#evesharmony

Eloise Trevelyan x Cullen Rutherford, for @dadrunkwriting​ & @evesharmony

“Herald, I don’t think-” Cullen begins hesitantly.

“Don’t think, just swing,” Eloise replies firmly. “Trust that you and Helaine have done your duty in instructing me in how to fight and defend myself.”

“Yes, but-” 

Once, back in Haven, what seems a lifetime ago now they had found themselves in a position much like this. She’d sought his help in teaching her how to fight against those who had training and means of combating magic. The young man terrified and traumatized by what he survived in Ferelden’s Circle during the Blight would never have believed he might one day be teaching a mage how to fight and best his own. Except that they aren’t, his own, not any longer. He is not a Templar, not bound to the Order, or Lyrium. Not anymore. He is free. Free to choose his allegiances, who he follows. And he chooses the Inquisition. He chooses her. This young, unassuming woman, who never aspired to anything like the position and titles she wields now, but he can’t imagine anyone else bearing with half as much competence and grace.

She’d been reluctant to cast a single spell in his direction, afraid she might hurt him. The realization had nearly bowled him over as well as any decent charge or spell without proper care could have done. The idea that she saw him. As more than a former Templar, perhaps even as more than the Inquisition’s Commander. Eloise Trevelyan, one of the scant few mages to survive the purge of the Ostwick Circle, with the battle scars and nightmares to prove it, was afraid not because of what he was- or had been- but because she might hurt him. He’d shared that concern then, but it was a trifle compared to the way his chest pounds now, fear coursing through his veins. 

They’re so much closer now, she’s more than just the Herald of Andraste, or even the Inquisitor now. There are moments when she can’t be, when those positions must come first and what they are and mean to each other has to be put aside. It’s a sacrifice both of them were aware of well before they decided to make it together, but that doesn’t make moments like this one any easier.

He doesn’t want to hurt her. Not for a moment. Not even by accident. And she’s too relaxed standing there. Not even bracing for an attack. And if she’s not ready, if he’s not careful, he could…

“Cullen.” A gentle, infinitely patient hand reaches up to cup his face, and he has to fight the urge to jump. She closed the distance between them while he’s been lost in thought and anxiety. A thumb caresses his slightly stubbled jaw as she waits for him to refocus his attention and meet her gaze.

“I could- I would never be able to forgive myself if-” She stops the rest of his words with a kiss. Soft and warm, slow and soothing. Cullen knows better by now than to think she’s given up, but allows himself to melt into the touch for a moment, one hand reaching out to grasp her arm, to keep her close.

“Nor I you,” Eloise smiles softly, pressing her forehead to his. “Trust me. Trust that I know that. I can defend myself. You won’t hurt me.” He lets the arm that’s wrapped around her drop reluctantly back to his side, nodding as she takes several steps back and waits.

He rushes forward and swings, sword sparking as it collides with a loud crack against a shimmering translucent sword summoned at a moment’s notice from the Fade and force of her will.

“Again.”

“Is that an order?”

“Yes. At least a few more times,” she adds, not entirely unmoved by his reluctance. “It’ll get easier.”

“I don’t want it to.”

“That’s why I trust you.”

Exactly what you should be doing :)

It's so early though!

ladybluck replied to your post:It 4:30am in the morning and I’m up for Comic Con,...

Have a good time :) Be sure to post pictures ^^

I will! :)