Something’s Gotta Give Revised Edition: Putting Ashvalla in a Jar and Shaking her Harder This Time
Pictured above: Ashvalla talking to the spirit of ❤️ love ❤️ possessing her, 9:41 Dragon - Colourized
Are you 🫵 looking for any of the following?
LOTS of flirting and making Cullen blush
Mutual annoyances to friends to friends with benefits 😏 to lovers
Plenty of smut once they earn it 😈
A non-Inquisitor Lavellan Cullen romancer
Spirit possession
Feral sisters
Hurt/comfort
Slow burn laced with romantic and sexual tension
If so, I have the fic for you!
"You." A whisper of reassurance tugged at the edges of her awareness, just out of reach.
The creature smiled, filling the space with her radiance. "Your spirit of love," she confirmed. "We have not spoken in some time, my Ashvalla."
Read more on ao3
Up to chapter 6 has been revised, and more to come soon! Frequent updates, I promise 🥰 Since I can’t post new updates for a completed fic on ao3, all updates will be announced here!
A little something to celebrate @rutherfest's Cullentines event and @cullenromancers' First Anniversary! A series of letters between the Inquisitor and our beloved Commander, part of my long-running fic, The Cadence of His Heart. (The first letter is a previously published excerpt. The rest is new.)
💗Happy Cullentine's Day!💗
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Codex: A blank piece of parchment left on the Commander’s desk, heavily indented as though the letter writer pressed much too hard while writing on a separate page above. Held in the proper light, words can be made out in their entirety.
Sweetling,
Before I say what's on my mind, let me begin with a plea: Leliana, I know you are reading this. There is no Inquisition business contained herein. I beg your indulgence for a modicum of privacy—these words are meant for an audience of one, and they are difficult to set down knowing others will read them.
I will address official correspondence to the Inquisitor. If I use a more informal appellation, please do us the courtesy of passing those missives along unmolested.
Now. Where was I? Ah, yes.
In short, I miss you terribly.
You've been haunting my dreams of late—a clear sign of my discomfiture with our current situation. I will strive to handle it better.
I'll write more in my next letter to you.
Warmest Regards,
Yours,
Cullen
⚶ ⚶ ⚶
Codex: A rolled missive that has fallen under the Inquisitor’s desk.
Sweetling,
Cole has been dogging my steps for days now. Is this your doing? How many inhabitants of this keep have you set to looking after me while you are away?
On reflection, don't answer that. Ha.
He insists on sending cryptic notes and appearing out of nowhere to share some devastating truth or other with me at all hours of the day and night! It is exhausting, and quite painful.
I find that I am both rather upset you've set him loose upon me while you're away and simultaneously grateful you don't have to witness the state it puts me in. We have much to discuss when you come home arrive back at Skyhold come home.
I pray the Maker will speed your steps back to me.
Ever Yours,
Cullen
⚶ ⚶ ⚶
Codex: A missive left on the War Room table in Skyhold.
Report: On Taking Caer Bronach
Seeker Pentaghast has successfully taken Caer Bronach in Crestwood with the assistance of our squadrons. The keep is ours. Please send the remainder of D Company to begin rotation of duties.
Overnight watch noted pillar of smoke coming from the forested hills to the north, scouts immediately dispatched. Discovered burned out campsite near Three Trout Pond with remnants of Inquisition gear. Two bodies found onsite: badly burned, embers hot. Secondary burn pit found to the east: disposal of bodies, likely Red Templars. Ashes cold.
On extended search, secondary battle site found behind nearby bluff. Two Red Templar assassins dead, magic users involved. Footsteps leading off to the North. Estimate five persons on foot, one with the gait of a dwarf.
Before leaving the site, scout encountered three mounts tied together on a broken highline wandering in the brush. Confirmed by SP to be the Inquisitor's red hart and the horses belonging to Lord Pavus and Warden Blackwall on arrival at CB. Scouts searching caves to the north for signs of the Inquisitor's party.
Will send updates the moment we know more.
Charter
⚶ ⚶ ⚶
Codex: A pair of missives crushed in the bottom of a singed and dirtied rucksack.
Charter,
E Company is being dispatched to Caer Bronach. They can arrive a full day earlier, stationed as they are in the Hinterlands on a resource gathering mission.
Please send word of the Inquisitor’s party with all haste.
CSR, Cmdr
Charter,
If no word is to be had by nightfall, please send a message regardless. Send out the scouts of E Company when they arrive, if you must.
In honor of Valentine's day, using @cullenromancers Love Letters prompt; more with some suggestive themes below the cut.
[Excerpts from a stack of parchment found bundled carefully in a wooden trunk, the pages worn and smelling lightly of elderflower, oakmoss, and weapon oil. All penned in the same neat, looping hand, though some remained unsigned or addressed, with creases carefully smoothed.]
Cullen,
We both know Corypheus will make a move soon, and it will be time for me to face him. I know you fear I'm not up to the task, and after Haven, how can I blame you? When you think of sending me against him, you must picture me broken and battered, half-dead in the snow. For every dragon I've slain, he's felled a legion of men.
In your arms I must feel small, human, fragile, but I swear to you, when I face him, I will not be Eve Trevelyan, I will be the Inquisition's sword—sharp, strong, unbending and unbreaking.
I know these words will do little to actually assuage your fears. You're a man who needs more than promises, more than actions—you need assurances that I'll never be able to give, whether I write them on this parchment or breathe them into your skin. It won't stop me from trying, and hoping that as your heart wavers with doubt, you'll remember these words:
I love you, Cullen Stanton Rutherford.
No matter where I am, what I'm doing, who I'm fighting—that will not change. You are always in my heart and I know that, somehow, I'm in yours.
If you think about it, there were so many ways we might have never met, but something greater than us brought us together—again, and again, and again. I promised you in Haven that if there was a way to come back to you, I would. The same is true with Corypheus. You are my home, Cullen. I will always return to you. There's no force in Thedas that can keep us apart, not even a self-proclaimed god.
And when he is dead and I am back in your arms, we'll celebrate the victory with a day in bed. Not even Commander Uptight can deny me that boon, right? Especially not if I give him advance, written notice.
All my love,
Eve
I'm often asked what I miss most when I'm gone from Skyhold. My bed, I tell them. My bath. Sometimes I say I miss the food or the well-stocked clinic. I can't tell them the truth, though I know many guess. The Commander, they tease, and I blush prettily and laugh, but they aren't quite right.
What I miss most is something - someone - that few ever get to meet—the man beneath the armor, free of his title, with his hair teased back into curls. Not the Commander, simply Cullen.
The fineries in Skyhold mean little without you. My bath? Too big when I'm alone. My bed? Cold. The clinic means less when I'm not making you ointments and tonics. Even the food loses its appeal when I'm not making sure you've eaten, too.
So there is my truth; I had to be sure at least you knew (and likely Leliana, whose eyes will find this before you do, I'm sure).
I've said all of this before, but I'm putting it in writing so that when I'm not there and the demons try to make you doubt it, you'll have a reminder.
How could I love a man like you?
You have no idea how easy you make it, Cullen.
You've made mistakes, and so have I. Not even blessed Andraste can claim to have made none. What matters is that you choose to atone. Every day you wake up and vow to do better - be better - than the man you were before. And it isn't just words, it's actions. Working with the mages, making them feel welcome and safe within our army; walking away from the life you knew and suffering to rid yourself of its shackles; working longer and harder than even the Inquisitor, ensuring our people are well-supplied and prepared for the dangers that face them; being brave enough to question your boss when you aren't sure she's going in the right direction. And those are only a few examples I can think to pen right now; there are countless others.
I love the way you carry duty like the mantle around your shoulders—doggedly and resolutely.
I love the way your eyes light up when you find a problem to solve, whether its a chess board or a ledger.
I love the way you connect with your soldiers and lead them by example.
I love your eyes, your laughter (particularly that little snort you try to hide), your unending exasperation, your patience and perseverance. I love the parts of you that you have to hide, and the parts that you let so few see. The good and the bad, Cullen. I love it all.
The things I miss most:
Your curls sliding through my fingers
Your perpetually pinched brow
The arch of your nose and the flare of your nostrils when you're incensed
Your lips for obvious reasons
The scar across your mouth—the way it pulls when you grin
The prickle of your stubble beneath my fingers and against my skin
My name on your tongue
The callouses on your fingers as they drag across my skin
Laying my head on your chest to listen to your heart
Your arms and the vein that pops from your bicep when you lift me or hold yourself over me
The trail of gold curls leading to one of your finer features
The curve of your backside that's impossible to hide, no matter how much you try
Not needing blankets when I sleep
Waking up wrapped up in you just before dawn breaks and watching the sun peak over the Frostbacks
Your smell and the taste of your skin
And, yes, that—when you fill me and I feel blissfully whole
To admit to miss him meant that she cared for him. But she was the Inquisitor. This she could not demand from her Commander.
A series of letters exchanged by Inquisitor Yali Trevelyan and Commander Cullen Rutherford. Written for the @cullenromancers 'Love Letters' event!
Full fic on AO3.
Alt text + Yali's reply under the cut!
Dear Inquisitor Trevelyan,
We’ve had another two hundred recruits pledge their allegiance to the Inquisition since you departed for Crestwood. It seems like news of your survival at Haven has spread around Thedas farther than we could have imagined. The recruits are greener than I would like, but many of them know how to hold a sword right side up. That’s a start.
Josephine is ecstatic. She mentioned something about hosting a celebratory ball upon your return. If you need me, I shall be hiding in my quarters until the threat of such an event passes. But I warn you now so you know what you’re up against when you return.
How is Crestwood? Leliana’s scouts mentioned the weather is appalling. I hope you are able to stay safe and locate Hawke’s Warden contact. I fear we won’t make much headway with Corypheus without them. If you require extra resources just say the word — I have a few soldiers who are ready to be deployed at any time.
One… final matter I would like to approach. I have heard mention of a high dragon flying through the area. Please I would not recommend approaching the Dragon, and instead exercising caution — no matter what The Iron Bull may say.
Regards,
Commander Rutherford
+++
Dear Commander Rutherford,
What did I say about formal titles with me? Being addressed as the Herald was tough enough, but now as the Inquisitor? I would appreciate it if my friends would call me by my given name. If that is not too much to ask.
If anyone can whip these recruits into shape it would be you. I have full faith in my Commander.
Crestwood was wet. We did take all precautions to stay dry, but still managed to feel the chill most days. At least Dorian did, he never stopped complaining about it.
Hawke and Warden Alistair are headed back to Skyhold as I write this letter. We have rerouted to stop through the Hinterlands before we head back. Now that we have the capabilities, I thought we could provide more help to the refugees of the area, and see if any more are interested in joining the Inquisition. Don’t worry, I shall be back before long to keep you from the dreaded ball.
I must admit, the idea of a celebration does excite me. The dresses, the food, the dancing! Before I was taken to the circle, I used to beg my Mother to allow me to attend our family soiree’s when we hosted them. Don’t worry, I am ready to conspire on an excuse to keep you in hiding.
You’ll be pleased to know that we did not engage with the high dragon in Crestwood. Despite Bull’s protests, we knew the four of us would not be able to take her alone. Still, I don’t like the idea of leaving the town unguarded against her. Could you please deploy our soldiers to Crestwood when you have the chance? They’ll appreciate the protection.
Maker, the Hinterlands is gorgeous. As I write now it is sunset, and the golden light filtering through the leaves is beautiful. I can’t believe you grew up around here. You must have had the most magical childhood.
We plan to leave for Skyhold in a few days. I hope you can hide from Josephine until I get back.
Our community and Discord are one year old this month! And to celebrate, we're doing a little valentines event! The theme?
💌 Love letters! 💌
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The event starts Valentine's Day 2/14
💌
Use tags #CullensLoveLetters and #cullenromancers so we can reblog your posts on our tumblr here!
We will keep reblogging posts for the event until the end of the the month. It's not necessary to be a part of the Cullen Romancers Tumblr community to participate. However, if you are, reblogging your posts into the community is encouraged!
We have three different prompts/activities all focused on the "Love Letter" prompt - so feel free to do just one, or all three!
Love Letters - This could be a love letter from Cullen to your OC, or from your OC to Cullen! Fics about sending love letters, drawings where Cullen or your OC are spilling their guts out on paper, or even moodboards inspired by letters to each other; all are welcome!
Our other 2 activities will be released on 2/8 - we will be posting a custom ship chart for the event, as well as Valentine's templates!
We can't wait to see what you come up with, and if you have any questions, feel free to send in an ask!
Love letter number three for @cullenromancers event, this time from an au where instead of being sent to Kirkwall after the events of Broken Circle, Cullen is transferred to the Circle in Ostwick. After all, what better place for him to recover than a Circle known to be sedate and calm?
(alt text under the cut!)
A well worn letter, with significant signs of being folded and unfolded many times, found under the pillow of Knight-Lieutenant Cullen Rutherford.
Thank you thank you, you are the sweetest man in the world.
I can’t wait to thank you in person, but I needed you to know before then how perfect and wonderful you are and how desperately grateful I am for you.
In fact, I’ve had a few comments about the fact that I can’t stop smiling and though I can’t say it aloud, know it’s because of you.
It's past Valentine's Day, but that's not going to stop me from yapping about my Inquisitor, Cullenmancer, and best girl, Thalia Trevelyan <3
Template from @cullenromancers
Thalia is my canon Inquisitor and the main character of the longfic I'm working on (but haven't posted yet...) Maybe if I tell everyone I'm writing a fic it will motivate me to actually finish it.
Anyway this was super fun to fill out and is definitely inspiring me to post about my Inquisitor more! :)
