"Annoucing Lord Dorin of House Pavus, companion of the Inquisitor." the servant said. "Also announcing Lady Valmora Kryst of Renton and her canine companion, Revas."

Cullen turned when he heard her name called, his eyes widening when he saw her walking down the stares with Dorian at her arm and a large white wolf at her side. She looked stunning in the blue gown she wore and he couldn't help but smile when he saw the scarf he had given her draped over her neck. As she descended the stairs towards them, Leliana pulled him aside for a moment to share something one of her scouts had found. By the time they had finished and Cullen turned back to look for Val, she had already spoken with the Inquisitor and was whisked away for a dance by the Tevinter. Hoping he could catch her later, he went about his duties and kept an eye on things- taking a few precious moments to look at the Renton girl he had fallen in love with.

Val was able to take a moment aside, and walked around the grand hall, Revas at her side. She kept searching and searching until finally she found who she was looking for.

"Oh, come now, Commander must you be so shy?"

Val looked at the scene before her, curious and slightly amused by the sight of Cullen surrounded by women clearly interested in him. She waited a moment longer before jumping in to his rescue. "There you are, Commander! I've been looking all over for you!"

Cullen looked up and smiled with relief. "Val! I see you are well." He watched as the Orlesian ladies took a step back. "How has your training been going?"

Val smiled and stood in front of him. "It's been going rather well. Haven't you read my letters?"

Cullen smiled. "All of them."

"Good." She reached up and planted a kiss on his lips, partially to put on a show that he was taken and because she really missed him. Lingering a bit longer than she would around the others, she pulled back and smiled. "I've missed you my dear Commander." She looked at the ladies and feigned embarrassment. "Oh dear, where are my manners? Please forgive me, ladies, but I haven't seen my fiance in quite some time. I do hope that you understand?"

The ladies were besides themselves. "Oh, but of course! Please forgive us for intruding." one said.

Revas pushed her way forward and spooked the ladies, each of them squealing and hurrying away. Val chuckled. "That's a good girl, Revas." Revas huffed and nudged Cullen's hand.

"This is Revas?" Cullen asked, kneeling in front of the wolf.

"Yes. She's quite something isn't she?"

Cullen chuckled and nodded. "She is a rather beautiful creature."

Revas sniffed at him, then huffed her approval and sat next to Val.

Val giggled. "She likes you."

Cullen smiled and stood, looking at her. "Good. She'll be an excellent addition to the Inquisition."

Val smiled and rubbed Revas' ears. "I knew you'd like each other." She looked back up at him, seeing him staring at her. "What?"

Cullen blushed. "N-Nothing, it's just been a while since we last saw each other and well, you're more radiant than ever."

Val blushed and smiled. "Well you're quite the dashingly handsome Commander you've always been." She hugged him, her head resting just under his chin. "I've missed you, Cullen. So much."

Cullen wrapped his arms around her and held her close. "I've missed you too, Val." He kissed her forehead and smiled. "Would you care to share a dance with me?"

Val smiled, but it quickly faded when Cameron and the others joined them.

"Cullen, the Grand Duchess is the assassin." He said, his breathing heavy. "She plans on slaying the Empress."

"Then we need to stop her." Val said.

Cullen nodded. "Agreed. What is the plan, Inquisitor?"

"We need to stop her before she can get to Celene. We cannot allow Orlais to fall with a demon army ready to take control." Cameron said. "Cullen, Leliana, gather your men and have them ready to fight." He looked at Val. "Are you comfortable enough in your magik?"

She nodded. "I do not have complete mastery of it, but then again when does any have complete mastery of their craft? There is always room for improvement." She offered a reassuring smile and hugged him. "I can still fight, Cam, don't worry. Plus I have Revas with me now, too." She stepped back. "Go with the others, stop the Grand Duchess. Leliana, Cullen and I can handle things here."

Cameron nodded and took Dorian, Varric, and Cassandra with him. Val looked up at Cullen as Leliana and Josephine hurried off as well, getting things on their end ready.

"I can still fight, Cullen. Just add a bit of magik to it like back at Adamant and we're good." She offered him a smile, but it faded for a moment. Reaching up to touch his cheek, seeing the worry in his eyes, she smiled. "Cullen, don't worry. Everything will be fine." She kissed him, lingering for a moment before stepping back. "Now, shall we?"

Cullen nodded, but he stopped her for a moment and pulled her back, embracing her and giving her a passionate kiss. When he pulled away, he pressed his forehead to hers. "Be careful and no matter what, stay by my side." He searched her eyes. "Please, Val, I mean it. I don't know how this will turn out but I need to know that you're safe." He kissed her again. "I love you."

Val smiled. "And I love you, Cullen. I promise I won't leave your side. Besides, somebody needs to protect you and watch your back."

"It's good to have you back, Val." Cullen replied, smiling. Then one of his assistants came up with two swords and handed them to him. "Here. I know you can use your magik, but it would help if you still had a sword that you could fall back on."

Val took the sword and nodded. "Of course. Just so you know, Cullen, part of my studies included arcane and battle magik. I've been able to make magik work with my blade. I'll be fine and so will you."

Cullen nodded and they hurried to take up their positions, just in the knick of time too. Harlequins came charging into the room, slitting guests' throats or stabbing them in the back, while the Grand Duchess made to attack Empress Celene. Val threw a frost bolt at an enemy and looked up to see Cameron stopping the Grand Duchess from killing Celene and take off after her when she fled.

"Maker watch over you, Cameron." She said, then raised her sword to parry one of the attacks thrown at her, catching the daggers' blades along her sword's hilt. She threw back the Harlequin and activated her Hand of Winter spell, freezing all enemies in front of her. She turned and parried another attack from behind her and as she cut down the Harlequin, she saw Venatori mages sneaking in on the balconies surrounding the dance floor. "Leliana! Archers at the ready!" She yelled, then activated her Shimmering Shield spell, watching as the shield of energy surrounded her and Cullen and Revas and every one she wanted to protect. All those she saw as enemies were propelled into a wall as the shield touched them, knocking them out or killing them upon impact with the walls.

She cast spell after spell, throwing frost bolts and ice shards at her enemies, even threw up a wall of ice when more Venatori came. When she saw they were starting to lose men and many of them were injured, she strengthened the Shimmering Shield and activated her Cleansing Aura spell- focusing on all of their allies, their men, and pushing healing energy into each one of them. Many began to rise to their feet, others were too far gone to be saved, but Cullen had turned and watched her as she pushed her limits and sensed her mana was draining quickly. The Shimmering Shield failed, with not enough mana to preserve it, and Val dropped to one knee, panting.

"Val!"

"I'm alright, Cullen." She said, her brow soaked with sweat and her breathing heavy. "We're not finished yet, though."

Cullen turned and blocked an arrow that had been shot at Val and Val threw her Winter's Grasp spell at the archer, freezing him solid.

Val forced herself to stand and drew on whatever mana she had left, manifesting enough Storm energy to set off her Chain of Lightning spell, shocking and killing the remaining enemies surrounding them with bolts of lightning. Feeling nearly completely drained, Val collapsed onto her hands and knees.

Cullen dropped his sword and fell to his knees beside her. "Val, are you alright?"

She nodded, offering him a weary smile. "I may have exhausted my mana stores."

"That's an understatement, love. You need to rest and make sure you restore your mana. Let's find you a healer, maybe see about getting you a lyrium potion."

Val chuckled. "You always worry too much, love." She let him help her up and lead her to a bench, Revas close behind.

Leliana brought over a healer and informed Cullen that her men were searching the palace for any other enemies lurking about, glancing over as Val took the lyrium potion and drank it. "Are you alright, Val?"

Val nodded. "Yes." She bowed her head and put her hands together, closing her eyes.

Cullen and Leliana watched in awe as Val began to emanate a soft blue glow. "What is that? What spell is she using?" Leliana asked.

"That, my dear, is called 'Winter Stillness'." Dorian said, joining them with Cameron and the others behind him. "It's a winter class spell that restores mana at an accelerated rate once the caster is in a meditative state. It's quite remarkable, actually. Not many mages know this spell. Her training has far exceeded my expectations."

They stood and waited for a moment or two while Val finished restoring her mana and when she was finished, she opened her eyes to find everyone staring at her.

"What?"

"Nothing, Val, we're just surprised that your training has progressed so much already." Cameron said, smiling.

Val smiled and stood. "Well, Solas is a good teacher."

"It's also natural talent, it would seem." Dorian added. "I can't wait until I get the chance to pick your brain, so to speak."

"What happened with the Grand Duchess?" Val asked, coming to stand next to Cullen.

Cameron sighed. "She's dead, but she put up on hell of a fight."

"Good, then the Empress is safe." Leliana said, then turned to address one of her spies as they made their report. "It would seem the palace is free of enemies as well. We earned quite a victory today."

Val nodded and smiled, weaving her finger in between Cullen's and leaned in to him. "We did indeed."