Breaking the Divide - Cullen X Reader

9

To say that Skyhold was in ruins was to say the mark on her hand was a scratch.

Y/N limped up the staircase, leaning heavily on Cassandra's offered arm. They moved slow—each step its own aching challenge. The illusion that she'd somehow managed to heal over their two days of travel was an important one to maintain for the people gathering in the courtyard below. The Herald of Andraste, now official leader of the Inquisition, had to be more.

Keep your back straight, my dear, Vivienne's voice rang in her head. Y/N stifled a groan as she tried to make her movements appear as natural as possible.

When she'd accepted the role of Inquisitor earlier in front of the advisers, Cullen had stared at her as though she'd declared that everyone must return to the old ways of worshipping Dumat. "Why do such a thing?"

Y/N faltered on the final step, her hand flying up to her side. Pain shot throughout her body like lightning and her breath came in sharp pants. The world grew unsteady. Cassandra's hands tightened on her arm.

"Can you make it?" Cassandra asked under her breath.

"Give me a moment."

Why do such a thing?

Y/N ground her teeth together as she forced her body to move forward and accept the sword Leliana offered. A whimper escaped her as she took the full weight of the weapon. A second whimper followed as Cassandra moved away. Hefting the sword and testing her grip, she looked down at Cullen, barely able to make out the words he said as he roused the crowd. She inspected the length of the blade, noting the worn edges time had given it.

Why do such a thing?

To stop Corypheus. To protect the soldiers and civilians she'd come to know. To show Thedas that mages didn't have to be feared—that mages were people before they were anything else which meant as good and as flawed as any other.

Y/N shifted her grip, waiting for Cullen to finish before thrusting the sword into the air. She gave of a shriek of pain but deepened it instantly in the hopes that the others would take it as a war cry. Sweat dripped down the back of her neck. A faint buzzing grew in her ears. Cassandra's voice was distant as firm hands took the sword and guided her up towards the main hall of the keep. Y/N's arm was oddly light without the weapon.

"I think that went rather well," Leliana said as Cassandra helped Y/N into a chair.

Cullen stopped in front of her, his hand coming to brush against hers. "You did well, Inquisitor."

She glanced up to see him smiling. The bags under his eyes resembled bruises, but despite the weariness in his expression, there was a sense of relief in the way the corners of his mouth lifted up.

"Thank you," she managed before easing down with a sighed groan. "I'm glad Solas knew about this place, but I don't think it'll hold an army."

"We've already started gathering our forces in the valley below," Josephine said. Her voice carried on but the words didn't register as Y/N's side continued to ache and throb. She tried to relax and nod in all the right places as the facts about their forces and connections piled up. Winter Palace. Adamant. Wardens. Corypheus. Yes, yes. I'll get it done. I'm fine. Yes, I'm listening. Dark future. Samson. Corypheus. Red lyrium. Yes, I'll remember.

Y/N blinked when it was suddenly Varric who was staring at her.

"You finally here with me, Sweets?"

"I—" She sat up straighter in her chair and looked around. "Where are the others?"

"Gone. You've been in a daze for quite a while now. I wager you wouldn't have noticed if Andraste herself had walked naked through the room."