"Lori, put your boots on."
"No."
"Then let me put your boots on."
"No."
"You are not getting into that wagon until you have your boots on."
"No!"
"I'm not asking again, young lady."
"No boots!"
"Lorien Hylea Lavellan, you are putting these on this instant!"
"Noooooo!"
Nimwen groaned. They hadn't even set off yet and she already had a headache. "Solas, you deal with this."
Solas looked up from the bags he had been finishing packing. "Vhenan, you realize I am also not wearing shoes, correct?"
"She needs to keep her feet warm," Nimwen insisted. "I'm not letting her risk frostbite just because you have indestructible feet."
Solas let out a long breath. "Da'vhenan, please listen to your mamae."
The toddler pouted. "No."
Solas stood and picked up the girl's boots. "You are a smart girl, right, da'vhenan?"
"I smart," Lori said.
"Then, a smart girl like you will know wearing uncomfortable boots feels better than losing her little toes." He knelt down, voice soft and tone reassuring as he placed the boots right before Lori. "How about? Are you smart?"
"I smart!" Lori repeated. "But you and mamae no wear boots!"
Nimwen winced. It was hard to argue that. Solas of course like most elves prefered no shoes, and Nimwen herself never had to worry about the cold affecting her. Quite honestly it was possible Lori would be fine without boots, but Nimwen's own overprotective instincts made her worry about the littlest of things.
A small chuckle escaped Solas. "This is true, da'vhenan, but I still cover my feet in the cold." He placed his hand on her head. "I know when I need to wear shoes. If it is warm enough for your feet not to be bitten by the cold, then I promise you can remove your boots."
"But they make my toes feel funny," Lori pouted.
"Please just do this, da'len, don't you want to get in the wagon and meet your uncle?" Nimwen asked.
Lori looked back and forth between her parents. She sighed. "Fine," she grumbled.
"Ma serannas," Nimwen said.
Solas smiled. "There's my bright girl." He drew Lori into a quick embrace and kissed the girl's cheek. Then he set her back down and stood. He returned to the bags.
"So, do you want me to do it or do you want to put them on?" Nimwen asked.
Lori stuck her leg out.
Nimwen rolled her eyes. "Of course," she chuckled as she took one of the small boots.
She managed to put the girl's boots on without too much of a fuss. When she started lacing however, Lori was adamant that they be laced as loosely as possible, saying that they hurt her feet. Nimwen of course suspected the girl merely wanted to be able to take them off at a moment's notice.
"You're going to keep these on until I say so, understand?"
"Okay, mamae," Lori nodded.
'I believe that if they're still on in an hour.' Nimwen stood up, stretching her back. "Creators," she groaned as she heard her back pop. She'd started to get back pains the past few days. She dreaded what it would be like months from now when her stomach grew. "Can you please be a small baby?" Nimwen asked, patting her stomach.
Solas looked towards her from where he had been checking the bag with the food they were taking with them for the few day trip to the free city close to the last known camping site of Clan Lavellan. "When did your back start hurting, vhenan?" He stood and crossed over to her. His fingers warm on her shoulders.
"Maybe a day or two ago," she replied, leaning into his touch. "I got aches with Lori around this time too. They aren't too bad. Not as bad as when I've grown big as a druffalo."
Solas continued to knead her back for a few moments longer. Then, he drew Nimwen into an embrace. "We should get going." He kissed her before moving back to the bags. "I will get the bags if you get Lori, vhenan."
"All right," she sighed, the ache in her back fading. She bent down and scooped up Lori. "Ready to go?"
"Where Nummy?" Lori asked.
"He's already in the wagon, remember?" Nimwen explained as she opened the door. The wagon itself was nice while not too flashy, courtesy of Varric. It was perfect for comfortable travel while not drawing any attention to themselves. She placed Lori on the seat next to Nummy and settled into her own seat.
"We go on 'venture, Nummy," Lori giggled as she hugged the nug. The creature gave a squeak and nibbled at the girl's braid.
Solas finished placing the last of the bags in the wagon. "Be good for your mamae back here, da'vhenan." He gave Lori's little hand a light squeeze before moving to the front of the wagon.
Soon the wagon lurched forward and they were off.
"Weeee, we movin'" Lori smiled, staring out the window.
Nimwen chuckled. Lori had been in plenty of carriages and wagons before, and every time it was like she'd never experienced anything like it.
"Where Uncle Sin, mamae?" Lori asked.
"The clan is on their way to Ostwick," Nimwen explained. "It should take us about a week to meet up with them."
"Will they like me?" Lori asked.
"Of course they will," Nimwen responded. "They are your family, and I've told them nothing but what a wonderful little girl you are. Uncle Sin has just been dying to meet you."
"They like daddy too?"
"Um, well, they haven't met daddy yet either," Nimwen said. "But you don't have to worry."
"I no worry, daddy best daddy. They have to love him!" Lori stated.
Nimwen chuckled. "Indeed, he is the best."
Most of the first day passed, with nothing too exciting happening other than rain clouds moving in from the sea. The second day was when the rain hit them. Solas kept the wagon going through the storm even, only stopping at night to join them in the back of the covered wagon, wet. The rain lasted all of the trip, not even stopping on the seventh day as they drew near to the clan.
The wagon drew to a stop. The soft patter of rain drummed on the cover. A few moments later Solas appeared. "We're getting close to the camp," he informed them. "There is a path just wide enough for the wagon." He pulled himself into the wagon, staying close to the edge so as not to trail water further in. His eyes were intent as he looked at Nimwen.
"Daddy, daddy," Lori squealed as she clambered into her father's lap. "Look I make for Uncle Sin," she grinned, shoving her drawing into his hands. "Mamae say what he look like, and she say it look just like him!"
Solas smiled and lift her off his lap and back into the drier part of the wagon. "We don't want your masterpiece to wet, da'vhenan." He tapped her nose. "And I fear I am soaked." He turned to Nimwen. "Vhenan, I will get us closer to the camp, but they will stop us." He jumped down, water dripping from the rim of his hood. "Lori, please return to your seat. It's going to be very bumpy." He vanished around the wagon.
"He like it?" Lori asked Nimwen.
"Uncle Sin will love it," she smiled, placing the toddler back in her seat.
The wagon started forward once more. Solas hadn't been kidding when he had said it would be bumpy. Each beat of the horse's hooves made them bounce up a little from theirs seats. Soon the wagon was pulled to a stop. Voices could just be heard outside of the wagon. Solas reappeared with a few familiar figures following him.
"Creators, is that who I think it is?"
"Aneth ara, Faen," Nimwen smiled.
The younger elf grinned. "Never thought I'd see you again, Nimwen."
"Well, here I am."
"Yes," Faen's eyes shifted to Lori. "With guests."
"Hiya," Lori waved.
The hunter gave a small wave back, then turned to Nimwen. "I take it you'll want to see the keeper first?"
"She'd kill me if I didn't," Nimwen replied.
"All right, come on then."
Solas lifted Lori out of the wagon and held her even as he held out his other hand for Nimwen. "Vhenan." He gave her a very soft smile from under his hood.
"Ready to meet the family?" Nimwen asked, taking his hand.
Solas grunted as he helped her from the wagon. He glanced towards where Nummy was still caged near the back before he turned his gaze on the hunter.
"Oh, yes, Faen, see the nug in the back? He is not food, understood?"
"Got it," the hunter responded.
"We'll get him once we've settled in," Nimwen said to Solas.
He nodded and followed after Faen towards the camp. He still held Lori.
As they walked through the camp, Nimwen saw many eyes turn towards her family. She heard many whispers and murmurs, and a few people came up to greet her or waved at her. She would answer or wave back, feeling joy at seeing the familiar faces again, but also nervousness. How would they feel about Lori and Solas, or her unborn child? She doubted any would say harsh words or harm any of them, she knew her clan to well. But whispers behind closed doors could hurt just as much as the ones told straight to one's face. 'Relax, everything will be fine.' She found herself squeezing Solas's hand, holding onto it for support.
Solas looked at her and gave her hand a gentle, reassuring squeeze. Then his attention turned back to the clan. It was clear he was uneasy as well despite the fact no signs of the unease could be seen on his features.
As they approached the main campfire, people turned to the approaching group.
Nimwen's eyes met familiar hazel ones. "Keeper," she smiled.
The older woman stood from her seat. "You are a good sight, da'len," Deshanna smiled.
The two met and exchanged an embrace. Nimwen could smell the scent of herbs and ink that had always clung to Deshanna's clothes, and suddenly she was eight years old again studying magic in the keeper's aravel. She grinned, hugging the old woman tight. "It's so good to see you again, Keeper."
"You as well, my dear," the Keeper replied.
As the two parted, Deshanna caught sight of Solas. "Is this who I think it is?"
'Don't panic, you are in control,' "Yes, it is," Nimwen said, pushing down her nerves. "Keeper Deshanna, this is Solas. Solas, this is Keeper Deshanna."
Solas shifted a squirming Lori on his hip and bowed his head to Deshanna. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Keeper."
"Andaran atish'an," Deshanna replied.
Nimwen saw the Keeper look Solas up and down, and could feel her heart race.
"You are, not quite what I expected."
'Oh no.'
"But, with Nimwen, conventional was never really in her taste."
Solas didn't reply to this, just held the keeper's gaze.
"Hi." Lori waved.
"Now, who is this?" Deshanna smiled at the toddler.
"This is our daughter, Lorien," Nimwen said.
"I can tell, she looks just like you."
Solas glanced at Nimwen; then, he set Lori on the ground. "She does look like Nimwen," he agreed.
"So, how have you been, Keeper?" Nimwen asked.
"The Creators have brought us good fortune. We have not had any major conflicts since that incident a few years back, and we owe your Inquisition that much."
"That is good," Nimwen responded.
"Alaula," the keeper called to a hunter.
The hunter in question had been crossing the camp an empty bowl in hand. The hunter walked over to them, the hunter's amber eyes moving from the keeper to Solas. The hunter looked Solas up and down, but there was no hint of suspension. The hunter had strong features, the appearance of teen boy.
"Yes, keeper?" Alaula asked, her voice clearly female despite her appearance.
"It appears he actually ate this time." The keeper looked at the bowl in Alaula's hand.
Alaula beamed, her face lighting up with the smile. "He did, Keeper." Her smile melted away. "He still wishes to work to repay us for the food."
"You told him not to, I assume?"
"I tried, but, you know Papa, he doesn't like to eat for free."
The keeper let out a long low breath as she pinched her nose. "Ma serannas for trying, da'len. I will speak with him later. Creators only know he's done enough to deserve free food and a warm place to sleep." Deshanna turned back to Nimwen. "Nimwen, I don't believe you've spoken with Alaula before."
Alaula turned her sharp eyes on Nimwen. "Aneth ara, First Nimwen." Her voice had softened to no more than a whisper. "Are you returning to the clan?" There was a note of hope in her voice. The red-brown vallaslin of Dirthamen she wore crinkled with a worried expression.
"I have come to visit," Nimwen replied. She had never known Alaula very well. She was her brother's age, and Nimwen had had a hard enough time getting along with the children her own age, let alone older ones. "It is nice to see you again, Alaula."
Alaula gave the keeper a worried look before she nodded to Nimwen. "And you, Nimwen." To the keeper she said, "I'll see if I can get papa to eat a second bowl, if that is all right by you keeper?"
"By all means. If he doesn't eat it, force feed it to the man." The keeper's voice was almost stern.
Alaula smiled a little. "I don't think papa will hold still for me to try, but I will do as you ask, Keeper." She bowed her head to the keeper then looked at Nimwen. "Nimwen." She moved off to where the pot with the midday meal still rested over the fire.
"Who is she talking about, Keeper? I thought Alaula didn't have parents," Nimwen asked.
"She's referring to the man who saved her life as a child and brought her to the clan," Deshanna explained. "A topic for later." she brushed the matter aside and looked at Lori with a soft smile on her face.
"Do you know where Sinderon is?" Nimwen asked.
"Uncle Sin, Uncle Sin!" Lori chanted.
"Your brother should be back from a scouting trip soon," Deshanna explained. "I pray he's a bit more responsible on this one."
"What do you mean?" asked Nimwen.
"A while back he hurt himself, nothing serious mind you, just some bruises and a bloody nose, fell right on his face."
"He's hopeless," Nimwen laughed.
Solas glanced around the camp. He still held Lori's hand so the girl wouldn't run off. There was something different about the way he was now from when they had been in Kirkwall. While he was uneasy right then, there was no tension in his posture. His gaze, while scanning the camp, were wary, yes, but not as much as when he had been looking from one human to the next in Kirkwall. There was a slight frown on his features.
Nimwen brushed her hand against his, and gave him a questioning look.
"Later, vhenan," he whispered so that only she could hear. He turned his gaze back on the keeper.
"So, Keeper, I have some news."
Deshanna raised a brow. "Oh? I hope it's good news,"
"It is, very good news." Nimwen took Solas's hand. "Solas and I...we wish to be bonded."
The Keeper's eyes widened. "Truly?"
"Truly." Solas bowed his head to the keeper.
"Creators, this is wonderful news, and something that has been long since due," Deshanna said, glancing at Lori.
Nimwen blushed.
"I'll have to speak to Hahren Theonto arrange the ceremony, and there shall be many preparations. Oh, a bonding ceremony, we have not had one in such a long time." Deshanna started off towards where the clan's hahren was.
When she was out of earshot, Solas turned to Nimwen. "Vhenan," he started in a low voice, "there are only three mages in the entire camp."
"What do you mean? What about Deshanna's First?" Nimwen tried to ignore the hint of bitterness she felt at that. She held no resentment to the new First to the Keeper, nor to Deshanna for replacing her. It was just for so long she prided herself as the successor to the Keeper, only to have that role taken by another. Still, that was behind her. She was quite content with her life as it was.
"Perhaps said First isn't within the camp right now. But the huntress did call you 'First' when she spoke with you, vhenan. There maybe more going on here than meets the eye."
"Oh, you're overreacting, ma lath," Nimwen assured Solas. "Alaula probably just called me 'First' by mistake. After all, that was my title for years and that's what she called me when I left."
"Mamae, what're those?" Lori asked.
When Nimwen saw what she was pointing at, she smiled. "Those are aravels, da'len. That's where the Dalish sleep and where we keep our belongings."
"We get one?"
That made Nimwen pause. She wasn't quite sure where they would be sleeping. Before she left the clan she had still shared an aravel with her brother, as neither of them were bonded, and she doubted all of them could fit into Sinderon's aravel.
"We'll see," Nimwen told the girl.
"There was a tent among the items we brought, vhenan," Solas said as he pointed back to where they had left the wagon. "Perhaps I can speak with the keeper about it."
The soft sound of laughter followed and Solas turned his gaze. There was a group of children close to Lori's age playing nearby. Solas frowned and looked around the camp.
"There are fewer elvhen here than other clans I've seen," he stated.
"We've always been a small clan," Nimwen explained. "Though I don't recall us having as many children." She smiled. It was nice to see her people still lived their lives, having families of their own.
"Hmm." Solas knelt down. "Da'vhenan, why don't you go play with the other children while I speak with the keeper again." He placed his hand on Lori's head.
"I play?"
Nimwen was surprised at the almost uncertain look on Lori's face. It was then it occurred to Nimwen what little experience Lori had with children her own age. Speaking on a first-name basis with the Divine? Easy. But other children was apparently a nervous experience.
"Don't worry, da'len, they won't bite," she assured the girl. "I think they're playing ball, and they never have enough players. So, you'd be a good addition," she said with a wink.
"Really? Okay. Bye, mamae; bye, daddy!" Lori run towards the other kids as fast as her little legs could go.
Solas smiled as he straightened. He turned to Nimwen. "I can speak with the keeper alone, vhenan. You need some rest." Without waiting for her reply he moved off to where the keeper had gone.
Nimwen sighed. Solas had become rather protective as of late. She wasn't so helpless that she couldn't speak to the keeper with him. She took the opportunity to glance around the camp. It felt so strange to be back. Everything was just how it was when she left. It almost felt like the past three years had been a dream. But, it wasn't a dream, and Nimwen was quite okay with that. Still, some days she wondered what her life would have been if somebody else had been sent to spy on the Conclave. Would she still be doing what she had done before? Would Thedas still even be intact? She may never know, and she'd had enough experiences with time travel for one lifetime.
Her eyes caught sight of Alaula, looking around with concern on her face. "Is everything alright, lethallan?" Nimwen asked as she approached the huntress.
"No, everything isn't okay," Alaula growled under her breath. Her eyes widened and she clapped her free hand over her mouth. "Ir abelas," she muttered a small flush to her cheeks. She tucked a loose strand of her black hair behind her ear. "If you must know I lost track of my papa. The keeper, as you know, wanted me to give him another bowl of food." She looked at the ground.
"Would you like some company while you look? Perhaps I could help," Nimwen offered.
Alaula sighed. "All right. No point in trying to draw the keeper's attention to the fact I lost him. She'd kill me."
"She wouldn't kill you," Nimwen laughed. "Perhaps just take a leg and shave your head."
"No, I'm certain it's kill. Papa and the keeper are very old friends." Alaula started off, her eyes scanning the camp, while she tried to keep out of sight of the keeper.
"I've never heard anything about him from the keeper," Nimwen said. "Has he just come back recently?"
"Everyone's heard of him. They just don't know it. He's the Toymaker," Alaula explained. "He ended up caught up in the mess with the blight twelve years ago and everything else happening in Thedas. He only just managed to come back. He used to visit all the time. Bring us children toys every year and stories for the elders." Her voice was soft, almost impossible to hear over the clamor of the camp.
The Toymaker. Why was that so familiar? "I'd certainly like to meet him. He sounds interesting."
"I just can't figure out how he managed to leave where I left him." Alaula stopped. "He can't walk right now without help. Not until he finishes carving that cane of his," she fritted. "I didn't see any signs of him crawling away either," she muttered.
"Well, we'll find him. There's not many places he can hide in camp," Nimwen said.
"In camp," Alaula muttered. Her eyes widened. "The damaged aravels!" She raced off. "Come on, he has to be there."
"Wait!" Nimwen chased after the huntress. It wasn't long until she was panting from the effort. 'I'm getting out of shape,' she thought to herself. The baby in her wasn't helping either. She could only imagine Solas's reaction if he found her sprinting across camp.
Alaula skidded to a stop where the damaged aravels were parked. No one was there because of the rain right then. Normally the keeper or the first of the clan would have been seen replacing spells on the aravels while the crafts master and his appearance worked on repairing the damage done from travel.
Upon second glance, there was someone there.
Nimwen's eyes widened at the sight of crazy red hair. "Milliel?"
The huntress perked up, her green eyes widening. "Nimwen?!" she gasped. She dropped the hammer in her hand and ran at the mage. "Lethallan!"
"Milly!" Nimwen laughed as she was swept into her friend's embrace. "Oh, my goodness, it's so good to see you again."
"You're here, you're really here!" Milliel squealed. "By the Creators, I thought I'd never see you again!"
"Come now, Mil, you can't get rid of me that easily," Nimwen chuckled.
Milliel laughed. "Don't I know it, you're like a tick, always by my side."
"Hey!"
"A very lovely tick," Milliel corrected.
Nimwen snorted. Milliel always had a way with words. Seeing her old friend again, really made Nimwen feel at home once more.
"Oh, creators," Alaula set the bowl down on one of the tables. She dived under the aravel Milliel had been next to when they arrived and wiggled until she vanished under completely. "Papa! What are you doing?" her shout sounded from under the aravel. "The keeper told you not to work on the aravels."
A few moments later, Alaula was dragging herself out from under the aravel. Rage flashed in her amber eyes as she looked across to where Milliel and Nimwen stood. She finished pulling herself out from under the aravel before she was on her stomach again.
"I can't believe she listened to you," Alaula muttered. "Or that you convinced her to take you here!"
"Hey," Milliel pouted. "Would you rather he do it unsupervised?"
"I would rather he not do it at all!"
"I can hear you, Alaula," a familiar voice sounded.
Alaula came out again, practically dragging someone out from under the aravel. Familiar ragged robes appeared. Alaula helped the thin, elf to his feet. "The keeper told you not to work for your food, papa," Alaula scolded the familiar man.
Nimwen froze, her eyes wide. There was no way, this had to be an illusion. There was no way that was- "Mahvir."
He turned and gave Nimwen a gentle smile. "Aneth ara, Lady Nimwen," he greeted Nimwen with a bow of his head. He looked back at Alaula. "I don't like taking food-"
"Without repaying the giver," Alaula finished, sounding more than a little miffed. "You should know your stories and toys are enough payment to the clan by now! The keeper-"
"Won't be upset with you, da'len. Only me."
Nimwen felt her eyes well up. She did not hesitate to run up and hug the man. "It's you, it's really you," she cried.
The two of them fell back into the side of the aravel when Mahvir's leg gave out. "Lady Nimwen," he gasped a little in her embrace.
"Humph," Alaula grunted. "Being crushed by her is the least you can do after disobeying the keeper."
"Ir-ir abelas," Nimwen smiled sheepishly, vision blurry from tears.
"I presume Solas and Princess Lorien are here as well." Mahvir straightened a little. He looked thinner than the last time Nimwen had seen him.
"Yes, they're here," Nimwen nodded.
"I'm sorry, but what is going on?" Milliel asked. "How do you two know each other?"
Mahvir rubbed the back of his head. "We met over four months ago," he stated.
He hopped back when Alaula took advantage of the fact Nimwen was no longer hugging him. "Eat." She tried to jam the spoon into his mouth.
"Alaula."
"Hold still. The keeper said you will eat and you will eat it, papa!" The two of them fell to the ground where Alaula preceded to pin him there.
"Hey, hey, there's no need for that," Nimwen said to Alaula. "But, as for you, Mahvir, I doubt you've been keeping up with your food, have you?"
Alaula ignored Nimwen as she tried to get the spoon into his mouth while Mahvir blocked her with his arms. "Come on, papa, you're worse than a baby!"
"I've had my share," he retorted, voice light. He managed to wiggle out from Alaula's hold where he stopped, gasping for air. "Fenedhis, this weather," he gasped.
Alaula scowled. "Papa." She took one of the plants from his bag. "Here. Then you will eat."
"What are you doing here, Mahvir?" Nimwen asked as he took the plant.
He settled himself on the muddy ground and reluctantly took the bowl from Alaula. His bad leg remained stretched out to one side. "After I left, I returned to the Denerim alienage," he explained. "I wished to be with Alaula after," he stopped and looked at the food, eyes hollow. Then he shook his head. "Alaula is the last of my children, Lady Nimwen."
Nimwen's eyes widened. "So Valendrian…?" She knelt beside Mahvir and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Ir abelas, Mahvir."
"Valendrian? Who is Valendrian?" asked Milliel.
"He was the hahren of the Denerim alienage," Mahvir explained, voice pained. "His parents were killed during the Orlesian rule of Ferelden. That's when I met him. He was only a baby at the time."
"When did he pass?" Nimwen asked.
"A little over two weeks ago," he whispered.
"Papa, eat or I will force feed you," Alaula forced a change of subject.
"Mahvir, you need to eat," Nimwen agreed. "You're even skinnier than when I saw you last."
"Of course I am, you force feed me for months, Lady Nimwen," Mahvir teased her. At Alaula's sharp look, he bent his head to the soup.
"I am not 'Lady Nimwen,'" Nimwen told him. It hurt her to hear him revert back to the old formal title when they had come so far.
"That's what I said!" Milliel said.
"Last I checked all three of you were women. I feel just like a perverted, old man being surrounded by three such lovely ladies," Mahvir joked.
Whack - Alaula smacked his head. "Papa, don't say such things about yourself!"
"Or about your mother." Nimwen's eyes widened when she realized what she just said.
"What?" Milliel squawked.
Nimwen gulped. "Um…"
Mahvir sighed. "She views a lot of people as her children, especially those who refuse to eat, it seems."
"Speaking of which, you're eating right now," Nimwen said, wagging her finger for good measure.
Mahvir moved little back from her.
Seconds later lightening crackled between them. "Vhenan!" the sound of Solas's voice came moments later. "Get away from her!" he snarled as he strode towards them, eyes dark with rage.
"Ah, hello to you as well, Solas. I don't believe a battle, right now, would be wise." Mahvir smiled at his father.
"What are you doing?!" Nimwen demanded. "Solas, stop that! Are you mad?"
Solas spat something at Mahvir in elvish. The words going so fast no one could understand them.
"Are we exchanging insults in elvish so the children can't understand?" Mahvir asked, voice light. "Rather rude of you."
Solas scowled. "What are you doing here, Dirth-" he cut off and glanced at Milliel and Alaula.
"What are you doing here, is a better question considering your views," Mahvir replied, tone polite.
"My views have nothing to do with this."
"At least we are speaking comman."
"Bastard," Solas snarled.
"Yes, and who's doing is that?"
Solas paled.
"That is enough, Solas." Nimwen glared at him. "Don't you ever speak to him like that again, do you hear me?"
Solas gave Nimwen an even look then turned his gaze back on Mahvir.
"Being scolded by your mate?" Mahvir asked.
Solas hissed something in elvish to Mahvir, ears red.
"Solas," Nimwen warned him.
"I'm sorry, but what in the Creators' names is going on?" Milliel demanded.
"A good question, Lady Milliel." Mahvir set down the empty bowl. "Alaula, if you would so so kind as to aid me up."
"Yes, papa!" Alaula dropped her hand from where it had been resting on her bow. She moved to help Mahvir stand instead and stayed at his side. She kept her eyes locked on Solas, mistrust glittered there.
The two of them started off. Mahvir's placed next to no weight on his leg. He paused, forcing Alaula to stop. He spoke in elvish to Solas, but this time Nimwen managed to catch what was said, "I will avoid you if you do me, but I am not leaving the clan." With those words he nodded to Alaula and she helped him forward once more.
Nimwen turned to Solas, arms crossed; eyes narrowed. "What was that?"
Solas turned to her. He cocked an eyebrow. The anger still glittered in his eyes despite his expression being more passive.
"We find him again, and that is how you choose to respond? Just-just why, Solas? Tell me one reason why that is how you treat your son."
"Wait, what?" Milliel squawked. "Did you just say son?"
"Yes," Nimwen confirmed. "Mahvir is Solas's son and my stepson." Ignoring the look of shock on the huntress' face, Nimwen turned back to her lover. "Now, answer my question."
"He will always be the son of my brother," Solas replied in even tones.
"Not unless you change it!" Nimwen was fuming, absolutely outraged. She couldn't think of a time where she was more angry at Solas. Not even when he broke up with her, not even when he left. Nothing compared to the frustration she felt now. "He is your son, Solas, and you had better start treating him like it. He's already had one shit of a father, I won't let him have two."
Solas looked down at her. For a long moment his expression remained hard; then, his eyes softened a little. He sighed and shook his head. "This means a lot to you?" there was a slight hint of a question to his voice. So slight she only caught it because she had spent so much time with him.
"The moment she was born, you thought Lori was not yours, that she had a different father." Nimwen sighed. "But then you learned the truth, and now she's your da'vhenan. Why is it different now?"
Solas looked away from Nimwen before he took a deep breath. He looked back at her. "There is a difference between her and," he hesitated, "Mahvir, as you call him. She's three, he's," - he glanced towards Milliel - "not. Hatred kept over so long doesn't vanish overnight, Nimwen, on either side. As you said, my brother wasn't the greatest of fathers to him, there is a lot he keeps hidden as well."
"Which is why we need to bring him in, not push him away." She reached for his hand. "Vhenan, I don't expect either of you to solve all of your problems immediately, I know it will take time. But, please, try. Show him that he has a family that loves him, one he belongs to. Be his father."
Solas rubbed his eyes and muttered something unintelligible in elvish under his breath. "Very well, vhenan."
"Ma serannas." She pressed her forehead to his. "We can work through this, ma lath, I know we can."
Solas didn't quite meet her gaze, but he gave the slightest of nods, hampered by the fact she was still so close to him.
"Um…"
Nimwen tensed as she remembered that she and Solas were not alone. She turned to see a dumbstruck Milliel staring at them. Nimwen chuckled nervously. "I, um, may have a few things I forgot to tell you."
"Oh, you think?"
"I promise I'll explain everything." How Nimwen was going to do that, she had no idea. Giving Milliel the whole truth, would mean revealing the truth of the evanuris, and Nimwen wasn't sure whether or not she should tell her friend, or anyone in the clan for that matter. She felt guilty for harboring such a major revelation, but her clan was devout in their worship of the Creators. It bound them together, it was their culture, their history. It had devastated Nimwen when she learned the truth, and she didn't want her people to endure what she went through.
Solas looked from Nimwen to Milliel. "I presume you're a friend of Nimwen's?"
Milliel blinked. "Huh? Yes, yes. Milliel Suren Lavellan at your service." The huntress bowed. "And you must be Solas. Well, yes, you are Solas. She yelled your name enough times to make it clear."
The tips of Solas's ears turned red, but even embarrassed he managed to maintain a dignified look. "Yes, I am Solas."
"So, where is the little one? You'd better not be hiding her," Milliel said.
"She's with the other children," Solas stated.
"Well then let's go to the children. I demand to see your child, lethallan," Milliel smirked.
"Very well, I would like to make sure she's all right," Nimwen agreed.
Solas turned Nimwen. "I was coming to inform you the keeper gave us one of the spare aravels for the duration of our stay."
"Oh, good. Looks like Sinderon won't have to make room after all," she smirked.
Solas just gave her an even look. "I will see to the nug." He nodded to her and then to Milliel. He turned and strode off.
Nimwen watched him as he left, sighing. They could get through this, couldn't they? They had to. Nimwen had her family back, and she was not going to let them split apart again. Just thinking about it made her feel drained, but that could also be the baby inside her.
"So…"
Nimwen squeaked as her arm was taken.
Milliel stared at her with a cat-like grin. "First, we see the little one, and then you tell me everything."