The Mage That He Would Forever Hold Dear (CullenxInquisitor Fanfic)

-8- The Fall Of Haven

Cold winds blew as the remaining people of Haven huddled together in small groups sitting around a small plato between two mountains. Snow chilled the air as it was picked up by the wind, cutting into any exposed flesh. With what they had managed to gather before leaving their safe haven, several tents and beds were littered around the area, along with fires made from old branches that the surrounding trees had provided.

Far from others sat Cullen, his head low and his back curved as he gripped an old coin that bore the mark of Andrastate. It had been a gift from his sister to bring him good luck during his time as a Templar when he had been sent away from home, but now; it was the only think keeping him sane. Without it had would have broken down in tears in front of everyone that was relying on him to ensure their security and safety using force if need be.

Prayers left his lips like a melody as he used every script he had ever read trying to ensure that Faith, the love of his life would come back to him. Even though he was focused on prayer, the thought of running off back towards Haven kept crossing his mind. If no one was willing to go with him he wouldn't blame them. It was a suicide mission, one that he was willing to risk for her. Most around him could only refer to her as 'The Chosen One' as they didn't know her true name. She was nothing more than an impossible idol to them that served as a reminder of the makers power, but she was far more than that.

Feeling the cold wind blow once more Cullen got to his feet, the faint voices of the other members of council muttering about Faiths absence and their worry. Slipping the coin back into its secret place on his armour he paced towards the three woman that had helped build the Inquisition, his chin pointed down as he watched them from under his brow. How could they just stand there and bicker while she was out there? Makers breath she must be freezing out in the open plains that lead to their little camp they had set up, her skin raw from the icy shards flying about. He couldn't take it any longer. He was going.

As he stormed out of their makeshift camp Cassandra, Lilliana and Josephine ran after him yelling for him to stop. He might have been crazy for doing this but he wasn't stupid. She couldn't be far... she couldn't be. It had been a few hours already, she should have gotten away a while ago and could have just been lost following their prints in such a storm. Shrugging off their grabbing hands he hurried through the deep snow that was rippling like water as the wind past over it, his metal boots chilling his feet.

Struggling up the sharp incline that lead out from between the two mountains he held his arm up to shelter his face from the winds that raged harder and more aggressively beyond the safety of the mountains walls. "Faith!" He screamed out, narrowing his eyes to avoid getting snow in them as the blizzard raged on. In the distance he spotted a small dark figure against the white snow, his brows furrowing as he attempted to figure out what it was. Making his way towards it he couldn't help but think it was it only a rock, most of its surface covered by snow that was being pushed around. But as he got closer his heart dropped.

Frantically running over he fell to his knees and pulled the dead weight onto his lap, letting the wind hit his back as he sheltered his front. Pale faced and bloody Faith lay slumped in his lap like a doll, chunks of snow and ice latching onto her hair. He couldn't help but pull her close to him, hiding her face in the fur of his shoulder as warm tears streamed down his cheeks. "No..." He breathed, fearing he was too late. As the others neared him cries left their lips, Lilliana running back to camp to alert their healers that they were needed. Picking her up gingerly he made sure to keep her face covered in the fur of his armour and her front facing in to try and protect her from the storm.

As soon as he made it back to the camp she was ripped from his arms, hurried into a tent and set on a bed. Immediately they began removing bits of her tattered armour that had been ripped to shreds, large gashes scattered all over her body. Cullen stood back nervously as he watched them strip her down to her under garments, the full extent of her wounds hitting him like a brick wall. Something had battered her to the point of unconsciousness from either blood loss or just a straight beating. Bruises coloured her in all shades, her soft lips were cracked and partially purple.

Cleaning her up they stitched her up and put various wards on her to help her heal, along with some paste salves they had made in case of an emergency. "She is freezing! She needs to warm up and the fire won't do much with how the storm is out there." One muttered, her hand grazing Faiths faint blue cheek.

"What about blankets?" Another started.

"That won't do much for her when she doesn't have much body heat left." The first replied with a growl. Clearing his throat Cullen drew more attention to himself than he would have liked. Several of the female healers smiling slimly. "Although if she were to have someone under the covers with her that might help her regain a stable temperature." All eyes were now on Cullen who had begun to blush even though he was still thoroughly worried.

"Commander..." Another said motioning towards Faith who was covered in several bandages all over her body, very little of her skin showing.

"O-only if that's what will help." He replied swallowing hard, everyone nodding before heading out of the tent to give him privacy to get undressed.

With his armour in the corner he knelt beside her in his tunic and pants, his soft gaze on her as he ran the back of her hand gently over her cheek. "I'm sorry I wasn't there sooner." He breathed holding back tears at how painful she looked. Under her bandages several wounds bled heavily, small patches of red soaking through. She lay at peace on her side, her cheeks tinted blue and red from bruising and the icy cold that help her porcelain skin hostage.

Slipping the tunic off he slid under the blanket behind her, pressing against her back. With a wince he let the shock of how cold she was wear off before wrapping his arms around her and holding her against him. He wished nothing more than for her to wake up and be okay. She was everything to him and he felt helpless against healing her from all that she had endured the last few hours.

After a while Cullen has began nodding off, the change in temperature from cold to warm getting the best of him as he closed his eyes, nuzzling closer to her soft hair, letting her scent fill his nose. If only he could hold her like this every night, pressed against her to share warmth as they both drifted off into the fade together. His arm began to move, his wary eyes slowly opening as Faith turned to face him, her eyes parting slightly. He could tell she was still asleep but for a moment their eyes met, warmth flowing through him as she berried her face into his chest, pressing herself against him as she closed her eyes and began to breath evenly once more.

"I'm so glad your okay." He whispered, his eyes slowly closing as he relaxed, running his hand gently over her back that had bandages across it. "I don't know what I would have done, had something happened to you." In his tired state Cullen leaned down and gently kissed her forehead, nuzzling his head into the pillow and falling asleep with Faith clutched to his chest.

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Hey guys! Sorry for being gone for so long, life's just really been kicking me while I was down and now with my new work hours it's hard to find time for anything. I'll be updating as much as I possibly can! Thank you for sticking around!