Cullandra

Cullandra is the het ship between Cullen Rutherford and Cassandra Pentaghast from the Dragon Age fandom.

Canon
Following the Kirkwall Rebellion of 9:37 Dragon, Cassandra took notice of Cullen’s leadership skills in the handling of restoring order back to the devastated city; Cullen being able to rally Templars that remained within the city. Seeing Cullen’s potential and being impressed, Cassandra recruited him into the steadily growing Inquisition, stowing him the rank of Commander.

During this time, Cullen and Cassandra grow closer as friends and allies. While Cullen was a Templar, he consumed lyrium, a mineral-like substance that grants Templars their abilities. Since joining the Inquisition and wanting nothing to do with the Templar life any longer, he stops taking lyrium. Trusting Cassandra’s judgment, he has asked her to “watch him,” that should his ability to lead be compromised, he’ll be relived from duty.

Dragon Age: Inquisition
Months into the Inquisition, Cassandra brings out the to-be Inquisitor in order to prove their innocence by closing the Breach with the Anchor attached to their left hand. Cullen sees this, however not by whom, mistakenly thanking Cassandra for closing the rift – the Breach. Cassandra is quick to inform him that it was “the prisoner’s doing”. With the Breach closed, Cullen tells Cassandra that the way to the temple should be clear. Before departing, she asks Cullen for more time, as he wishes the Maker to “watch over” her and her party.

Throughout the beginning stages of the Inquisition, like siding with the Mages or Templars, Cullen and Cassandra argue and disagree over certain decisions. However, the two never remain angry at the other, knowing that what the other wants is what’s best for the Inquisition.

Upon Skyhold being located as the Inquisition’s base of operations and the Inquisitor being declared the leader of the Inquisition, Cullen feels it’s necessary for them to know that he’s no longer taking lyrium, where he tells them of his and Cassandra agreement that she’ll “watch him”. Sometime later, Cullen feels it is necessary for Cassandra’s judgment, seeing as his lyrium withdraw is becoming worse. They meet up to speak privately of the matter where Cassandra gives her opinion; Cullen however disagrees, as he believed she would “keep her word”. Cassandra is quick to tell Cullen, “You give yourself too little credit.” Their argument is cut short as the Inquisitor walks in, having been told Cullen went to speak with Cassandra. Cullen leaves, leaving Cassandra and the Inquisitor to discuss Cullen’s predicament.

Cassandra explains that Cullen has asked her to recommend a replacement for him, further elucidating, ''“I refused. It’s not necessary. Besides, it would destroy him. He’s come so far.”'' Realizing that if Cullen isn’t going to listen to her, Cassandra asks for the Inquisitor to talk with him as well, believing they can help convince him of his worth, that he’s not bound by his “lyrium leash”. Whatever the Inquisitor decides becomes of Cullen’s fate with lyrium.

Dragon Age: Inquisition

 * Cullen addresses Cassandra as “Lady Cassandra”.
 * Cullen mistakenly thanks Cassandra for closing the rift – the Breach.
 * Cullen trusts Cassandra’s judgment.
 * Cassandra respects Cullen’s decision to stay off lyrium.
 * Cassandra doesn’t want to witness Cullen’s walk of shame back to the barracks.

Dragon Age: Inquisition
"I’ve asked Cassandra to… watch me. If my ability to lead is compromised, I will be relived from duty."

- Cullen and Cassandra’s agreement.

"The Inquisition’s army must always take priority. Should anything happen… I will defer to Cassandra’s judgment."

- Cullen trusts Cassandra’s judgment.

"Cullen has asked that I recommend a replacement for him. I refused. It’s not necessary. Besides, it would destroy him. He’s come so far."

- Cullen feels he’s not worthy of being Commander anymore, Cassandra thinks otherwise.

"I’m leaving. I don’t want to witness our Commander’s walk of shame back to the barracks."

- Cullen having lost multiple rounds of Wicked Grace, resulting in him losing all of his clothing.

Fanon
Cullandra is a small paring within the Dragon Age fandom. On AO3, they have 80 works in their tag. Fan works of Cullen and Cassandra often feature them before the beginning of Dragon Age: Inquisition; Cassandra having just recruited Cullen into the Inquisition, the two slowly bonding after the Kirkwall Rebellion.

Fandom
FAN FICTION
 * Cullen/Cassandra tag on FanFiction.net
 * Cullen/Cassandra tag on FanFiction.net

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