Dragon Age Inquisition: Nelora's Tale

Rainstorm

Nelora was up in the Keep's library again, cuddled down into her alcove, reading one of the many dalish books Josephine and Solas had bought her, Blizzard laying in her lap. The rain pounded pretty heavily on the window, but never came through. So the little elf stayed there, sipping on her cup of tea. Lightning flashed in the window every now and then, with a soft rumble of thunder shortly after. But then a loud clap sounded right over Skyhold and Nelora yelped, pulling the blanket over her head instinctively. Blizzard screeched in shock, and ran out of the library, fur fluffed up. After a few seconds of hiding under the wolf skin blanket, Nelora pulled it from over her head, and looked outside. That was loud... She thought staring wide eyed out the window. After a moment, Nelora huffed, and got up. Hopping down from the ledge, and folding up the blanket laying it where she had been sitting. She grabbed the half full cup of tea, and her book then headed down the stairs towards her quarters.

Solas looked over as Nelora walked out from the arch way that the stairs led up to, and smiled at her. His desk was stacked pile high with books, and the many other odd and ancient objects. Nelora nodded to him, and continued on. Another, less loud thunderclap sounded overhead, and her ears just barely twitched. Nelora looked over as the Keep doors swung open, and a drenched Commander stumbled in. Hair plastered to his head, and water dripping off of his armor. He huffed, and shook his head, scattering water drops everywhere. Nelora paused, and turned to him, eyes concerned and amused.

"Cullen? Why did you come to the Keep in this rainstorm? Why not stay in your office?" She asked, walking over after she placed the cup of tea and the book on a table. He sighed, and grimaced at Nelora.

"The hole in the ceiling of my room? Rainwater's pouring in through it and has completely wrecked my bed and my desk." Nelora covered her mouth to stop herself from giggling, and her ears flicked down.

"I see. Well, you can come to my quarters, and we can get you dried off." She said pulling at the wet pauldrons, and smiled at Cullen. He sighed unhappily, and nodded, while Nelora turned and began heading to the doors of her quarters. Cullen followed silently, taking the soaked pauldron off, and draping it over his arm as he followed the elf. Nelora headed up the stairs, and opened the door to her room. Atila looked up, and barked as Cullen and her walked in. Nelora received a slobbery kiss from the mabari, and squeaked, pushing the dog back.

"Ew! Atila!" She giggled, and laughed, wiping off the drool. The dog barked again and bounced around once more before running back to her bed, and grabbing a bone to chew on. The elf stood back up, and looked over at Cullen.

"Okay, now to dry your cloths." She murmured turning to Cullen. The man looked up at her, and blushed slightly. Nelora blinked, and tilted her head, confused. "Why are you... Cullen." Nelora raised her eyebrow at him, and shook her head. "It's not like that, alright? If you like. I can dry them while you're wearing them. I just thought... because of the magic, it might make you... you know, nervous." She murmured, and twirled her foot along the floorboards that she suddenly found so interesting. Cullen walked over to her, and took her hands in his. Her skin was warm to his cold wet hands, and Nelora blinked looking at both of their entwined fingers.

"Nel. I'm fine with your magic. I trust you completely." Nelora looked up at his face, surprise and relief in her eyes.

"Okay." She said with a small smile, and moved closer.

Yellow light flickered to life in her hands, and heat emitted from them spiraling outward, and wrapping around Cullen. Nelora pressed her hands lightly to his chest, and the heat slowly spread from her fingertips, and went through his limbs. Drying his clothes from where her hands were, outward. The cloth dried quickly, but she still kept her hands on Cullen's chest, the magic flowing around both of them. It heated the air to a comfortable temperature, and cleared any chilled wind that might have blown into Nelora's room. Cullen blinked, and looked up from watching her hands, to her blue eyes, his eyes warm and kind. Nelora looked up as well, and smiled at him, pulling her hands back. She blushed slightly, then looked down at her feet again.

"Well, you've dried off now." She murmured quietly, and twirled her foot again. Lightning flashed in the window, lighting up the elf's room. Nelora looked over, then yelped as a loud thunder crack sounded. She crashed into Cullen, and buried her face in his chest, shaking slightly. He blinked, and looked down at her amused while he wrapped his hands around her. Nelora looked to the side at the window, and watched as the lightning flashed again, and other crack following a few seconds after.

"Are you afraid of storms?" Cullen asked, looking down at her wide eyes.

"No, I just don't like the sudden loud thunderclaps like the one before." Nelora murmured, her ears flicking up and down nervously. "My ears are sensitive, and the loud noise almost deafens me everytime." Another rumble sounded farther away again, and Nelora's ears slowly stopped flicking, eyes losing the fearful look they had. The elf still clung to Cullen, not wanting to let him go, enjoying the closeness, and smell of trees. The Commander smiled and looked over at the window, the rain hitting it softly while another faint flash of light shown through. He felt her tug on his shirt slightly, and looked back down to see Nelora was looking over at her bed. Cullen smiled, and lifted her up. The elven mage squealed in surprise, but started giggling nonetheless. Cullen walked over to the bed, and set her down on it, before sitting down next to her. Nelora smiled, and brushed her fingers along his jaw as she sat up. She faced the Commander, and moved her legs so she could sit cross legged. Cullen smiled at her, and brushed Nelora's bangs back, tucking them behind her ear.

"I love you, you know that right?" Nelora murmured suddenly, looking up at his golden eyes.

Cullen blinked in surprise before responding, "I love you too." Nelora smiled and kissed his cheek before hugging him again.

"I... never thought that, this would ever work you know." She murmured, eyes flashing. "I'm a Dalish elf, you're human. I'm a mage as well, and you were a templar..." Cullen pulled back from their hug, and pressed his lips to hers. She kissed him back after a moment's surprise, and when he pulled back, Cullen was smiling at her.

"What was that for?"

"I love you for you, Nel. I don't care if you're a mage or an elf." He said, cupping her face in one of his hands. "As long as you're happy, I'm happy." Nelora blinked, and tried to clear her eyes as they started watering slightly.

"You are unlike any human I've ever known, Cullen." She said taking his hands in hers, "You've changed my view to humans, and shown me even templars can be good people." She murmured, and her eyes fell down and her voice changed to a whisper as the storm rumbled on again. "I may not always be worthy of your attention or love. But I will always cherish it." Nelora paused and looked to the side, "To think, had I not gone to the Conclave, had I not survived it. I wouldn't have met you, or all the people I'm friends with." Cullen pulled Nelora into a hug, feeling the same way.

"I don't think anything that we have accomplished, would have happened if you were someone else." Nelora closed her eyes and laid her head on his chest, listening to his heart beat.

"I don't think anyone would survive a day in my shoes. Fighting corrupt and normal dragons, a old magister darkspawn, demons... they'd probably die after a few days." Nelora murmured, smiling to herself while Cullen chuckled. Nelora's ears flicked up as she remembered something and looked up at Cullen, "You can stay in my quarters from now on." She murmured quietly, "I don't need you getting sick from the hole in your office, and you said your bed was wrecked anyways." Cullen blinked in surprise and looked at Nelora.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course, Lion. Once this rain stops, I can come and help you move the more personal items of yours up here if you like."

"I'd like that. Thank you."