The Inquisition doesn't stop. Those helpless citizens of Thedas cannot pause their pleas for help. Corypheus doesn't simply take breaks because Josephine needs a moment.
But that doesn't stop her from needing a moment as she marches after the Inquisitor while continuing their disagreement in a hushed tone.
"I have duties that I must attend to in Crestwood. No matter the amount of bandits in the region. That never stops you from pursuing and completing your various responsibilities."
They had been through this argument countless times over the past several days, since Josie told Eleri of her upcoming trip. Their current bout had been on and off since morning, tarnishing their day together. The elf in question spun on her heels at Josie's reasoning.
"But you are not a trained warrior!" She hissed out in a strained whisper.
The abrupt stop made sure the two were closer than they should be, guaranteeing Josie heard what the elf said. She huffed as she leaned forward in challenge.
"I will not be alone! Surely you trust those fighting under your command to keep me safe."
"I don't." The Inquisitor took a step back. Her previously aggravated features softened as she glanced down at her booted feet. "I do not even trust myself to that task, Josie."
Had they been somewhere more private Josie would have placed a comforting hand to the elf's cheek, traced the line work that framed her cheekbones and eyes. She dared not in the crowded main hall. Few knew of their true relationship, only the Inquisition companions and advisors.
"Amor…" Josie sighed quietly. This had not been included in their previous discussions. "I have no choice but to go. You will not be far if anything goes amiss."
"I will be a three days ride away. A two days ride if I all but kill my horse and refuse to stop."
"Boss!"
Josie peered around her love at the booming call. Iron Bull was beckoning the elf to join him, Cassandra, and Dorian. Josie knew they needed to go. It was a long journey to the Hinterlands and it would be long before they returned again, but, the sooner they go, the sooner they come home though.
"I need to go" came the soft voice that Josie already missed.
"As do I." Eleri tensed, she slowly shook her head.
"I don't want you to go." Her voice was still low but this time it held a dangerous edge. Josie was not afraid but knew that Eleri was inching closer to outright anger. "Please Josie. What if something were to happen? They can do without you. Just stay at Skyhold."
Josie's own temper flared. A rare occurrence.
"Oh, so you do not enjoy how this feels? They cannot 'do without me,' Inquisitor. I do not request for you to falter in your responsibilities, to stay within the confines of Skyhold, and I would appreciate the same in return."
She didn't wait for a response. What the Inquisitor described was exactly what Josie felt every time the elf rode away from Skyhold. It was unfair that she should ask something of Josie that the ambassador would never think of doing to her. Josie stormed towards her office.
The anger deflated once her office door slammed shut. Josie leaned on her desk, hands splayed across papers as she took calming breaths. How did she leave like that when she knew her love would be gone for months? The answer was simple; however much it shrank, it still burned in her chest.
The thought of letting Eleri leave on these terms struck Josie as unbearable. She retraced her steps in a rush to the hall and then, when she found it empty (at least of those she was seeking), out to the courtyard. All she saw of her elf was her armored back glinting in the sun as she passed through the outer gate. Josie sighed as she retraced her steps once again.
The ambassador spent hours trying to distract herself from how the two parted. It proved much too hard to focus on various missives to noblemen, treaties to nations, or any other official documents that needed done. Finally, Josie moved from her desk to the couch resting in front of her fire place.
The book Eleri had used as a makeshift desk sat where the elf had left it. Josie picked it up with a fond but sad smile to put it away but stopped when she noticed the difference in its thickness. Between the pages were two folded pieces of paper. Josie took them out as she absently put the book on the shelf.
The first paper had a scribbled note in Eleri's handwriting. The second was a sketch of Josie at her desk, head bent, hunched over a paper as she scribbled across some sort of document. It was not perfect or finished but Eleri's sketches seldom were. Her lines were many and obvious. The flaws made Josie hold each drawing closer to her heart. The note was just what she needed to let the guilt melt. They may have left things tense but they would never be when the elf returned.
Ma Vhenan,
I already know that an apology is needed. Ir abelas. I know that I am stubborn when it comes to you and I hope that you are not too angry with me. I tried not to let this there was a smudged out word then continued with discussion ruin our day together. I understand that your work is important but you must understand that you are important to me. If anything were to happen to you I would not be able to cope, my world would stop. So for the sake of the Inquisition I ask that you are careful and that my gods and yours go with you. And yes, we both know that you will go no matter what I say. I will see you soon; wait for me to come home. Ar lath ma.
Josie's own adventure went by with few bumps, and yes, of course she went. The bandits were more of a nuisance than she will ever admit to Eleri but the Inquisition soldiers accompanying her dealt with them swiftly each time. The meeting itself was little more than outwitting an annoying nobleman who thought himself above his station. A few well-placed statements, various documents flaunted and the matter was resolved.
What kept Josie moving towards Eleri's return was the first sketch sent back from her love. It was of Blood Lotuses growing around a single Spindleweed with 'I love you' scrawled at the bottom of the page in Eleri's language. The oddity of the plants growing in that manner intrigued Josie. She was eager to try that in the hold's gardens and hoped Eleri would bring seeds home.
The newest sketch was placed with the one left behind: clipped to Josie's writing board, pushed out slightly farther than her other papers so it was always visible.
The next drawing that found its way to Josie was on a long, thick piece of bark. Eleri had carved a heard of wild Harts in it. The elks were her clan's choice of travel and Josie knew that her elf loved the animals and missed them dearly. She wondered how the wood made the journey in such good condition as she set it on the window sill of her office, fingers tracing the grooves.
Another sketch turned up two weeks later. This one depicted Bull napping with a fennec chewing on one of his horns. Josie laughed when she unfolded it for the first time. It warmed her heart to know that those four had gotten a chance to relax even if only for however long it took Eleri to sit and draw the scene. The comfort the drawing produced ensured that it found her dress pocket instead of the writing board.
There wasn't another sketch. Josie waited patiently at first. They usually showed up every two weeks to a month but it had been almost two months since the last one was received. Not to mention that the Inquisition party should have been back weeks ago.
Skyhold was tense. All remaining companions and the advisors were on edge. No one spoke of what it could mean that there had been no news of the four out there. Scout Harding had returned herself to give a report.
Her information was bare: no one had seen the party for weeks. The Inquisitor usually checked in herself or by bird once a week. There was no unusual activity in the Hinterlands as of now.
No noble family that Josie contacted has seen the party for weeks either.
Cullen repeated that these things happen every time the council met at the war table. He paced the table's length listing what 'these things' meant and that it was nothing to worry over. Leliana was much more comforting in her actions towards Josie but her lack of verbal reassurance and how often she disappeared to her birds was unnerving.
Weeks slipped by. No sketches. No word. No Eleri.
Just the sketch in her pocket for comfort. A comfort that Josie's hand grasped countless times throughout the day, as if the paper was a physical connection to her elf.
Leliana started working out of Josie's office during these weeks. An attempted stab at comfort, only slipping away to check her birds each hour.
On the sixth week of the Inquisition party's confirmed absence a commotion was started in the courtyard. Leliana came sprinting down the staircase, barreling through the door of Josie's office to pull her friend outside. She had seen it all from her rookery.
The party was back.
Josie pulled away from the spymaster in the doorway of the main hall. She would wait for her hunter there. There was enough going on without her squeezing whatever life was left out of the elf upon sight. She didn't trust herself with all eyes on her.
From her spot, Josie missed Eleri half falling from her saddle. She missed Bull half carrying the warrior towards the tavern only to half shove the Qunari away at the base of the steps. She did watch Eleri struggle up the last few. The two women stared at each other once the elf made it to the main hall platform.
Eleri gripped her ribs in some semblance of over-protection of the body part. Her armor was dented, scratched, and stained. Josie refused to think on if it was her love's blood or those who she cut down. Either flashed an unwanted image in Josie's head.
There was a new scratch that stretched from her right cheek to the corner of her lips. A bruise forming along her jawline and a black eye already prominent. Cullen's mantra of 'these things happen' repeated in Josie's mind.
Her elf nodded at her but said nothing. Before a move could be made on Josie's part, Eleri handed her a wad of folded papers, Josie ignored the red specks on the outer layer, then walked to her own quarters. Usually, the ambassador had no doubts on following but how they parted gave her the pause she thought was not going to be there. Their reunion was short, nonexistent really. Would she be welcomed if she did follow?
The new sketches she received laid on her desk under a stack of books to flatten them. Hours passed as Josie weighed her options, pacing her office. With the sky dark and her own fire dying, she decided that she couldn't wait any longer. They needed to talk whether Eleri wanted to or not.
After a knock, that Josie knew would not be heard, the ambassador slipped into the Inquisitor quarters. The climb to Eleri's room was purposefully slow. Josie knew, hoped really, she had no reason to be worried but the worry was there all the same. The sight that met her at the top eliminated any lingering doubts.
Eleri was laying, sprawled across the middle of her bed; her feet still planted on the floor. Chest plate, gauntlets, undershirt, and shoulder pieces littered the room. Her cloak was strewn across the desk. The bottom half of her armor and chest binding were still on but Josie was more concerned with the injuries that were more obvious with each step closer to the sleeping elf.
The ribs that she favored earlier were viciously bruised and swollen, shallow cuts and more pleasant, at least in comparison, looking bruises littered her arms, chest, and abdomen. Concern tore through Josie's chest as her eyes darted from one injury to the next.
The Antivan softly laid her hand on Eleri's stomach to ease the elf awake. It didn't work. Eleri jolted awake with her hand roughly taking Josie's, alarm written across her face. Once their eyes met, the alarm dissipated. Nothing was said as Josie started to undo the laces of Eleri's greaves.
Then the elf was eased into her bed. The wincing did not escape Josie even as her love did her best to hide it. Josie undressed then climbed in next to Eleri.
Immediately strong arms pulled the ambassador closer and again, the sharp intake of breath didn't go unnoticed. Josie tried to chastise Eleri for the action if it was causing pain but she didn't get the chance. As soon as her head tilted back her lips were claimed.
The kiss was simple and innocent but long. It was followed by several short pecks and a whispered 'ar lath ma' that was answered with 'eres el amor de mi vida.'