Cullen continued to smile at the stranger to their land. He was no longer glaring at her anymore, this much he knew for a fact. Looking her over, he noticed the curves of her body for the first time. He saw that her chest was a decent size, bigger than most women’s since others seemed flat chested or close to it, she also had a tiny waist and big hips which caused heat to rise up at the back of his neck. He had a past of having inappropriate infatuation with a mage when he was younger. Not knowing this young woman’s background it made him feel a little uneasy but at the same time she was mysterious.
“We can start with your archery lessons tomorrow morning.”
“How early in the morning are we talking about?” Sirena asked in her soft soprano voice, though her voice wasn’t shrill or annoying. It sounded young and beautiful to his ears which made him thankful that it was cold out since it kept the blushing at bay.
“At sun rise.” She winced a little from hearing the time.
“You might need someone to wake me up then. I have a hard time getting up super early.” Cullen chuckled softly at her suggestion. “You think I’m joking, but I’m really not.”
“I’ll personally come wake you up.” He chuckled again enjoying his time with her thus far while thinking to himself, obviously amused. ‘She’s funny but she has to be bluffing.’
“Then I feel bad for you, I’ve heard what I do and I guess it isn’t pretty.” Sirena replied to him finally.
“What do you do?” He asked curiously with a raised brow.
“I guess you will find out, won’t you?” She replied flirtatiously not even meaning to flirt, it just happened. Cullen watched her turn her back to him and walk away. He let out a soft laugh then went back to training his soldiers, even sparring with them.
Back in the cabin that Sirena shared with Evelyn, she walked over to her bed and saw her so called “cousin” at her desk writing.
“What are you writing about and to whom?” The American woman asked Evelyn curiously.
“About you being my cousin to my family so that will mean a portrait will need to be painted of you so it gets hung up on a wall in my family’s home. I will also need to teach you how to be a proper noblewoman.”
“If I must…” The Herald of Andraste turned around in her seat to look at younger girl with a soft smile.
“I’m sorry, but yes, you must. I hired a painter from Ostwick for tomorrow so I will need you in the war room in the afternoon. You will need to sit straight with your shoulders rolled back so please practice your posture. Posture is everything, well one of many things.” Sirena immediately straightened her back and rolled her shoulders back as well as making her head straight while nodding her head in understanding. Evelyn chuckled softly. “Perfect! Oh! I’m also getting a dress made for you as well for the portrait and any occasion you may want to wear it.” She couldn’t help her jaw from dropping in surprise. Evelyn had been far too kind to her and she didn’t understand why. She was an outsider; someone who didn’t belong there.
“You don’t know how grateful I am for the help you’re giving me through this. It means a lot.”
“I have a feeling that you’re very grateful.” She smiled softly at her new younger cousin, trying to make her feel like a legit family member of the Trevelyan familytrr. “You will now also have a family connection which is a very good thing.” Evelyn’s eyes squint slightly as she thought a little before asking a question to Sirena. “Would you like to tell me about your family name, Laurelet?” Sirena placed her hands on her lap as she looked down trying to put her thoughts into words.
“It is an old noble English name back in the fifteen hundreds. It is basically an extinct name in the nobility now, sadly.” She said while shrugging her shoulders that said ‘what can you do?’ “May, I ask… Why are you doing this for? You don’t even know me.” The logic in her brain was curious. If she was the others, she’d have thrown herself in the dungeons for an interrogation.
“I found myself in the dungeons only to get interrogated by Cassandra and Leliana, I didn’t want the same to happen to an innocent. Anyway, you can bring the name back, maybe not where you’re from, but here, you can. It isn’t impossible especially with the help of Josephine.” The Herald of Andraste smiled encouragingly to the new addition to her family. She got up off her chair and walked out of the cabin with her message in her hand.
Finally, alone, Sirena sat on her bed leaning against the wooden wall staring into nothing while thinking to herself. She can see Thedas will be her home for a while since she didn’t know how to get back to where she truly belonged. ‘It can’t be too bad to live in this world, can it? It dangerous, yes, but not that bad… I just need to learn how to fit in.’ She thought to herself as her eyes slightly closed. The poor girl was already missing her mother and other family she had. They were always there for her and now she had to rely on herself and Evelyn who had basically adopted her into her family. But why exactly was a portrait needed? Remembering the information she gained from reading books, she knew it was a way to see who were all family. Most if not all noble and royal families had them. Hearing a knock on the cabin’s door, she jumped slightly from the sound and climbed off the bed. She walked to the door and slightly opened it to see Cullen on the other side. Her head tilted slightly in confusion and looked past him at the sky.
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“Well I know it’s not morning yet…” He let out a little chuckle from her witty comment. “Um, did you need anything?” She asked a bit shyly, remembering her horrible flirting skills.
“No, but we are needed in the war room so I thought I’d come get you on the way.” He watched her closely noticed her posture had changed into a noblewoman’s within two hours. Sirena noticed him eyeing her as subtly as he could, but it wasn’t subtle enough since she had noticed.
“I know I’m just transforming into a lame proper lady… Blech.” She made a disgust look on her face. In America, she was used to the slouch. With her cloak still on, she walked out into the cold. “Let’s go then.” Sirena walked side by side with Cullen as it snowed lightly in the open sky. “So I heard you are an ex-Templar…” She said as she looked up at him through her thick lashes. Though, she hadn’t heard anything. It was what she knew about him already. She just wanted to start a conversation.
“Indeed, I am an ex-Templar. After the devastation that happened in Kirkwall, I left the order and joined the Inquisition at Cassandra’s request.” Sirena nodded her head to show that she was listening to his background story that he told.
“What did becoming a Templar entail? Were there vows that had to be made?”
“It took a lot of training, I had joined the order when I was thirteen and to answer your other question, yes, there are vows Templars have to make.” As they were walking and talking, he looked down at her wondering why she was interested in his past. “We vowed to protect the people and mages alike and abide by the Chantry.” She assumed the Chantry was their version of a church or something or other.
“Does that include celibacy?” Sirena asked curiously, she didn’t really know anything about Templars and what they have to do.
“Templars are allowed to get married with permission from the Chantry.” Cullen answered eyeing her a bit.
“What about you?” She asked as her cheeks blushed red from the heat rising to her face.
“I…Uh…Maker’s breath, can we talk about something else?” He asked while rubbing the back of his neck getting all flustered while his cheeks turned a bright pink. She nodded her head while biting her lower lip, avoiding eye contact for the time being. Cullen turned his gaze to look back down at her and saw her cheeks were red which to him made her look adorable. “Were you part of any Chantry vocation?” He asked her curiously. Sirena shook her head from left to right.
“No, I spent my time in school, college, and work.” His eyes widened in surprise. He had never heard of a noblewoman working unless it was for the chantry. Or the ladies got high education instead. To say the least, he was impressed with her; she had gained some respect from him. Before they both knew it, they were in front of the doors to the war room.
“Looks like we made it.” Cullen said quietly to Sirena.
“Indeed it does…” He held the door open for here yet again. Keeping her posture straight, she muttered under her breath “fuck the proper posture.” Cullen let out a little laugh due to her comment, it was clear that he didn’t like nobles all that much. After shutting the door behind him, he quickly walked behind the table and stood in his usual spot, holding the hilt of his sword with his left hand. Sirena walked up next to Evelyn and across from the Commander. When everyone seemed settled in their places, Evelyn took a deep breath to make her announcement.
“The day after tomorrow, I will be going out to the Hinterlands to help the refugees and hopefully get more recruits for the army.”
“Will your cousin, Lady Sirena, be going with you?” Leliana asked while eyeing the youngest person at the table. The Herald of Andraste turned her head to look at her cousin to see her opinion. Sirena shook her head knowing full well that she can’t fight yet and knew she would be a liability instead of an asset at that point.
“I’ll pass this time.” She smiled softly then looked up at Cullen and noticed he was watching her. They made eye contact for a split second before she lowered her gaze to look at the table. Josephine watched the two with amusement before making a comment.
“This will be an opportune time for the Inquisition to rally people to our cause as well.” Evelyn nodded her head to what Josephine said since it was true. They could really start making allies amongst people and the best way for that was to get better known among the people.
“Herald, the army could use horses as well so I suggest going to the horse master Dennet, who is in Redcliffe field.” Cullen added while looking to his clipboard.
“Alright, does anyone want to say anything else?” Evelyn asked while looking around at every person who stood around the war table. Everyone shook their heads in response to her question and set their clipboards down, well everyone but Sirena and Evelyn since they didn’t have clipboards. “Meeting adjourned then.” The Herald of Andraste walked out in a hurried stride. Leliana looked at the Herald’s cousin then looked at Cullen with a small smirk.
“How old are you, Lady Sirena?” The American eyes widened in surprise over the fact that Leliana was talking to her directly instead of demanding on how she got there or about the Divine. All she knew was that the red head was not to be trifled with. The woman knew how to use a dagger and could kill her easily which made her all that more scared of her. Though, she did respect the used to be bard.
“I’m twenty-three, why do you ask?” Both the spymaster and the ambassador looked over at Cullen who had a controlled poker face look on his face and snickered at him.
“I was just curious is all; you look younger than you actually are so I had to ask.”
“Ha ha, like I haven’t heard that one before.” Sirena said while rolling her eyes. One could tell she was being sarcastic. Not to mention she was trying to play it cool so that she didn’t show her fear. Leliana then raised a brow at her before asking another question.
“And your family name?”
“It is Laurelet, an old noble family name.” The American explained before stepping away from the table. If you’ll excuse me…” She removed herself from the war room to go back to the cabin where she was staying with her “cousin” to get some rest. Cullen stayed behind with Leliana and Josephine, watching Sirena leave the room.
“I see someone can’t take his eyes off our new young friend.” Josephine joked while the spymaster smirked while remaining silent. The Commander scratched the back of his neck while trying to hide his discomfort from getting caught. But it wasn’t what the two thought, he was just curious about her.
“I have no idea what you are talking about, but I too, need to head out.” The girls laughed as he retreated quickly from the room.
“Five silvers say Sirena and Cullen get together.” Josephine said, making a bet with Leliana.
“You’re on.” Both women finally left the war room with amused smirks on their faces.