So this is my first fanfic in several years so be patient with me. In the past I tended to move the story along too fast but this time I want to take things at a slower pace so if you think things are not moving along fast enough, just leave a review. I hope you enjoy it!
Herald of Andraste. Wow. A title Tali had never sought, nor ever even wanted. In fact, she had never even wanted to be any kind of leader at all. She was a rouge from the lowest part of society barley accepted by the Dalish or the humans. All she wanted to do was acquire enough gold to live comfortably and have a bit of fun along the way. But then came her mission to the conclave. She had been sent as a spy only to come out some kind of leader and inspiration. The explosion and the mess that happened there had set her world on in axis. She woke up a prisoner with a glowing mark on her hand and no clue what had happened. She had been willing to go face the breach because she thought she had nothing to lose and figured if she had anything to do with the mess, she owed it to everyone to clean it up. But then she had closed a rift with her glowing mark and Cassandra had declared the start of the Inquisition. Now Tali was left to try and figure out where she fit in all this mess.
"You look like you could use a drink Herald" came the drawl from a familiar dwarf. Varic and Tali had become fast friends from the start. They were of the same mindset and often spent nights at the tavern spinning tales for a rapt audience. Tali did not have quite the talent for spinning a tale that Varic did but she could still capture an audience.
But tonight all she wanted to was to get away from the crowd so she could think. "Not tonight Varic" she replied setting off for the Chantry. If she remembered correctly, there was a particular tower that was said to be haunted and while most did not believe, they still avoided it. It would make a good place to be alone to think.
Her legs burned with the effort of those last few stairs. 'Your getting soft Tali' she thought to herself as she took a moment to catch her breath on the landing. The time that she had taken off from training to recover from her injuries was showing itself. Tali silently promised to get back into a routine. When she could stand straight without heaving she pushed open the door, expecting dust to swirl in the air and the room to be empty. But instead there was a dark figure outlined in moonlight standing at the window. While the room was still dusty, clearly someone had taken the effort to clear the worst of it. She almost turned tail to run before whoever was at the window turned around and recognized her. Tali seriously could not take one more person congratulating her on her new title. But then she recognized Leliana, the Inquisition's spy master. Tali relaxed. Of all the people she had met since joining this crazy group, Leliana seemed the most level headed. She seemed to be aware of Tali's reluctance but never said anything about it. She did not say anything or even turn around as Tali joined her at the window, settling into a comfortable silence.
The silence lasted only a few moments before Leliana inquired "So why are you hiding up here instead of out roistering with your fellow comrades?".
Tali's reputation for loose behavior and inconsistent morals had quickly spread throughout the Inquisition. Despite that, or perhaps due a little to that, she was seen still respected and admired. She flirted outrageously and played pranks. Yet, they knew that when it counted, Tali was right there in the thick of it. "I just needed some time to think, that's all. It has been a strange and taxing few days. I've gone from a prisoner accused of killing the most influential figure in Theadas to a prophet speaking for a god, or goddess, or whatever. Then there is a bunch of crazy people who think they can take on the hole in the sky and apparently I'm the only one not given a choice in the matter." Tali's voice was rather dry when she said the last bit.
Tali's response did not seem to faze Leliana. "I don't recall the Maker ever asking his chosen if they wanted it or not" Leliana's voice was candid and crisp. "His ways are often mysterious, even to his faithful."
"Then what good is he?" Tali cried out. "You once asked me this yourself! I'm just an elfblood from the lower city, barley accepted by the humans or the Dalish. Do you know why the keeper sent me to the conclave?" her voice rose as she spoke. "To get me away from the rest of the clan! Apparently she was the only reason I was accepted in the first place. But the pressure from the rest of the clan grew as what little magic I have grew. So she sent me to the conclave not just to spy but to start looking for a new place to live!" Tali was almost shouting at this point.
Leliana chose to remain silent through this tirade. It was in these moments that she saw those flashes of darkness behind those brilliant blue green eyes and Leliana recognized a kindred spirit. This woman had suffered much at the hands of another, Leliana would bet her life on that. Leliana herself was no stranger to unwanted destiny as well as the search to find a place to belong. She had once found it in the chantry, then at the Hero of Ferelden's side. But when the hero died, Leliana's sense of belonging died with her. But unlike Leliana herself, Tali had not let her experiences spoil her taste for life. She reveled in the light, constantly smiling and laughing, bringing cheer to all those around her. Someone like her was desperately needed in these troubled times.
"You have a place to belong now" Leliana said firmly. "You are the Herald of Andraste and your blood does not matter. You have earned your place here and all of us would die to protect you."
"Yeah well, that's not exactly reassuring." Tali dismissed Leliana's words with a wave of her hand. "Anyway, why are you up here?" she asked.
"I was looking for my own bit of peace. Moments like this come so rarely that one must cherish them while they last" Leliana said with the voice of someone who learned this truth the hard way.
"I wish things could just stay like this for a while longer. Maker knows I'll see precious little of this times in the future" Tali said with a wistful look out the window.
Leliana studied the woman. The Inquisitor had a strange way of surprising Leliana. Leliana had once been a bard and knew much of human nature and the way people behaved as well as the many motivations behind them. This was part of what made her such an accomplished spy master and Left Hand to the Devine. But this woman baffled Leliana. Every time she thought she understood the woman, Tali would do something that would completely surprise Leliana. The half elf, half human woman had started out as her and Cassandra's prisoner but quickly became more once they learned she held the key to closing the breach. At first she had thought the woman a means to an end, a light hearted flirt they could use as a tool to bring about order. But then she gave Cassandra and the rest of the Inquisition hope. She worked just as hard as anyone else here, closing rifts and risking her life. Leliana's opinion about the woman had began to change. Admittedly, she knew little of the elfblood besides her ability with a pair of daggers and her small gift for magic. Tali could not fully be called a mage but she could conjure and use her skills in ways known to few outside the Dalish. One thing continued to bug Leliana though and the words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. "Why did you give yourself up so easily when it comes to closing the breach? It was as if you want to die." Leliana needed to know why the woman was so determined to be reckless.
"I didn't ask for all of this!" Tali replied sharply. "When you guys asked me to join, I thought I would just be a small part of this, just brought out every now and then to close the breach. But then everyone started to call me the Herald of Andraste and things spun out of my control. All I have ever wanted out of life is a bit of peace and a place to belong. I never wanted to lead a movement or whatever this craziness is."
"This craziness is all that stands between Theadas and utter chaos" Leliana reminded her gently. "And you are too important to us all to go throwing your life away carelessly."
Tali ducked her head to hide her face. She hated when people got sappy and sentimental. She especially hated it when people talked like she had all the answers and could lead them out of anything. "You're just saying that. Besides, it's not like our chances of surviving are all that great."
Leliana laughed at Tali's shyness. "Well, chin up now, you helped start this mess and now it our job to see it through. I've seen the way you fight and how you deal with our men. You have it in you to lead all of us out of this darkness. Believe in yourself and believe in the path the Maker has set before you."
"Great, no pressure there" Tali mumbled.
Leliana reached out and gently lifted Tal's chin with a soft finger. "You give yourself too little credit. Plus, don't forget we are all here to help you. You do not have to face the darkness alone."
Tali blushed from the unexpected contact with the other woman. Leliana was not usually the type to touch any one. And the quiet confidence in her voice told Tali that she really believed that Tali was strong enough to get everyone through this. That made her heart both warm with hope and freeze with terror and the thought of letting down such a hope. Then she realized that neither of them had moved and she was starting into the most beautiful pair of hazel eyes she had ever seen. 'Where did that thought come from' Tali wondered. She jerked away, startled and a little embarrassed. The moment also seemed to have an effect on the spy master as well as she turned back towards the window. "Well I should go back downstairs. After all, the festivities are for me!" Tali said in an overly bright tone. Then she turned and fled down the stairs.
She nearly tripped over the dwarf as she exited the tower. "There you are Herald! We were just looking for you. Iron Bull has challenged all those who dare to a drinking contest and I figured you would want in."
Tali brightened, a drinking contest with help wash away all these complicated and heavy emotions. "Count me in dwarf and lead the way!"
"So did you see our spy master up there? I heard she likes to frequent that tower as well" Varic asked as they walked towards the tavern. The whole courtyard and inner bailey was decorated for the celebration but Iron bull had his own corner in the tavern so that's where Varic guessed he would be. He glanced up when Tali did not immediately answer his question to see a strange expression on her face, usually serious for the half eleven woman. "What's up with that serious face Sweetheart?"
Immediately the seriousness was gone and a look of mischief replaced it. "Nothing, I'm not sure what you are talking about. Yes, I saw our spy master up there and she had some interesting things to say. All doom and gloom and gravity. She is too serious for the likes of me but I suppose she has her purpose."
Varic laughed at Tali's description of Leliana as he paused open the door to the tavern. "Well you will find none of that here. Tonight we are all about stories and toasts to your new title till we fall over drunk!"
"Here here!" came the chorus from the chargers. Most of them were well into their cups and passed the dwarf and his companion cups of their own.
The cups were quickly emptied and refilled several times. Varic regaled them with outrageous stories and Tali taught the group a tawdry song about a maid and a lord she had learned in her youth. The inn keep had to come over and hush them after a particularly rowdy rendition. Krem asked Tali where she had learned it and Varic saw an odd look cross the part elven face. It was one he knew well after spending time with a Rivaini pirate, the mark of a hard childhood. But it was gone so quick that even Varic doubted himself. She raised her glass in a mock toast "Well you can learn anything on the streets of Denerem if you are quiet and keep out of the way of soldier's boots."
An awkward silence fell over the group before Varic stepped in with a pointed question about Krems childhood that had Iron Bull roaring with laughter. The group relaxed and the moment was soon forgotten by most except Varic and a surprisingly sharp eyed Qunari. Both chose to keep their own council though.
The night ended with Varic helping a stumbling Herald back to her bed. "Where did ye' put all tha' ale I saw ye' drink?" Tali slurred at Varic.
Varic just chuckled and shook his head. "Eye can deceive you more than you know" he said cryptically. He managed to get the Herald into her bed, deftly avoiding her efforts to pull him in with her. "Good night Sweetheart" he said softly as he took one last look at Tali before shutting the door. She was already passed out.
I hope you like this beginning! Review are always welcome!