A/N: I think this is the first time I've written two linear multi-chapter stories at once. But they both have different flavors to them, so they satisfy different aspects of my current Cullen needs! This one will be more lighthearted than my other on-going fic, Scars and Healing. Because I seem to want both angsty Cullen and happy Cullen in my life. Same Cullen/Evelyn here as my other stories. Thanks for reading!

Winners and Losers

Cullen reluctantly rose from his desk to answer the insistent knocking on his door. He was already sure he didn't want to open it. His captains had been given their orders for the day so it was too late to be one of them. And it was too early to expect any new reports to come in for him to review. If it was Evelyn trying to steal him away from work for a while, as he was always willing to accommodate, she would have just walked in without knocking. That only left one possibility.

He was surprised when he opened the door and found himself facing Evelyn when he was actually expecting...ah, yes that was what he was expecting, for behind Evelyn was Cassandra and Leliana. They looked like they wanted something.

Why was he always outnumbered by women these days? And why did they always have to descend on him in a pack, like wolves or darkspawn, when they wanted something? His shoulders drooped a little as he made a show of bowing and sweeping his arm inviting them into his office. "Ladies," he bit out between his teeth trying not to sound put upon, "how can I be of service?" He had found that these unplanned interactions usually went better if he at least pretended to be accommodating.

They entered. Evelyn started the conversation. Clever of them, to lead with her. The two of them were not always as discrete about their relationship as he would like. Not that Leliana wouldn't have found out anyway, but he sometimes hated that they made it easy for her. They all knew the Inquisitor would be his weakness.

"Commander, we would like your input on something. And ultimately, your permission as our proposal involves your troops and morale." The sly woman smiled. She was being formal and deferential. Things were looking worse and worse for him. It always caught him off guard when he was reminded that his kind and beautiful Evelyn, who yielded readily to his lightest touch, was still a nobelwoman who could play the Game like she was born an Orlesian instead of a Marcher.

He was going to have to start building his defenses. "And this proposal is...?" He hardened his voice a little, not willing to let them think they had the advantage.

It was Leliana who continued. "As you know, Commander, we've had a brief respite in the missions that have required our army. Many soldiers have been able to return to Skyhold to rest and recuperate. As you also know, however, too much idleness can be detrimental to morale."

Cassandra cut in, clearly getting annoyed at the prettily polite, yet excessive, preamble to their demands. "Your men are getting restless. They need something to occupy themselves. The Inquisitor has come up with a solution to the problem."

He looked over at Evelyn suspiciously, who had taken it upon herself to occupy his chair behind his desk. She sat straight and proper with her hands folded neatly in her lap and her ankles crossed demurely. Maker, but his woman was a cunning little thing.

"And your 'solution', Inquisitor, would be...?" Cullen crossed his arms and stared at her dubiously.

"A tournament, Commander." She smiled as if that brief statement was explanation enough.

"Excuse me, my lady?" That title came out a bit more condescending than he had intended, but oh well.

"Single elimination. Voluntary entry. Purely for fun, excercise and, of course, bragging rights. Full contact, but completely safe. No armor, no steel, no magic. Combatants must all use a practice wooden quarterstaff, thus giving no one an advantage other than the gifts the Maker gave them." She stood. "What say you, ser?"

Cullen had to remind himself to tread carefully. This didn't seem like an outrageous request. In fact, it seemed quite sensible. There had to be a catch. He eyed Evelyn up and down. He remained silent, not giving her an immediate response. He started pacing. He looked at Cassandra, who appeared impatient. No help there, that was how she always appeared. He looked at Leliana, who was completely impassive. Also, no surprise and no help. Then it came to him.

He tilted his head back over to Evelyn. "Where is Josephine?"

Evelyn winced. It was barely noticeable and she tried to conceal it admirably, but he knew her face better than he knew his own and he saw it anyway. He had them.

"The Lady Ambassador is not in agreement with us that this would be something beneficial, at this juncture." Evelyn replied stiffly and with obvious calculation.

Cassandra huffed and said under her breath, "More like she was vehemently opposed."

Cullen raised an eyebrow. "And why is that?" He probed.

"We currently have a large number or Orlesian dignitaries as our guests here at Skyhold with whom she is actively negotiating several trade deals." Evelyn paused.

"And...?" He probed further.

"And," She didn't bother to hide her scowl at forcing the truth from her without getting immediate acquiescence from him. "She feels a tournament such as this will not be well received. Too 'barbaric'. Apparently it would insult their delicate sensibilities." He caught her rolling her eyes, before she hid it behind her hand rubbing her forehead.

Now Cullen was confused. "Those Orlesians can't get enough of tournament fighting, I thought? And from what I understand it can be quite lucrative for the Chevaliers who win, can it not?"

"That is part of her point, Commander." Leliana explained. "In Orlais tournaments are theater. Only the most noble, or the most monied Chevaliers are chosen to participate. They compete in organized events in full armor with live steel. There is a great deal of ceremony involved, as is proper. The stakes are high and the purses for the winners are immense in both coin and favor curried. They are a very important part of the Game."

"But that is not what we are proposing." Evelyn continued. "We're proposing common soldiers having at each other with long sticks in the dirt to blow off steam. And if money changes hands in a few wagers on the side for added entertainment, then Andraste's luck to them with the Maker's blessings."

"That's a...surprising statement, Inquisitor." Cullen was a bit taken back by her very practical and very unladylike assessment."

It was her turn to raise an eyebrow at him. "I have four older brothers, Cullen, and a father who only knew how to raise boys. Despite the title attached to my house, I'm not completely ignorant of normal healthy debauchery, including gambling on bare knuckle fighting."

And that was why he loved her. Cullen smiled. This was turning out not to be as bad as he anticipated. His men would have a healthy diversion and he would simultaneously be pissing off some irritating foreign nobility. And if he agreed, he would be on the side of the winning majority for a change. It was usually Josephine who got what she wanted, always finding a way to make her case seem like it was not only in the best interest of the Inquisition, but the only sensible course of action.

"This is acceptable." Was Cullen's reserved reply, despite his smug excitement. "Please proceed."

Evelyn's eyes lit up. A little too much. And her response was enthusiastic. Overly so. "Excellent! Thank you Commander! We will make haste with the announcement and planning."

All three women started filing out of the room. Just as the door was shutting behind Evelyn, he overheard her say, "I can't wait to see who I'll be fighting first!"

Cullen's heart dropped. His weak and stuttered response was heard only by him as he reached one hand out towards the departing backside of his love.

"Wait...what?!"