No matter how many times they returned to the Frostback Mountains, Dorian was always surprised by how bitterly cold they were. He trudged along behind the others, pulling his cloak as tightly around himself as he could and using a bit of magic to warm his frozen hands. Still, he couldn't be completely miserable. They had succeeded, saved another village from certain doom, and generally left the world a slightly better place. And he hadn't seen Elden happier in some time.
The general doom and gloom that usually accompanied the possibility of an apocalypse was bad enough, but the politics were just uncalled for. It was enough to even get to Elden, who was usually so insufferably cheerful. Sure, he hid it well, but Dorian knew better. He was probably the only one who had managed to get close enough to see it, the fear and the despair and all of this riding on him alone. Maker, Dorian was in far too deep. From the moment he had met the Inquisitor he knew he'd do anything to ease just a fraction of the burden he bore. The things he wouldn't do for a smile.
But right now Elden was smiling, his mood lifted considerably by their success. He was talking to Varric, recounting a tale Dorian couldn't quite hear over the howling of the wind. Blackwall was leading the way and even he was smiling as he turned to comment on the conversation. Dorian picked up his pace a little, knowing that the sooner they returned the sooner he could pull Elden aside and make sure that smile stayed in place as long as possible.
When the rumbling started, it could be heard even above the howling of the wind, but it was the ground shaking under their feet that brought them all to a halt.
"There's someone up there," Blackwall shouted back to them as he drew his sword, pointing up the steep slope above them with his free hand, but Dorian couldn't see anything.
They all followed suit, drawing their own weapons, but Dorian guessed what was coming and knew that wouldn't help. There was an explosion far up on the mountain and for a moment he thought that maybe nothing would happen. But then the entire mountainside shook again as the snow clinging to it gave way. It came crashing down towards them and there was no chance of outrunning it. The avalanche would sweep them all away, crushing and burying them under its weight.
Dorian acted more out of reflex than anything. He threw out his arms and pulled up a barrier that was wide enough to shield all four of them, barely managing to brace himself before the impact. The snow crashed into it with such a force that he feared his arms might break and he was fairly certain he heard his staff crack, threatening to splinter under the sheer weight of the magic he was forcing through it. His eyes dimmed and he knew he was in danger of passing out from the amount of magic he was pouring into the spell, too much too fast, and he wasn't sure if the deafening roar was from the blood rushing in his ears or the crashing of snow and rocks all around them.
He heard Elden call his name, perhaps knowing he was putting too much into the spell as he ran towards him. Dorian had already been exhausted, drained from travel and all of the battles. He wouldn't be able to hold out for much longer, but he had to. Just a bit longer. Then Dorian felt it, the danger Elden was trying to save him from. The road under his feet groaned ominously as cracks began sprouting around him, cutting him off from the others and he realized just how close to the edge he was. The road had always been unsettlingly narrow, the drop into the ravine beyond frighteningly steep. This path had brought them home countless times, but it seemed this would be its last.
He could see Elden running towards him and he redoubled his efforts, putting as much into the barrier as he could, hoping it would last long enough to protect them all from the avalanche. Then, with a silent apology, he sent ice snaking out across the ground to freeze around Elden's boots, stopping him in his tracks. Dorian could see the horror in Elden's eyes as he extended his hand out to him, still too far to reach. If he came any closer, the ground could collapse sending them both over the edge and he couldn't risk that. He would not let Elden fall with him.
With one final bit of effort, he threw the barrier forward, hoping to redirect the avalanche around them so they wouldn't be swept away. Dorian felt the last of his magic slip away and he staggered, exhausted and completely spent. Everything was still for a moment and he smiled apologetically at Elden as he took a tentative step forward. But then he felt the ground finally give way beneath him and there was nothing he could do to stop it. As he fell, Dorian was vaguely satisfied to see that the ice holding Elden in place was also serving to strengthen the path so the others wouldn't fall as well.
This was always the best outcome, wasn't it? He had tried to stand against the injustice of his homeland. He was only one man, but he had done what he could to undo some of the pain Tevinter had caused. He had never expected to get through any of this alive anyway. Martyrdom had always been his best option. Perhaps through his death he could inspire others to do the right thing, to outright reject the Venatori and help put a stop to them. Unlikely, of course, given his pariah status. No, chances were his death would go unnoticed and un-mourned in his home country.
And Elden. Maker, the man deserved so much better. Dorian had tried to do all he could for him, comforting him and being there for him however he could, but it would never be enough. It was better this way too. Perhaps Elden could finally find someone worthy of his kindness, of his gentleness and warmth. Maker, if there's any good left in this world, please, just let him be happy. That was unlikely too, of course. This world was far too cruel.
Dorian was swallowed up by the crashing snow, no magic left to protect himself. He was thrown about, bombarded on all sides for what felt like forever until the world finally went still. In the silence he thought he heard Elden call his name, but perhaps that was just wishful thinking. He was frozen to the core and in agony, feeling so empty. Each breath burned in his lungs, but he supposed he should be thankful that he even still could breathe. He heard footsteps nearby and the rustling of snow until he was suddenly dragged out and into the light. He blinked, trying to focus, and caught sight of feet that definitely did not belong to Elden or the others, before darkness finally took him.
There were flashes of biting pain, fear and horror and an overwhelming concern for Elden's safety before Dorian finally came to. His entire body ached, but then he remembered his trip down the side of the mountain and supposed he was doing rather well considering. He still felt empty, his magic drained and out of his reach. His shoulder ached, pressed into a hard uneven surface he could only guess was stone, and his hands were twisted painfully behind his back. And he was still exceptionally cold. Well, there was no use delaying the inevitable. He opened his eyes.
As expected, he was lying on the floor of a cave, his hands tied behind him. He pulled at the rope experimentally, feeling it bite into his wrists, but it held. Still, if he could buy himself time enough for his magic to return, he should be able to burn his way free. He could hear wind howling past the mouth of the cave, but it was deep enough that he couldn't see the exit from where he lay. There were a few men nearby pacing restlessly, a single torch casting harsh shadows.
"Well," Dorian said, attempting to sit up. "If you insist on holing up in a cave you could at least light a proper fire, give the place a bit more cheer if not comfort."
No one said anything. No one even looked in his direction. Right then, so that's how this was going to be. He scooted back and leaned against the stone wall of the cave, trying to find a position that wasn't completely uncomfortable.
"So what is this, then, a kidnapping? You're obviously Venatori, but what exactly did you expect to accomplish with so few numbers?"
Still no reply. They all simply stood there, grim and determined, weapons at the ready. That was odd. Perhaps Elden and the others were already on their way? He closed his eyes, trying to will his magic back. It didn't exactly work that way, but at this point it was worth a shot.
He was startled out of his thoughts by a sharp cry and the clash of weapons outside and he looked up at the group. They were so grim and serious, one by one filing out of the cave. They didn't really look like they expected to get out of this alive. Perhaps that's all this was, then. A last-ditch effort to get back at the Inquisitor so that they wouldn't have to return to their masters empty handed. The avalanche had failed and Dorian had made himself such a convenient and tempting opportunity by getting himself separated from the others. He couldn't blame them for trying, at least.
The fighting was getting closer, but Dorian still didn't have his magic back. He focused whatever he could scrape together on his wrists, slowly singeing away at the rope, but it wasn't fast enough. Elden came charging into the chamber suddenly, shield-bashing the closest opponent before locking swords with the second. But there was still a third hiding in the shadows in a perfect position to strike Elden from behind.
This couldn't happen. Elden couldn't be in danger because of him. Dorian panicked, pulling magic he hadn't realized he still had hiding away and ripped his hands free of the rope, shouting Elden's name as he threw a burst of fire towards the hidden opponent and sent him flying. The force of it nearly knocked Dorian unconscious again and he sagged back heavily, simply relieved that Elden had the upper hand again.
As soon as he struck down the remaining Venatori, Elden all but cast his sword and shield to the ground as he fell to his knees in front of Dorian, looking relieved, like an impossible weight had been lifted and he might collapse from the relief.
"Are you all right?" Elden asked, voice shaky as he gently touched Dorian's cheek.
"Of course," Dorian said, trying for an arch smile, but he wasn't sure it was particularly successful.
He was a bit overwhelmed, to say the least. Dorian wasn't completely sure how to feel. He was touched that Elden had been so desperate to find him and that he cared so much for his safety. Not that Dorian ever thought otherwise; Elden was a very caring and kind person, after all, and he had made his feelings towards Dorian as obvious as possible. It was just that Dorian had very little experience being on the receiving end of this sort of attention. He had no idea how to react and somehow Elden managed to keep doing this to him, kept leaving him speechless.
"Thank the Maker," Elden said in a rush as he wrapped his arms around Dorian and pulled him into a tight embrace. It was all Dorian could do to wrap his arms around Elden's neck, hold onto him as he placed a kiss to his ear, whispering reassurances. Elden pulled away much too soon. "Sorry," he said sheepishly. "I imagine my armor isn't all that comfortable."
Sure it was cold and dug in uncomfortably through Dorian's robes, but he hardly cared, just wanting to hold him tight, reassure him and make him smile again. And to reassure himself as well, with that lingering concern for Elden's safety he didn't understand. Perhaps he had had a bad dream while he was unconscious? But besides that, suddenly Dorian realized that he didn't want to die. He had all of this, the Inquisition, a home, a place to belong and friends. And he had Elden, a man so kind and good and who cared so deeply for him. Dorian had been so sure that coming south would be his end, but instead it had been everything he had sought in his life.
Dorian still expected all of this to come crashing down around him of course. He had expected Elden to grow bored and move on like every other man he had been with. But it had become impossible to believe that, not with the way Elden spoke to him, held him, looked at him. Of course, the world wasn't kind enough to let them have this for long anyway. This was all still likely to end in death, and Elden's life was in more danger than most.
Which was all the more reason they shouldn't be sitting here like this. They were still in danger and unless he wanted to risk Elden they needed to get going. Besides, he felt incredibly vulnerable as well, unsure how to handle all of this let alone how to react, so deflection was probably the best course of action.
"You realize this was all completely unnecessary, yes?"
"Oh?" Elden helped him to his feet before reclaiming his weapons.
"Of course, I had this under control. I freed my hands, didn't I?" Dorian said, winning a hesitant smile from the Inquisitor.
"What can I say?" Elden replied. "You were taking too long."
"Oh, I'm so sorry, I wasn't aware that freeing myself mere minutes after regaining consciousness was considered slow. Next time I'll shoot for-"
"What?" Elden's smile faltered as he interrupted. He looked down at the charred rope that had been tied around Dorian's wrists where it lay on the ground, still gently smoldering. "You mean you only just came to?" Elden looked back up at him, obviously concerned. "You've been gone since yesterday."
Ah. That wasn't exactly an encouraging thought. "They must have had me out the entire time," he said with a flippancy he didn't entirely feel. "Well, in that case, what took you so long?"
Perhaps that wasn't the best way to lighten the mood. Elden looked away guiltily as he spoke. "They led us all around the mountains. For a while I wasn't sure we'd make it in time."
Dorian did not like the guilt and worry in Elden's eyes. There was a lot here he needed to consider, but right now wiping that expression away and getting somewhere safe were Dorian's priorities. "Well, since I'm so well rested and I seem to have missed out on all of the fun, what say we go find someone else I can set on fire, hmm?"
Varric and Blackwall were waiting just outside, weapons at the ready, but there didn't seem to be any more Venatori in the area left alive.
"Sparkler," Varric said with a relieved sigh. "You all right?"
"Quite well, actually," Dorian said. Truth be told he really did feel fine despite the general ache. "They must have been too busy fleeing from you barbarians to ever have a chance to question me."
"That's one good thing, I suppose," Blackwall said.
It had been such a dramatic buildup that Dorian was actually rather disappointed by the uneventful trek back to Skyhold. Elden kept close by his side and Dorian would have liked to call it "annoyingly close" except for the fact that he appreciated it. He didn't even make a token complaint when Elden's hand found his own.