A Templar's Desire (DA:I - Cullen X Lavellen)

20. The Kitchen Elf

Once we arrived at the kitchen, the staff was surprised to see us. Cullen asked what was left from the two parties when I noticed I was being watched. A young elven girl observed me from the pantry. When she realized she was caught, she nervously looked down. I amiably approached her.

"Was there something you needed, Lethallan?" I asked her tenderly.

"Did you... enjoy the hearth cake?" she timidly asked, still looking away from me.

"You were the one Josephine made the cake with?" I questioned before reaching for her hand, "I was so surprised to see that cake on the table. I was overjoyed to see it. It was... truly wonderful."

She looked up at me, eyes wide and watery, and squeezed my hand before exclaiming, "Ar'm shathe ma nerem ra!"

"I enjoyed it very much. We should make another one some time, this time with the ash and halla butter. I will bring some back next time I'm in the Graves," I assured her.

Cullen came up behind me and touched my shoulder. The girl was frightened by him and was about to leave. I squeezed her hand before asking, "What is your name, Da'len?"

"Eletha..." she apprehensively said.

"Eletha is a beautiful name. I know you are aware of Commander Cullen. He, too, enjoyed the cake," I leaned in and whispered, "He is a big softy. He's only intimidating to the troops. You don't have to worry about him."

"Who's this, Lalin?" he asserted.

"This is Eletha. She made our cake with Josephine," I explained with delight.

Cullen's face beamed with joy. He advanced toward her, but being over two heads taller than her, he was unnerving to her. He knelt before her on one knee and radiated joy. Eletha's face softened.

"That was a splendid cake. You made our wedding day all the more special. I couldn't thank you enough. And... admittedly, I was apprehensive at first, but the cake was wonderful," he said with a warm smile.

"See? Big softy," I giggled, "Thank you for the cake. You should have been there with Josephine to show us! I would have loved to meet you sooner. It's difficult for both of us to meet every person who joins the Inquisition, but I try to meet as many as possible."

"Yes, regrettably, I only interact with the troops. Don't make my way to the kitchen or clinic all that often," Cullen admitted with a nervous sigh.

He rose and entwined his hand with mine. Eletha looked up at us, grinning with pride. She had made a traditional cake for the wedding of the Inquisitor and Commander, and she deserved to feel proud. The more I looked at her, the younger I realized she was, maybe 15 or so. A few other elves were in the kitchen, but she looked less like them and more like myself: blue eyes and white hair.

"Did you come here alone or with someone, Eletha? I'm just curious. I haven't met many elves that look like myself other than in my Clan."

She looked down. This question upset her greatly. I knelt and held her hand. A silent tear ran down her cheek. I gave her a reassuring smile.

"I'm... a member of Clan Lavellen. We sought refuge in Wycome. Then, a mob came to the city; they killed many elves. City and Dalish. They thought we caused the local plague to kill the humans. I hid, and some guards saved me. I came here with some other people from the Free Marches," she explained.

My heart dropped. It felt like time had stopped. My lungs couldn't take in air, and my mind couldn't think of anything. She was of my Clan. Being the First, I was Keeper-in-training. I had little interaction with the children. We were... a more prominent Clan. We had many warriors, scouts, and craftsmen... any of them could have been her mother or father.