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Published:
2015-10-17
Completed:
2015-11-16
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10/10
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A Myth of Marriage

Chapter 10: Outrageous Domestic Bliss

Summary:

"Dear Cassandra, happy birthday. As I write this, I can just picture your scowl."

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Chapter 10: Epilogue Version B - Outrageous Domestic Bliss

Dear Cassandra,

Happy birthday. As I write this, I can just picture your scowl.

Already two weeks have passed since the ceremony for the fifth anniversary of the Templar sanctuary. We barely had a moment to speak. I know you are trying very hard to bring about more cooperation among the Seekers and the Templars, and the rate of progress is not to your satisfaction. It must be frustrating to have to work against and around the Lord Seeker, without the recognition or authority you deserve. I’d offer to pass a decree if I weren’t certain it would backfire on the Seekers. I doubt an alliance with Divine Victoria would do them any favors in our current climate.

It disappoints you, doesn’t it? My radicalism? Actually, I laugh when I hear myself called radical, because really in practice I have tried to make my reforms halfway between us. I think that is what Justinia would have wanted. Yes, I flatter myself in thinking I am correct in my judgment of what she would have wanted, I know. Feel free to weigh in. I know you are careful not to be seen interfering, but I request your council, so there.

There is a myth about marriage – well, many, if I’m to start down this path, but one is particularly pernicious, and that is that marriages diminishes both parties. By making one whole, it creates two halves, poor lesser beings who now have need of the other to complete themselves. No, never mind – I can’t stop at just one. Another myth is the one perpetrated by those who have renounced marriage, their pride convincing them that they have chosen the superior way. As though denial for its own sake were good.

Have you not had to hear me argue vehemently for both sides? I like to think that somehow I inspired your determination to prove me wrong. As you have, conclusively – you may have that satisfaction. It is abundantly clear to me that you and Cullen are more together, and stronger, than you ever were apart. (Or in those early cagey days when you were sneaking around Skyhold – fooling no one, I would add.)

Ten years later, the love between you continues to flood out, adding so much to the world. Multiplying, in fact – don’t even get me started on what I think your children will do, and I suppose I mustn’t overlook those enormous Ferelden dogs you keep adding to your clan. How you’ve settled the whole happy family near the sanctuary and still continue to travel occasionally on Seeker business amazes me. Sometimes when I am feeling especially cynical and downcast about the Chantry, I try to remember the world is still being changed for the better if somewhere out there, there are adorable miniature composites – half Cullen, and half you – toddling around. Poking squirrels with sticks, or whatever they’re doing at their age.

See, what do I know about children. (On that note, the Chantry school for girls that Justinia always dreamed of will be opening its doors soon. I have asked my Right Hand to try to time our visits to coincide. You will cooperate, won’t you?) I will, however, remind you that their Aunt Leliana would still like very much to meet your little ones someday. While they are still little tumbling pups, preferably. And if you are worried about exposing them to me, well, all the better while they’re still young. I don’t ask that they remember me much.

I envy you what you and Cullen give to each other, especially when I am feeling very alone at the top, and full of self-pity. There you are in a warm loving family, while I am up to my ears in religion, the cemetery where questions of faith are answered, and where there really are people who would gladly argue about the spacing between the stitches on the hem of my sacred vestments through eternity. In such times I can’t help but think you know the Maker’s love better than I do, though in the next breath I hear you admonish me that there is no hierarchy in His love, only different expressions of it. Different paths. Different gifts.

So many myths to be exposed for what they are.

Allow me one more digression. You were ready for this long life of singleness, just as I was, and I cannot help but think that you would have borne it better, had you been chosen. (Although, my dear, it’s true I was never going to let them choose you as the Divine, and I am sorry I deceived you for so long, but it was the only way.)

Still, the worst of it is that even after all these years – you may laugh – I find myself pining for you know who. If you know who had not been quite so averse to marrying me, my life, and I daresay the history of Thedas, would be different. But that is another story.

By the way – they will announce this soon – I am close to lifting the prohibition on the Divine to marry. You realize this will make you a candidate again, instantly. And though you are quite busy at the moment, and I am not planning on dying anytime soon, think about it, will you?

That’s not a request, really. Think about it.

For now… Enjoy your life. Love those whom the Maker has given you well. Enjoy your outrageous domestic bliss. I hear you and Cullen have started a garden, with apple trees. Excuse my Orlesian, but Cassandra, what the fuck?

Well. You were always too pure for the Chantry, and it gladdens my heart that the Maker has finally released you (at least for the time being) to serve him elsewhere.

I miss you very much. Of all the women in the Chantry, you were the most like a sister to me, with all the horror that entails.

Give my regards to Cullen. The Maker’s blessing upon your household, because I say so.

 

Your sister still,

Leliana 

 

 

The End

 

Notes:

“Religion is the cemetery where questions of faith are answered” comes from “Afterword” by Louise Glück.

It cracks me up that Leliana speaks of herself in the third person as Leliana and Victoria here. She’s nuts!

And this really is the end of this story. I’d love to hear from you, if only so I get to thank you personally for reading it!