[Dragon Age] Letters To Henry

21 - The End

Lady Pentaghast tries to swallow down the large lump that she feels forming in her throat and tries to concentrate on the warm hand of Cullen that she feels wrapped tightly around hers. She feels him slip his fingers through hers again in an action that is too intimate for friends and that makes her stomach knot, she was going to be betraying both the men that loved her and was lying to the one that currently clung to her so tightly. Her protector, her best friend and her Knight in Shining Armour had no idea what was about to happen and no idea that he had agreed to enrage the Inquisitor to the point that he would try and kill her. The Seeker had to lie to The Commander, had to tell him that Daniel's plan just involved destroying the vial when the Inquisitor was at his most vulnerable. She had to convince him that Lord Trevelyan had to be blinded with rage so that they could end the curse that held him and shatter the glass. Little did Commander Rutherford know, the only way to lift the Blood Magic's influence on the Inquisitor was to use the power contained in the bottle. She was going to have to die at his hands to have him unleash the Life Bond from its confines of the vial around his throat.

The Seeker concentrates on the sound of his boots as he walks beside her, the steady pace of his soles hitting the stone giving her something to match her breath to so she remembers to release it. The man at her side loved her. Truly loved her and was willing to do anything for her, even if the end outcome was that Lord Trevelyan was returned to her and she would no longer be holding his hand like this and would be back with her true love. Cullen would sacrifice his feelings to help her, he just didn't realise what she was willing to sacrifice for the Inquisitor. Lady Pentaghast watches as he reaches his hand out to push the front door of the Trevelyan's home open, he places his hand high on the wood so she can step through it under his arm as he draws her through with the hand that he holds.

"I won't let him hurt you." The Commander mumbles when he notices the worried look in her eyes when she nods thanks to him for holding the door, she sees him glance back into the house sure that he has seen Lord Trevelyan not far behind them. Cassandra sees his eyes move back to hers again seeing another flash of doubt, she hoped she wouldn't have to see his face when their real plan was finally revealed to him. The Seeker didn't want to see his heartbreak before the world went dark.

"I know." Lady Pentaghast nods biting her bottom lip slightly, she feels The Commander drop her hand as he steps out into the yard of the Trevelyan estate looking around him to check that they are alone. "Cullen, I want you to know that whatever happens.." Cassandra begins watching him do a quick sweep around the area as if he is involved in a military operation and he is trying to secure the area.

"What do you mean, whatever happens?" Cullen asks with a frown walking over to the low stonewall running the edge of the steps, he peers over the edge of it before looking back to her when he is sure they are safe. Cassandra sighs when she sees him placing his hands on his hips waiting for answers she doesn't want to give him, she lets her own eyes trail around the grounds wondering where Daniel has concealed himself and whether he is watching them.

"I want you to know how much you mean to me." The Seeker whispers looking to The Commander again when she sees that he is distracted when he sees someone move in the hallway inside.

"Come here," Cullen whispers, motioning for her to move away from the house and to join him on the paved patio at the front of the house, pretending that he isn't trying to just get her away from the door and Lord Trevelyan that he is sure hides there. Cassandra hurries to him trying to listen for any telltale sign that the Inquisitor is watching them but can only hear the sound of talking and people laughing lightly coming from inside the house. "He's there. No more talking." The Commander whispers lowering his voice so only she can hear him, he brings his finger to his lips indicating she should keep quiet.