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[PrimordyaForever]

Getting to Know You

…Haven…

 

It was a thing of beauty.

 

Leaning against the fence by the smithy with his arms crossed over his broad chest, Blackwall could not help but smile in appreciation at the sight of Dyana Trevelyan riding the new horse Master Dennet had acquired for the Inquisition. Her ginger hair released from its normal ponytail, it flew behind her like a pennant as the normally reserved Herald smiled widely and laughed in joy as the strong steed galloped beneath her.

 

It figured that Dyana would be skilled at riding on horseback. She was nobility after all. Were horses not a common interest shared among those of noble birth? But there was something different about the way the Herald rode. Unlike other ladies of noble birth that he had seen ride in the past, Dyana was less interested in looking the picture of perfection atop a magnificent beast than she was in actually riding the steed.

 

She cantered…

 

She galloped…

 

She leapt over obstacles…

 

She rode the horse astride the way a man would.

 

The moment Dyana had mounted the steed, her exterior of ladylike perfection vanished and was replaced by wide, carefree smiles that some would say showed entirely too much teeth…but that Blackwall found to be as refreshing as summer breeze. He watched as Dyana turned the steed back towards the tables and returned down the path at an easy trot. He noted as she passed that her face was flushed and glowing from the exhilaration of her ride, and it caused his breath to catch in his throat just a bit. Blackwall watched as the Herald dismounted before leading the horse back into its pen, and he watched with curiosity as Dyana shooed the horse master away when he approached to remove the saddle. Tilting his head, the veteran warrior watched as Dyana unfastened and removed the saddle herself with practiced skill and place it aside upon the pen's railing before taking up a brush and beginning to smooth it over the steed's back.

 

His puzzlement led him to make his way over to the Inquisitor. Upon reaching the pen, he simply leaned against the wooden railing for a few moments and watched as Dyana groomed the horse. "You ride as well as trained cavalry…actually, better I would wager," he said at last with a small smile. "You could actually probably teach them a thing or two."

 

Dyana looked to the Warden and smiled shyly. "Thank you," she replied before turning her attention back to her task. "I wish Haven allowed a more open space for riding…some place where the horses could really run."

 

"It's not every day one sees a noble lady riding astride like a man," Blackwall ventured after clearing his throat.

 

Dyana smirked at that. "Oh, make no mistake…my mother was not pleased at first upon my outright refusal to ride side-saddle. She called my riding astride 'vulgar' and could not understand why I would choose to act in so 'mannish a fashion'. But, once she saw just how good I was, she quickly changed her tune and realized that my riding in such a way did not make me any less the lady that she had trained me to be." A small giggle escaped her. "That, and I conceded on the sort of clothing I wore whenever I went riding." Another small giggle escaped her. "Mothers are funny."

 

"Conceded on clothing?" Blackwall asked with a curiously quirked eyebrow.

 

Dyana nodded and began brushing out the horse's mane. "She had me wear an ensemble not entirely unlike what Vivienne wears…trousers with half an overskirt…" She crunched up her nose a little. "Though not nearly as elaborate. She claimed that just because I rode like a man, it was still no excuse to look like one." She gave a small shrug. "I figured it was a small price to pay, so I gave in. Pick your battles…that's how the saying goes, isn't it?"

 

"I find it hard to believe that anyone could mistake you for a man," Blackwall said with a chuckle and a small shake of his head even as he pictured Dyana dressed like Vivienne. "I must admit, I'm having a difficult time imagining you dressed like that mage," he said with thinly veiled distaste. It was no secret that he and the Court Enchanter did not get along.

 

"Oh, my ensembles didn't have all the elaborate collars and baubles," Dyana replied with a small shake of her head. "And my boots were flat-heeled." She paused in her task and stared blankly down at her feet before looking to Blackwall. "Honestly, I have no idea how that woman traverses all the various terrains we encounter while teetering around on heels," she said bemusedly. "You don't suppose she enchants her shoes to keep herself from tripping over roots and uneven ground, do you?"

 

Blackwall grinned and chuckled. "Wouldn't put it past her…that woman is all about appearances."

 

"Don't misunderstand me…I'm rather fond of pretty shoes myself…after all, sometimes a girl just wants to have pretty feet, but there is a time and a place for such a things…and a march through a marsh is hardly one of them." She wrinkled her nose, and her upper lip curled up just a bit. "I am glad to see the back of that smelly, squishy marsh though…ick."

 

"A practical view on footwear," Blackwall replied with a nod and a small chuckle--thoroughly enjoying the conversation. Every so often, the prim, proper and overtly girly facets of Dyana's personality would rise to the surface, but Blackwall found that he did not mind when it happened. While they were indeed parts of who the Herald was, they were not all that she was. In spite of her noble upbringing, she was at her core a human being and never pretended to be anything to the contrary. "If I may say so…I'm surprised you chose to tend to the horse yourself. Don't think Dennet expected it either for that matter."

 

Finished with brushing, Dyana placed the brush aside before pulling her hair back into its usual tail and fastening it into place. "I love horses. I cared for my own horse back home and took great pride in it," she answered with a small shrug before sighing. "I miss him so…" She took up a hoof pick and coaxed the steed to raise its front, left leg before cleaning out its hoof. "Ghost is his name, and before coming to the Conclave, I rode him every day. We would spend hours together."

 

"Ghost?" Blackwall asked while trying not to stare at Dyana's rump as she bent over to clean the hoof.

 

Dyana nodded while straightening so she could move to the next hoof. "His entire body is as white as freshly-fallen snow, and his eyes are as blue as sapphires…unusual to be sure, but so very striking and beautiful," she said with a smile.

 

Blackwall was fighting a losing battle against himself. Try as he might, his gaze was continuously drawn to Dyana's heart-shaped bottom. Finally, he gave himself an abrupt shake. This woman was the Herald of Andraste. She was not to be ogled and lusted after like a common bar wench. Still though…

 

Did she have to be so blighted pretty?

 

They had flirted back and forth from the first moment they had met, but nothing ever came from it. Blackwall had made certain of that. He had kept his flirting passive, and more often than not, he ignored Dyana's attempts--changing the subject whenever he could. But that did not mean he was not attracted to the young woman. After all, Blackwall was a man in the prime of his life. He was not blind...not by any means, and the fact that Dyana never treated others with condensation in spite of her social status only acted in her favor. The beauty of her face matched that of her heart, and for Blackwall it was a blessed change.

 

And such a beautiful face it was…

 

Now finished with her task, Dyana placed the pick back where it belonged before reaching into one of the small pouches on her belt and pulling out two sugar cubes. She offered them to the horse with a smile and gently stroked its face as it ate the tasty treat out of her hand.

 

"She seems to like you," Blackwall observed with a smile.

 

"Well I like her, so it works out perfectly," Dyana replied with a growing smile while reaching up to scratch behind the mare's left ear. "Have yourself a nice rest, pretty thing…tomorrow, we start a long journey," she said before unlatching the gate to the pen and stepping out before fastening the door shut behind her and leaning against it with a small sigh and a thoughtful pout.

 

"Problem?" Blackwall asked as he turned fully to face the lovely Herald.

 

"Just worried about what's to come," Dyana replied with another sigh. She would be departing for Therinfal Redoubt in the morning. "The Templars weren't exactly friendly towards the Inquisition in Val Royeaux…what if we're met with a similar response or worse upon arriving at their self-appointed base of operations? They would have us at a decided disadvantage…"

 

"You're right to be cautious," Blackwall replied with a nod of understanding. "Pray for the best, but expect the worst…that's always a good rule of thumb. That, and staying alert. Tactically, the Templars will have the advantage, so you must keep your eyes open and not stray from those you choose to bring with you."

 

Dyana looked up at Blackwall with her thoughtful pout still in place. "Cassandra has already declared that she is coming with me, but would I be out of line in personally requesting that you come with me as well? The two of you have seen more than your fair share of battles…you'll be able to see what I won't because you will know what to look for. I would feel much more confident during the course of this mission if I have the two of you at my back."

 

A small smile played over Blackwall's lips as he gave a small nod. "I would be happy to accompany you, Lady Herald," he replied. "My sword and shield are at your disposal."

 

Dyana smiled and her shoulders sagged in obvious relief. "Thank you," she replied earnestly. "I mean it...thank you."

 

"Think nothing of it," Blackwall answered simply with a small wave of his hand before falling silent for a few moments. "If you don't mind my saying so, you're not like other noble ladies I've met."

 

Dyana blinked and raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

 

"Make no mistake, you're still very ladylike and whatnot, but…you don't look down on people who are socially below you," Blackwall explained. "You don't stand on ceremony or act condescendingly towards others…you treat them with respect and aren't afraid to lend a hand when they need it."

 

"How else should I treat them?" Dyana asked pointedly. "They are people, and they are breaking their backs to make the Inquisition function. They are the lifeblood of the Inquisition, and I appreciate everything they do, and I make a point of showing it whenever I can." She slowly exhaled while squaring her shoulders and raising her chin. "Social station and rank have no place here on the front lines, Blackwall…not when we all shed blood in the same mud."

 

His blue eyes filled with admiration, Blackwall gave a small, approving nod. "You are a woman to be admired, Lady Herald," he said. "The Inquisition couldn't be in better hands."

 

"Thank you," Dyana replied while shyly biting her bottom lip as she tried to ignore the butterflies fluttering in her belly resulting from the way the Warden was gazing at her. She bashfully shuffled her feet. "Would you…would you care to join me for a drink in the tavern?" she asked while gazing up at the veteran warrior--not yet ready to part ways with him. "Maybe we could begin strategizing for when we meet with the Templars?" she added hurriedly.

 

Chuckling inwardly, Blackwall smiled and stood straight as he stepped away from the pen. He resisted the urge to offer Dyana his arm. As adorable as she looked in that moment, and as attracted as he was to her, he knew that he could not allow anything to come of their flirtations. "As you wish, Lady Herald. Lead the way."

[PrimordyaForever]

All Wet

…Hinterlands; three months later…

 

Blackwall watched as Dyana carefully picked her way down the steep path that led down the side of the mountain. He watched the slow, hypnotic sway of her hips as she took step after dainty step, and while he tried to focus on the bow and quiver strapped to Dyana's back instead, he was once again fighting a losing battle. Dorian chatted away amiably as the group made their way through the wilderness as though they were not in fact hunting down groups of Venatori, but it did nothing to distract the veteran warrior.

 

Maker, what was wrong with him?

 

Not only did the nearly twenty year age difference make him almost old enough to be Dyana's father, but socially he was completely below her station. While he had risen through the army ranks to become a Captain, he was still a commoner by birth and she was noble lady. He was able to notice Dyana's status even from the first moment they met, before he knew her surname--as a Marcher, he course knew of the Trevelyans. It was obvious in the way that Dyana carried herself. Her every mannerism was graceful and dainty...and while she never openly complained, she had a definite dislike of getting dirty. Never mind that Dyana was the Herald of Andraste, but now she was in charge of the entire Inquisition.

 

She was his superior in every way.

 

By all accounts, Blackwall had no right to gaze at her with such longing. Nothing ever could or would happen between the two of them, and it would be foolish to fantasize about it anymore than he already had.

 

And he had fantasized about her.

 

Too many nights, he had lain awake thinking of her--of how it would be to simply hold her close and bury his nose into her hair. Would it be as silken as he imagined? Too many nights he had lain awake thinking of what it would be like to kiss her. Dyana's lips were so enticing--begging to be kissed. Would they be as soft as they looked? Too many nights, Blackwall had given in to his carnal desires and pleasured himself while thinking of the two of them passionately entwined and tangled together as they made love over and over in various positions.

 

Blackwall had tried so very hard to resist--to quash his feelings for the Inquisitor, but his old tricks simply did not work anymore. Not that they had worked all that well to begin with, and after almost losing her at Haven, his feelings for Dyana had steadfastly refused to be ignored.

 

"Redheads, huh?"

 

Blackwall blinked and looked up at Iron Bull who was walking along beside him. "Pardon?"

 

"Redheads," the qunari repeated while nodding towards Dyana. "They're nice…like really nice. Always had a thing for them…they're really rare among my people, but you humans have plenty of them."

 

"Ah…I see," Blackwall replied--not knowing what else to say on the matter.

 

"Yeah, it's a ****** dream come true," Bull said with a grin and a chuckle before watching Blackwall carefully out of the corner of his eye. "Sure wouldn't think twice if the Inquisitor decided to ride the bull...she sure has a great rack, and her ass isn't bad either." Because they were a way behind Dyana and Dorian, he did not have to worry about being overheard.

 

Blackwall clenched his jaw as a sudden surge of jealousy gripped him. "Does she?" he asked tersely. "I hadn't noticed."

 

"Really?" Bull questioned--seeing through the lie instantly. "Just as well then...means there's more for me. Yeah…those hips will be nice to grip," he added with a lecherous smirk which only widened into a triumphant grin when Blackwall suddenly whirled around to face him and yanked him down to eye-level by his harness with a wordless snarl and narrowed eyes. "Busted."

 

Blackwall blinked in confusion. "What?

 

"I hadn't noticed," Iron Bull mocked in a low voice with a roll of his eyes. "My aching ass." He grinned and gave Blackwall's shoulder a light--by Bull's standards--smack. "You, my grim-faced friend, have a thing for our lovely boss."

 

Blackwall's eyes widened around the edges. "I…I don't know what you're talking about," he said hurriedly while letting go of Bull's harness.

 

Iron Bull raised an eyebrow. "Uh, huh…and your attempt at kicking my ass just now was what? The Wardan equivalent of a handshake?" he asked wryly. When Blackwall frowned and averted his gaze, Bull gave him a small shove. "Go on and tell her how you feel. Keeping it bottled up obviously isn't doing you any good."

 

"I can't," Blackwall answered tersely.

 

"Why not?" Bull asked with genuine curiosity. "She'd be only too happy if you did, trust me…I've seen the way she looks at you."

 

"I just can't," Blackwall answered with frustration. "What I feel for the Lady Inquisitor doesn't matter. Nothing can ever come of it," he added in attempts to convince himself that he was right. But his heart was not so easily swayed. For all his efforts to keep himself from doing so, Blackwall had fallen for Dyana…hard. His feelings had only intensified when Dyana tipped her hand and revealed that her feelings for him went beyond the flirtations they had shared.

 

Maker, she cared for him...she cared for him.

 

"Don't think so much about it," Bull said. "Just go up to her, grab her and kiss her. Kiss her good."

 

Before Blackwall could reply, a sudden squeak followed by a splash prompted him to hurriedly whip his gaze around to see Dyana who was currently sitting in the middle of a stream with an utterly shocked look on her face as her sopping hair clung to her face. "Inquisitor," he said while rushing past Iron Bull and pushing past Dorian before sliding skillfully down the rest of the mountain. "My Lady Inquisitor, are you alright?" he asked while striding into the calf-deep stream and offering a hand to Dyana whose mouth was currently pressed into a thin line of annoyance at her soaked state--her nose wrinkling in the most adorable of ways.

 

"No, I'm not alright! Look at me! I look like a drowned rat! Maker…it will take me forever to dry off," Dyana growled through her chattering teeth as she accepted Blackwall's hand and let him pull her to her feet. "If this didn't alert the Venatori to our presence, then the sound of wet shoes squishing through the mud will, and don't even get me started on how horribly uncomfortable walking around in wet leather is going to be. I'll be chafing in the most horrible of ways." She blinked when she saw Blackwall's shoulders shaking, and it did not take her long to realize that the Warden was suppressing his laughter. Her eyes widened briefly in indignation before her nostrils flared. "I can't believe it…you're laughing at me!"

 

"No, I'm not," Blackwall protested weakly--his blue eyes twinkling in mirth. It was not Dyana's misfortune that he was delighting in, but rather her bluster. While the Inquisitor was able to be intimidating when she needed to be, this situation was not one of them. Flustered as Dyana was in her current state--with her voice becoming squeakier as her annoyance grew, she resembled that of an angry mouse, and the veteran warrior thought it was the most adorable thing he had ever seen.

 

"Yes, you are," Dyana nearly shrieked before giving Blackwall a shove--only to knock the both of them off balance and back into the cold water with a splash.

 

Blackwall's eyes were wide in surprise at his sudden chance of position. Looking to Dyana, he narrowed his eyes in a mock glare. "Brat," he growled while giving the Inquisitor a splash--his heart racing with excitement. There was nothing for it. He loved her.

 

"Grouch," Dyana retorted with a return splash and mock glare of her own--her face flushed. Moments later, her entire body was trembling with the effort it took not to laugh, and at length, her giggles bubbled out of her before forming a unique harmony with Blackwall's belly laughs.

 

Standing on the bank with Iron Bull, Dorian watched the sopping pair with a small smirk as Blackwall carefully stood and helped Dyana to her feet. "Think they'll need any more nudging?" he asked of Bull in a low voice.

 

Iron Bull smirked before rolling his head upon his shoulders. "Nah…I think they can take it from here."

[PrimordyaForever]

Kisses and Conversations

…Skyhold, a month later…

 

Pleased with the progress she was slowly making with Blackwall, Dyana had been sauntering over to her desk--a spring in her step and a song in her heart--when a dark figure glimpsed out of the corner of her eye caused her to suddenly stop and turn as her heart leapt into her throat. The sight of Blackwall leaning again the doorway of the balcony closest to her put Dyana at ease and briefly allowed her heart to resume its normal pace before it raced in excitement when she saw the hungry way in which the Warden was watching her. How long had he been there? It did not matter. He was there now. "I knew you couldn't stay away," she greeted playfully with a smile.

 

Blackwall sighed heavily and shook his head. "No, I couldn't. If only you knew how confounding you are…how impossibly infuriating." From the first moment he had realized his attraction for Dyana, Blackwall had worked so very hard to suppress his feelings and keep their relationship as a platonic friendship--but not nearly as hard as when Dyana revealed that she had feelings for him as well. But every moment he spent with the lovely woman before him only served to chip away at the wall Blackwall had erected around himself to keep the object of his affection and desire at bay. Every smile, every giggle, every pensive pout…Blackwall looked forward to them all just as much as he looked forward to simply seeing Dyana every day.

 

Maker…the way Dyana was smiling at him at that very moment--her large, almond eyes filled with such fathomless trust. She smiled at him the same way at the ruin. She had believed everything he had told her. She trusted him.

 

It was too much!

 

Her loving gaze was like a dagger twisting into Blackwall's heart. He did not deserve that gaze, and he did not deserve the love that was behind it. He could not allow this to continue. "I…I wanted to thank you for accompanying me to that ruin," he said while stepping over the threshold and into the room. As he slowly made his way over to the Inquisitor, he knew that he needed to end this before it truly started. It was the right thing to do, and in the end it would be kinder to Dyana. "I wanted to…" Blackwall had to tell her the truth. In lieu of that, he had to let her go. It would be cruel to stake his claim when they had no possibility of a future. He had to set her free. He was close enough to touch her now…and he suddenly lost his nerve. "I just had to see you…" he said with an air of helplessness and a small smile before gently pulling Dyana against him and claiming her soft lips in a tender, searching kiss before abruptly ending it and taking a step back from her. "No…this is wrong," he said with a shake of his head. "I shouldn't even be here," he added while gazing sadly upon the woman he wanted and treasured above all others. 

 

Dyana smiled sweetly. "I doesn't feel wrong," she replied--her heart still fluttering wildly.

 

"I want to give in," Blackwall said with an underlying desperation. "Maker knows how much I wish I could…I'm not what you want. I could never be what you deserve…"

 

"You're wrong," Dyana protested fervently--her smile fading. "You're a good man."

 

"Am I?" Blackwall asked--truly unable to answer the question himself.

 

Dyana's smile returned and her eyes were alight. "I see it."

 

Those earnest words were like salt on an open wound to Blackwall. Truly, he did not deserve such trust and admiration. "There's nothing I can offer you," he said sadly. "You'd have no life with me. But I…I need you to end this…because I can't." He begged silently of Andraste and the Maker to answer his prayer--to have Dyana push him away because he did not have the resolve to do it himself. Why could he not be a braver man?

 

Dyana's smile never wavered. "I'm not letting you go," she said simply.

 

Cold dread settled in Blackwall's belly even as his heart raced with excitement, because he knew that no matter how much joy he would experience with Dyana by his side, it was doomed to end in misery. "We'll regret this, My Lady," he murmured while drawing Dyana close once more--slipping his arms around her waist and simply touching his forehead to hers as he gazed deeply into her eyes. They were such a beautiful shade of green…darker around the edges, and gradually lightening into a warm hazel at the center. They complimented her ginger hair and freckles perfectly. Blackwall always had been partial to freckles…even when he had first become interested in girls as a young boy, and he so loved the way Dyana's were sprinkled over her lovely face. He particularly loved how they graced her elegant nose like a smattering of cinnamon. His eyes briefly fluttered closed when Dyana's soft, rose petal lips brushed tenderly against his cheek, and he swore that his heart melted in that moment. It was a chaste kiss…sweet and innocent--just like Dyana. It had not been meant to arouse him, but rather to coax him into letting her into his heart and his life at last. Why then did it make Blackwall's heart race with excitement and his blood boil with desire?

 

"Do you regret that?" Dyana asked in her dulcet voice once she had pulled away enough to gaze into Blackwall's face.

 

Of course he did!

 

Blackwall regretted that he was allowing himself to become entangled with the beautiful woman in his arms. He regretted allowing Dyana to believe that the two of them had some semblance of a future together. Dyana deserved better than that…she deserved better than him. She deserved a man who had not been lying to her from the very beginning about his identity. She deserved a man who could give her anything and everything she ever wanted. After all, the Inquisition would not be needed forever, would it? One day, Dyana would have to think about her own future, and she would not have a future with him. Blackwall knew he could not keep lying to Dyana. Even now, it was clawing at his insides...but he was too afraid to tell the woman in his arms the truth. He was terrified of what she would think of him. Blackwall was capable of much, but he could not bear the thought of being alive in a world in which Dyana thought ill of him. Yet in spite of this, Blackwall could not stop his lips from crashing down upon hers and claiming them in a deep, hungry kiss as he pressed Dyana's soft, feminine body against his.

 

How could he?

 

Her body was soft and pliant in his arms, and it felt so right having her pressed against him. Blackwall remembered how receptive Dyana had been to his first kiss--how her hands had clung to his tunic while she eagerly kissed him back. She wanted him just as he wanted her, and the reality of that made the veteran warrior groan in longing as he walked Dyana backwards until she was pressed against the railing that separated the stairs from the rest of her lavish quarters. He pressed into her hips and held them in place with his hands as he deepened the kiss and planted his feet firmly on either side of hers--slowly rocking against her. Maker, it had been so long since Blackwall had been intimate with a woman since his self-appointed "exile", and his body ached for Dyana's as it had ached for no other. It was not so much a mere want of being with her as much as it was a driving need.

 

Blackwall needed Dyana.

 

He needed to be near her. He needed to have her in his arms…to feel the life thrumming through her as their bodies pressed together.

 

Dyana shivered in excitement when she found herself trapped between Blackwall and the stone railing of the staircase, and she slid her hands up from the Warden's strong shoulders so she could gently tangle her fingers into his raven tresses. Her soft whimper answered Blackwall's aroused growl, and her tongue surrendered to his as it explored her mouth; but upon feeling the hard evidence of her Warden's arousal pressing against her, she gasped and stiffened against him--suddenly nervous about where the kiss was leading.

 

Even in the midst of the heated moment, Blackwall could feel the change in Dyana, and so he broke the kiss and searched her eyes. He searched for any sign that the Inquisitor had changed her mind about them. Instead, he saw only confusion and uncertainty. "Is everything alright?" he asked cautiously.

 

"Yes…?" Dyana asked with a questioning lilt as her hands slid down from Blackwall's hair and rested on his shoulders instead. "Maybe? I…" A brilliant shade of pink began coloring her cheeks, and she ducked her head in a vain attempt to hide it--suddenly wishing she was wearing her hair down in that moment.

 

It did not take long for Blackwall to realize the reason for Dyana's sudden case of nerves…

 

She was a virgin.

 

Blackwall had always suspected that was the case, but now his suspicions were confirmed, and he hated himself even more. How could he do this to Dyana? How could he be the one she entrusted with her innocence when everything he had ever told her had been either a complete lie or a half-truth? If he were a stronger man, he would end things right at that moment and allow Dyana to think him a selfish man who only wanted to get her into bed. In the end, it would be the kinder thing than allowing the both of them to become entangled. It would be kinder to have Dyana be angry with him and even hate him for a time instead of utterly destroying her when the truth was brought to light…but Blackwall could not bring himself to do it. He could not bring himself to be parted from her, and counter his previous lies with yet another lie. So, it was with infinite tenderness that he cupped Dyana's face in his hands before tilting it up to his. "Too fast?" he asked softly.

 

Dyana gave the smallest of nods. "Please don't hate me," she whispered--eyes filled with worry even as her blush deepened.

 

Blackwall's smile was warm, and his blue eyes were filled with a love that he felt in spades and could not yet voice aloud. "Never," he whispered before brushing a chaste, tender kiss to Dyana's forehead as he reined in his desire. "I could never hate you, My Lady," he added fervently. "You are perfection personified…you are everything I have ever wanted."

 

Dyana's hands moved to cup Blackwall's cheeks. "Make no mistake, I…I want to, and I want you to be the one that I…" Her blush deepened and she shyly bit her bottom lip. "I'm not quite ready yet. I thought I was, but…" A small sigh escaped her, and her eyes fluttered closed when Blackwall brushed another kiss to her forehead. "My Warden…" she whispered with a smile as her heart fluttered in her chest.

 

"I'm in no hurry," Blackwall said while stepping away from Dyana so he could instead take her hand in his and lead her over to the sofa. In truth, perhaps this was a blessing in disguise. Perhaps he could work up the courage to tell Dyana the truth before they climbed into bed together--before she spread her legs for him and allowed him to make her his. Yes…slowing down would be good for them. Even if eventually telling Dyana the truth ended things between them, Blackwall would at least be able to look himself in the mirror. "Take as much time as you need, My Lady. In fact…I'm feeling a bit nervous myself now, so your determining of our pace will actually be a blessing."

 

Dyana blinked in surprise and gazed up at her Warden curiously. "What reason do you have to be nervous? You've done it before...unlike me, you know what you're doing." She sat upon the sofa once she had reached it--still holding Blackwall's hand.

 

Chuckling softly, Blackwall sat beside her and lightly brushed his thumb over her knuckles. "This is true, but...it's been a long while since I've been with a woman, My Lady...and even longer since I've deflowered a virgin." That was the truth. "But even if that wasn't the case, this time is different."

 

"Why?" Dyana asked curiously.

 

It was a small smile that curled upon the corners of Blackwall's mouth, and he raised Dyana's hand to his lips so he could brush a kiss to her knuckles. "Because this time, it's you…and you matter to me more than anyone else. You're the only woman I've ever truly cared about, My Lady, and I do care about you so very deeply."

 

"Have you never been in love before?" Dyana asked as she raised her free hand so she could smooth it over Blackwall's dark hair--smiling when the Warden leaned into her palm.

 

"The life of a Warden doesn't allow for such sentimentality," Blackwall answered carefully after giving a small shake of his head. "Our lives are unpredictable and dangerous, and we are fully aware that any given day could very well be our last…it's why with very few exceptions, we tend not to recruit people who are married and have children." He sighed. "We leave our past lives behind and devote ourselves entirely to the cause, and that means that we take our pleasures when we can and don't expect anything more."

 

"You weren't always a Warden," Dyana prompted gently as she lowered her hand from Blackwall's cheek.

 

Blackwall sighed and gave a small shake of his head. "No…but I was young and foolish. I rejected a chevalier's offer to train under him, remember?" He hung his head a little. "Women threw themselves at my feet because I was handsome and a skilled soldier…I couldn’t see a reason to walk away from that life and settle down. But since meeting you…" He sighed again. "Since meeting you, My Lady…I want more. I need more." This was the most honest conversation he had ever had with Dyana since meeting her, and Blackwall was loving every moment of it.

 

Dyana smiled and lightly placed her free hand upon Blackwall's knee. "You can have more."

 

"Can I?" Blackwall asked in a whisper as he gazed into Dyana's eyes. "More than anything, I want a life with you, My Lady…but I can't outrun the decisions I made in my past. Eventually, I will be forced to face them." He scowled. "It's a cruel twist of fate that the Maker would bring us together now. Why could I not have been born later…or you sooner? If I had only known you sooner, I would never have…" He hung his head. "It's unfair is what it is…****** unfair. If I had known you earlier in my life…so many things would be different. If you were able to look past my being a commoner, I would've married you the second I could afford to buy a ring, and I would've broken my back to make you happy…even after I had worked my way up through the ranks of the army, my primary concern would have been you…providing for you and any children we had."

 

A small ache formed deep within Dyana's womb at the mention of children, and she gently freed her hand and shifted on the sofa so she was close enough to nestle into Blackwall's body. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek before letting her head fall against his shoulder. "So we will simply have to make the most of what time together we do have," she murmured. She did not fight when Blackwall pulled her onto his lap and wrapped his arms tightly around her before burying his face in the crook of her neck. "And for the record, I would have been able to see past your social station," she added with a smile. "Because you still would have been you, and I fell in love with a man, not with a social status. I don't care about status and station. Besides…as the youngest of several siblings, I'm allowed a certain degree of leniency," she added with a smirk. "I doubt our union would have ruffled many feathers…so long as you treated me well and made me happy, my parents would have welcomed you into the fold."

 

"I would have done everything in my power to make you happy," Blackwall vowed fervently while nuzzling into Dyana's neck--paying particular attention to her pulse as he deeply breathed in her scent. "You are everything I've ever wanted, My Lady. Had I known you in my youth, I would have forsaken my careless ways, and worked to better myself so I could be the sort of man you deserved." He reverently kissed Dyana's racing pulse.

 

"You already are," Dyana replied earnestly with a delighted shiver while stroking her Warden's hair. "You're a good man, Blackwall…I only wish that you could see it as clearly as I do." She nuzzled into that dark hair. "The hypothetical me we were talking about just now would have been infinitely proud to be yours…to be your wife and bear your children, just as the real me…the one here in your arms right now would."

 

"I love you, Dyana," Blackwall whispered fervently as his arms tightened around his beloved. He had been unable to stop himself from saying the words, and now that he had finally said them, he found that he did not regret it. "I love you so much."

 

Dyana's heart fluttered wildly within her ribcage, and she smiled as she cradled Blackwall's head. "And I love you, Blackwall," she whispered.

 

"Thom," Blackwall uttered after a few moments of silence.

 

"Pardon?" Dyana asked softly.

 

Blackwall slowly raised his head and rested his forehead against Dyana's while gazing into her eyes. "My given name is Thom." The moment the admission left his lips, the veteran warrior felt a portion of the great weight he carried with him vanish into nothingness.

 

Dyana smiled and a small giggle escaped her before she could stop it. "I've gotten so used to calling you by your surname that I may forget to call you by your given name in public."

 

"So don't," Blackwall replied with a small smile before lightly kissing the tip of Dyana's nose. "It's how I prefer it, actually. Let my name be something special to be shared only between the two of us."

 

"Thom…Thom Blackwall…Thom…" Dyana mused before her smile returned. "You look like a Thom," she said before softly kissing her Warden's lips. "I like it," she whispered before kissing him again. "And I love you, Thom…"

 

Blackwall allowed his eyes to drift closed as his heart skipped a beat. He loved the way his name sounded on Dyana's voice, and it had been so long since he had heard it spoken aloud. "Say it again," he whispered. "Please."

 

Dyana's hands move to cup Blackwall's cheeks. "Thom…" she whispered while lightly rubbing her nose against his. "I love you, Thom." She sighed happily when her Warden captured her lips in a slow, searching kiss, and her hands moved up to tangle gently into his dark hair once more.

 

"Dyana…" Blackwall whispered against his beloved's soft lips once the kiss had ended. "My Lady…"

 

Dyana smiled against Blackwall's lips before resting her forehead against his. "Thom…my Warden."

[PrimordyaForever]

Worth Fighting For

...Camp in the Emerald Graves, two months later...

 

"If anyone had told me when this all began that you and Blackwall would become an item, I would have laughed them out of my sight, my dear."

 

Dyana had been sitting on a log and gazing into the campfire while brushing out her ginger hair when Vivienne sat primly beside her--after placing a small cushion between herself and the rough wood--but she paused in favor of looking to the Court Enchanter. "Pardon?"

 

"You and Warden Blackwall," Vivienne repeated. "The two of you are rather an odd match."

 

Dyana drew her eyebrows together a little. "In what respect?" she asked while sitting up just a bit straighter. "If you're referring to our age difference--"

 

"Age is but a number, my dear," Vivienne said with a small, dismissive wave of her hand. "In the end, it matters not. The matter to which I am referring is the obvious fact that the two of you couldn't be more different…you a Lady belonging to a noble house, and he little more than a wandering vagabond."

 

Dyana's eyes narrowed just a bit. "He is a Grey Warden," she replied simply.

 

"He is part of a decaying order that has long-since outlived its usefulness," Vivienne countered. "Why you allowed them to remain after what happened at Adamant is beyond me, my dear."

 

Dyana raised an eyebrow and stared at Vivienne incredulously for a few moments. "So long as the threat of Blights remains, then the Wardens will never outlive their usefulness, or do you perhaps know of another way to kill an Archdemon that would render the Wardens useless?" she asked pointedly while squaring her shoulders. "Warden Blackwall is a brave and seasoned warrior. He is a man of honor who would lay down his life if it meant saving the world from creatures who would see it destroyed. You don't have to like him, but you should at the very least respect him and what he represents," she said coolly.

 

Neither woman noticed that the others in the camp were watching and listening to their conversation--some more obviously than others.

 

"All that bravery and honor cannot make up for the fact that he smells or the fact that he is snide and disdainful towards his betters," Vivienne retorted.

 

"You mean the fact that he is snide and disdainful towards you," Dyana countered. "Blackwall has never had an issue with me, and he and Cassandra treat each other with mutual respect, which leaves none but you as being singled out and treated with snide disdain, now why could that be, I wonder…?" Dyana mused while thoughtfully tapping her chin. "It couldn't be the fact that you treated him with nothing but thinly-veiled contempt from the first moment you met, could it? No, that couldn't possibly be it," she added facetiously. "Treat others in the way that you would like to be treated, Madame de Fer. But if you decide not to, then do not play the victim when they react poorly to your barely-veiled insults and backhanded compliments, for truly it does not become you." Not once did Dyana raise her voice. Rather, she remembered the many hours spent with her mother training for just such an occasion. 'While a lady should never accept rudeness, she should never lose her composure whilst dealing it, my child. Rather, she must rise to the occasion with dignity and grace. A lady must never give in to her impulse to lose her composure while putting the offending person in their place, for that is what her antagonizer would want her to do because it would prove that they are better than she. A lady must never give them that satisfaction'. Her mother's words echoed through her head. "And for the record, I happen to love the way Blackwall smells," Dyana replied.

 

Both of Vivienne's eyebrows shot up--albeit gracefully. "You enjoy the smell of sweat, do you?"

 

"I enjoy the smell of horses and wood smoke," Dyana answered smoothly. "They are my two most favorite scents in the world, and Blackwall smells like both of them combined…his sweat personalizes that scent and makes it his own," she added with a brief smile. "And for the record, men are supposed to sweat."

 

"My Lady Inquisitor?"

 

Dyana turned upon the log to find Blackwall. She smiled--any anger and annoyance she had felt mere moments before melting away completely at the sight of her beloved's face. "Yes?"

 

"Might I have a word?" Blackwall asked while offering Dyana a hand.

 

Dyana placed her hand in Blackwall's. "You may have several," she replied with her smile still in place as her love gently pulled her to her feet. Stepping over the log, she tucked her brush into her belt while falling into step beside her Warden as he led her away.

 

Huffing and giving a small shake of her head, Vivienne turned her attention to the fire.

 

"That could have gone better," Cassandra said as she lowered herself onto the log and sat where Dyana had been sitting. She then proceeded to clean and sharpen her blade--her nightly ritual. "I half expected the Inquisitor to punch you in the nose."

 

"Her upbringing forbade it, my dear," Vivienne replied coolly before glancing over her shoulder at Dyana and Blackwall who had by then put enough distance between them and the group to put them out of earshot. "But it would seem, she ignores it in other respects."

 

Leaning against an ancient, stone column, Dyana smiled and her heart fluttered as Blackwall presented her with a flower. It was blue, like the Warden's eyes, and the Inquisitor lifted it to her nose to breathe in its subtle scent before tucking it behind her ear. "Thank you," she murmured. It was not the first token of affection Blackwall had given her, but that did not make it any less special to her. Her heart raced in excitement when her Warden slid an arm around her waist before leaning in to kiss her. It was a tender kiss--the Warden's lips gentle against hers--yet it made Dyana's heart feel like a hummingbird trapped in a cage. But it was nothing compared to the ache that formed deep within her when the Warden held onto her after the kiss ended--gazing deeply into her eyes while cupping her cheek and holding her hand in place as it cupped his own cheek.

 

Blackwall never wanted to let her go. At the end of every kiss, he always lingered in some way...a touch of the forehead, a light rub of the nose...all done in an attempt to make the moment last as long as possible. All of their kisses were like this…had been like this since the night of their first kiss two months ago. While they lacked the raw passion of their first kiss, they were by no means lacking in intensity. While Blackwall channeled everything he felt for Dyana into his kisses, he never once demanded more from her. True to his word, he allowed her to determine what happened next and the pace of it. He was chivalrous and a perfect gentleman.

 

"You are so beautiful," Blackwall murmured before turning his head enough to press a kiss into Dyana's palm. "I still can't believe you would want me," he added with an air of awe as he leaned down to rest his forehead against hers.

 

"Why wouldn't I?" Dyana asked bemusedly.

 

"I heard you and Vivienne talking…" Blackwall began. "The whole camp did."

 

Dyana sighed heavily. "Maker…I was trying to keep my voice low. I'm so sorry you had to hear that."

 

Blackwall sighed and moved both his hands to Dyana's shoulders. "I don't give a fig for what that woman thinks of me. Her opinion couldn't mean less to me. The only woman whose opinion matters to me is you."

 

"Well, I meant every word of what I said." Dyana answered fervently while gazing up into Blackwall's eyes--her own eyes fluttering closed when the Warden's strong hands moved up to cup her face with infinite tenderness.

 

"I know," Blackwall whispered before leaning down when Dyana tilted her face up in silent invitation. "I know…" He gently claimed her lips and tried to ignore how his stomach twisted up in knots at how fiercely the woman in his arms had defended him. If she only knew just who it was she was defending, she might not have been so quick to raise her hackles when Vivienne had spoken ill of him. When the kiss ended, Blackwall lowered his hands to his sides and took a step back from Dyana while averting his gaze.

 

"Is something wrong?" Dyana asked.

 

"You put so much faith in me, My Lady…I…" Blackwall clenched his hands into fists and summoned up his courage and resolve. This was it. He was going to tell Dyana the truth. He was going to tell her the truth one and for all. He raised his gaze to hers with the intention of telling her everything…but the fathomless love he found staring out at him from the Inquisitor's lovely eyes caused his voice to die in his throat. How could he tell Dyana the truth when she loved him and believed in him so vehemently? Learning that it had all been based upon a lie would utterly destroy her.

 

How could he do that to her?

 

"Yes?" Dyana prompted gently while reaching out and lightly resting a hand upon Blackwall's arm. "What is it, Thom?" she asked in a low voice. "You can tell me anything. Talk to me," she entreated. "Please?"

 

Blackwall's heart felt as though it were in a vice. He did not deserve such a woman. How could he when he could not even summon up the resolve needed to tell her the truth that she deserved to know? "I…" His shoulders sagged. "I only hope that I can live up to all the faith you've put in me," he said. "Maker knows I don't deserve you," he added with sad eyes that he hoped did not reflect the amount of self-loathing he felt at that moment. He did not expect Dyana to close the distance between the two of them and slide her arms around his neck, and his breath caught in his throat as she shyly pressed her body against his. When she rose up on tip-toe to brush her lips against his, Blackwall could not help himself from wrapping his arms tightly around Dyana's waist.

 

"I say that you do deserve me," Dyana whispered. "And one day, you will see the goodness that I see in you," she added fervently while gazing up into Blackwall's eyes. She kissed him again. "I love you, Thom." Another kiss. "I love you and I always will."

 

Blackwall buried his face into Dyana's hair and his arms tightened around her as though afraid she would be ripped from him at any moment. "I will love you the rest of my life, Dyana," he whispered while deeply breathing in his beloved's scent. "If I died tomorrow, it would be as a happy man because I knew you and had in you my life for a brief instant."

 

"Well then, in the interest of the shattered heart I will endure when that day comes, I will simply have to ensure to keep it from happening for as long as possible," Dyana replied firmly as her own arms tightened around Blackwall.

 

"You can't control what the future holds, My Lady," Blackwall murmured.

 

"Haven't you learned anything about me, Thom?" Dyana asked with a small smile as she turned her head so she could nuzzle Blackwall's ear. "I never give up what's mine…not without a fight," she whispered into it. "And you my love, are worth fighting for."

[PrimordyaForever]

Save the Last Dance

…Winter Palace…

 

"I shall meet you at Skyhold," Morrigan said before turning on her heel and departing.

 

Dyana watched the occult advisor for a few moments--finding her oddly out of place in so elaborate a gown--before turning her attention to the city below her. She allowed a slow sigh to escape her as she leaned against the marble railing of the balcony--not noticing that Blackwall was approaching from behind.

 

"There are at least a dozen young lords and ladies hoping for some time with the hero of the night. Yet, here you are…alone. Care to share your thoughts?" Blackwall asked as he leaned against the stone railing and gazed at his beloved. While the formal, military attire Dyana was wearing was a far cry from the gowns Blackwall imagined she normally wore during formal occasions, he could not deny that she was a beautiful sight.

 

"No complaints," Dyana replied with the barest hint of a smile. "Everything went according to plan."

 

"You saved Orlais," Blackwall said with a note of pride in his voice as he shifted his position but still continued to lean against the marble railing of the larger than life balcony and gazed at Dyana in the hopes of her lovely face calming the anxiety he had felt the moment he set foot in the Winter Palace that night. "You have earned some time for yourself." The sound of people cheering and applauding inside the ballroom followed by the music starting up again prompted him to raise an eyebrow and step away. "Before we go, may I have this dance, Lady Trevelyan?" he asked while bowing at the waist and offering Dyana his hand.

 

For a few moments, all Dyana could do was silently gaze upon her Warden in admiration. Distinguished and handsome to begin with, Blackwall cut quite an impressive figure now that he was out of his heavily-padded and shapeless tunic and dressed in something that displayed his broad shoulders and chest that tapered down into his hips and continued down the length of his long, strong legs. He was a truly fine specimen of manhood, and he was all hers! "I'd like that," she answered at last with a small smile while accepting her love's hand and allowing him to draw her close. "I didn't know you danced," she mused while they began a slow waltz.

 

"I did once," Blackwall answered carefully. "In another life." Gazing down at Dyana's lovely face as she smiled up at him, he felt his heart warm, and for that moment, there was only the two of them. Nothing else mattered or existed, and he could not stop himself from smiling at his beloved in return.

 

"And if you had known me in that other life?" Dyana asked as a playful gleam entered her eyes. "What if your very first time seeing me had been across a crowded ballroom? Would you have danced with me then?"

 

"Your dance card would have been filled with none but my name," Blackwall answered with the softest of possessive growls as he leaned down and nuzzled Dyana's ear. "I would've taken one look at you, and I would have simply known that you were meant to be mine." He nuzzled her temple before kissing it tenderly. "I would have bogarted every moment of your time…simply to hear your voice a moment longer, and see your eyes light up with your smile before we would be forced to part ways for the night, and I promptly would have called on you the next morning so I could begin courting you."

 

"Truly?" Dyana asked with a smile and residual shivers of pleasure still coursing through her.

 

"Oh, yes," Blackwall answered fervently with a nod as he moved his head so he could gaze into his beloved's face properly as he dipped her over his knee. He blinked and tilted his head to the side a little. "You're blushing," he observed with a small but nevertheless amused smile as he carefully pulled Dyana back up to her feet and resumed their dance.

 

"Am I?" Dyana asked shyly with a fluttering heart.

 

"Indeed," Blackwall answered with his smile still in place. "Something on your mind, My Lady?"

 

Dyana opened her mouth to answer but hastily closed it again. "No, you'll think it's silly," she said while averting her eyes.

 

"Try me," Blackwall replied simply before kissing Dyana's forehead.

 

Dyana's bashful smile returned. "It's just…seeing you dressed like this tonight…if you looked even half as dashing in your previous life as you do tonight, I don't think anything could have stopped me from running away with you that night if you had asked." Her blush deepened just a bit as she shyly bit her bottom lip.

 

An ache formed deep within Blackwall's loins, but he took a deep breath in through his nose and momentarily closed his eyes before breathing out through his nose while regaining his composure. "Had you been one of the other girls throwing themselves at me, I wouldn't have hesitated in pressing my luck to see just how far you would let me go…but that would not have been the case with you, My lady," he replied huskily.  "You are not the sort of woman a man simply has a tumble with…even in my younger and more foolish days, I would've been able to see that." The dance slowly drew to an end, and even though they stopped moving, Blackwall still held Dyana close--taking advantage of the fact that she was in no hurry to pull away from him.

 

"Oh?" Dyana asked softly as she gazed up at her Warden--her freckled cheeks still flushed.

 

"Oh, yes…" Blackwall whispered. "You are the sort of woman with whom to build a life and a future…the sort of woman with whom a man would genuinely want to build a life and a future." He was silent for a few moments as he thought about the future he wanted so desperately. "Are…" His breath caught in his throat. "Are you certain you want me, Dyana?" he asked softly. "It's not too late for you to walk away…"

 

Dyana gave a small but vehement shake of her head. "I can't let you go, Thom," she whispered while gazing up into Blackwall's eyes. "My heart belongs to you…it always has." She slowly slid her hands up into her beloved's dark hair while standing on tiptoe to kiss him. "There will never be another man for me, Thom," she whispered against Blackwall's lips. 

 

"Don't say that," Blackwall whispered--his eyes sad.

 

"It's the truth," Dyana murmured in reply before giving her love a small but playful smile. "You've ruined me for other men." When Blackwall did not share in her humor, Dyana blinked and quirked her head to the side. "Thom? Are you alright? Did I say something wrong? I thought most men would be flattered to hear something like that said about them."

 

"Most men aren't forced to leave behind the woman they love without any hope of returning to her," Blackwall replied morosely before tightening his arms around Dyana.

 

"Then when you're forced to leave me for your Calling, I'll go with you," Dyana said matter-of-factly.

 

Blackwall's eyes widened. "No. Don't you dare," he all but snarled. "Don't you dare. I forbid it."

 

"How do you propose to stop me?" Dyana asked simply while raising an eyebrow.

 

"I'll tie you to the ****** bed if need be," Blackwall answered without any hesitation. His heart raced unexpectedly when color rose up in Dyana's face, and he cleared his throat. "I'd find a way to keep you from coming with me. This world needs you in it, My Lady," he added with finality.

 

"And what makes you think that anything you did would actually work?" Dyana asked simply. "Never underestimate the lengths a woman would go through for the one she loves, Thom. Never."

[PrimordyaForever]

Roll in the Hay

…Skyhold; a month later…

 

In the tavern, Dyana sat beside Blackwall at the bar. They sat in a comfortable silence before Blackwall sighed heavily. Turning to face him, the Inquisitor saw the sadness upon her love's face. "You seem troubled. What's on your mind?" she asked worriedly.

 

Blackwall turned his face towards Dyana and gazed at her silently for several moments. "It's nothing," he said sadly in spite of the fact that his every instinct screamed at him to tell Dyana the truth. He simply could not bring himself to do it--to reveal to Dyana that the man she loved was nothing more than a lie.

 

"You know I'm here for you," Dyana said earnestly in the hopes of coaxing her beloved to talk about what was obviously troubling him.

 

Blackwall gazed at Dyana silently for a few moments. "I was thinking about when we went to the ruin," he began carefully. "When we found the badge." When he had almost come clean about everything. But he had failed then, just as he had failed every moment afterwards. "Everything seemed clearer then…like I could do anything with you at my side…anything." Except be completely honest with the woman he loved. "That's a hard word, you know. It means a lot."

 

"You mean a lot," Dyana replied before smiling as a sense of inner peace overcame her. The time had finally come. She was ready. "Let's get out of here."

 

Blackwall could see Dyana's inner change reflected in her exquisite eyes, and he gently took her hand in his. "Are you certain this is what you want, love? Are you certain you're ready?" he asked softly--fearing that Dyana would answer in the affirmative. Knowing what it was he intended to do, he had no right to encourage her into bed with him--regardless of how much he ached for her.

 

Dyana's smile grew a fraction of an inch. "I'm more certain than I've ever been about anything, my love," she murmured before leaning in and brushing a lingering kiss to Blackwall's lips. When the kiss ended, she shifted enough so she could lean into her beloved's ear. "Take me to the barn," she whispered.

 

Blackwall blinked. "The barn? Are you sure you wouldn't prefer your first time to be in your room...in the comfort of your bed?" he asked in a low voice.

 

Dyana smiled shyly as her cheeks became a brilliant shade of pink. "Making love in a barn has always been a fantasy of mine...I can't imagine a better place for my first time to be..."

 

Blackwall grinned and chuckled softly while slipping off his bar stool. His hands found their way to Dyana's waist and he easily helped her off the stool. He leaned down and nuzzled his love's ear. "My Lady Trevelyan, you are a saucy minx," he growled low into her ear. "Just when I think I know you completely, you turn around and surprise me." He stepped away and took Dyana's hand in his own and began leading the way to the door. "It's one of the many things I love about you...one of the many things I will treasure until the end of my life."

 

It would be his memories of Dyana that would keep him warm up until the moment his life was snuffed out.

 

"What else do you love about me?" Dyana asked with a bashful smile.

 

"Your lovely eyes, your sweet smile, the elegant line of your nose, every single freckle on your beautiful face...your warm and generous heart..." Blackwall sighed and raised Dyana's hand to his lips so he could kiss her knuckles. "I love everything about you, Dyana…the way the sun catches the gold in your ginger hair, the way you softly hum to yourself when you're happy…the way that you inspire me to be a better man…"  He started towards the stone steps that would lead down into the main courtyard, and a small smile curled upon his lips when Dyana hugged his arm. He kept his gaze focused on the path ahead so his beloved would not see the sadness in his eyes. Already, his heart ached painfully with the knowledge of what was to come. "You truly are magnificent, My Lady, and I will continue to love you until the final moments of my life."

 

Dyana let her head fall against Blackwall's shoulder as they walked. After a few moments, she shifted her head so her chin rested against his shoulder and allowed her the ability to gaze up at him. "Have you always had a beard?" she asked while raising a hand and lovingly tracing her fingers over the dark hair that covered her lover's face. "Honestly, I can't imagine you without one." She blinked. "Although, now that I say that, I suppose you wouldn't have been born with one, would you?"

 

Blackwall's smile widened and he laughed genuinely. "If I did, it would've been quite a sight," Blackwall answered while turning his head so he could gaze down at his beloved. Maker, how he was going to miss her! Maker, how he already missed her. "But in answer to your question, I didn't start growing a beard until I joined the army. I never let it get this long and full though. Before I was a Warden, I actually kept it quite trimmed and close to the jaw."

 

Dyana smiled. "Maybe one day you'll show me," she said as they entered the barn.

 

Blackwall's breath hitched in his throat, and he had to close his eyes for a moment to will away the tears that attempted to well up as his heart sank. "Maybe," he whispered upon opening his eyes and leading Dyana up the stairs to the barn's upper loft. Once they were away from prying eyes, he turned and gathered his beloved into his arms and simply held her close--burying his nose into her hair and further committing her sweet scent to memory.

 

Smiling, Dyana nestled into her Warden and deeply breathed in the scent she so loved. "I love you, Thom," she whispered before tilting her head and rising up a little on her toes so she could brush a soft kiss to his pulse. "I love you so much." She sighed happily when Blackwall's lips found hers, and she clung to his tunic briefly before moving her hands up to cup her beloved's cheeks as he slowly walked her backwards.

 

Every soft moan and excited gasp was a dagger to Blackwall's heart as his lips met Dyana's again and again. He loathed himself for what he was doing…for what he was about to do, and when he ended the kiss, he pulled away a little in a last ditch effort to make the Inquisitor see the error of her decision. "You need to know that I'm not worthy of you," Blackwall said while hanging his head a little as he let go of Dyana completely so he could pull out the Warden-Constable badge and held it out so his beloved Inquisitor could see it--his heart aching as his love raised her elegant hands so she could hold it with him. "There's no future for us with me as a Warden." Once again, he prayed inwardly to the Maker--silently begging for Dyana to suddenly change her mind about taking this step with him because he knew that he was not strong enough to stop on his own.

 

Dyana gazed down at the badge with a serene expression before raising that gaze to Blackwall. "I'm here for you, no matter what comes," she murmured fervently with a small but loving smile that reflected the fathomless love in her eyes.

 

Blackwall tucked the badge away, and in spite of the overwhelming guilt and sadness that filled him, he could not help but smile as he gazed into that lovely face that he so adored--committing every aspect of it to memory yet again. "Then for now, let there be nothing else…no one else," he said with eyes that were filled with the love he felt for the woman in front of him. "Just you and me." He leaned down and captured Dyana's lips in a tender kiss as his hands rested upon her hips. He reveled in the feel of his beloved's soft palm against his cheek as her silken lips surrendered to his again and again. His every kiss was slow and gentle as he slowly walked Dyana backwards until her heels met with one of the wrapped hay bales that were by the window. His hands moved up to his beloved's waist to keep her supported as she eased herself down onto the large bale, and his heart raced wildly in his chest as Dyana spread her legs in silent invitation while pulling him down on top of her. It was at that moment when his pelvis fit perfectly into the cradle of Dyana's hips that Blackwall's kisses became deeper and more desperate.

 

This time when Blackwall rocked against Dyana, he was rewarded with a shiver and a whimper of longing as the Inquisitor wrapped her shapely legs around him; and he growled low in his throat as he broke the kiss in favor of trailing soft, nipping kisses down Dyana's neck. He growled again in delight when his beloved's fingers tangled into his hair, and when she trustingly exposed her throat to him, Blackwall slowly ran his tongue up her silken skin before hungrily claiming her lips once more.

 

Dyana's hips instinctively raised up into Blackwall's thrusts when she felt the hard evidence of his arousal pressing against her vulnerable core through their clothing, and a wanton whimper escaped her as an ache of longing formed deep within her womb. When her lover's hands began toying with the metal clasps on her form-fitting tunic as he continued kissing her, her own hands moved up to the Warden's heavily-padded tunic and reciprocated. Her inexperienced fingers were clumsy--especially when it came to the thick belt around Blackwall's waist--but once the belt fell away, she managed to open and part the heavy fabric that had until that moment kept Blackwalls strong, upper body hidden from her. Dyana's hands were shy and tentative as they moved over the warrior's warm skin before her fingers began combing through the dark hair that trailed up from his stomach and spread over the width of his chest. Her heart raced excitedly when her beloved rewarded her with a delighted shiver and a low groan upon breaking the kiss.

 

"Touch me, Dyana," Blackwall whispered into his lover's ear with an underlying desperation before he rose up onto his knees long enough to shrug off his offending piece of clothing and tossing it aside. "Don’t be afraid, my love…"

 

Dyana smiled and slowly dragged her fingers down Blackwall's stomach while taking in the sight of his sculpted arms and powerful shoulders--her smile growing when her lover shivered as his eyes fluttered closed. "I'm not," she purred while her fingers began working to unfasten the warrior's trousers.

 

"Uh, uh," Blackwall said with a smile and a small shake of his head while raising an eyebrow. "****** for tat, My Lady," he said huskily as his hands returned to their task of unfastening the ridiculous amount of metal clasps on Dyana's tunic--his gaze becoming progressively hungrier as his beloved's body was exposed inch by glorious inch. Once he had undone the last clasp, he simply sat back on his heels and gazed down with a smile of appreciation at the graceful collar bone, the round, ample breasts, and the narrow waist that flared out into enticing hips that were still regrettably clothed. Even so, he knew he would never forget this sight. How could he when she looked so very ethereal while bathed in the light of the moon? "Beautiful…" he breathed before tilting his head to the side. "Why are you blushing?"

 

"No one has ever seen me like this before…" Dyana murmured with a shy smile while fighting against her instinct to cover up. "I was so nervous you wouldn't like what you saw…"

 

"What in the Maker's name would ever make you think that?" Blackwall asked.

 

Dyana gave a small shrug. "Female insecurity," she answered with a sheepish smile.

 

Blackwall's eyes were loving as he gently pulled Dyana into a seated position so he could help her shrug out of the fabric. "There's no need for you to feel any of that, beloved. In all my years, I've never seen such perfection." He did not expect his beloved to bury her face in his nest of dark, chest hair any more than he expected her to wrap her arms around his waist once they were freed from her tunic. His eyes fluttered closed as Dyana began pressing kisses into his chest while lightly dragging her nails over his back. "My Lady…" he groaned.

 

Smiling, Dyana looked up after pressing a kiss to Blackwall's heart. "My Warden…" she whispered.

 

"Please don't call me that anymore," Blackwall entreated while looking down at his beloved.

 

Dyana's eyes opened and she gazed up at Blackwall in confusion. "Why not?"

 

"Because I need no further reminder of my past choices…and of how they will keep me from living the long, full life with you that I desire," Blackwall answered sadly. "I can't…" He closed his eyes and hung his head. "I will be forced to leave you and stop living in a dream…and I can't stop it." His eyes briefly opened in surprise when Dyana's hands moved to his shoulders and pulled him down so she could press lips against his, but moments later they closed again as he deepened the kiss and eased his lover down onto her back once more. He reveled in how her soft breasts became squashed against his bare chest, and his left hand slowly slid down the side of Dyana's body--memorizing the feel of every curve.

 

When the kiss ended, Dyana opened her eyes to reveal that they were wet with tears as she gazed up into Blackwall's eyes. "Then let us make the most out the precious moments we do have left together," she murmured against Blackwall's lips. "Let us never take any part of us and what we have for granted, and let us love each other every moment of every day as though that moment was our last…my big, burly bear." She was silenced when Blackwall claimed her lips in a deep hungry kiss, and she raised her hips to help her lover when his left hand worked to unfasten her snug trousers and slide them down her hips.

 

Breaking the kiss, Blackwall rested his forehead against Dyana's and gazed deeply into her eyes. "As you wish, My Lady."

 

~*~*~

 

Fully dressed, Blackwall sat on the edge of the hay bale and gazed down at Dyana as she slept peacefully under the moonlight with the residual glow of their lovemaking still clinging to her exquisite body like a second skin--tears streaming down his weathered face as he silently wept. How could he do anything else?

 

Dyana was the love of his life, and he had discovered her far too late.

 

Blackwall's body was completely spent, but he knew that he could not linger any longer than he already had. As much as he wanted to fall asleep with Dyana in his arms, he knew it was an impossibility. As it was, he already lost valuable traveling time because he could not bring himself to leave Dyana's side right away--holding her close as she trustingly nestled her trembling body into his in a deep slumber. Blackwall knew it was foolish to remain as long as he had, but he simply could not bring himself to leave.

 

Not after what they had shared.

 

It had not just about the pleasure the Blackwall and Dyana had given each other, but rather the intimacy of it all--the closeness. It did not matter which position they were in, their fingers always ended up intertwined as their mouths sought each other out. The two of them simply could not get enough of each other…be close enough to each other.

 

They had made love three times, and each time Blackwall had made it last as long as he possibly could--bringing Dyana to climax more than once each time before finally allowing himself to orgasm. Not one inch of the Inquisitor's glorious body went ignored. Blackwall had sought out every pleasure-giving spot on his lover's body with his fingers and mouth and paid attention to each one even during their periods of rest. The spot just under Dyana's right ear was a particular favorite of his because it allowed him to murmur things into his beloved's ear as he made her body writhe and arch in euphoric delight.

 

For however long he had left to live, Blackwall would never forget the sounds Dyana had made…the way his name had sounded upon her voice in the throes of passion. He would never forget the way she tasted when he had buried his face between her legs--his strong hands gripping her hips and holding them in place as he worshiped her vulnerable core with his mouth. So desperate was he to make the most of what would be his last night with the woman he so loved and treasured that he had done everything in his power in order to ensure that the last memory Dyana would ever have of him would be a good one.

 

Let her hate him for leaving her without warning…it was Dyana's right, especially after what they had just shared. But at least she could remember him as a giving and thorough lover who had loved her with his entire being for as long as he was able.

 

Blackwall did not bother wiping away his tears as he continued to gaze down at Dyana, though he did manage to resist the urge to brush his fingers over his beloved's cheek. After all, he could not risk her waking before he was gone. He could not, however, stop himself from speaking to her in a whisper as she slept. "I am so very sorry, My Lady…there truly are no words that can adequately describe the depth of my regret and sorrow from leaving you. I should never have let things go this far, but for all my efforts, I couldn't help myself." He sighed softly. "There's an old saying…that when a man meets the woman for whom he's destined, he sees his future children in her eyes." His tears left trails in his beard, but he did not care. "And whenever I look into your beautiful eyes, I see my son…I see my daughter, and I saw them from the very first moment we met. I wish I could stay with you and continue living this dream, but I'm afraid that it's time for me to finally wake up. Too many have suffered because of me and my cowardice…I can't allow it to continue…not anymore. You make me want to be better, My Lady…my love, but in order for me to achieve that, I must leave you now." He hung his head. "I pray to the Make that one day, you'll be able to forgive me."

 

Wiping away his tears at last, Blackwall slowly stood--his gaze never once wavering from Dyana's sleeping form. "I love you, Dyana," he whispered. "I never lied about that. Hate me all you want when you awake and find that I've left you, but know that my love for you was real…and that all my memories of you and our time together will keep me at peace when I face the hangman's noose." His lips ached for want of claiming a final kiss from his lover, but Blackwall restrained himself. Instead, he gazed down at the note he had written for Dyana before slowly turning on his heel and silently making his way for the stairs that led down from the loft. He would leave the note on the griffon he had been carving. It would be easy enough for his lover to find there. Pausing at the top of the stairs, he turned his gaze back towards Dyana as he began to slowly descend--keeping his beloved in his sights for as long as possible. "Goodbye Dyana, my love," he whispered. "May we meet again one day at the Maker's side."

[PrimordyaForever]

The Ugly Truth

 

…Val Royeaux; three days later…

 

There is little I can say that will ease this pain.

Just know that while it hurt to leave, it

Would've hurt more if I stayed.

 

I am deeply sorry.

 

Dyana clutched the note in her hand as she marched through the gates of Val Royeaux at a quick clip with Varric, Dorian and Cole trailing behind her. Upon seeing the mob gathered around the gallows, she smoothly changed her direction and quickened her pace--all the while looking for Blackwall.

 

Why had he left her? How could he have left her after the night they had shared? Had it not meant anything to him? No…no, Dyana knew that was not the case. She knew that night had meant as much to Blackwall as it had to her. She had seen it in his eyes and felt it in every kiss. She knew down to the marrow of her bones that Blackwall would not have left unless he had a very good reason.

 

Had he heard his Calling…his true Calling?

 

Why had he come here of all places? Was there some secret entrance here to the Deep Roads that only the Wardens knew about?

 

But what did any of that have to do with Mornay and his execution?

 

As she pushed her way through the crowd, Dyana was only half listening to the charges as they were read by the magistrate. Her priority was finding Blackwall and getting an explanation out of him before dragging him back to Skyhold with her. Whatever he was dealing with, he would not deal with it alone.

 

"Who's this man to Blackwall?" Dorian wondered aloud with a puzzled expression as he gazed up at the gallows. "A brother? A friend?"

 

"They're going to kill him," Cole said in disbelief.

 

"Good grasp of the obvious, this one," Dorian remarked wryly.

 

Not seeing Blackwall anywhere, Dyana turned her gaze towards the gallows and looked on sadly while contemplating what to do next. Suddenly…

 

"Stop!"

 

Dyana recognized the gruff, familiar voice instantly, and she whipped her head around in attempts to glimpse the owner through the sea of bodies. She did not have to wait long. Moments later, she saw Blackwall ascending the steps of the gallows with a determined pace.

 

"This man is innocent of the crimes laid before him," Blackwall declared in a loud, clear voice once he had ascended to the platform--ignoring the magistrate as he spoke directly to the crowd. "Orders were given, and he followed them like any good soldier. He should not die for that mistake."

 

"Then find me the man who gave the order," the magistrate demanded.

 

Blackwall turned his gaze to the masked man.

 

"Oh, ****…" Varric whispered.

 

Dyana's heart leapt into her throat and she pushed her way through the crowd. "Blackwall!"

 

Cold dread settled in Blackwall's gut as Dyana's voice reached his ears. No! No, she was not supposed to be there! She was not supposed to see him like this…to know the truth! Dyana was never supposed to find out! That infuriating woman! That stubborn, infuriating woman!

 

Maker, how he loved her!

 

True to her word, Dyana had tracked him down upon finding him gone from her side. She loved him. Blood of Andraste, she truly loved him. Maker's mercy, he did not deserve such devotion. He did not deserve such a woman no matter how desperately he loved her.

 

All he wanted to do was protect her from this very moment...

 

But it was too late to turn back now, so it was with a heavy heart that he turned to face the crowd--easily finding Dyana's lovely face amidst the sea of masks and speaking directly to her. "No. I am not Blackwall…I never was Blackwall. Warden Blackwal is dead, and has been for years," he said--telling his beloved at last what he had wanted to tell her when they had found the badge. "I assumed his name to hide like a coward from who I really am."

 

"You…" Mornay breathed in disbelief as he gazed upon his former Captain. "After all this time…"

 

"It's over," Blackwall said as he turned his gaze to his former soldier. "I'm done hiding." He turned once more to face the crowd. "I gave the order…the crime is mine." His gaze found Dyana's once more. "I am Thom Rainier." He held Dyana's gaze, and the expression of disbelief and betrayal that covered her face made him feel worse than he ever had in his life. This was supposed to be Rainier's redemption--his chance to finally right his wrongs.

 

And he had instead completely crushed the one person he had wanted to protect most.

 

His every instinct screamed at him to run to Dyana--to rush to her side and comfort her. But he knew the guards would be on him in an instant. He would not allow his beloved to see him like that. So, he turned with his head high and led the approaching guards down the stairs--biting the inside of his cheek to keep himself from weeping at the agony he had caused Dyana.

 

The moment Blackwall…or rather, Rainer, was out of sight, Dyana's knees buckled, and had it not been for Varric putting a supporting hand at her waist, she would have fallen. She felt as though Iron Bull had just punched her in the gut, and her vision began blurring. "Can't breathe…" she gasped with wide eyes as she began to hyperventilate. "Can't…breathe…!"

 

"Come on, Dyana," Varric whispered as he supported the Inquisitor's weight easily while helping her over to the large, central vestibule in the middle of the bazzaar. He eased her down onto one of the steps before standing beside Dyana and rubbing her back. "Come on now, breathe…" he soothed. "Slow down…just slow down, put your head between your knees and breathe. Go on now, it'll help, trust me." He kept his voice low and soothing in attempts to calm the Inquisitor. "That's it…good, that's it," he praised once Dyana had done as instructed. "It's going to be alright."

 

"How?" Dyana asked in a barely audible whisper. "How is this even remotely close to being alright?" she asked in a strained voice as tears began streaming down her face. Wrapping her arms around herself, she let her head fall forward onto her knees.

 

"I trusted him…Maker, I trusted him…" Cole whispered unable to ignore the screams inside Dyana's head even if he had tried. "My heart…there's nothing left of my heart. Everything he ever told me was a lie. He lied to me…he lied to me when we…when we were…while we were…"

 

"****…" Varric whispered with a small shake of his head as he sat beside Dyana.

 

Dyana turned her red-rimmed gaze to the young man. "Stay out of my head," she snarled.

 

"You're hurting," Cole said in his gentle way as he drew close and tentatively touched Dyana's shoulder. "I…I want to help you."

 

Dyana hung her head and clutched at her heart. "You can't," she whispered sadly.

 

"You and Blackwall…?" Varric left the question open-ended.

 

Dyana gave a small nod. "We had finally...." She bit her bottom lip. "When I woke up in the morning, he was gone…" she whispered.

 

"Blighted bastard," Dorian growled while lowering himself to sit on Dyana's other side. "And you never suspected this about him? Not once in your months of…courtship, if you can call it that?" he asked gently.

 

Dyana gave a small shake of her head while keeping her gaze fixed upon the ground. "He kept saying that his being a Grey Warden would come between us and keep him from living the life he wanted with me, but I told him I didn't care," she whispered mournfully. "I told him I would love him regardless…and that I would treasure every moment we had together. I never knew he was hiding this from me…that everything he ever told me was a lie." She accepted the handkerchief Dorian pulled from his robes and offered to her, and used it to dab her eyes. "It all felt so real…"

 

Varric was silent for a few moments. "How do you know it wasn't real?" he asked at last.

 

"Because he lied to me…about everything," Dyana sobbed. "How can anything real be built upon a lie?"

 

"Because I don't think it was all a lie," Varric said simply. "Sure, Blackwall…Rainier, or whatever his name is lied through his teeth about who he was…but I don't think he was lying about the way he felt about you. The way he looked at you…"

 

"It wasn't the gaze of a man looking for a mere tumble," Dorian interjected. "His was the gaze of a man who was deeply in love. If nothing else, trust in that."

 

Varric's hand moved up to Dyana's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I know you feel like the rug has been pulled out from under you, Inquisitor, and that your world is crumbling down around you…trust me, I've been there…more than once, but Sparkles is right. All of Blackwall's lies aside, I'd be willing to stake Bianca on the chance that he wasn't lying about how he felt about you."

 

"That's a nice sentiment, but what exactly am I supposed to do with it?" Dyana asked bitterly.

 

"Talk to him," Dorian said simply while placing a friendly hand upon Dyana's knee. "Hear him out. At the very least, you'll get some closure out of it."

 

Dyana's eyes widened in panic. "I can't talk to him," she whispered. "Not after…please don't make me."

 

Dorian's hand gently squeezed Dyana's knee. "You'll regret it for the rest of your life if you don't," he said in a soft but firm voice. "You taught me that with my father, remember?"

 

"That's different," Dyana said sadly. "You didn't let your father take your virginity. How can I even look at Blackwall…Rainier…Thom…how can I look at him now after being in so vulnerable a position with him?"

 

"Your trust has been shattered. I can understand that only too well," Dorian said pointedly. "Or have your forgotten just what it was my father…the man I esteemed above all others was planning on doing to me?"

 

Dyana hung her head. "Forgive me," she said softly.

 

"You know I can't stay mad at you," Dorian replied with a light pat to Dyana's leg.

 

"He's hurting too," Cole ventured cautiously. "Rainier…I can feel his agony all the way out here. He hates himself for what he has put your through…more than he hates himself for his past crimes."

 

Dyana closed her eyes and nervously chewed her bottom lip.

 

"Not exactly the mentality of a man who was never in love with you," Varric said simply.

 

"Thom…" Dyana whispered.

 

Varric blinked. "What?"

 

"He told me his name was Thom…" Dyana slowly her eyes. "Maker…he tried to tell me the truth. "Why didn't he go through with it?"

 

"He was afraid," Cole answered softly. "Afraid of what you would think of him once you knew the truth."

 

Dyana slowly let out a breath and closed her eyes again. "Honestly, I don't know what I think…" she answered softly. "I hate him for lying to me…but I still love him, and I can't just…I can't just leave it like this," she added before opening her eyes. "Very well…I'll go talk to him." She allowed Dorian and Varric to help her to her feet. "But…maybe a small drink at the café first? To steady my nerves?"

 

Varric smiled sympathetically and offered Dyana his hand. "Come on, Inquisitor. Drinks are on me…and I think you've earned yourself a couple."

 

~*~*~

 

In his cell, Rainier hung his head and stared at the cold, stone floor.

 

He had no idea how long he had been sitting there since he had been brought in. It could have been a matter of minutes, or it could have been a matter of hours. Strangely enough though, he found himself not caring. He deserved it. He deserved the dark and the cold that surrounded him. He deserved it for what he had done all those years ago, and he deserved it for what he had done to Dyana.

 

Dyana…his beautiful Dyana…

 

His sweet, trusting Dyana…

 

The pain in Rainier's heart was unlike anything he had ever felt. Instead of the warm and happy memories of Dyana that he had wanted to cleave to as he awaited his execution, now all he saw was the look of utter betrayal upon Dyana's beautiful face. He had put it there, and it would haunt him for the rest of his short life. It served him right. He did not deserve the memory of Dyana's smiles and kisses any more than he deserved the memories of their last night together. He did not deserve them…

 

Not after he utterly destroyed Dyana the way he had in the bazaar.

 

Rainier allowed a shaky breath to escape him. "Forgive me, My Lady…" he whispered before his ears became attuned to the sound of approaching footsteps.

 

Footsteps…

 

They did not belong to the guards. They were not heavy enough. Rather, they were the soft steps of a lady. He recognized them even before the familiar scent reached his nose--permeating the cold dankness of the dungeon and filling him with a fresh wave of regret. He did not have to look up to see that Dyana was standing on the other side of his cell's bars. Just as well…

 

Rainier could not bring himself to look at his beloved--terrified of what he would find looking back at him. It was not like the normal silence that would fall between them in the past. That silence was comfortable--the product of the ease they felt in each other's company. Dyana had trusted him then. She had once been perfectly content to simply sit quietly with him by the campfire with her head upon his shoulder as she nestled into his body. But this silence was different. There was a heavy weight to Dyana's gaze now, and the tension between the two of them mounted by the second.

 

"I didn't take Blackwall's life," Rainier began when he finally could not take the uncomfortable silence any longer. He kept his gaze fixed upon the ground. "I traded his death…he wanted me for the Wardens, but there was an ambush…darkspawn. He was killed. I took his name to stop the world from losing a good man," he said while chancing a glance at Dyana. "But a good man…the man he was wouldn't have let another die in his place." He cringed a little as Dyana slowly approached the bars.

 

For several moments, all Dyana could do was stare at the man she loved through the bars. Yes…she still loved him, and she feared that she always would. Try as she could, she could not hate him…not truly, but that was of no comfort to her now. Inwardly, she was a whirl of emotions--anguish and anger battling for control even as every warm and happy memory she had ever shared with the man in the cell played through her mind. There was so much she wanted to ask him…so much she needed to know. Finally, she asked the first question that pushed itself to the front of her mind. "Why did you lie to me?" she asked sadly.

 

"I never meant to lie to you," Rainier answered while hanging his head. "And when I did…I couldn't take it back. You weren't supposed to find me…you were just supposed to think I was gone.  I didn't want you to see me like this."

 

Dyana's anger surged to the surface. "You wanted me to think you left me? That you were dead or worse?" She could feel tears forming in her eyes, but she stubbornly kept them at bay. "You'd break my heart and call it better?"

 

Rainier rose to his feet. "Don't you understand?" he asked in a voice that was heavy and thick with emotion. "I gave the order to kill Lord Callier and his entourage," he said while slamming against the bars of his cell. "And I lied to my men about what they were doing. When it came to light, I ran. Those men…my men paid for my treason while I was pretending to be a better man," he added bitterly. He tightly gripped the bars now as he gazed through them at Dyana who had recoiled from him with a look of anguish. His love backing away from him was the final blow to Rainier's spirit, and he gaze a small shake of his head before hanging his head and slowly sinking to his knees. "This is what I am…a murder, a traitor…a monster." 

 

Dyana's eyes were filled with sorrow as she gazed upon the man to whom she had given everything of herself, and while she searched for something…anything to say to him, she could think of nothing.

 

"Wouldn't you be happier thinking I was a noble man? A Grey Warden…instead of this?" Rainier asked bitterly. "I would've saved you the pain of learning that all you knew about me was a lie…that you loved a lie."

 

Dyana felt as though her heart were being gripped within a vice. All she wanted to do was reach through the bars and stroke her beloved's dark hair and tell him that everything would be alright. But she could not…because nothing was alright anymore. Everything was ruined.

 

But Dyana could not help how she felt.

 

"There was truth to what we had…and there is good in you," Dyana said at last--choosing to listen to Varric and Dorian and believe in the love she and the man before her had shared…and still shared. "I have to believe that." When she was met with a heavy silence, she squared her shoulders and cleared her throat while approaching the bars as Rainier slowly rose to his feet. She had to know the truth.

 

"I didn't think we had anything left to talk about," Rainier mused darkly.

 

"I need to know about Blackwall…the real Blackwall," Dyana said while crossing her arms over her chest--resolving herself not to leave until she had heard the entire story.

 

All the while they spoke, Rainier kept his distance when all he wanted to do was reach through the bars and hold Dyana one last time. He would have been happy with simply touching her cheek, but he knew better than to try. He did not deserve to touch the woman standing before him. He was not worthy of her…he never was. He had known it when he had first fallen in love with her, and he knew it now when he was counting down the minutes to his execution. When he had answered Dyana's questions, he watched mournfully as she turned and slowly strode away. Though her head was held high, there was a definite slump in her shoulders, and it simply killed him. Sinking to his knees once more, Rainier held his head in his hands and wept silently--unaware that the second she was out of his sight, Dyana began weeping tears of her own.

 

Setting her jaw, Dyana wiped the tears from her face as she ascended the stair that led up into the main part of the jail cell. At that moment, she simply wanted to get out of there so she could lock herself away somewhere and mourn like a grieving widow, for that was indeed how she saw herself. For all her anger and confusion, she still loved Blackwall…Rainier…Thom with all her heart. She had even seen herself marrying him and bearing his children if they had both survived closing the Breach. Truthfully, it had been one of her favorite things to think about.

 

But now… 

 

Maker, what was she to do now? The only man she had ever loved was due to be executed for treasonous crimes, and there was nothing Dyana could do about it.

 

"I have Leliana's report on Thom Rainier."

 

So overcome was Dyana by her own thoughts and grief, that she did not see Cullen waiting for her as she hurried towards the door that would lead outside. Stopping in her tracks, Dyana turned to face her General and accepted the report he handed to her with a shaky hand before scanning the contents. It confirmed everything her lover had told her about his crime. "Let me guess…our spymaster had this lying around somewhere, didn't she?" she asked with a trace of bitterness. Had Leliana known Rainier's true identity all along?

 

"It would've been difficult for anyone to connect Blackwall to Rainier," Cullen answered carefully. "Even Leliana has something of a blind spot when it comes to Wardens," he added before sighing. "What do we do now?" he asked. "Blackwall…Rainier has accepted his fate, but you don't have to. We have resources. If he is released to us, you can pass judgement on him yourself." He could not believe what he was suggesting, but he considered the Inquisitor to be a friend, and if there was a way to bring her some sense of peace, then by Andraste's sacred flame, he would take it.

 

Dyana's heart leapt into her throat. "Have Rainier released to us," she replied in a low voice without a second thought. As hurt and as angry as she was, she simply could not leave Thom to his fate. Even if their life together was over, she could at the very least find some other way for Rainier to atone for his crimes that did not involve his death.

 

"We will have to move quickly," Cullen replied. "We can explore our options back at Skyhold."

 

Slowly letting out a breath, Dyana turned on her heel and hurried after Cullen. "We should send a Raven ahead of us so Leliana and Josephine can get started on a plan," she instructed firmly. "We haven't a moment to lose, and I am not letting Thom slip through my fingers."

[PrimordyaForever]

Together

 

…Skyhold; four days later…

 

It had been a close call.

 

Thanks to the messenger raven Dyana had sent ahead of them, Leliana had been able to come up with the plan of replacing Rainier with a man of similar build and appearance. Though, admittedly, the spymaster had already begun formulating the plan the moment Cullen had chased after the Inquisitor upon learning of her pursuit of her missing companion--riding hard in order to assure that Dyana did not do anything foolish. All Leliana had needed was the permission to put her plan into action. After all, if Dyana did not desire to save Thom Rainier after what he had done, then there was no point in taking the risk. The moment the message had arrived, however, Leliana wasted no time in executing her plan to put the other man in Rainier's place. The man in question had been revealed as a double-agent who had been selling information about the Inquisition to the Venatori, so it was no skin off the spymaster's nose to have him eliminated. The fact that his death served a purpose only added to the former bard's haste in putting the plan into action. By the time, Dyana and the others had returned to the Keep, Leliana's people had already been dispatched.

 

That was the easy part.

 

Actually executing the plan was the tricky part.

 

Timing had been everything, and in the end, a commotion in the crowd had needed to be caused--allowing the Inquisition agents to make the switch as Rainier was being escorted to the gallows. Naturally, the former Captain had put up a fight. He had recognized the scouts in spite of their disguises, and he knew they had been dispatched to return him to Skyhold instead of allowing him to accept his punishment. In the end, Rainier had needed to be dosed with a sedative in order to allow the agents to sneak him out of the city. They had taken longer to return to Skyhold than usual because they had taken the less-traveled roads in order to ensure they made it back without incident or discovery.

 

But now the moment of judgement had come.

 

Dyana sat upon her throne in the Great Hall and tried to slow the rapid racing of her heart as her stomach churned. The throne was Andrastian in style--having been chosen by Dyana back when she still believed that Andraste herself had saved her from the Fade and bestowed the mark upon her hand. However, the people still needed to believe in that story, so she kept the throne instead of asking Josephine to find her a new one. She had passed judgement on many people since becoming Inquisitor, but she knew that this time would be different…

 

This time would be the most difficult moment of her life.

 

As she watched a bound Rainier being escorted by two guards towards the steps that led up to the throne, Dyana did not know how she was going to get through this ordeal. She did not once look at Josephine as she slowly made her way up to her usual place halfway between the accused and the throne--a position that was ever-symbolic of her role of mediator for the Inquisition. Her eyes remained solely upon the once proud man as he was led forward with slumped shoulders and a bowed head. All Dyana wanted to do was race forward and throw her arms around Ranier and comfort him, and she tightly gripped the arms of the throne in an unconscious effort to keep herself from doing so--her knuckles were white with the effort. Finally, she could not bear the sight of her former lover like this, and she turned his gaze to Josephine when she began speaking.

 

"For judgement this day, Inquisitor…I must present Captain Thom Rainier, formally known as Warden Blackwall," Josephine spoke hesitantly. It felt wrong to try a man who had so faithfully served the Inquisition since his recruitment. She felt as though she were betraying him somehow in spite of the overwhelming evidence against him. "His crimes…well…you are aware of his crimes. It was no small expense to bring him here, but…the decision of what to do with him is now yours," she added before stepping away. She would not mediate between the veteran warrior and the Inquisitor. She was only too aware of the personal aspect of the trial. Though Blackwall, or rather Rainier, had wronged the entire Inquisition and put them in an awkward position because of his lie, it was Dyana who had been wronged the most.

 

Dyana turned her gaze back to Rainier and regarded him silently for several moments while trying to keep her breathing slow and even in order to prevent another panic attack--her eyes filled with sadness. "I didn't think this would be easy, but it's harder than I thought," she managed to say at last.

 

"Another thing to regret," Rainier said with a small shake of his head while keeping his gaze lowered to the ground. A moment later, he raised his gaze to Dyana and tried to keep it as well as his tone cold and impartial even as his heart bled for having put the woman he loved in this position. "I know you put another man in my place…haven't enough died for me?"

 

Dyana could feel her tears welling up at her beloved's coldness, and she slowly ground her right palm against a sharp corner of the throne's arm. It was a subtle move, but it distracted her from her heartache--albeit barely. "I wish there had been another way, but my options were limited."

 

"You could've left me there," Rainier snapped with narrowed eyes while standing straighter. "I had accepted my punishment. I was ready for all this to end." Both his tone and his expression softened just a bit. "Why would you stop it? What becomes of me now?"

 

The time for a decision had finally come.

 

Dyana regarded silently and tried to school her face into an impartial mask, but she simply could not. She knew that her love for the man before her as well as the sorrow for their ruined relationship was evident upon her face as she thought over her possible judgements. At first, Dyana thought to give Rainier to the Wardens and make part of his lie a truth at last, but the Joining was often fatal. How could the man before her atone if he was dead? No…the Wardens simply would not do. "You have your freedom," she said at last.

 

"It cannot be as simple as that," Rainier replied with a small shake of his head.

 

"It isn't," Dyana countered with a shake of her head. "You're free to atone as the man you are…not the traitor you thought you were, or the Warden you pretended to be."

 

Rainier lowered his gaze for a moment. "It will take time…" he replied before slowly raising his gaze to Dyana's. "You would accept that and what I used to be?" he asked with underlying hope. He could see that Dyana still loved him as he loved her--it was written all over her beautiful face. But that did not mean that she would take him back. In truth, she had every right to reject him now, and Rainier would not blame her if she did. It was nothing short of what he deserved for betraying her trust in the way he had. But in spite of that logic, he was still a man who was hopelessly in love. He would never forgive himself if he did not at least try to win his beloved back. "I lied about who I was, but I never lied about what I felt." As he spoke, he took two tentative steps up the stairs towards Dyana. He watched her breaths quicken, and while she had finally managed to school her face into an impartial mask, she was not so successful with her eyes. "No matter what I was or what becomes of me, right now…I'm just a man with his heart laid bare. I leave it in your hands."

 

Dyana could not bring herself to reject Rainier. For all the hurt and betrayal she felt, they both paled in comparison to the love she felt for the man before her. She simply could not imagine her life without him. "You were ready to die…" Dyana hung her head briefly before raising it once more. "But I was not ready to let you go." She still was not. "Your place is here with me."

 

Rainier blinked in surprise and released a breath he had not realized he had been holding--having honestly expected Dyana to reject him. He had an answer prepared for that, but not for his beloved's acceptance. At length, he hung his head. "I don't know how to be with you as Thom Rainier," he said sadly while giving his head a small shake. He kept his gaze averted even as he heard Dyana rise from the throne, and he kept his gaze lowered even as he heard his beloved approach. It was not until he heard his lover halt that he slowly raised his eyes and found her gazing down at him with an unreadable expression.

 

"We'll figure it out," Dyana said after a few moments as her expression melted into a loving smile.

 

"Together," Rainier affirmed with a small nod and a small smile before closing the distance between Dyana and himself. He gazed at her as she cupped his left cheek in her palm, but at length, he could not stop himself from leaning in for a kiss. His heart soared in excitement when Dyana leaned in and met him halfway--her hands moving to grip his shoulders as she kissed him. Her lips were warm and welcoming as he kissed her, and her fingers tightened their grip upon his shoulders in an unconscious attempt to keep him from leaving her again. Maker, how Rainier wished his hands were free! He longed to wrap his arms tightly around his beloved's waist and put her fears to rest.

 

He would never leave her side ever again.

 

When the kiss ended, Blackwall's smile was small, but it was by no means lacking in sincerity. His love-filled eyes gazing deeply into Dyana's before he reluctantly turned and strode down the stairs.

 

Dyana wanted nothing more than to race after her lover and spend the rest of the day with him, but alas, her duties would not allow it. There were still important matters that needed her attention in the War Room, so speaking with Rainier would have to wait.

 

For now.

 

~*~*~

 

...Hours later...

 

Her hands loosely clasped behind her back, Dyana sighed softly as she turned to the left upon reaching the top of her stairs. Emotionally drained after everything that happened with Rainier over the course of the past few days, and mentally drained after gone over plans with Josephine after going over plans for an alliance between Ferelden and Orlais, she simply had not had the energy to go speak to her reconciled beloved. All she wanted to do was kick off her boots and curl up with a hot cup of tea before sleeping for as long as she was able, and she started towards the fireplace with the intention of putting the kettle on the fire. She paused in her step when she saw a familiar shape out of the corner of her eye, and when she turned towards her balcony, it was to find Rainier leaning against the doorway--exactly as he had when he had first kissed her all those months ago. "This is becoming a habit," Dyana said softly with a small, tired smile.

 

Rainier sighed softly. "We never got a chance to properly talk after what happened today," he said while stepping into the large bed chamber.

 

"No, we didn't," Dyana said with a small shake of her head. "I was just about to make myself tea, would you like a cup?"

 

Rainier gave a small nod. "Yes, thank you."

 

"Why don't you sit down?" Dyana asked while motioning towards the sofa. "Surely, you must be exhausted after your escape and your long journey back here."

 

"If it's all the same to you, I'd rather stay close to you," Rainier replied while slowly striding towards Dyana. He paused in his step when his beloved held up her hands.

 

"Just to be clear, all we will be doing tonight is talking," Dyana said firmly. "I love you, Thom…but after what happened, I'm not ready to…"

 

Rainer held up a hand. "I wasn't expecting you to be," he replied gently. "I know that I'll have to earn my way back into your bed, My Lady, and I'm prepared to spend every moment of the rest of my life doing that." His eyes were sincere. "And even if you never trust me enough again to share your bed with me, it won't matter to me. All I want is to be near you, my love."

 

Dyana smiled and shifted her hands so they now reached out to her beloved. "You needn't worry about that," she murmured with a light blush in her freckled cheeks. "It won't be that long, my bear.. "

 

Rainier closed the distance between the two of them and took Dyana's hands in his own. "Leaving you was the hardest thing I've ever had to do," he murmured. "And after you left the dungeons, I was certain I'd never see you again." He leaned down and nuzzled into Dyana's soft hair before breathing a pleasured sigh as his nose was flooded with his beloved's scent.

 

"Did you honestly think I would turn my back on you if there was a way to save you?" Dyana asked softly while freeing her hands so she could grip Rainier's tunic while nuzzling into the crook of his neck.

 

"You would've been well within your rights to do so," Rainier replied with a delighted shiver before drawing away enough so he could escort Dyana towards the fireplace. "And I wouldn't have blamed you if you did. I hated myself for lying to you…I still do."

 

Dyana had wrapped an arm around her beloved's waist as they walked at a leisurely pace. "How shall I refer to you now in front of the others, Thom?" she asked softly. "Rainier or Blackwall?"

 

"I've gotten used to Blackwall," Rainier replied. "Perhaps…we could treat it less as a name, and more as a title," he suggested carefully. "Like Inquisitor. Reminds me of what I ought to be."

 

"Everyone needs something to aspire to," Dyana replied.

 

"Exactly," Blackwall answered with a small nod. "I'm glad you understand. Of course, to you…I am simply Thom." He leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to the top of Dyana's head. "I am the man who loves you." He drew away in order to allow Dyana to work, but he remained close enough to allow him to reach out and touch her should the desire take him.

 

Dyana smiled as she carefully hung the kettle in the hearth. "What do you think will happen to us after all this?" she asked while turning to face her lover.

 

Blackwall smiled. "A house? A dog? Do you think that mark of yours could be used for cooking eggs?" His smile widened when Dyana giggled. "Or perhaps, we could just continue as we are…no eggs necessary. As long as you're by my side, I don't care what happens."

 

Dyana's heart fluttered, and her smile widened even as she blushed. "I'm afraid my cooking skills are lacking," she admitted sheepishly before shyly biting her bottom lip. "But I would be willing to learn…for you…so for the rest of our lives together, I could make you eggs whenever you wanted them, Thom."

 

Reaching out, Blackwall encircled Dyana's waist with his arms and pulled her close before kissing her forehead tenderly. "I would eat anything you made for me, My Lady," he murmured. "But...just what would your parents think of their little girl spending the rest of her life with me?" he asked with a note of concern. "Surely once they learn of who I am…" He was silenced by Dyana's soft kiss.

 

"They were never particularly fond of Orlais to begin with," Dyana replied softly. "I doubt they bear you much ill will should your past actions ever come to light." She kissed him again. "And in any case, I am the Inquisitor. I think after all I've done for Thedas, I've earned the right to choose the man with whom I spend the rest of my life." She grinned cheekily up at her love. "Besides, once we give them a grandchild or two, they won't remember any of your past."

 

Blackwall stiffened a bit.

 

Dyana realized what she had just said, and she nervously bit her bottom lip before drawing away. "That is to say...er...what I meant was...ididntmeananythingbyit," she said hurriedly while turning on her heel and busying herself with preparing two cups for tea.

 

"Dyana..." Blackwall began softly.

 

"How strong do you like your tea?" Dyana asked amiably as she carefully removed the kettle from the hearth and began pouring the hot water into the cups while inwardly prayed that her love would change the subject. "Shall I add more herbs? Do you take honey? Sugar?"

 

Blackwall moved to stand beside Dyana, and he gently gripped her hand to stop her efforts. "Dyana…"

 

"Thom…just forget I said anything," Dyana whispered. "I…I was making a joke. I wasn't trying to plan every aspect of our future. I--" Her words died in her throat when Blackwall gently cupped her cheek in his hand, and she leaned into his palm while looking up into his blue eyes that were warm as they gazed at her. "Thom…?"

 

"Dyana, my love, I am going to tell you something very important," Blackwall said softly. "Before meeting you, I never wanted children. I could never see myself as a father…until the first moment I looked into your eyes."

 

Dyana furrowed her brow a little. "What do you mean?"

 

"From the first moment I looked into your eyes, I always saw the two of us together…but we were never alone," Blackwall answered. "I saw our son…I saw our daughter. I still do."

 

"Then why did you become tense just now when I…?" Dyana trailed off.

 

Blackwall sighed. "Because, for the first time, there truly isn't anything holding us back from whatever future we choose to build together, and the reality of that was a lot to take in for a man who's been on his own for so long."

 

"Why didn't you tell me before about what you saw in my eyes?" Dyana asked softly.

 

"Because before you knew the truth about me, I didn't believe that we truly had a future together…no matter how desperately I wanted us to. But now…" He smiled. "But now, if ever the day comes when you announce to me that you're carrying my child, I will be overjoyed." When Dyana leaned up and brushed a kiss to his lips, Blackwall sighed contentedly and wrapped his arms around her waist. When the kiss ended, he rested his forehead against hers.

 

"And I will proudly bear your name, Thom Rainier," Dyana murmured fervently.

 

Blackwall slowly let out a breath. "Oh, Dyana..." he whispered before leaning down and kissing his beloved.

 

"No more secrets," Dyana murmured against Blackwall's lips once the kiss had ended. "Promise me that right now."

 

"No more secrets," Blackwall affirmed. "No more lies. I swear it on our love...and the lives of our future children." He tenderly kissed his Inquisitor again. "I love you, Dyana."

 

Dyana smiled. "And I love you, Thom."

[PrimordyaForever]

Starting Over

 

…The Next Morning…

 

His arms around Dyana as he rested comfortably on the sofa, Blackwall smiled and slowly his eyes so he could gaze at Dyana as she slept peacefully atop him. He nuzzled into her ginger hair and breathed in his beloved's sweet scent as he reveled in the warmth of her body nestled trustingly into his. To think that he had almost lost this…that he had come so close to losing all of this.

 

They had spent the entire night talking about anything and everything that came to mind while holding hands and sharing tender kisses. They had talked of their childhoods and the various shenanigans they had each gotten into. Blackwall had laughed when Dyana regaled him with the story of how she had accidentally shaved off half of her right eyebrow at the age of nine--not having known at the time that women thinned out their brows by way of tweezers. Dyana had giggled when Blackwall recounted the time he had gotten his head stuck in a bucket while pretending to be a knight. They had talked of their parents. They had talked of their siblings. It was the first time in many years that Blackwall had spoken of Liddy to anyone.

 

But at length, Dyana could not keep her eyes open any longer. Her head had been resting upon Blackwall's shoulder, so when she had fallen asleep in mid-sentence, it was only too easy for the veteran warrior to shift onto his back so his beloved rested atop him. He had then pulled the blanket on the back of the sofa over them in order to stave off the chill of the night, wrapped his arms around Dyana and simply fallen asleep with her in his arms--just as he had wanted to do on the night he had left her.

 

It was the best night of Blackwall's life--the best night's sleep of his life--and waking up the next morning with Dyana in his arms was better than Blackwall dreamed it would be. In the quiet of the room, he could hear his beloved breathe, and those slow, deep breaths were sweeter than any song because they meant that Dyana was alive and well in his arms.

 

Which meant that this moment was not a dream.

 

Dyana was as real as her love for him, and Blackwall's smile widened as he allowed his eyes to drift shut--his arms tightening a little around the woman who had deemed him worthy of her. Dyana Trevelyan...his beautiful, loving, and kind-hearted woman. Blackwall would never stop being in awe of her. He would never stop treasuring her and every moment he spent with her.

 

Dyana stirred, and Blackwall opened his eyes halfway while gently rubbing her back. When his beloved shifted her head and slowly opened her eyes, Blackwall's heart raced just a bit. "Good morning, My Lady," he murmured.

 

Dyana gazed at Blackwall silently for a few moments. "Are you really here, or am I still asleep and dreaming?" she asked softly.

 

Blackwall brushed a kiss to Dyana's forehead. "I'm really here, Dyana," he murmured while moving one hand up to gently smooth his lover's hair.

 

Dyana smiled. "Then this is a very good morning," she murmured before leaning in and tenderly kissing Blackwall's lips. "Good morning, Thom," she whispered before smiling shyly. "I'm not too heavy?"

 

Blackwall smiled. "Never. Did you sleep well?"

 

"Very much so," Dyana replied before softly kissing Blackwall's cheek. "Yourself?" She leaned into her beloved's palm when he cupped her cheek--her smile still in place.

 

"It was the best night's sleep I have ever had," he answered fervently before simply gazing at Dyana silently for a few moments. "Maker, how I love you," he whispered. "And I loved falling asleep with you in my arms."

 

"Then do it again," Dyana murmured. "Share my bed from now on, Thom." Her hand found his, and their fingers tangled together. "Fall asleep by my side every night…and be by my side every morning when I wake."

 

Blackwall's blue eyes were warm as he gazed into Dyana's. "Nothing would make me happier, My Lady."

 

"Then we're in agreement, my bear?" Dyana asked shyly.

 

"We are," Blackwall answered before tenderly kissing his beloved. He growled playfully when the kiss ended, and his heart fluttered ta the sound of Dyana's giggle. Wanting to hear more, his hands moved down to her sides and tickled them. He grinned and chuckled as his love giggled hysterically and squirmed a desperate attempt, but his eyes widened in panic when Dyana's efforts rewarded her with her falling off of him with a startled squeak, and onto the hard floor with a thud. "Maker's balls!" He sat up and hurriedly slid down onto the floor beside Dyana and helped her into a seated position. "Are you alright, love?"

 

"Nothing injured but my pride," Dyana said with a sheepish smile before wincing and gingerly rubbing her hip that had taken the full force of her fall against the unyielding stone floor. She could not stop her cheeks from warming any more than she could stop her breath from catching in her throat when Blackwall leaned down and pressed a kiss to her throbbing hip bone.

 

"Better?" Blackwall asked as his hand moved to Dyana's hip and began a gentle massage to help ease away her pain. His eyebrows raised a bit in pleasant surprise when his young love leaned in and kissed him while sliding her arms around his neck.

 

"You make everything better," Dyana purred against Blackwall's lips once the kiss ended.

 

Smiling as he wrapped his arms around Dyana's waist, Blackwall gave a small shake of his head before resting his forehead against hers. "No…you do."

 

~*~*~

 

…Somewhere in Orlais; several hours later…

 

Blackwall paused in checking the perimeter of the camp in order to watch Dyana as she saw to the horses after their long journey that day. They had gotten a late start in leaving for Emprise du Lion, so the group had ridden hard to ensure they covered as much ground as possible. He watched his beloved with a fond smile as she moved about in her new, purple armor and leathers. Blackwall still remembered the squeal of girlish excitement Dyana had let out upon discovering that both nevarrite as well as treated gurn hide were purple--her favorite color. But that was nothing in comparison to the squeal that had escaped her upon being presented with the new armor not long before leaving Skyhold that day.

 

Then there were the series of twirls Dyana had performed once she had donned her new armor.

 

It was in rare moments like those that Blackwall was reminded of Dyana's background--that she was used to the finer, prettier things. True, the Inquisitor would often talk about shoes and fashion with Leliana and Josephine, but it was usually to provide a much needed mental break from dealing with Inquisition matters. In light of the amount of death and destruction she saw on a daily basis, it was rare for Dyana to surrender completely to her girlish whims because the opportunity hardly presented itself, so when it did happen, Blackwall could not help but find it adorable.

 

"Well, you two seem to make each other happy," Vivienne said amiably as she came to stand beside Blackwall.

 

Blackwall raised an eyebrow and turned his head enough to allow him the ability to regard the regal mage after coming to a halt. "And? Surely, you're not ending this on a complimentary note."

 

"I was just wondering how you imagined your future. The Inquisitor and the…well, whatever you are now," Vivienne replied with her normal air of condescension while wiping away a fleck of imaginary dust from her immaculate robes.

 

There it was.

 

"Ah, I see. You think we're a poor match," Blackwall replied--stating the obvious. He spared Vivienne a glare before looking to Dyana in admiration. "Lady Vivienne, that woman there will stand with Thedas' mightiest because of who she is. She may choose whomever she pleases, even an undeserving nobody. Envy her for her ability to love freely, but recognize that envy is what it is." That said, he turned on his heel and strode away at a quick clip before he did something he regretted.

 

Never before had Blackwall wanted to strike a woman, but Maker, how Vivienne infuriated him!

 

As if Blackwall did not regret his past decisions enough, Vivienne seemed perfectly content to rub his nose in them as well as his humble origins forever for nothing more than her own amusement. How was it that his Dyana, an actual noble who was born with a silver spoon in her hand, could be so accepting of him while Vivienne could not? Both women were highly ladylike, feminine, and had a fondness for the finer things. It would be foolish for Blackwall to believe Dyana was not that way…not with her always insisting that her armor and leathers be made of pretty colors that flattered her. But her girlish foibles aside, Dyana was not ruled by the sense of elitism that Vivienne possessed in spades.

 

"Blackwall?"

 

The veteran warrior stopped and turned to find Dyana coming after him with a look of concern. His Dyana…his beautiful, sweet Dyana. Blackwall could not help but draw her close and wrap his arms around her with a heavy sigh. Nuzzling into his love's hair, he felt himself become calm as her scent flooded his nose.

 

"Is something wrong, Thom my bear?" Dyana asked while wrapped her arms around Blackwall's waist and nestling into him as much as his breastplate would allow.

 

"Nothing that isn't being fixed by this," Blakwall answered with a sigh as his arms tightened around Dyana.

 

Dyana was silent for a few moments. "It was Vivienne, wasn't it?" she asked softly. A small sigh escaped her when her beloved stiffened. "I'll go have words with her…again."

 

"There's no need," Blackwall replied.

 

"Yes, there is," Dyana snapped. "I don't expect the two of you to be the best of friends, but she should at least treat you with respect, and she hasn't done that once…not once since joining the Inquisition." She looked up at Blackwall with sad eyes. "It pains me to see her upset you like this. It has to stop."

 

Blackwall's hands move up to lovingly cup Dyana's face, and his thumbs lightly brushed against her cheeks. "I don't give a ****** fig what that insufferable woman thinks of me. Yours is the only opinion that matters to me. So long as you continue to love me, nothing that woman says matters." He lightly rubbed his nose against Dyana's before softly kissing the tip. "Let her envy what we have. So long as I have you, My Lady, it won't bother me."

 

Smiling as her hands moved up to rest upon Blackwall's wrists, Dyana closed her eyes and tilted her face up in silent invitation for Blackwall to kiss her. Her beloved did not disappoint. She sighed softly in contentment when her lover's lips brushed tenderly against hers. "I love you, Thom," she murmured once the kiss ended--her eyes opening halfway. "I always have, and I always will."

 

"And that's all I need," Blackwall replied with a smile before slowly taking his hands away from Dyana's face. "I should go see to my bedroll," he said while taking a step away.

 

"But, I already have," Dyana answered with a small but coy grin which only grew in response to Blackwall's expression of confusion. "It's right beside mine in my tent…or should I say our tent." She tilted her head to the side and regarded her beloved. "Have you've forgotten our earlier agreement, my bear?"

 

Blackwall's eyes were warm and filled with love as he smiled down at Dyana and took both her hands in his. "No…I could never forget that."

 

Dyana gave Blackwall's hands a gentle squeeze. "Good."

[PrimordyaForever]

To Ride a Dracolisk

 

…Skyhold; almost two months later…

 

"Can't believe you're wearing that bit of shrubbery on your head," Sera remarked as she ambled along beside Dyana who was on her way to the stables in the late afternoon. "You're not wearing your leathers and such…why're you wearing your helm, if you can even call it that?" she asked with a small roll of her eyes.

 

Dyana reached up and lightly touched the lyrium-imbued crown of flowers upon her head. "It's pretty and makes me feel like a pretty, pretty princess," she replied simply before smiling. "I happen to like feeling pretty."

 

Sera rolled her eyes again and snorted. "Yeah, sure…cause nothing strikes fear into the hearts of demons an' Venatori like someone twirling at them like a pretty, pretty princess," she said with a mock twirl--making her voice higher pitched for the last part.

 

Dyana raised an eyebrow as she watched her elven friend. "It will if that pretty, pretty princess is shooting arrows at them whilst twirling," she remarked with a smirk.

 

"Suppose that's true," Sera mused with a small shrug after a moment of thought. "Everything's scarier with arrows flyin' at you…even a pretty, pretty princess."

 

"Exactly," Dyna replied with a nod. "Just because I deliver death on a regular basis doesn't mean I can't look pretty while I do it," she added with a cheeky wink.

 

"Mad as a hatter, you are," Sera snarked.

 

Dyana raised an eyebrow. "You're one to talk," she replied with a chuckle and a light nudge to the elf's side.

 

Sera grinned and cackled. "So, what's this new mount you're going to look at, anyway?"

 

"I don't rightly know," Dyana replied with a thoughtful frown. "It's called a dracolisk, but I have no idea what that even is." Her frown turn up at the corners and her eyes glimmered in excitement. "Think it could be a type of dragon?" she asked in a whisper. "Oh, Maker...can you imagine me riding a dragon into battle?" She squealed excitedly and jumped before twirling on the spot. "Oh, this is so exciting!" She cried before grabbing Sera's hand and dragging her the rest of the way to the stables at a full run.

 

"Inky! Mad as a blighted hatter, you are!" Sera cried with a laugh.

 

"Dragons, Sera!" Dyana exclaimed. "Dragons!" She nearly ran headlong into Blackwall who chose that moment to step out of the barn and into her path. "Have you seen it? Have you seen it? Is it a dragon?"

 

"It's…something," Blackwall replied carefully. "You might want to approach slowly and quietly, love. The horse master just managed to get it calmed down."

 

Dyana nodded and let go of Sera's hand. "Sorry if I pulled your arm out of its socket," she said sheepishly to her friend while slipping her hand into Blackwall's.

 

"I've had worse," Sera said with a dismissive wave of her hand while falling into step beside the couple. "So, Beardy, what's this Dracolicky thingie?"

 

"Dracolisk," Blackwall corrected. "And…well, it'd be easier to see for yourselves," he said while motioning towards the side door.

 

"So secretive, Beardy," Sera chided while stepping through the door. "Andraste's flaming ******!"

 

Dyana let go of Blackwall's hand then and hurried after her friend. "What is it? What…" She blinked upon seeing the creature in the pen, and her jaw dropped as she took in the sight of what looked like a cross between a dragon and an underfed horse. "…in Andraste's name…?!"

 

"Please, Lady Inquisitor…gently if you please," Dennet entreated in a low voice. "The creature is a bit…bitey when startled or nervous."

 

"So…what? Did a dragon shag a horse, or…whatevah?" Sera asked while nervously shuffling her feet. "It's weird…I don't like it." She shrank back a bit. "It's staring at me…with those eyes and teeth like it wants to eat me…make it stop…! Why won't it blink?!"

 

"Hush, Sera…" Dyana said in the soft, soothing voice she reserved for panicked horses while reaching behind her to pat the elf's hand. "Like all animals, this creature can sense fear…" She took a step forward towards the pen.

 

"Dyana…" Blackwall protested while taking a step towards his love.

 

"I'll be fine," Dyana assured while taking another slow step forward. "Isn't that right, you curious, curious creature? You don't want to hurt me, do you?" Another slow step. "No, I didn't think so. You'd have no reason to," she soothed while taking another step and slowly raising a hand and offering it to the dracolisk to smell. "I'm not going to hurt you…no, I most certainly am not. I only want to be your friend…yes, I most certainly do." She froze when the dracolisk snorted, reared up a little an emitted a high-pitched cry.

 

"Dyana…!" Blackwall took a step forward.

 

"Stay back," Dyana instructed in a firmer voice though the volume of it remained the same. "Nobody move…"

 

"Inky…" Sera fretted.

 

"Everything is alright, Sera…isn't that right…Bumble Bee?" Dyana asked of the dracolisk. "You look a bit like a bumble with your coloring…what say you? Do you like the name?" She took a cautious step forward and did not flinch when the dracolisk leaned forward to sniff her knuckles. "Is Bumble Bee your name? I think it could be your name, but only if you agree to it first." She smiled when the creature's tongue darted out of its mouth and across her knuckles. "Is that a yes?"

 

"Shite…now he's gotten a taste for your flesh," Sera whined.

 

Dyana's smile grew when the dracolisk slowly nuzzled her hand. "I think you can relax, Sera," she replied softly while slowly bringing up her other hand and cautiously stroking it over the front of the dracolisk's face. "Oh, yes, she can, can't she, Bumble Bee?" she cooed when the creature emitted an odd purring sound.

 

Through all of this, Blackwall's entire body had been tense and ready to spring into action in the event that his beloved needed a quick rescue. But how, his shoulders visibly sagged in relief and he exhaled the breath he had been holding. "Maker's breath," he whispered--his relief echoed by the others who had gathered around to watch.

 

"Is…is that bloody thing purring?" Sera asked incredulously.

 

"It would seem so," Dyana replied while slowly reaching up with one hand to tentatively scratch behind the horns atop the creature's head. "Oh, does that feel good?" she cooed when the dracolisk closed its eyes and turned its head so Dyana could better access the spot. "Do you get itchy behind your horns? Well, we can't have that, can we?"

 

Blackwall slowly closed the distance between them until he was standing beside Dyana. "You really are remarkable," he murmured in awe.

 

"Oh, pish," Dyana dismissed. "I'm sure Dennet would have done just as well." She motioned with her head towards the dracolisk. "Want to pet him, love?"

 

"Uh…"

 

"Oh, go on," Dyana encouraged with a smile. "He won't bite…will you, Bumble Bee?"

 

Blackwall cautiously reached out and patted the dracolisk's neck. He stiffened when Bumble Bee opened one eye and regarded him with an unblinking stare. Softly clearing his throat, he slowly withdrew his hand.

 

"There now, on your way to being fast friends already," Dyana said happily while lowering the hand that was currently scratching the dracolisk. "Now then…would you like to go for a stroll? Hmmm? May I ride you?"

 

"You certain that's wise, love?" Blackwall asked worriedly. "Petting the creature is one thing, but what if it doesn't take to the saddle?"

 

"Then I get thrown and start over again," Dyana replied with a shrug. "It's a process. Isn't that right, Dennet?"

 

"Aye, M'lady," the horse Master replied with a nod.

 

"Yeah, but regular horses don't look like they could bite your leg off if you kick 'em too hard," Sera whined.

 

"Bumble Bee won't bite my leg off," Dyana assured with a smile before frowning and looking to Dennet. "A normal bridle might be problematic."

 

"That's the problem?" Sera asked incredulously. "Never mind the teeth!"

 

Dennet gave a small nod while moving to stand on Dyana's other side. "I was thinking the same thing. I'll have to make some modifications…the saddle to considering the difference in the beast's back from a normal horse."

 

"Well, in the meantime, I'll ride him bareback," Dyana said with a shrug while opening the pen and coaxing the dracolisk out. "Oh, what interesting feet…" she said after happening to glance down and spur the three toes with rather lethal looking talons.

 

"Dyana…" Blackwall began.

 

"I won't go far," Dyana assured. "I won't even leave the courtyard. Now, be a dear and bring that step stool over here. Without stirrups, I need a bit of help." She experimentally touched the hump at the base of the dracolisk's shoulders and found it was hard like bone. "Hmmm…this might help," she mused as Blackwall brought the stool over. Stepping onto the top part of the stool, Dyana used the hard hump as an anchor to grip and give herself the leverage she needed to swing herself up onto Bumble Bee's back. The larger clumps of hard scales were flatter along the dracolisk's spine, so while they felt odd against her, they were not uncomfortable. "Easy," she soothed with a gentle pat to the creature's neck when he rose up onto his hind legs a bit. "Easy, now…we're going to take this nice and slow, I promise."

 

Bumble Bee huffed and swished his thick tail.

 

"Alright then," Dyana replied before clicking her tongue and giving Bumble Bee's sides a light kick as her hands lightly gripped the bony hump. "Come on, boy…let's get to know one another."

 

~*~*~

 

…Nightfall…

 

Resolving to keep his hands busy in order to keep himself from worrying about Dyana, Blackwall looked up from his work on the rocking griffon when he heard the unusual sound of the dracolisk returning. He put down his hammer and chisel and hurried over to the door. Since the Inquisitor seemed to have everything well in hand, Dennet had gone to the tavern for a drink, so Blackwall wanted to be at the ready in the event that his beloved needed help getting down off her mount. He leaned against the doorway by the stable pens and crossed his arms and ankles in what he hoped was a casual demeanor as he watched Dyana approach--seeing her smile even in the growing dusk. "Good ride?" he asked after his love urged the dracolisk to a halt.

 

"A wonderful ride," Dyana replied breathlessly with a flushed face while bringing a leg over Bumble Bee's head so she was no longer sitting astride him. She waited for Blackwall to approach and put her hands upon his shoulders as his hands moved up to her waist in order to help her down. "Where's Dennet?"

 

"Went off for a drink," Blackwall answered while taking his hands away once Dyana was on the ground so she could put the dracolisk back into its pen. "He made sure the trough was filled with meats and such for the beast before he left though."

 

"Oh, that's good," Dyana said airily as she opened the pen and coaxed Bumble Bee inside before closing the door behind him. "Eat up and rest, boy," she said before turning to face Blackwall and all but pouncing on him--her hands pulling him down by the shoulders so she could kiss him heatedly.

 

Surprised as he was, Blackwall nevertheless did not hesitate in wrapping his arms around Dyana and pressing her close as he kissed her back. His tongue danced passionately with hers as they began walking awkwardly into the barn, and it did not take long before he hardened almost painfully within his trousers. He had of course respected Dyana's wishes to postpone their physical relationship until she felt ready again, and he would never dream of pressing the matter. But after everything that had happened, he was desperate to reaffirm his connection with his beloved.

 

Groaning, the veteran warrior ended the kiss and slowly pushed Dyana away so there was some distance between their bodies. "We should stop now…before I am no longer able to," Blackwall said huskily--his blue eyes dark with desire as he gazed at his beloved.

 

Her face flushed, and her heart racing, Dyana locked gazes with her love and took a step towards him. "I don't want you to stop, Thom," she whispered while taking a hold of Blackwall's hand and giving it a squeeze before leading him towards the stairs that would lead up into the loft.

 

Blackwall's heart raced in excitement as he followed Dyana, but he cleared his throat. "Are you sure this is what you want?" he asked huskily. "Don't think that you need to do this because of me, love. If you're still not ready…"

 

"I am ready, Thom," Dyana said as she led the way up the stairs. "And I can't think of a better place to reaffirm our physical bonds than the place where it all began," she purred with a coy smile even as her cheeks turned pink.

 

Blackwall gently pulled Dyana to a halt and gathered her up into his arms like a bride as he smiled at her--his eyes warm and filled with love. "While the barn will always be special to us…one of these days, we will have to make love in our actual bed," he remarked cheekily while stepping up into the loft.

 

Dyana giggled softly while she wrapped her arms around Blackwall's neck--her fingers toying with his dark hair. "Maybe we could christen our bed after we're done in here?" she suggested while lightly nibbling her bottom lip. "If you're up for it that is, my bear…"

 

Blackwall could not stop the shiver of anticipation from running through him any more than he could stop the small groan of longing before he was kissing Dyana deeply while carrying her over to a large pile of hay. "Maker give me strength…"

 

~*~*~

 

…Tavern; later…

 

Blackwall's heart was still racing after having reconnected with Dyana…twice.

 

The first time, he had been on top--his larger body pinning Dyana beneath him as he took her with deep, long strokes. With his beloved's arms and shapely legs wrapped around him, there was no space at all between their bodies--as though they were each trying to climb into the other's skin--and that had suited Blackwall just fine. It allowed him to kiss Dyana over and over with every ounce of passion and love he felt for her, and it allowed him to mercilessly tease that secret spot under his love's right ear with his tongue, lips…and teeth. Even the lightest of nips to that magical spot were capable of reducing Dyana into a quivering, whimpering mass before her orgasm finally ripped through her. They had climaxed together. As hard as Blackwall had tried to make it last longer, he was simply too overjoyed with being so intimately connected with his beloved; and so when he felt Dyana's inner walls clamp down upon him so deliciously, he could not stop himself from exploding deeply within her--not stopping in his thrusts until he had emptied every drop of his seed into her waiting womb.

 

The second time, Blackwall had been on his back. He shuddered and his heart raced again at the memory of just how wildly beautiful Dyana was as she rode him like a stallion--her strong thighs gripping him tightly as straw stuck out of her ginger hair that hung loosely to her shoulders. All he had been able to do was lie back and grip his beloved's shapely hips, but Blackwall had not minded. The sight of Dyana's flushed and glowing body arching in pleasure while bouncing up and down upon him was nothing short of magnificent, and when it had ended with their choked cries of release, Blackwall had been only too happy to cradle Dyana against him as her beautiful body trembled with aftershocks of pleasure.

 

When they finally drew apart so they could dress, Blackwall had watched with a small but pleased smirk as Dyana's legs seemed to wobble a bit. When they had finished dressing, Dyana had suggested that they retire to their room for a hot bath, and Blackwall had told her to go on ahead with the promise of joining her with enough time to share the bath with her.

 

Which put him in his current situation.

 

There was a definite spring in Blackwall's step as stepped up to the bar and he ordered a bottle of wine. Dyana was not much for ale, so he intended to take a bottle of wine to share with her back in their quarters while they recovered from their exploits in the loft. He had just reached into his pocket and pulled out a coin to pay when Sera approached.

 

"In case you were wondering, the Inquisitor still has all her limbs, fingers and toes after her afternoon ride," Blackwall said with a chuckle as he placed the coin on the bar and accepted the bottle.

 

"Yes…you'd certainly know that, wouldn't you?" Sera asked cheekily with a knowing grin.

 

Blackwall raised an eyebrow as he stepped away from the bar. "What are you getting at?" he asked while turning and starting for the door.

 

Sera's grin grew just a bit. "I know what you did. You two…in the loft…"

 

Blackwall came to a dead halt and his eyes widened. "Uh...h-how did you…?"

 

Sera shrugged and her grin never wavered. "Just do. 'Cause I know things."

 

Blackwall cleared his throat. "Could we not speak so loudly about these things that you know?" he pleaded in a whisper.

 

"Too late. You're the one scaring the horses an' getting hay up your nooks…crannies," Sera answered with a chuckle.

 

Blackwall sighed heavily and hung his head. "Maker's balls…"

 

"Wasn't the Maker's balls I saw," Sera remarked cheekily before cackling and running off.

 

Blackwall groaned and started for the door once more. "Dyana is going to kill me…"

[PrimordyaForever]

Calming the Storm

 

…Dyana & Blackwall's chambers; a week later…

 

"Are you sure you're alright?" Blackwall asked while holding Dyana close as she nestled into him under the covers.

 

They had been awake for quarter of an hour, but after they had each visited the privy, they found themselves right back in bed again--lying on their sides with their legs tangled together. For the first time in months, they were waking up in their own bed without having to set out on a long journey or without a sudden crises of some kind occurring, and they simply wanting to enjoy the rare moment of quiet and tranquility for as long as possible.

 

"Why wouldn't I be?" Dyana asked softly as her eyes drifted closed. Blackwall's body was simply so warm, and she felt so safe in his strong arms. "I'm with you," she murmured while nuzzling into her beloved's dark, chest hair. "No one is banging at our door, and I'm here in your arms. I couldn't be better," she added with a smile.

 

Blackwall smiled and nuzzled into Dyana's hair--delighting in how his scent clung to her. "You went into the Fade again yesterday…" he began--becoming serious once more. "When you were helping Morrigan chase after her boy. You keep ending up in the Fade, love…what if…what if being physically in the Fade as often as you've been winds being bad for you?" he added worriedly. "Do you feel any different?"

 

Dyana opened her eyes halfway and smiled while tilting her face up towards Blackwall's--her fingers lazily combing through the black nest of chest hair. "I promise you that I feel fine, my bear," she murmured.

 

"Truly?" Blackwall asked.

 

"I would never lie to the father of my future children," Dyana replied. "Remember our promise?"

 

Blackwall smiled and pressed a kiss to Dyana's forehead. "Yes, I remember."

 

"Good," Dyana replied with a smile. "Will you carve toys for our children the way you did for the refugees?" she asked after a few moments of silence.

 

"Try and stop me," Blackwall answered simply.

 

"I wouldn't think of it, my bear," Dyana answered with her smile still in place as she lightly nuzzled her lover's pulse. "You're so very good with your hands. I love the idea of our little ones playing with the toys you made for them out of love."

 

"Keep talking like that, and I just might have to make their cribs as well," Blackwall retorted with a delighted shiver while stroking Dyana's hair.

 

"I love that idea even more than you making their toys," Dyana murmured. "Our babies...sleeping in the safety of the bed that was lovingly created by the man who lovingly helped to create them. There's a poetry to that..."

 

"Anything that you say is poetry to my ears, My Lady," Blackwall murmured. "But yes...I must agree with you." A fond, absent smile formed upon his lips. "I promise that the moment you tell me you're pregnant, I will immediately begin work on our child's crib."

 

"In that case, I hope we finish off this business with Corypheus soon," Dyana purred with a smile. "Because I am most anxious to begin my life with you, Thom…actually begin it instead of simply talking about it."

 

"As am I," Blackwall replied fervently as his arm tightened around Dyana.

 

"Fortunately, the voices from the Well are whispering to Morrigan and preparing her for taking out Corypheus' dragon, so Maker willing, the end of this terrifying ordeal is near, and Thedas will be safe again…at least for a little while."

 

"At least long enough for you to make an honest man out of me," Blackwall said with a chuckle.

 

"Shouldn't that be the other way around?" Dyana asked with a smirk and a giggle. "Shouldn't I be the one being made honest?"

 

"I can't make you what you already are," Blackwall answered simply. "You are honest and pure of heart, Dyana, and you always will be. It's simply who you are." He tenderly kissed his beloved's forehead. "You bring out the best in people," he whispered while moving the arm he had wrapped around her so he could reverently brush his fingertips over her cheek. "You bring out the best in me. You changed me for the better."

 

"You were already doing that on your own, Thom," Dyana replied with a bashful smile before turning her head so she could sneak a kiss to Blackwall's fingers.

 

"But it was you who made me take that final step," Blackwall whispered. "You gave me the courage to truly be better. Had it not been for you, I would have continued with the lie I was living."

 

Dyana fell silent for a few moments. "While I understand the sentiment behind your words, I'm not particularly fond of the idea of being the one who prompted the man I love to offer himself up to the hangman's noose."

 

"You inspire the people around you to do the right thing," Blackwall murmured while gently tangling a hand into Dyana's ginger hair. "That's all I meant." He shifted onto his back and urged his love to shift so she was on top of him--slowly stroking her back once she had done so. "And the next right thing I plan to do is put a ring on your finger."

 

Dyana smiled and nestled into Blackwall once he had wrapped his arms around her once more. "Dyana Elisabeth Rainier. I do like the sound of that."

 

Blackwall smiled and kissed the top of Dyana's head. "So do I, but…are you certain you would want to bear my name? After everything that happened…"

 

“I would be honored to bear your name, Thom,” Dyana replied fervently. “And if anyone dares to question it…well, who would dare to question the Inquisitor after all I’ve done?”

 

Blackwall smiled. “I love you so much,” he murmured while nuzzling into Dyana’s hair. “You magnificent woman.”

 

Dyana’s smile returned as she nuzzled into Blackwall’s chest hair. “And I love you, you magnificent man.”

 

~*~*~

 

…Later…

 

As she made her way to the stables, Dyana slowly let out a breath.

 

She had met with Morrigan not long before, and the apostate had informed her that she was ready and prepared to face Corypheus' dragon. With that assurance, Dyana knew that the Inquisition was prepared as it was ever going to be for its final battle. All that was needed was to await the return of the soldiers from their various camps and outposts. Upon their return, Dyana knew that the Inquisition would be ready to march.

 

The nightmare Corypheus had unleashed upon Thedas would soon be over.

 

With that in mind, Dyana took it upon herself to visit with each of her companions…her friends. She knew that she needed to meet with her advisors, but she wanted to have  a few moments with those who had fought beside her through all these months--gauging their states of mind while thanking them for all their help. While some were more anxious than others, they, like her, were ready for the ordeal to end.

 

She had saved Blackwall for last.

 

Standing in the doorway of the barn, she watched her beloved with a small but nevertheless fond smile as he wielded a paintbrush and put the finishing touches on the rocking griffin he had been working on since arriving at Skyhold. Her heart fluttered and her womb ached as she imagined her future husband putting such care into creations for their own children, and at length, she could not stay away from him. She crossed over the threshold and slowly made her way towards Blackwall. "So it's done?"

 

"Just about," Blackwall answered with a few more strokes of his brush. He had borrowed the brush and paint from Solas. Part of it had been done out of pride for his work, but mostly he was getting ideas for what he would do for his own children when he and Dyana were finally blessed with them; though, if he was being honest with himself, Blackwall did not believe that he deserved children of his own after what he had done to Callier and his family. Even if he lived a hundred years, it would be the terrified screams of the children that would forever haunt him. "The little ones in the camp don't have much…I thought this might cheer them up. Even in the midst of war, they deserve to be children."

 

"It's almost time," Dyana said--regretting having to ruin the moment with talk of the impending battle. "Are you ready?" she asked while coming to a halt.

 

Blackwal put the brush down and turned to face the woman he loved. "No," he answered. "Not at all. I already lost you once…now I might lose you again," he added sadly with a shake of his head. For all their talk of the future, Blackwall had seen enough combat to know that things did not always work out for the better regardless of how prepared an army was; and this particular army was going up against an ancient darkspawn magister. He was very much aware that either of them could easily not survive their final confrontation with Corypheus, and it made Blackwall's heart feel as though it were being gripped in a vice.

 

"I won't let us be torn apart a second time," Dyana answered with her best reassuring smile--not simply for Blackwall's sake, but for her own.

 

Blackwall sighed and briefly closed his eyes. "You have some power, My Lady, but not even you can thwart death," he replied sadly. "One thing's certain," he added while pacing away. "I'll fight harder than any man out there. I'll fight harder than I ever have," he said emphatically. "There's always something to die for…but something worth living for? That doesn't come along every day," he added with a shake of his head before opening his arms and stepping towards Dyana--meeting her halfway as she mirrored him. He wrapped his arms tightly around his beloved and kissed her deeply before simply holding her close and nuzzling into her hair. "You are worth fighting for, Dyana. You, and our future together will be what motivate me to survive the battle against Corypheus, but you have to survive too." His arms tightened around his love.

 

"I'm not letting you go, Thom," Dyana murmured emphatically. "And I'm not letting go of our future. You can be sure of that." She reveled in the warm strength of Blackwall's body a few moments longer before slowly drawing away. "I should meet with my advisors so we can start formulating a plan."

 

Blackwall gave a small nod before brushing a kiss to Dyana's forehead. "I know. Plan well, My Lady. I'll meet up with you later."

 

Dyana smiled coyly. "I was hoping you'd say that," she said with a playful wink.

 

Blackwall chuckled and grinned. "Away with you, you delightful minx."

 

Dyana giggled and turned on her heel before starting towards the door--putting an extra bit of wiggle into her hips. "You know where to find me…" she said airily. After the incident with Sera, Dyana was strictly about the bedroom now when it came to her and Blackwall's intimate activities.

 

Blackwall growled low in his throat as his gaze focused upon those hips. "Oh, yes I do…"

 

Giggling, Dyana spared Blackwall a teasing glance over her shoulder before scurrying away--her heart racing with excitement. She had never before considered herself to be brazen, but Blackwall had a way of bringing it out in her.

 

Starting up the steps, she resolved herself to tell Cullen first about meeting her in the War Room before seeking put Leliana. She knew that between the two of them, they would inform Josephine which would leave Dyana free to fetch Morrigan. She slowly let out a breath to sooth the sudden surge of anxiety. This meeting of her council would be the most significant of all.

 

Dyana could feel it in her bones.

 

~*~*~

 

…War Room…

 

"Did you…find what you need, Morrigan?" Leliana asked hesitantly. She still did not trust her former traveling companion. Never mind the fact that the dark-haired woman was always so dismissive of the faith and beliefs that the spymaster held so dear, but Leliana could never be sure if the apostate was being fully truthful. Then there was the small matter of the son she had conceived with Alistair. While the ancient ritual had served its purpose and allowed for both Alistair and Alona to live after the Archdemon's demise, Leliana could not forgive the witch of the wilds for forcing the moment of infidelity upon her treasured friends. She still remembered how utterly distraught Alona had been that night--how she had held her friend and simply allowed her to weep into her shoulder as the only man she ever loved bedded and conceived a child with another woman.

 

No…Leliana could never forgive that.

 

"I can match the darkspawn magister's dragon," Morrigan answered with a smirk. "Yes." She turned her gaze to Dyana. "As for matching Corypheus, that is up to you, Inquisitor."

 

"Believe me, I know," Dyana replied vehemently--knowing only too well everything that hinged upon her victory.

 

"Then all that remains is to find Corypheus before he comes to us," Cullen said firmly.

 

"We've been looking for his base since all this began with no success," Leliana replied tersely.

 

"His dragon must come and go from somewhere," Cullen replied with a small growl of agitation.

 

"What about the Deep Roads?" Josephine suggested in attempts to diffuse the argument before it gained any momentum. "We could send word to Orzammar or hire envoys to--" Her words died in her throat when the room was suddenly illuminated by a bright, green light. Her gaze, as well as those of Leliana and Cullen, turned to Dyana only to see that the mark on her hand had flared to life. A look of trepidation flashed briefly across the Inquisitor's face before her green eyes narrowed and focused upon the window on the other side of the war table. Josephine, Leliana and Cullen acted as one as they turned towards the window to see clouds swirling around the Breach, and the ambassador's heart sank into her stomach.

 

The moment had come.

 

"It seems that Corypheus is not content to wait," Morrigan said with the barest hint of worry as she looked to Dyana.

 

"He's in the Valley of Sacred Ashes!" Dyana exclaimed.

 

"You either close the Breach once more, or it swallows the world," Morrigan said firmly.

 

"But that's madness!" Josephine exclaimed. "Wouldn't that kill him as well?"

 

Cullen looked to Josephine before turning his gaze to Leliana who held it for several moments. She understood. "Inquisitor," Cullen began while turning his gaze towards Dyana. "We have no forces to send with you. We must wait for them to return from the Arbor Wilds."

 

"I must go now…before it's too late," Dyana replied with an air of finality before setting her jaw and narrowing her eyes as her gaze found its way to the Breach once more. "Send whatever forces we do have on ahead," she said before turning on her heel and striding for the door at a quick clip. "This ends now," she snarled before pulling the heavy door open and running down the corridor.

 

When Dyana finally made it into the Great Hall, it was to find it in utter chaos as worked and guests of the Inquisition panicked at the sight of the Breach awakening from its dormant state. She used the bedlam to her advantage in order to slip unnoticed to the door that would lead up to her chamber, and she ran up the stairs two at a time. Upon reaching the top, she was greeted by the sight of a puffing, red-face Blackwall who was in the process of donning his armor. Her beloved had no doubt raced here the moment he saw what happened with the Breach, and her heart warmed at the sight of the purple leathers Blackwall had undoubtedly laid out for her.

 

"Looks like you got your wish, love," Blackwall remarked with a wry smile.

 

"I didn't think it would be this soon," Dyana replied with a nervous chuckle. "I don't suppose there's even a small chance I could talk you into staying behind where it's safe?" Dyana ventured as she hurried over to the bed and began donning her leathers and armor.

 

"Not ****** likely," Blackwall growled. "What sort of man would I be if I stayed behind while the woman I loved went off into the thick of the danger? No, Dyana," he said with a firm shake of his head. "My place is by your side, and that is exactly where I intend to be."

 

Her armor now donned, Dyana closed the distance between Blackwall and herself before taking his hands in hers. "There's no one else I would rather have at my side, and no matter what happens…know that I love you." She allowed Blackwall to draw her into his arms--their breastplates clanking against the other. She tilted her head up and welcomed his heated kiss.

 

"My heart beats for you, Dyana," Blackwall whispered fervently against his beloved's lips. "Don't give it a reason to stop."

 

"The same applies to you, my bear," Dyana whispered while clinging to Blackwall. "Don't you dare give my heart a reason to stop beating."

 

Blackwall rested his forehead against Dyana's and gazed deeply into her eyes. "I won't."

 

~*~*~

 

…Valley of Sacred Ashes; nightfall…

 

No amount of preparation could have readied Dyana and her companions for this battle. First if all, they had not expected to find themselves and the crumbling ruin upon which they stood to suddenly rise up and hover miles above the earth. It made them all the more conscious of just where they stood during the battle. Maker forbid either she or her companions were standing too close to an edge when Corypheus lashed out at them with his magic.

 

Then, there was the matter of the dragon.

 

Dyana did not think it would be possible to see anything more impressive than the dragon fighting the giant on the Storm Coast, but then the aerial battle between the two dragons occurred. At first it was impressive, but then it only proved to add to the overall precarious nature of the battle. As though gravity and Corypheus were not dangerous enough, now Dyana and her intrepid companions had to worry about two dragons getting too close. All that was needed was one misplaced tail swipe, and everything would be over--either by a sudden crushing death, or by a sudden stop after a long drop.

 

But then Corypheus' Dragon had gotten the better of Morrigan, and the task of defeating it fell to Dyana and the others. Fortunately, Morrigan had weakened it, but that did not mean it had not been a challenge to defeat.

 

Even with the dragon dead, Corypheus had not gone down easily. The orb strengthened his powers and made every magical blast of dark energy all the more debilitating, but at length, one of Dyana's arrows got lucky. She shot the orb out of the magister's giant, claw-like hand mere moments before he lashed out with a final, telekinetic burst that sent Dyana and the others flying backwards.

 

"No! Not like this!" Corypheus cried as he snatched up the orb. "I have walked the halls of the Golden City across the ages! Dumat!" He did not notice Dyana pushing herself to her knees after being knocked down with her companions--clenching her glowing hand into a fist. He did not notice the Inquisitor rising to her feet and reaching out with her marked hand. "Ancient ones, I beseech you! If you exist…if you ever truly existed, aid me now!" Suddenly the orb flew from his hand and hit him hard in the face as it flew past him and sought out the Anchor in Dyana's hand.

 

Dyana gazed at the glowing, crackling orb in shock as the ancient magister fell to his knees, but she did not allow herself to dwell on it for long. Acting purely on instinct, she held the orb aloft and used it to magnify the power of the Anchor. She was not disappointed. The beam of light that shot out of her hand and into the Breach was more powerful that any she had ever before produced. Within a matter of moments the hole in the sky was sealed, and the now spent orb fell from Dyana's hand and landed heavily upon the ground. Deprived of his dragon, and now without the power of the orb, Corypheus was too weak to keep the ruins floating in the sky, and massive stones began falling as the magister's magic began crumbling around them. But Dyana did not care. She strode towards Corypheus with deliberate steps.

 

"You wanted into the Fade?" she demanded while holding her glowing hand up to Corypheus. She focused all her energy into the mark, and within a few moments, the ancient magister was enveloped within a small rift that the Anchor opened before vanishing with him. With Corypheus gone, there truly was no magic left to keep the ruins in the air, and they began plummeting to the earth at a rapid rate with massive rocks crashing down around the Inquisitor and her friends.

 

Dyana hurriedly helped her companions to their feet and began running. "RUN!" She knew that they had no real place to go without plummeting to their deaths, but they could at the very least find some measure of shelter from the falling debris.

 

Running as fast as his injured body and heavy armor would allow, Blackwall stayed close to Dyana. He knew Solas and Cassandra were right behind him by the sound of their panting, but as he glanced up, he saw a massive boulder plummeting towards them--Dyana specifically. "DYANA!" He had just enough time to push his beloved out of the way, which then put him in the direct path of the boulder.

 

"BLACKWALL!" Cassandra cried before grabbing her comrade by the back of his armor and sharply tugging with all her might mere moments before the massive rock would have crushed him. Her momentum combined with the weight and velocity of a fully armor-clad man of Blackwall's size crashing into her was more than enough to knock her completely off kilter as the wreckage finally impacted against the earth. Both she and Blackwall fell and tumbled down the stone steps and landed at the bottom in an unceremonious heap with loud grunt.

 

Winded and aching all over from their fall, the two warriors simply stayed were they were for several moments.

 

"You saved me…thank you for that," Blackwall wheezed before coughing as the wind finally rushed back into his lungs. "I know I'm not exactly your favorite person…"

 

"No…but the Inquisitor loves you, and I know she would have been most cross with me if I let you get crushed without at least trying to save you. Besides...you're not all that bad. Isn't that right, Inquisitor? Inquisitor?" Her eyes widened and she looked to Blackwall who suddenly looked wildly around for some trace of Dyana.

 

There was no trace to be found.

 

"Dyana?! Dyana?!" Blackwall shouted frantically as he looked for even the smallest glimpse of purple armor or ginger hair. "Dyana?!

 

"We fell down the stairs, but you…you simply pushed her out of the way of the falling rock," Cassandra said as she pointed up to where she and Blackwall had fallen from--not paying any heed to the rest of their companions who were cautiously making their way towards them. "Maker willing, she should still be up there!" She hurriedly rose to her feet. "Inquisitor!" she cried while taking shaky steps towards the staircase. "Are you alive?" She released the breath she was holding when she saw Dyana appear at the top of the stairs before slowly striding down.

 

"Victorious, I see…" Morrigan mused as she limped forward while gingerly holding her side. "What a novel result."

 

Blackwall smiled and strode through the crowd until he was at the front. "And you live. I can breathe again." His smile widened when Dyana's gaze met his, and when she smiled back at him, he swore his heart melted.

 

"And it seems the Breach…is finally closed," Morrigan said with a smile.

 

"Looks that way," Dyana replied--still unable to believe that it was all over now after all these months.

 

"What do we do now?" Cassandra asked.

 

Dyana regarded her friends for a few moments before looking off into the distance. At length, she looked back at her friends. "We go back to Skyhold," she said while making her way down the rest of the stairs. Once she was within reach, she all but fell into Blackwall with a sigh of relief. "We made it," she whispered. "Did I not tell you we would make it?"

 

"You did indeed, My Lady," Blackwall murmured into Dyana's ear as he held her close--needing the reassurance that she was indeed alive in his arms. "I suppose I should listen to you more often."

 

Dyana tilted her face up to Blackwall's and smiled. "See that you do." She kissed him tenderly. "Now let's go home."

 

~*~*~

 

…Skyhold; much later…

 

Dyana still could not believe the celebration that had been waiting for her and her companions upon their victorious return. Josephine had later revealed to her that she had instructed the cooks and other workers of Skyhold to prepare the feast in order to keep them calm. It had been the ambassador's way of instilling hope while keeping everyone in the Keep distracted from the battle that was going on in the valley, and Dyana could not help but admire the Antivan's method. 

 

But admiration could only distract Dyana from her exhaustion for so long.

 

As the celebration continued well into the night, all Dyana wanted to do was soak her tired, aching body in a hot bath before curling up in bed and sleeping for a month. In spite of her joy at having most of her friends deciding to stay at Skyhold with the Inquisition, and being excited for Cassandra's election as the new Divine, Dyana simply felt like she had nothing left to give in that moment. With Corypheus now defeated, all the adrenaline that had kept Dyana going for all of these months was finally gone from her body--leaving the Inquisitor exhausted and mentally drained.

 

Surely, no one would mind if she slipped away and closed her eyes for a few minutes?

 

Dyana began making her way for the door that would lead to her bedroom, and she was about to reach for the handle when…

 

"My Lady Inquisitor. Leaving your own party so soon?"

 

Dyana could not help but smile as she turned to look behind her to find Blackwall standing there. Her smile only grew when her beloved bowed at the waist, and she reached behind herself to open the door before walking backwards in silent invitation for her man to join her. Once the door was closed behind them, the pair walked up the many steps in comfortable silence--their fingers intertwined after their hands and found each other. Dyana sighed, and her head fell tiredly against Blackwall's shoulder as they walked, but upon reaching the top of the stairs and seeing the beginning of the dawn, she could not help but raise her head.

 

"The dawn really did come..." she mused softly as she and Blackwall made their way towards the foot of the bed.

 

"We've been through a lot, haven’t we?" Blackwall asked as they slowly drew apart.

 

Dyana smiled while turning to face her beloved. "The destination was worth the journey."

 

Blackwall smiled and gazed at his woman in awe as his heart fluttered. "I'll never tire of how you see the best in everything…and everyone. But what have I done to deserve this smile?"

 

Dyana did not answer, but simply turned and strode slowly towards the balcony. She knew Blackwall walked with her, and her smile returned when she felt his arm slip about her waist as they both halted in their steps. She allowed her tired body to lean into his as they both watched the sunrise. "You deserve my smile because you helped me make this possible," she murmured while gesturing out at the land which was no longer being terrified by Corypheus. "You deserve my smile because you love me, and I love you."

 

Blackwall gently turned Dyana so she was facing him, and he took both her hands in his before raising them to his lips so he could kiss her knuckles. "I do love you, Dyana…I worship you…I treasure you. You are my reason for existing," he murmured fervently as he gazed deeply into his beloved's eyes. "And now that everything is back to the way it should be, it's time for me to do what I've dreaming about doing since the first moment I saw you," he said before slowly dropping to one knee. "Dyana Elisabeth Trevelyan, will you make me the happiest alive by becoming my wife?"

 

Dyana's entire face was alight with her smile, and her eyes welled up with tears as her heart fluttered wildly with excitement. "Yes! Yes, Thom, of course I will!" Her jaw dropped when her beloved let go of one hand so he could reach into his pocket and pull out a golden ring with a solitary amethyst in the center. "Wha…?"

 

"You didn't expect me to propose without a ring, did you?" Blackwall asked with a smirk as he slipped the ring gently onto Dyana's finger.

 

Dyana gave a small shake of her head. "I…I don't know what I expected, but…when did you…?"

 

"That traveling merchant from Orzammar," Blackwall answered with a smile. "I wanted to see if by chance he had any rings in his stock, and when I saw the purple stone on this one, I just knew it was meant for you."

 

"I love it," Dyana whispered as her tears began rolling down her cheeks. "It's the most beautiful ring I've ever seen."

 

"Just wait until you see the one I'm having Dagna make for you," Blackwall replied with his smile still in place as he rose to his feet. He let go of Dyana's hand so he could wrap his arms around her waist and draw her close. He kissed her forehead before tenderly kissing her lips. "My future wife…"

 

"My future husband…" Dyana whispered while slipping her arms around Blackwall's neck. "I should write to my parents and tell them the news. They'll want to meet you, and…Inquisitor or not, they will murder me if I don't invite them to our wedding," she added with a cheeky grin.

 

Blackwall chuckled. "Later," he said while lifting Dyana into his arms like a bride before carrying her to their bed. "For now, what do you say to us sneaking a few hours of sleep?" he asked with a knowing grin.

 

Dyana smiled widely and her eyes fluttered closed as a sigh escaped her. "Oh…take me to bed, you magnificent bear of mine."

 

Blackwall touched his nose to Dyana’s. “As you wish, My Lady.”

[PrimordyaForever]

Meeting the Parents

 

...Two months later...

 

 

"Thom, are you in here?" Dyana asked as she reached the top of the stairs of the room she and her betrothed shared. "Thom?"

 

"In the privy," came Blackwall's disembodied voice. "Be right out."

 

"Scouts spotted my parents approaching. They should be here within the hour," Dyana said as she made her way to the wardrobe while fidgeting with the edge of her tunic--suddenly feeling nervous. Opening the wardrobe, she stared at the many dresses she found within. Now that she no longer had to travel and battle at a moment’s notice in the way she did before Corypheus’ defeat, Dyana had reverted back to wearing dresses.

 

"I'm sure they will be most happy to see you after all this time," Blackwall replied as he emerged. He leaned against the doorway and watched Dyana with a fond smile.

 

"Yes, but I want so badly for things to go well," Dyana fretted while finally pulling out two dresses--one green and one purple. She nervously chewed her bottom lip while trying to decide between the two. "It's not every day I introduce my parents to the man I love and with whom I plan on spending the rest of my life."

 

"Well that's a relief," Blackwall replied with a chuckle as he watched his beloved. "Either dress is lovely on you, love. You can’t go wrong with either of them."

 

Dyana sighed. "You're right. I don’t know why I'm so nervous. You'd think that after defeating Corypheus, introducing my fiancé to my parents would be little more than stroll through the garden, but I..." She turned around and her jaw dropped a little in surprise at the sight of her betrothed. "Your beard..."

 

Blackwall ran his hand over the beard that was now neatly trimmed close to his face. "I told you I would show you how I wore it in my other life..." He gave a small shrug. "And I thought a neater, more trimmed appearance would be in order for meeting my future in-laws." He nervously cleared his throat. "Do you like it?"

 

Stepping to the bed, Dyana tossed both dresses unceremoniously onto it before hurrying over to Blackwall with a big smile before throwing her arms around her love's neck. "Oh, Thom...Thom, I love it!"

 

"Truly?" Blackwall asked with a smile as he rested his hands upon Dyana's hips.

 

Dyana's heart fluttered at the sight of her beloved's smile which was now no longer obstructed from her view. "Even more so now..." She lowered her hands up to cup Blackwall's face. "Because it allows me to truly see your smile and how wonderful it is." She leaned up and brushed her lips against her love's. "Don't ever hide it from me again," she entreated in a whisper.

 

"I promise," Blackwall growled happily against Dyana's lips before kissing her again. "I will always have a smile for you, My Lady." He kissed his beloved again while wrapping his arms tightly around her waist and pressing her close. "How can I do any less when it is you who has given me a reason to smile again?" he whispered against his lover's soft lips. "I love you so very much, Dyana…my future wife and mother of my children."

 

Dyana smiled against Blackwall's lips before stealing a quick kiss. "And I love you, Thom…my future husband and father of my children."

 

Blackwall rubbed his nose against Dyana's. "I can trim the rest of my hair if you like. You'll have to help me though to ensure the cut is even in the back."

 

"Don't you dare touch this hair," Dyana replied while combing her fingers through her fiancé's dark hair. I love it." She kissed him again. "I just love tangling my fingers in it," she purred with a cheeky grin. "You seem to enjoy it too, if I recall correctly," she added with a playful wink.

 

Blackwall grinned and growled as his arms tightened around Dyana. "I do indeed, My Lady. I love it when you lose yourself to those moments of passion."

 

"Well, then...I might just have to lose myself to it tonight, then," Dyana purred with an impish smile. “Unless you think we have time now?” She lightly bit her bottom lip while looking expectantly up at her lover.

 

Blackwall growled low in his throat then slowly breathed out through his nose. “Tonight,” he affirmed. “That way I can take my time,” he added with a lazy smirk before leaning down and lightly rubbing his nose over the sensitive spot just below Dyana’s right ear. He smiled when his beloved shivered and gasped softly in delight. “You should know by now that I don’t like rushing with you…” He kissed that special, secret spot as his hands moved to grip Dyana’s hips and hold them still as he slowly rocked against her. “I like to take my time...pace myself so that not a single inch of your exquisite body goes un-worshipped…” He swallowed Dyana’s whimper of longing in a deep kiss, and in reality, it took every measure of his discipline and self-control to keep himself from pushing his beloved against the nearest wall and taking her hard and fast. “Besides...you wouldn’t want to greet your mother and father all flushed and glowing with mussed up hair would you?”

 

Dyana sighed heavily. “No, I suppose not,” she pouted.

 

Chuckling, Blackwall softly kissed away his love’s pout. “None of that, now. We’ll more than make up for it tonight once we return to our chambers,” he replied with a grin.

 

“Promise?” Dyana asked hopefully.

 

“Promise.”

 

~*~*~

 

…Gardens; later…

 

"Is everything here?" Dyana fretted while wringing her hands as she looked over the table and chairs that had been arranged within the gazebo.

 

Chuckling and smiling fondly as he watched his beloved, Blackwall leaned casually against one of the pillars and hoped he appeared more relaxed than he actually felt. "Love, you're as nervous as a cat. Why don't you sit down a moment and take a breath?" Perhaps we should’ve had a quick tumble after all...might’ve helped with both our nerves...

 

Dyana sighed and sat upon one of the chairs. “You’re right...none of this fretting is doing me any good. All it’s doing is working me into a state.”

 

“Well, for Maker’s sake, stay calm now,” Blackwall urged in a low voice while stepping away from the pillar and holding a hand out to Dyana to help her to her feet. “Because unless I am mistaken, here they come.“

 

Dyana squeaked and leapt to her feet before whirling around. “Maker’s mercy, it is them!” she whispered. “I can’t move. Thom, why can’t I move?”

 

“Breathe, love,” Blackwall whispered into Dyana’s ear.

 

“Give me a push?” Dyana all but begged.

 

Blackwall chuckled softly and gave his betrothed the smallest of nudges forward which gave her the needed jolt to hurry towards her parents with open arms. He watched as a dark-haired woman with Dyana’s face and a tall man with red hair that was streaked with grey kissed and embraced the Inquisitor tightly. As he watched his beloved’s parents embrace her as though they would never again let her go, the veteran warrior could feel the love and closeness shared by the three of them, and suddenly, he felt afraid...

 

He knew that if Dyana’s parents did not approve of their union, his lover would be heartbroken.

 

"Is your room to your liking?" Dyana asked as she walked arm in arm with her parents and led them to the gazebo.

 

“Oh, yes, my dear,” Lady Trevelyan replied with a smile and a small nod. “Very spacious, and the view is spectacular.”

 

“This place is marvelous,” Lord Trevelyan added. “It was quite the impressive sight as we rode up. Your mother couldn’t stop gasping,” he added with a chuckle and a fond smile.

 

Dyana smiled happily. “It took a lot of hard work to get it to this point, it was almost in ruins when the Inquisition first arrived. Remind me to show you the stables when we finish here. You simply must meet Bumblebee the dracolisk.” They reached the gazebo, and Dyana cleared her throat as she led the way up the small step. “Mother, father, this is my betrothed, Thom Rainer. Thom, this is my mother, Jocelyn, and my father, Edgar.”

 

Blackwall softly cleared his throat before giving a small, but polite bow at the waist as a nervous smile curled upon his lips. “Lord and Lady Trevelyan, I am very pleased to meet you at last. Dyana has always spoken very highly of you.”

 

“It is nice to finally put a face to the man who has stolen the heart of my little girl,” Edgar said politely as he regarded the dark-haired man.

 

“Dyana has spoken of me?” Blackwall asked in surprise.

 

“Of course she has,” Jocelyn replied with a small, but friendly smile. “What woman in love doesn’t gush about the man who makes her heart melt?”

 

Dyana ducked her head a little and a light blush colored her freckled cheeks. “Mother…”

 

“As if he did not already know,” Jocelyn chided with a smile while gently smoothing a stray strand of her daughter’s ginger hair.

 

Standing this close to the trio now, Blackwall was able to see how strong the resemblance was between his love and her parents--possessing her mother’s face and eyes, and her father’s hair, ears and freckles. In Jocelyn’s face, he could see Dyana in her later years...the laugh lines and the graceful greying of her hair, and could not stop thinking of the two of them growing old together. The thought filled him with joy and made his heart skip a beat as he approached Jocelyn and offered her his arm. “Allow me to escort you to your seat, Lady Trevelyan,” he said with a smile.

 

Jocelyn smiled and stepped away from her daughter to accept Blackwall’s arm. “Thank you, Thom, and please...call me Jocelyn. We are to be family after all.”

 

“Very well...Jocelyn,” Blackwall replied with a polite smile.

 

Edgar lightly patted Dyana’s hand. “He seems a decent enough fellow...perhaps a bit rough around the edges, and he is a bit older than I imagined he would be,” he said in a low voice as they remained in their spot. “But…” He breathed a small sigh and his hand gently squeezed his daughter’s. “Dyana Elisabeth Trevelyan...apple of my eye, I will only ask you this question once, and then I will never bring up the matter again. Is this man truly the one you want?”

 

“Yes, father,” Dyana answered without a moment’s thought for Edgar’s ears alone. “He is a good man...one of the best I have ever known, and he makes me so very, very happy.”

 

Keeping his hand atop Dyana’s as it continued to rest in the crook of his arm, Edgar leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head. “That is all I ever wanted for you, my sweet girl,” he murmured. “I could never have parted with you to anyone who made you feel anything less. You have my blessing.”

[PrimordyaForever]

With This Ring

 

...Skyhold; a month later...

 

"My dear, sweet, little girl...I can't believe this day has come," Jocelyn mused with a wistful smile as she smoothed a stray strand of Dyana's hair that had escaped from the otherwise flawless bun. "What a beautiful bride you make."

 

"I thought every bride was beautiful on her wedding day," Dyana mused while fixing the delicate, ginger tendrils that hung in front of her ears as she gazed into the full-length mirror.

 

"Perhaps," Jocelyn replied with a small shrug before grinning. "But I happen to have given birth to the most beautiful daughter in all of Thedas, so that fact renders that saying meaningless," she added with a wink.

 

Dyana giggled before her jaw dropped as in the mirror she saw her mother produce from the velvet pouch that hung around her wrist a thick, gold chain from which hung a large amethyst. "Grandmother's necklace," she whispered in awe. "I saw it in your wedding portrait..." In truth, it was this necklace that had begun the Inquisitor's love affair with the color purple.

 

Jocelyn smiled and gave a small nod. "It has been in my family for generations...passed onto the eldest daughter upon her wedding day." She unfastened the clasp while stepping closer to her daughter. "As my mother gifted it to me, I now gift it to you, my precious girl." She fastened the necklace around Dyana's neck. "May it grant you a long and happy marriage, just as it granted your father and me."

 

Dyana lightly touched the dark, shimmering stone and admired how it looked against her skin. It was the perfect finishing touch to the scooping neckline of her wedding gown. It was a simple dress with elegant lines. Never one for gratuitous flounce and extravagance, Dyana had been steadfast in her desire to keep her dress free of an overabundance of excessive frills. It was she who wore the dress, not the other way around; and it was because of the dress' relative simplicity that the necklace served as the perfect accessory. "Thank you, mother," she whispered before turning with a smile and embracing the older woman. "I will treasure it and keep it safe until the day comes for me to pass it on."

 

"I know you will, my darling," Jocelyn answered with a smile before tenderly kissing her daughter's cheek. "Have you and Thom discussed children?" she asked while drawing away. "Am I to have more grandchildren?" she asked playfully.

 

"We have discussed it," Dyana replied while smiling and smoothing her dress. "Thom wants to be a father, and I can't wait to have his baby growing in my belly." She breathed a small sigh. "Now that Thedas is safe from destruction, I can turn my focus on a more...inward direction," she murmured while gazing down and resting a hand against her flat belly. "I only hope that when the time comes, I'll be as good a mother as you," she added with a nervous smile.

 

Jocelyn laughed softly. "Don't let the calm I possessed when you came around fool you, my darling. There were a great many frazzled moments, especially with your eldest brother. The first child is always the most difficult, but that is a discussion for another day." She smiled. "For today, simply think about the man waiting for you...and how his entire person seems to radiate light whenever he sees you." Her smile grew. "He is a man so very much in love...anyone can see that."

 

"Oh, mother...I love him so much," Dyana whispered fervently.

 

"I know, my darling," Jocelyn answered with a fond smile as she gazed at her daughter.

 

"I'm not even nervous about today," Dyana confessed. "I don't care if everything goes according to plan...because at the end of it all, Thom will be my husband. I am so very much ready to be his wife."

 

Before Jocelyn could respond, the sound of the door opening and then footsteps ascending the stairs caused both mother and daughter to turn towards the staircase. Within moments, a smiling Josephine and Leliana appeared atop the stairs wearing the gowns that had been made for the occasion.

 

"It's time," the Antivan ambassador said. "Your father is waiting anxiously in the Great Hall to give you away..."

 

"And the groom is waiting nervously in the chapel," Leliana interjected with a giggle.

 

Dyana blinked and tilted her head to the side in confusion. "Why in Andraste's name would Thom be nervous? He should know by now that I'm not letting him slip through my fingers."

 

Jocelyn giggled. "Your father was the same way on our wedding day, my darling," she said while linking her arm through her daughter's and leading her towards the stairs. "Poor thing had nearly sweated through his doublet, though he will never admit it if you ask him about it now."

 

Dyana giggled. "Poor father," she replied as she and her mother started down the stairs with Josephine and Leliana in tow. "I still can't believe Cassandra volunteered herself to perform the ceremony."

 

"Why wouldn't she after everything you've done?" Leliana asked.

 

"In addition to all of that, the new Divine counts you among her close, personal friends," Josephine added with a smile. "It stands to reason that she would do you this favor." She gave Dyana's closest shoulder a squeeze after they stepped through the door of the hall. "We will see you in the chapel."

 

"You look positively radiant, by the way," Leliana added with a smile before she and Josephine departed their company with small, polite nods to Lord Trevelyan as they passed him.

 

"I had best take my leave as well," Jocelyn said with a smile before kissing Dyana's cheek as Edgar approached. "Don't keep her too long, my love," she said to her husband once he had joined them. "Her future husband is waiting."

 

"I now know how your father felt on our wedding day," Edgar said with a heavy sigh.

 

Jocelyn smiled while giving a small, fond shake of her head. "Oh, my love..." She kissed the corner of her husband's mouth. "Know that you are giving her to a good man who makes her glow with happiness, and that was all you ever wanted for her." She turned and made her way for the door that would lead to the garden.

 

"That does nothing to change the fact that I am losing my only daughter," Edgar replied with a sad smile once his wife was out of earshot.

 

Dyana took her father's hands in hers and smiled up at him. "You'll never lose me. I will always be your daughter just as you will always be my father." She sighed softly. "While I may no longer be your gangly, pig-tailed, little girl...I'm still your daughter, and I will always need you."

 

Edgar smiled and carefully drew his daughter into a gentle embrace. "It's true...you are no longer my little girl. You have grown into a strong, capable woman who can stand on her own two feet, and I could not be more proud of you." He kissed the top of Dyana's head--taking care not to spoil her hair. He took a step back so he could place his daughter's hand in the crook of his arm. "Come on then, let's not keep your man waiting."

 

Dyana smiled as she and her father began walking. "Yes...poor Thom has waited long enough for this chapter of his life to begin," she said with a small chuckle.

 

"You are a woman worth waiting for, my child," Edgar said with a small pat to Dyana's hand as they neared the door.

 

"That's what Thom always says," Dyana mused with a fond smile.

 

Edgar smiled as they walked through the small corridor and stepped out into the garden. "Wise man," he replied with a chuckle. "I knew I liked him."

 

"That means so much to me," Dyana whispered with a smile as they slowly strode through the garden and approached the chapel. Her smile grew at the sight of all her friends gathered around and when Leliana began playing a sweet song on her lute. Empress Celene had been unable to attend, but King Alistair was in attendance with his son, Bryce, and Dyana greeted them with a smile and a polite bow of her head once she had established eye contact. She had to resist the urge to giggle when she caught sight of Blackwall anxiously awaiting her within the chapel--Cullen standing beside him--and when she saw tears of joy welling up in his eyes at the sight of her, it was all Dyana could do to not tear away from her father in favor of rushing to her love's side.

 

Once she and her father reached the step that led up to the statue of Andraste, Edgar kissed Dyana's cheek before slowly stepping away to join Jocelyn as Alistair and Bryce, as well as the rest of the inner circle filed quietly into the chapel. Dyana smiled at Cassandra, but as she placed her hands in Blackwall's, she turned her gaze to his and never let it waver for a moment.

 

After a few moments of respectful silence, Cassandra cleared her throat before addressing the congregation--in her hands, holding an open hymnal upon which rested two golden rings. "Those who know me personally know that I am normally not one for sentimentality. I see the world in black and white, and very rarely do I take into account any shades of grey. However, as I watched Thom and Dyana grow closer a form a deep bond in spite of every obstacle and complication thrown their way, I had no choice but to change my way of thinking for they defied everything I have ever known...and from it created a loving devotion that I never thought to be possible." Looking to Blackwall, she gave her former comrade a small smile. "Thom, you may now recite your vows to Dyana."

 

Blackwall cleared his throat and brushed his thumbs slowly over his beloved's knuckles. "Dyana Elisabeth Trevelyan...My Lady, you saw good in me when even I, myself, could not, and you loved me in spite of my list of faults. You believed in me from the very beginning. You made me want to be the best man I could possibly be, and more importantly, you inspired me work to be the better man that you deserved. For as long as I live, I will never stop working to be that man." He took the smaller ring from the book and held it up. "With this ring, I swear upon my life to remain ever faithful and devoted to you and to my promise to always be the man you deserve." He slipped the ring onto Dyana's finger as a lone tear rolled down his cheek. Smiling, he leaned into his love's palm when she reached up to gently wipe away his tear.

 

Cassandra's smile grew a fraction of an inch. "Dyana?" she prompted gently as she turned her gaze to her friend.

 

Dyana slowly exhaled to center herself as she tried desperately not to cry. "Thom Rainier...my beloved, from the moment we met, you tried to keep me at arm's length because you were convinced that our love would result in tragedy..." She smiled. "But I never listened because I knew in my heart that we were meant for one another. I knew in my heart that this day would come, and so I resolved myself to never let you go...no matter what happened, and not once have I regretted that choice." She took up the second ring. "You are mine, just as I am yours, and with this ring, I vow to be forever yours until the Maker calls me to his side." She slipped the ring onto Blackwall's finger and gently squeezed his hands when he took hers into his own.

 

Closing the book, Cassandra smiled while addressing the congregation. “The Maker has guided these two through many trials and hardships, and their love is so much the stronger for it. Like a fine suit of armor, the love of Dyana and Thom has endured what would make most crumble, and it will only continue to gain in strength and resilience because these two souls belong together. May the Maker turn his gaze ever upon this pair as they embark upon their new lives together as husband and wife.” She turned her gaze to Blackwall. “Thom Rainier, you may now kiss your bride.”

 

“Gladly,” Blackwall murmured with a smile while gently drawing Dyana close and claiming her lips in a tender kiss. His heart swelled with happiness as his new bride lightly clung to his doublet while kissing him back, and once the kiss broke, he simply rested his forehead against hers while gazing into her lovely, green eyes. “I love you, Dyana,” he whispered. “My Lady…”

 

Dyana smiled as a lone, blissful tear rolled down her cheek. “And I love you Thom...my, big, burly bear.”

 

~*~*~

 

...Great Hall; hours later...

 

"Where did you disappear to?" Dyana asked when Blackwall returned to his seat beside her at the table.

 

"I was seeing to something very important," the veteran warrior replied with a kiss to his bride's cheek.

 

"Everything alright?" Dyana asked with mild worry.

 

Blackwall smiled. "Never better," he murmured before claiming Dyana's soft lips in a tender kiss. “There’s no cause for worry, love. I promise.” His blue eyes twinkled impishly. “Just wanted to be sure that your surprise was set up good and proper.”

 

Dyana blinked in genuine bewilderment. “My surprise? I...I have a surprise?”

 

Blackwall nodded as his smile grew a fraction of an inch. “You do indeed, and I believe you will enjoy it immensely, my beloved.”

 

Smiling, Dyana leaned in and kissed the tip of Blackwall’s nose. “It’s from you. I already love it." She sighed softly and simply leaned her head against her husband's. “I can’t wait to be alone with you,” she whispered. “With our upcoming journey to the Frostback Basin, who knows when our next tranquil moments will be…?”

 

Blackwall grinned and turned his head just enough so he could nuzzle Dyana’s ear. “We could always sneak away to our room,” he whispered into his bride’s ear before giving it the lightest of nips. “We’ve more than put in an appearance here…it’s practically expected for us to sneak away and consummate our new union.”

 

Dyana shivered in delight as her husband’s warm breath tickled over her skin, and she grinned at him coyly. “If you have a plan for getting us across this room and into the privacy of our quarters, then I am most eager to hear it.” Her heart raced in excitement.

 

Blackwall grinned. “Enough people are dancing that we should be able to sneak away undetected, love...or perhaps, casually dance our way to the door,” he mused.

 

“I do love dancing with you,” Dyana said with a smile.

 

“Then dancing away, it is,” Blackwall replied while offering his bride his hand and pulling her gently to her feet once she had accepted it. He drew Dyana into his arms and began dancing and twirling her across the room. All the while they danced, the veteran warrior gazed down at his new wife with a loving smile and simply basked in her beauty and the fact that they had made it to this point.

 

Together...just as they had promised.

 

Navigating their way up the stairs while dancing proved a bit tricky, but between the two of them, they managed just fine, and within moments, they had danced their way through the targeted door and closed it behind them. Now out of sight, the pair stopped dancing and simply smiled up at each other before laughing happily and falling into each other’s arms.

 

“It actually worked,” Dyana mused before standing on tiptoe to kiss the corner of her husband’s mouth. “Well done, my bear.” She giggled merrily when Blackwall lifted her up into his arms and began carrying her up the stairs. “You don’t have to carry me,” she said even as she slid her arms around her husband’s neck.

 

“You’re my bride, aren’t you?” Blackwall asked with a raised eyebrow as he continued up the stairs. “I thought it was traditional for the bride to be carried over the threshold.”

 

“It is,” Dyana murmured with a smile before kissing Blackwall’s cheek and then letting her head fall against his shoulder. Her heart fluttered as her husband opened the door that would lead up to their room and stepped over the threshold with her. “And so it is done,” she whispered before nuzzling Blackwall’s ear. “My husband…”

 

Blackwall’s eyes fluttered closed, and a soft growl of arousal rumbled in his throat. “My bride...my wife.” He turned his head just enough so his lips could find Dyana’s, and he kissed her deeply as he scaled the stairs that led to their room. He continued kissing her as he carried her past the bed, and he did not put her down until they reached the alcove with the ladder that led up into the loft. He smiled when Dyana looked up at him quizzically. “Climb up, My Lady,” he urged. “You’ll find your surprise waiting for you.”

 

Dyana raised an eyebrow before smiling. “Intriguing,” she mused before carefully gathering up her skirt and climbing up the ladder. Upon stepping out onto the loft, her eyes widened when she saw the piles of hay that had been arranged over the floor of the loft so it appeared like the hayloft of the barn where she and Blackwall had made love. “Thom…” she whispered when she heard her husband come to stand behind her.

 

Blackwall’s hands rested upon Dyana’s hips as he came to stand flush against her back. “I know how much you enjoyed making love in the barn, and with it being off limits to us now thanks to Sera, I thought to bring the barn to you,” he murmured into his bride’s ear before nuzzling it. He smiled when Dyana turned to face him and slid her arms around his neck.

 

“I can’t think of a better way to consummate our marriage,” Dyana purred while pressing against her husband’s strong body and kissing him deeply. When she felt Blackwall’s fingers begin to undo the fastenings at the back of her dress, she busied herself with the buckles and fastenings on his clothes, and it was not long before the newly-married pair were standing naked in each other’s arms.

 

As her husband kissed her hungrily and began walking her backwards towards the closest bed of hay while freeing her hair from its perfect bun, Dyana’s heart raced as wetness pooled between her legs in anticipation. Her hands snaked up into Blackwall’s hair and tangled into those dark tresses as he carefully eased her down onto her back moments before her legs wrapped around his waist. She felt the hard evidence of her beloved’s arousal brush against her vulnerable core, and Dyana whimpered plaintively with longing into the kiss--her ecstatic moan creating a beautiful harmony with Blackwall’s pleasured groan as he pushed into her and filled her to the hilt with one thrust.

 

Breaking the kiss so he could trail nipping kisses down Dyana’s throat, Blackwall growled against his bride’s silken skin as her nails trailed slowly down his back, and he slowly flicked his tongue over the sensitive spot just below Dyana’s right ear before suckling upon the delicate flesh. He was rewarded with a gasp and an excited cry as an orgasm rushed through his bride and took her completely off guard, and the veteran warrior smiled in triumph as he kissed his way down to Dyana’s shoulder before trailing his tongue over her collarbone--his name a whispered mantra upon her soft lips as her hands found their way back into his hair and gripped it.

 

“Thom…” Dyana whispered breathlessly over and over as her husband stoked the flames of her orgasm and drove her ever higher. A wordless gasp escaped her lips as her beloved suckled her left nipple into his mouth, and she cradled his head against her bosom as her legs tightened around him. A few moments later when her husband rolled them so she was now straddling him, Dyana smiled down at him and began riding him with reckless abandon as he tightly gripped her hips and bucked wildly beneath her like a stallion.

 

He grunted in delight with each thrust and groaned as Dyana trailed her long fingers through the dark nest of his chest hair--loving the wild, flushed look of her as she rode him. She whimpered wantonly and arched her back every time her husband’s throbbing length brushed against her inner-most pleasure spot deep within her, and moments later when they both came apart together, their cries of euphoria were ripped from their very souls as their bodies trembled and quaked in the wake of their joint orgasm.

 

When her eager, inner walls had finally milked her husband dry, Dyana allowed Blackwall to gently pull her down and cradle her in his strong arms before slowly rolling the two of them onto their sides. Their legs tangled together lazily and their arms clutched their perspiring bodies close as their searching lips found each other and engaged in a deep, languid kiss

 

“I couldn’t…ask for a better wedding present,” Dyana whispered once she was able--her eyes fluttering closed as her husband lazily rocked his hips. “Please...please tell me the hay stays even after tonight…” she begged breathlessly as she felt Blackwall gradually harden within her once more.

 

Blackwall smiled and continued the slowly, lazy rocking of his hips as he cradled Dyana’s trembling body against him--perfectly content with the languid pace after the raw passion of their previous lovemaking. “Did you honestly think it would go away after tonight?” he growled softly into his bride’s ear while gently gripping her hip. “I know how much you love it...and I happen to love how wild and unhinged it makes you, My Lady.” He kissed her deeply. “The hay stays,” he growled against Dyana’s lips with a smile. “This loft that you could never think of a use for finally has a use, and I couldn’t think of a better one for it.”

 

Dyana shivered and her back arched as her husband kissed and nuzzled his way to her right ear, and she gasped as a third orgasm ripped through her as Blackwall’s tongue began teasing it with practiced skill. She clung to her beloved’s strong body and cradled his head in its current position as her heart danced a wild tattoo in her ribcage. “And I thought this day could not get any better…” she murmured breathlessly as he breath caught in her throat.

 

Smiling, Blackwall nipped that favored, pleasure-giving spot before slowly tracing his tongue over the shell of his wife’s ear with a throaty growl. “The night isn’t over yet, My Lady…”

 

 

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A/N: If you love my fanfiction, just how much you'll enjoy my fiction-fiction! The second novel of my Primordyan Chronicles, 'Dragon Gaurdian: Water', is now availabe on Amazon and Kindle! Check it out!