A/N: The title of this chapter means "Enter this place in peace" – a common greeting among Dalish elves. I felt it was appropriate seeing as this is the chapter where our group finds the camp! Makes sense, I guess. Enjoy!

Chapter Four:

Andaran Atish'an

Neriah slowly exited her tent, the cold mountain air piercing her lungs like a thousand little needless, momentarily leaving her breathless. She blinked her eyes into the harsh sunlight that reflected off the fresh snow that had ambushed their camp during the night. She stretched her limbs, cracking her neck and fingers, before turning back to grab her things from her tent before packing it up again. Just as she was turning back to re-enter her tent, someone spoke to her.

"Good morning, Inquisitor. Sleep well?" Solas was watching her from the fire pit, where the long dead fire's ashes still remained.

She refused to meet his gaze, her mind still reeling from the conversation she had overheard the night before. "I found no comfort in the Fade," she said quietly. She had tossed and turned all night, and the brief sleep she did get was fitful. Shadows had danced around her the whole time, taking the forms of various different animals, wolves being the most prominent. "Yourself?" She asked, trying to be polite, but all the while wanting to crawl back into her tent and never come out.

Solas's eyebrows knitted together in what looked like concern for her. "I am sorry to hear it, Inquisitor." He looked away from her, his storm-grey eyes distant. "I too found no solace within the Fade, myself. No spirits came to me; all was unusually quiet."

Neriah looked down at the snow, moving her boot slowly through it. "I am sorry to hear that, as well. I find it difficult to find rest anywhere but my own room lately. Since the defeat of Corypheus, I haven't had much cause to leave Skyhold."

Solas fixed her with a sad smile. "I can imagine; I am certain none of you would have cause to leave since his defeat, not since…" His voice trailed off, watching her silently.

She looked up at him, her eyes still pained, her voice soft. "Not since you left."

Their gazes held for a moment. Solas's eyes where filled with pain, something Neriah hadn't seen since his return. He slowly approached her, taking calm, careful steps, until he was directly before her.

"Lethallan," his voice was soft. She could see his hand slowly begin to reach for hers. Her breath caught in her throat. She was reminded heavily of a year before; back to the first time she and Solas had kissed, while in the Fade. He had tried to pull away from her even back then, but she hadn't let him. She had kissed him first, and he had responded graciously. After that the two of them were inseparable, journeying together through the Fade almost every evening. Since he had left, Neriah had felt so alone, and no comfort within the dream world. She was broken out of her reverie and became abruptly aware of how close Solas's face and body was to hers. Her heart began to beat a little faster, and she felt her cheeks flush.

Suddenly, there was a loud noise from behind them. They both whirled to see Varric and Cole sprawled in the snow, having apparently fallen out of their tent.

"S-Sorry, Inquisitor." Varric sputtered, while trying to shove the Spirit Boy off of him, as he had fallen on top of the dwarf. Cole was stammering something about "Unresolved feelings!" when Varric threw him off, and Cole landed with a yelp in a pile of snow. It had been clear the two have been eavesdropping on Neriah and Solas's conversation.

"Come on, kid. Help me pack up my tent." Varric ushered Cole away from the two elves, who were both turning the color of snow berries.

After that little incident, the group had packed up their camp, and were off again, but not before Iron Bull and Dorian had made a big show appearing very late out of their tent, and Iron Bull strutted around smugly, while Dorian looked embarrassed. Neriah had threatened to send them to the void, and the Qunari had smartened up instantly, both himself and the Tevinter mage looking ashamed.

They pressed on through the snow, and began to descend the back of the Frostback Mountains before evening began to fall again. In the distance, Neriah could see the forests beginning to reappear again, and she knew that Solas had been correct, they would arrive at the Dalish camp by morning, if the weather remained calm.

They set up camp again, Neriah took the first watch. She sat alone by the fire, the veil fire, which she had conjured earlier that evening. The green light danced across her face and hair as she watched it. She had always liked the look of veil fire compared to regular fire. It was a beautiful color, and it gave her a sense of calmness. Her Keeper had also been a mage, so veil fire was a common thing in her clan. Seeing the pale green flames now made her feel more at home than she had in a while. Part of her was looking forward to getting to the Dalish camp. It had been some time since she had been amongst her own people, and it would be nice to see some of her culture again.

A sound made her reach for her staff, but it was revealed to only be Varric. The dwarf was taking second watch after her, and had appeared early. He came and sat down beside her, the green light making him look like a ghost.

"How are you holding up?" He asked, his tone even. "Sorry about this morning. I caught the kid eavesdropping, and for some reason started doing the same. I knocked him out of the tent to prevent any weird things from happening." He raised an eyebrow at her, and Neriah felt her cheeks grow warm.

"Uh, thanks, Varric." She looked away. "I'm holding up alright, I suppose. As good as anyone else would, I guess." She looked into the flames, not saying anything. After a few moments of silence, she turned back to her friend. "I just want to get this over with; get to the clan, find this giant hole, fix the issue, and go back to Skyhold. Then maybe things can start getting back to normal."

Varric patted her arm, giving her a grin. "It will; don't worry so much," he turned back to the fire, stroking Bianca, his crossbow, as he did. "You should get some sleep; I'll take over from here."

Neriah nodded, bid her friend a good night, and went into her tent to try and get some sleep, and peace of mind.

"Just over this ridge," Solas said calmly, pointing through the snow covered trees. "The camp should be just up there." He led the group over the rocky, snow covered hill. Upon reaching the summit, they were greeted with the sight of a Dalish camp. The elven aravels were scattered here and there, and Neriah could see a few halla standing nearby, dragging their hooves through the snow, trying to find some form of plant life to graze on. The sight of the camp sent waves of nostalgia through Neriah's being, and for a moment she was paralyzed by everything. It was when the hunter approached that she was jolted back to reality.

"Andaran atish'an," the elf greeted them with the common elven greeting. "Are you lost, travellers?"

Solas stepped forward, "Aneth ara. I am Solas, I was here in your camp not a fortnight ago, speaking with your Keeper about the Darkspawn threat," He gestured to Neriah, "I have brought the leader of the Inquisition, Inquisitor Lavellan."

Neriah smiled at the hunter, "Andaran atish'an," She greeted the elf, who looked a little surprised at her use of the elven greeting.

"You are Dalish?" She asked, her voice filled with mild disbelief. "But, where is your vallaslin?"

The awkward silence that followed that comment made the small group shuffle nervously. Neriah could feel Solas's eyes avoiding, and she heard Cole murmur something, only to be hushed by Varric.

She turned back to the hunter. "I had one once. It has since… Been removed. I am still Dalish, however. I hail from Clan Lavellan."

The hunter seemed satisfied with that answer, since her face relaxed, and she turned to allow them to pass. "Welcome to our camp, da'len. I recognize your friend," she gestured to Solas, "he spoke with our Keeper before about the hole in the mountainside. We fear another Darkspawn attack. Please, follow me. Keeper Marethari will speak with you momentarily."

Neriah and her friends followed the hunter into the Dalish camp. As they walked, the elves around them regarded them with suspicion. She could hear them whispering about Solas, recognizing him, and whispering about Neriah. Once she thought she heard one of them say "vallaslin" and she bristled slightly. Varric saw her reaction, and patted her sympathetically on the back, which calmed the elf slightly.

They came to a large aravel, with tapestries and elven artifacts surrounding it. There was a large curtain blocking the door, and the hunter signaled for them to stop, before entering the aravel first. A moment later, she came back out, and small, polite smile on her face.

"Keeper Marethari will be with you in just a moment. Dareth shiral." She turned and walked away, leaving the group standing there waiting.

"These elves keep staring at me," Iron Bull grumbled, and Dorian patted his arm.

"It is because you are so intimidating, surely. These elves have no doubt ever met someone of your… calibre." He winked at the Qunari, who chuckled.

"Behave, you two." Neriah scolded them, "we are here as guests, not to draw unnecessary attention. The last thing we want is to make this clan feel uncomfortable."

"Us make them uncomfortable?" Varric stared at her. "I don't know if you've noticed, Quizzy, but you and Chuckles here are the only two who don't stick out like a Mabari in a confectionary."

Neriah was about to retort back, when the curtain into the aravel opened, and Keeper Marethari came out. Neriah stared at her, hardly daring to breathe. This could be her; this could be the Hero of Ferelden.

Keeper Marethari stood at least a head taller than Neriah, and looked about a decade or so older. She had long, black hair, then fell down to her waist, which she had drawn back in a long plait down her back. Her vallaslin was a beautifully intricate marking upon her forehead alone, and she had dark brown, almost black eyes. For an elven Keeper who lived within the forests, the elf woman was surprisingly pale. She carried and aura of authority about her, though it was not intimidating, so much as impressive. She was much younger than Neriah had envisioned.

An easy smile played across the Keeper's lips. "Andaran atish'an, da'len." She greeted her warmly. "How may I assist you?" She noticed Solas standing next to Neriah. "Solas, she greeted the elven apostate with the same warmth. "It is good to see you again, I trust you are well?"

Solas nodded once. "I am, Keeper. I bring before you the leader of the Inquisition, Inquisitor Lavellan."

Keeper Marethari turned to look back at Neriah. "Lavellan? Of clan Lavellan?"

Neriah nodded quickly. "Our Keeper is Dashana Istimaethoriel Lavellan."

Keeper Marethari smiled, "Then you are also, Dalish. Welcome to our clan, lethallan. But I must ask, where is your vallaslin?" Again with the same question. Neriah felt her eye twitch, and beside her Solas took over.

"I removed it for her, Keeper. I will tell you of what I discovered of the vallaslin at a later date, but for now, we are here to assist you with the Darkspawn threat."

Keeper Marethari looked away from Neriah, but not before holding her gaze for a moment. "Of course, thank you, Solas. My clan and I greatly appreciate your aid in this matter. We fear that the threat will continue if the hole in the mountainside is not sealed."

Neriah took over from here. "On behalf of the Inquisition, please let me be the first to thank you for welcoming us so graciously into your camp. At your convenience, I would to converse privately, in hopes to decide the best course of action in this matter."

Keeper Marethari nodded at Neriah, before addressing her group. "Please, help yourselves to any food and drink you'd like; and feel free to set up your camp within ours. You are safe with my people, Inquisition." She gestured to her tent, and Neriah followed her inside, preparing herself for what she may be about to learn.

A/N: Okay, this one was a little shorter, but the next will be much longer, since it's going to have a huge part of this story coming up in it! Bear with me! I liked the little scene I had with Solas and Neriah; it felt like Solas was really feeling some remorse for what happened. Also, did anyone pick up on my use of the wolves within Neriah's dreams? I snickered while writing that. Foreshadowing, huehueh.

Elven used:

Da'len: Little child – could be used to refer to someone familiar.

Aneth Ara: A more casual elven greeting; generally used between Dalish elves only.

Aravel: Elven caravan.

Halla: Elven, white (though there is a golden one in-game) horned stags. Very sacred to the elves.

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