It took them three days to travel from Skyhold to the area of the Crossroads that they hoped to find Solas in, and that was mostly because of the sheer number of people traveling with them. Suinassa knew that the slow pace was unavoidable, but there were times when she longed to run ahead, to find Solas and once more beg him to stop this.
She covered her impatience by working to master the prosthesis Dagna had given her before they left Skyhold. It was a cleverly crafted hook, thin and specially designed to hold the end of her bow in place while her right hand drew the string back. Dagna had also presented her with a new bow that had been designed around the hook. Suinassa had hugged the clever dwarf as best she could with only one arm, the knowledge that she could properly defend herself again lifting an enormous weight off her chest.
Ilriane was helping her with correcting her form, when she wasn't needed to help guide them through the Eluvians. Like Suinassa, she had mastered the bow and arrow at a young age, although she hadn't used the skills as much until she began working as a field archaeologist. "You have to be able to defend yourself out in the field," she'd said. "Demonstrating my skill with a bow has been part of every single job interview I've had."
Suinassa had tried to keep the fact that Ilriane was from the future secret, but inevitably word got out. The first day of travel had been filled with people trying to intercept Ilriane and question her. As soon as Suinassa had realized that was happening, she'd had a quiet word with Cullen, Varric, and Cassandra – and the four of them had kept Ilriane 'busy' the rest of the day. When they camped that evening, Ilriane had addressed the entire expedition and given them the information she'd given Suinassa and the others on the first day she'd arrived. The continued friendly relations between Orlais and Ferelden. The work at the end of the Innovation Age to return the Dales to the Dalish. Suinassa and Cassandra had spent a portion of the afternoon coaching Ilriane on some vague statements that would appease the individual members of the expedition – how the great deeds of the Inquisition were remembered with pride; how all their names had been dutifully recorded and were preserved for the ages.
It reminded Suinassa of her early days as Inquisitor, when Cassandra and Leliana had coached her in public speaking, because what did a simple Dalish hunter know about inspirational speeches?
The puffed-up speech had done its job, much to everyone's relief. Suinassa could tell that Ilriane wasn't used to being the center of attention and wanted to minimize the stress the other woman was under. Ilriane was the most important person on this expedition, aside from Suinassa herself.
The start of the third day saw them breaking camp and preparing to go through another Eluvian. They were at the outer edge of the unknown area - the area they all thought Solas must have his base in. Rion, the young Elementalist, came to take his place by Suinassa's side as Cullen selected a pair of scouts to be the first ones through this Eluvian.
After a few minutes, one of the scouts poked his head back through the Eluvian and gave the all-clear signal, before vanishing into the mirror once more. The rest of them lined up and began the slow process of moving a small army through a portal that would take only two at a time. Suinassa reminded herself that this was a good thing - restricting the number of hostile invaders they might have to deal with, if Solas decided to invade Skyhold.
How ironic that would be, since he had lead them to it in the first place.
Suinassa and Rion went through in the middle of the group, right after Cassandra and Ilriane. When they had passed through, they stepped to the side to clear the way for Varric and Cullen. The scenery was starting to look familiar to Suinassa - the gray rock of the distant mountains only partially covered by green trees; short yellow-green grass that allowed you to see the rocks before you stepped on them; the short alpine plants off to the side of the paths that lead to a small castle. The morning sunlight seemed to make the red flowers ahead glow. The area was beautiful, and Suinassa had one of Ilriane's drawings tucked in her bag so that she would remember what it looked like even when they were back at Skyhold.
The sound of an arrow slicing through the air broke Suinassa's reverie. A heartbeat later she felt the tingle of Rion's barrier settle over her, and she raised her bow and looked at the castle in front of them - the most logical place for the archer to be.
"So, we've found them," Cassandra said, coming to stand on the other side of Suinassa. Ilriane and Varric followed closely on her heels, both of them with their bows at the ready.
"We knew it was going to happen eventually," Suinassa said. She heard Cullen shouting orders to the army and was grateful, once again, that she had him as her Commander. "Are we all ready?"
She saw them all nod, and closed her eyes, thinking back to the days she had spent stalking silently through the wilderness in the Free Marches, blending in with the foliage, effectively invisible to the foolish shems that invaded Lavellan territory…
Suinassa opened her eyes and began to walk forward, the other four following closely at her heels. More archers had appeared in the windows of the castle ahead, and Cullen's soldiers raised their shields to block their arrows. But no one fired at Suinassa's group. No one seemed to notice them in the least as they moved forward, as they found a side door into the castle and slipped inside.
As they had discussed, Cassandra took the lead with Rion a half-step behind her, Suinassa and Ilriane behind them and Varric keeping an eye on their rear. They had entered a few other castles in search of the next Eluvian, and found that they tended to be on the ground floor or in the basement. By sticking close to the walls, moving slowly, they were able to bypass the forces that ran forward to join the battle.
Cassandra poked her head around a corner and then withdrew it. "The Eluvian is ahead," she said quietly. "There are still elves coming out of it."
"So this isn't his main base," Varric said. "How do we get past them?"
"We wait." Suinassa didn't like it, but she also didn't see a better option. "We wait until the Eluvian isn't being used, and then we run through. At least we don't have to activate it."
"I - I might be able to shut it down, when we go through," Ilriane said.
"Not worth it," Suinassa replied. "They obviously know how to open it, and that's time we can't really afford to spend."
Ilriane nodded, and the group fell silent once more as they waited in the shadows. Finally, Cassandra stepped forward, the others following close behind her - moving quickly to reach the glowing Eluvian ahead of them.
"Same order as we're currently in," Suinassa said. Cassandra and Rion stepped forward, Cassandra with her blade raised, Rion muttering the beginnings of a spell under his breath, and then they walked through the Eluvian.
"I'll go with Varric," Ilriane said. "We'll be less exposed that way."
Suinassa nodded and stepped through the Eluvian. She stepped into another building, the surroundings similar to the castle they had just left. She felt exposed in such a large room, the arched ceiling high above her, and she hurried to stand by Cassandra and Rion.
When Ilriane and Varric came through, the five of them started moving forward again. "I believe this is where those fighters were stationed," Cassandra said. "We must assume that someone went through the Elvuian in the other direction to call for more. We may have to fight."
"Then let's move quickly," Suinassa said. "We have the advantage of surprise, so we need to use that as long as possible." She looked at Rion. "Cast a barrier as soon as you see anyone coming for us."
"Yes, Inquisitor," Rion replied, and started forward alongside Cassandra, the others close behind. A few minutes later, they heard footsteps behind them - someone running rapidly down the path that they had just taken. Cassandra hissed and gestured them all into a corner, sword bared in case they were discovered.
A young elf raced past them, not paying attention to his surroundings. "He's probably heading for the Eluvian," Ilriane said under her breath.
Cassandra nodded and waited a few more moments to let him get ahead, then they started after him. The elf lead them to a set of stairs and then down to a basement, and - as Suinassa had hoped - to an activated Eluvian. Before he could step through, Varric released a bolt from Bianca, piercing the scout through the heart. He stumbled, then fell to the ground in front of the Eluvian.
"You … killed him," Ilriane said, the blood draining from her face.
"Well, there was no point in letting him send for reinforcements," Varric said. Then he looked at her and twisted his face into a rueful expression. "Andraste's ass, that's right. You learned how to shoot to kill animals."
"Bears, wolves, wyverns," Ilriane said. "Not … not people."
Suinassa cursed. They didn't have time for Ilriane to be traumatized by seeing someone die by a friend's hand. "You have to be strong," she said. "Like when you were running from the demons. Freak out about this later."
"Mythal shelter me," Ilriane murmured, which made Suinassa wince, remembering just who Mythal was.
"We must go," Cassandra said, and didn't wait for Ilriane's response before stepping over the dead elf into the Eluvian. Rion hurried to catch up.
Varric clapped a hand on Ilriane's shoulder. "You'll be all right. Remember, this is all to get you home so you don't have to deal with this shit again."
"Right," Ilriane muttered. "Right." She took a deep breath and stepped around the dead elf before passing through the Eluvian.
"Poor kid," Varric said quietly, and then he and Suinassa followed her. They exited into another room, without any sentries by the Eluvian. Cassandra gestured them forward, and they stalked silently through the halls.
After a couple of turns, Rion halted. "Someone's ahead," he hissed, and they all stopped behind him. Voices drifted towards them, quietly at first, and then louder.
" … they're holding us off, Dread Wolf," an unfamiliar male voice said.
Dread Wolf. Solas.
"I am not surprised, though I would like to know how they found us," Solas replied. The sound of his voice made Suinassa's heart clench as though it was caught in a trap, beating painfully in her chest.
"If we take prisoners, we can ask them." The other male voice paused. "Do you want us to take prisoners?"
"There are those that you are not permitted to harm," Solas said, his voice as hard as Suinassa had ever heard it. "You recall who they are."
Suinassa heard the other man's nervous swallow before he spoke again. "The Seeker. Commander Cullen. The one-eyed qunari. The dwarf with the crossbow. The Tevinter mage. The … the Inquisitor."
"Excellent. Then I charge you to run ahead and see that your fellow warriors remember that."
The five of them flattened themselves against the wall as the terrified elf ran past. Suinassa heard Solas moving in their direction, slowly, halting down the hall from them. "You might as well show yourselves," Solas said calmly. "I know that you are there. If you come out now, I will show mercy - but if you force me to fight, I cannot make that same guarantee."
Cassandra, Varric, and Rion all looked at Suinassa. "Inquisitor?" Cassandra said, barely a whisper.
Suinassa took a deep breath and stepped around the corner, holding her bow up, feeling her right arm trembling. She looked at him, wearing the wolf pelt that she'd seen him in before - standing tall and proud as she had rarely seen him do while he was part of the Inquisition. Their eyes met, and the pride on his face softened.
"Suinassa," he said quietly. "Vhenan, what are you doing here?"
"Looking for you," Suinassa replied, as the others came out from around the corner.
"Cassandra. Varric. Good to see you again." Solas nodded to them. "I believe I recognize the mage from around Skyhold, but you -" He looked at Ilriane. "You, I do not recognize."
Suinassa met Ilriane's eyes and nodded. "Tell him," she said encouragingly.
Ilriane stepped forward, an arrow knocked to her bow, her face extremely pale. "I'm - I'm from the future, Dread Wolf," she said. She looked nervously over at Suinassa, then back to Solas. "Nearly three hundred years."
"That should not be possible," Solas said, frowning at her and lifting a hand. Cassandra took a step forward. Solas noticed the motion and relaxed his arms slightly. "I will not harm her, or the mage," he said. "I have never wished to harm any of you."
"You have a most peculiar way of showing it," Cassandra replied acidly.
"I intended to cast a small spell to see if this stranger is telling the truth," Solas continued. "Obviously, you believe her, but I will be able to verify the tale more decisively. What is your name?"
"Ilriane Ghilain," the still-nervous woman responded.
"Dalish names. Clan Ghilain. 'Mind like a cage'." Solas tilted his head to the side in a very wolf-like gesture. "Half-Dalish?"
Ilriane nodded, still holding her bow.
"That will make this easier." Solas extended his hand out, and a small flash of green fire flew through the air to encircle Ilriane. Her face lost even more of its color, but the fire didn't seem to be doing anything to her. He frowned. "Born two hundred sixty four years in the future." The fire vanished. "To send you back to this time would have taken a tremendous amount of energy - a power source that only one of my kin could command. Who sent you back?" He took a step forward, seeming more intent than he had a moment ago - more deadly. Varric hefted Bianca noisily.
"You did," Ilriane said. "I - I didn't know it was you. Not until I arrived at Skyhold and drew a picture of you for the Inquisitor." Her words came out rapidly, tumbling over themselves in her haste to explain herself. "You directed me to an Eluvian that would take me to Enathe."
Solas looked stunned at that, the intensity draining from his body. Suinassa took the opportunity to direct the conversation. "She told us about her future, the world she comes from. The twelfth Age is called Reclamation, Solas - after the act that returned the Dales to our people. The Exalted Plains, the Emerald Graves, the Arbor Wilds - they are under the control of the Dalish, recognized as their own nation." She took a step forward. "You miss the world you had. A world where elves were the masters of their own destiny. That world will return, without you having to tear down the Veil to do it."
"That is not the only reason I wish to tear down the Veil," Solas said.
"I know, but Solas…" Suinassa stepped forward, momentarily forgetting about the others with her. All she saw was Solas, the man that she loved, set on a foolish path. "Solas, Arlathan is gone. It has been gone for a long time. Trying to bring it back is counterproductive. I know that you think the clans foolish for trying to cling to tradition and not move forward. But we have moved forward. We have survived. Despite everything that has happened, the elves live, and they try to keep the old traditions alive."
"Remember what I told you before," Varric said. He stepped forward to stand besides Suinassa. "The only choices you get are to lie down and die or keep going. The elves chose to keep going. Even if you do bring down the Veil, you won't have the world back as you remember it."
"You can never get the past back exactly as you remember," Cassandra said, her words tinged with an edge of bitterness. Suinassa knew she was thinking about the Seekers. "You can try, but it will never be the same. That is not necessarily a bad thing. It is the nature of life."
"Things are better now. In the future." Suinassa turned to look at Ilriane as the other woman started speaking, and saw that some of the color had returned to her face. "It's not perfect, and there's still a long way to go - but it does happen. It happens because Suinassa Lavellan becomes a hero to every Dalish. Because Briala pushes Empress Celene into granting more concessions to the elves. Because the rulers of Ferelden honor their promise to Hareas Mahariel. Because Gina Hawke takes up their cause on behalf of her beloved Merrill."
"You helped us against the Qunari because you wish this world to live in happiness, to let people make their own decisions," Suinassa said. "Can't you see that tearing the Veil down will do the opposite? Please, Solas. Stop this. Before it goes too far."
She had walked within arm's reach of him without realizing it. Solas reached out and touched the hook on her arm. "Dagna's work," he said. "You are fortunate to have her."
Suinassa bent and laid her bow on the ground, then reached up with her remaining hand to lay it against Solas' cheek. "Solas. Come back to me." He bent his forehead so that it was leaning against hers, and Suinassa felt tears prickling at her eyes. "Come home."
Solas covered her hand with his own, then tilted her chin up and kissed her. Suinassa felt her body growing heated, and she resisted the urge to deepen the kiss. Still, she was breathing heavily when he finally took a step back from her. He looked past her, at the others. "I do not know why my future self sent you here, Ilriane Ghilain," he said. "I would imagine that you are here to beg me to send you home. I am sorry to say that I cannot do that."
"No," Ilriane said, an edge of hysteria entering her voice. "No, you - you have to send me back. You sent me here. You can send me back!"
Solas shook his head. "It is not possible, nor will it ever be. I cannot tell you how I was able to do it the first time. I can assure you that I am not able to do as you wish. The only way would be if I were to succeed at my plans - but that would mean that the future you came from no longer exists for you to return to." He looked troubled at that.
"You - no - you can't do that." Ilriane had seemingly forgotten that she was afraid of Solas, darting forward to grab his arm, sinking to her knees in supplication. "You have to send me back."
Solas met Suinassa's eyes again, a much softer plea in this eyes. Suinassa bent and wrapped her right arm around Ilriane's back. "If he says he can't, then he can't," Suinassa said. "I'm sorry, Ilriane. I know that's what you wanted. There is a place for you with us. I'm sure it's small comfort now, but -" she trailed off, aware of how empty her words must sound.
"It would not be wise for you to remain much longer," Solas said. "My forces will be returning soon, and I fear some of them would not understand why you are not my prisoners. If you leave, that will avoid any unfortunate misunderstandings."
"Will you give this up, Solas?" Cassandra asked. "Will you stop this madness?"
"I will consider what you have said," Solas replied. "I cannot promise any more than that." He paused. "There is an Eluvian in the next chamber. It will take you to a nexus, and from there -"
"We're good, Chuckles," Varric interrupted him. "Ilriane knows how to get us back."
"Does she." Solas watched as Suinassa helped Ilriane to her feet, then retrieved her bow from where she'd dropped it earlier. "Interesting."
Heavy footsteps sounded behind them. "You are out of time," Solas said regretfully. "Please, vhenan. I cannot guarantee your safety, and I –" he swallowed. "Please."
"They are coming," Cassandra said. "Rion."
"Seeker?" Rion's voice broke on the last syllable.
"Are you a mage or not?"
"Oh. Right." Rion raised his arms, conjuring a wall of fire across the other end of the hallway.
Suinassa raised her bow and notched an arrow to it again, keeping her eye on Ilriane to make sure that the other woman was following. She had a good idea of the pain that their time-traveling companion felt, but there was nothing that she could do to help her. If Solas was right, there was nothing anyone could do to help her.
"Let's move, people," Varric called, darting ahead to the door that Solas had indicated before. "Time's a-wasting."
They reversed the order they had used before - Varric in the lead, Suinassa and Ilriane behind him, with Cassandra and Rion watching to see if anyone made it through Rion's wall of fire. Varric threw open the door of the next chamber and revealed an Eluvian, already activated, ready for them to use.
Suinassa waved Cassandra and Rion ahead of her, and after a worried glance from Cassandra, they went. She lingered for a moment and caught the sight she had been hoping for.
Solas, his face sorrowful, met his gaze for a long moment. "Ar lath ma, vhenan," he said.
"I love you, too," Suinassa said, and walked through the Eluvian.