Recap:

Before she could leave I asked "I still do not know what to call you". The inquisitor paused at the door. "My name is Fen'Abelas. I ask that you use that rather than my title. After all, the Inquisition is temporary". I nodded, pondering her name, the Wolf of Sorrow. She left me to settle into my new home of sorts. This won't be as bad as I once thought.

Chapter 3

Fen'Abelas:

Once I set up the ancient elf in his room, I left to speak with Solas. No doubt I would be reprimanded for drinking of the well. I sighed and braced for the scolding. "I begged you not to drink from the well, why couldn't you have listened" he demanded. I sighed "Solas..." he interrupted, "You gave yourself to the service of an ancient elven god." Once more I sighed, playing off that I didn't know who he really was "You don't believe in the ancient elven gods". Solas was quick to retaliate, "Not as gods no, but I believed they existed! Something had to exist to start the legends! If not gods then mages, or spirits, or something we've never seen. And now you're bound to one of them…But I suppose it is better that you have the power over Corypheus. Which leads to the next question, what will you do with that power once Corypheus is finished?" I thought for a moment, "We can't go back to the way things were, but I would hope to destroy any remnants of corruption and begin anew." His anger in me had vanished somewhat "What happens if the worlds you've created is even worse than the one before". I thought the question over and replied "I'd look to see where I got it wrong and try again". "Just like that" he asked. "If we don't try we'll never get it right now will we" I responded. "I have to say Inquisitor, you have impressed me. You've shown me that if one simply keeps trying, things will be better. Thank you. Forgive my melancholy, Corypheus has cost us much, the Temple of Mythal didn't deserve such a fate. We may still recover the orb Corypheus carries and its stolen power. With luck, some of the past may yet survive". I smiled slightly, "In the end, I will still have you at my side". Solas made a gesture towards the door, "Come with me Vhenan". And so I did, I followed him as we made our way to a hidden sanctuary of sorts. "The veil is thin here, can you feel it tingling on your skin". I could in fact feel it, as well as I could sense spirits pushing against it to see the world beyond the fade. We finally stopped walking and he chose that moment to caress the unscarred side of my face "I was trying to find some way to show you what you mean to me" he said, looking into my silvery white eyes. "I'm listening, though I'm sure I can offer a few suggestions" I replied. He smiled softly "I shall bear that in mind, but right now the best gift I can offer you, is the truth. You are unique, in all of Thedas I never expected someone to capture my attention in the way that you have. You have become important to me, more important than I could have imagined". I smiled slightly at the heartfelt words "As you are to me". "Then what I must tell you…the truth…Your face, the Vallaslin are not as you think, in my journeys in the fade I have discovered what the truly mean". I interrupted him gently "They honor the elven gods". He sighed sadly "No, they are slave markings, or at least they were in the time of the Ancient Arlathan." I was angered on the inside, both because Solas did not confess his true nature and because the Dalish had gotten another thing in elven history wrong "So this was just another thing that the Dalish got wrong". Solas had a sad expression on his face "I'm sorry". With a grim expression I elaborated "Of all the things that the Dalish preserve, we keep something from a time when we were no better than Tevinter". With a comforting tone he responded "Don't say that. For everything the Dalish got wrong, they did get one thing right, they made you. I didn't tell you this to hurt you, but if you like, I know a spell. I can remove the Vallaslin". To this I nodded "Then cast your spell, take the Vallaslin away". There was a subtle smile on his face as he had me sit before him. There was a soft green glow as he ran his hands over my face. Once he removed them he said "Ar lasa mala revas. You are free". He spent a moment to look at me "You are so beautiful" he stated. Solas then moved to kiss me with a fierce passion. I sunk into the kiss and felt his hand slightly grab my ass. He withdrew from the kiss and look at me seriously "And I'm sorry, I have distracted you from your duty. It will never happen again". I had to bite back the whimper that wanted to escape my throat "Solas…" He back away from me slowly "Please Vhenan" he begged. My eyes blazed with betrayal and turned into a hard glare "Tell me you don't care" I commanded. He had a heartbroken look on his face "I can't do that". I got closer to him and spoke menacingly "Tell me I was just some casual dalliance so I can call you a coldhearted son of a bitch and move on!" As I yelled at him I shoved at his chest repeatedly pushing him back before retreating back the way we came. The last I heard from him was "I'm sorry". I hopped onto my wild hart and headed back to Skyhold, both sorrow and fury beating through my veins. Once I was back at the stronghold, I holed myself in my chambers, refusing to sleep and eat, I only ever left my chambers to have frequent sparring matches with Iron Bull. All I could focus on was taking my hurt out on someone who could handle it. Bull was more than willing if it meant a good fight.

Abelas:

It has been a week since Fen'Abelas and the one called Solas have returned to Skyhold. I only saw her when she was out in the sparring ring with the Qunari mercenary called Iron Bull. I often watched their fights, only this time, a spirt appeared next to me, Cole if I recall correctly. "She's hurting, Solas left her instead of telling her who he is. I don't know how to help. I've tried making her forget, but the memory keeps coming back. She won't eat what I bring her. I don't know how to help" it stated slightly shaking in panic. Ah a spirit of compassion, he wants to help, but it seems like she doesn't want to be helped. "Perhaps I should try to help" I said out loud, mostly to myself. Cole smiled at the "Yes, she will like that" before he disappeared. I looked to the sparring ring and saw a victorious wolf standing over its prey. "I win again Bull" she grinned. The Qunari grunted and stood from the ground "Yea yea, I know boss". Both of them walked out of the ring. I stepped up to her and offered a clean cloth to remove the sweat from her face. She took it gratefully. "What brings you to the sparring pit Abelas" she asked. This was my chance to initiate helping her "I was actually looking for you, Cole tells me you aren't eating. You Qunari friend will end up defeating you if you don't keep up your strength". She sighed in defeat, "You have a point. Have you eaten yet?" I shook my head no in response to her question. She seemed to smile a bit, obviously planning something "Would you like to raid the kitchens with me then?" Ah so she still had some mischievous spirit left. I nodded and gestured for her to lead the way. We made our way to the kitchens in silence, it was peaceful. She brought us into stealth mode once we were inside. I stood by watching what she was taking. She grabbed an empty potato sack and used it to gather various dried meats, some fruits, as well as several canteens of water. "I have what I like, grab something else if you have other tastes" she said throwing the sack over her shoulder. I looked around for anything else that looked good and found some herbal tea in a medium sized pitcher. When she noticed my choice she grabbed two cups on the way out. I followed her back to her chambers where we finally exited stealth mode. I noticed some changes that had been made, her bed was no longer in the center of the room, but it was in the back corner. Two comfortable looking chairs and a small table in between them. "Looks like Cole has been busy" she chuckled. It was good to hear her laugh, even if it was because of the spirits meddling. She set the food up on the table and sat in one of the chairs, one of her legs swung over the side. I set the pitcher in the only open space left and sat in the opposite chair. Slowly, Fen'Abelas began to eat, tearing into the dried meat. I poured the tea in both our cups and picked up a fruit to enjoy. She took a drink of her tea to wash down the remaining meat in her mouth and sighed in content. "It's been a long time since I could relax like this, sad that this will have to end soon" she said looking at ceiling. "Why is that?" I asked, finishing off my fruit to move on to some of the meat. "I still need to go to the shrine of Mythal, ask for her help in killing, or at the very least weakening that damned dragon that Corypheus keeps". I thought on her words "Perhaps you could take me with you to this shrine" I offered. She looked over at me and grabbed one of the few fruits left on the table, "Yes I think that will work out just fine. I think I will take you, Cole, and maybe Dorian". I noticed there was no mentioning of Solas. "What of you and Solas, were you two not close?" I asked. Fen'Abelas closed her eyes in thought before looking at me. There was much pain in her gaze, but also a heavy fury that sought vengeance. "He and I are no longer together. Instead of telling me the truth, he removed my Vallaslin and left me. Funny, he couldn't tell me he didn't care about me, yet he could so easily abandon me for nothing". She laughed bitterly and drank more of the herbal tea. "What exactly was this truth he did not tell you" I asked, though I felt that I was beginning to ask too much of her. Surprisingly she answered "He is not only Solas, but also the infamous Fen'Harel. He may have freed many from the marks of the Vallaslin before, but I feel the name still fits him for putting me through such a cruel illusion". My eyes widened at the implication "I'm sorry Fen'Abelas. I should not have pried". She smiled softly at me, "There is nothing to forgive, and you might as well call me Fen, it must be strange to have your name in another's". With a smile I raised my cup of tea, "Perhaps it is time for the both of us to find new names. I no longer feel much sorrow, and I hope I can assist in the recovery of your heart". She smiled warmly and raised her own cup, "To finding new names then" she said before finishing the drink and gathering what little remained of the food. I finished my tea as well, and rose from my seat. "Shall we gather the others and head to the shrine?" I asked. She nodded and we left her room to get Dorian and Cole.