She hadn't been in Haven long, in fact, she had just woken up two days ago and finished talking to the shemlen that was running the 'Inquisition'. They were now constantly asking for her advice like she would know what to do about the Breach.
The fact that they were calling her Herald of Andraste, made her want to barf. She didn't know what to make about these shem, most of them feared her or were disgusted by her origins. Even Threnn had mistaken her for some other elf, as if they all looked the same. They would all look at her when she walked through Haven. Some avoided eye contact with her. Spreading stories that her clan had captured and sacrificed children.
They did seem to be going out of their way to try and make her feel more comfortable. Cassandra had wanted to get to know her more, so they talked for a good bit. Josephine was even nice enough to talk to Zara about her clan and where they came from. When she had told her they were just like them, but moved around a lot, she seemed pleased. Varric and Cullen were even trying to go out of their way to talk and be nice to her. Varric even gave her a copy of his book Champion of Kirkwall. Zara thought it was a great read, but it was really hard to believe that everything had happened as it had been written.
This change of heart was mainly because of her having the mark on her hand, at least that is what she thought. She had never been around this many humans. It was like she was lost in a sea of them. They were always calling her the Herald, and worshiping their beloved Andraste. She didn't believe in their Maker, she had gods of her own she would pray to. Her own people she needed to take care of.
The only other elves here were either the servants or Solas, who seemed like he didn't want to talk to her.
Feeling so overwhelmed with the emotions about being the Herald, she ran out of her cottage, only to come to a stop right outside. She cool air made her think about being at home. Where she lived in a tent instead of a cottage, where the people were more open. Where everyone was family.
Standing outside her cottage, she could see the snowing falling from the sky, landing on the people around her. The snow was so thick she couldn't see an inch of grass. The snow covered everything in sight. She was surrounded by mountains, frozen ponds, and an ice-covered forest with snow and frost hanging onto the branches.
Why would anyone make a village here, she thought. Her feet going numb from the cold, being an elf she wasn't accustomed to wearing shoes. Wearing them only clouded her senses. She wanted to feel the grass between her toes again like when she was home. All she felt now was the gravel and snow. The rock underfoot she was fine with. It was the snow that drove her crazy. She preferred the feeling of the sun in warm kisses against her skin, the cool damp grass between her toes, the hot breeze blowing her hair all around her.
Josephine had suggested that she try on some shoes since she was the 'Herald', that she should try to look the part. This only made her miss home even more. She had left all her friends and family behind. Her sisters and their children. Her heart ached just thinking about not being there while they were growing up. She was First to the keeper. Deshanna had taught her everything that see needed to know, and how to protect the clan. Deshanna had become like a mother to Zara, they were so close, and they had talked about everything .
The Keeper was someone the whole clan looked up to, that her people looked to for help. She didn't want these people asking for her help, she didn't even want to be here. She was only here because of the mark, and she knew the Keeper would want her to do what was right. Even if that meant helping fixing their mess.
Looking to the sky, instead of seeing snow falling she saw the trees of the forest. She imagined the grass beneath her feet, the warm air that would blow through her long black hair. Imagining what the hot sun would feel on her bare skin, she was covered in layers of clothing since it was so cold here. Zara's clan never stayed in one place, but they never ventured into the mountains near the cold and snow. Staying mainly in the northern area of the Free Marches.
With her eyes closed, she held her arms out and pointed her head toward the sky. She slowly started to spin, not having a care in the world. This was normal to her, to get lost in her own thoughts, not caring about anything or anyone else around her. She has never been this far from her family and friends whom she missed with her whole heart. Trying to shake this world, these feeling from her mind. She need to loosen up, this was something she and her best friend had done to make themselves feel better, to help them relax.
The snow was now making her feet sting caused her to stop spinning. Her hand darting up to the necklace that was around her neck. Fingers running along the dragonfly pendent. She felt better, like she could do this. Be the person that everyone needed, to save them all from the Breach.
Zara had always seen Solas walking around without shoes in Haven not having a problem. Maybe she should try and talk to him on what his trick was. Why he was able to walk in the snow without freezing to death, or getting any frostbite.
Listening to his voice, which she found quite soothing, she could lay down and listen to him talk all day about the Fade. That was the only thing she thought he would talk about because he studied it, which only spiked her interest even more. Deshanna never wanted to talk about the Fade. Not after her original clan was killed off. Because the Keeper summoned some demon in order to keep another clan member safe. It hit her hard when she heard the news. Zara wanted to learn more about it, she had heard about the dreamer in Kirkwall and wondered how it worked. She craved the knowledge to understand anything and everything about magic.
Looking down she could see his cottage and wondered what he was doing. It seemed like he was the only one here that she might be able to trust. She sensed a connection to him that went beyond them both being elves. She couldn't explain the connection, but it felt like something was pulling her toward him.
She started to make her way to his place. The closer she got to his cottage the more she knew she was safe. She felt more than just safe. It felt like something was tugging at her to go to him.
She couldn't help herself. Standing outside his door she debated on knocking. 'What does he even think of me?' It was clear that he wasn't Dalish. But she was sure he wasn't city born.
But what clan didn't have the vallaslin? She reached up to knock but stopped with her hand in the air. What if he didn't want to talk to her? He had barely said anything to her since that conversation when he asked her what kind of hero she would be. So she just stood there for a minute trying to make up her mind.
He needed to speak to Leliana, to see if they found anything at the sight of the Breach. He needed to know if the orb had been broken or was there somewhere in the ashes. Everything depended on him getting the orb back, especially if he was going to try and fix his mistakes. He would never trust her enough to talk about the orb, but he could say anything left at the sight would help him learn more on how to close the Breach.
Walking out the door he could feel the snow upon his feet, putting a warming spell on them to keep them from freezing. He slowly started to walk towards Leliana's tent.
Looking up he could see Zara standing outside her cottage, bare feet just standing there. Not taking his eyes off her he slowly moved towards the chantry, wondering what she might be thinking at this exact moment. He knew it must be difficult being so far from home, knowing she might never get to return. She had almost died when she was trying to close the Breach, but this didn't seem to faze her. If she was scared she sure didn't show it, she was even nice to the humans.
He did not expect such general compassion, not after the run-ins he had with the Dalish himself. They seemed not to care about anything else but their past and weren't kind to strangers. Yet here she was, being called the Herald and saying she would help attempt to close the Breach and the rifts.
He did not understand her, the more he looked at her standing there in the snow the more he wanted to go and talk to her. To find out more about how she thought. He was wrong about how she would act. He assumed she would be like the other Dalish elves he came across, but she was different, she was interested in what he had to say. She was more open-minded then he gave her credit for. What else could he be wrong about?
He was half way to Leliana's tent when Zara, put her arms out and started spinning. What was she doing? He could see a smile spread across her face which made him stop him in his tracks. He didn't understand what she was doing. Everyone around her had stopped to watch. No one talked and no one moved.
He felt a pang of jealousy, oh how he wish he would get lost in his own world without a care in the world. But he couldn't, he was on a mission. He couldn't let anything distract him. He shouldn't let her distract him, yet he couldn't take his eyes off her. Seeing her smiling and spinning made him feel happy himself, it even brought a smile to his lips.
"She seems perfect, doesn't she Chuckles?" Hearing Varric's voice brought him out of his trance. Turning his attention to the child of the stone, Solas stared down at him with a glare in his eyes. Varric's arm crossed over his chest
"Excuse me? I do not understand what you are referring to." Solas said to Varric. Putting his arms behind him, he shifted his body to move away.
"Oh, don't play dumb I saw you staring at her with longing. It will be quite fun watching how this plays out." his voice had a hint of amusement. Varric dropped his hands to place them on his hips.
"I think you misunderstand me Varric. I was simply looking at her mark. As you well know I have been studying it trying to learn more about how it can help us. Now if you are quite done I have business to attend to." Solas voice was calm as he started to walk away.
He could hear Varric say under his breath "Sure, you do. Bet he doesn't even know I can see her watching him from across the camp."
Walking faster now to get to Leliana's tent, he thought about what Varric just said. She was watching him, but why? Did she suspect him? Did she think he was lying about who he was? That couldn't be possible. He had mastered the art of wearing his mask long ago.
Maybe she was just curious about him. All she knew was that he wasn't Dalish nor a city born elf. None the less, he couldn't let her get close. He would not let his guard down around her, he needed her trust. He was done thinking about this. He needed to talk to Leliana.
Reaching her tent he poked his head inside, "Excuse me, Leliana. Can I have just a second of your time? I have some questions." The tent was dark except the candle that was lit on the desk, everything was neat and organized.
"Sure, Come on in Solas? What are you questions?" Leliana's voice light and friendly. Her body turned to face him, but her gaze never left the papers and letters in her hands.
"I was simply wondering if you found anything that might help me with my research at the sight of the Breach. Even the smallest thing might help." Solas voice was calm, despite the worried feeling inside him. He stood tall, confident, like he had nothing to hide.
"I'm sorry Solas, but we haven't found anything yet. But as soon as we do I will make sure to bring it to you personally." She told him as she set the documents aside, finally turning her head towards him with her hand resting on her waist.
"Thank you, I will let you return to your duties. If you need me, I'll be in my cottage," he said with a straight voice, hiding his disappointment.
Ducking out of her tent he looked towards Zara's cottage. She was no longer there. She probably went inside, to get away from the cold.
He could feel grief coming up behind him like a wave. He was hoping that she had found something by now. Where was his orb? What was Corypheus doing? There was no way he could have unlocked the full power of the orb, it wasn't possible. Getting close to his cottage he looked down at his hands, picking at his finger to try and calm himself.
"He doesn't even want to talk to you. This was a stupid idea, Zara. Like he would possibly be remotely interested in answering your questions," he heard Zara's frustrated voice. Looking up he saw her standing in front of his door, the corners of his mouth pulling in different directions.
'How long had she been standing there debating on knocking and talking to me?' Her black hair flowed down midway to her back, with half of it in soft braids. She was wearing Dalish armor, like she was ready to go somewhere. One hand in a fist, it hung in the air like she was about to knock on the door.
Approaching her with caution, he heard her say out aloud, "Asking about how he keeps his feet warm is stupid. He will think you are a child. You should just go back and forget this ever happened." This amused him, he didn't know why but he liked that he wasn't the only questioning himself. Her head fell towards the ground as she turned to leave. She hadn't seen him yet, but he was going to answer her question.
Solas spoke clearly so she could hear her him respond. "I use a heating spell. I place it on my feet when I walk out the door. I can show you if you would like?" As he explained he saw the shock and embarrassment spread across her face.
"How long exactly have you been behind me?" She asked while looking up at him, but not meeting his eyes. Instead, her eyes focused on his mouth.
He couldn't help but laugh. "Long enough Da'len, and no, I do not think it was a stupid question. If you have any other questions, I would be more than happy to answer. But the real question is how long have you been standing outside my door?" Looking down at Zara, he couldn't believe he just flirted with her.
"Oh, not long in fact I was about to leave to meet Mother Giselle in the Hinterlands, a hint on why I am wearing this armor. I don't have time at the moment for you to show me the spell, but how about this time tomorrow?" she said finally looking into his eyes.
Zara's armor was tight fitting with a leather coat hanging on her shoulders, but he could see her feet were bear. He guessed she was still refusing to wear the shoes Josephine suggested.
"I would be honored, Da'len. Tomorrow I will show you the spell." His voice was soft and inviting. Solas moved closer to where they were standing only a couple of inches away, close enough to feel her breath on his face.
"Okay! It's a date then!" she said with excitement. "Oh my, that's not what I meant, I didn't mean like a date." Her blood started to rise into her cheeks making them bright red. "I simply meant that I will see you tomorrow, here in your cottageā¦. By the Dread Wolf why can I not stop talking, I'm making a fool of myself. I have to go. Ir abelas..."
She rushed forward to get away, but suddenly stopped in her tracks. "Oh, one more thing. I need you to come with me to the Hinterlands with Varric and Cassandra. Is that okay with you?" She was still blushing from embarrassment.
"Ma nuvenin, Da'len." he spoke never taking his eyes off her, as she turned to walk away.
