So this is the first chapter of a new dragon age story I'm working on. I hope you enjoy it.

"Inquisitor?"

Drenis Lavellan looks up and around to find the source of the voice. She did not recognize it nor did she see it's source. Hopeful it was Leliana's contact she takes a deep breath. That did not help stop the chills from spreading down her back. She did not want to be standing under this tree in the awful rain and cold winds forever. Who's brilliant idea was it to meet in the marsh? Oh, that's right Leliana's contact. She couldn't wait to leave.

Looking around once more, and still seeing the source of the voice nowhere Drenis grabs the necklace that was the message stone Dorian had given her. She clutches it for moral support and to aid in holding her temper for having been left out in the rain, waiting for so long. She was not to be messed with right now.

"No one has called me that in a long time. Come out where I can see you." She orders. Maybe she was not the leader of the Inquisition anymore but she still commanded as much respect as she did when she was. She grips her staff with her remaining hand as a figure from the dark shadows of a nearby barn walks over. Drenis found herself wondering how long the contact had been standing there in that withered, shabby, old barn. Half the walls were covered in holes and it was no good for stopping the rain. That was why she

"I did not mean to anger you. I will admit to not knowing your name beyond Inquisitor Lavellan. And that for a long time you had gone by just Inquisitor. Leliana never told me anything otherwise." The stranger was an elf and she wore very old and worn down armor. Yet Drenis held no doubt that it was strong enough to withstand her lighting spells or her fade tricks. Something about the armour felt off. She tries to place it but could not think of what it could possibly be. It was even harder to tell if the alertness she felt from the oddity was from just the armour or the wearer as well.

"Ah, I suppose it would be Divine Victoria now. I'm so proud of her." The stranger says correcting herself before looking around. Was it to avoid her gaze or to see if anyone was spying on them, Drenis wasn't sure, but she could see the pride and sadness that swelled up in those green, grayish eyes as they spoke of Leliana.

"Yes. She has come far." Drenis was happy that she had been able to help Leliana as she had. Even if she was Divine now and the Inquisition had officially disbanded Leliana still sent her letters of caution and worry from time to time. She wanted to help stop Solas as much as they did, even if she could not do it openly. She had trained Harding very thoroughly before her early retirement from the inquisition.

"I believe I still do not know your name. Mind sharing?" Drenis questions. A large gust of wind comes from nowhere as the question was asked and Drenis holds steadfast, trying not to show any weakness, even to the cold, in front of this stranger.

"I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours." The other elf says cheekily.

"Drenis, but you may call me by my clan's name. Lavellan."

"Lavellan certainly does rolls off the tongue. You are very lucky to have such a fantastical name."

Drenis raises an eyebrow showing her impatience.

"My name is Neira Surana, but many call me other things." She answers with a small tilt of her head and a slight smile on her lips. She gave off an air of happy bliss despite the weather as if nothing could ruin her mood. Drenis had met many people like that. It was always a facade.

"The Hero of Ferelden. I was sort of expecting it to be you." Drenis was not very surprised. Of course it was the warden commander. Why else would Leliana be so secretive with her contact's identity and refuse to tell her anything of her before hand? She also told Drenis that she would not need to be armed for Leliana knew her contact would not try to attack the former inquisitor, that they simply wanted to talk and become allies. Of course she brought her staff anyways. Better safe than sorry. However, Drenis was not impressed so far by the legendary grey warden.

"Yes. That is one title. However titles are hollow compared to what one can do when they are seen as a shadow." The grey warden says, her voice carrying wisdom clearly beyond her years. She didn't look much older then Lavellan, but looks could be deceiving. Every mage knew that for they deal with such creatures that are truly demons in disguise all the time.

Ignoring the advice offered Drenis listens as Surana continues. "I am told that you received my letter those many years ago. I must thank you for keeping the love of my life safe."

Drenis rolls her eyes. Was she trying to appeal to her sympathetic side to win her over. She still had not proven she was who she claimed to be. Thinking back, she wondered if she had made the right choice between choosing Alistair and Hawke. Varric hadn't thought so. Sometimes she didn't either.

"Why had you asked to meet with me? I am no longer inquisitor I have no way of helping you and I am needed for much more important tasks."

"I have information on Fen'Harel."

Drenis stares at Surana. Scrutinizing every detail of her face. If only Iron Bull was here he could tell her if she was being deceived or if the grey warden was truly speaking what she thought was the truth.

"It's true then. You are every bit as untrusting as Alistair and Leliana said you would be. I guess when one has as much authority as you once had it would be hard to come by real friends." Neira sighs but still gives Drenis a small knowing smile. As if she knows how much power can affect a person. She was known for taking down the traitor Loghain, but she had no real experience with the powers of the court, with having to constantly deal with the political garbage that Drenis had to always deal with. The shems ways were horrible. How Neira spoke to her was on a more personal level then Drenis felt they had reached yet.

That bothered Drenis. "Don't talk as if you know me." She snaps.

Neira stops smiling. The mood around her shifting. It almost felt as if she was moving the veil to the fade itself. "I see. Alright then. Introductions are out of the way now. So to business then. I'll make this quick so as to not waste your time Lavellan." Neira spat the name out showing her distaste in the attitude Drenis had shown.

"You said you have information on Fen'Harel?" Drenis says directing the conversation onward. Not really caring what the warden thought of her. This last few years of her life, ever since the Inquisition had begun had caused her trouble. Trouble that had made her even more cold and distant then she had been before.

"Yes I do. Shame really, that he has isolated you. Though I understand why. Other elves aren't willing to talk to the one who so clearly threatens their leader." She rotates the cuffs of the grey heavy armor she wore. Never before had Drenis seen a mage so equipped like a warrior. She was beginning to question if she was a mage at all. Drenis could feel the power coming off of her however. She was either a mage or an extremely powerful reaver. "Even if they once had personal relations with him." Neira raises her eyes and give Drenis a look that made her pause. How had she known? Did Leliana tell her?

"Has he not isolated you?" It was true less and less elves were in Thedas, and few ever spoke to her. Still, she trusted even fewer. Her own kind was serving a false god so he could destroy this world to return his old one. Her old feelings for Solas has long since vanish and she saw clearly that he was an enemy, but she also knew that Solas wasn't just isolating her from her people but any elves that truly believed in her cause or other elves who held power that he thought may go against him. Despite not trusting Surana she was certained the grey warden, elf, mage wouldn't go against the world she fought so hard to protect.

"No, but I still have quite a few elven friends. Velana has just come up from the deep roads recently. Very angry. Told me some elves went down after her, and asked her to travel with their group to the holy land of elves. For restoration of their once immortal lives. Once they realized she was a grey warden they were hesitate to take her. Then they found out just how strong a tainted Dalish is."

"Are you saying they don't take elves that are in the Grey Wardens?"

"No I'm saying Velana probably said something and scared 'em off and they used that as an excuse." She says closing her eyes and crossing her arms across her chest. The rain didn't seem to bother the shorter elf and she was becoming soaked as she stood out in the open. Drenis was grateful for the cover of the tree now.

"So what was the point of telling me that lovely story?"

"They're recruiting."

Drenis thought for a moment. He had used spies in the inquisition perhaps they could do so to him now. Who would they use? Harding may know or be able to find out. Drenis left her thoughts as the Grey warden began walking away.

"Where are you going?"

"A shadow has much more freedom than flesh and a title. Find yourself some shadows Inquisitor. We'll be in touch." Neira says. Drenis watches as the other was seemingly swallowed up by shadows from around her.

Drenis was sure she was a mage now.

Opening the door Drenis walks across the wooden floor to the backroom. Closing her door behind her, she falls onto her bed and remains there.

"Lavellan are you back?" Cullen calls from the other side of the wall. She could hear him moving around in the other room before hearing the door shut. The next moment she could hear hushed whispers outside of her bedroom door. She could not make them out but she knew it was likely Cullen and Harding talking about her.

Cassandra was away for a few weeks to train the new seekers. Cullen, Harding, and herself were starting a new organization. Not as large as the Inquisition had been but they were hopeful to would be strong enough to stop Solas.

She listens as her door squeaks open. "How did it go?" Cullen asks as he walks over to her. Drenis looks up and saw Harding standing in the doorway. Cullen smiles to try and hide his concern. She could tell. "Did the Devine's contact show?"

"Yes."

"Who was it?" Harding asks.

"The Hero of Ferelden."

Harding's eyes widen. "You met the Warden?"

"Yes."

"What did she want?" Cullen asks. He acted as if this was no surprise to him, maybe it wasn't. Though Drenis doubted Leliana had told him so maybe he was feigning his act.

"She told me the missing elves are hiring others and are serving Solas."

"That confirms our suspicions." Cullen says and he looks back at Harding who nods.

"It doesn't help us much beyond that." Drenis pushes herself off her place on her bed to sit up right. "We need spies. Someone who can go unnoticed while invading their ranks. We need actual eyes on Solas. I'm done chasing ghosts." Her anger was evident. She was frustrated beyond belief as he search for Solas went on. "It's been over a year. As far as we know he could be ready to destroy us all now."

"If he was why would he wait? Don't worry Lavellan. We still have time." Cullen assures her.

"Only as much as he gives us." Drenis mutters bitterly under her breath. She felt disgusted with herself, with Solas, with all the Dalish elves she once celebrated. Drenis angrily rolls onto her side, so her back was now to Cullen and Harding. She hated how she felt and all her thoughts right now. They couldn't lose this world, it was her home, and though it wasn't perfect she still didn't want to lose it.

"Drenis," Cullen begins, but he stops short when the sound of the front door opening.

Drenis didn't care who it was she just wanted them to get Cullen and Harding out of there. She knew they were just trying to help but Drenis didn't want any help right now. She wanted a way to defeat the man she once had cared for. he had lied to her just like Blackwall had.

"Hey Curly. Is Lavellan back? Aveline told me she saw her walk by her patrol." The familiar voice of Varric's filled the room and it did cheer Drenis up somewhat to hear it.

"Yes, but I do not think now is a good time." Cullen cautions.

"You're starting to sound like Ruffles, Cullen." Varric lowers his voice. "Did the meeting not go well with the contact?"

"They showed but not much new information is known." Cullen answers and Drenis angrily flings her hand up and points to her ear. She could hear the gulp of air from Cullen before he excused everyone.

Drenis sighs as the door is shut and their voices fade. She rolls onto her back and stares at the ceiling. "What are you planning, Solas?" Right now would be the moment she would ask her friends for advice but none had any for her on this matter. Cassandra was away, Leliana was divine, Josie was preoccupied at the moment, Dorian was looking but he also had a country to change, and Solas was gone. He was the one she needed advice on how to stop. She knew his goal but not how he would achieve it.

Everyone was in the dark and even though Dorian was looking for any evidence or possibilities, he was as clueless as to how the demented elf would destroy this world, as much as she was.

The question wasn't what he was planning but how was he going to do it. How could one elf bring about the end of the world? Well it turns out, in many ways.

So in this story there is an elf mage female inquisitor, Drenis Lavellan. She had at first romanced Blackwall until she found out he had been lying about himself. Then Solas comforted her and they started something until he broke it off. Now she's kind of kind of not in a relationship with Cullen. However more on that crap later.

Constructive criticism is always welcomed.