Love Lost in Translation
Fanfic by MistressNoriko
A/N: This story has been kicking around in my head for a while and I thought it was finally time to put it to paper.
Enjoy!
Chapter One: First Impressions
Why do I have to go to the blighted, bear-infested Hinterlands? Again?! I'm not some bloody errand mage! Evelyn Trevelyan thought begrudgingly as she kicked at a small pebble that had made its way into the chantry. And to look for a Grey Warden who doesn't want to be found? Wouldn't Leliana's people be better suited for this? They're spies, for Maker's sake!
The mage let out a loud, frustrated sigh, uncaring of who might overhear her. Madame Vivienne de Fer looked over her shoulder as she unpacked something onto a desk along the far wall of the chantry. Evelyn forced a smile when their eyes met. She didn't have the energy to partake in any sort of conversation with her and kept walking towards the chantry doors.
Vivienne's pretentious attitude about mages and the necessity of circles had been an intolerable lecture to endure on their long travel back to Haven from Val Royeaux. The woman didn't understand the plight of most mages – she was wealthy, lived outside the circle for most of her adult life, and had political influence pouring out her well-rounded ears. Evelyn hadn't even had a "true" circle experience, herself, given her lineage to the Trevelyan noble family, but knew she'd had it good while Vivienne boasted that all mages had a good life in the circle. Evelyn disagreed with every fiber of her being; she'd been granted an extravagant room in the Ostwick circle; she was allowed to leave to travel home for lavish parties, and the Templars overlooked almost everything she did that was out of line – or perhaps that was because she'd slept with several of them. She assumed it was a combination of the two facts.
Evelyn wasn't blind to the fact that the other mages in her circle were not treated with the same kindnesses and that she had been extremely well off in comparison, unlike Vivienne's closeminded interpretation. Evelyn had used her station to try and make life better for the other mages in the Ostwick circle. There were many times she'd intervened when the Templars were disciplining or berating another mage. Other mages didn't quite know what to think of her, but they knew that if she was around, there wouldn't be any trouble from the Templars. Some even sought her counsel when they wanted to have something changed and Evelyn would use her bloodline to the other mages' advantage to see the change through.
But listening to Vivienne prattle on, she would have you believe that mages were incapable of caring for themselves and needed to be dominated by an overaggressive Templar presence; a presence that needed to be increased so another rebellion had no chance of starting up. It wasn't something that Evelyn ever expected the ostentatious woman to change her view on. Had it not been for Josephine's voice in the back of her head begging her to make contacts with the Orlesian court, Evelyn would have declined Madame de Fer's offer to join the Inquisition outright. She knew she wasn't in charge, but the severe woman's way of thinking was dangerous and, if the way of the world was left up to her, she would have all mages returned to circles for a miserable life of confinement and have them held there indefinitely until the next blight demanded their services.
The one good thing to come from the latrine fire that was Val Royeaux—given the altercation at Madame de Fer's estate, the show of aggression from the Templars against the chantry, and the general fear from the Orlesian citizens of the Inquisition—was meeting Sera. The rambunctious elf archer had made the long journey back to Haven bearable and helped save Evelyn's sanity and blood pressure while Orlesian mage rambled on and on about the importance of circles by making faces just out of Vivienne's view, cementing her confidence that letting Sera join the Inquisition was the right call, despite Cassandra and Solas' visible hesitations.
Evelyn already knew that the blonde elf would probably accompany her whenever she left the confines of Haven to do the Inquisition's bidding. Not only because she was a damn good shot, but she was fun to be around. In fact, that was where she was headed – to the tavern to ask if Sera wanted to go trouncing around bear-infested, bandit-riddled, war-torn woods to look for a stuffy Grey Warden.
Perhaps she needed to sell it a bit better than that.
She had a sneaking suspicion, though, that Sera would accompany her regardless simply for something to do. The elf seemed the type who liked to keep moving and traveled enough to know how to navigate new areas. That was something that Evelyn desperately needed assistance with – she could charm people all day long, something she'd perfected in her time at noble house parties growing up and seducing Templars and other mages while living at the Ostwick circle. Charm and diplomacy she could do. Street smarts and wilderness navigation was something she needed help with. She'd grown up sheltered and didn't know how to navigate a world that wasn't meticulously landscaped or closed off from the rest of civilization.
She'd rather follow Sera's lead than Solas', the other wanderer of their steadily growing merry band of misfits. Evelyn still wasn't sure why she didn't like the elven mage, but he made her uncomfortable and feel inferior somehow, in a different way than Vivienne did. His talks of spirits and the fade was fascinating, and he never spoke down to her because she always made inquiries when they spoke. Their conversations were always very academic and often pleasant, but there was something about the way he held himself – something she hadn't figured out quite yet.
She opened one of the heavy doors to the chantry and the cold Haven air hit her immediately, blowing straight through the cloth of her jacket.
"Maker's balls," she said, her teeth chattering against one another as she drew her jacket tighter to her person. "At least the Hinterlands is warmer than Haven," she muttered as she looked at the path through the snow towards the tavern. "And prettier… even with all the bears constantly attacking you."
"Um, excuse me."
Evelyn stopped and looked to her right. A young man was standing there in impressive armor, rubbing his hands together for warmth as cold mist hung around his mouth from his exhale. She was glad that she wasn't the only one who was cold. She blinked as she looked the man up and down, seeing an emblem on the cloth hanging from the leather strap about his waist that she was unfamiliar with.
She couldn't help the smile that slowly spread across her lips as she surveyed the man: This man was attractive – short hair on the sides of his head with longer, slightly messy hair on top of his head with a gentle, clean-shaven face that held a strong jawline and prominent cheekbones. His armor was impressive – that of a front-line fighter, and although she couldn't see his actual frame, the armor made her assume he would be quite muscular. He was slightly short for a man, but not by much. His brown eyes looked at her hopefully and Evelyn glanced down to his lips – full lips that looked like they would be quite soft and perilously pliable.
"Can I help you?" she asked warmly, pivoting to walk towards him, exaggerating the sway of her hips as she went. She hadn't seen him before and was intrigued to get to know the handsome newcomer.
"I'm hoping so," he said with a small chuckle, rubbing his hands together rapidly again and then bringing them to his sides. "I've got a message for the Inquisition, but I'm having a hard time getting anyone to talk to me."
His voice was a touch higher than his stature made Evelyn thought it would be. His voice also waivered with a touch of nervousness. Evelyn bit the edge of her lip and looked him up and down again.
"I'd be more than happy to talk with you," Evelyn said, her tone suggestive. "What's the message?"
The young man swallowed and then adjusted the waist of his armor and then hooked his thumbs on the leather strap on his waist. "We got word of some Tevinter mercenaries gathering out on the Storm Coast," he began. His nervous tone changed and his voice deepened slightly as he began talking business. "My company commander, Iron Bull, offers the information free of charge. If you'd like to see what the Bull's Chargers can do for the Inquisition, meet us there and watch us work."
"What the Bull's Chargers can do for the Inquisition? Are you trying to sell your services?"
The man blinked, swallowing hard as he shifted his stance. "Um, yes?"
Evelyn licked her lip thoughtfully, maintaining eye contact with the man's soft brown eyes. "Is that a question or an answer," she trailed off, realizing she didn't have a name to tease at the end of her sentence. "I'm sorry – what was your name?"
"Krem," he said automatically before his nerves resurfaced, causing him to rub the back of his neck. "Erm, Lieutenant Cremisius Aclassi, if you're feeling fancy, ma'am."
"Ma'am? Do I look like I'm that old?" Evelyn said playfully, putting a hand up to her chest, feigning insult.
"What?! No! No, ma—miss. I just," Krem bit both of his lips together and then let out a breath through his nose. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean any offense. What is your name, if we're to exchange introductions?"
"Evelyn Trevelyan," she said with the slightest of curtsies. "Though, people around here call me the Herald of Andraste for some reason," she said offhandedly.
The man's eyes went wide. "Andraste's ti—you're her!?"
Evelyn smirked. "By Andraste's tits, I am." She winked.
"Maker," Krem breathed and rubbed his neck again. His nerves were back, and it made Evelyn smile wider. The young man was far too easy to fluster. "My apologies, your worship. I hope I haven't offended you."
Evelyn waved a dismissive hand as she smiled to him. "Not at all." She took a step closer to the man, looking up at him even though he was only an inch or two taller than herself. "So, Lieutenant, what can your Chargers offer the Inquisition?"
Krem cleared his throat but stayed his ground. "We're loyal, we're tough, and we don't break contracts," he said confidently. When Evelyn didn't say anything or move back, he nervously added: "Ask around Val Royeaux. W-we've got references."
Evelyn wanted to ask if he had any personal references to see if he'd blush, but she refrained. She had some sense for not driving away possible assistance to the Inquisition. But it didn't mean she would stop herself from flirting with the messenger.
"Alright. Color me intrigued, Lieutenant." She paused intentionally, taking a moment to look him up down without any subtly to her eye movements. She pulled her bottom lip through her teeth slowly and then met his eyes, satisfied to see the start of a blush blossoming on his face. "Tell me, how does this commander of yours compare to yourself?"
"To me?" he blinked and arched a confused eyebrow. "Uh, Iron Bull? He's one of those Qunari."
Evelyn stayed quiet, waiting for more information. Apparently, he took that as her not knowing was a Qunari was.
"Y'know… The big guys?" He flexed his arms in front of him.
Evelyn suppressed a smirk but continued to stay quiet.
"With the horns?" he added as he brought his hands up to the crown of his head and made horns with his fingers.
Evelyn relented and smiled. There was something charming about the man that she couldn't quite put her finger on other than his nervous awkwardness. The way that his voice fluctuated made her think that he was trying to sound tougher or more masculine, which she found cute that he felt the need to try and impress her that way. She knew it probably didn't have anything to with her specifically and was probably just how he was, but, it was still cute. Or maybe it was her… some of the most devout andrastians that had flocked to Haven treated her with a reverence that made her incredibly uncomfortable. But no – it wasn't that with Krem. He was an attractive ball of awkward nerves, not a fumbling andrastian faithful.
He waggled his horn fingers and smiled nervously.
"I know what a Qunari is, Lieutenant," she said softly, laughter edging her voice as she reached up and placed her hand around one of his, bringing it slowly away from his head and back down. His hand was surprisingly warm despite the thick glove he was wearing. She almost wished she could feel his skin to see if he was as cold as she was or if it was his personal warmth permeating through the gloved material.
The man's brown eyes widened slightly and his mouth fell agape as he watched Evelyn move his hand down. After a moment of simply looking at their held hands, he swallowed nervously again and dropped his other hand and then pulled his hand out of hers to rub the back of his neck.
"A-anyway," he said, clearing his throat. "Bull leads from the front, he pays well, and he's a lot smarter than the last bastard I worked for. Best of all, he's professional. We accept contracts with whoever makes the first real offer." He spoke quickly as if he was trying to run through all of the points he was told to relay.
He swallowed again and then met Evelyn's gaze, his eyes turning thoughtful as he considered her. He glanced up behind her, presumably at the Inquisition banner draped over the entrance to the Chantry and then met her gaze again.
"You're the first time he's gone out of his way to pick a side."
"Is that so?"
He nodded. "He thinks your Inquisition is doing good work."
"Well then," Evelyn smiled, extending her hand. "Consider the Inquisition interested."
The man blinked, looked down at her hand, and then almost jumped. He brought his hand up and clasped Evelyn's hand.
"I look forward to meeting this Iron Bull and the rest of his Chargers," she added.
"We're the best you'll find. Come to the Storm Coast and see us in action," he said as he shook her hand.
"Does that mean I'll get to see you in action, Lieutenant?" Evelyn asked, deliberately holding the handshake longer than diplomatically necessary.
Their hands stopped moving and the man blinked several times. "Uh. Yes?" He then cleared his throat and let go of Evelyn's hand, nodded, the muscles along his jawline pulsing slightly. The uncertainty about his expression vanished as she squared his shoulders and nodded. "Yes. I fight alongside Iron Bull, your worship," he said confidently.
Evelyn's smile spread over her face as she slowly bit her lower lip, maintaining eye contact with his brown eyes. "I look forward to the show," she said, keeping her tone suggestive with an added wink.
A rosy hue that had nothing to do with the cold flushed across his cheeks, deepening the remnants of his previous blush. He nodded to her, moved his arm to salute but brought it back down before his hand touched his forehead with a frown. He then nodded again and turned on his heel and began walking away towards Haven's gates.
Evelyn let herself watch the man walk away as she continued biting her lip. After he got past Threnn's requisitions tent, Evelyn saw him bring a hand up and smack the side of his head. She smiled. The man seemed frustrated with his demeanor in front of her and Evelyn couldn't help but smile to herself. She had enjoyed flustering him, and she hadn't even really been trying that hard. She licked her bottom lip, pulling it through her teeth at the thought of how flustered he could become if she actually put an honest effort into it.
"What the ruddy hell was that about?"
"Hmm?" Evelyn hummed, turning her head towards the sound of Sera's distinct voice.
Sera walked up from her left, presumably from the tavern. She pointedly motioned a hand towards the Lieutenant as he walked past where Varric often puttered about near a fire. "Him. Is he bloody dense or something?"
Evenly arched an eyebrow, taking a sauntering step towards her. "Why would you call that fine young man dense, Sera?"
Sera gave her a flat expression, thumbing in the Lieutenant's direction as she looked the mage up and down. "Because you clearly want to strip him stark naked and have your way with 'em and he's got absolutely no clue, hasn't he."
"What he doesn't know won't hurt him," Evelyn said with a not so innocent shrug and then fell in step with Sera as they began walking back towards the tavern.
"Rein it in a bit, will ya?" Sera teased, bumping shoulders with the mage.
"What?" Evelyn asked, looking over her shoulder at Sera, keeping her facial expression semi flirtatious. "Are you jealous that I don't look at you like that?"
Sera let out a laugh. A singular, loud laugh. "Ha! You? Me?"
Evelyn gave her a suggestive shrug as she raised both eyebrows at her and tried to give her a seductive glance, but couldn't stop the edges of her lips from turning into a smile.
She liked Sera, and she'd been with women before. Sera would definitely be a fun romp in the sheets, but Evelyn liked her too much to simply have the woman satisfy some base need like sex. As fun and aloof as Sera seemed, Evelyn didn't think that they'd be compatible romantically for more than a few fun nights. She wanted her friendship far more than she wanted anything physical from her.
Sera laughed again. "As fun as that could be, I think I'll pass, yeah? You're cute 'n all but… nah."
Evelyn laughed with the blond elf and then gently pushed on Sera's shoulder, causing her footing to go slightly off balance.
"That's it? Nah is all I get?"
Sera nodded with a grin.
"I'm wounded, Sera!" Evelyn cried playfully, suppressing another laugh and brought a hand to her chest dramatically.
"I'm sure soldier boy there could mend you up just fine," Sera said, sticking her tongue out with a wink.
"Oh, I'm sure he could," Evelyn said, looking over her shoulder to get one last glimpse of the man before the tents cut him from view.
Despite her selfish reasons of wanting to see more of the Lieutenant, he had made a genuine offer of assistance to the Inquisition. She had been tasked with making contacts and finding more agents for their cause and these Charges seemed willing to help. One group of well-trained mercenaries was bound to be more helpful than one singular Grey Warden, right? But it seemed that their offer had a limited window so she'd need to act fast. And if these Bull's Chargers helped the Inquisition, so what if that put her closer to the easily flustered Lieutenant? No one, save Sera, needed to be any the wiser.
The crotchety Grey Warden can wait, Evelyn thought as she bit her lip.
"C'mon. Get your gear," Evelyn said as she looked back to Sera with a smile.
"Oh?" Sera looked excited. "Where we headed?"
"The Storm Coast," Evelyn said confidently. "Let's go see him and his Chargers in action, shall we?"