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Bethany’s sobs eased, finding comfort in Cullen’s understanding words and his supportive embrace. She had not realized how much her situation had bothered her until it unveiled itself through her emotional barrage. Though her situation saddened her, she had to face reality, she could not keep on going as she had. She was not her brother, he was special, and she would never be able to live carefree and without worry of being dragged to the Circle as he did. It seemed it was her fate to live her life in the Circle, and with Cullen as the Knight Commander it didn’t seem as if it was the worse fate to have. She pulled away from him slightly, rubbing at her red, watery eyes…..
“Then come with me now, before you drink a little to much,” he chuckled softly and grabbed her hand gently, easing her up from her seat. “I’m proud of you for choosing the right decision,” he smiled as sweet as he knew how - which wasn’t that sweet, at her.
Upon hearing about Carver harboring her, Cullen just shook his head, “No, I wont be mad at him. You are his sister. It isn’t any different from Thrask and his daughter, Maker rest her soul. I… personally I would protect a family member if they were a mage. Though, I know I would bring them to the Circle - but if later they ran from it, I would be hesitant to bring them back. Especially if they had a strong enough reason to leave. Like getting very hurt by someone or… something.”
He was already walking out the door with Bethany. “I hope Garrett doesn’t get too mad at me, I don’t want to see him when he’s angry again. He can be very intimating,” Cullen laughed and smiled at Bethany, walking towards the docks to take a quick boat trip to the Gallows.
She smiled when hearing Cullen’s laugh as they walked towards the docks, he laughed rarely and it was nice to see his relaxed smile. When she had first received his letter asking to meet her she had dreaded the possibility that she would be forced back into the Circle, she never would have though that she would be going back willing, almost lightheartedly. She supposed things happened for the best and she was in a much better place emotionally than she was before their meeting. She was optimistic about the future.
“I will talk to him if he gives you any trouble, I’m sure he will understand if I explain it to him.” She giggled to herself. “To think, little ol’ me protecting the Knight Commander of Kirkwall from the wrath of the Champion of Kirkwall…ah…” she became quiet for a moment, biting her bottom lip subconsciously. “Cullen, if…if I ever need…advice, someone to lean on or a friend… I can come to you, can’t I? Even if I’m in the Circle now? Even though I’m a Mage?”
Cullen put an arm around Bethany and rubbed her shoulder gently, “If you need an ear or shoulder to cry on you may always come to me for it. I’m mostly in my office in the entrance way - right across from the currently empty office of a First Enchanter,” he smiled down at her and was tempted to kiss her brow in kindness, but stopped himself. His arm dropped from Bethany’s shoulder and he started walking with the nearly tipsy girl back to the Gallows. He looked at the boat at the dock that he had come in, and helped Bethany into it, then got in it himself.
“You know, if I had my way, I’d let mages walk around Kirkwall free of an escort. But, you know I can’t. The Chantry and the hands of the Divine are watching me closer and closer each day. They were nearly interrogating me about my long trip away in Starkhaven with Prince Sebastian. It… it was terrifying really. So, for right now - the best I could do, is to make an open garden area in Hightown or the Gallows, with Templar’s watching the mages. That is all I can do until the Chantry… stops watching the Circle so intently,” he spoke while he was rowing them to the Gallows, his breath catching at times of hard rowing pushes.
“It’s as if they truly believe the Circle is going to go up in flames again,” he shook his head sadly, “And, with no First Enchanter - and no older mages wanting to fill in that role… it’s going to be difficult for mages to have their voices heard when mine needs to be so… edited by the Chantry.”
He was ready for Jowan - or… Levyn - to take his Harrowing. Ready for a few years to roll by and make him First Enchanter. Cullen knew when Meredith was in power no one wanted to be First Enchanter, and Orsino had done it almost forced. Cullen wondered why it was such a burden for the high mages to do it. He rowed until he was right near the docks of the Gallows.
Bethany bit her lip absentmindedly as she was being rowed to the Gallows. The Circle had been a place of such turmoil for her, memories good and bad, she had mixed feelings about returning. However, she noticed a sense of peace had come over her when she made the decision to return. Although the situation was not completely ideal, she would never have the freedoms she desired, she felt comfort in the fact she would have a place to lay her head at night.
"I'm certain you will do what is best when it comes to the mages, Cullen. I know you will always be fair and be advocate for our best interests when it comes to the Divine. I trust you and if you need my support or require my assistance in any way you shall have it, you need only ask." She paused, looking down at the waves lapping at the side of the boat. She had always loved the sound of water. Even while trapped on the bottom of the boat when her family had first traveled to Kirkwall the sound of the water was always soothing to her. Even now the sound caused her to relax.
"Thank you for everything, Cullen. You are a good friend." She said with a kind smile before turning to look at the moon above them. Yes, things were going to be good now, the Circle would be better. She was looking forward to starting anew.
Cullen helped Bethany out of the boat as it arrived at the Gallows. He walked with the woman, beside her - not leading her. He wanted everyone to notice that Bethany was not being forced into the Circle, but willingly going. He opened the big metal gates as they neared the Circle entrance. "You are a bright young woman, Bethany. You made the right choice, and I will do what is in my power to help those mages who are misfortunate. I hope maybe one day you can convince your brother to speak as more of a voice of reason for mages who just want to destroy others instead of working things out."
The Templars nodded their helmed covered heads at Bethany, saying welcome. From across the courtyard Keran looked over at Bethany, had a bit of a fit of excitement before getting knocked on his arse by the young recruits. Cullen shook his head, apologizing to Bethany for Keran's idiocy. He helped her into her new home.
[fin~ maybe we should make Keran a NPC so anyone can play him to get Bethany into more RP's!]
