Hey there! If you're one of the seven people who are still following this story, which I haven't updated in two years, I'm sure you're wondering what this story is doing in your alerts. Well, since you probably don't remember the plot anyway, and there were only two parts published before today, I highly recommend going back to the Prologue. When Trespasser came out, my whole story was no longer canon. I had essentially given up on it, but then I recently played Inquisition again and read like 20 fanfics so I'm back in Solavellan hell!
If you weren't one of the seven followers, you probably just jumped from chapter one to chapter two like it was no big deal. Aren't you lucky.
Chapter 2: Nothing to Lose, Everything to Gain
I feel the heads turn before Dorian even opens the door to the main hall. I step into the hall, which I'm sure has never been so quiet. "I admit," I say to Varric as I glance around the near-empty hall, "I expected more mourners."
"You should see what It's like outside."
I'm about to respond, but then I see her, on a large slab where the throne once was, just as Dorian said. A few of her clan surround her, crying, perhaps praying.
I approach slowly, reminding myself that she is not dead, but I admit that I understand why they all think it. Her skin is too pale, her eyes sunken, but her face does not hold the peace of the dead. Her mouth is fixed in a grimace. I walk closer. I know that I should look up, check to make sure no one else is about to try to kill me, perhaps offer some words of sympathy to her kin, but I cannot coax my eyes from her face.
I stand at the slab, reach out a hand to touch hers, and a knife reaches from my right, pressing into the place where my chin meets my neck. "I thought I made it clear that you should mourn elsewhere, Solas," the spymaster's voice is as cold as her steel. The other elves seem to just notice our presence. They gasp at the sight of me, the Dread Wolf.
"I have not come to mourn her, Leliana," My eyes remain on ma vhenan, for a moment longer before I turn to face Leliana, "but to help her."
"Explain yourselves," she flares at Varric and Dorian.
"We're giving him the benefit of the doubt," Varric starts.
"He says, well, Cole says, that Lavellan is not dead, but trapped in the fade."
Leliana narrows her eyes at me. "Give me one reason why I should trust you."
"I have a reason, but I cannot give it to you."
She presses harder with the blade. "And why is that."
"Because she lays there in front of me," I gesture to her body, "and you are keeping me from her."
Leliana exhales and lowers the knife. Not a moment passes before the great doors at the end of the hall burst open to reveal an angry long-horned qunari and an angrier blonde elf.
"It is true. You really wanted to die that bad, eh, motherfucker?" The Iron Bull beats his palm with his fist as he stomps down the hall.
"Elfy-assed… Ass!" Sera stomps down behind him.
"Wonderful," I mutter.
Dorian steps forward, holding his hand out. "Wait, Bull. Solas is—" but Dorian is interrupted by Cassandra, Cullen, and Josephine tumbling out from the war room.
"Murderer," hisses Cassandra.
Josephine stands back, hand over her mouth. Cullen draws his sword.
"Is there anyone in Skyhold who does not wish me dead?" I mutter to myself.
Leliana smirks. "Unlikely."
Varric waves his hands in front of Cullen. "Take it easy, Curly, let us explain!"
As Dorian holds Bull and Sera back, and Varric holds Cassandra and Cullen back, I turn to face the slab once more. I'm not sure I have ever seen her look this small.
"Our dear friend lies dead," Vivienne's voice rings out from her loft, "and you can do nothing but squabble!" The room goes silent. "Very good. Solas, dear, I imagine you would not have come back without a good reason?" I nod my head. "And that if that reason were to annihilate the world here and now, there is most likely nothing we could do about it now, correct?"
"That is not why I am here," I insist.
"I'm sorry, dear, but do you really think anyone believes that?"
"I suppose not."
"Then the only way we can trust you is if we have nothing to lose and everything to gain." I nod. "Then perhaps we should gather what used to be the Inquisition so that you only have to explain your plan once?" I nod again. "Then shall we? Can we all take a few moments if it may save Lavellan?" Everyone else glances around at each other. They don't seem to keen to be ordered around by Vivienne, but she doesn't seem to be giving them a choice. They drop their posturing and go to find the friends not yet present.
The hall once again drops into silence. I return to the side of my love. "Ir abelas, vhenan," I whisper, "Ar ghilani vhenas."(1)
Translations:
1. "Ir abelas, vhenan. Ar ghilani vhenas,": "I'm sorry, heart. I will guide you home."
