan–Equus Ferus (Przewalski’s Horse) Ianto Jones—Marineph–Thamnophis Sirtalis (Red-spotted Garter Snake) Idun of Arendelle–Ausran–Unica Uncia (Snow Leopard) Ignatus, Old Master of Jordan—Musca–Brachyteles Hypoxanthus (Northern Muriqui) Inara Serra—Deytovem–Varecia Variegata (Black and White Ruffed Lemur) Iorek Byrnison—Unnamed—Caelo Ferrum [Daemon variant] Iraia Chase-Jackson–Aegis–Dasypus Novemcinctus (Nine-Banded Armadillo) Irene Adler–Kaidan–Papilio Glaucus (Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly) Jack Crawford—Bersheyna–Canis Familiaris (Bloodhound) Jack Fenton—Shira–Pyrrhocorax Pyrrhocorax (Red-billed Chough) Jack Harkness—Kylenjo–Peromyscus Polionotus (Oldfield Mouse) Jack O'neill—Teramil–Canis Familiaris (German Sheppherd) Jack Sparrow–Sireeeda–Micrathene Whitneyi (Elf Owl) Jackie The-Rich-Zombie-Lady–Keyja–Nisaetus Cirrhatus (Changeable Hawk-eagle) Jackie Tyler—Zahloh–Trichosurus Vulpecula (Common Bushtail Possum) Jacob Avirda—Herkero–Homopholis Mulleri (Muller’s Velvet Gecko) Jacob Black–Manon–Crotophaga Ani (Smooth-Billed Ani) Jacob—Siervatem–Mustela Furo (Ferret) Jake ???–Leyator–??? Jake Sully—Feyo–Geranoaetus Melanoleucus (Black-chested Buzzard-eagle) Jake Sully—Feyo–Scorpiobattus Volansii (Stingbat) Jake Sully—Hufwetxep—Draconem Volansii (Ikran) Jake Sully—Toruk—Leonopteryx Rex (Toruk) Jake Talley—Bavelai–Panthera Onca (Jaguar) Jake–Funera–Poecile Rufescens (Chestnut-backed Chickadee) James Barnes—Shavee–Puma Concolor (Cougar) James Moriarty–?–Phoneutia ? (Brazilian Wandering Spider)(The Republic of Heaven) James Moriarty–Kemaioz–Podoces Hendersoni (Henderson’s Ground Jay) James Moriarty—Merida—Lophorina Superba (Superb Bird of Paradise) (Homogenous) James Potter—Oromwi–Muntiacus Mintjak (Muntjac) James The-Guy-Who-Hires-Assassins–Vorda–Oreotragus Oreotragus (Klipspringer) James—Lorose–Ursus Arctos (Brown Bear) Jane Porter—Ukoran–Aratinga Solstitialis (Sun Conure) Janet Fraiser—Cerbis–Garrulus Glandarius (Eurasian Jay) Janice –Kritol–Felis Cattus (House Cat) Jared Cameron–Layren–Ahaetulla Nasuta (Green Vine Snake) Jasmine Fenton—Syntaru–Panurus Biarmicus (Bearded Reedling) Jason Everdeen—Cheranu–Canis Rufous (Red Wolf) Jasper Whitlock–Temma–Romalea Guttata (Eastern Lubber Grasshopper) Javier Abano(?)–Rosetta–Galago Senegalensis (Senegal Bushbaby) Jayne Cobb—Dagny–Canis Familiaris (Irish Wolfhound) Jeanne Poisson—Bellopho–Pernis Aviprus (European Honey Buzzard) Jebediah Farnsworth—Cassaria–Canis Mesomelas (Black-backed Jackal) Jennifer Keller—Arelane–Tamias Striatus (Chipmunk) Jesse Aarons Jr.–Vodalaine–Phaethon Aethereus (Red-Billed Tropicbird) Jessica Moore—Kihram–Falco Rufigularis (Bat Falcon) Jessica Stanley–Rocha–Falco Sparverius (American Kestrel) Jessi—Nara—Ailurus Fulgens (Red Panda) Jim Hawkins—Phaeda–Zenaida Macroura (Mourning Dove) Jiminy Cricket—Fenwyn–Buteo Regalis (Ferruginous Hawk) (CV: Light morph) Jimmy Price–Meriana–Ramphastos Tucanus (Red-billed Toucan) Jimmy The-Sketch-Artist-Guy–Hala–Erinaecus Europaeus (European Hedghog) Jo Harvelle—Tidas–Aphelocoma Californica (Western Scrub Jay) Jody Mills—Mehrbrell–Pteropus Alecto (Black Flying-fox) Joe Caputo–Vina–Canis Lupus Familiaris (Cocker Spaniel) John Bennet–Lucina–Canis Lupus Familiaris (West Highland White Terrier) John Casey—Le'kayor–Canis Familiaris (Irish Wolfhound) John Crichton—Braigha–Viverra Tangalunga (Malayan Civet) John Kalmor—Laviya–Pardolotus Punctatus (Spotted Pardolate) John Mitchell–Sefrani–Leopardus Colocolo (Colocolo) John Sheppard—Sahiba—Acinonyn Jubatus (Cheetah) John Smith–Ezianor–Buteo Platypterus (Broad-winged Hawk) (CV: Light Morph) John Watson–Shora–Canis Familiaris (American Staffordshire Terrier) John Watson—Amarisa–Canis Lupus/Canis Familiaris (Wolfdog)(CV: Black) (The Republic of Heaven) John Watson—Kaichara—Aquila Chrysaetos (Golden Eagle) John Winchester—Beryl–Haliaeetus Leucocephallus (Bald Eagle) Joseph Adama—Themis—Thylacinus Cynocephalus (Thylacine) Josh ???–Kaia–Oryctolagus Cuniculus (European Rabbit) Josh Nichols—Akani–Chinchilla Lanigera (Long-tailed Chinchilla) Josh Trager—Taerin—Aegolius Acadicus (Nothern Saw-whet Owl) Joshua Sweet—Archisha–Lepus Californicus (Black-tailed Jackrabbit) Joyce Summers—Raikara–Sitta Formosa (Beautiful Nuthatch) Judy Bernly–Kela–Mustela Furo (Ferret) Judy Burke–Junorth–Aeronautes Saxatilis (White-Throated Swift) Jules Louden—Jorseph–Pardofelis Temminckii (Asian Golden Cat) Juta Kaimanen—Kais–Turdus Migratorius (Robin) Ka D'argo—Okiju–Somniumcustos Leo (Aura Lion)* Kai of Arendelle–Neyim–Alle Alle (Little Auk) Kairi–Jaimin–Ictinia Plumbea (Plumbeous Kite) Kairi—Jaimin–Inanis Saltator (Dancer) Kara Thrace—Altair—Passer Domesticus (House Sparrow) Karina–Vensten–Nisaetus Nipalensis (Mountain Hawk-Eagle) Karl Agathon—Hathor—Gryph Chrysoaglo (Golden Eagle Griffon) Kashekim Nedakh—Chyova–Trichosurus Vulpecula (Bushtail Possum) (CV: Lantean) Kathrn Nolan—Pahvin–Canis Familiaris (English Springer Spaniel) Kathryn Barlow– –Cracticus Hypoleuca (Tasmanian Magpie) Katie Woten—Kora–Surnia Ulula (Hawk-Owl) Katniss Everdeen—Sereven—Grus Antigone (Saurus Crane) (CV: Red wing-backs) Kaylee Fry—Sizaanam–Varecia Rubra (Red Ruffed Lemur) Kendra Shaw—Paridoga–Petroica Goodenovii (Red-capped Robin) Kendra—Rolarshina–Lycaon Pictus (African Wild Dog) (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) Kevin Tran—Elria–Uroplatus Phantasticus (Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko) Kevin Tran—Ishca—Rhacodactylus Ciliatus (Crested Gecko) Kidagakash Nedakh—Veritam–Gryph Albamare (Sea Griffon) (CV: Lantean) Killian Jones—Keyoana–Laticauda Columbrina (Banded Sea Krait) Kingsley Shacklebolt—Tighea–Lynx Pardinus (Iberian Lynx) Kirigaya Kazuto–Erezel–Gampsonyx Swainsonii (Pearl Kite) Kirigaya Suguha—Sidru–Badumna Insignis (Black House Spider) Kirito (ALO)–Gamasi–Canis Latrans (Coyote) (CV: Black/Grey) Kirito (SAO)–Gamasi–Oculis Fulgeat (Gleam Eyes)* Kristoff Trollson—Sven–Rangifer Tarandus (Reindeer) (Homogeneous) Kyle Trager—Kara—Hyperolius Kivuensis (Lake Kivu Reed Frog) Lacy Rand—Keon–Ursus Maritimus (Polar Bear) Lara Abott—Stertera—Canis Lupus (Grey Wolf) (CV: Sandy cream) Lara—Fronemai—Canis Lupus (Grey Wolf) (CV: White) Laura Roslin—Castor—Galidia Elegans (Ring-tailed Mongoose) Leafa (ALO)–Kaitan–Albiverde Aquilam (Sylph Eagle)* Leah Clearwater–Marak–Stercorarius Longicaudus (Long-Tailed Jaeger) Lee Caultrider—Seraith–Ursus Arctos (Brown Bear) Lee Scorsby—Hester–Lepus Arcticus (Arctic Hare) Leland Adama—Atia—Panthera Leo (African Lion) Leoben—Pantera–Pandion Haliaetus (Osprey) Leslie Burke–Sinza–Mellivora Capensis (Honey Badger) Lewis McCartney–Saighan–Enulius Sclateri (Sock-Headed Snake) Lewis–Vora–Asio Otus (Long-Eared Owl) Liam (Angel)—Herrin–Leopardus Wiedii (Margay) Lilo Pelekai—Keanu–Lasiurus Cinereus (Hoary Bat) Lily Baker—Bellerophon–Felis Cattus (Main Coon Calico) (Supernatural) Lily Evans—Sykoran–Axis Axis (Chital) Lisa Park—Rognar–Bassiscus Astutus (Ring-tailed Cat) Lisesl Meminger—Faerlil–Martes Melampus (Japanese Marten) Lola Abano–Senvan–(Something…green? Possibly a lizard) Lori Trager—Jaynin—Carlito Syrichta (Philippine Tarsier) Louanne Katraine—Hekora–Passer Maobiticus (Dead Sea Sparrow) Lucius Malfoy—Charisaien–Pavo Cristatus (Indian Peafowl) Lucy Householder–Dianne–Caracal Caracal (Caracal) Lucy Jaggat–Likka–Pseudechis Porphyriacus (Red-bellied Black Snake) Luke Smith—Nalani–Trogopterus Xanithipes (Complex-toothed Flying Squirrel) Luke Verres—Uruxa–Tigris Altaica (Siberian Tiger) Luke—Zarial–Canis Lupus (Grey Wolf) Luna Lovegood—Thayratch–Lepus Microtis (African Hare) Lyle Rourke—Bayrosh—Panthera Corbetti (Indochinese Tiger) Lyra Belacqua—Pantalaimon–Martes Martes (Pine Marten) Maddie ???–Kota–Chondestes Grammacus (Lark Sparrow) Maddie Fenton—Jeirlaimatan–Ptilopsis Granti (Southern White-faced Owl) Maison Torta—Whinteru–Francolinus Francolinus (Black Francolin) Major Lilywhite–Kaega–Monodelphis Domestica ( Grey Short-tailed Opossum) Mako Mori—Satoka–Cordylus Niger (Black Girdled Lizard) Malcom Reynolds—Heyvin–Buteo Jamaicensis (Red-tailed Hawk) Marcon—Pratan–Pandion Haliaetus (Osprey) Marco–Ankain–Canis Lupus Familiaris ( Marcus Farren—Ceto–Hydrochoerus Hydrochaeris (Capybara) Marcy The-Friendly-Rival–Lunga–Canis Arctos (Arctic Wolf) Margaret Edmonson—Charis–Taxidea Taxus (American Badger) Margaret Foster–Cenid–Canis Lupus Familiaris (Beagle) Margaret Scully–Sheidan–Titanacris Albipes (Grasshopper) Margaret “Peggy” Carter–Clamonth–Haliaeetus Vocifer (African Fish Eagle) Margot Verger—Quaezet–Asio Flammeus (Short-eared Owl) Maria Hill–Alexander–Aquila Clanga (Greater Spotted Eagle) Maria Jackson—Tridelis–Ochotona Dauurica (Daurian Pica) Maria Kunigunde—Thalos–Bubo Scandiacus (Snowy Owl) Marta Shaw—Koris–Sturnus Vulgaris (Starling) Martha Ceris—Cerkeris–Pardocinereus Sexcruris (Llodrin Panther) Martha Hudson—Kai–Sciurus Vulgaris (Red Squirrel) (The Republic of Heaven) Martha Hudson—Meraghen–Callosciurus Prevostii (Prevost’ Squirrel) Martha Jones—Anphor—Luscinia Megarhynchus (Common Nightingale) Martha Shay—Aberathan–Polyhonus Savigny (Manuel’s Skipper) Martha—Cheyna–Corvus Corax (Common Raven) Martouf–Talaina–Lycaeon Pictus (African Wild Dog) Marty Mikalski—Sonoroc–Dendrocitta Vagabunda) (Rufous Treepie) Marvin Webster–Korra–Myrmecia Gulosa (Red Bull Ant) Mary Cambell—Torven–Thalassarche Impavida (Campbell’s Albatross) Mary Cooper—Hylobates Lar (Lar  Gibbon) Mary Malone—Ophiran–Pyrrohocorax Graculus (Mountain Chough) Mary Morstan–Zahaita–Malurus alboscapulatus (White-shouldered Fairywren) Mary Morstan—Kashta—Nycitcebus Coucang (Slow Loris) Mary-Anne Silven–Kourain–Gallus Domesticus (Ayam Cemani) Matthew Scott—Cinder–Canis Familiaris (Doberman) May Bell –Korveth–Sciurus Niger (Fox Squirrel) May Parker—Zifron–Turdus Boulboul (Grey-winged Blackbird) Meg Masters—Frehlen—Xenicus Gilviventris (New Zealand Rockwren) Megan Parker—Anthem–Unsettled Melody Hale—Haramel–Sarcophilus Harrisii (Tasmanian Devil) Melony Puckett—Spero–Not Settled Merida Ravenwood—Duroa–Pseudoscops Clamator (Striped Owl) Merin Hudson–Tomrys–Felis Cattus (Egyptian Mau) (CV: Silver) Merlin of Ealdor—Caelia–Tyto Alba (Barn Owl) Michel Verres—Salendora–Strix Aluco (Tawny Owl)(Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality) Mickey Smith—Jaya–Canis Familiaris (Canaan) Mike Newton–Wendy–Canis Lupus Familiaris (Basenji) Milo Thatch–Isano–Neotamias Ochrogenys (Yellow-cheeked Chipmunk) Minverva McGonagall—Aren–Felis Cattus (Tabby) Miriam Lass—Karchesh–Felis Margarita (Sand Cat) Missouri Mosely—Xorses–Procyon Lotor (Racoon) Missy Hart–Shodao–Paguma Larvata (Masked Palm Civet) Misty—Kennin–Ignemcanem Catella (Growlithe)* Molly Hooper—Janus—Macaca Mulatta (Rhesus Monkey) Molly Hooper—Tobithias–Calopteryx Aequabilis (Jewelwing Damselfly) Molly Prewett—Traynil–Arenaria Interpres (Ruddy Turnstone) Morgan Grimes—Janos–Callithrix Jacchus (Common Marmoset) (Homogeneous) Morgana Pendragon—Theren–Spilogale Gracilis (Spotted Skunk) Mycroft Holmes—Geniv–Columba Livia (Rock Pigeon) Mycroft Holmes—Guinevere—Myrmecobius Fasciatus (Numbat) Mycroft Holmes—Tehayla–Corvus Corax (Common Raven) (The Republic of Heaven) Nakoma—Irin–Halcyon Albiventris (Brown-hooded Kingfisher) Narcissa Black—Abraixen–Mustela Erminea (Stoat) Natasha Romanoff—Emaol–Mustela Leucocephala (Malayan Weasel) Natasha Tolinev—Sairlin—Pyrrohocorax Graculus (Alpine Chough) Ned Rhyerson–Triloa–Daubentonia Madagascariensis (Aye Aye) Neville Longbottom—Varaniel–Martes Flavigula (Yellow-throated Marten) Newton Geiszler—Kara–Microcebus Ravelobensis (Golden-brown Mouse Lemur) Neytiri—Seze–Draconem Volansii (Ikran) Nicholas Rush—Nike—Mustela Kathiah (Yellow-bellied Weasel) Nick Heldschiff—Serling–Leopardus Wiedii (Margay) Nicole Trager—Nyas—Iguana Iguana (Green Iguana) Nina–Trey–Felis Cattus (House cat) Norville Rogers AKA Shaggy–Marsota–Luciola Cruciata (Lightning Bug) Nymphadora Tons—Chaneira–Unsettled (Metamorphmagus) Obediah Stane—Elizabeth–Canis Familiaris (Thai Bangkaew) Oberon (ALO)–Soto–Phoenix Solaurum (Sun Phoenix)* Olaf the Snowman—Nrordri–Praeclara Vestibulum [Daemon variant] Olivia Moore–Vivian–Arctonyx Collaris (Hog Badger) (Homogenus) Oswin Oswald—Kerales–Canis Latrans (Coyote) Owen Flyn–Fairmin–Euoticus Elegantulus (Southern Needle-Clawed Bushbaby) Owen Harper—Coramin–Felis Cattus (Turkish Angora) (CV: White/Heterochromia) Page Eight: Page Eighteen: Page Eleven: Page Fifteen: Page Five: Page Four: Page Fourteen: Page Nine: Page Ninteen: Page Seven: Page Seventeen: Page Six: Page Sixteen: Page Ten: Page Thirteen: Page Thirty-One: Page Thirty: Page Three: Page Twelve: Page Twenty-Eight: Page Twenty-Nine: Page Twenty-One: Page Twenty-Seven: Page Twenty-Six: Page Twenty-Two: Page Twenty-four: Page Twenty-three: Page Twenty: Page Two: Paine–Flurry–Syrmaticus Reevesii (Reeve’s Pheasant) Pane Mellark—Alebera–Bonasa Umbellus (Ruffed Grouse) Paul Lahote–Everecia–Canis Lupus Familiaris (American Staffordshire Terrier) Paulla Schaffer–Kido–Felis Nigripes (Black-footed Cat) Peeta Mellark—Marcuriona–Circopithecus Roloway (Roloway Monkey) Peg ???–Branan–Felis Cattus (House Cat) Percy Weasley—Kaytren– Perseus Jackson—Vyri–Ornithorhynchus Anatinus (Platypus) Pete Shanahan—Kaylen–Canis Familiaris (Finland Lapphund) (CV: Wolf Sable) Pete Tyler—Alecri–Sitta Pusilla (Brown-headed Nutchatch) Peter Bernadone—Syledria–Rattus Norgevicus (Brown Rat) Peter Pan—Shara—(Unsettled) Peter Parker—Brighera–Melogale Everetti (Bornean Ferret-badger) Peter Pettigrew—Tavalah–Lagopus Lagopus (Willow Grouse)(Homogeneous) Petunia Evans—Fenril—Falco Femoralis (Aplomado Falcon) Peyton  Charles–Codin–Sagittarius Serpentarius (Secretary Bird) Phil Dwyer–Sentera–Milvus Milvus (Red Kite) Philip Anderson—Ciprata—Calocitta Colliei (Steller’s Jay) Philip Anderson—Izeah–Canis Familiaris (Beagle) (The Republic of Heaven) Philip Coulson—Sata–Felis Cattus (Maine Coon) (CV: Black) Philomon—Bedraya–Vermivora Chrysoptera (Golden-winged Warbler) Phylis Crawford—Kaeis–Passer Domesticus (House Sparrow) Pilot—Lidaia—Octoalae Caeruleus (Blue-Jewel Hawkmoth) Pinocchio—Arun–Nesolagus Netscheri (Sumatran Striped Rabbit) Piper Chapman–Korona–Falco Rufigularis (Bat Falcon) [CV: Golden] Plutus Thrace—Pharos–Buteo Lagopus (Rough-legged Hawk) Pocahontas–Talaiken–Buteo Platypterus (Broad-winged Hawk) (CV: Dark Morph) Poussey Washington–Kidash–Gulo Gulo (Wolverine) Preston Whitmore–Kizit–Strigocuscus Celebensis (Dwarf Coscus) Primrose Everdeen—Amaranthus–Leptailurus Serval (Serval) Quill Ateara–Tyren–Aechmophorus Clarkii (Clark’s Grebe) Rachel–Tinyel–Sphenomorphus Indicus (Indian Forest Skink) Raleigh Becket—Noma–Tyto Novaeholladiae (Australian Masked Owl) Rani Chandra—Kerachen–Cardinalis Cardinalis (Cardinal) Ravi Chakrabarti–Jina–Leptailurus Serval (Serval) Recon (ALO)–Laitan–Caelo Serpentis (Gliding Snake)* Regina Mills—Corrin–Corvus Brachyrhynchos (American Crow) Remus Lupin—Serthith–Canis Familiaris (Utonogan) Renee Dwyer–Izan–Xema Sabini (Sabine’s Gull) Rhiannon Jones—Lezaoa–Ailurus Fulgens (CV: Melanistic) Rhys Williams—Pangora–Neofelis Nebulosa (Clouded Leopard) Richard Brook—Periphona—Hylocichla Mustelina (Wood Thrush) Richard Woolsey—Berin–Canis Familiaris (Yorkie) Rikki Chadwick–Korvad–Buteo Jamaicensis (Red-Tailed Hawk) Rikku–Ghiki–Sapajus Flavius (Blond Capuchin) Riku–Jaessa–Corperierat Draconemduocrura (Wyvern  Heartless) Riku–Jaessa–Trachypithecus Cristata (Silvery Lutung) Rinaldo Pazzi–Vita–Vireo Bellii (Bell’s Vireo) River Tam—Matarvi–Nesolagus Netscheri (Sumatran Striped Rabbit) Rodney Mckay—Alerenim–Lycalopex Griseus (South American Grey Fox) Roger Parslow—Salcilia—Not Settled Roggir Thrace—Lotra–Hydrictis Maculicollis (Spotted-necked Otter) Romo Lampkin—Catheldra–Stixcattus Cinereus (Grey Catowl)* Ronald Greer—Aravis–Canis Lupus (Grey wolf) (CV: Black) Ronald Weasley—Temoraila–Canis Familiaris (Smooth Fox Terrier) Ronald Weasley—Temoraila–Canis Merlinus (Crup) (Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality) Ronon Dex—Ytaxa–Draconem Vespertilio (Dragonbat)* Rory Williams—Bronwyn–Cygnus Olor (Mute Swan) Rosa Hubermann—Mizanu–Rattus Rattus (Black Rat) Rosalie Hale–Vitravan–Felis Cattus (House Cat) Rose Tyler—Valdr—Pica Pica (European Magpie) Roz Keith–Uvronan–Canis Lupus Familiaris (Greyhound) Ruby–Mawen–Pseudoscops Clamator (Striped Owl) Ruby—Tailen–Elanoides Forficatus (Swallow-tailed Kite) Rudy Steiner—Lohkora–Not Settled Rumplestiltskin—Mifion–Tremarctos Ornatus (Spectacled Bear) Rushor Thrace—Kycaela–Bubo Bubo (Eurasian Eagle Owl) Ruta Skadi—Sergi–Luscinia Svecica (Bluethroat) Ryan ???–Azran–??? Rye Mellark—Mighan–Eudypula Albosignata (White-flippered Penguin) Sally Donovan—Fyeril–Coracias Garrulus (Eurasian Roller) Sally Donovan—Matriel–Felis Silvestris (Wildcat) (The Republic of Heaven) Sally Jackson–Chennoh–Paracanthurus Hepatus (Blue Surgeonfish) Sally-Anne Perks–Keir–Apodemus Agrarius (Striped Field Mouse) Sam Healy–Vitoriga–Columbia Livia (Rock Dove) Sam Manson—Braelash–Dasyprocta Aguti (Red-rumped Agouti) Sam Puckett—Ferus—Canis Signatus (Iberian Wolf) Sam Uley–Shoran–Asio Otus (Long-Eared Owl) Sam Winchester—Kaime—Vulpes Vulpes (Red Fox) (CV: Black) Sam Zironi– –Pentalagus Furnessi (Amami Rabbit) Samantha Carter—Acaicius—Nasua Narica (White-nosed Coati) Samatha Sharp—Baritan–Lithobates Pipiens (Northern Leopard Frog) Samuel Adama—Eris–Circus Cyaneus (Northern Harrier) Samuel Anders—Kayuna—Panthera Onca (Jaguar) (CV: Black) Samuel Lloyd—Khunico–Vulpes Lagopus (Arctic Fox) (Sarah Jane Adventures) Sarah Jane Smith—Brahalin–Buteogallus Anthracinus (Black Hawk) Sarah Reed—Saeilar–Iguana Deicatissima (Lesser Antillean Iguana) Sarah Tennant—Aedin–Felis Cattus (Black and White American Shorthair) Sarah Walker—G'yaril–Troglodytes Aedon (House Wren) Sasha—Jaterez–Passer Moabiticus (Dead Sea Sparrow) Satera Wallaca—Tzurda–Apodemus Agrarius (Striped Field Mouse) Saul Tigh—Kanami–Urocyon Cinereoargenteus (Grey fox) Seamus Finnigan—Ketaya–Vulpes Velox (Swif Fox) Sebastian Michaelis—Aletha–Felis Cattus (Manx) [Daemon variant] Sebastian Moran—Kalo–Panthera Sondaica (Javan Tiger)* Semyon Borisovitch—Fizumel–Corvus Caurinus (Carrion Crow) Seraline Blackwater—Baruna–Hemaris Thysbe (Hummingbird Clearwing) Serkerin—Hfoldir–Praeclara Vestibulum [Daemon variant] Seth Clearwater–Nrorven–Hirundapus Caudacutus (White-Throated Needletail) Severus Snape—Cyraniel–Coccyzus Vieilloti (Puerto Rican Lizard Cuckoo) Shang Li—Eddara–Panthera Amoyensis (South Chinese Tiger) Sharon Agathon—Dagnam–Civettictis Civetta (African Civet) Sharon Pond—Talmath–Bubo Scandiacus (Snowy Owl) Sha’re of Abydos–Netaiya–Buteo Rufofuscus (Jackal Buzzard) Sher ???i–Atae–Chamaeleo Chamaeleon (Common Chameleon) Sherlock Holmes—Raniel–Mustela Putorius (Polecat) (CV: White) (Homogeneous) (The Republic of Heaven) Sherlock Holmes—Sophrania—Uncia Uncia (Snow Leopard) Sherlock Holmes—Sorkin–Corvus Corax (Common Raven) Sherlock Holmes—Zerkera–Pseudocroeobotra Wahlbergi (Spiny Flower Mantis) Sherman Cottle—Ka'aliel–Corvus Albicollis (White-necked Raven) Sidney Glass—Akiu–Circaetus Cinereus (Brown Snake-eagle) Simon Tam—Estelle–Crotalus Adamanteus (Eastern Diamondback) Simon, Old Master of Jordan—Cerebaton–Basiliscus Vittatus (Brown Basilisk) Simon—Karin–Nephurus Asper (Rough Knob-tailed Gecko) Sir Elyan of Camelot—Akiran–Odocoileus Sitkensis (Sitka Deer) Sir Gawain of Camelot—Cheranoh–Buteo Jamaicensis (Red-tailed Hawk) Sir Lancelot of Camelot—Karamiah–Canis Familiaris (Dutch Sheppherd) (CV: Black) Sir Leon of Camelot—Kisirin–Canis Familiaris (English Coonhound) Sir Percival of Camelot—Madgradeel–Falco Richardsoni (Prarie Merlin) Sirius Black—Amedra–Canis Familiaris (German Sheppherd) (CV: Black) Sloan Bree–Corvin–Cracticus Terraereginae (Queen’s Land Magpie) Snow White—Kaeron–Mustela Erminea (Stoat) Socrata Farren—Kormoran—Terathopius Ecaudatus (Bateleur Eagle) Soo Lin Yao—Choren–Prionodon Pardicolor (Spotted Linsang) Sophia Burset–Hierocles–Tamias Speciosus (Lodgepole Chipmunk) Sophie Verres—Tyracius—Canis Familiaris (Samoyed Dog) Sora–Yddgadeel–Canis Lupus Familiaris (Border Collie) Sora—Yddgadeel–Somniumcustos Capra (Yoggy Ram) Spencer Shay—Clarimantha–Atelerix Albiventris (Four-toed Hedgehog) Stacker Pentecost–Korish–Bassiscus Astutus (Ring-tailed Cat) Stanley Yelnats–Jada–Gyps Fulvus (Griffon Vulture) Steve Rogers—Zoraitha–Felis Cattus (Calico) Steven Trager—Kairina—Allenopithecus Nigroviridis (Allen’s Swamp Monkey) Steven Upshaw—Sarithan–Atelerix Albiventris (Four-toed Hedgehog) Sue-Shaun—Krynen–Corvis Monedula (Western Jackdaw) (Battlestar Galactica) Sugou Nobuyuki—Charit–Batrachostomus Moniliger (Sri Lanka Frogmouth) Suzanne Warren–Chelan–Cordulia Aenea (Downy Emerald Dragonfly) Suzie Costello—Kavarin–Lanius Nubicus (Masked Shrike) Sybill Trelawney—Brizo–Daubentonia Madagascariensis (Aye-aye) Syliva Noble—Thaddis–Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus (American Red Squirrel) Tabitha Pond—Sarjaren–Buphagus Africanus (Oxpecker) Tamara Adams—Balius–Dasyurus Maculatus (Tiger Quoll) Tamara Johansen—Drocheran–Pardolatus Striatus (Striated Pardolate) Tamara—Taddin–Coatl Lentiferus (Vine Coatl) Tara Maclay—Thestor—Vulpes Vulpes (Red Fox) Tarzan—Terk–Gorilla Gaueri (Eastern Lowland Gorilla) Tasha Jefferson–Leonara–Icterus Galbula (Baltimore Oreole) Tatiana Khorza/Corza–Soncha–Melanerpes Erythrocephalus (Red-headed Woodpecker) Teal'c—Keceron–Polemaetus Bellicasus (Martial Eagle) Ted Franklin–Hedwig–Oryctolagus Cuniculus (Tan-Pattern Rabbit) Terin Anders—Rosetaris–Turdus Migratorius (Robin) Terra–Korovas–Aquila Clanga (Greater Spotted Eagle) Tess ???–Abranas–Buteo Swainsoni (Swainson’s Hawk) Teyla Emmagan—Mraycluz–Lepusperegrinus Caelointuor (Athosian Hare)* The Doctor—The Arichamord—Internal The Master—Alduin–Draconem Volansii (Ikran) The Metacrisis Doctor—The Arichamord—Gampsonyx Swainsonii (Pearl Kite) Thomas Foss—Agea—Canis Familiaris (Weimaraner) Thomas Sully—Xura—Aethomys Chrysophilus (Red Rock Rat) Thomas—Kotan–Aquila Clanga (Greater Spotted Eagle) Tiana—Kaeshif–Mimus Parvulus (Galapagos Mockingbird) Titania (ALO)–Kaialania–Pavo Cristatus (Indian Peafowl) Tito The-Guy-In-The-Cerulean-Shirt–Kalari–Atelocynus Microtis (Short-eared Dog) Tobias–Venitas–Lemniscomys Barbarus (Barbary Striped Mouse) Toby–Keyris–Psammodromus Microdactylus (Green Psammodromus) Tom Marvolo-Riddle—Zetraia–Panthera Merlinii (Nundu) (PV: Leopard-sized)* Tommy Brockless—Arebaim–Canis Familiaris (Border Collie) (Torchwood) Tom–Vensana–Leopardus Wiedii (Margay) Tony Costa—Aphor–Acipiter Cooperii (Cooper’s Hawk) Tony Makarios—Ratter–Not Settled Tony Stark—Saria–Falco Peregrinus (Peregine Falcon) Toshiko Sato—Cherubah–Crotaphytus Reticulatus (Reticulated Collard Lizard) Tricia Miller–Matoriel–Passerculus Sandwichensis (Savannah Sparrow) Tristan Thorne—Seraia—Muscardinus Avellanarius Tucker Foley—Cherkish–Carlito Syrichta (Tarsier) Una Stormhold—Kerta–Calocitta Formosa (White-throated Magpie Jay) Uther Pendragon—Arethousa—Strix Nebulosa (Great Grey Owl) Velma Dinkley–Renya–Canis Lupus Familiaris ? Ventus–Jihan–Aegolius Funereus ( Vernon Dursley—Lolita–Atelopus Zeteki (Panamanian Golden Frog) Vincenzo Santorini–Vega–Polistes Dominula (Paper Wasp) Violet Middleton—Feynan–Rattus Norvegicus (Brown Rat) (CV: Mottled brown and white) Violet Newstead–Ahliann–Pheucticus Ludovicianus (Rose-Breasted Grosbeak) Virginia Potts—Chaiten–Turdus Migratorius (Robin) Vivi–Scera–Lynx Rufus (Lynx) Walter Harriman–Sinatra–Larus Atricilla (Laughing Gull) Walter Nichols—Kadiza–Varecia Variegata (Black and White Ruffled Lemur) Wendy Darling—Kadavas—Hypercompe Scribonia (Giant Leopard Moth) Wes Weston—Maris–Sciurus Vulgaris (Red Squirrel) Wesley Wyndam-Pryce—Perrenlial–Strix Seloputo (Spotted Wood Owl) Wilfred Mott—Itzumel–Pheucticus Ludovicianus (Rose-breasted Grosbeak) Wilhelmina Packard—Beshai–Rhinella Abei (-=-) Will Graham—Kali–Panthera Pardus (Leopard) Will Parry—Kirjava–Felis Cattus (Black Domestc Cat) William Adama—Aurelia–Not Settled William Adama—Galeria—Sterna Paradisaea (Arctic Tern) William Pratt (Spike)–Thalia–Mimizuku Gurneyi (Giant Scops Owl) William Turner II–Bana–Canis Lupus Familiaris (Welsh Terrier) Willow Mellark—Kydomis–Phascolarctos Cinereus (Koala Bear) Willow Rosenburg—Allanore—Corvus Corax (Common Raven) Winifred Burkle—Getariv–Hapalemur Aureus (Golden Bamboo Lemur) Winifred Lounds—Kvoris��Ochotona Princeps (American Pica) (CV: Red) Wren Anders—Roparaden–Megascops Asio (Eastern Screech Owl) Xander Harris—Zirena—Hyaena Hyaena (Striped Hyena) Xehanort–Andonara–Attono Equus (Ixion) Yancy Becket–Senna–Tyto Glaucops (Ashy-faced Owl) Yeshua of Bethlaham–Tijaya–Addax Nasomaculata (Addax) Yuki Asuna–Kozo–Falco Peregrinus (Peregrine Falcon) Yuna–Korogo–Cuon Alpinus (Dhole) Yvainne—Ameradin–Stella Lucem (Starlight) Zackary Heldschiff—Nemaia–Cyrtonyx Montezumae (Montezuma Quail) Zak Adama—Zarefain–Martes Martes (Pine Marten) Zane Bennett–Zharania–Canis Lupus Familiaris (Pomeranian) Zoe Allenye—Trazivan–Felis Sylvestris (Wildcat) Zoe Graystone—Yuatai—Saggitarius Serpentariys (Secretary Bird) Zotoh Zhaan—Jael–Lucem Pulverem (Jewel Dust Crown)*

[the-elenari]

I was tagged by @jj-dani (thank you!)

Rules: Choose any three fandoms (in random order) and answer the questions. Then tag some friends.

I choose:  

Dragon Age: Origins

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Skyrim

The first character you loved:

DA:O: Probably Alistair. 

DA:I: Cassandra or Solas. I don’t remember who I loved first.

Skyrim: Lydia - she was my first follower and I got attached to my followers. First one I really loved? Paarthurnax. 

The character you never expected to love so much:

DA:O: Leliana - I was kind of indifferent to her for a long time. I liked her, but really grew to love her over time. I want to do a romanced playthrough and I think she could quite possibly rival Alistair for me. 

DA:I: Cassandra - I never disliked her, but after playing DA2 I never expected I’d love her so much.

Skyrim: Cicero.

The character you relate the most: (These are aside from my OCs, as I relate to all of them the most obviously.)

DA:O: Leliana.

DA:I: Solas and Cole. 

Skyrim: Serana & Gelebor.

The character you’d slap:

DA:O: Loghain.

DA:I: Corypheus. I have wondered what he’d do if during the standoff in Haven, if the Herald would have just slapped the shit out of him while he was holding them up by their arm. I think that would have been hilarious. 

Skyrim: The Thalmor patrols that think they are somehow superior to everyone and everything, even other Altmer. And Grelod the Kind. 

Three favorite characters:

DA:O: Alistair, Wynne, Leliana.

DA:I: Solas, Cole, Cassandra.

Skyrim: Paarthurnax, Cicero, Farkas.

A character you liked at first but not so much anymore:

DA:O: Anora - It’s difficult to say I ever really liked her, but I was cool with her. However, I’ve come to dislike her quite a bit. I feel like she is only out for her own gain and power (due to her own personality/actions and the lore I’ve read). I’m not so sure she’s the best Queen, but I do always put her on the throne anyway. 

DA:I: Bianca. 

Skyrim: Delphine - her asking me to kill Paarthurnax did not go over well. 

A character you did not like at first, but they’ve grown on you:

DA:O: Morrigan.

DA:I: Sera. 

Skyrim: Ondolemar (though this was largely based on fanfiction and personal interpretations).

3 OTPs:

DA:O: Alistair x Female Mahariel (Ayla Mahariel), Tamlen x Female Mahariel, Leliana x Warden.

DA:I: Solavellan (duh) specifically Solas x Isara, Abelas x Female Lavellan, Cullen x Female Lavellan.  

Skyrim: Cicero x DB, Ondelmar x DB (particularly snow elf), Farkas x DB.

I’ll tag @shanayxd, @youaremynewdream, @the-reclusive-cat, @nesahak and anyone else following me that wants to do this - only if you feel like it of course! 

[zahra-hydris]

1 through 5!

ahh thank you darling cheese! here

1. your favourite non-canon ship?

any oc x canon character ship in a situation where that can’t be canon, whether that be because ocs have to be added to the universe or because a pc just can’t have someone (femshepley, sole x nick, krem x inquisitor, [whispers] my own lil sorceress x ciri ay, etc etc). give them to me. notable mentions: tracer x widowmaker, zahra x vex’ahlia , kashaw x keyleth, vax’ildan x gilmore (sob), and hopefully I can remove finn x poe from this list soon y/y?

2. is there a ship you didn’t like at first but ultimately started shipping?

uhmmmm tbh? garrus x shepard. I was intrigued by the idea of it, but when I actually played it through I hated the way it actually occurred (”yo garrus let’s fuck”). but it became such a beautiful and sweet romance that I’ve since just ignored the way it starts and gone with the ride.

3. what is the rarest rare pair (that you ship)?

oh shit, idk there’s lots of ‘they would be really cute together! I’d dig it!’ but I’m not exactly seeking out content. would that actually count? actually, I’ve kind of been liking the idea of jarett x gilmore lately, mainly because I want both of them to be happy and they’re so wonderful matt plz

4. name a popular ship you don’t get the appeal of.

[cough]mchanzo[cough]

5. what is your most fluffy + happy ship?

look, i’m a complete sucker for fluffy/happy ships so nearly all of them? legit. nearly every single one is fluffy in some way. of my oc ships, the fluffiest is probably delphine x cullen with rahn x dorian a close second. of canon ships, shout-out to vaxleth for being really fucking fluffy and happy despite the fact that vax is determined to be a broody little drama queen.

[crystalessenceswrites]

You’re Enchanting -- Chapter Six

Been sitting on this lovely commission from @strzygon-x​ of Delphine and Elazar, felt it fit perfectly with the chapter so I just had to share it.

Pairings: Cullen/Trevelyan & Dorian/Lavellan

Warnings: mentions of blood in this chapter (2 mentions, nothing graphic, just plot points) and some canon typical templar violence towards mages (just fair warning in case the dynamic is uncomfy)

Can also be read on AO3

[Masterlist] [Chapter Five] [Chapter Six] [Chapter Seven]

Chapter Six- Ghost

War room meetings tended to leave Delphine feeling significantly more downtrodden than she was beforehand. There did not seem to be much good news to go around these days. Reports of rifts continued to flow in along with rising tolls between the templars and the apostates in the valley and elsewhere. Elazar had returned from the Hinterlands with the Inquisition’s new horse master but his arrival was overshadowed by the introduction of one Warden Blackwall, who did not come bearing any helpful information. He was just as unaware to the status of the Grey Wardens as the rest of them. It was all rather disconcerting. Del could tell Elazar was struggling to remain optimistic as they departed the chapel. She hoped Varric wasn’t busy tonight, El was in serious need of a strong drink at the bar and some outlandish stories to keep his mind off this newfound responsibility for a bit.

“Excuse me!” The pair stopped rather abruptly, not at all expecting the soldier loitering at the doorway to address them. They both looked to the man, wide eyed. “I’ve got a message for the Inquisition but I’m having a hard time getting anyone to talk to me.”

Del was surprised one of Leliana’s agents hadn’t spoken with him yet, normally they were on top of situations like these.

El titled his head to the side, taking a rather obvious curiosity in the man, “who are you?”

“Cremisius Aclassi, with the Bull’s Chargers mercenary company. We mostly work out of Orlais and Nevarra.”

The merc had quiet the name, definitely not Orlesian or Ferelden.

“We got word of some Tevinter mercenaries gathering out on the Storm Coast. My company commander, Iron Bull, offers the information free of charge. If you’d like to see what the Bull’s Chargers can do for the Inquisition, meet us there and watch us work.”

A mercenary company? Was the Inquisition looking to hire more muscle right now? Del couldn’t remember Cullen expressing a need for more troops in any of the recent meetings. Did the more the merrier apply in situations like these?

El beat Del to all the questions though, “why did your commander send us this information?”

“Iron Bull wants to work for Inquisition. He thinks you’re doing good work.”

That wasn’t exactly the answer the either of them had been expecting. El did look pleased though. Maybe this day wouldn’t be all bad.

“We’ll consider your offer.”

“I appreciate it. We’re the best you’ll find. Come to the Storm Coast and you can see us in action.”

.

As many questions as Delphine had on the situation, she had no real desire to go to the Storm Coast and find the answers. El didn’t give her much of a choice in the matter, informing the advisors of their departure promptly after speaking with Cremisius. She was going to have to find some way to get back at the elf because the whole trip had gone from bad to worse. It was one thing to be soaked to the bone from the constant rain, but now she was coated in Tevinter mercenary blood after their party had joined in with the attack on the Vints. El and Varric looked more than pleased with her displeasure.

“Fuck you.” Del spat at Elazar, “I’m never letting you drag me out to this Maker forsaken place again.”

El laughed at her as the Qunari merc captain approached with Cremisius.

“Krem! How’d we do?”

“Five or six wounded, Chief. No dead.”

The one-eyed Qunari grins, “that’s what I like to hear. Let the throat cutters finish up, then break out the casks.” He turns to the pair, taking a quick moment to take in their sopping forms. “So, you’re with the Inquisition, huh? Glad you could make it. Come on, have a seat. Drinks are coming.”

El grinned back at the Qunari, “Iron Bull, I presume.”

“Yeah the horns usually give it away.”

Well, it was a rather apt name, considering.

“I assume you remember Cremisius Aclassi, my lieutenant.”

The mercenary lieutenant gives them a nod and a short smile in greeting, “good to see you again. Throat cutters are done, Chief.”

“Already?” The Qunari looked out over the beach scattered with bodies with suspicion, “have ‘em check again. I don’t want any of those Tevinter bastards getting away. No offense, Krem.”

Krem rolls his eyes, much to El’s delight. “None taken. Least a bastard knows who his mother was. Puts him one up on you Qunari, right?”

Iron Bull barks out a laugh as Krem returns to directing the other mercenaries. El’s obviously amused at the odd comradery between the two; if he wasn’t sold on the Chargers before Del could assume he was now.

“So… you’ve seen us fight. We’re expensive, but we’re worth it… and I’m sure the Inquisition can afford us.”

Del quirked an eyebrow at that. They weren’t exactly rolling in it back at Haven.

“How much is this going to cost me exactly?”

Elazar had been slowly coming into his position – what that position was, neither of them exactly knew but- he was more confident of himself, in the war room and in the field, more willing to make decisions. Del was proud, El had always drawn people to him, their friends had looked to him when the rebellion grew, after all. Yet he never assumed he deserved to be the one making decisions. Ever humble in that regard, he argued with Del whenever she dared to say otherwise. Now the reluctance seemed to be slowly slipping away.

“It won’t cost you anything personally; unless you wanna buy drinks later.”

Oh, they definitely didn’t have enough coin for that.

“Your Ambassador- what’s her name- Josephine? We’d go through her and get payments set up. The gold will take care of itself. Don’t worry about that. All that matters is we’re worth it.”

Iron Bull was sure of his company and their prowess.

“The Chargers seem like an excellent company.”

Del knew for a fact El had no idea what made a good mercenary company- neither of them did.

“They are. But you’re not just getting the boys. You’re getting me. You need a frontline bodyguard. I’m you’re man. Whatever it is- demons, dragons? The bigger the better. And there’s one other thing. Might be useful, might piss you off. Ever heard of the Ben-Hassrath?”

Delphine, like most folks in southern Thedas, knew next to nothing about the Qunari. What she did know was, she could safely assume was mostly propaganda and stupidly exaggerated rumors. She’d never heard of any groups within the Qunari, definitely not the Ben-Hassrath. The Qunari, the Qun, that wasn’t something she’d ever discussed with Elazar. It certainly wasn’t a topic that came up in the Circle. The wide-eyed look El gave her led her to believe the Dalish didn’t know much more than the rest of them. “We’ve never heard of it.”

“It’s a Qunari order. They handle information, loyalty, security, all of it. Spies, basically. Or, well, we’re spies.”

He’s a spy and was just telling them? Why was he working as a mercenary in the south if he’s a spy? Wouldn’t he be more effective elsewhere? Del’s mind was swimming with the implications.

“The Ben-Hassrath are concerned about the Breach. Magic out of control like that could cause trouble everywhere. I’ve been ordered to join the Inquisition, get close to the people in charge, and send reports on what’s happening. But I also get reports from Ben-Hassrath agents all over Orlais. You sign me on, I’ll share them with your people.”

That sounded right up Leliana’s alley but was a spy a trustworthy source of information?

Elazar’s wide eyes were telltale enough of his own surprise. “You’re a Qunari spy, and you just… told us?”

Iron Bull shrugs, “whatever happened at that Conclave thing, it’s bad. Someone needs to get that Breach closed. So, whatever I am, I’m on your side.”

Was he though?

“You still could have hidden what you are.” It wasn’t like they would have known any better. She and Elazar had no idea the Ben-Hassrath even existed before today.

“From something called the Inquisition?” Iron Bull chuckles, “I’d’ve been tipped sooner or later. Better you hear it right up front from me.”

“So…what would you send home in these reports of yours?”

“Enough to keep my superiors happy. Nothing that’ll compromise your operations. The Qunari want to know if they need to launch an invasion to stop the whole damn world from falling apart. You let me send word of what you’re doing, it’ll put some minds at ease. That’s good for everyone.”

Del wasn’t fond of the idea of any information making it back to the Qunari- especially anything about Elazar. If there was any kernel of truth to what she’d heard about how the Qunari treat their mages, she was terrified to think of what they’d do if they knew more about Elazar’s “condition.” Though if Iron Bull was telling the truth, and this kept an invasion at bay, wasn’t that a risk worth taking?

“What’s in these Ben-Hassrath reports you’re offering to share?”

“Enemy movements, suspicious activity, intriguing gossip. It’s a bit of everything. Alone, they’re not much. But if your spymaster is worth a damn, she’ll put ‘em to good use.”

“She?”

“I did a little research.”

Del wondered what exactly qualified as a “little” research.

“Plus I’ve always had a weakness for red heads”

Elazar snickered, proving that even when faced with a Qunari spy he still had the humor of a teenage boy. If El was one thing he was at least consistent. A swift elbow to the gut from Del was enough to get the elf back on track.

“You would run your reports past Leliana before sending them. You send nothing she doesn’t approve. If this turns out to be a trick, Cassandra will eat you alive.”

That’s an understatement.

“Wouldn’t have it any other way.” The grin splitting across his face made Del believe him. “Krem, tell the men to finish drinking on the road. The Chargers just got hired!”

Krem pouts as the Qunari’s voice cuts across the beach, “what about the casks, Chief? We just opened them up. With axes.”

“Find some way to seal them. You’re Tevinter, right? Try blood magic.”

Krem threw his arms up, though his frustration was more for show than anything, it seemed.

Elazar was going to be fond of this group for sure.

.

“How’s it going Krem de la crème?”

The merc lieutenant rolled his eyes, not even bothering to turn and greet the Qunari as he approached. “I’m so glad he has more people to hit with that joke now.”

“Are you telling me Tiny can’t come up with new material?” Varric scoffs, “I had higher hopes for him.”

Krem quirked an eyebrow, “Tiny?”

The hulking Qunari warrior was anything but small, seemed a rather backwards nickname.

“He’s already got a nickname?” El sounded rather insulted at the realization.

“Dwarf calling a Qunari tiny, that’s rich.” Iron Bull grumbles, single-eyed glare pointed at Varric.

“Some just come easier, Herald.” The author shrugs at El who is not satisfied with Varric’s obvious dodge.

“Nicknames, is that his thing?”

Del wasn’t sure. Varric was usually out traveling with Elazar so she hadn’t spoken with him nearly as much El. She had noticed the dwarf only referred to Cassandra as Seeker, but she figured it was a way of bothering her, considering Cassandra rolled her eyes nearly every time he did it.

“Your guess is as good as mine, Krem.”

“Oh, has the Herald not shared yours with you yet?” The shit eating grin plastered across Varric’s face leads Del to the conclusion she doesn’t want to know. Whatever names Varric and El were coming up with when she wasn’t around, she didn’t want to know.

“Del works just fine, I’ll stick with that.”

“That’s no fun.” Iron Bull chides, “lay it on us, dwarf.”

“Ghostie.”

“Ghostie?” Varric thought of her as a ghost? Or had she become sickeningly pale again without realizing it?

Iron Bull rubs his chin for a moment, his eye trained on Del. She fights the urge to fidget under his stare. “I see where you’re coming from with that.”

El snickers. Del has to restrain herself from zapping him.

“Right?” Varric puffs his chest out, “all in the details.”

“What details?”

“Well, you’re quiet, avoid attention. You’ve obviously mastered fading into the background, and best of all, I’ve seen you sneak up on and startle not just Seeker but Leliana too.”

“Those were on accident!” Leliana was the last person in Haven she would want to shock on purpose.

“Even better! Naturally as quiet as a ghost.”

This wouldn’t be going away anytime soon.

If he’d already come up with one for her, Varric must have decided on Elazar’s by now. “So, what’s El’s then?”

“Apparently I’m not nickname worthy.” El pouts, putting on his best kicked puppy face.

“Oh, that’s borderline manipulative, Herald.” Varric chuckles, not at all fazed by the elf’s big doe eyes. “You just gotta wait for it to develop naturally. Some just take time.”

“No need to look glum, boss,” Iron Bull smacks Elazar in the back, nearly knocking him out of his seat, “embrace the air of mystery!”

Elazar? Mysterious? Delphine had never known Elazar as anything but straightforward, occasionally unwilling to talk about his emotions, yes, but never untruthful or purposefully shady.

Del rolled her eyes as the group descended into bickering. Despite being mercenaries Bull’s Chargers were all easy enough to get along with. Delphine could have never imagined they would be camping out, drinking and laughing with a merc band, yet here they sat, Elazar truly smiling and carrying on with hired blades.

“You’ll give yourself wrinkles if you keep worrying over him so much.”

For such a large warrior, Iron Bull managed to move rather quietly, sneaking up at Del’s side at the edge of the group.

“The life we’ve lived up till now made it a strong habit.” That and El’s sometimes flippant attitude towards authority.

“Constantly looking over your shoulder in the Circle.” Delphine hadn’t mentioned it, and El avoided the topic when possible, but Iron Bull had proved to be more than observant in the few days they’d traveled together.

They’d both been looking over their shoulders most of their lives, for varying reasons, and that shapes a child. “For both our sakes.”

Iron Bull nods, “especially for the sake of the rebel.”

There was no way he’s just a spy.

“He’s always had a penchant for trouble.”

“And you’re the one to get him out of it.”

“When I can.” Del could talk their way out of pranks and whatever general ruckus El caused in the Circle. But Del didn’t have any weight to throw around now; she couldn’t just bat her eyelashes and get the night patrol to look the other way now.

“You don’t share his penchant for rebellion, but you’re dedicated and stick around anyways.” It almost sounded like admiration Del heard in his voice. “He’s lucky to have you looking out for him.”

Although it wasn’t something she would admit out loud, Del was almost proud of the fact she’d kept him out of trouble all these years. Mostly. Nothing she said would have changed Elazar’s mind once he started planning his rebellion. There was no way to talk him out of that trouble with the Knight-Commander.

“How did you know I didn’t rebel with him?” Here she was, living the life of an apostate, same as El. They’d ended up lumped together despite their differing opinions.

Iron Bull chuckles, a gravelly sound deep in his chest that nearly startles Del. “As if the dwarfs nickname wasn’t clue enough? The fact that you’re alive and not dead at the Conclave tells me you weren’t sympathetic to the rebellion.”

Not sympathetic? Del can feel a dark expression slip into place. “Just because I didn’t rebel doesn’t mean I’m not sympathetic to their cause. I know where they are coming from, I’ve felt many of the same hurts, I long for change and freedom just as much.”

The Qunari looks surprised at her candid admission and sharp tongue. At least she was able to prove him wrong on one point of his profile.

“So, too prim and proper to join a rebellion?”

Del rolls her eyes, she’d joined the Inquisition, that alone should have proved she was not worried about such things. Or, at least she wasn’t now. “You know that’s not it.”

“Then what motivates you, little lady. Or in this case, doesn’t.”

She almost prefers Ghostie to little lady.

“I have…differing views on violence than the rest of the rebels…”

That lie was so weak it wouldn’t have convinced Cullen. Iron Bull scoffs, “violence against templars, you mean.”

Del gapes at the Qunari- incredibly perceptive for someone with one eye.

“You’re torn- you contradict yourself- makes it obvious enough.”

“I… as much as I hate what was done to us… what we went through… I just don’t have the same hate towards templars that El and the others do, because then I’d have to hate some people very important to me. And I can’t…I just can’t.” Not when Ralf was the one person to always protect her.

He’s solemn for a long moment. Del wonders if he has any sympathy for mages, after all the Circles must be significantly better than whatever the Qunari mages had. Yet, there was Dalish, who despite all her instance on being an archer, was living openly as an apostate within the band and Iron Bull had no apparent issues with it.

“Just because you hate the system doesn’t mean you have to abhor each individual in it… it’s too much work to hate them individually anyways.”

The system. It sounded like Iron Bull spoke from experience.

Elazar wasn’t going to be the only one fond of this group.

.

Upon their return to Haven Delphine decided she much preferred the chill of the mountain air over the bone soaking cold of the Storm Coast- she’d made it abundantly clear that she would not be returning to the region with him again. No matter the business. El had rolled his eyes but agreed anyways, promising to not bring her along should they venture back to the coast. Del thanked the Maker before making a beeline for their shared cabin, all she wanted was a war bath and a warm bed. It was so closed now. She’d leave the war council to El for today.

Instead of finding Del soaking the chill from her bones, Elazar returned to find her curled up next to the hearth of the fireplace poring over a large leather-bound tome, two more study volumes spread across the floor next to her. It reminded him so clearly of the young girl he’d stumbled across in the Circle library all those years ago, stormy green eyes consuming the contents of library as if her life depended on it.

Nabbing a blanket from his cot, El silently settles on the floor next to her, throwing the blanket over their shoulders. He knows once she’s absorbed in her reading, Del will forget or forgo taking care of herself. The blanket breaks her concentration, grinning she leans over, bumping shoulders, and whispering her thanks.

“What’d you find, Del.”

“Someone left these on my bed, nothing but my name on the note. A proper surprise.”

El hadn’t heard excitement like this in her voice in years, it warmed his heart to see the curious spark in her eyes she’d had back from when they were both still apprentices. “They’re all on combat magic, El, spells, theory, practical technique. They’ve got everything!”

He can’t help but grin back, “never thought I’d see the day Delphine Trevelyan gets excited over banned literature.”

“Oh hush, is it really banned when there’s no Circles left to ban it?”

“Sneaking by on a technicality, Del.” He chuckles, “who left them for you?”

She shakes her head, “I told you, total surprise. I have no idea. I didn’t ask anyone for them either.”

Curious, “who knows you’re studying combat magic.”

“Well, I’ve talked about it with Josephine and Vivienne a few times over tea. Cullen and I talked about it when he asked for help training the recruits… maybe his lieutenants, Joshua, once.”

That seemed about right, he knew she’d kept her practice so herself, acted as if she was more confident in her abilities than she was. Del was a decent enough actress to have most folks fooled.

“Josie or Vivienne would have left a note though or given it to me in person, telling me all about where they managed to find it and how rare the print is. They’re not the type for surprises like this.”

“True,” El nods, “Vivienne would probably talk your ear off about it.”

Del rolls her eyes, “probably… but I don’t know why Cullen or Joshua would get them for me. Joshua and I are friendly but not that close.”

“Cullen does seem like the type to be too shy to leave a note with them.”

Her eyes go wide, “you think so? But why would he, off all people, be getting me books on combat magic?”

True, why would a templar willingly supply a mage with books on combat magic? This was giving Del everything the Order had worked to deny her all these years.

“I’m sure Leliana knows, though. I’ll ask her about it tomorrow.”

Del smiles, settling in so her head is resting on his shoulder, “thanks, El.”

.

“You’re looking much more comfortable out there.”

Delphine tries to mask the surprise that washed over her with the sudden compliment. Although Cullen always thanked her for her help, comments on her magic were few and far between.

“Well the recruits seem to be catching on quick- makes my job a bit easier.” It was easier to focus on her execution when she knew the recruits were able to as least defend themselves from her standard attacks. She’d also gotten enough “practice” in after the trip to the Storm Coast to begin working on refining her casting, something she was rather proud of.

Cullen nods “it’s reassuring to see the progression.”

He deserved to be proud, Cullen was turning farmers and pilgrims into a formidable military force with very minimal support. Del had overheard Iron Bull dishing out compliments on the former templar to Elazar recently as well, which she was sure were well earned.

“I was wondering if you could spare someone to spar with me a short while. I’ve been reading up on some new techniques I’d like to practice.” She was trying to be nonchalant about it, but it was so difficult once Leliana had confirmed Elazar’s suspicions.

Cullen clears his throat, glancing away from her rather hurriedly. “I believe I can spare Ser Rosche for the time being.”

He calls the soldier over as Del gathers up her staff. She didn’t recognize the man, though she could hardly claim to be familiar with most of Cullen’s troops. Rosche’s face was set with deep lines and a furrowed brow- an expression that rang familiar. His armor confirmed it, despite wearing the trappings of the Inquisition, the man’s chest plate still bore the emblem of the Order. He must have been one of the templars to leave the Order with Cullen after Kirkwall, Del figured.

Rosche nods as Cullen finishes explaining the task, the grim expression never changing. He pointedly looks her up and down as Cullen introduced her.

“I’ll leave you to it.”

“Thank you, Commander.” Cullen shot her a small smile as he returned to his post scrutinizing the recruits as they continued to drill in formation.

The templar before her didn’t utter a word before falling into a defensive stance, his stare directed at the staff clutched in her hands.

Well then, down to business.

Delphine plants herself, reaching into the Veil around them, slowing her breathing as she channels that swirling energy through her staff. Rosche easily blocks the flames she summons- a testament to his training no doubt- before beginning to push forward.

An aggressor. He must prefer the blade to the shield. Del aims low, hoping to slow him momentarily while she casts a simplified chain lighting attach. Nothing strong enough to do any real harm, just a stun spell really. The jolt of electricity does little to slow Rosche’s advance, however. Sword drawn, he lunges, Del sidesteps and counters setting an ice mine between them. That proves enough to get the man to jump back, putting a more comfortable amount of space between them.

Del’s blood roars in her ears. This man was not one to go easy on her. Eyes narrowed; his gaze never leaves her. Del tries to match his stare but she’s well aware she’s less than intimidating.

Slowly, he begins to circle again, Del tries to keep the mine in between, to delay any more lunges but Rosche has already taken the lead in the fight, something Del was hoping to avoid. She needed to learn to take control in fights, to maintain the upper-hand against her opponents.

She tries to regain control but Rosche continues to hold the lead. He blocks everything she throws at him, even a fireball sent hurling at him full strength, all while he steadily inches closer. The air crackles around her as Del focuses a lighting spell on the blade of her staff, swingling wide at the templar. He parries her blade with ease, the spell quickly dissipating.

Del staggers back as she realizes he’s been dispelling her magic; no wonder her fireball didn’t even faze him. A shiver runs down her spine as a grin breaks out across his face, vaguely manic. It takes near all her will to tamp down the panic clutching at her chest.

“Is that the best you can do, little mage?”

Del barely manages to block his blade as he rushes forward, taunting grin still painted across his features. She throws up a barrier in response, giving her enough time and space to throw a few shots towards his head and shoulders. It’s quick enough he has to duck out of the way instead of block and dispel. Her pride is short lived as he regroups and presses up against her barrier.

Rosche’s grin has disappeared, lips set into a snarl as he shoves against the barrier again. Del is thrown back as it snaps, air rushing from her lungs as her back meets hard packed ground. Panic washes over her as the man stalks towards her, sword still held high. She casts on instinct, feeling the fire flow through her like it did when she first came into her magic, throwing as much heat at her attacker as she can. The flames never leave her hands.

Del cries out as an invisible weight forces down against her chest and her magic explodes against her palms. Her magic has never rebounded before- at least not of her own volition.

Desperate she reaches out again, chest heaving, for the Veil only to realize she can’t find it. Its as if the world around her had suddenly gone silent. The constant hum of energy around her gone.

“No-” her voice croaks at the realization the man looming above her now is suppressing her magic, keeping her from defending herself.

“Yes,” he sneers down at her, eyes cold.

Staff. She needs her staff. Her fingers graze of the shaft for a brief moment before its gone. Still struggling to catch her breath, Del watches as Rosche kicks it away.

He’s still looming over her, taunting her, as she struggles. Every time she reaches back out for the Veil he pushes back twice as hard, pushing her further and further from her magic. Del’s head is spinning as she stares up at him, wide eyed. She didn’t know magic suppression could physically hurt.

“Too bad, little mage.”

Del doesn’t remember how to move as he raises his sword to strike.

This wasn’t a sparring match.

“Chargers!”

The world around them springs into action as Iron Bull’s voice cuts through the roaring in Delphine’s ears. Something explodes above her, near Rosche’s shoulder, throwing him back. Bull and Krem rush by in her peripheral, weapons drawn. A crowd of Chargers quickly follows after.

Their elven mage, Dalish, suddenly appears above her, worry etched across her brow. “You alright?” Del can vaguely make out the feeling of Dalish’s fingers ghosting over her, checking for injuries. She can’t even find it in her to nod back until Del finds her breath.

“Hit…hit my head.”

“Aye you did.” Dalish chuckles a bit but the mirth doesn’t reach her eyes, “we saw you go flying.”

Well that explained the pounding.

The elven woman’s hands continue to investigate, poking and prodding across her torso. “Well, doesn’t look like anythin’s broken.”

Del coughs out a sorry excuse for a chuckle in response.

“Oh, that’s going to take more than elfroot.” Dalish hisses, slowly taking Del’s hands in her own.

The burning rushes in all at once, across her palms and fingertips. She must have roasted her own hands when Rosche caused her magic to rebound. Fuck.

“Let’s get you up, yeah?”

With a few curses between the two of them Dalish helps Del to her feet, a hand at her back keeping her steady as the world swayed around her.

A few yards off Iron Bull stood over Rosche, disarmed and face down in the dirt, one of the Qunari mercenary’s boots pressed into the man’s back. Krem and the others stood by, faces dower as Cullen stalked towards them, fuming.

“What is the meaning of this?”

Del groaned as the Commander’s shouting mixed with the pounding against her skull.

“He attacked Delphine, ser.” Krem answered, face stern and hands on his hips.

Del didn’t think Cullen’s scowl could get any deeper but she was quickly proven wrong. “They were sparring!”

“He wasn’t.” Bull’s voice was level as he stared down the blond. “He had her cornered and disarmed but ready to land a deadly blow.”

Cullen’s eyebrows shot up as he looked her way. She must have looked a mess, covered in dirt and melting snow, hands bloody and burned. Messy strands of hair fell in her face, Del figured her braid must have come undone upon impact. She didn’t care much to check; she was still barely holding herself upright with Dalish’s help.

“He was suppressing her magic, Commander-” Bull continued, voice dark- “she was down.”

Cullen’s expression darkened; his hard gaze pinned on the downed templar. “What is the meaning of this Rosche?”

“What’s all the fuss?” He spat, still struggling against Bull’s boot. “It’s just a mage!”

Delphine’s heart stopped. She wasn’t even a person to this man. He had meant to hurt her this way.

“Just a mage?” Cullen seethed.

Cullen could be riled up from time to time in meetings, he could be stern with the soldiers, and there had been moments when Del could see the anger swirling behind his eyes but he never appeared to act on it. Not as long as she’d known him. He stood, shoulders squared, one hand clenched around the hilt of his sword as if he meant to draw it against the disarmed man. If looks could kill Rosche would be long dead.

“Bull, please escort ser Rosche to the cells. I’ll need to inform the Herald and the others of what has happened.”

“Sounds good, Boss.”

Elazar.

“No!” Del’s knees crumple as she tries to rush forward. Dalish manages to catch her before she falls, hauling her back to her feet.

All eyes turn to Delphine.

“Don’t tell Elazar, Cullen, please.”

If Cullen was the one to deliver the news to Elazar, Del knew he would bite Cullen’s head off. El was still upset with Cullen over his comments about the rebellion and the templars, even after finding out Cullen had been the one to gift her with the books. He was never the kind to hold grudges but this, this was going to piss him off and if Cullen delivered the news, El would be sure to place the blame solely on him.

“The Herald needs to know, Delphine.” Cullen’s voice softened a bit but the deep frown did not seem to be disappearing anytime soon.

Elazar would know. There was no way with how small Haven was Elazar wouldn’t know soon, but none of this would end well if he heard it from Cullen’s mouth.

“Dalish, Stiches, take Delphine to Adan.” Iron Bull cuts in, voice booming over growing crowd. “Krem will go find the Herald, bring him to her. Cullen can inform Red and Josephine of what’s happened.”

Thank the Maker for the eagle eyed Qunari. Even in his short time with the Inquisition he already had a solid handle on the dynamics here.

Dalish wraps an arm around Del’s waist, supporting most of her weight. “Got it, Boss.”

Cullen doesn’t look particularly pleased but agrees with the Qunari.

Rosche groans and curses as Bull pressed down on his back. “I’ll take care of this one.”

Del doesn’t doubt it.

[crystalessenceswrites]

You’re Enchanting--Chapter Seven

Pairings: Cullen/Trevelyan & Dorian/Lavellan

Warnings: mentions of Del’s injuries from previous chapter (no graphic descriptions) angst and some guilt tripping

Can also be read on AO3

[Masterlist] [Chapter Six] [Chapter Seven] [Chapter Eight]

Chapter Seven-Embers 

“This-” Elazar cradles Delphine’s hands in his own as he looks at the bandages now wrapped around her numbed palms- “this is why we left the Circle. To stop this.”

His usual sunny disposition has given way to a dark expression, one Del finds does not suit him. She can’t look him in the eye as he kneels in front of her seat, “you see what happens when your name doesn’t protect you, Del? When you are just another “Maker forsaken mage” to them?”

Delphine’s thankful Dalish and the others had left when El arrived, she’d rather not have the mercenaries as an audience to the tears she can feel coming.

“I know Elazar… I-I know this is how they see us. I just… I didn’t think he’d…” How was she supposed to know one of Cullen’s men would do that?

“He’d try to kill you?”

Elazar’s harsh snap cuts through whatever resolve Del had left. A sob bubbling up as the tears begin to fall. This was not how it was supposed to go.

He drops her hands, standing and glancing around Adan’s workspace with fists clenched tight to his side. “Krem said Bull would take care of him, for what he did to you.”

Delphine’s not sure what hurts more, her hands or hearing El seethe like that. “El you shouldn’t say things like that- they shouldn’t have to do anything.”

“Well Cullen and the others didn’t notice-” Elazar throws his hands up, Delphine cannot remember the last time she had seen him so outwardly agitated. The energy in the cabin is buzzing, the air nearly crackling as he begins to pace- “they should’ve noticed! There’s a cluster of mages here. Can you imagine how many people he could have hurt or killed when he wanted to?”

“They couldn’t have known, El- they wouldn’t have left him alone if they knew…”

“When have they ever stopped templars from hurting us?”

Del shakes her head and tries to push down the tears, “this isn’t the Circle, El. They’re not in the Order anymore. We’re not prisoners anymore.”

It’s obvious her attempts to soothe his frustration will not work. The air remains thick with the energy rolling off him, too wrapped up in his own emotions to notice. “Yet we still act like we are! You practice your magic in secret and we walk around on eggshells every time someone so much as mentions the templars! We might be physically free but not all that much has changed apparently.”

Her heart breaks for El. This was the last thing he needed weighing on his conscious. The weight of the world already seemed to be resting on his shoulders, he did not need to worry about looking out for her too. Del had joined the Inquisition to help him and now she was holding him back.

“El-”

“I’m going to check in with Iron Bull and Krem… make sure everything is handled.”

Biting her lip, Delphine watches him leave, a stony expression sliding into place, one she has not seen since she had told him about her plans to leave the Circle. There was no way this ended well.

.

El was moody and withdrawn in the following days, never quite looking Del in the eye when they did speak. She knew he blamed himself as much as he blamed Cullen and the others, and it would continue to eat away at him. Normally Del was able to sit down a talk him out of funks like these, help him sort through his thoughts and address his concerns. The task would have to fall to someone else this time because not even she could break through.

Iron Bull came to her on the morning Elazar decided to return to the Hinterlands. Ever observant Bull knew something needed to be done.

“We’ll make sure he works it out of his system. Sometimes beating up on some bad guys makes everything else seem much simpler.”

Del shoots the Qunari a half smile, pulling down the sleeves of her sweater over her bandages. “I hope you’re right.”

“Just focus on resting and getting better while we look out for him.”

“I’m doing alright, Bull. The poultice Stiches made for me has been working wonders.”

Bull does not look too pleased, “that good to hear, Ghostie, but that’s not what I mean, and you know it.”

Too observant.

The days that followed proved him right. With El gone Del found herself more withdrawn than usual, spending time shut away in their shared cabin. The last thing she wanted was anyone’s attention and by now everyone in Haven had to know what had happened. Del shuddered at the thought of talking to Vivienne again after this all cooled down. She prayed to the Maker she and Elazar never talked about it. El was likely to bite her head off over it too.

Both Josie and Leliana had stopped by to check in, which was appreciated, but Del did not quite feel up to conversation yet. Josie did offer to have someone drop off diplomatic letters for her to write as soon as her hands were completely healed so that she wouldn’t feel as if she was a freeloader again. It gave Del a welcome goal, once the burns were gone she’d at least have some menial work to assist with. Until then Del made herself content with curling up under numerous quilts and continuing her studies with her new books. That counted as resting and healing, right?

It was just after midday on the fourth day when the sudden rapping at the cabin door broke her concentration. Del assumed Josie or even Vivienne had come to see her again. She had not been expecting to find the Commander shifting back and forth with a basket in one hand.

“Cullen?”

She had not seen him since Dalish had helped her off the training grounds and begun to wonder if he was angry at her too. He looks her over rather quickly while she stands in the doorway, wide-eyed. Del tugs her sleeves down as his eye linger over her hands. His expression is almost pained as he takes her in, she can tell he’s trying to hide it though, lips pressed into a tight smile.

“What’s with the basket?”

“Uh, well, Leliana flipped the script. She sent me with food this time.” Del tries to ignore the way he can’t look her in the eye as he explains his rather sudden appearance.

Their Spymaster was up to something today. It was not as if Del had been skipping meals recently. She was sure Cullen still probably took the top of the list in that department.

“But- I’m sure you have more important things to do.” Like train soldiers or draw up battle plans or even calibrate the trebuchets.

“Well, I thought… I wanted to apologize for what happened. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have been injured…”

Del’s gaze narrows as she folds her arms tight across her chest, “can you read minds?”

The man in her doorway goes wide eyed, “what? No, what are you asking?”

“If you can’t read minds then you couldn’t have known.”

“There’s more to it than that, Delphine… should have seen myself in him- I should have seen it.”

She sighs, gesturing for the blond to come in and take a seat at her desk. It seemed he was just as stubborn as Elazar about this and the debate would not be over anytime soon. Cullen takes a seat, briefly glancing over the correspondence she’d left out and notes from the books he had given her. Del grabs a quilt and curls up where the end of her bed meets the desk, watching as he silently unpacks the basket lunch. She wordlessly accepts the food he pushes towards her. This seems to satisfy him as he leans back in the chair, smile growing just a bit.

“You’re not all knowing-” Del can’t help but break the silent peace- “and you have an army to worry about. You can’t watch each soldier individually.”

Cullen shakes his head, “doesn’t mean I couldn’t have seen what was right in front of my face. I should have recognized it in him- myself in him. If I had been truly worried about your safety, I would have looked closer, never trusted him with you. I’m sorry. Truly sorry. You are supposed to be safe here, all mages here are, and I’ve failed you. There’s no excuse for that.”

Up until Rosche had attacked her Delphine had always felt safe in Haven. The first time she had met Cullen he had been breaking up a fight between templar and mages, which might not have been all that reassuring then, but after coming to know him and the other advisors Delphine had never been worried. She was not sure that she was worried now. Shaken? Yes. Scared? No.

“You keep saying you should have seen yourself in him…”

A long sigh escapes him as Cullen scrubs a gloved hand across his face. “I’m not proud of who I was before. The way I treated mages, the hate I held towards them, the same hate Rosche held towards you. So completely unjustified. It’s why I left the templars, to do better here. Letting Rosche go unchecked, letting him hurt you… that’s not doing better.”

Wasn’t it enough that he realized his mistakes? That he was making an effort to change? He had helped her and never made her feel unsafe or unwanted. They were able to have civil conversations about the Circles. That was more than she could say for most former-templars.

Del can feel his eyes on her as sits for a moment, wrapping her head around what she wanted to say. “You didn’t let him hurt me.”

His frown deepens, “you don’t need to keep making excuses for me, for my failings.”

“I-I’m not…” she didn’t feel as if she was but here she was denying him when he was trying to take responsibility for the incident. “Maybe you’re right… I’m sorry.”

“Maker, you shouldn’t be apologizing for anything after all this.”

Part of her want to, so Elazar and Cullen would stop unnecessarily shouldering all the blame. “It’s… it’s just you’ve been nothing but fair to me since I arrived here. I don’t think it’s right to put all the blame on you for what someone else did to me. You’re already tearing yourself up over your past. I don’t want this to add on to it. Rosche decided to attach me, you didn’t make that decision for him- please don’t put all this on you. You don’t deserve that either.”

Cullen’s eyes go wide for a moment, “you’re kinder to me than I deserve, Delphine.”

Del suddenly finds the blanket much more interesting, picking at a loose thread, eyes downcast. “I don’t think that’s the case. I think I’m being fair. Especially considering those books you went out of your way to get me.”

She can’t help but smile a bit as Cullen scratches at the back of his neck. “It was supposed to be an anonymous gift.”

“In a place this small, nothing really stays secret, or at least that’s my experience.”

“Leliana?”

“Maybe…”

He chuckles, “I should have known.”

“Am I allowed to thank you for your thoughtful gift or are you going to shoot that down as well?”

“You’re more stubborn than you lead people to believe,” Cullen sighs.

“Elazar has rubbed off on me in more ways than one.”

Del’s heard drops to her stomach as Cullen’s face falls. “The reason you didn’t want me to speak with the Herald… you knew he would be upset.”

“Yes. Elazar and I have differing views in some ways… and I knew that a templar attacking me- attacking any mage for that matter- would set him off… you didn’t deserve to have him bite your head off about it. There were more important things for you to be worrying about. Now he’s just being an ass about it.” Del tightens the quilt around her shoulders, “I’m hoping Iron Bull will help him work it out of his system. He was going on about hitting things with sticks before they left.”

.

Whatever it was Iron Bull had suggested in the end, it had helped. Elazar and company returned from the Hinterlands in much better spirits than when they left. Del returned to attending War Room meetings with El, and whatever tension had existed before had seemingly vanished into thin air. Along with the fact that there seemed to be even a miniscule amount of good news out of the Hinterlands helped as well. The encampments of rogue templars and apostate mages had been cleared out, watch towers were completed and fully functional and the bandits had been cleared out of the East Road. The Crossroads were now a safe place for the refugees to gather under Inquisition protection, and word was spreading fast.

Josephine and Leliana both reported that word of the Inquisition was spreading and in places it was even being received well. There was still work to do on the public image of the organization but Josie seemed thrilled to get to work tackling that. Delphine did her best to assist. There had been no mention of her returning to assist with the training efforts at any point, so she spent all her days either chained to her desk working in her cabin or meeting with the steady stream of visiting nobles and well-to-do merchants alongside Josie.

Elazar, in better spirits, had returned to his charismatic self. Del thanked that Maker and thanked the newfound companionship in Haven. Varric had been on El’s side since the beginning but Del quickly notices something has changed since their last trip, a stronger mutual sense of trust, maybe? Though sometimes Del thinks it’s just because they have nearly the same sense of humor. There was Bull and the Chargers as well, which was no surprise, and the seemingly honorary member from the Red Jennys. The lot of them had fallen into a routine, spending evenings in the tavern, often drinking themselves into a rowdy mess. It was the perfect recipe for chaos, but Delphine would let that go for now. They had not caused any serious damage. Yet.

Tonight, was one of the rowdier nights Del had sat in on. They had been going on about celebrating, but Del was never quite sure what exactly they had to celebrate. It did not take long for them to drink themselves into a stupor. Considering El was a spindly elf who had never partaken in alcohol before leaving the Circle, it seemed reasonable he was a light weight. Bull on the other hand boasted and bragged as he quickly fell to the drink as well. Del did not envy Krem one bit as he and a few other Chargers made an attempt to peel their captain off the tavern floor and haul him back to his tent. Thought she would not have minded some help with El as she struggled to drag his limp form across Haven.

Del was not petite by any standard. Not as gifted in height as some of her brothers but she was not short. Tonight though, she felt tiny as she pulled along the lanky Elazar and his freakishly long elf legs. She had half a mind to throw his arms over her shoulders and just drag him along behind her, screw his pants and shoes and whatever else wound up covered in dirt.

What Delphine did not expect was to see Cullen descending from one of the makeshift ramparts on the wall, doing his best to stifle a smile. “Is everything all right with the Herald, Delphine?”

“He’s right as rain now, but he may not be feeling that way in the morning, Commander.” Probably because she was about to leave him lying outside in the snow all night.

Cullen chuckles, “had a bit too much fun tonight?”

“Him and Bull both,” Del sighs.

“I see… here, let me help.”

Elazar’s weight is quickly lifted off her shoulders as Cullen hoists the elf up. Del snickers as El’s head crashes against the shoulder plate of Cullen’s armor.

Cullen does not say anything but quirks an eyebrow as he starts off toward their cabin. “Well, he was already going to have a headache in the morning.”

That one earns her another laugh from the Commander, “indeed, he probably will.”

Del holds open the front door as Cullen shuffles in, lugging El in and depositing him ungracefully into his cot.

“Better than a tavern floor.”

“If it had been any of my own friends, I probably would have left them there.” As Delphine leaves against the doorframe, Cullen comes to stand across from her, arms crossed, “give them a dose of reality.”

She shrugs, “one of these days I probably should. But I figure he’s had enough reality recently. It seems the least I can do for him. Even if he’s too damn long.”

“You are a kind friend,” Cullen’s smile looks rather wistful as he glances back at Elazar. “The Herald is lucky to have you.”

“I was lucky he befriended me first.” Del wondered where she’d be right now if he hadn’t been there all those years ago.

“Sounds like there is a story there.”

“Oh, not an exciting one. I simply didn’t have many, if any, friends before Elazar was brought to the Circle.”

Delphine pauses, trying to backtrack ad figure out how taking care of a wasted Elazar had turned into talking about her troubled childhood with Cullen.

“I find that hard to believe,” Cullen frowns.

“I was...” Del worries her bottom lip between her teeth for a moment, trying to find the right words, “I was resented by my fellow mages, early on in my Circle days thanks to my family… I received extremely preferential treatment from the templars in the tower. And I understand why that would have been upsetting to the others.” She probably would have done the same had one of the other apprentices been spoiled the way Delphine had.

Cullen’s frown deepens, “templars are supposed to maintain a distance from their charges in order to keep that from happening.”

“I’m not sure about other Circles but Faxhold didn’t always abide to a strict reading of all the rules, particularly in my case. Between having relatives serving in my Circle and templars trying to curry favor with my family, my life in the Circle was much cushier than that of your average mage.”

“Why didn’t your First Enchanter request a transfer? Or the Knight-Commander?”

Del scoffs, “the Knight-Commander was my uncle, Othar.”

She could not help but relish the surprised look on Cullen’s face for just a moment, “are you related to everyone in Ostwick?”

“Just all the important people.”

Her father was the Bann Trevelyan, her mother was the younger sister of Bann Bowen and Knight-Commander Othar Bowen. Her magic and her family tree were the perfect storm.

“Even if our First Enchanter did manage to get me transferred elsewhere, I challenge you to find a Circle in Thedas that doesn’t have a Trevelyan templar already there.”

Cullen shakes his head, “so, this special attention caused a rift between you and the others?”

“The other apprentices, mostly. We were all young and had recently had all our other freedoms stripped from us. I was an easy target for their rage at the system that had imprisoned them.” Her family was the system that imprisoned them at times. “I simply put up with it until El came around. He tried to get the others to see I was just as trapped as they were… that I hadn’t chosen to be a mage from a powerful family… eventually they came around and we all moved on with our lives.”

“That was that?” Del couldn’t blame Cullen for being surprised. These days it seemed like people had forgotten how to forgive and forget. All Del wanted was to move on, there was no benefit to being stuck in the past.

“El just has that effect on people.”

“I can believe that,” Cullen smiles softly, “well… I should get back to rounds. I will see you at the morning meeting?”

“More rounds? Do you ever sleep, Cullen?”

The blond rubs his neck, “when I must.”

“That’s not healthy, Cullen,” Del pouts, this man was going to work himself into an early grave, “first you skip meals, and now sleep? We need you at your best, you should be taking better care of yourself.”

Cullen sighs, “you sound like Cassandra.”

“Well then I’m most definitely right.”

“She’d be happy to hear you say that,” he chuckles, “if I promise you to get some sleep as soon as I’m done with my rounds will you be satisfied?”

“Satisfied? No. But it will make me worry a little less.” One night would not fix anything, but it was a start.

“Well then you can worry a little less tonight. I promise.”

“Alright.” Del smiles up at him, “goodnight Cullen. And thank you again.”

“Of course. Goodnight Delphine.”

[crystalessenceswrites]

You’re Enchanting--Chapter Four

Summary:  Delphine always told Elazar she would do anything to help him if he was ever in trouble, even knowing his knack for finding it. She didn’t expect to be helping him save the world after someone blows up the Conclave and tears a hole in the sky. Nor did Delphine expect to be falling for anyone, let alone a troubled, former templar, while she’s watching her best friend shape the future of their world with a green glowing hand.

Pairings: Cullen/Trevelyan & Dorian/Lavellan

Warnings: Canon typical violence, a wild Sera appears, and some small disagreements between our beloved advisors

Can be found on AO3

Notes: We’ve passed the 15,000 word mark with this chapter! Thanks for reading! Comments and feedback appreciated!

[Masterlist] [Chapter Three] [Chapter Four] [Chapter Five]

Chapter Four- Starlight

Everyone in their little party was shaken in some way or another as they departed Val Royeaux. The Chantry was denouncing Elazar as a false prophet, and the Inquisition as illegitimate by extension, the Lord Seeker was leading the templars away from the people and Grand Enchanter Fiona was not only alive but had inviting them to Redcliffe. How quickly the world could turn on its head these days.

The unease remained as they arrived at the estate described in the notes. They had made quick work of the guards on their way to the estate’s inner courtyard.

“I don’t like this,” Del whispered to El as they spotted an Orlesian masked man in the center of the courtyard.

Elazar could only shrug as they approached.

“Herald of Andraste! How much did you expend to discover me? It must have weakened the Inquisition immeasurably!”

Delphine shared a disgusted look with her elvish friend as they recognized the self-important drawl in his voice. This must have been the manor’s Lord.

“I don’t know who you are!” Elazar shouted back, obviously unamused at the development.

“You don’t fool me! I’m too important for this to be an accident. My efforts will survive in victories against you elsewhere!”

Varric didn’t even bother to hide his chuckle at the short man’s martyrdom speech.

Elazar looked ready to snap back at the man when one of the guards behind the Lord abruptly collapsed, an arrow stuck in his back. Everyone’s heads whipped towards the flash of red that was suddenly pointing their knocked bow at the Lord.

“Just say “what!”” They threatened.

The Lord was obviously dense, “what is the-”  

And just like that the Lord took an arrow to the face, collapsing to floor. So much for trying to question him.

“Eww!” Delphine studied the archer as she went about collecting her arrow from the Lord’s face. An elf with choppy blonde hair and a large grin that could rival Elazar’s. “Squishy one, but you heard me, right? “Just say ‘what.’” Rich tits always try for more than they deserve. “Blah, blah, blah! Obey me! Arrow in my face!” So, you followed the notes well enough. Glad to see you’re…” the woman looked over Elazar rather obviously, “and you’re an elf. Well. Hope you’re not too elfy. I mean, it’s all good, innit? The important thing is: you glow? You’re the Herald thingy?”

Herald thingy? Del was going to have to start calling El that.

“They say I’m the Herald of Andraste. But who are you, and what’s this about?” Elazar sounded rather diplomatic, was he spending time with Josephine without her knowing?

“No idea. I don’t know this idiot from manners. My people just said the Inquisition should look at him.”

“Your people? Elves?” At least Elazar sounded as confused as Delphine felt.

“Ha! No. People people. Name’s Sera. This is cover,” The blonde grinned, gesturing to a stack of crates, “get 'round it. For the reinforcements. Don’t worry. Someone tipped me their equipment shed. They’ve got no breeches.”

No breeches?

Their attention shot to the gates on the far end of the courtyard as more guards charged in, all missing their breeches. That was not something Del had ever wanted to see.

“Why didn’t you take their weapons?!” Varric shouted at the elven archer as they began to fend off the half-naked men.

“Because breeches!”

.

The fight did not last long when their opposition had such obvious vulnerabilities. It may have also helped that their group consisted of three mages, two archers and a Seeker. Del was not well versed in archery but Sera was skilled, taking down her fair share of the guards. Varric seemed pleased by the development as well.

As the last soldier fell, the elf’s joyous shout filled the courtyard, “right in the plums!”

After what she had seen, Del did not need any more mental images of that. She hoped that this was the last they’d be seeing of men with no breeches, not that the images weren’t already burned into her memory.

“Friends really came through with that tip. No breeches. So Herald of Andraste. You’re a strange one. I’d like to join.”

Elazar quirked an eyebrow, “all I know about you or your group is that I followed a random trail into a trap.”

“What trap?” The blonde scoffed, “you knocked, he crapped. It’s… look, it’s like this. I sent you a note to look for hidden stuff by my friends. The friends of Red Jenny. That’s me. Well, I’m one. So is a fence in Montfort, some woman in Kirkwall. There were three in Starkhaven. Brothers or something. It’s a just a name, yeah? It lets little people, “friends,” be part of something while they stick it to nobles they hate. So here, in your face, I’m Sera. “The Friends of Red Jenny” are sort of out there. I used them to help you. Plus arrows.”

That made some sense, in a very roundabout sort of way. Elazar still looked rather confused. She and Varric would have to explain it again on their trip home.

“The Inquisition is almost an army now. Can you add to it?”

Sera folded her arms, just shy of glaring at Elazar. “Here’s how it is. You “important” people are up here, shoving you cods around, “blah, blah, I’ll crush you!” “I’ll crush you.”” Sera added in some kissing noises, which Del could agree was actually fairly accurate for the squabbles she knew of back in the Free Marches. “Ahem. Then you’ve got generals and oath belchers, and sure, you have soldiers. Like the dead guys protecting that other dead guy. All those helmets, and what gave them up? Some drunk gets a key lifted because someone’s got bills. So no, I’m not a captain swordface, all marchy. But if you don’t listen down here too, you risk your breeches. Like those guards, I stole their… look, do you need people or not? I want to get everything back to normal. Like you?”

Elazar looked back to Del, his eyes wide. It was unlike El to look to her for decision making. He always went with his gut. “You’re the Herald, El.”

“All right, Sera.” Elazar looked back to the rogue, lips pressed together in a thin line, “I can use you and your friends.”

Sera’s grin split across her face, “yes! Get in good before you’re too big to like. That’ll keep your breeches where they should be.”

Del sure hoped so.

“Plus extra breeches, because I have all these… you have merchants who buy that pish, yeah? Got to be worth something. Anyway, Haven. See you there Herald. This will be grand.”

As quickly as she had appeared, Sera sauntered off, humming a tune rather loudly as she did.

“So…ready to go the Duke’s party now?” Varric looked rather smug as Cassandra stood there slack-jawed.

.

“This one is on you.” Elazar leaned over to whisper as Del as the Duke’s staff took their riding cloaks.

“They’re going to want to talk to the Herald, not me,” she hissed back. Although she was the noble-born of their odd pair, this was not close to any situation her tutors had prepared her for. They were both wearing armor and carrying their staffs for heaven’s sake!

El glared back, “I got us Red Jenny, now you get us Madame de Fer.”

She was going to throttle the elf before this incredibly long night was over.

The crier motioned them forward, prepared to announce them to the other guests. Del slipped her arm around Elazar’s as they stepped forward, trying to look somewhat formal as the Herald’s plus one.

“Lord Lavellan and Lady Trevelyan of Ostwick, representing the Inquisition.”

As El openly admired the opulence and finery around them, they were quickly approached by an Orlesian pair.

“A pleasure, ser and lady.” The lord greeted, Del bowed her head back seeing as she wasn’t wearing a dress to curtsey in. “We so rarely have a chance to meet anyone new. It is always the same crowd at these parties. So you must be a guest of Madame de Fer. Or are you here for Duke Bastien?”

“Are you here on business? I have heard the most curious tales of you. I cannot imagine half of them are true.” The woman was just as curious as her counterpart and just as blunt. They did not appear to be all that good at the Game with such straightforward questions.

A toothy grin split across Elazar’s face, “everything you’ve heard? Completely true.”

Maker’s balls Elazar was going to ruin the Inquisition before Cassandra and the others could get it off the ground.

“Better and better,” the lady cooed, “the Inquisition should attend more of these parties.”

“The Inquisition? What a load of pig shit!” Another heavily accented voice cut through the noise of the party. Del quickly spotted another lord descending the stairs to the foyer. “Washed-up sisters and crazed seekers? No one can take them seriously. Everyone knows it’s just an excuse for a bunch of political outcasts to grab power.”

Delphine would not call the Left and Right Hands of the Divine political outcasts, nor would she call Cassandra crazed to her face.

“The Inquisition is working to restore peace and order to Thedas.” Elazar was turning on what charm he could summon in their current company but Del could feel the crackling energy running around him. There was no way this was going to end well.

“Here comes the outsider, restoring peace with an army! We know what your “Inquisition” truly is. If you were a man of honor, you’d step outside and answer the charges.”

This man did realize Elazar was a mage, right? He was so sure of himself that he would challenge a mage to a duel?

Del bit back her retort as the air around them snapped with cold. The lord stilled as his torso was suddenly trapped in ice.

“My dear Marquis, how unkind of you to use such language in my house to my guests. You know such rudeness is… intolerable.”

When Delphine had first heard about Madame de Fer in the Circle she had been amazed. The woman had single-handedly turned the position of court jester into a seat of power. She was an advisor to the Empress of Orlais. Mages could only dream of holding such positions, and the power to exert change. Del had never met the Enchanter but she had imagined someone of great poise and elegance. Vivienne exceeded that image as she approached them.

“Madame Vivienne, I humbly beg your pardon!” The Marquis stuttered, frozen, literally, as the woman of the hour approached.

“You should. Whatever am I going to do with you, my dear?”

It almost sounded as if the Enchanter was enjoying this, though if Del was in her position, maybe she would be enjoying the power too.

Vivienne turned to Elazar, her perfectly shaped eyebrow quirked, “my Lord, you’re the wounded party in this unfortunate affair. What would you have me do with this foolish, foolish man?”

The crackling around El began to melt away as he eyed the Marquis. Del let go of the breath she had been holding, thankful El’s calm nature had returned.

“The Marquis doesn’t interest me. Do whatever you like with him,” he shrugged.

Vivienne tutted, “poor Marquis, issuing challenges and hurling insults like some Ferelden dog lord.” She snapped, releasing the man from her ice spell. “And all dressed up in your Aunt Solange’s doublet. Didn’t she give you that to wear to the Grand Tourney? To think, all the brave chevaliers who will be competing left for Markham this morning… and you’re still here. Were you hoping to sate your damaged pride by defeating the Herald of Andraste in a public duel? Or did you think his sword would end the shame of your failure? Run along, my dear. Do give my regards to your aunt.”

El didn’t do a very good job of hiding his snicker behind a sudden coughing fit.

“I’m delighted you could attend this little gathering I’ve so wanted to meet you.” The Enchanter’s smile was dazzling as she motioned for them to follow her further into the mansion, “allow me to introduce myself. I am Vivienne, First Enchanter of Montsimmand and Enchantress to the Imperial Court.”

Del and El both smiled back as they reached a secluded hallway overlooking the grand estate.

“Is that Marquis going to pose a problem?” Del was not an expert on Orlesian politics, but she knew that pissing off one lord or lady could cause a tidal wave of problems down the road.

“His aunt is the Vicomtess of Mont-de-Glace. Not a powerful family but well-respected…and a very devout. Alphonse will be disowned for this. It’s not the first time he’s brought his aunt disgrace, but I’m sure it will be the last. And after such a public humiliation, I expect he’ll run off to the Dales to join the Empress’s war effort. Either to make a good end or win back a modicum of self-respect.”

Maybe this would be alright for them after all. Josephine wouldn’t lose her head at least.

“But I didn’t invite you to the chateau for pleasantries.”

Those were the pleasantries?

“With Divine Justinia dead, the Chantry is in shambles. Only the Inquisition might restore sanity and order to our frightened people. As the leader of the last loyal mages of Thedas, I feel it only right that I lend my assistance to your cause.”

Delphine wished El would at least not look so dour at her proposition. Even if Elazar wanted to approach his fellow rebels for help, having the loyal mages on their side, at least in name was nothing to sneeze at.

“And you interest in the Inquisition, Madame de Fer, is it personal or professional?”

Del suppressed a groan. He had wanted her to lead this, so why was he trying to be antagonistic now?

“Aren’t you charming? It’s professional, of course.” At least Vivienne wasn’t offended.

“You say you led the last of the loyal mages. Loyal to whom?” Elazar pressed.

To reach the heights Vivienne had achieved as a Circle mage, she had beyond mastered The Game, and it showed. Not a muscle twitched. Not a speck of untoward emotion behind her eyes. If Vivienne was not pleased with Elazar’s questioning, she did not let it show.

“To the people of Thedas, of course. We have not forgotten the commandment, as some have, that magic exists to serve man. I support any effort to restore such order.”

Elazar tensed at the intentional dig. This was not going in a direction that would benefit them. Del dug her nails into El’s arm, her silent plea for him to take a breath and think about their situation.

“And what do you get from this, Madame? You would only seek out the Inquisition if it was to your benefit.”

Vivienne’s eyes sparkled beneath her ornate mask at Delphine’s question, “you’re quite right darling. I would get the same thing anyone else gets by fighting this chaos: the chance to meet my enemy, to decide my fate. I won’t wait quietly for destruction.”

Her words echoed a speech Delphine remembered vividly, one that had sent chills down her spine and sent her mind reeling at the events that would overtake their usually quiet lives. They may be on separate sides of this war but they all understood the sentiments behind one’s desire for choice.

Del nudged Elazar, causing the surprised expression to slip off his features. She knew he understood that despite their differences they needed the Enchanter’s support. “The Inquisition will be happy to have you, Lady Vivienne.”

A delicate smile grew on the poised woman’s lips, “great things are beginning, my dear. I can promise you that.”

.

Delphine finally understood why Elazar had been moving nonstop since the Conclave. It was not so much a sense of urgency but it was to keep the dread at bay. As they returned to Haven Delphine felt the sorrow and melancholy return. It had been gnawing at her since the explosion but traveling with the others seemed to keep it at arm’s length, their banter enough to occupy her mind with distractions. Haven did not seem to afford her the same luxury anymore. People were still pouring into Haven, seeking answers, or searching out their friends and families. The wails haunted Del as families learned their loved ones were not among the handful of survivors. That could have easily been her, tear-stained face cursing the Maker for allowing such a tragedy. On the nights she couldn’t sleep it almost was her.

Her sudden mood swing must have been written plainly on her face. El linked his arm with hers, his warmth and less-than-subtle calming aura spell soothing away some of the darkness that had fallen upon their arrival.

In his eternal quest to be cheery, Elazar waved to Cullen and his lieutenants as they departed the makeshift stables. The Commander nodded back in greeting his expression rather stoic as he watched them stroll into the village, Del and El still linked at the elbow.

Josephine greeted them with a restrained smile when they arrived at the chapel. “It’s good you’ve returned. We heard of your encounter.”

“You heard?”

Del wasn’t sure why Cassandra was surprised. They knew Leliana had people in Val Royeaux.

“My agents in the city sent word ahead, of course.”

Cullen strolled in behind them, brow furrowed, “it’s a shame the Templars have abandoned their sense as well as the Capital.”

“At least we know how to approach the mages and templars now.” El shrugged, though Del knew he was anything but apathetic about the situation.

“Do we?” Cassandra countered, “Lord Seeker Lucius is not the man I remember.”

Leliana nods, “true. He has taken the Order somewhere, but to do what, my reports have been…very odd.”

“We must look into it, I’m certain not everyone in the Order will support the Lord Seeker.” Cullen may no longer be a templar but he obviously still held a strong faith in the Order.

“Or the Herald could simply go meet the mages in Redcliffe, instead,” Josephine offered.

After meeting the Lord Seeker Del was more willing to work with Fiona, though Del wasn’t sure if El felt the same way. He appeared to have become rather disillusioned with the Grand Enchanter, and mage authorities in general.

“You think the mage rebellion is more united? It could be ten times worse.”

Cullen obviously hadn’t heard the Lord Seekers' opinions- she hoped that was the case, that he would be much more up in arms if he had- to believe approaching that man would lead to anything productive.

“I could at least find out what the mages want.” El shot back, obviously not fond of Cullen’s insinuations either.

“No doubt what they’ve always wanted. Support for their cause.”

“We shouldn’t discount Redcliffe, the mages might be worth the risk.” Josephine, ever the ambassador, was not one to share her opinion on the Mage-Templar war, and Del had never thought to ask.

Cassandra almost sounded disdainful, “they are powerful, ambassador, but more desperate than you realize.”

El scoffed, “so it will be dangerous. I’ve been in danger since I walked out of the Fade.”

Del looked to Elazar, wide-eyed. Did he really feel that unsafe?

“If some among the rebel mages were responsible for what happened at the Conclave…”

“The same could be said about the templars.”

It appeared the Inquisition was just as split and heated about the topic as the rest of Thedas.

“True enough.” Cullen cut in, glowering a bit at his advisors. “Right now I’m not sure we have enough influence to approach either side safety.”

Heads seemed to cool at that. There was no point fighting about who to ally with when neither would actually speak with them.

“Then the Inquisition needs agents in more places. That’s something you can help with.” Cassandra looked pointedly at Elazar, as if he had not just brought Red Jenny and Madame de Fer into the Inquisition during their trip to Val Royeaux.

Josephine nods, “in the meantime, we should consider other options.”

The group agrees and disperses, all in varied levels of frustration. This was more of what Delphine pictured when she arrived; hot tempers, gridlock, and frustration.

Leliana lingered, fiddling with her gloves. El quirked an eyebrow at the spymaster.

“There is one other matter. Several months ago the Grey Wardens of Ferelden vanished. I sent word to those in Orlais, but they have also disappeared. Ordinarily I wouldn’t even consider the idea they’re involved in all this, but the timing is…curious.”

The Grey Wardens? They were heroes, especially after all that had happened in the last blight. Delphine prayed to the Maker they weren’t all wrapped up in this too.

“That does sound odd.”

Elazar nods “I agree.”

“The others have disregarded my suspicions. But I cannot ignore it. Two days ago, my agents in the Hinterlands heard news of a Grey Warden by the name of Blackwall. If you have the opportunity please seek him out. Perhaps he can put my mind at ease.”

Delphine hated to be negative towards the idea, but she doubted that one Warden could solve the mystery around their disappearance. “And if he can’t?”

“Then there may be more going on than we thought.”

Elazar and Delphine shared a concerned look. Mages, Templars, and now the Grey Wardens. Was anything in their world right anymore?

[crystalessenceswrites]

You’re Enchanting--Chapter Five

Pairings: Cullen/Trevelyan & Dorian/Lavellan

Warnings: Brief, angsty discussion on mage-templar relations

Can also be read on AO3

[Masterlist] [Chapter Four] [Chapter Five] [Chapter Six]

Chapter Five- Chilled

“Do you think the Commander is handsome?”

Delphine knew Elazar was not always one to filter his thoughts before they came out of his mouth. Not all his comments or questions made sense in the moment, or even related to the conversation they were having in any way. She was rather used to it and always tried to take it in stride. This one, however, was a bit more out of the blue than usual. Delphine was in the middle of writing a letter to her parents, at Josephine’s behest, while he was lounging on his bed mending some tears in his leather coat, as the candlelight dwindled down. El had seemed rather ticked at the ex-templar after their conversation the day before. He had not come down to the training grounds to help or watch as Delphine continued on assisting Cullen with the new recruits today either.

She shrugged, trying to focus more on remaining cordial in her letter than thinking about the Commander.

“Do you?” Cullen didn’t really strike Delphine as Elazar’s type, physically or personality-wise, on top of his templar history.

“You’re dodging the question.”

She set down her quill, turning to face her fellow mage, “now you are too.”

“Touché.”

Del rolled her eyes.

“Answer the question.”

“I’d say yes. He’s much better looking than any other Ferelden I’ve met.”

The blank stare Elazar gave back was cue enough that her answer didn’t please him. “And you?”

“Oh, I think he’s very handsome.” Elazar grinned, “not my type- too rugged- but still handsome.”

“Rugged isn’t really the word I’d use to describe Cullen. He spends too much time on his hair.” Not in a bad way, Delphine though his hairstyle suited him, and according to Varric this was a vast improvement from what is was like when he was a templar in Kirkwall.

“The lip scar and the stubble say otherwise.”

Well, he had a point there.

Elazar smirked as Delphine struggled to find a retort.

Seeing Elazar grinning ear to ear as he sat crossed-legged on his cot was a sight Delphine hadn’t seen since Ostwick- something she hadn’t realized they were missing until now. It was small moments like this or hair braiding that had vanished into thin air the moment the Conclave went up in smoke. Her heart ached when she though about all the nights they’d done the exact same thing as apprentices, huddled up in the library, pretending to study, or sneaking into each other’s rooms late at night. Del longed for those simpler days when the worst thing to worry about was how grouchy the templars were going to be or if the senior enchanters would scold them for slacking off during training. If they had known then, what was coming for them and their world, maybe they could have savored it all a little more.

 .

“Ah, Delphine, would you mind helping me for a moment?”

Eyebrow quirked, Del approached the Spymaster. Leliana didn’t usually need her for anything. She had no skill set that could be useful to Leliana’s team. “What can I do for you?”

“No need to be so skeptical- it’s just a favor.” The redhead motioned to a basket sitting on her workbench. “Cassandra has informed me that our Commander has made a habit of regularly skipping meals.”

That didn’t surprise Del much, he did seem a bit of a workaholic.

“I’ve discovered he’s done so today with lunch. Would you be so kind as to deliver this to him and ensure that he eats it?”

Del couldn’t help but laugh a little, Leliana was practically asking her to babysit the Commander so he wouldn’t accidentally starve himself.

“I will see what I can do, but I make no promises, Leliana. I am not a miracle worker like Elazar.”

“That may be true, but I have faith you can be persistent enough when you need to be.”

She had a point. So, Delphine wandered down to the training grounds, basket slung over one arm, in search of Cullen.

“Going on a picnic?” Del nearly jumped out of her skin as Joshua snuck up behind her.

“Maker!” She pushed the lieutenant away, glaring. “Don’t do that!”

“What a jumpy mage,” he laughed.

“Well you’re lucky this jumpy mage’s first instinct isn’t to attack when startled.” Maybe next time he tried she’d zap him. Lightly.

“I’ll keep that in mind. Now, what are you doing?”

“Looking for your Commander. Where has he run off to?” She had yet to spot his blond mop among the recruits.

“Why? So you can invite him to a picnic?”

“Lord, why are you focused on that? No, I’m delivering this for Leliana.” It was uncanny how the lieutenant could get on her nerves as quickly as Elazar could. Were they in cahoots?

“You’re an errand mage now?”

She really wanted to zap him. “For your information, I’m an enchanter.”

“So… an errand enchanter?”

“Oh for heaven’s sake, Lieutenant, where is your Commander?”

“In his tent, working on correspondence, I believe.”

“Lovely. Have a horrible rest of your day, Lieutenant.”

“What? No thank you?”

Delphine flipped him off as she walked away.

 .

There was not proper etiquette on how to “knock” when arriving at a tent, at least none that Delphine was aware of. “Delivery for the Commander,” Del announced as she ducked into the tent, praying to the Maker he wasn’t indisposed at the moment.

Cullen looked up from his papers, looking more than a bit surprised at her entrance. “A delivery?”

“Well, a delivery and some orders.” Noting an extra chair in the corner, Del pulled the seat up to his desk with a smile.

“Should I be concerned, Delphine?”

“I wouldn’t say so. But then, I am also not the one who needs to be reminded to eat.” She placed the basket in front of him. “Leliana has asked me to ensure you eat. We cannot have our Commander suffering from starvation, Cullen.”

Delphine was almost amused by how frustrated he was at all this. Cullen ran a gloved hand over his face, sighing.

“You really all needn’t worry so much.”

“I think we all worry about the right amount.” She countered, “so, I will not be leaving until you eat.”

“Delphine-”

“Don’t argue with me, Cullen. You can afford to take a lunch break. The world will not fall to pieces if you do.”

Finally, the man surrendered, arms up, Cullen leaned back in his chair, “you win. I’ll eat.”

With a grin Delphine went about unpacking the basket; it was nothing fancy; bread, a few slices of cheese, some variety of dried meat, a handful of berries, and a flask.

“You really don’t have to stay.” He said, uncorking the flask and giving it a curious sniff. “I’m sure you have better things to do.”

“Not really.” Del felt bad admitting it, like she wasn’t pulling her weight compared to other Inquisition members. “Elazar left this morning, Harritt doesn’t need me in the forges and you didn’t need me for training today…” These were the days that were unbearably long.

Cullen chuckled, “so, Leliana decided to have you babysit me instead?”

“it would appear so.” Not that it was a new task to her. Del had four stubborn brothers and one occasionally forgetful best friend.

“And you appear rather adept at it.”

It was Delphine’s turn to laugh, “I have four brothers who are all more hard-headed than you.”

“Four brothers? I didn’t realize.” Some of the tension seemed to melt from his shoulders as he started at his lunch. It was good to see the man knew how to relax a little bit. “All younger?”

“No, I’m the second youngest.”

“Really? You sounded like my older sister there for a few moments, I would have figured you for the oldest.”

That wasn’t the first time someone had assumed that. “I believe that’s just a concerned sister trait.”

Cullen chuckled, “you may be right.”

Delphine had a hard time imagining a young Cullen, let alone a young Cullen getting nagged at by an older sister.

“Where are your brothers now?” He seemed to hesitate on the question as if asking about her family was a step too far.

Delphine considered herself a rather open book, in regards to her family anyways. In high society, all parts of your life and family were public knowledge so she hadn’t been able to grow up hiding from it anyways.

“Well, my oldest brother Oweyn is married and lives in Ostwick. He’s going to be the next Bann after all.” Del rolled her eyes simply at the memory of her brother, he had been born with stick up his ass. “Ralf is number two, he’s a templar in Orlais-” Cullen’s eyes grew bright with that little tidbit, she could almost see the questions swirling around in his head- “though I don’t know if he still is after all this. I’m hoping he went back home but I haven’t heard anything yet. Bertrant is third in line, he’s a cleric, last I heard at the Grand Cathedral. I’m sure he’s feeling very important now that there’s no one above him.”

“Sounds oddly familiar,” Cullen smirks.

Maybe that’s why she wasn’t fond of the Chancellor, he reminded her of Bertrant. Del can’t help but giggle at the comparison. “It really does.”

“So, if Bertrant is third that makes you number four.”

Del nods, “yes, they finally got a girl the fourth time around.” And a mage. “Lastly, the baby is my brother Folcard. He’s still in Ostwick with my parents. I believe they were trying to arrange an advantageous marriage for him- not that he cares. He’s barely sixteen.” Not to mention Del’s parents spoiled him beyond belief.

“Sixteen? He’s quite a bit younger than you.”

“Are you calling me old Commander?”

Del meant it all in good fun, she wasn’t actually insulted by the insinuation-she and Folcard were roughly nine years apart-but Cullen apparently couldn’t read her sarcasm because he turned into a blushing, stuttering mess right quick.

“Maker, that’s not what I meant at all! I’m sorry-”

Del nearly doubled over laughing, normally she was the one being teased, not the other way around. “You don’t need to apologize, Cullen. I know you weren’t calling me old. I was just teasing.”

His mouth dropped into a wide “o” as the panic faded.

“Plus, if I’m old what does that make you?” Delphine wasn’t actually sure how old the blond was but she assumed he had at least a few years on her.

The “o” turned into a frown, “am I getting old?”

Maker, she’d sent him into an existential crisis.

“Well I can tell you that you don’t look it, Commander.”

Elazar did have a point; the man was handsome.

Wait, was she flirting with him?

Cullen cleared his throat, looking anywhere but at Delphine. She wondered if she should leave him to finish eating in peace, without her sudden teasing.

“You-you said came from the circle in Ostwick, correct? You’ve traveled some distance to reach Haven.”

Relaxing back into her seat, Del nods. “I spent a better part of my life there. It feels… strange to be so far away.” Even if she felt no particular draw to return.

“It does, at times. I’m still getting used to it myself. It’s been… interesting.”

Interesting was a strange way to put it. Delphine had read Varric’s book. She had heard about what happened in Kirkwall. Del thought maybe he’d be happy to have left that all behind.

“I’m sorry. The Circle isn’t the most pleasant topic of conversation right now, or ever. Shall we speak of something else?”

He was not wrong. It did make it difficult when she had so many questions that pertained to their lives in the circles.

“Well… I-I would like to know your opinion on a related topic. If that is alright for me to ask it.”

Del takes the fact that he does not deny her the question as a start, though he does not look all that please when he nods.

“I have lived around templars for the entirety of my life- even before I was sent to the circle- but I still don’t understand why the templars would break away from the Chantry.” She had heard relatives complain before, particularly the older ones who had retired from the Order only to face an onslaught of health issues in later years, but they never voiced such a negative opinion or ever advocated for the separation.

“The Order believes the Chantry no longer supports their efforts. Not to the extent they should.” Cullen’s voice was flat, lips pressed into a thin line.

“But the templars have served the Chantry for ages… I don’t understand how they can just leave.”

“You left your Circle when you no longer agreed with those around you. Correct?”

It was not an accusation, there was no malice behind his eyes but it did still feel like a jab to the gut. “I did…”

“In the time the Order has served the Chantry, they have come to take the Order for granted. Templar’s risk their lives against blood magic, demons, abominations- to feel as if these efforts are dismissed… I may disagree with their actions-that I’m here is proof of that- but I sympathize with their frustrations.”

Dismissed. Forgotten. Taken advantage of. Delphine could understand even if she did not necessarily feel compassion for those out hunting mages now.

“I see. I guess I had not thought of it that way.” It still did not offer an answer as to why they were following the Lord Seeker, but it was a start.

“Our sides do not have a good history of understanding each other.” Cullen leans back, hands clasped together in his lap. “Though I have to say you’re the first mage I’ve met with such sympathy for templars. I can’t imagine many in your place trying to understand them, not now at least.”

Delphine tried to ignore the warmth that spread over her face, instead focusing on wringing her hands together beneath her long sleeves. “I would like to say that it’s some inherent selflessness, that I’m truly sympathetic… but I’m really not. I’m selfish. I feel the way I do because of my family, because of Ralf. In truth, I have just as many grievances with the Order and with the Circles and the treatment of mages as Elazar and the rebels do… but I can’t hate templars because I can not hate my brother or any of my other family members who have served. It’s why I couldn’t find it in myself to rebel with the others but why I couldn’t stay either…” Her indecision made her a coward.

“Delphine.” She nearly melted as her eyes met his. The soft expression gracing his features was not one she had imagined on him before. Maker did it suit him. The harsh worry lines above his brow melted away as his eyes sparkled with some emotion Delphine could not put her finger on. “It is not selfish to think of-to care for your family. To think of your brother is only natural.”

“I…” her gaze fell back to her lap, “thank you, Cullen.”

“I’m not sure if I deserve your thanks…” Del’s gaze flickered back to the Cullen as the creases on his brow returned rather quickly, “I have treated mages with distrust- at times without cause. It was unworthy of me. I work to not do so here… but that does not negate what I have done in the past.”

He felt guilt over an attitude that had most likely been instilled in him by the Order and by the Chantry, something that was not entirely his fault.

“Just because you have a past does not mean I cannot thank you for saying something kind.”

 .

Delphine took it upon herself to continue checking in on Cullen around midday to ensure he was eating properly. It seemed like the least she could do with all that the man had on his plate. He always greeted her with a smile, even on the days he didn’t seem quite himself. Del wondered if it was the stress eating away that made him seem so gaunt and pale or if there was something more going on. She couldn’t bring herself to ask though, seeing how far he went to ignore it.

On the days he had more pep about him, she would sit with Cullen while he ate, talking about everything and anything that was of little importance. It was an unspoken agreement. They did not delve any deeper into the obvious hurts that lingered beneath the surface. No more talk of Circles and the Order, though Cullen did admit he was curious about how Elazar had come to be a circle mage. Delphine relayed his story to Cullen, glossing over some of the hardships El had faced adjusting to life cooped up in the tower and the deep-seated hatred the elf bore towards templars. Delphine was more than happy to talk about their long-standing friendship, how he was the reason she had been on her way to the Conclave.

After their lunches, Del would spend the afternoons assisting with training. Not only were the recruits looking better but Del was feeling much more confident in her abilities, adding flourishes where she could and refining her mana usage when possible. There was something about it that almost felt natural, an instinct on how to manipulate the veil around her this way. She did her best to hide her pride in her new skill set from those around her.

It did however give her plenty to talk about with Vivienne when she finally arrived in Haven. Del quickly found herself spending her mornings with Vivienne and Josephine and her afternoons with Cullen and his troops. It proved to be a bit of shock, jumping back and forth between the Ambassador and the Commander every day but it kept Del occupied enough that she wasn’t constantly worrying about Elazar, off in the Hinterlands doing who knows what.

Josephine had been called away one morning while the three of them had been chatting over tea.

“I did not expect to find mages among the Inquisition,” Vivienne noted as she swirled her teacup in one hand.

“I did not either,” Delphine admitted, picking at a loose thread on her skirt. “Before I knew Elazar was here, I half expected to be turned away when they realized what I am.”

Vivienne quirked one perfectly shaped eyebrow, “you were not at the Conclave then?”

“I was not.” Del thanked the Maker for that in most of her prayers now. “I was on my way when the explosion occurred.”

“I thought the Ostwick leadership was attending the talks as a neutral party, to help facilitate the discussions.”

She was correct, the Ostwick delegation had attended in an attempt to bring both parties to a middle ground. Had Del remained at the tower she would have gone with them. She would have died with them.

“They did. I was…with family when the missive on the Conclave arrived so I did not attend with them.”

The ice mage nods, looking at Del rather thoughtfully. She could only imagine what went on in Vivienne’s head, with all she knew about The Game and the Circles.

“I gather that the Herald was there with the rebel party. Where do you stand on all this?”

That was the question these days, wasn’t it? Delphine was not a rebel. She had Elazar had discussed it a length and although she agreed with some of their thoughts on the templars she did not agree to their violence. Delphine was also not a loyalist. As she had told Cullen, she did have qualms with the system as it currently existed. There was a need for change but Del could not see the current Chantry authority ever moving to do so. She had wondered often these past few weeks if there was a side for people like her.

“I believe this war benefits no one. There is unnecessary and cruel bloodshed on both sides. It must end and some sense of order returned so we can address the more looming threat.” Del believed Josephine would be proud of her tactful answer.

Vivienne sighs, “if only the rebels saw things so clearly. Justinia’s death has shattered the balance of power in Thedas. If it is not restored quickly, countless lives will be lost. Mages, templars, innocent people of all kinds now look to the Inquisition to decide their fate.”

It took more self-control than Del would want to admit to keep from frowning at Vivienne’s sentiments. It was not just the rebels perpetuating the violence. The rebels and the apostates were being hunted for just trying to survive outside the confines of the Chantry.

“That’s why you wanted to be here: to have a hand in deciding that fate?”

“Isn’t that why you’re here, Delphine?”

[crystalessenceswrites]

You’re Enchanting- Preview

It’s Wednesday so I figured a little preview for chapter seven was in order and I just needed to get some of the angst off my chest and into the world

.

“What’s with the basket?”

“Uh, well, Leliana flipped the script. She sent me with food this time.” Del tries to ignore the way he can’t look her in the eye as he explains his rather sudden appearance.

Their Spymaster was up to something today. It was not as if Del had been skipping meals recently. She was sure Cullen still probably took the top of the list in that department.

“But- I’m sure you have more important things to do.” Like train soldiers or draw up battle plans or even calibrate the trebuchets.

“Well, I thought… I wanted to apologize for what happened. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have been injured…”

Del’s gaze narrows as she folds her arms tight across her chest, “can you read minds?”

The man in her doorway goes wide eyed, “what? No, what are you asking?”

“If you can’t read minds then you couldn’t have known.”

“There’s more to it than that, Delphine. I should have seen it- should have seen myself in him.”

She sighs, gesturing for the blond to come in and take a seat at her desk. It seemed he was just a stubborn as Elazar about this and this debate would not be over anytime soon. Cullen takes a seat, briefly glancing over the correspondence she’d left out and notes from the books he had given her. Del grabs a quilt and curls up where the end of her bed meets the desk, watching as he silently unpacks the basket lunch. She wordlessly accepts the food he pushes towards her. This seems to satisfy him as he leans back in the chair, smile growing just a bit.

“You’re not all knowing-” Del can’t help but break the silent peace- “and you have an army to worry about. You can’t watch each soldier individually.”

Cullen shakes his head, “doesn’t mean I couldn’t have seen what was right in front of my face. I should have recognized it in him- myself in him. If I had been truly worried about your safety, I would have looked closer, never trusted him with you. I’m sorry. Truly sorry. You are supposed to be safe here, all mages here are, and I’ve failed you. There’s no excuse for that.”

Up until Rosche had attacked her Delphine had always felt safe in Haven. The first time she had met Cullen he had been breaking up a fight between templar and mages, which might not have been all that reassuring then, but after coming to know him and the other advisors Delphine had never been worried. She was not sure that she was worried now. Shaken? Yes. Scared? No.

“You keep saying you should have seen yourself in him…”

A long sigh escapes him as Cullen scrubs a gloved hand across his face. “I’m not proud of who I was before. The way I treated mages, the hate I held towards them, the same hate Rosche held towards you. So completely unjustified. It’s why I left the templars, to do better here. Letting Rosche go unchecked, letting him hurt you… that’s not doing better.”

Wasn’t it enough that he realized his mistakes? That he was making an effort to change? He had helped her and never made her feel unsafe or unwanted. They were able to have civil conversations about the Circles. That was more than she could say for most former-templars.

Del can feel his eyes on her as sits for a moment, wrapping her head around what she wanted to say. “You didn’t let him hurt me.”

[crystalessenceswrites]

You’re Enchanting Playlist

I’ve seen lots of character songs and playlists floating around my dash recently, it’s gotten me thinking about the music I associate with Elazar and Delphine. I don’t have a full playlist for either but combined there's a fairly decent playlist for You’re Enchanting. 

Delphine Dandelion (Kacey Musgraves) I Am (cover- Natalie Weiss and Loren Allred) Happy & Sad (Kacey Musgraves)

Delphine & Cullen Say It Now (Derek Hough) Silver Lining (Haley Gene Penner) What I Never Knew I Always Wanted (Carrie Underwood)

Elazar Caterpillar (Mountains of the Moon) Far From Home (the Raven) (Sam Tinnesz) Got It In You (BANNERS acoustic) 

Elazar & Dorian  The Love We Stole (Bear’s Den) End Up With You (Carrie Underwood) Running After You (Matthew Mole)

Bonus: Elazar @ overbearing chantry mothers and nosy nobles- Step Off 

[crystalessenceswrites]

You’re Enchanting--Chapter Nine

Pairings: Cullen/Trevelyan & Dorian/Lavellan Warnings: kinda angsty, Iron Bull being crude, more plot points! A/N: Little longer update  than normal, not sure where that came from...

[DA Masterlist] [Chapter Eight] [Chapter Nine] [Chapter Ten]

Chapter Nine- Whispers

Elazar had always known how to push Del’s buttons. Like he had an odd sixth sense or something of the sort considering he was already quite adept at it when they first met. It was not always to get a rise out of her, he knew where that line was, but now Del was sure he was actively trying to piss her off.

“You are not going into that castle alone!”

“You’re right, I’m not,” El’s grin never falters as he continues to pack away his armor for the journey to Redcliffe, “Bull, Cassandra and Varric are going with me. Dorian will be there too.”

Del was so tempted to slap the elf over the side of his head. “You know that’s not what I mean, Elazar.” He pauses at his full name falling from her lips, shoulders wound tight, “I will not just let you leave me here while you stare down a magister who invented fucking time magic!”

“Del-”

“No! Don’t do that. I stayed to help you, El. Don’t shut me out because you’re worried this is dangerous.”

“It is dangerous!” He snaps back.

Del throws her hands up, beyond tired of how stubborn her best friend could be. “Our entire existence is dangerous! You are more than happy to continue reminding me of that! So don’t go picking and choosing now, El.”

He softens, face falling. “I just… I can’t lose anyone else Del…”

“You’re not going to lose me, El,” she reaches out, holding his hands gently in her own, “and this is my way of making sure I don’t lose you.”

Neither of them could bare to face anymore loss. They had lost their friends from the Circle to the explosion, the only people they had ever known before they left the tower. Del had lost her uncle as well, and while their relationship may have been strained, he was still blood and had been there when her parents could not. El had lost his own family, his clan, long before now but it haunted him now more than ever. Every time someone called him the Herald of Andraste Del could see the pain in his eyes. He was losing himself, his people’s faith and history bit by bit. That was a pain she could not imagine. Del knew if she lost El, she would have nothing left. She could imagine he felt the same about losing her. That was all the more reason for her to go. To be there. To stand by his side. They were stronger together.

Squeezing her hands, a small smile quirks at his lips, “I think we’ve both forgotten how stubborn we are.”

“Maybe we have.”

“Then I should know better than to fight with you over this.”

Del grins, “you should.”

“Then I will not.” Shaking his head, El tugs her close, wrapping her up in his spindly embrace. “I worry, Del.”

“And I worry about you every day.”

El scoffs, “I’m not that bad.”

“Keep telling yourself that, maybe one day it will come true.” Tightening her grip on his shirt, Del presses her forehead to his, “you promise me you’ll be careful too. I’m not the only one who needs you alive, El.”

“I promise.”

.

Redcliffe Castle is dismal. Only a handful of torches and sconces are lit, there are no servants hustling about, just Tevinter guards in masks and hoods. Like the village, something seems to slither in the shadowed corners. Del can imagine the keep is warm and inviting when properly occupied. The grand fireplace in the back is enormous and a beautiful piece of stonework. Furs and art line the walls in true Fereldan fashion in a way that would make it almost cozy if it weren’t for the magister in the center of it all.

The guards are stalk still as they approach. Neither flinch at El’s pointed glare.

“Announce us.”

A servant approaches, he looks Fereldan. “The magister’s invitation was for Lord Lavellan alone. The rest will wait here.”

El rolls his eyes, “where I go, they go.”

The two stare each other down for a moment. They were already in the castle, in reality there wasn’t much one man could do to stop them from entering the throne room with El. Even more so when you factored in the qunari mercenary standing only paces behind El. The servant relents, shrugging and leading their crew to Alexius, where he is spread out on Tegan’s throne like a Fereldan king.

“My Lord Magister, the agents of the Inquisition have arrived.”

Alexius can only hide so much of his displeasure, but he stands to greet them anyways. “My friend! It’s so good to see you again. And your associates, of course. I’m sure we can work out some arrangement that is equitable to all parties.” A bold-faced lie he delivers with confidence.

Fiona must have been alerted to the proceedings, she slips into the throne room with the same confusion and frustration etched onto her face as when they last saw her. “Are we mages to have no voice in deciding out fate?”

A cruel part of Del wants to tell her that is what happens when she goes around indenturing the rebellion to a magister. She bites her tongue, remaining neutral as she hovers at El’s side.

“Fiona, you would not have turned your followers over to my care if you did not trust me with their lives,” Alexius chides, looking down his nose at the former grand enchanter.

“If the Grand Enchanter wants to be part of these talks, then I welcome her as a guest of the Inquisition.”

Points to El for finding a convenient work around on the fly to throw in Alexius’s face.

Fiona nods, “thank you.”

Pleasantries completed, Alexius stares down at them from his dais, Felix silent at his side. “The Inquisition needs mages to close the Breach, and I have them. So, what shall you offer in exchange?”

El shakes his head, “I’d much rather discuss your time magic.”

To his credit Alexius manages to keep a straight face, but he cannot stop himself from going stark white. “I’m afraid I have no idea what you mean.”

Felix is the first to cave. “He knows everything, Father.”

“Felix, what have you done?”

“You son is concerned that you’re involved in something terrible.” El can try to appeal to the magister all he wanted, Del was positive it would get them nowhere.

“So speaks the thief. Do you think you can turn my son against me?” Alexius no longer bothers to hide his disdain. Face drawn he looks as if he was going to spit on their attempt to right his machinations. “You walk into my stronghold with your stolen mark- a gift you don’t even understand- and you think you’re in control? You’re nothing but a mistake.”

Gift? That mark nearly killed Elazar after the explosion, or for all they knew could be slowly killing him now. This man saw it as a gift? Sparks dance across Del’s palms at the thought.

“If I’m a mistake, what exactly was the Breach supposed to accomplish?”

“It was to be a triumphant moment for the Elder One, for this world!”

Felix takes a hesitant step towards Alexius, “Father, listen to yourself! Do you know what you sound like?”

Like a raving mad cultist, set on ripping the world to shreds for someone calling themselves the Elder One.

“He sounds exactly like the sort of villainous cliché everyone excepts us to be.” Dorian appears from his hiding spot. Del hopes that means all the agents made it through the passage safely and this would all be over quickly.

“Dorian,” Alexius shakes his head, “I gave you a chance to be a part of this. You turned me down. The Elder One has power you would not believe. He will raise the Imperium from its own ashes. He will make the world bow to mages once more. We will rule from the Boeric Ocean to the Frozen Seas.”

Fiona finally jumps in, her frustrations transformed into anger. “You can’t involve my people in this!”

Del knew El would die before he let that happen. That would not be the fate of the rebel mages if he had anything to say on the matter.

“Alexius, this is exactly what you and I talked about never wanting to happen! Why would you support this?” Dorian continues to push, trying to reach out to the mentor he once knew.

Felix pleads as well, sorrow etched across his face. “Stop it, Father. Give up the Venatori. Let the southern mages close the Breach, and let’s go home.”

“No!” The magister snaps, “it’s the only way, Felix. He can save you!”

“Save me?”

“There is a way. The Elder One promised. If I undo the mistake at the Temple…” Alexius curls in on himself, pleading with Felix.

“I’m going to die. You need to accept that.”

Alexius shakes his head. No parent ever wants to believe their child is going to die. Turning back to the hall, Alexius shouts for the guards, “seize them, Venatori! The Elder One demands this man’s life!”

Del tenses, hand grasping for her staff, but no attack comes. The venatori guards all drop, lifeless bodies scattered around the hall. Leliana’s people were better than they got credit for.

El is smug as he turns back to the magister, “your men are dead Alexius.”

Face darkened, Alexius steps forward, hand raised. “You are a mistake! You never should have existed!”

Chaos breaks out, everyone moving at once. Alexius activates an amulet in his palm. Dorian and El rush forward at the same moment with a shout. With a wide swing Dorian casts a counter spell that knocks square into Alexius but the damage has already been done. With a dizzying flash a twisted rift opens, swallowing Dorian and El before snapping shut, leaving empty space where the two stood not even a moment prior.

“NO!” Del’s scream is bone chilling. Heart pounding in her ears she goes to rush the magister, ignoring shouts from Cassandra and Varric. She does not get far, one thick arm wraped around her waist, pinning her back against Iron Bull. All she wants to do is rip that satisfied smirk off the magister’s face. Why won’t they let her? He took El away from her! Why won’t they let her?

Before anyone moves again another wave of magic crackles through the room, another tear opening steps from where El and Dorian stood moments before, dropping the two mages next to Felix.

“You’ll have to do better than that.”

Alexius falls to his knees, a quick turn around from his smug demeanor mere seconds ago.

“Put aside all claim to Redcliffe, and we let you live,” El’s voice is dark, almost hateful, as he glares down at the magister.

Alexius shakes his head, resignation washing over his face. “You won. There is no point in extending this charade.”

Leliana’s agents spring into action, moving to restrain Alexius. Felix kneels by his side, face solemn.

“Felix…”

“It’s going to be alright, Father.”

“You’ll die,” Alexius cries.

“Everyone dies.”

The agents drag the magister out, Felix by his side. With their departure the hall seems brighter, and everyone can breathe again. Iron Bull loosens his grip on Del so she can rush to El’s side, nearly bowling over Dorian and two agents in the process. El waits for her with open arms, sweeping Del up into a crushing hug.

“Fuck Elazar! Don’t ever do that again!”

The elf sighs, “you know I didn’t have much say in the matter.”

“I don’t care,” Del tightens her grip. She swears she’s never going to let El go again, “don’t ever scare me like that again. Two times of thinking you’ve died is more than enough, El.” Her poor heart can only take so much.

“Well almost dying twice is also enough for me, so I believe we’re on the same page.”

Satisfied Del releases him to look him over. Both he and Dorian appeared exhausted but uninjured. “What exactly happened to you?”

“Something that is going to make your head explode, Del.”

She quirks an eyebrow at his cryptic answer but does not push the topic. If it was so life changing El probably only wanted to recount his tale once, for everyone. It would be dramatic; she was sure of it.

“And I’m glad that’s over with,” Dorian chimes in moments before the hall’s doors swing open and a swarm of Fereldan soldiers march in. “Or not.”

They never could catch a break, could they?

Guards escort a pair into the hall, Del has a sinking feeling who they are.

“Grand Enchanter, we’d like to discuss your abuse of our hospitalities.”

Fiona hesitantly inches forward, worrying her hands as she addressed the duo, “your Majesties.”

The King and Queen of Ferelden had arrived. And they looked beyond ticked off with the developments of the situation in Redcliffe. Not that they did not have proper cause to be upset.

“When we offered the mages sanctuary, we did not give them the right to drive our people from their homes.” Queen Anora’s voice is as cold as ice. She had every right to be upset after what had happened in her country, to her people, because of Fiona’s poor decision making. Del just prayed this would not end poorly for all mages in Ferelden.

Fiona’s voice wavers as she speaks, head still bowed to the monarchs, “King Alister, Queen Anora, I assure you, we never intended…”

“In light of your actions, good intentions are no longer enough.”

“You and your followers have worn out you welcome.” King Alister sounds just as displeased, frown lines etched deep across his face.

“Leave Ferelden, or we’ll be forced to make you leave.”

“But… we have hundreds who need protection! Where will we go?”

El steps down from the dais, without invitation, stepping in on a conversation with royalty. Del near faints at the sight.

“The Inquisition might be willing to take in the mages.”

“And what are the terms of the arrangement?”

“Hopefully better than what Alexius gave you. The Inquisition is better than that, yes?” Dorian pipes in, also unperturbed by the arrival of royalty.

“I’ve known a lot of mages. They can be loyal friends if you let them. Friends who make bad decisions, but still. Loyal.” Varric also chips in his two sense despite that fact El himself had quite the firsthand experience with it all.

Fiona shakes her head, “in truth we have little choice but to accept whatever you offer.”

The grand enchanter does not know El, considering he would offer nothing other than a fair deal to his fellow rebels. “We would be honored to have you fight as allies at the Inquisition’s side.”

“A generous offer. But will the rest of the Inquisition honor it?”

That would be the true test of the Inquisition’s leadership. Cullen would not be happy with the proposition. While he was nothing but fair to the mages who joined the Inquisitions ranks, he was not fond of the rebels’ philosophies to begin with, and he was even less inclined to them after learning of Fiona’s dealings with Tevinter. Josephine seemed rather moderate on the idea but the perception of the Inquisition siding with rebel mages would most likely make her job considerably more difficult. Leliana was a closed book on the subject, Del had no idea how the spymaster would react to such an idea. Yet none of them were the type to renege on a deal. None of them would outright mistreat the mages either, but the kind of welcome they would offer these new allies was still to be determined.

“We will discuss this. Later.” Cassandra’s voice is dark, her displeasure unfettered.

“The Breach threatens all of Thedas. We cannot afford to be divided now. We cannot fight it without you. Any chance of success requires your full support.” El was getting better at his rallying speeches. He would be swaying crowds of followers in no time if he kept improving at this rate. There was more leader in him than he would ever admit.

“It’s a generous offer. I doubt you’re going to get a better one from us,” Alister nearly looks ready to bite the former grand enchanter’s head off.

“We accept. It would be madness not to. I will gather our people and ready them for the journey to Haven. The Breach will be closed. You will not regret giving us this chance.”

.

After helping Cassandra and some of Leliana’s agents make arrangements with the rebel leaders and calm tensions with the arriving Ferelden forces Del finally gets a moment to sit and breathe-to be thankful Elazar made it out in one piece. Then El promptly goes and makes her head spin again as he relays what happened in the moments he and Dorian had disappeared. The whole concept of time magic turns the world on its head but to think Alexius accidently sent El and Dorian into the future was impossible to wrap one’s head around- that wasn’t even taking into consideration what El had learned in the future. Dorian had destroyed the foci Alexius had used to cast his time magic and had promised, with the help of Felix, to destroy any of his research on the subject. Del was thrilled Dorian was onboard with putting an end to any and all future attempts at ripping time to shreds.

El had been unusually serious as he recounted this “other future” to the group. Varric shook his head when El explained what the future-Fiona had told him about red lyrium.

“I already knew that stuff was dangerous but turning living people into more…well that’s just shit.”

It was another worrying prospect they would have to keep an eye on. If tainted lyrium was so dangerous it was not something the Inquisition could allow to spread. They were all in agreement with Varric on that matter. Demon armies and the death of Empress Celene were more frightening possibilities but they made sense in their own twisted way. Losing leadership in Orlais would put most of southern Thedas in eminent danger to any forces out of Tevinter, particularly a force compromising of fucking demons. Whoever or whatever this Elder One was needed to be stopped so that future El has visited would never come to pass.

As the rest of their companions turned in for the night, El stayed put at her side, worrying his bony hands in his lap. There was more to his story and it was eating away at him. Laying her head on his shoulder Del waits, trying to send out what calming energy she could muster.

“You were there,” his voice comes out a croak, his gaze locked on his lap.

“In the future?”

El nods, “they had you locked up in the dungeons too.”

Del was not surprised, if they had everyone else who’d gone to Redcliffe in chains then Del could have assumed she’d be among them.

“They didn’t put you with the lyrium though…” El shakes his head like he is trying to dislodge the memory from his mind. “Del, promise me if anything ever happens to me you’ll leave- put as much distance between you and the Inquisition as possible. Please, Del.”

Whatever Elazar had seen must have shaken him to his core. El was not someone to run away, would never ask her to do so either. Not after she so deeply regretted running the first time. Del takes his hands in hers, hoping to soothe him, if just a little, “El, what happened?”

“They…they tortured you Del…they tortured you for a whole year, because of me.” His stormy green eyes are misty as he looks up from his lap, “you were dying when I found you…I lost you Del!”

Del shakes her head, “no you didn’t El,” she takes his face in her hands, forcing him to truly look at her. “I’m right here, alive. You haven’t lost me Elazar and you never will.” Del knew she how much it hurt to watch someone you cared about die before your eyes. She understood how much it hurt El to think he had lost her for good, but the only good in all this time magic crap was now they could make sure it never happened again. “We stopped Alexius so that future can never come to pass. I’m right here and you’re not getting rid of me anytime soon.”

.

The trip back to Haven was blissfully short. Del was happy to put Redcliffe far behind them, at least she was until she spotted Cullen with frown and furrowed brow. It seemed the reports they had sent ahead had the advisors bickering, per usual. She could not even hear them yet and Del could already feel the headache worming its way into her skull.

“It’s not a matter for debate. There will be abominations among the mages, and we must be prepared.”

El tenses as they approach, Cullen already rubbing him the wrong way. Del sends a prayer to the Maker this does not explode into another argument between them.

“If we rescind the offer of alliance, it makes the Inquisition appear incompetent at best, tyrannical at worst.” Josie snaps back.

Cullen turns to El, “What were you thinking, turning mages loose with no oversight? The veil is torn open!”

El glares back, “we’re not monsters. We can control ourselves without any outside help.”

While El had a point, so far neither of them nor any of the other mages in Haven had any issues being close to the Breach- yet- it was entirely possible with such a large group due to arrive that record would not hold. Even if it wasn’t actively monitoring all the mages, there probably should be some sort of contingency in place in case the worst-case scenario did occur. Not that either of them looked to be in the mood to compromise right now.

“This is not an issue of self-control! Even the strongest mages can be overcome by demons in conditions like these!”

And there they go again. Del sighs at the two stubborn men. They would not be moving past their differences anytime soon it seemed.

Cassandra on the other hand has reached her limit. “Enough arguing. While I may not completely agree with the decision. I support it. The sole point of the Herald’s mission was to gain the mages’ aid, and that was accomplished.”

“The voice of pragmatism speaks!” Dorian appears from around a corner, smirk plastered on his face. “And here I was just starting to enjoy the circular arguments.” There would be plenty more of those to enjoy if he stuck around.

The Seeker rolls her eyes at the Tevinter before turning back to the conversation at hand, “closing the Breach is all that matters.”

“We should look into the things the Herald saw in this “dark future.” The assassination of Empress Celene? A demon army?” Leliana adds, almost intrigued by the idea.

“Sounds like something a Tevinter cult might do. Orlais falls, the Imperium rises. Chaos or everyone!” Dorian sounds absolutely joyful at the thought.

“One battle at a time. It’s going to take time to organize our troops and the mage recruits once they arrive. Let’s take this to the war room.” Cullen looks to El, although not satisfied he is still attempting to be civil. An improvement at least, “join us. None of this means anything without your mark after all.”

“And I’d hoped to sit out the assault on the Breach. Take a nap. Maybe go for a walk…”

“El!” Del cries. This was no time for his sarcasm.

Cullen chuckles, “what is it they say? “No rest for the wicked”?”

“I’ll skip the war council, but I would like to see this Breach up close, if you don’t mind.”

El looks pleasantly surprised, a soft smile drawing across his lips. “Then you’re…staying?”

Dorian’s grin grows, “oh, didn’t I mention? The south is so charming and rustic. I adore it to little pieces.”

“There’s no one I’d rather be stranded in time with, future or present.”

“Excellent choice! But let’s not get “stranded” again anytime soon, yes?”

Well, there was most definitely something there Del was missing. There was more that had happened in the other future El had decided not to share. Interesting.

.

Haven soon descends into an organized chaos. Quarters need to be sorted for all the rebel mages, supplies and lyrium too. Josephine was drowning in stacks of paperwork, Cullen had the soldiers training twice as hard and Leliana was busy with… whatever it was she got up to. Del helped where she could, she sat with Adan for two days preparing tonics, herbs and lyrium potions before moving on to help save Josie from being buried under correspondence. Seeing the never-ending piles of letters the ambassador dealt with on a daily basis reminded Del why she was not fond of politics. Josie was lovely to spend time with though. The gossip Del had gleaned was incredible.

“So, what do you make of our new friend from Tevinter?”

Del had figured Josie would ask her about the mage sooner or later. She seemed a bit wary to approach him herself.

“He seems to be genuine in his desire to stay and help- even if he would never say it out loud.”

Dorian struck her as the type who would not be caught dead appearing to care about something. She was unsure why he wanted to come off as self-absorbed to the rest of the world – maybe it was a self defense he adopted in the face of Tevinter politics- but he was very skilled at it.

Josie nods, “the Herald did give a glowing testimonial of him in the report on Redcliffe. I was simply wondering if you had more…insight into the situation.”

“Leliana probably knows more than I do at the moment. I have not spoken with Dorian since Redcliffe.” She knew he was from Tevinter, he had formerly apprenticed to Alexius and he did not agree with the ideology of the Venatori. Everything else she knew was second hand from El after they had returned from the “other future”. Though it was not like the pair had been asking deeply personal questions while they were running around to find a way back to the present. Maybe Del should make more of an effort to get to know their new companion.

“I hate to bother you Lady Delphine, but the Tranquil and I are swamped in monster parts. Would you have a moment to take these reports over to Adan from me?”

Del had lost count of the times she had told Minave there was no need to call her by any title. “Of course, Minave. It is no bother at all. I could do with an excuse to stretch my legs.” Plus she was beginning to grow fond of Adan’s sarcasm.

“Thank you.”

.

“This might actually be useful-those two might actually be good for something after all.”

“Now that isn’t very nice. Minave and the Tranquil work awfully hard with what Elazar and the others bring back for them.”

Adan grunts, “still doesn’t give me much to work with. I’m not sure how anyone expects me to come up with miracle cures based on these notes!”

“Well, I’ll leave you to it.” Del was in no mood to get caught up in one of his rants. With a quick goodbye she makes a getaway.

Haven is as clear and brisk as usual, the chill bites at her nose and ears the moment she leaves the warmth of Adan’s workspace. Del knows spring is on its way but it does not feel like it. She swears each day is colder than the last. Despite the snow she finds Dorian outside, leaning against the wall of the workshop, fiddling with his staff.

“How in the world are you not freezing?” Del donned as many layers as she could these days, leggings under her skirts, a heavy scarf over her sweater, and she still felt the cold winds. How was Dorian outside with only half a proper shirt?

“I’m a mage- it’s not difficult.”

Del frowns at the curt response. She had pegged him as more the chatty type, especially after their first meeting in Redcliffe. Had she done something to upset him?

“But what do you use? Runes? Spells? I’d love to compare notes because its too damn cold up here.”

The edge seems to disappear from his stance as he sets his staff aside. “You’re trying to make conversation with me?”

Now Del was utterly confused. “Am I not supposed to?”

“No, I just figured after what happened in Redcliffe you didn’t want me around your precious Herald of Andraste.”

Del cannot recall saying anything to Dorian regarding them getting sent through time but saying that day had been hectic would be a vast understatement. “I’m sorry if I said or did anything to offend you, or make you feel like we were trying to scare you away. Redcliffe was…chaotic at best. As for Elazar, I am just a bit protective. I’ve already almost lost him once; I couldn’t stand the thought of losing him again.”

“Well, that explains quite a lot about your reaction.” A smile begins to grow on Dorian’s face, putting Del at ease. “You were a bit of a mother hen.”

“I get a bit anxious sometimes. El can be very reckless.”

“I can agree with you there. I got a taste of that recklessness in the future.”

Del sighs, “of course you did. He is going to be the death of me, I’ve known it for years. Always testing the limits of the templars back home, running head long into fights, yet he manages to worm his way out of trouble every time.”

“I didn’t know he was a circle mage, I assumed he was a first or a second-or whatever they call them-because he’s Dalish.”

Was that a spark of curiosity in Dorian’s eye?

“He would have eventually become the first as an apprentice to the clan’s Keeper if the templars hadn’t caught him. He came too close to Ostwick and he was not able to fight them all off. They brought him to our Circle,” Del could remember his arrival like it was yesterday, he had been so angry, spitting and cursing at the templars.

“You’re both from the Circle in Ostwick then?”

Del nods, “Faxhold, it’s on the coastline of the city.” It offered quite the view if you could ignore the bars across the windows.

Dorians eyes light up, “I believe I’ve heard of that one. It’s in an old lighthouse, isn’t it?”

“I didn’t realize Tevinter mages knew anything about our Circles,” Del knew absolutely nothing about the Tevinter system, though she knew there was a reason information like that was suppressed by the Chantry, “but yes, its in an old Imperial age lighthouse.” A marvel in its own twisted way. To imprison mages in a building built at the height of an empire ruled by mages.

“Fascinating. I came across a passing mention of it while doing some research awhile back. Made me curious as to how much your Free Marches retained after the uprisings.”

It was an interesting topic. The Marches were influenced by all Thedas these days, but the bones of all the free cities were from the Imperium in the height of its power.

“You have an interest in history?”

“One could say…or maybe it’s the innate longing all of Tevinter has for the influence we use to have,” Dorian chuckles.

“Well, I cannot speak for the other cities but Ostwick still has quite a few reminders of the past. The walls were built during the Imperial age, and they do not appear to be going anywhere anytime soon. Most of the old estates and country villas were built then too, but most have been updated to the current fashions. No one goes around advertising their Tevinter roots anymore.” Everyone knew it was there, but it was not something to be discussed. Almost shameful to admit to oneself that their ancestry had to come from somewhere.

“Oh are we really so bad?” Dorian gives a big lipped pout, drawing a laugh from Del.

“According to the Chantry and popular opinion-yes. Most noble families in Marches have conveniently forgotten where they came from, or like mine, tend to play up the other branches.” It had not been by accident Oweyn found himself engaged to a pretty, young Orlesian heiress.

“You’re of Tevinter descent?” Dorian did look quite surprised.

“Somewhere a ways back, when noble families moved south to build the Free Marches. My family touts how many generations we have resided in Ostwick. We’ve mixed in plenty of Orlesian and Fereldan blood since we arrived.”

“And how many would that be exactly?”

Del has to take a moment to wrack her brain for the lessons she’d been drilled with her childhood. “I believe my brothers and I are number fourteen of the main branch of the family. That would make my niece and nephew the fifteenth.”

Dorian nods in understanding. Coming from a prominent family as well Del assumes he can relate to the family politics related to such things. “Now that I think about it, what is your family name? You said you were noble.”

Del shakes her head, “I never said that. My family is one of the noble houses of Ostwick. I was required to relinquish and titles and inheritance upon entering the Circle-” not that she truly grasped the concept of such at the age of eight- “so technically I’m no one of importance now.”

“Ha! Your Circles truly are little mage prisons. Renouncing title and inheritance? No magister back home would ever consider- no would never have had the thought to begin with- to propose such a rule.”

Well lucky magisters. “I cannot say everyone here is fond of it either. There’s been more than one noble family to lose an heir to the Circles.”

“Did your family?”

“No, I have three older brothers. House Trevelyan will live on without me around,” Del’s chuckle was half-hearted.

“A Trevelyan then.”

“So is half of Thedas, my family has a habit of reproducing quickly. But as for me, I am Delphine Athelyna of House Trevelyan, daughter of Bann Remon Trevelyan and an Enchanter of the Faxhold Circle of Magi.” Putting it out there do formally that made her feel more important than she was.

Dorian covered his mouth in fake shock, “the daughter of the Bann is a mage? What a scandal!”

Del had a difficult time containing her laugh. “He’s a bann, not the Bann. Ostwick has five who act as council to the Teryn.”

“Well, the “daughter of one of the six most important families in Ostwick is a mage? What a scandal!” doesn’t have the same ring to it,” Dorian shoots back, “but now I’m trying to figure out why Trevelyan is ringing a bell.”

“Like I said, half the population of southern Thedas is related to my family in some way. You can’t throw a nug in a pub and not hit someone I’m related to.” It was awfully inconvenient. “I’m sure you’ve met a Trevelyan before.”

“I can assure you that is not it.” He holds up a finger and Del could almost see the wheels spinning in his head. “Do you know where in Tevinter your family comes from?”

“Qiranus… Ventus, whatever you folks are calling it these days.”

“Ventus is the official name but no one ever stopped calling it Qiranus, but I digress. Qiranus is the seat of House Pavus and Trevelyan is oh-so familiar because there is a branch in the family tree with the Trevelyan name all over it!”

“Really? And you know that off the top of your head?”

“More the middle of thereabouts- I had to run through all the old mnemonics.”

Del shivers and it was not due to the cold. “Not the family tree mnemonics.”

Dorian laughs. “So, some odd generations back my great-great-whatever grandfather was cousins with one of your great-great-ancestors. So we’re cousins, you and I.”

Again, Del could not go anywhere in Thedas without running into someone she was related to. “Cousins by at least fourteen generations.”

“Still technically cousins.”

“What are the odds.”

.

“You’ve got to be shitting me. I know Vints love their blood lines and shit like that but you two are just crazy.”

Ion Bull had a point, but it wasn’t just folks from Tevinter, it was anyone with a title that made them feel more important than they truly were.

“Eh, everyone who’s from the Free Marches is really from somewhere else,” El shrugs.

“Isn’t that the truth!” Varric grins as he approaches their table, a straight-faced Cullen in tow. “Right Curly?”

“The Herald isn’t wrong.”

“Anyways, I found us another who really needs to learn to unwind,” Varric explains as he settles into the seat next to Delphine.

Cullen rolls his eyes at the dwarf but slides into the seat next to Krem anyways.

El and the others had kept up their routine of drinking themselves into a rowdy mess at the tavern when they could. Krem and Del continued to sit in, watching over their respective light weights together. Del tried her best to keep El out of trouble, especially after Cullen had to help her drag the elf back to bed, but neither she nor Krem could work miracles. It did not help that Varric was a terrible enabler of bad decision making. Dorian had joined the group as well tonight, saying something about how drinking was his favorite pass time. He so far appeared to be adept at it. Varric had been trying to drag Cullen into joining them for some time. Del wondered what exactly had gotten the former templar to relent to Varric’s persistence.

“Now, what were we getting worked up about?” Varric did always need to know the Inquisition’s gossip.

“Dorian and Delphine are cousins.” El states plainly.

“Cousins?” Both late arrivals look equally shocked.

Del scrubs a hand over her face, “El is twisting it for dramatic effect. Dorian and I are distantly related. House Pavus and the Trevelyans had some ties ages ago, before the main house of my family migrated from Tevinter to the Free Marches. We’re cousins by at least fourteen generations.”

“Still cousins.” Dorian chimes in, toothy grin spread across his face.

Varric shakes his head, “yeah, I don’t think even I know my familial line that far back.”

“Nobles,” El shrugs. Again, not entirely wrong.

“Bah, who needs ‘em! Drink up!” Bull went about filling everyone’s cups while Del just shakes her head and laughs.

.

“What about the girl from the kitchens…blonde, a bit taller, really nice tits?”

Del snickers as Cullen looks anywhere but at Iron Bull. It was plain as day he was uncomfortable with where the Qunari and his lieutenant had taken their conversation.

“I don’t know Chief…”

Del was not sure if they were rating women, comparing them or just pointing out the ones they found attractive. While Bull and Krem were the main offenders Varric was playfully adding in his two sense from time to time. Both an enabler and an instigator. Dorian seemed to be enjoying the banter and nursing his drink. Seeing him quiet for so long was a bit odd though. Cullen looked as if he would rather be anywhere else. El was tipsy and enjoying himself. Figures.

“This doesn’t bother you?” Cullen kept his voice down, well as low as one could in a full tavern.

Del shrugs, she was rather indifferent to it all. At least they were not talking about her. “I just go with it, not the first time I’ve heard it.”

Cullen nods, almost looking thoughtful. “Another?” He asks as he stands.

“Please, thank you.”

“What about you, oh Herald of Andraste? In your divine opinion, the busty kitchen blonde or the red headed nurse?”

Del could not hold back a snicker. Bull was so good at reading people, yet he had completely overlooked El’s rather obvious preferences. Krem and Dorian lean in, more then curious for his answer.

“Neither.”

“Oh really?” Del believe that may have been surprise etched onto Iron Bull’s face.

“As much as I appreciate our kitchen staff and nurses, I’m interested in other parties… more bearded parties.”

Well, that was one way to put it. And it was true he had a thing for men with facial hair. Del tries her best to stifle her laugh behind a cough but she has little success. El notices and shoots her a playful glare which does not help her cause much. Varric must have already pieced it together because he just snickers along with her.

Bull’s surprise quickly morphs into a shit eating grin. “Good on you, Boss!”

Krem looks like he had finally put all the puzzle pieces together and the world suddenly made sense. And Del was almost certain she had seen Dorian’s face light up before he joined Iron Bull in a toast to the Herald.

Cullen shortly rejoins them, passing Del her refilled mug. She wasn’t sure how much more she could have of the ale- it was bitter and could barely pass as beer- but it worked well enough to get everyone tipsy. Or in El’s case, drunk off his ass. She took a long drink anyways, trying to avoid Varric’s curious stare.

“Another for the Boss!”

“A-agreed!” El cheers as Iron Bull leads him back to the bar.

“Oh for fuck’s sake.” Del was not in the mood to drag drunk El back to their cabin tonight, with or without help. She had to nip this in the bud, if that was still possible. Varric and Dorian both laugh and watch, absolutely no help at all. Krem at least sent her an apologetic look for his bosses enabling.

With a heavy sigh Del follows after the elf, hoping she could convince him to lay off for at least tonight.

“You’re staring, Curly.” Varric snickers as Cullen watches Del chase after Elazar.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, dwarf.”

Varric and the rest of the table do not miss the pink tinge dusting the Commander’s cheeks.

“If you fancy her, just tell her.” Dorian scoffs.

“I do not “fancy” anyone!” Dorian and Krem exchange a look at Cullen’s denial. “Not that it would matter- she and the Herald…”

Krem and Varric share matching looks of surprise, neither expected Cullen to be quite so daft. Dorian on the other hand could not contain himself. The Tevinter mage nearly keels over laughing.

“What’s got Dorian in a tizzy?” Del had yet to see the man laugh so openly.

“Ha! Delphine we just learned something you wouldn’t believe. Take a seat you’ll want to hear this.”

Del eyes Dorian with concern but takes a seat regardless. “Varric should I be worried?”

“Oh no, this is a good one.”

“Maker’s breath…”

This was at the Commander’s expense then.

“Our Commander here was under the impression that you and the dear Herald are an item.” Dorian snickers.

That was what they found so funny? “He’s not the first and probably not the last.”

Cullen breathes a long sigh of relief.

“This happens often then. People mistaking you and him as being more than friends?” Krem asks.

“All the time in the Circle, which is understandable. We were often inseparable. Anyone who knew Elazar though knew we were just friends. The templars on the other hand did not.” Del cannot help but giggle at the memory. “I was 15 maybe? The templars who watched us finally reported what they thought was our relationship to my uncle. I cannot even describe the tongue lashing I got from him and my mother over it.”

“Well you’re no fun,” Dorian pouts, he must have been hoping for more of a reaction.

“Yeah, Del can be a bit of a wet blanket sometimes.”

“Excuse you,” Del glares at the elf as he settles back into his seat. “I apparently was not surprised enough that Cullen thought we were together.”

El’s lips fall into a large “o”. “Well that’s nothing new.”

“See?”

“You have to admit, you two’d make an interesting couple,” Varric chimes in, smug grin on his face.

Del frowns at the thought. Even before El had confided in her about his sexuality she’d never thought of him in that way.

El looks thoughtful. “I guess… if I were into skirts, Del would probably be my type.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment?”

“And you’re not going to return it?” El pouts.

“I’m sorry, love, but I just don’t think that would work between us.”

Dorian leans in, grin creeping across his face. “So, what is your type, Delphine? Strong, handsome, leader types, perhaps?”

It takes every ounce of self-control Del has to keep herself from blushing. The way Dorian’s eyes keep darting back and forth between her and Cullen makes it plenty obvious who he was insinuating. Fuck.

Bull puffs out his chest like Dorian was referring to him, but Del did not want to give him the ego boost. “You mean like Krem? Sure.”

Dorian rolls his eyes, not thrilled she’d wormed her way out of that one. Krem on the other hand was beaming. Del was glad she could make one person’s night, at least.

[crystalessenceswrites]

There are not enough words in any language for me to thank the lovely @faelavellan​ for this beautiful commission of Delphine and Cullen -- she's incredibly talented and so lovely to work with, I believe her commissions are still open so definitely check her out if you’re in the market for beautiful art! 

Originally there wasn’t a scene to accompany the piece but after seeing the finished version I couldn’t not write it into their story.

Home

Del had not realized how comfortable she had become at Skyhold until they were getting ready to return home from the Emerald Graves. Of course, she always missed the luxury of a warm soft bed and a roof over her head when she went traveling with El and the others, but now it was more than a place to lay her head. Skyhold was a place they could call their own now-after hours of picking out furniture and decorations after months of renovations- not just the Inquisition’s but theirs, all of their friends and companions. It was home. Something she had not had not had in a very long time. Now, she was getting to share her home with her brother. Riding up to the gates with Ralf felt right. Delphine was not sure how she could thank Cullen properly for reuniting them, for giving her a little piece of her family back.

Cullen. She’d missed him even more than she’d missed Skyhold. All those long nights spend at camps, longing for their chess games and late-night talks. Varric had caught onto her pining, as usual. There was no end to the grief he gave her for acting like a love-sick teenager over the ex-templar. Ralf had been none too happy to hear about her budding relationship with the ex-templar, true to his nature as an older brother, but on their return trip had confided that he was happy to see she was happy. Del was excited to introduce them, she couldn’t imagine Ralf would have any problems with Cullen once they finally met. That would have to wait though.

Elazar and Varric shouted jeers as Del nearly jumped off her horse as they neared the stables. All she wanted was to get back to her rooms and take of her Maker forsaken armor that reeked of horse. Any other day she’d have taken the time to wash away the grime of her travels but it had been a whole month since she’d last been in his arms. She could deal with the sweat and grime later, Del wouldn’t delay any longer.

Throwing on the first shirt and skirt she found, Del decided to forgo rummaging around for a sweater and didn’t bother re-braiding her hair before she dashed across the rotunda to Cullen’s office. She didn’t bother knocking, slipping in only to find his desk vacant.

“If you’re looking for the Commander, I believe he’s in the gardens.”

Del nearly jumped out of her skin, not having noticed the agent filing papers in the corner of the office.

“Oh… ah-thanks. I’ll go look for him there then…”

She did her best to ignore the smug grin that spread over the other woman’s face as Del made her hasty exit. Varric would be gleaning more gossip from the barracks tonight for sure.

Solas was merciful and didn’t comment as Del crossed back through the rotunda, though the smile he sent her made Del think that maybe he understood, even if just a little.

The garden was mostly empty when Del arrived, two chantry sisters were tending to the rose bushes, Kieran was nestled into a quiet corner, a large book spread across his lap, and Cullen was standing outside the makeshift chapel, deep in discussion with one of Leliana’s agents. Del mustered up what will she had left to keep herself from dashing across the yard to him. She briefly wondered if he felt the same anticipation she did at the prospect of her coming home to him.

He notices her as she’s halfway across the garden, their eyes locking over the agent’s shoulder. Cullen waves the man away, grin growing, and closes the distance between them.

“I didn’t realize you were back,” he swept his arm wide as if to embrace her but Del had other ideas. Sliding a hand behind his neck she quickly pulled him down to her, pressing her lips against his smile. He stilled for just a moment, startled at her forwardness maybe, before he melded against her. One gloved hand settling on the small of her back, pressing her up against his chest plate while his chapped lips moved against hers. Del hummed, eyes fluttering shut, as his other hand settled against her hip. Oh how she had missed this; missed his warmth, his earthy smell and the way he seemed to surround her when he held her in his arms. Cullen nipped at her bottom lip as she pulled away for air, smiling as he kept her pressed against him.

“If that’s how it's going to be after every trip, Maker, maybe you should venture out with the Inquisitor more often,” Cullen chuckled, pressing chaste kisses across the apple of her cheek. He’d let his stubble go an extra day or so, Del giggled at the prickling feeling ghosting over her skin, following the trail of his lips.

“Maybe-” Del pressed a quick kiss to his scar- “but a month is much too long.”

“I agree,” his lips slanted against hers, drawing Del back in. Her fingers tangled in the hair at the nape of his neck as his grip on her grew tighter.

She was content again, with his arms around her. The Maker could take her now and she’d die a happy woman.

[crystalessenceswrites]

Series

You’re Enchanting [AO3] Cullen x Trevelyan & Dorian x Lavellan Delphine always told Elazar she would do anything to help him if he was ever in trouble, even knowing his knack for finding it. She didn't expect to be helping him save the world after someone blows up the Conclave and tears a hole in the sky. Chapters: [One] [Two] [Three] [Four] [Five] [Six] [Seven] [Eight] [Nine] [Excerpt] [Home] [Kinktober- Against A Wall: Cullen x Delphine]

OC: Delphine [Intro] OC: Elazar [Intro]