Dragon Age Inquisition: Farms and Estates

Letters from Skyhold

Dear Mia,

The visit to Ostwick went rather better than I had feared. Cecily's parents were very hospitable, and even told me that so long as I make their daughter happy I will be welcome among them. I am writing to our siblings with this news so they can stop worrying about the Bann trying to have me killed in my sleep (or whatever grisly fate they have been imagining).

I am planning to ask Cecily to marry me. Do you have any advice?

Love, Cullen

PS—Please do not tell Rosalie and Branson that I am going to propose, as this will only make them worry about Cecy's answer.

*

Dear Cullen,

I cannot tell you how happy your last letter made me. You are right to wait to tell our family, but I have no doubt about what Cecily will say when you ask. Emma and William will be beside themselves with joy to call her their aunt. (So will Thomas, when he's old enough to say the words properly.)

I cannot imagine what counsel I could give on proposing to a woman who has killed six--no, seven dragons. But Cecily has a sister, does she not? If she seems the approachable sort, perhaps you might write to her for advice on Marcher customs?

The only other advice I will offer is this: ask her soon. I love you, but you will over-think this if you plan too long.

Love, Mia

*

Dear Lady Evelyn,

I hope you will not mind me writing to you out of the blue, but I find myself in need of information and advice. Are there any Marcher traditions surrounding marriage proposals? (You can guess why I am inquiring, I suspect.)

Fereldens usually just ask, which is practical, but somewhat unromantic.

Best regards,

Cullen

*

Dear Cullen,

"Lady Evelyn?" Just for that I was tempted to tell you that Marchers traditionally propose standing on their heads, or give their betrothed an engagement nug. But then I realized that Cecy would string me up by my thumbs. Besides, I like the idea of you as my brother-in-law. So I'll tell you the truth: Marchers usually just ask as well.

If you are looking for something a bit more interesting, it used to be common to offer one's intended a small bouquet of a favorite flower. That is considered slightly old-fashioned now but I believe Cecy would like it very much.

Love, Evie

PS—No matter how you ask, she will say yes.

*

On a bright, clear day two weeks after he received Evie's letter, Cullen recruited Dorian, Josephine, Cole, and Cassandra to help him with a large shipment he had ordered to Skyhold in secret. When their task was done, they departed Cullen's office at staggered intervals, hoping to hide the fact that they had all been conspiring. Then Cullen sat down at his desk, pretended to focus on the latest troop reports, and waited for Cecily to interrupt him.

She was later than usual and for a while he shook his head at his bad luck, to have chosen one of the days when her duties would not spare her until the evening. But at last she knocked at his door and told him he had worked hard enough that day and so had she. He said he needed just a moment and suggested she wait outside, trying to pretend everything was normal. When she stepped onto the battlements, he waited for the door to close behind her and then pushed it open again, moving carefully so its hinges would not squeak and give him away.

As far as Cullen knew Cecily did not have a particular favorite flower. He had recruited Dorian to ask her but the Inquisitor, ever duty-minded, had apparently said "elfroot" (which was not even a flower, as Dorian pointed out in a very aggrieved tone when he reported back to Cullen). So the Commander and his co-conspirators had lined the battlements with every blossom he could get to Skyhold on short notice. Everything from lavender to crystal grace and embrium and daisies and even a bit of elfroot had made their way into the bouquets, creating a riot of colors. Also, they had run short of vases at the end, so some of the flowers were nestled in bowls and wine bottles and a few battered helmets. The effect was somewhat chaotic, but right now Cullen could not imagine anything lovelier than the sight of Cecily surrounded by flowers.

He watched her take it all in, wondered if she would recognize the old Marcher custom in this display. After a long moment, she turned back to the door, and her smile was bright and brilliant. He felt his own smile grow to match as he stepped towards her and took her hands.

"Cullen, this is beautiful," she whispered.

"I cannot take complete credit," he admitted. "I had help—and Evie inspired the idea when I asked her about Marcher traditions."

Cecily laughed. "So that's why Dorian was suddenly so interested in my taste in floral arrangements." She tightened her fingers in his, her eyes never leaving his face.

Cullen took a breath. He had practiced many versions of this speech—had even considered writing to Varric in Kirkwall for help crafting the words. But then he had remembered Mia's advice, and Evie's, and decided to simply say what he felt.

"I love you, Cecily. I want to spend the rest of my life with you—I want that more than I have ever wanted anything. Will you marry me?"

He knew her answer. But it still meant the world to hear it out loud.

"Yes. I can't imagine anything I want more, either. Yes." She giggled sheepishly, her eyes sparkling. "I already said that, didn't I?"

"You did. But I wouldn't mind hearing it a few more times just to be sure," Cullen murmured.

She stepped closer and slid her arms around his waist, then stood on her toes to brush her lips against his. "In that case, yes." Another kiss. "Yes."

When she kissed him a third time, Cullen wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, one hand splayed across the small of her back, the other sliding into her hair. As the kiss began to deepen, Cecily pulled back just a fraction.

"Yes," she whispered against his mouth.

That was the last thing either of them said for quite some time.