[Dragon Age] Letters To Henry

7 - Coming Home

Lady Pentaghast throws herself against the door of their quarters and into the Great Hall of Skyhold, she runs as fast as her sleep-deprived legs will carry her down the centre walkway, hearing the sound of her bare feet pounding against the stone floor as she sprints. The Seeker feels eyes on her, as she runs, not caring that they will be making comments about her sanity and her unsuitability to be engaged to such a man as Lord Trevelyan. Cassandra grabs hold of the handle tugging it open as fast as she can, putting all of her weight behind it trying to open it quicker than the old metal hinges and her tired body will allow.

Eight days, the longest eight days of her life. Three days had gone by in a blur as The Seeker paced and prayed, unable to do anything but watch the gates day and night for any sign of the Inquisitor and the Commander. Not able to sleep or continue to function but still needing to keep everyone else positive had drained her. When the Raven had come from Cullen on the morning of the fourth day, minutes seemed to crawl past slowly as if taunting her that the time would never come that she'd

see him again.

'I'm with him Lady Seeker and we will soon return to you' The Commander had sent.

"Ashton!" Cassandra feels the words leave her lips much louder than she had intended when she stops at the top of the stone steps, glancing down to the front gate and seeing that they have been raised to allow people back into the safety of the fortress. "Please.." The Seeker mumbles continuing down the steps as fast as she dares. "Please be him." Lady Pentaghast says again as she reaches the bottom and turns to move under the archway. The Seeker had been waiting for the sound of those gates opening for days.

"Lady Pentaghast!" The Commander shouts looking up to her as he walks through the gate, walking a few paces behind the Inquisitor, leading his horse behind him on a long reign. The Seeker sees him spot her instantly, a large smile appearing on his tired face. Cassandra stops at the top of the steps when she sees him. "He's okay!" Cullen shouts to her as she directs her eyes finally to Lord Trevelyan, his horse following his master dutifully.

"Thank the Maker." Cassandra sobs when she looks at him, he looked terrible. The Seeker notices at once that he has been badly injured, every part of him that she can see is covered in cuts and bruises and he carries himself as if he's been hurt. But as far as she could see, he was just about walking and thank the Maker, alive.

The Seeker tears down the last flight of steps that stands between her and getting her hands on him, she runs across the yard not caring who is watching or the ridiculous protocol. She had torn herself apart without him, cursed him for being so stupid as to leave her and begged for his return. Even when she was sure hope would soon run out, she had refused to give up on him. Cassandra notices the Commander come to a stop in the yard handing his horse over to the groom, he looked exhausted too and as though he had been through his own ordeal. Cullen was such a good friend to them both and he had done exactly as he had promised, he'd brought the Inquisitor home.

"Cass.." Lord Trevelyan croaks when she continues to move towards him, she sees the concern on his face when he takes in her tired appearance and the worry for him behind her eyes. "I'm sorry." He adds meeting her eyes with his, The Seeker notices his clothes are covered in blood and dirt, as is the blanket that he has wrapped around his shoulders trying to keep him warm.

"Don't talk." Lady Pentaghast replies throwing her arms around him as he engulfs her in his, she sobs as he holds her tightly against him all concerns for his injuries gone for a moment. "I thought I'd never see you again." The Seeker whispers into his neck, feeling him tangle his fingers in her hair desperate to have every part of her touching him.

"Take Lord Trevelyan's body to the Infirmary. Have him cleaned up and prepared to be taken to Ostwick." The Commander says watching the Inquisitor and the Seeker clinging to each other as if scared to let go. He was sure there would be cross words but for now, he was glad to see them back together. Cassandra diverts her eyes to Cullen when she hears him order his men, it's only then does she notice they have managed to retrieve Henry and have brought him back to Skyhold. They would be sure to take care of his body and return him to his family.