This is a story that takes place mostly between the parts in the game. The main characters is Inquisitor Lavellan, Solas, Cole and OC Alys Lavellan.

Discliamer: Everything in this story belongs to Bioware and is set in their game Dragon Age inquisition. The OC called Alys and parts of Miluanna Lavellan are of my own creation.

Interlude

She felt rage polluting her blood as it raced through her veins - like corrosive acid burning everything inside her. It would stream from her heart like a poisonous web, making her want to cry out in anger like the bears of the forrest. With haste and determined steppes, she walked to the outskirts of the camp as she intended to return to the ruins in the forrest. Away from the prying eyes of her clan, that would judge her every move and word.

"Da'len! Don't turn away from me or your clan!" her uncle's displeased voice echoed through the trees. The endearment spoken as if a curse, whenever used in reference to her. A condescending phrase that made it clear that she was nothing but a child.

"I have done no such thing!" she insisted as she continued to walk. Still something inside her stopped her, as she reached the statue of Fen'harel at the outskirts of the camp. The wolf ever watching to make evil turn the other way in fright of the dreaded God. She heard his footsteps coming closer, but she did not turn. She could feel his eyes in the back of her head, so full of fury it might set her hair on fire.

"Miluanna, you must respect the clan and our ways!" he insisted.

"You were hurting her. She is young and she didn't want it," Miluanna stated crossing her arms and leaning against the statue.

"The Vallaslin is a rite of passage and a fundamental part of our people! Your sister deserves the blessing of the Gods and the people," he insisted.

Miluanna turned around to face him. The blond elf was taller than her and reminded her of her young age. A teenager only just old enough to provide the clan by hunting, gathering food and searching for resources. Even so she was adamant.

"She begged you not to do it as she was crying! Her gentle soul is enough to earn her the love of any of our Gods and the love of our people. The vallaslin should not define wether or not we treasure ANY of our people!"

Her uncle looked at her as if he was considering her words carefully, but as he closed his eyes and made a heavy sigh, the lines on his face became more apparent and made him seem older. At that moment she knew, that nothing she could say would change his mind.

"It is my duty to protect her - even if the threat comes from within our clan. We have no one, but each other," she spoke softly, while looking at the ground, but her voice had lost none of its firmness.

She felt her uncle's hand on her shoulder as he gave it a tender squeeze. He sighed again with that hopelessness, which dominated him whenever he spoke to her.

"I know losing your parents was hard on you - especially you. But you are not alone. You have the clan. I know you don't like to see her hurt, but your sister has trouble fitting in as it - getting the vallaslin will make more see her as a part of the clan, rather than keeping you both at arms reach," his voice was intended to be kind, but firm.

He was right. Her sister had always been seen as an odd little girl - to some she even represented danger. The little girl, just seven years old, would sit up at night talking to herself and play among the trees like they were alive. The Dalish were always close with nature, and had she spoken to the Halla no one would have even battered an eye, but the behaviour of her sister was odd - even among the people. So it had been since she was only four, right after their parents died. Odd looks and words unkindly whispered as she passed them by. Miluanna had defended her sister and in return was now seen as her troublemaker, who did not truly embrace the ways of the Dalish. But that wasn't the truth. She loved their culture and loved their connection to the forest. She loved the stories of old and spend much of her time falling in love with the old ruins of her people. She admired their craftsmanship and wanted to share all of this with the world. She wanted to convince everyone of how amazing a place the world could be - even the shems. If she voiced these thoughts, she was called idealistic and naive - if the tone was kind. It had begun to feel to her as if, the more she connected with the past of her people, the more separated from them she became.

"So none of us are true Dalish then! Unless our forehead has been marked," she replied out of spite, but her uncle remained calm. He lifted her chin to make her look at him. His smile was kind, but she kept her eyes turned away from him.

"You vallaslin is so delicate. Do you remember when you chose it?" he asked softly and she nodded. "Branching delicately from your nose under your eyes in it's green colour that matches them. The symbol of Mythal suits you - you are as caring and fiery as she herself is….. But no that is not the only reason I can tell you are a child of the Dalish,"

Miluanna looked at him then with a curious expression and a heart that seemed a little lighter.

"Your green eyes resemble the beauty of the leaves, when the warmth transforms the forest in spring from a barren place to a world full of hope, life and prosperity. Like Vhenadahl , the tree of our people. Water of sorrow passes through your eyes, but is only release in the warmth of summer. Your red hair reflects the autumn and your white skin brings the peaceful slumber of winter. The forest rests in you and everything our people hope to become does as well. I am sorry so few see it,"

Her eyes glistened from her uncle's kind words, but at that moment one of the more - discontented - hunters walked up on them.

"We need to get on with it, while the ink is hot. But of course now the little one is missing!" he spat in his annoyance.

"Tel'abalas!" Miluanne said with defiance crossing her arms.

"Fenedhis lasa! The dreadwolf will always be haunting our steppes with you in our clan, len'alas lath'din!" He spat with anger.

"By the Dreadwolf! That's enough!" Her uncle said sternly to the hunter and started to walk with him back towards the camp. The hunter turned and spat on the ground in front of her.

Miluanna was not hurt and turned to rest against the statue again. She looked up at the big wolf.

"What are you looking at, you worthless excuse of a God? Aren't you supposed to rid us of grown ups stupidity and leave us children alone?" she looked at the statue as if expecting it to answer.

"I guess not…. Rather sleep eternally?" she looked back at the camp filled with angry eyes and answered the statue with a sigh, "I don't blame you, Fen'harel - not even a bit,"

That was when she heard a giggle behind her, but when she turned she was met by a pair of green eyes resembling her own. The little girl had long blond hair that had never been dressed in a Dalish tradition. It remained wild and untouched. Her skin was pale, but covered in golden freckles and seemed to the eye like a normal, pretty little elf girl - who just happened to have a half-done golden vallaslin on her forehead only every visible because of the red skin underneath. Miluanna shouldn't have been surprised that she standed there. Ever since she could walk, the little girl had followed her six year older sister everywhere.

"Alys, what are you doing here?" Miluanna said kindly.

"You shouldn't talk to the statues, Miluanna. They are not alive," Alys said with concern evident in her voice. Miluanna had to smile that the comment was coming from a girl talking to trees and creatures that weren't real. Without another word Alys wrapped her arms around her sister's waist and hid her face in her stomach.

"Ir abalas… I didn't mean to get you in trouble," the little one apologized.

"You did no such thing, da'vehnan. Others did, never you," Miluanna replied as she turned the little face up to look at her. "Should we get this thing finished? It looks silly only half done," she suggested softly.

"Will you hold my hand?" Alys asked as her body was trembling and her eyes tearing.

"Whenever you need it," Miluanna promised her sister before returning to the camp.

Ten years later; The Freemarches

Alys sat in the Avarel and looked at her sister while she packed. The young girl twisted her hair nervously. Grown into a young girl, her sister had become a young woman. A skilled hunter revered among their clan for her abilities, but much to Alys' dismay never for her kind nature, her desire to protect or her desire to change things for the better. For the Dalish change meant abandoning their past, and no matter how much Miluanna tried, she could not convince the clan that past, present and future could be intertwined. Miluanna was as beautiful as ever - though she hadn't even the faintest inclination of it - and their uncle had tried to marry her off at several conclaves, but with no luck. Alys kept to herself and was still looked upon with suspicion by her fellow Dalish. Her uncle had not even entertained the idea of marrying her off - treating her as if she had a defect similar to have been born with no legs. Only because she spoke to those no one else could see. Her sister had never mentioned it, but she knew in her heart that Miluanna didn't understand that the things around them could speak to her. So she had kept it quiet and kept to herself. Ignoring the voices when other people were near and keeping isolated from them as much as possible. It couldn't be right that she was that way. Something had to be wrong, though her sister would always deny it. Alys felt guilty as she looked at her sister. She didn't want her to leave, but she also knew that her sister was excited to go. A skilled trader, hunter and gatherer, she had more experience than most dealing with shems. Miluanna smiled at her as she made her scootch so she could get the blanket Alys was sitting on.

"I don't understand, why you have to go," Alys said sadly.

"You know why. Their is to be a conclave deciding the fate of the templars and the mages. It affects everyone. Even us Dalish," Miluanna explained with a kind smile, before biting her lip and scowling into the camp, "Even if some of us would deny it,"

"I know, but couldn't someone else go?" Alys pleaded.

Miluanna turned and looked at her seriously before her hands gently cupped her sister's face. Her thumbs stroked the full roundness of her cheeks as if to remove tears, that had not yet been shed.

"You know why I must be the one to go," her voice was gentle, but firm and Alys felt her sisters seriousness to the bone. One of the hunters called for Miluanna. A signal for her to leave. She kissed Alys' head and let her fingers run through her golden long curls.

"Be safe, Da'len," she smiled at Alys as she walked away, but then turned as she walked backwards and pointed at her, "And don't follow me!"

Alys looked as her sister disappeared into the woods. She had never felt so alone - or as frightened. Everything was uncertain when she wasn't around. Alys looked to the horizon.

"But who will give you hope if I am not there?"

Ferelden near the temple of sacred ashes

She needed to be careful as she approached the temple. She took the route overlooking the mountains to insure that she was not noticed. She needed to fit in, but the human clothes she was wearing were far to big and she was certain they had to have belonged to a man. The boots were grossly disproportionate to her size, and she felt awkward as she moved through the woods. She stopped dead in her tracks, when she heard something move. Something had been following her for days. Always hiding in her shadow and making the hairs on her back stand on edge. As skillfully as she could master she walked forward and disappeared into the shadows. The person who followed her passed and she slammed the person against a tree. Her heart was pounding in her chest while blood rushed through her ears. That was when she looked into a pair of green eyes that mirrored her own.

"Fenedhis lasa! I told you not to follow me Alys!" she hissed through gritted teeth.

"Where you go, I go. You promised you would always be there to hold my hand. And though you deny it, you need me as much as I do you," the little elf insisted with a teenagers defiance. Miluanna took a deep breath, as she closed her eyes and her brow still frowning. She couldn't send her back on her own and Miluanna blamed herself for Alys' attachment to her. No one else cared for the strange little elf and she had been overly protective of her ever since. And Alys was on a road to slowly transform from a child to a woman. Her thoughts, ideals and purpose was all in the makings of being shaped. Alys was in need of her guidance more than ever, but was also developing a mind of her own. She should have known that Alys would have followed her.

"Very well, but stay here and i will come for you later. I mean it! Stay here!"

Her eyes were burning through her sister, looking even more terrifying than a high dragon as she watched her closely. Alys did not dare speak, but nodded quickly to ensure her sister understood she would listen this time. Miluanna sighed and put down her pack on the ground. She placed a blanket, kept in there, around Alys' shoulders and gave her some food and water. She wondered how long it had been since she had eaten last. A kiss on Alys' forehead and Miluanna left again.

Solas looked at the mark intently. He had never expected it to manifest itself in such away. The power it contained was overwhelming and it was spreading - quickly. She was unconscious and had been for hours. Carefully his brushed away the red locks, that covered her face. Blood rushed through him at an unbearable pace, as his heart seemed to stop. Whenever the Mark began to expand she would give a heart wrenching sound, that made her pass out as quickly as she awoke. It felt as if it was shattering his bones. He was terrified of what had happened, what was going to happen. She looked so incredibly young and to know that she might not survive rivalled the pain, that had haunted him for centuries. Tears flooded from her, which glistened with the green nuances of the marks light. Carefully he stroked her head letting healing magic emanate from his hand.

"Nae numin. Thenaras, Da'len. It will be safe soon,"

If only he could trust those words himself.

She awoke in a dark as she felt an overwhelming pain beginning at the base of her skull spreading down through her spine. However, it was nothing compared to the agony that travelled from her hand up through her arm. It created a sensation that send a jolting feeling through her entire being. She heard a door open and close, which made her open her eyes. Shems were standing around her with their swords drawn. She didn't remember what had happened, and when she tried to speak three blades caressed her throat. She knew that Dalish were often mistrusted, but the men's current behaviour seemed extreme. When the door finally opened again two women entered. The dark haired one with a threatening look on her face that was stern, determined and extremely angry. The other was more cautious in her approach, but very sad.

"Tell me why we shouldn't kill you now! The Conclave destroyed. Everyone who attended dead. Except for you." The tone of the dark haired woman's voice made it evident that she was inches from making that threat a reality. It was not the anger that made it evident, but rather the deep sorrow, that was hanging on the end of every sentence.

Miluanna knew there was nothing to be gained from being resistant. Whatever had them so furious could not be settled with anger. Instead she tried to remember.

"What? You think I am responsible?" her voice was pleading. The woman grabbed her arm fiercely.

"Explain this!"

"I-i can't," Miluanna stumbled over the words as she felt unable to construct any sentence that would convince them of her innocence.

"What do you mean you can't?!" There was deep sorrow in the woman's voice and tears were brimming in the eyes of an otherwise harsh face. Miluanna felt sorry for her.

"I don't know what that is - or how it got there."

"You're lying!" Desperation in her voice as she charge forward grabbing Miluanna by her throat.

The redhaired woman looked directly at Miluanna and there was something similar to compassion hidden in her eyes. She grabbed her companion.

"We need her, Casandra!"

Miluanna's heart ached at the sorrow she saw in their eyes. She remembered the conclave. So many people filled with hope, but the tension had been evident too. So many of the people - even the chantry - had been kind to her. Not a single harsh word had been spoken in her direction, though tension had been high.

"I can't believe it…. All those people…. dead," A knifelike feeling struck her heart, as if she had forgotten how to breathe, as she whispered, "My sister…"

She slipped going up the icy staircase, but Casandra caught her arm. The fierce warrior had seemed a lot more kind since Miluanna was eager to help and cooperated. She suspected that it was who Casandra truly was. Her anger was merely her armour and not the woman underneath.

"Be careful," her concern similar to that of an older sister's - Miluanna would know, "We are almost there. The others will be waiting,"

"Who?"

"You'll see,"

As they arrived she saw demons that attacked a dwarf and an elf fighting side by side. Quickly she tightened her grip on her bow.

Solas had yet again failed to close the rift and the blow the failure had struck to his heart burned into the core of him. In the middle of a fight with a never ending wave of demons surrounding them, he knew that he was not as aware as he should have been. Too late he felt a creature that creeped up behind him, but when he turned it's head being pierced by an arrow, so precise that it went through one eye and out the other. He turned to see a young elf who aimed her bow at the last demon before she came closer. For a moment he felt relief and as she came running. He grabbed her wrist and made her hand touch the rift. He felt the surge that went through her and was impressed by her strength. But soon he got overpowered by a stronger emotion. Relief as the rift closed before him. With a smile he turned to her, but he found himself mesmerised by a pair of leaf green eyes that met his. There was so much life in them and the water in her eyes seemed to be a reflection of a tender and gentle spirit, that caught his attention. Longer than he should have her held her hand, but as he remembered himself his demeanor became more casual.

Miluanna… a pretty name for a young soul that seemed to have just as much courage as she had heart. Solas had been pleased to see her choose a more cautious route through the mountains in the hopes of finding the people lost there - and not to sacrifice more lives. But as they went through them the young elf seemed to be looking intently - searching for something she did not tell them what was. When they found the missing patrol she was thrilled at first, and though she seemed pleased to have saved them great sorrow also passed through her expressive eyes. It was an infinite pain that mirrored his own. An ancient pain, but to that day still was as real as anything he had experienced. He tried to keep the conversation lively and seemed even a little cheerful. But perhaps he was. Relief was still filled his heart more than anything else. He had not felt so good since the sky tore open. However, he could not maintain his cheerfulness, when they entered the temple of sacred ashes. Miluanna ran from corpse to corpse looking for any familiar sign. The stench of the charred bodies was in the air and some of them even crumbled as the elf desperately looked at their forehead and searched the ground for personal belongings. That was when he realised that she had lost something infinitely more dear, than anything that could be recovered from the ashes.

"Alys!" she shouted, her voice barely keeping itself even. Over and over she shouted that name until she fell on the ground. Her voice trembled as she spoke.

"Emma Ir abalas, da'vehnan,"

"Who is Alys?" Varric asked.

"A family member most likely," Solas said with a voice full of regret and a heart touched by sorrow.

"Her sister," Cassandra clarified and Solas saw something soft in the way she looked at their prisoner. Her own remorse echoed in the young elf, perhaps.

Miluanna stared into the ground as she spoke, her voice trembled from tears.

"Forgive me… I know there is more at stake. I just…. forgive me,"

Solas walked over and placed his hand gently on her shoulder. She was apologising for her pain at a time that was not the most opportune - but it was not any less relevant than any of the losses others had suffered.

"There is nothing to forgive. Take strength where you can, and I promise that once the rift has been sealed I will do my best to show her respect and give you time to mourn," his voice was soft as he spoke, trying to provide any comfort he could. She smiled kindly at him, before she thanked him.

The Herald of Andraste… People must have lost their minds. She had walked a long road through the camp while people had revered her as she passed. Cheering and whispering with excitement as she passed. Her heart was aching at the loss of her sister and she was not sure how to keep going. And there she had been in the war room. Helping to make a decision as where to start. She knew it was important, but she didn't care. She was barely listening at the last part of the meeting. All she felt was an ache in her heart, that would never be quelled. Cassandra's firm hand on her shoulder woke her up, but her smile was gentle.

"Forgive me. Of course you cannot focus. We found an elf named Alys in the mountains while you have been unconscious. She is with Solas now,"

Miluanna gasped as her eyes teared and she threw her arms around Cassandra's neck. The woman was frozen in place as she could hear the Cullen, Lelianna and Josephine trying hard not to loud to loudly. Miluanna then ran out the doors, nearly knocking over two Chantry mothers over as she passed. She stopped in her tracks as soon as she stood in the door and looked left and right. She had no idea, where Solas was.

"To the left!" She heard Lelianna's voice call and as the elf thanked her, Miluanna ran as if chased by a dragon.

Running passed the inn she saw Solas crouching, while pointing to the sky and Alys sitting in a chair covered with several blankets.

"Da'vehnan!" Miluanna called and her sister got up knocking the chair over, before running towards her. Weak and covered in blankets Alys fell, and though MIluanna could see Solas try and reach her in time, she was caught in Miluanna's arms instead.

"Thank the Creators!" She exclaimed kissing her sister's hair over and over.

"It wasn't the Creators, Milu. It was Solas," Alys stated and looked at the bald elf.

Miluanna looked at Solas fondly, who had a kind smile on his lips and a sparkle in his blue eyes.

"Thank you, Solas. You can't imagine what this means to me. Thank you,"

"It was nothing. I am pleased to could have helped. But please, come inside. Neither of you have fully recovered from your ordeal," He smiled kindly as he opened a door leading to a small cottage. Miluanna supported her sister and felt how weak she was. Inside there was a fireplace, a bed behind a screen and at the other end a bedroll on the floor with a backpack next to it. There was a desk filled wether papers and script and a chair. Solas brought in the other chair from outside.

"Please, sit," he smiled and pointed to the chair, but Miluanna could feel Alys getting weak. Seeing her worry Solas pointed to the bed and handed her another blanket. Alys started to cough and as if he had expected it, Solas poured tea brewing over the fire. Carefully he handed it to Alys.

"Be careful, da'len. It's hot. I have put some herbs in it to help you sleep, but I suspect seeing your sister recovered will give you more ease,"

"Thank you," Miluanna told him, while she gave him a soft smile.

"It is nothing," he replied with a kindness Miluanna hadn't been accustom to from anyone - Dalish or Shem.

"No, it is anything, but nothing," she said seriously and took his hand as if she meant to hug him. Solas' soft expression was his only answer, before he took the cup that Alys had already emptied. Miluanna held her sisters hand until she fell asleep. She then turned to see Solas, who smiled faintly at them both, though he had an open book in his hands. Carefully, Miluanna got up and sat in the chair next to him. He handed her a cup of tea, when she noticed that he was drinking water. She merely smiled as she took a sip of the tea.

"You look like you enjoy it," he almost chuckled.

"I love tea," she replied with a contented sigh, which for some reason seemed to amuse him greatly. Her eyes turned to her sister.

"How bad is it?"

"She is over the worst of it. She had wandered through the mountains and was both cold and dehydrated, when we found her. Her morals was the most difficult journey of her recovery. Not knowing if you would wake up upset her greatly, and she cared nothing for her own well being. I have been watching over you both, and I am pleased to say that you are both going to be fine," his voice was soft, gentle and encouraging in a way Miluanna had not heard since her uncle died. She looked at Solas and guessed that he must have been very close to the same age as her uncle. He frowned suddenly and took a sip of water.

"I want you to know that Alys has stayed here with me for the time of her recovery. I tried to keep the seriousness of your condition from her as best I could. I tried to offer hope and did not believe it wise for her to see the worst of it. Since she seemed uneasy with the humans and even the other elves, she has slept here," he explained while he looked at her carefully. Clearly he was adamant that Miluanna didn't misinterpret the situation.

"You gave up your bed for her. That is beyond any kindness I could have asked for. The Dalish have sheltered her from people and I have not been any help in that area. Thank you for being so considerate with her," Miluanna replied with gratitude and eyes that brimmed with tears.

"You sealed the rifts and pacified the breach. Recovering something precious to you is not in the least a great expense in order to thank you. Besides, she is still a child. Even had her sister not been the Herald of Andraste, she did not deserve such a fate," his smile brought a warmth to her heart, that seemed to have been absent for a long time.

"She followed me without my knowledge. I have no idea how long she has gone without food and water. I thought I had lost her….. I don't know how I can ever repay you," she replied earnestly looking at him and then her sister sleeping blissfully.

"That you are grateful is thank you enough,"

When Alys started to talk in her sleep Solas' and Miluanna's eyes met as they both suppressed a chuckle. No matter what he claimed, Miuanna felt like she owed this stranger more loyalty and friendship than she had any person in her past.

*Tel'abalas!: I'm glad

*Len'alas lath'din!: Dirty child no one loves

*Ir Abalas: I'm sorry

*da'vehnan: Little heart

*Emma Ir abalas, da'vehnan, Now I feel sorrow, little heart

*Nae numin. Thenaras, Dalen; No tears. Dream little one.

It has been a long time since I have worked on a longer story. I hope you will enjoy it and give me some feedback.