Title: The Troubles That Follows
Characters: Origins/Awakening/II/Inquisition
Rating: Teen to Adult
Disclaimer: I do not own anyone/anything from the forum Dragon Age. Bioware owns Dragon Age and its characters. There is no copyright infringement intended. I do not make any profit/money or take any credit.
Summary: No matter where they go, no matter what they do, trouble will follow them.
Timeline: Ranging from Origins to Inquisition with a bunch of Pre & Post Games
Warning: Multiple pairings, sexual themes, violence, kink, prompts (will also be placed in the Warning Section of each Chapter)
Author's Notes: Each Chapter title (in the box) will contain the main pairing of the story (other pairings will be placed in 'pairing' section).
Each story is a one-shot (unless otherwise stated), will be unrelated to each other (unless otherwise stated) and is written as prompts (personal and Kink meme prompts). Some will also be related to other stories (will be stated)
The more 'Mature' chapters will NOT be placed here. The Chapter Title will also have the Number of the Chapter so you know if a Chapter has not been posted here.
Title: 5 Times Ellana played with magic, the 1 Time Solas joined her
Pairings: Solas/Ellana Lavellan
Rating: Teen
Summary: She fascinates him in many ways, more than she really should
Timeline: Throughout Inquisition
Kink: Magic-play? Shy!Lavellan, Bold!Solas
'5 Times Ellana played with her Magic, 1 Time Solas joined her'
1: The Barrier around his Heart
He had not meant to come across her. He had taken to wandering around Haven, enjoying the peace away from the people. Most of them were still jittery around mages, not that he could blame them, but it wore on the nerves.
This had led him to seeing Ellana on the docks near the frozen lake. She was sitting cross-legged, her eyes closed with her palms overlaying, as if she was reaching for water.
He watched, curious to what she was doing. This type of meditation that was unfamiliar to him. Then his eyes widen as a light blue glow started up around her. A barrier – he recognised it from his numerous times he had to cast the spell on his companions as they rushed into danger.
However, he had never seen her use the spell in battle.
She rolled her shoulders causing the barrier to brighten then darken.
She let out a breath and it flickered around her, snapping at the air.
She inhaled and it drew in closer, almost curling around her protectively.
Her long blonde hair took on the shade of blue hue and it made him think of her eyes when she brought her hands up to her chest.
The Barrier changed colour, slowly turning green then to yellow. A frown of concentration crossed her brows as she inhaled sharply then gritted her teeth.
It changed to red, then purple; white then black, a smoky grey before her expression smoothed and it returned to its blue hue. He tilted his head, leaning on his staff as he watched curiously.
He knew of the changing barriers. Each one represented protection from each element. A spell he had not seen cast in the years he awoke, nor the years he had slept. He wondered if she came across the spell during her travels – or if someone taught her.
Her hands fell to her knees and a smile crossed her lips. He instinctively knew that she had sensed him as her barrier slowly faded away.
"Hello Solas," she greeted calmly as she opened her eyes, turning to look at him.
"My apology, I did not mean to disturb you." He moved closer to her, tilting his head and she smiled, shaking her head.
"You did not," she assured him, pushing to stand up. He held out a hand, causing her to look at it before she looked at him. Her smile turned shy as she slipped her hand into his, allowing him to balance her as she rose to her full height.
"I must admit, I have never seen you use the barrier spell in battle," he told her once she was firmly on her feet and she tilted her head, amusement shining in her strange eyes. One moment, he would swear that they were blue, the next they would be a shade of green.
"You do a good job of protecting everyone," she reminded him and he felt his cheeks heat. "It seems to be overkill if I were to add my barrier to yours. Though we probably should do so when it comes to Iron Bull."
He chuckled; knowing when it came to Iron Bull, there were not enough barriers to protect him when he rushed into battle.
"You were meditating," he told her and she nodded.
"I was young when I discovered my magic, younger than most would in the Clans. Therefore, my magic was not under control. I was never the most patient child." Her smile turned sheepish. "My Keeper taught me mediation."
"Ah, meditating to control your magic while building it to be stronger," he summarised, amazed and she nodded shyly.
"It also helped me to stop setting people on fire." She blushed at his curious glance. "I...did not have the best temper for a child with magic."
He blinked before he chuckled; she continued to amaze him each day.
"I am amazed at how well you control your magic. Most Dalish mages I have met tend to..." He paused, unsure.
"Show off?" She asked and he gave her a short nod. "It is not restricted to Dalish mages, I am afraid. There are hunters who do the same thing. However, I know how dangerous my magic can be and I do not wish to have to deal with demons who may have been tempted by my magic. The Dalish clans are not so...cautious when it comes to Demons, as it seems."
"You are talking of Mihris," he stated.
"Hers were not the only clans where the Keeper felt they could summon and control a demon," she admitted softly. "The clans were just as likely to lose their Keeper to demons as much as humans hunting us."
"What was your clan like?" he asked, curious. Yes – he had met Dalish clans who had driven him away whenever he tried to approach them and hearing things about them had not made him too...acceptable of them.
However, she was of the Dalish clans, she wore Mythal's vallasin, the dark blue ink on her cheeks. It brought out the colour of her eyes, drawing people to her gaze. It worked on him, he noticed quite annoyingly.
"My Keeper never dabbled with demons – as far as I knew," she told him with a wary glint in her eyes and he realised his mistake.
"Atisha, I was not accusing your clan of demons," he assured her and the glint slowly faded.
"My Keeper always warned me of those who would try and tempt me while I slept. I have been lucky – so far – not to have encountered them."
"Truly?" He asked, surprised by her confession.
She nodded, frowning. "Is that unusual?"
He pondered it for a moment. "It could be that you can protect yourself in your sleep," he told her. "Or that you do not draw them to you. You are powerful – that I can sense. So it is possible that maybe you somehow mask your magic in your sleep."
"Solas," He looked back at her. "No experiments." He flushed as he realised what he had been doing.
"Abelas," he told her and she shook her head.
"No, Abelas," she returned and it jolted him to hear her speak in Elvish. He knew the Clans tried to hold onto their elven speech but he had rarely heard it from her. "My fault. I should have not been so quick to accuse. My Keeper had wished to experiment why demons would not approach me but I refused to do so."
"Wise choice," he slowly admitted, not wanting to anger her. "These are the kind of things that is not something to be messed with. If you have a natural protection and if something were to happen, you could easily lose that protection or turn it into a beacon that would draw the demons to you ten-fold."
"Oh." He realised what he did and resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Well, let's see if I shall sleep now."
"I did not mean for it to come out like that," he muttered. She laughed and he looked at her, startled. He had rarely heard her laugh, rarely saw her smile.
She looked so carefree in that moment, her cheeks rosy, and her smile bright, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him.
"Either way, Ma serannas," She tipped her head in acknowledgement. "For someone like you so well versed in the Fade to understand where I am coming from, it is a relief."
"Someone like me?" he had to ask and there was a teasing edge to her smile.
"You know, so wise and knowing." She tilted her head.
"Yes, so wise and knowing that you ignore my advice when you step too close to the edges of the cliffs," he reminded her, getting an exasperated look in return. He chuckled. "I understand your meaning."
"So, what brought you out all this way, Solas?" Ellana asked, gaining that curious glint in her eyes. He liked seeing that glint, liked knowing she was curious.
"I was merely walking. The people of Haven are not..."
"Used to Elves, especially mages," she finished as he trailed off and he nodded. "Well, I hope I had proved to be an interesting distraction from your intended destination."
Oh – she had no idea how close she was to being right with that statement.
"You were creating elemental barriers – that is not something I have seen in a while," he told her. She tilted her head and he felt himself back peddling. "Out here, I mean. I have seen my fair share in the Fade. Many mages used to use those barriers in battles."
"Hmm," He wondered if she was getting closer to the truth each time he slipped up. "It is a difficult spell to master," she admitted. "It takes energy and I am unsure if it is because it is a spell long forgotten thus it is difficult to master or if it is due to my mana – that I simply do not have enough to be able to hold it."
"Things have changed a great deal since those battles," Solas agreed. "It was my understanding that time back then, magic was not as feared as it is now. Maybe it could be due to your lack of chances to use each barrier. Of course, you could not risk using them in battle since they pain you just to try practising them..." He trailed off when he realised what he was saying, noticing the smile playing on her face and cleared his throat. "I mean, I would be willing to help you practise, if you wish. There is a great deal of information on how to expand one mana if wished."
"Are you offering your help?" she asked. He could hear the teasing in her voice.
"If you are not against it," he agreed and her smile softened.
"Ma serannas," She gently squeezed his hand, startling him into looking down before it dawned on him that he had not let her hand go after helping her up. He looked back up at her to see her cheeks now had a light blush before she let go and walked away.
He watched her go before shaking his head. He cannot allow himself to fall in deep.
2: His Icy Resolve
She never failed to amaze him as he watched her, enchanted. She was dancing on the surface of the lake, sheets of ice left in her wake. The concentration it must take to hold her balance on the ice, to create the perfect amount of ice to hold her weight yet; she made it look so effortlessly.
They were currently camping at the Forbidden Oasis. She had slipped away some time ago, stating she was going to look for herbs. He had grown concerned when she failed to return with each passing moment and decided to look for her.
Ellana was humming – a song he recognised due to the Bard in Haven singing it – as she glided over the water. Her hips swayed, her hands in the air as she spun on her toes, dipping and bending in ways he had only had seen in dancers.
He had lost all track of time, just watching her. Flakes of ice sprayed into the air whenever she changed direction. The ice would glitter, seemly lightning up under her touch.
Her skin glittered and he peered closely to see her skin had taken on an icy form. It surprised him. He had never seen, or heard, of that happening before. Her lips were frosty, glittery, and when she parted her them, her breath came out misty.
He clutched his staff tighter as he watched the strange yet wonderful woman before him. She continued to surprise him, continued to confound him, and continued to make his heart beat faster at the sight of her.
Ellana slowly stopped her dancing, her humming slowly fading away as she bowed and she caught sight of him. She smiled shyly, her cheeks flushing. She straightened, her skin going back to their lightly tanned tone, her lips returning to their dark pink colour and he licked his own lips before cursing.
"Solas," She walked toward him, her hips swaying before he noticed, at the edge, the ice had formed into a small staircase, allowing her to step gracefully down onto the ground.
"You have a remarkable control over your abilities," he told her, impressed. It had been a long time since he saw that level of mastery. She had better control over her ice than she did over her barriers.
"Ice is easier to work with than my barriers," she agreed with a smile as she came to a stop in front of him. "Ice has a substance, barriers do not. So I find it does not take as much concentration."
"Is this something you do within the Clans?" he asked and she shook her head.
"We were warned against using our magic. Templars and Chantry do frown upon us." He frowned. So much had changed since he had awakened but this fear of magic was the one that had changed the most. "So when I saw this," she gestured at the lake, "I had to do it."
He smiled at the bright smile on her face. He liked seeing her excited when it came to her magic. It was refreshing to see after seeing so many in fears of their powers, claiming it was a curse.
"I can see why you could not resist," he gently teased her, enjoying the way her cheeks flushed as she lowered her eyes, winding a lock of her blonde hair around her finger. A habit, he knew, she had whenever she was deep in thought or bashful.
"Why are you all the way out here?" she changed the topic and he grinned ruefully at her.
"I had come looking for you. I had been worried that something had happened when you failed to appear after searching for herbs."
"Abelas!" Her eyes were wide. "I did not mean to be distracted!"
He chuckled, lifting a hand. "Calm yourself. The others were not as concerned as I." She sighed, her shoulders slumping in relief. "We should return before the others think we have been captured," he told her and she laughed as she picked up her bag, filled with herbs if the bulge was anything to go by.
"Or ran away," She winked at him before heading toward the camp. He watched her go with a shake of his head and amused smile before he looked back at the lake once more
The ice was slowly melting, just like his resolve.
3: The Flames of his Desire
Ellana was sitting cross-legged in the courtyard of Skyhold, a group of children surrounding her. She was smiling brightly, her cream and green halter neck shirt, which tied at the back of her neck; playing off perfectly with her lightly tanned skin. She shifted, her black breeches tightening around her thighs and he cleared his throat, breaking free of his thoughts.
Too many times had his thoughts wander in paths it should have not wandered. He had to keep his distance but he was finding it difficult with each day they became closer. She often sought him out, asking him questions and wanting to listen to his tales of his travels within the Fade.
Solas decided he wanted to know what she was up and slowly made his way down the stairs, taking care to ensure she did not see him. He liked watching her.
She lifted one hand and a ball of flame started dancing in her palm. The children were watching, eyes glued to the fire before begging for more magic.
Ellana smiled and began talking to them. He was still too far to hear so he moved in closer, keeping his footstep light until he could hear her.
"-what's your favourite colour?" she asked and he frowned, bewildered.
"Your eyes!" the little girl said, her brown eyes shiny with happiness. "They are so beautiful." Ellana blushed. He smiled softly before she smiled, closing her eyes.
She exhaled and he straightened to see her breath come out misty before her eyes snapped open, flaring, and the fire before her change from a warm red to a mixed shade of blue and green – the perfect mixture of her eyes. The girl clapped her hand, squealing.
"You can touch it," Ellana told the girl and she slowly reached out, an index finger touching the fire and a look of wonder crossed her face.
"It's warm!" she exclaimed. This caused the other children to try touching the fire, scrambling over each other.
"Children," she started, laugher in her voice, "You can take your time and turn." This allowed the children to settle down and she moved her hand, allowing each child a chance to touch the magic.
He wondered if this is how she showed the children magic in the Clans. If it was a way to reassure children that while magic was dangerous; it was also soothing, protective, and enjoyable.
"Can you summon a dragon?" a young boy asked. Elven, Solas could see, and Ellana laughed.
"You have been listening to Iron Bull," she gently teased him, ticking his stomach with her free hand. He squirmed, giggling as he twisted away from her fingers before bright green eyes landed on her face again.
"Can you?" He asked breathlessly and she shook her head. Disappointment made his eyes dark.
"Sorry, that is not something I can do." She told him before she winked and flicked her fingers. The fire flared upward before it transformed into a dragon. The boy gasped his eyes wide as a smile broke free.
Ellana blew on the dragon and it flew from her hand, soaring through the air before it circled the young boy and disappeared in a flash. The children cheered, bouncing as they clapped.
Her smile was so bright, so happy that it almost hurt to look at it. When was the last time he had seen her like this? So carefree and happy, almost as if the weight of the world did not rest on her shoulders.
"What else can you do?" another child asked, a young Qunari. It had surprised him to see the different races slowly arriving at Skyhold each day but he understood why they would come here. Skyhold called many people, many races, here and he hoped that they would one day understand the meaning.
"Watch this." Ellana winked as she drew herself up to her full height, both palms open and at her hips. She closed her eyes, fire flaring in her hands before she spun around on her bare toes. Solas watched as the fire erupted from her hands, encasing her body before she came to a stop.
His eyebrows rose as the kids cheered, some gasping in delight.
She was standing proudly, a bright smile on her lips; her clothes had now changed to a fiery dress. It changed colours, swaying in the wind. The children touched it, each claiming it was warm.
A crowd had started to gather while Ellana had been showing the children magic but nearly all of them had stopped to watch the dress, amazement flickering over their faces and Solas was proud.
Proud that Ellana was slowly changing everyone's mind on his or her views of Magic. Proud that people were once more opening themselves up to the possibilities of magic and it made his heart ache for the burden he had unwittingly placed on Ellana's shoulders.
As if she could sense him, she turned in his direction and her eyes widened.
"Solas!" The dress flickered as her concentration wavered then the fire dissipated and she was back in her normal clothes. The children whined in disappointment and she smiled softly down them. "Sorry, we'll play another time."
The children slowly nodded, drifting back over to their parents, who shot Ellana thankful looks before leading the children away.
He watched as Ellana watched them go before catching his eye again. She cleared her throat, rubbing the back of her neck as her cheeks flushed. "So-"
"That was impressive," he told her and she flushed harder, her hand dropping from her neck to play with the fingers of her other hand.
"How long have you been watching?"
"A fair bit." He enjoyed the way the blush disappeared under the collar of her outfit. "It is always fascinating to see how you control you magic."
"I-" she scratched her ear. "-I am glad you enjoyed it."
"Hmm, your focus is very impressive once you have set your mind. It is quite indomitable." She stared at him with wide eyes for a moment before she cleared her throat, her eyes darting to the side as she curled a lock of hair around her finger.
"I...er...Ma serannas?" she even looked confused at his compliment.
"I would like to see more of your focus." He moved in closer, watching as her eyes snapped up to meet his once more, the blue clearer and she swallowed.
"You...you would?" she nearly squeaked out and he nodded, a sly smile crossing his lips.
"Oh course; I feel I could learn some things from you. Especially that trick with the dragon." Disappointment flickered in her eyes, turning them a dark green before understanding dawned on her and her blush heightened.
"I...maybe?" she asked, taking a step back as she yanked her finger free from her hair, pushing it back behind her left ear then scratched her eyebrow. "I am...not sure...when I will have...the time?" She stuttered out and he tilted his head.
"Mm, I am sure you can fit me in whenever you have the time," he told her. Her eyes grew wider, if that was even possible, before she gave him a nervous smile.
"I-" She bumped into the wall of the staircase and she gave a nervous giggle. "I should go." She spun on her heels and hurried off leaving him behind with a devilish smile.
'Interesting.'
4: The Sparks of his Amusement
Why they were in the Hissing Waste was beyond any of them, especially him as he watched from his spot of their camp.
Ellana and Dorian were a little away from them; both of them were looking serious before Dorian turned to the vast emptiness and started waving his hands. Solas had frowned when he saw this before deciding to leave it and return to his book.
Iron Bull had shifted closer to Varric as Sera shifted behind the large Qunari, obviously intending to use him as protection from whatever the two mages were up to.
Cassandra eyed them warily from her spot in front of the fire. Vivienne and Cole were curious, even though Vivienne kept her disinterested appearance up. Cole was trying to move closer to the Duo but Blackwall held him in place by blocking him off.
The Warden continued to eat, not once looking behind him and Solas found that curious before he remembered. Blackwall had been on many quests with them. He had probably learned to shut them out.
Solas flipped a page just as an explosion caught them off guard, Cassandra's sword already unsheathed as she stood up, and ready to defend them.
Varric spluttered into his drink while Sera and Iron Bull reached for their weapons. Cole was on his feet, seemingly torn between bouncing and pulling out his daggers (no doubt reacting to their companions). Vivienne just sighed as Blackwall lifted his head, turning in the direction of the two mages before he shook his head.
Solas lifted his eyes to look at the two mages. He found that Ellana and Dorian were a interesting influence on each other. One could not say it was bad yet he could not say it was good. He watched as Dorian held his hands in the air, just staring at nothing while Ellana covered her mouth, muffling her laugher.
Dorian's shoulders slumped in obvious dejection and Solas allowed himself this moment of smugness. Obviously, whatever Dorian had tried to do did not work.
Ellana then let out a cry - the same cry she would use in battle - and lightning crackled, surrounding the camp causing Sera to yell profanity and Cassandra to yell at them.
Solas sighed as he looked at the lightning still crackling around them. The lightening had a rue hue, almost similar to fire and he frowned. This was new.
Ellana taunting Cassandra brought him out of his musings and he turned to see Cassandra was now high-tailing it after Dorian and Ellana as they both grabbed each other, running as fast as they could over the sand, their laughter and fears mixed in with their chaser's shouts.
He sighed again, pinching the bridge of his nose, shaking his head.
"Who wants to bet Cassandra is going to gut them when she catches them?" Varric asked causing nearly everyone to raise his or her hand and he allowed himself this small smile of amusement. No matter what, he could not say that Ellana did not find interesting people to join them on their quests.
Not long after he settled in their tent, already getting comfortable and returning to his book, Ellana slowly made her way into the tent, exhausted. She smiled when she spotted him before kneeling onto the bedroll next to his, sighing as she lay down.
"You should remove your boots if you wish to sleep comfortably," he reminded her. He sensed her sticking her tongue out before she sat up, slowly unlacing and pulling off her boots.
She slumped back down into her bedroll, pulling her covers up and he could sense her eyes on him. He turned the page.
"Tell me, Ellana, exactly what were you and Dorian trying to do?" He asked. "Other than scar the wits out of our companions, of course." She laughed delightedly that he felt the corner of lips his twitch up.
"An experiment," she confessed. He turned to look at her, curious. "Dorian did not believe that Lightning and Fire could work. I showed him wrong."
"Ah – that is why the Lightning had a red hue to it." He turned back to his book. "Please do try and refrain from scaring our companions the next time. I rather would not have Sera's voice ringing in my ears as she curses."
"...did you see Cassandra?" she asked, a giggle slipping out, and he rolled his eyes.
"Yes, I saw Cassandra. Moreover, I saw how she nearly skewered you with her sword as you and Dorian dared her to chase you down to stop you. A remarkable chase she gave, though. I did enjoy yours and Dorian's protests when she finally caught you."
Ellana pouted, amusing him even further as he continued to keep his eyes trained on his book.
"She did not need to drag us back," she muttered and Solas had to laugh as he closed his book, turning to Ellana, giving her his full attention.
"You did scare her by using magic, and then you taunted her into chasing you. What did you think she would do when she caught up with you both? Scold you?"
"Maybe," she admitted and Solas arched an eyebrow.
"Vivienne is the most likely person to scold you. Cassandra is the most likely person to bash you with her shield." Ellana laughed and he smiled, shaking his head. "Do me a favour and the next time you and Dorian wish to experiment, please take it away from the camp."
"Okay," she told him, a heavy sigh accompanying it and he placed his hand over his heart.
"Ma serannas, Ma vhenan." She rolled her eyes as a smile curled up the corners of her lips before she raised herself up onto her elbow and leaned in.
She kissed him softly, taking him aback before he softened, cupping the back of her head, enjoying the feel of her hair – now loose from her bun – as he kissed her back.
She was taking him over, inch by inch. She was happiness and he breathing her in.
5: The Strength of his Devotion
"Do you really think this is a good idea?" Cassandra asked from where she was watching, shifting uneasily. Ellana was surveying the ground before her with a thoughtful look.
"We do wish to be protected from the Giants, no?" Varric asked from where he was sitting on a large log with Cole sitting next to him, watching Ellana curiously.
"Why can't we just fight them?" Iron Bull grunted, hefting his large axe over his shoulders.
"Because you keep taunting them and it brings more Giants into the fight. Not to mention the bears, the Templars, the Brontos, and I are pretty sure the Dragon heard the last taunt," Ellana listed off as she stood back, her hands on her hips.
"It was the beginning of a good battle!" Iron Bull pointed out and Ellana looked at him over her shoulder while Dorian shook his head, palming his face as he did.
"You blacked out," she reminded him. "Cassandra was nearly killed by the giant then nearly skewered by the Templar. Blackwall was sent flying backward thank to a Bear. A Bronto was chasing Varric, with Cole chasing after said Bronto. Vivienne, Dorian, and Solas could barely keep up with the barriers. Sera were hiding amongst the trees trying not to gain attention as she attacked them."
"Good practice," Iron Bull told her with a wide grin. She shook her head with amusement playing in those eyes as she turned back to the space in front of her.
Solas watched as Dorian turned on Iron Bull, lecturing him on the meaning of not aggravating everything in their direction. It was a mean of survival. Not a damn competition.
"This is perfect." She stepped into the middle of the space and held out her hands. A green glow started up in her hands before they slowly covered her arms.
Wonderment filled him. It was not Fade magic. The light was far too dark for that. It was Keeper Magic. Earth Magic.
Ellana clenched her hands into fists, bringing them up to her chest and roots shot up from the ground, surrounding her, blocking her from their view where they twisted and intertwined.
"Whoa!" Iron Bull took a step back, still skittish when it came to magic. Sera swore; darting behind Iron Bull but Solas could see her peeking around his arm to watch the scene. Varric just arched an eyebrow, interested while Vivienne and Cassandra looked at each other.
He could see that they did not know of the magic Ellana was using and it made him wonder if using Earth as magic was something long forgotten. Cole was eager to step closer while Blackwall just nodded approvingly.
"Well, that is impressive!" Dorian said, as he stood closer to the roots, admiring it as intertwined with each other before he looked at Solas. "Earth Magic?" Solas nodded. "Hmm, fascinating. We have the ability to learn earth magic but it is mostly stone fist and earthquakes. Nothing as wondrous as this!"
The vines in front of Dorian parted to reveal Ellana walking toward them with a smile.
"Glad you approve," she teased him. Dorian winked before he darted in, eager to take in the new surroundings.
"This is fantastic! It blends in perfectly with the surrounding which means we can use this as a mean to recover."
The other slowly entered, Sera asking loudly if she should expect the roots to grab her by her ankles. Iron Bull just lifted her up by her waist, ignoring her yells as he braved it for the both of them.
Solas came to a stop next to Ellana, relishing the feel of the magic washing over him before he glanced at her from the corner of his eye.
"You never fail to surprise me, Ma vhenan," Solas told her, appraising the sight.
"You did not think I knew of earth magic?" Ellana asked as she turned to look at him.
"Many magic were lost over the years," he reminded her. "I am glad to see that the Dalish managed to keep a hold of most of them." She smiled, almost glowing and he had to wonder. Maybe he was wrong about the Dalish if they were able to create her.
"It was one of the magic that the Clan Keepers agreed was useful. It allowed us shelters whenever the weather was bad, especially for the young ones." She smiled fondly and he knew she was thinking of her clan and he wondered if she would go back to them after this was over. He had no doubt that they would accept her back in to their fold. However, it was her title that gave him caution for it was a human title, not Elvish.
"You miss them." She looked at him, startled, before she smiled.
"Sometimes," she admitted. "Being out here reminds me what I was like when I was younger. Always exploring the woods; searching for ruins." She sighed, a smile playing on her lips. "Do not get me wrong, I did not mind the plains but they were so vast you could see for miles." She sounded so exasperated that he had to smile and he gently took her hand, her left one with the mark, into his. "Being here...it reminds me and I am not sad."
"Oh?" he rubbed the back of her hand and she smiled.
"I have you." He stilled, looking at her. She blushed. "And the others," she quickly added. "You have all become like a clan to me in your own way so I am not completely alone."
"I-" She leaned up, kissing the corner of his mouth softly, shutting him up before she rocked back onto her heels.
"It's okay, Ma vhenan." His heart thudded as he continued to stare at this marvellous woman before him. Never in his lifetime-, "I should go and make sure they are not caught up in the vines." She gave him a shy smile before stepping back, separating their hands and disappeared within the roots.
She continued to surprise him and he was surprised at the determination that surged through him. She was important, and he was going to do his best to protect her.
#: The Bond of their Love
Ellana hummed softly from where she was sitting cross-legged on the floor of her room. The breeze from the open doors in front of her was soothing. She closed her eyes, rolling her shoulders and took a deep breath.
She could feel her magic welling up inside of her, her fingers tingling as lightning sparked between them. She let out a breath, her lips tingling from the frost. She pressed her fingers together and heat surrounded her, warming her gently before it died down and she felt the familiar pressure of the barrier now over her.
She felt safe, protected, as if nothing could touch her when she had her barrier in place.
Hands sliding over her shoulders made her smile. She felt him sit down behind her, his legs at her sides.
He pressed a kiss to her shoulder, gathering her hair and arranging it so it fell over her left shoulder before he kissed her neck, just below her ear and she shivered.
His hands slid up her arms before they cupped hers and she felt his magic join hers. His barrier melded with hers and she rested her head on his shoulder.
Solas kissed her jaw, she sighed, as lightning sparked between their fingers and she bit her bottom lip.
"You are distracting," she told him. She felt him smile against her skin.
"I am merely helping." He placed a kiss on her cheek and she smiled.
"By distracting me?" He chuckled, his hands sliding up and down her forearms.
"Breathe," he instructed and she straightened up and he moved in closer, pressing his front up against her back. She worried her bottom lip for a moment before she did what he instructed.
She breathed and her barrier flared up around her once more, mixing in with his. His hands cupped hers once more. His magic joined in and she felt her body tingle.
She never joined her magic with anyone; no one had caught her interest back in the Clans. She focused on mastering her magic, spurning the advances of the hunters and other mages.
Until she met Solas.
He made her want to what it was like to join magic with him. However, she held back out of respect, and fear. It was a big thing to ask – trust between the two was important when joining magic. While she trusted him, she did not know if he felt the same toward her.
"Focus," he gently chided her. She smiled before she focused and sensed their magic changing. His magic manipulated the barrier and she followed it, changing it to meet his before she gasped with realisation.
Opening her eyes, her barrier was no longer the blue hue but was now a crackling purple.
A lightning barrier. It offered protection and attacks.
She could sense him watching her as she reached out, touching the barrier.
It was warm, lightning flaring from beneath her touch and her happiness rose. He helped her to create an elemental barrier. Tears pricked at her eyes as she leaned back into his embrace, turning her face and kissing his jawline.
"Ma serannas, Ma vhenan. Ma'arlath," she whispered and he kissed her softly.
"Ma'arlath Ma vhenan."
Right now, her future was bright and she was happy.
The End
Abelas – I am sorry/sorry
Atisha – Peace
Ma serannas – My Thanks (Thank you)
Ma vhenan – My Heart
Ma'arlath – I Love You
So – interestingly enough – the Emerald Grove situation where all those giants, Templars, Brontos and the damn Dragon attacking?
Happened in my play-through.
Had to switch to Varric and run like hell. Didn't really work cause two giants were determined to kill us all off *sighs*
Thanks to Pervinca for betaing