Dragon Age: The Silences Song

Chapter 4:

It had been a bumpy ride, and to Elizabeth's growing frustration, Cullen refused to ride alongside her. Since their wedding, she hadn't had a moment alone with him. From waking up in an empty bed to finding him already saddled at the stables, prepared for the journey to Weisshaupt, he had made it clear her presence was unwanted. Annoyed by her insistence on accompanying him, he had firmly stated she should ride at the back, flanked by two Inquisition soldiers "for safety."

This mission had been a joke from the start, but Elizabeth never imagined it would be this difficult. She had expected to charm some gullible commander, make him fall in love, and easily extract whatever information she needed about the Dreadwolf. Instead, she was being treated like a delicate noble, someone incapable of handling even the smallest task, and everyone kept their distance. No one spoke to her, and few even acknowledged her presence.

Even the horse she was stuck on seemed to share the disdain, constantly lowering its head and jerking the reins every time she tried to guide it, as if mocking her attempts to take control.
The journey to Weisshaupt had been as punishing as the rumors suggested. Nestled in the unforgiving peaks, the fortress seemed to mock anyone who dared approach. Only the Grey Wardens, with their grim sense of duty, would choose such an isolated and treacherous place to call their headquarters. Elizabeth silently prayed—to the Maker, to Andraste, and to any Dalish god who might be listening—that this ordeal would be worth it. The idea of leaving this inhospitable place without any meaningful clue would be unbearable.

The mysterious man had visited her again the night before they left, his voice a grim reminder of the stakes. He'd reassured her that Cullen's cold distance was preferable to a man showing too much interest in her. She had nodded, feigning agreement, but the idea still unsettled her. The pit in her stomach twisted with unease.

At least the commander was handsome, she mused, trying to brighten her mood. When she had first learned of the arrangement, she'd imagined some grizzled, cheese-eating brute who barked orders from a safe distance. Instead, Cullen was composed, strong, and clearly battle-hardened. But those qualities were turning out to be a double-edged sword. He wasn't the type to be easily swayed, let alone manipulated. And with him avoiding her at every turn, it left her wondering just how she was going to get through to him—or if she even could.

"We're here, your lordship," a soldier's voice cut through Elizabeth's thoughts, pulling her attention to the imposing gates of Weisshaupt Fortress. The massive doors creaked open, revealing the harsh world inside. To her right, a group of Grey Warden recruits—humans and elves alike—were practicing combat drills under the barked orders of a gruff commander. It was strange for Elizabeth to see such cooperation. The animosity between elves and humans in Denerim had been so deeply ingrained, it almost felt foreign to see them fight side by side without the usual disdain.

As one of the soldiers offered his hand, she gracefully dismounted, though her horse neighed in what sounded like relief. Elizabeth shot a glare at the creature, hissing under her breath.
Her gaze quickly found Cullen, his back turned to her as he greeted an older Warden. They clasped hands in a familiar, almost brotherly gesture. She took a step closer, hoping to catch a snippet of their conversation.

"You're here earlier than expected, Cullen," the older Warden said with a smile, his grizzled face softening with the greeting. "Nonetheless, we've prepared quarters for you and your men."
Cullen nodded,"Thank you, Warden-Commander. I appreciate your hospitality."

"After what the Inquisition did for us, we owe more than we can say." His expression turned grave before he noticed the woman standing behind Cullen. "You must be the new bride." His eyes gleamed with warmth, "A pleasure to meet you."

"Elizabeth Va—" she corrected herself, the name still feeling foreign on her tongue. "Rutherford." She smiled politely. "The pleasure is mine, Commander."

The Warden-Commander gave her an appraising look and grinned. "We don't often see beauties like you around here, Lady Rutherford. Just sweaty soldiers and moody mages, I'm afraid." He laughed, his voice booming through the courtyard.

Cullen shifted uncomfortably, "Shall we discuss the mission, Warden-Commander."
"Of course," the Warden-Commander replied, though his eyes lingered on Elizabeth a moment longer before turning back to Cullen. His tone shifted as he continued, more serious. "Word's come from the Deep Roads. We sent three Wardens down for the Calling, but the dwarves brought back news far stranger than we'd anticipated. Not a single Blighted darkspawn was found. Not one."

Cullen furrowed his brow. "Commander, with all due respect, this sounds more like a Grey Warden matter, not something for the Inquisition."

"You're right," the Warden-Commander acknowledged, but his voice grew tense. "But that's not the part that concerns us. One of the Wardens we sent down was found alive. He claimed he couldn't hear the Calling anymore—the song of the Old Gods. Silence."

Cullen's confusion deepened. "The Calling... stopped?"

The Commander nodded gravely. "Yes. And it gets worse. The dwarves say they found traces of someone else down there before them. An elf, they say. A powerful one. He'd been investigating some ancient dwarven ruins before vanishing."
Cullen's expression darkened at the mention of an elf, his thoughts immediately drawn to Solas. "A powerful elf in the Deep Roads, tampering with ancient ruins?"
Elizabeth's heart raced at the implications, but she held her composure, sensing something more was at play.

"Aye," the Warden-Commander confirmed. "We've been sending Wardens down for weeks—no sign of darkspawn. Nothing on the surface, either. This is bad, Cullen. We can't afford another Blight, especially with that elf lurking..." His voice trailed off.

"We'll investigate, Commander," Cullen said firmly. "But may I ask one favor of you?"

"Anything, Cullen."

"Would you house Lady... Lady Rutherford until we return?"

"No way," Elizabeth interrupted. Cullen finally turned to her, meeting her defiant gaze.

"It's not safe for you in the Deep Roads."

"I can handle myself. Besides, you heard him—no darkspawn," she countered.

"There are things worse than darkspawn down there."

"I'm going, and that's final." She crossed her arms, standing her ground.

"There is no way I am allowing you to go," Cullen said, his voice rising slightly. "You are under my—you're my wife. You are not going."

The older Warden cleared his throat, sensing the tension. "Perhaps I should show you to your quarters? It's been a long ride. Freshen up, and we can talk afterward?"

"That seems wise, Commander," Cullen said, his eyes still locked on Elizabeth