Hey! Well I came up with this and it wouldn't go away. I hope you enjoy it. It could just end up being a one-shot maybe I might write more I don't really have a plan for the story. Uhh yeah Enjoy! Any construstive critism is welcome.
It was time. She thought standing on her balcony looking out on Skyhold. It had been 3 years since they had defeated Coriphfish. 3 years since she had seen Solas in the flesh. She hugged her frame as the cold blew through the dawn slowly rising over the mountain. It was time was what she thought as she hurried to the war room.
"I still think we need to look at the possibil-"
She had slammed the door open accidently in her haste. She looked to the tables and saw her advisors arguing over what to do about petty noble problems. She shut the door and walked forward cautiously ringing her fingers together. They hadn't resumed arguing like normal.
"Are you alright Rhush?" Josie tried looking wearily over her. Breathing in Rhush tried to summon the courage to get the words out.
"I…I am amazed by all of you, by all the work we have done, I can't tell you all how much you mean to me," Rhush was frustrated why couldn't she just spit it out. Liliana's face wrinkled and Cullen looked at her again confused. Josephine remained still trying to take in all the little movements she made. Breathing in again Rhush looked at them all with certainty, no backing down.
"I believe it is time to dissolve the Inquisition," Rhush sighed running a hand through her hair trying not to look at their faces.
"You must be joking," Liliana demanded. Josie rushed to her side putting the board she was holding on the table and bringing her hand to Rhush's forehead. Cullen's head was shaking his frustration evident. Rhush gently took Josie's hand in hers.
"There have been no signs of rifts for months. The Venatori have been dealt with and the red lyrium seems to have just faded back into the deep roads. It is time. Thedus needs to…to find the new path it has carved. It will take a few months of course we need to help everyone here find a place out there. We need to give them the best start at a new life if that is what they wish or help them re-build their old lives. I have a bit of an idea on how we can start helping people," Rush explained her voice firm but kind. Looking at them with sad eyes them seemed semi relived.
"I know this is going to be hard but it's time to put the sword away. Time to let the people be the heroes," Rhush was haunted by the words Mother Giselle had told her about the original Inquisition. Josephine and Liliana both looked sad. Cullen had moved to place both hands on the table and was looking down.
"Well let's hear your idea and hash out a plan, we will have to find a place for the soldiers any ideas what we can do with them?" Cullen said rising his head looking at the other 2 advisors.
"We need to help the people who live here first that should be our main priority. They need houses supplies. How can we help those if our armies are gone to the wind?" Liliana stressed.
"I could call in all the noble favours we have of course it shouldn't be a problem money wise but I am a little worried about all the gossip this will create. They could see this as a challenge to have someone take the Inquisitor title. We will need to do this with a public announcement and of course both King Alister and Empress Celine will need to be notified. On the other hand if we do this quietly then –
Rhush zoned out a little. They would help her she was able to breathe a little easy they could see that it was time. But worry and doubt still flooded her What about the others? They would not take this news as well or as gracefully as her advisors. Should she gather them and tell them all at once or individually? Probably best as a group that way no one could feel left out or be the last to know. Silence hung in the air as Rhush came back to now. Looking at them they awaited an answer she could not provide.
"I would like to be able to tell my friends first before we announce it to the rest of Skyhold,"Rhush told them. Liliana smiled and Josephine laughed. Cullen shook his head but he had a smile.
"Alright then we will leave you to it Inquisitor," Josephine said. Rhush turned and reached the door before looking back to them.
"I…I don't say it often enough but if you repeat this to anyone I'm calling you liars but…I appreciate everything. Everything you guys have done I….no one could have done this on their own least of all me. You hold very dear places in my heart," With that said Rhush opened the door and went to the tower where Solas used to stay his magnificent works still there as they would always be. She had it set up so the group spent time together just before going about their days. It was always exciting and fun to hang out with all of them of course they were minus three people but Sera and Iron Bull always seemed to make up for it with trouble for everyone. Walking up to the door she raised her hand to open it she felt the dread come back. They were all going to leave. She was going to leave. Closing her eyes suddenly feeling heavy and sad she pushed on the door.
"Ahh Needles just in time like always," Varric's voice was the first to greet her as her eyes locked onto the three way staring match between Iron Bull, Dorian and Sera. Cole was suddenly in front of her staring into her eyes.
"You're hurting," Was all he said scrunching up his face. She lifted her hands to try and smooth down his face before hugging him to her. He hugged back hard and a little piece of her almost wished she had helped him become more human. Pulling back she smiled sadly.
"I have something to tell you all," Rhush now had everyone's attention even Vivienne's as she did her nails on Solas's lounge.
"It is time to dissolve the Inquisition," Silence. She looked at their faces, shock and a little bit of hurt, some disbelief. She reached for Cole's hand looking away from them.
"We haven't had news of rift sightings in months. The Venatori, Red lyrium it's all been dealt with. There isn't anything more we can do. It's time to let the world go back to normal now," More silence. A sudden burst of laughter made her look up at Sera.
"That's funny, yeah. We're gunna dissolve the inquisition. Almost had me believing you for a second there," Sera's head shook but after a few seconds she stopped and looked around. Rhush crossed her other arm across her body trying to attempt to hold herself together. She wanted to run, to take it all back but looking at Dorian and Vivienne and Cole. Nobody was going to leave and change the world like they wanted to for the better. Even Sera and Varric could change the world for the better but….they were stuck here. It was time.
"I'll uh come around later and talk to you all about what you'd like to do. What help or supplies/resources you'll need….it won't be for a few months yet we need to help all the people who live here and find them homes. Hopefully make life a little better for them," Rhush smiled sadly.
"What about you Needles? What are you gunna do when this is all over?" Varric asked quietly. She opened her mouth and closed it again. She had no idea. Go back to her clan? Try to find Solas? Explore, maybe just walk around without a plan? She shook her head.
"It doesn't matter about me. I'll work it out when we get closer to everyone leaving and it'll probably be diplomatic crazy time but for right now we….I need to focus on helping everyone else," She turned to go the weight of their stares cutting through her. Cole's hand kept his grip tight he looked at her again. She was suddenly afraid of what he'd spill from her mind but he stayed silent, calculating trying to figure out how to make this better. Rhush hugged him to her again hiding the tears and he let go as she turned and pushed the door to leave.
Rhush went back to her room and stared at the knitting all over the floor. Carefully moving around it all she went to her windows and opened them to her balcony. Rhush sat on the ground her back to the glass pane in the archway. She put her head in her hands she was meant to be strong, the fearless leader but the sadness of letting her companions go….how could she do this to them? She just wanted to hide, to disappear. Her left hand started glowing very faintly the Anchor seemingly trying to comfort her. She smiled the glow lit up a bit brighter. The warmth from it seemed to crawl up her arm making her feel better, relaxed. Looking out at Skyhold again she sighed it was always going to be hard she knew that but to have it all shoved back in her face that quickly.
Her hands reached out for the Knitting needles she had lying about and started to work. Maybe she could make something for them to remember her by. One last gift she could even send one to Cassandra and Blackwall. A smile lightened her features; maybe that's what she was truly afraid of being forgotten by her friends when she would remember them every day. It seemed to lighten the heavy feeling in her chest. She looked around her floor what could she give everyone?
A knock at the door startled her. Getting up she hurried down the stairs and opened the door. Dorian was there and he had her favourite flowers in his hand.
"Dorian? What are you-"
He hugged her. She was shocked as his massive form seemed to swallow her small one. Tears started trickling from her eyes again and she hugged him back gripping him tight. Dorian was like her brother and she had loved him as soon as they had been thrown into the future and helped her calm down.
"Dorian," she gasped the tears starting to soak his shoulder. She tried pulling back but he wouldn't let go.
"You are one of the best bravest people in this dismal world. I know this will be extremely hard for you. It's going to be a tough few months but we will handle it how we always handle it. Together," He pulled away and looked in her eyes. Rhush was so thankful and upset at herself for being weak she was the one who was supposed to hold everyone together like she always had.
"I…I'm meant to be the strong one," ugh she sounded so useless why was she being like this.
"You've been the strong one for too long that's why it's time, like you said to dissolve the Inquisition. You need to be just Rhush you need to remember what it's like not having anyone to answer to but yourself. Everyone always looks up to you and you look to us to help keep you sane but now you have to look to yourself to find out who you are now. The Inquisition, the anchor and us have changed you," Dorian said patting her head and guided her up the stairs back into her room. Taking one look at the mess he waved his hand and things started to move into a pile. Raising an eyebrow at him Dorian shrugged and pulled her over to her desk. He set the flowers in the vase that she never used and turned to her. She tried giving him a smile but sadness crept over her features and she hugged herself. He picked up her hands and placed them on his shoulder and kept the other one as he started dancing with her in his arms. She couldn't help but laugh.
"You know I can't dance right?" She asked him following his lead instead of having to lead herself.
"That's not what I saw; you swept that wicked lady off her feet. I was sure she wanted to take you right then and there before killing you and delivering your hand to Corypheus," Dorian smiled his charming smile as he spun her and she relaxed laughing.
"Wouldn't be the first time I've had women chasing me but those women had completely different things in mind," Rhush smiled as she remember Josephine and Liliana chasing her around trying to get her to wear the dress. They had won in the end thanks to a combined effort of Dorian and the unwilling but willing Solas.
"Now that was a sight to see, the fearless Inquisitor running from her advisors as they made to put her in a dress," He laughed as they moved across the floor.
"I won in the end though I had pants underneath the whole time," Her small laugh at the faces of her advisors as she had run back to the ball with her skirt pulled up and the black tights showing. They slowed to a stop bowing and curtsying to each other.
"You gave the whole room quite a shock; I almost wished I could see their faces. You with your dress pulled up and your knives at your thighs. Bull and I right behind you. All looking flushed and excited," she smacked him lightly on the chest as she went in search for a purple she thought he might like. Going through the pile he made on her floor, with all her knitting supplies, she found the colour and picked out the red to go with it. Rhush showed him with an eyebrow raised and hopeful eyes. Dorian pursed his lips and sat next to her looking through all the colours.
"How you manage to find anything is beyond me darling," Dorian stated shifting through the mess. Looking at him the perfect colour came to mind and she dug quickly knowing she saw it under –
"Ah ha, got it," she showed him the dull yellow and smiled. He looked at it carefully and held the purple out, pursing his lips and looking at Rhush's face he nodded.
"Yay," she celebrated reaching across and hugged him. When she pulled back he held up a green. It was bright and would clash with the dark purple and dark yellow.
"To remind me that you stich us all together," Dorian smiled at her. She smiled sadly but then frowned at him.
"I knit…so knit us all together pff some friend you are," but she laughed and the look in her eyes tried to convey that he was much more to her then that. He stood and messed up her hair, his signal that he understood. She breathed deeply feeling better.
"Not that it's my business but I think you might want to talk to Sera, fast before she sets the bees on you for being Noble-y, that's what she says yes?," Dorian suggested heading to the stairs down. This was going to be an interesting talk Rhush thought setting the colours aside for later. Digging through the pile again she picked up the red and tried to find a light yellow. Finding it she put them together and looked back at the green Dorian had picked smiling she knew she was going to use it for everyone's present. She got up and hurried after Dorian down the steps.
She found Sera in her room. The door was shut and she could hear the twang of the arrow hitting the wood. She couldn't hear Sera shouting anyone's name though.
"Sera?" She wouldn't come in unless Sera wanted to talk, Rhush always respected her privacy. The door opened almost instantly and she was dragged through. Then she was pushed against the back of the door slamming it shut. Sera hugged her tightly almost afraid to let her go.
"I don't know why you're doing this. Inquisition has a good system yeah? You aren't one of those snooty nobles who need to be taught their place. You're a good leader and-" Sera cut herself off and pulled back stomping in her small space.
"Sera you were doing good with the Red Jenney's. You can still teach those up themselves nobles a lesson or two. You wanted the world to go back to normal," Rhush talked quietly.
"Yeah but that's changed hasn't it, I….I don't know if I can go back to doing that," Sera told her plopping down onto the bench. Rhush went to sit next to her and put her arm over her shoulder and Sera's head leaned on her shoulder.
"I don't know if I could go back to being an Elfy elf," Rhush told her. A bark of laughter escaped Sera.
"You an elfy elf yeah right. You were never an elfy elf and I'm glad for that sure you were a bit prissy at first but then you…you were you. I knew looking at you that you weren't always like a bitch or whatever and…we've made cookies together, Inquisition cookies, right and you….you have changed a little after the battle with Coriphinus. You've been a bit here and a bit there yeah. But that's all Elvhen pride's fault," It was Rhush's turn to laugh and a blush reached her ears. Sera smiled and pulled away.
"We have to make Inquisition cookies just before I leave yeah? I love those cookies won't eat nothing else," Sera's eyes shone. She understood it was tough for Rhush as well. Rhush lightly bumped her head with Sera's and smiled.
"We have to make heaps and heaps, I'd never make those cookies without you and I love them too," It was a bit childish but they both knew that they were talking about each other. Rhush made for the door and Sera caught her hand and pulled her in for a hug.
"I know you don't like people calling you it but you are my Herald of Andraste yeah," Rhush knew how much it meant to Sera to call her that even if she didn't understand it and smiled and hugged her back.
"Maker bless you," Rhush whispered in Sera's ear. It was a special thing she had only ever utter the phrase once before the battle of Coriphfish. To Sera it meant the world. To Rhush it meant that Sera believed in something bigger and she believed that belief was special. They both smiled at each other and Rhush walked out of the door.
Looking up she wondered if she should talk to Cole but the empty tavern downstairs concerned her. She made her way down and outside. The messenger nearly ran over her in his haste but when he saw it was her he stopped.
"Inquisitor the Spymaster has requested your presence," She nodded her head and gestured for him to lead the way. All 3 of her advisors were standing on the second set of stairs to the hall and facing the drop where she heard murmurs. They had gathered everybody and she was to tell them. Breathing in and out she hoped she could find the right words Creators guide her. Traveling up the steps and looking out she saw everyone in the castle. The whispers stopped as she faced all of them.
"Today marks the anniversary of the death of Corypheus. It is a day to celebrate and enjoy but I am afraid I have some bad news." A pause for a moment "It has come time to dissolve the Inquisition," A large roar of protest found her ears.
"People hear me," quietness was soon heard "I will not be kicking you out of the castle just like that the dissolvent will take time as we will be attempting to help each and every one of you find a better life outside in Thedus. After the talk is over I would like to see everyone that gets reported to and talk to them on getting supplies for building houses, for teaching new trades. At the end of the day I ask that everyone report to your people with your name and things that you will need to start your new life and we will work through everyone. It is time that you spread the Inquisition's kindness through your actions and daily lives. It is time to become the leaders of your life. It is time to put our sword away and find new answers. I will carry the hope with me that you all understand this has to be done and I am sorry to see everything change but it will be slow and gradual. Eventually you will all be out there hopefully wiser then when you first arrived here," Cheers rang out among the crowd she smiled and was thankful she would be able to help all these people. Everything suddenly went quiet and a single cry of fear rang out from the crowd. Confused she turned only to see a giant white beam in the sky, dark grey clouds seemed to swirl around it.
"Everyone get down, find shelter," Rhush yelled the resounding boom rang out everywhere shaking the ground they stood on. She looked to her advisors all yelling instructions to their designated people. Rhush looked up at the beam again. Another pulse of white light flowed up the sky.
"EVERYONE GET DOWN," Throwing her arm up and focusing on the anchor she pushed out power hoping to manipulate it into a shield. Green light poured out of her hand throwing up a barrier as the next wave hit Skyhold when the power hit her hand images flowed through her mind moving too fast to make out and she started wobbling on her feet. She seemed to absorb the power of the blast into her hand. The light in the sky faded and everyone was shaken. Rhush's arm felt like lead and it fell to her side. Blinking rapidly she felt heavy and tired. Cheering again came from behind her. She turned to see the people jumping up and down, laughing. A hand landed on her shoulder she turned to see Cullen concern written on his face.
"Are you alright Inquisitor?" He asked. She blinked again.
"I think…I need to-" She fell to her knees before any could catch her "take a nap," someone had caught her and she went black out.
The next time she awoke it was on her bed. Blinking wearily she sat up and a pounding headache. She brought her hands up to her face trying to wipe away the pain. Looking up she expected to see her empty room with her knitting haphazardly placed all over the floor. What she found instead was much more different. A great black wolf stood in front of almost larger than a horse. White bits of fur seemed to poke through all the back and she gasped. The great wolf turned and stared at her its four eyes glowing bright red with bits of blue. She breathed in deeply and breathed out. A giant wolf was here. It had 4 eyes. It was black and had red eyes. Deep breath in, deep breath out. Calm, she had to remain calm if she ran that's what the Dread Wolf would want. The wolf always played chase yet there was something about the way it stood frozen staring at her like she was the one with the power in this situation. She opened her mouth but nothing came out. What does one say to the Dread Wolf? A blush instantly came to her cheeks all the times she had uttered for the dread wolf to take her. She was an idiot how had she not made a stupid important decision was beyond her.
A loud popping sound with a bright light made her shield her eyes. She was almost too afraid to take her hand away when she felt a hand grab hers gently. Ever so softly did it caress her hand.
"Please," his voice reached her "please don't hide your face from me," Lowering her hands slowly she looked to his face. Tears prickling her eyes, he was back, he was here. His hand moved to her face and he frowned trailing over her marks.
"They came back," she whispered afraid to break the moment. His frown melted away and her brought his other hand up to cup her face bringing his face closer to hers. They touched foreheads and the tears spilt over.
"You are the most beautiful woman ever, ma vhenan," he told her bringing their lips together. It was a small kiss just touching just breathing the other in. She brought her hand up and touched his face. He leaned into it and they sat on her bed like that just staring at each other. Touching faces and holding each other tightly.
"I knew you would come back. I just wondered why you took so long," Rhush told him searching his eyes. She gave him a gentle smile. His face looked pained as if he remembered something. Looking away from her and around the room he seemed frustrated as if searching for something.
"Vhenan, I need you to tell me were the orb is," Solas's words shook her. He was here for the orb. Not her. Breathing in and out she suddenly remembered the giant wolf in her room. The headache she awoke with was gone. She would not tell him where the orb hid even though it was directly beneath her under a loose stone.
"I don't know where the orb is. I thought you took it," her voice shook she couldn't lie to him. His eyes turned to her anger glowing in them. Rhush suddenly didn't want to be there with him. But questions started flooding her and she became angry.
"You need to tell me the next couple of hours are my only chance to –" he cut himself off looking away frustrated.
"To what?" She pushed at him "To just use me again? To throw your pride in my face and not trust me when I trust you every fibre of my being," she was hurt but she breathed in it had been three years they were both changed but she still loved him. Still wanted to hold him tight and hear him talk of the fade. To argue and talk over issues and find new ways to solve problems they both thought where important. To kiss him if she had won in a game of wits or cards, which was rare or for him to show her he loved her knowledge and questions. Tears came back and she hugged herself. Solas's face fell and he reached out to her. He didn't move to her though and he shook his head frustrated.
"You have the orb," He stated watching her carefully. Her quick glance to the bed and shaking of her head made him smile.
"No it might still be at the sight, if bandits or something haven't taken the pieces yet," Rhush didn't know why she kept talking maybe if he got what he wanted he'd just come back to her and he would tell her everything. She frowned though he still hadn't explained the wolf but her head was clouding up again and throbbing.
"I know you made it whole there are no more pieces now," Solas told her. He had seen it in the Fade of her dreams. Her playing with it as if it were a simple ball, her memory of fixing it accidently and the delight on her face when she had. Rhush moved slowly to the bed her head hurting in full force now raising an arm to her head.
"I…I don't have it," She sat on the edge of the bed. Solas walked over to her and knelt in front of her. With one hand he reached up to her fore head the other searching. He felt the loose stone giggle and he carefully lifted it and reached in the hole. He smiled he had the orb. To his slight surprise it held power within it power that called to him sweetly like Rhush often did when she was knitting on his lounge asking that he read over with her. He cleared her mind sending the headache away and came up to kiss her. Gently at first but her mouth was open and he couldn't help the victory he had in that moment and deepened the kiss. He pulled away just as quickly holding the orb in his hand. Shaking off the confusion and the kiss she saw Solas holding the orb a wicked grin across his lips. Suddenly she jumped at him trying to grab the orb. She had a feeling bad things would happen if he choose to use it. Unexpecting Solas tumbled with Rhush on the floor as she made to grab the orb. The feel of her body against his almost made him forget to cling to the orb rolling them over so he was on top. He stood.
"I'll be back with you as soon as a right the mistake I made long ago," Solas told her heading to the balcony. Suddenly everything clicked the wolf him all that talk about Fen'Harel and the old gods. He was Fen'Harel he wanted to release the rest of the old gods. Suddenly shouting was heard as she made one last attempt for the orb. She played dirty and moved in front of him with the top speed of an assassin, grabbed the orb out of his hand and ran back to the bed. Voices were heard at her door loud shouting.
"You left her in here all by herself! Someone could kidnap her, or seriously harm her what am I going to do with you Commander you didn't even post guards," Dorian and the commander good she attempted to vault the railing and land on the bottom of the stairs but Solas grabbed her from behind and held her to him.
"I do enjoy our game, Vhenan but I need the orb now," As she wriggled she heard the door open. Solas started sucking on her neck and she almost froze in shock. Eyes wide and the other hand snaked down to her-
"RHUSH!" Dorian's voice reached her ears. Turning he wasn't there and she had forgotten about the orb. Looking back to the balcony Solas stood there proud he looked at them.
"I will come for you later Vhenan," and he disappeared in a puff of smoke.