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Entiwned Hearts	By : MistressofMagic Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 2641 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Bioware and EA own everything associated with the Dragon Age Universe. I am in no way making money off of this fic.

Chapter List
- 1-Entiwned Hearts
- 2-Reunited
- 1
- 2
Ten Years Later…
            Cullen dismounted from his horse and clicked his tongue so the graceful animal would follow him to the river. The horse did so and gladly drank from the cool spring, as Cullen bent down and splashed some water on his face. There was a slight chill to the air as Bloomingtide was till a few weeks away. Cullen stood after drying his face and looked up into the sky. A gentle breeze brushed past him. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Things looked peaceful here, back in Fereldan. It was good to see that the land was not in turmoil like Kirkwall had been after the destruction of the chantry. He was offered the position of Knight Commander of Kirkwall, but there was nothing to command, really. The mages that had survived had no intention of staying in the destroyed Gallows, as many had fled during the fight in the courtyard. Cullen couldn’t take the responsibility of trying to locate all of the missing mages and…exact their punishment. He didn’t want to. Instead he requested to go back to Fereldan as Knight Captain of the Circle. Since he was of the highest command in Kirkwall with Meredith gone, he got his wish and appointed a good, level headed man to take his place. Now, Cullen was not far from Lake Calenhad. In fact, he could see the Tower looming in the distance. He would’ve been lying to himself if he said he wasn’t excited to be going back to the Tower, and he knew the reason why…he just hoped she was still there. Being that they were mage and Templar, Cullen couldn’t risk writing to Cassie, especially when he was sure Meredith read through all of the letters that left and arrived at the Gallows. If anyone ever found out about their relationship, especially now when so much was uncertain and a war was possibly on the horizon, Cullen couldn’t allow himself to bring any harm to Cassie. He feared what would happen when he saw her again. He wanted to be with her, to hold her in his arms, to feel her soft hands against his chest and her plump lips against his mouth…but they would have to be even more careful now than before.
            Cullen looked over at his horse to see that he was finished refreshing himself and mounted him once more. He moved away from the small spring at a steady trot, eager to make it to the docks before nightfall, but unfortunately did not make that time. The stars were twinkling against the dark velvet of the night sky by the time Cullen had made it to the docks. He tied his horse to the nearby post and gathered his things, deciding to sleep at the Spoiled Princess for the night. Once inside, he paid the barman for a room and a hot meal. Cullen trudged the stairs to his room and once inside, he placed his things down and removed his armor. He smiled slightly as he realized that his window was directly facing the Tower. Cullen’s stomach fluttered in excitement. Not only was he thrilled at the aspect of seeing Cassie again…he felt as if he was returning home…for the Tower was and always would be home to him. He pressed his hand to the window and sighed. He hoped the mages here had not decided to revolt as those had in Kirkwall. Cullen had heard nothing of the sort along his travels, so hopefully all was well inside the Tower. He returned downstairs to eat his porridge whilst one of the barmaids set up a bath for him in his room. Once finished downstairs, Cullen made his way back to his room and soon sat in his warm wash basin. He rested his back against the tub and sighed. His thoughts drifted to Cassie once again…and Cullen couldn’t help but wonder what she looked like. Had the passage of time begun to show on her face as it had to him? Cullen thought briefly. Cassie couldn’t be more than thirty two since he was three years her senior. He doubted she looked as rough as he had. All the stress of his duties back in Kirkwall had really taken a toll on him, and it showed. Especially in the last three years. Cullen stood from the basin and dried off before pulling on a fresh pair of clothes. They would have to be even more careful than before with their relationship…things were so precarious now. Cullen wanted nothing more than to hold her in his arms, to feel her softness against him, to kiss those plump lips and run his hands over her silken skin…but when he would get to do that was the question. He could think and dream about it all he wanted, but actually doing them would be difficult. No doubt since word had spread about the incident in Kirkwall had Greagoir tightened everything within the Tower. Cullen knew it was probably for the best to not let the mages roam free. Why couldn’t they all be like Cassie, content and happy with their lives? Cullen shook his head and crawled into the bed. He blew out his candle and closed his eyes, hoping to get some sleep but that was completely out of his grasp. His mind kept flooding with images of Cassie and him together and happy, living outside the circle. They had a family, a young girl with long copper curls cascading down her back and a small boy with just a little tuff of dirty blonde hair. Both of them had their mother’s jade green eyes…
Cullen sighed. He would never know that life…not while tensions still existed between mages and Templars…and no matter what there would always be tension, there would always be a Tower…there would always be a set of rules that they would have to live by. If ten years hadn’t changed that…would another ten? Most likely not…things could either get very good or even worse from here on out…and Cullen feared what would happen if things were to go sour. If a war was on the horizon and given that he had such a high rank within the order…no doubt he would have to fight in it. Cullen shook his head, intent on getting that particular thought out for good…or at least until he really had to worry about it. He closed his eyes once again and this time drifted off to sleep.
            The next morning, Cullen awoke by the sun seeping in through his closed eyelids. He sat up, rubbing his eyes but wasted no time in getting ready. He paid for more hot water to be sent to him for another bath and took the time to shave the scuffle that had accumulated on his face from his travels. Making sure his hair was neatly combed; he polished his armor quickly and dressed. He smiled at his reflection in the mirror, feeling quite presentable; Cullen grabbed his things and left the inn with a skip to his step. As he made it down the hill, Cullen noticed someone standing by the ferry. He grinned at Carroll’s bored face. The younger Templar brightened once Cullen came into view.
            “Cullen…is that you? Welcome back, mate!”
Cullen shook Carroll’s hand firmly, pleased to see a familiar face after so long.
            “Thank you, it’s good to be back…to be home.” He replied.
Carroll nodded.
            “I’m sure. We all thought you…well you know…with the majority of the others back in Kirkwall. When Greagoir told us knights about you coming back to replace old what’s his name, we were all overjoyed. You’re the talk of the Tower, my friend!”
Cullen’s heart sank for a moment. He had wanted to surprise Cassie with his return…yet it looked like everyone in the Tower had heard of him coming back. Still, he asked anyway.
            “Do the mages know I’m returning?”
Carroll nodded.
            “Yes, the senior mages at least, not sure about the others though. Greagoir will be happy to see you; you’re all he’s been talking about for this past week.”
Cullen chuckled.
            “It is good to know I was missed. I suppose I should head over there now.”
Carroll smiled.
            “Good speaking to you, Captain.”
Cullen nodded and boarded the ferry. As they neared, Cullen smiled to himself, his thoughts centered around Cassie once again, but he furrowed his brow once they got closer. There were children outside the Tower, playing. Children. Playing. This was most odd indeed. Cullen bid farewell to Carroll after exiting the ferry. He stood and took a deep breath of air before turning and gawking at the children. They didn’t seem to notice, too busy chasing after each other and rolling around in the grass. Cullen smiled at the sound of their laughter. It appeared that he wouldn’t have to look at somber faces anymore.
            “It is very good to see you, Cullen.”
Cullen turned at the soft voice and smiled as Wynne approached him. She looked as if she hadn’t aged a bit, save for a few more wrinkles than she had before and a cane in her hand. She smiled kindly at him.
            “I can see the curiosity in your eyes.” She stated.
Cullen nodded.
            “I am curious. When did Greagoir begin to allow this?”
Wynne raised her eyebrow.
            “I heard the idea stemmed from a mage and a Templar, and that said Templar passed it along to the Knight Commander’s ear.”
Cullen blushed slightly, wondering if Wynne new the extent of his and Cassie’s relationship. He cleared his throat and said,
            “Has this been the only change or is life in the Tower completely different than before?”
Wynne shook her head.
            “There have been many changes, all for the better if you ask me. Cassandra Amell, your old charge has made it into a senior position now. She worked very hard to achieve that status, buried herself in her work once you were gone.”
Cullen became a little crestfallen at that statement. He was happy for Cassie, but if she was a senior mage now, then she knew of his arrival…so much for surprising her.
            “Has she been able to come outside, with the children? I know she always wanted to.” Cullen replied.
Wynne chuckled.
            “Indeed she has. She was like a child herself the first day she came out with them, spinning and twirling about, rolling in the grass and what not. I’m sure she will be happy to see you again. We can go inside now if you like, there are other mages out here with the children and I’m sure I won’t be missed. The Knight Commander will wish to see you as well.”
Cullen nodded and followed Wynne into the Tower. His eyes widened once he stepped inside. The place was neither dark, nor bleak as it was before. Now many colorful tapestries hung against the walls. Cullen furrowed his brow. How was it everything seemed so much better here whereas in Kirkwall things were falling completely apart?
“I see you noticed the new decorations. Much has happened since you left, Cullen.”
Cullen nodded.
            “I can see that.”
Wynne smiled.
            “Greagoir will be happy to explain it to you, I’m sure.”
Soon enough, they made it to Greagoir’s office. Cullen knocked and entered the room once Greagoir announced he was available. Wynne stepped inside with him.
            “Look who I found outside the Tower.” She stated.
Greagoir lifted his head from his work and grinned.
            “Cullen, it is good to see you again, lad.”
Cullen bowed in respect. He looked up at the Knight Commander and noticed that he pretty much looked the same as before…actually…Cullen thought that the Commander looked better than he had ever seen him. Wynne walked over to the door.
“I will leave you to catch up. Cassie’s study is three flights up if you wanted to stop by and visit her, Cullen.”
Cullen nodded.
            “Thank you, Wynne.”
She nodded and left the room, closing the door behind her. At Greagoir’s behest, Cullen took a seat in front of his desk. The older man retook his own seat and rested his elbows atop his desk.
            “I am glad to see that you are well, Cullen. I apologize for all that you went through in Kirkwall. The moment you sent your request to come back, I replied right away. Coming back here will be good for you, as you can see much has changed.”
            “Yes I am curious about that.” Cullen admitted.
Greagoir chuckled.
            “I am sure. Ms. Amell had quite a hand in it, mind you. Once we heard of the unrest going on in Kirkwall, long before anything actually happened there, we wanted to make sure our mages here did not get the same ideas. We decided to allow them delicacies that would otherwise be forbidden. For instance, the children get to be children thanks to your suggestion, and they perform other things than just learning spells. Those tapestries that are against the walls were woven by many hands, of mages and Templars alike. We are trying our best to make sure an uprising does not occur, so we are making life at the Tower as comfortable as we possibly can. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but some of the Templars and mages are actually forming friendships. We still try not to get too close, in case things go wrong at their Harrowing, but I believe this new direction has benefited everyone.”
Cullen smiled.
            “It sounds like things are too good to be true, but they are true at least from what I can tell. I’m sure you worked very hard to achieve this.”
Greagoir nodded, but his smile faded slightly.
            “Indeed…it was very difficult at first to get things to where they are now. Some mages and Templars wanted no part of it. Others…took advantage of how close they could be to one another…”
Cullen raised his eyebrow as a cold feeling crept into his stomach.
            “Commander…are you saying that some Templars forced themselves on the mages?”
Greagoir shook his head.
            “No, not at all. It…It is not my place to say. You should talk to Matthias about it. Regardless, I’m sure you would like to see your room and office. If you follow me, I’ll show them to you.”
Cullen, although curious of what Greagoir meant and why he was bringing up Matthias of all people, decided to drop the subject and follow the older man out of the room. He did need to put his things away, and was eager to see his office, knowing that it wouldn’t be the size of a broom closet like it was in Kirkwall. He and Greagoir walked down a hall and up a flight of stairs before stopping outside a wooden door.
            “This is your room and your office is just down the hall.”
Cullen opened the door and smiled. His room was quite large. It held a four poster bed, an armoire, dresser, and a few bookshelves. Cullen stepped inside and placed his things down in a corner.
            “Thank you, Commander. I shall be comfortable here.”
Greagoir smiled.
            “That is good to know. Lunch will be served soon so if you’re hungry, Cook is still making the best food around.”
Cullen chuckled.
            “That’s good to know.”
Greagoir nodded and left Cullen to put his things away, which he decided he would do later. The only thing that was on his mind, and had been on his mind for ten years, was a certain mage. Cullen smiled and exited his room, climbing the remaining two staircases to Cassie’s office. Outside the door that Wynne had previously directed him to, Cullen raised his hand to knock. He didn’t, however, when he noticed the door was cracked. He looked through the gap and felt his stomach flutter and his heart soar. Inside, Cassie sat at her desk, scribbling something down on a scroll. A nearby owl in a cage hooted at her, causing her to stop writing and look over at him.
            “You want to fly, don’t you Shadow?”
The midnight black owl hooted in compliance. Cassie smiled and stood, gracing Cullen with the form of her figure. She was curvier than before now that she was a fully grown woman. Her light green robes hugged her in all the right places and had Cullen imagining his hands clenching the fabric of them as they shared a passionate kiss. He shook his head and continued to watch his love as she released the owl and held out her arm for him. Shadow moved onto her arm and tweeted happily as she walked over to the window and opened it. She stuck her arm out and Shadow wasted no time taking flight. Cassie sighed and rested her arms against the windowsill.
            “Still gazing out of windows, I see.” Cullen stated as he closed the door to her office behind him.
Cassie’s breath hitched as she felt tears fill her eyes. She slowly turned to see Cullen standing in the middle of her room. It was as if the sky had opened and the Maker and Andraste themselves had appeared before her. All her breath was knocked out of her, her heart soared as her stomach felt like it would take flight. Cassie walked towards him tentatively, her heartbeat ringing in her ears with each step, before she stood in front of him. Cassie stared up at him and swallowed. She couldn’t form any words; her mind was in a complete haze. Cullen stared down into those beautiful jade eyes and found himself wanting to gaze into them forever. Cassie reached up and placed both of her hands on either side of his face. They both closed their eyes at the simple touch that sent a wave of desire through them. Cassie ran her thumb against Cullen’s bottom lip and shook her head.
            “I have missed you far more than I can put into words.” She whispered after a long moment of staring into his eyes.
Cullen rested his forehead against hers.
            “As have I.” he replied.
Cassie smiled as a tear escaped her eyes and rolled down her cheek. Cullen leaned forward and slowly pressed his lips against hers. The kiss, though simple, was enough to make them both go weak in the knees. Once the kiss broke, Cassie shook her head and hugged him tightly, despite how uncomfortable his armor was against her.
            “Maker I thought I’d lost you forever…once we caught wind of the madness in Kirkwall. Oh Cullen I am so glad you’re here, alive and well…if you had perished in that fight…I don’t know what I would’ve done with myself.”
Cullen held her close, running his gauntleted hands down her back to comfort her.
            “But that was just the beginning…wasn’t it? There will be more Circles that will rebel…and you will have to fight in the impending war because of your oath and your duties you,”
Cullen pulled away and pressed his finger to her lips.
            “I do not know what is on the horizon regarding mages and Templars…but I do not want to trouble myself with what may or may not happen. I am here now, with you in my arms. That is all that matters.”
Cassie drew her brows together and kissed him. This kiss was neither simple nor chaste, this kiss was a kiss only the most passionate of lovers shared. Cassie wrapped her arms around his neck as Cullen wrapped his around her waist. There they stood mage and Templar, man and woman, lover and lover. All that mattered was the two of them, at least in this moment. It was a moment they had both waited a decade for and Maker neither of them wanted it to end. But eventually it had to for need of air. Cassie broke the kiss, but sucked on his bottom lip lightly before pulling away. Cullen swallowed, desperately trying to control himself so he wouldn’t push her to the floor and take her right then and there…despite knowing that she probably wanted him to.
            “When can you come to me again?” Cassie whispered breathlessly against his ear before sucking on the lobe.
Cullen groaned softly as he held her hips firmly in his hands.
            “I would tonight if I could…but I cannot. I need to get settled before we start sneaking off. We must be more careful now than ever before.” He said softly.
Cassie nodded.
            “It will be worth the wait.” She replied as she bumped her nose against his.
The two leaned in for another kiss before a knock at the door sent them pulling apart. Cullen moved to stand over by a bookcase and Cassie took her seat behind her desk.
            “Enter.” She stated.
The door pushed open just as Cullen turned to see who it was. A dark haired Templar entered the room with an assortment of flowers held in his hand. Cullen blinked. Before the man could say anything, Cullen asked,
            “Matthias is that you?”
The dark haired man turned to Cullen. Indeed it was his old friend…but he looked very different. His hair was a little disheveled and his stormy grey eyes held a hint of sadness to them…something that Cullen had never seen in his friend before.
            “Cullen? It… It’s good to have you back.” Matthias went over and shook Cullen’s hand with his free hand.
            “Thank you, it’s good to be back.” He stated.
Matthias nodded. He then turned his attention to Cassie.
            “Good afternoon, Ms. Amell. I couldn’t help but overhear you speaking with another mage this morning and I took the liberty of bringing you the flowers you were talking about.” He said as he held out the bouquet to her.
Cassie smiled.
            “Thank you, Matthias. This will save me a lot of time now!”
Cassie eagerly took the flowers from him and smelled them before she stood and placed them in a vase on a nearby table. Cullen raised his eyebrows slightly, curious over their interactions. Matthias stuck his hands behind his back.
            “I should return to my duties. I hope you enjoy the flowers, Ms. Amell.”
Cassie nodded.
            “Indeed I will. Thank you.”
Matthias smiled.
            “My pleasure.”
He turned to Cullen and bowed respectfully before exiting the room. Cullen turned back to Cassie. She noticed the confused expression on his face.
            “I’ve been helping Matthias cope after Surana passed away. We have a very strong friendship.”
Cullen’s eyes widened.
            “Surana died? But…how? Did she…oh Maker, did she fail her harrowing and Matthias had to…”
Cassie shook her head.
            “No. She…she was with his child.”
Cullen swallowed and sank into a nearby chair. Cassie looked down at her desk and sighed.
            “Once she realized it, she came to Wynne and me. We uprooted her from her shared room and gave her one of her own, which rose more than a few eyebrows. Surana became terribly ill, however and gave birth to the baby prematurely. Neither of them survived.”
Cullen closed his eyes and sighed. Cassie continued.
            “In just a manner of hours I lost my best friend and Matthias lost the woman he loved and their child. I helped him cope and we have been good friends ever since. Matthias is not the same though. That twinkle to his eye has faded from existence. That quirky smile he always wore is now usually a thin line or a sad frown.”
            “How long has it been?” Cullen asked softly after a while of silence.
Cassie looked at him.
            “Three years now. It doesn’t even seem like it’s been that long…her memory is still very fresh. Cullen her death was not a swift one. You could hear her screams echoing down the halls as death hovered over her, draining her of all life. I was with her when it happened, Wynne and I both were. It was one of the most horrible things I have ever experienced.”
Cullen shook his head. He couldn’t feel sorrier for his friend.
            “Do you know where he is now?” he asked.
Cassie nodded.
            “The Chantry.”
Cullen nodded and stood. Cassie gave him a small smile.
            “Matthias will be glad that you’re here, Cullen. Go and speak with him, I’ll be here waiting for you.”
Cullen looked at her. He slowly stood and walked over towards the door. Once out of Cassie’s office, Cullen set out for the Chantry. Maker he couldn’t even begin to grasp how Matthias felt. Surely everyday was like living in hell without Surana. Cullen knew that’s how he’d feel if anything ever happened to Cassie. Once at the Chantry, Cullen looked inside to see Matthias’s dark head. He walked over to the pew he sat in and sat next to him. Cullen glanced over at him to see tears were in his eyes.
            “I take it she told you?” he asked softly.
Cullen nodded.
            “Yes.” He replied.
Matthias turned and looked at him.
            “It’s true, what they say. You never realize what you have until you don’t have it anymore. Cullen…every day is a battle with temptation to not join her. They say things get better with each passing day…but to me it seems they have only gotten worse. I want nothing more than to hold her in my arms, to hold our child in my arms…but instead I am forced to wake every morning with the knowledge that she is no longer here. Even though it’s been three years I still can’t come to terms with it. Not hearing her laughter or gazing into her eyes…Cullen it is killing me. Perhaps that’s not such a bad thing, though. I want to see her again, how she was before when she was vibrant and happy instead of pale and sickly. I don’t want to remember her that way but it’s so hard not to think of her like that. I held her dying body in my arms, listened as she gasped for breath…I…I…”
He couldn’t finish as tears overcame him and his throat constricted from holding them back. Matthias buried his face in his hands and sobbed quietly. Cullen drew his brows together. He didn’t think he’d ever seen a man quite so broken before in his life. He placed his hand on his shoulder. After a moment, Matthias calmed himself. He looked at Cullen and said,
            “Cassie is a blessing to this horrible world. She has been wonderful, helping me cope with everything. Cullen, please be careful with her. I wouldn’t want to wish this pain that I feel on my sworn enemy. You have something special. Hold onto her and keep her as close as you can…because you really never know when something may happen that will take her away forever.”
Cullen nodded, at a loss for words. Matthias stood.
            “I should return to my duties. Thank you, Cullen. Even though you didn’t say anything because of my blubbering…it was nice to spill my heart out to someone other than Cassie for a change.”
He then left Cullen sitting alone in the Chantry. He sighed as he looked up at the statue of Andraste. After hearing Matthias’s story…Cullen realized he truly did have something special with Cassie. He stood and vowed that no matter what, he would find a way to be with her, to marry her, to have a family with her. It was farfetched with the way things were now…but someday Cullen hoped to call her his wife…even if they had to do it in secret.

A/N: Deciding to continue this fic! Hope you all enjoyed it! Next chapter will hopefully be up soon!
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Entiwned Hearts