A little in between before jumping into DLC Trespasser. Also I would like to pay my respects to the people whom are responsible for the elven in this story. Without them, the story would be more plain, and I apologize for misstranslations and such. I'm a beginner and doing the best I can in trying to give this story life.

LingoJam, elven DAI

Dragon age origins: shadow of the blight, wiki-pages. elven-language.

Wiki, Chronicles of Thedas. Dalish Lexicon

Fenxshiral, tumblr

Chapter 4

The mission down the deep roads had been depressing to say the least. Sure they'd made valuable allies in Orzammar but the entire ordeal had left Anuira with more questions than answers. A situation she did not in the least appreciate. She had vague hopes of Valta keeping her in the loop but with the last message from Orzammar on the subject, she had to assume the worst.

The archeologists still working in the ruined Thaig of Heidrun and the Legion protecting them, had reported an earsplitting cry followed by a deep rumble as the earth shook one last time. When they had ventured down the elevator, toward the origin of the bloodcurdling cry, they'd found the tunnel leading forward heavily collapsed and the grave of Renn empty.

Just in case Anuira always held an ear to the ground around the entrance to Heidruns Thaig. She'd left a message in a place only Valta would find it. A rune, attuned to recognize only Valta and to tell her how to reach Anuira, should the need or want arise. It was all she could do, that and pray.

Just weeks after the mission in the deep roads, her friends were going off one by one, to start their lives again.

Varric went back to Kirkwall to help with the continuation of rebuilding and Sera was more often than not, away on Red Jenny-business. She stopped by to have cookies on the roof or play pranks on the poor advisors every now and then though.

Blackwall had gone to rejoin, or more like actually join the wardens as was the arrangement after saving his ass from the gallows.

The Iron Bull and his chargers were taking on odd jobs here and there but mostly stayed close to home, Skyhold that is, while Dorian and Cole had stayed and were steady companions on missions.

Solas was still gone from the face of the Thedas.

Anuira was hiding again. She was sunbathing on the roof of the tallest tower of the keep, except her own, mulling over what Josephine had said about the exalted council which was rapidly approaching.

Orlais would see the Inquisition beaten into submission like a pet to the Orlesian's whims. While Ferelden would see the Inquisition crushed and forgotten. Anuira couldn't decide which option was worse.

She would rather die than be a pawn, but to disband? That felt like losing her family all over again.

She sighed and sat up, moving to rest her back against one stonewall of the tower. From far down on the ground she could hear people yelling for her.

As usual…

Well that was something she wouldn't miss if the Inquisition was disbanded. The incessant yelling and hunting her down or waking her up, when all she wanted was a few moments of peace.

The nights she spent with Cullen, who had all but moved into her quarters. It was no secret they were involved and Varric had a betting-ring going, on when they lovers would tie the knot. During the days he was busy training the recruits and keeping the army in shape as the Inquisition was still righting wrongs in Thedas. Mediating and keeping the hard earned peace going.

It had been almost two years since Corypheus was defeated and the squabbling nobles were hard at each other's throats already. Always leaving the common man in the middle to get hurt. Red Jenny held herself busy to say the least and with "her" so did the Inquisition.

Leliana had her hands full trying to outmaneuver everyone and everything in favor for the Inquisition and the divine Victoria, namely Cassandra. Josephine was still running diplomacy all over Thedas to settle disputes and keep peace and favor for the Inquisition as well as running her family with an iron hand on the side.

Everyone was working as hard as the day the Inquisition was born, their burden seemed never ending. Would it ever stop?

Shemlen and their petty greed…

"Hello Dorian." Anuira called out as she heard someone coming up the ladder. The steps was too heavy for Sera so that only left Dorian to know where to find her.

"Ah, and here you are. How utterly predictable. Honestly it's truly a mystery that no one has figured you out by now!" Dorian exclaimed as he peeked his head above the floor of the tower. "Find the highest, most secluded and inaccessible place in the entire keep, and there you are."

"Ma eolasa em son fenor isa'ma'lin." (You know me well dear brother.)

"I have no idea what you just said but I'm hoping it had something to do with my stunning good looks and great personality!" Dorian shot back with a confident grin as Anuira got up to follow him down to ground level again.

"Maybe I'll tell you someday, isa'ma'lin." she teased as she slid down the first ladder towards the annoying musts and have to's of the everyday life being the Inquisitor.

As they hit the ground level Dorian reached out to grab her arm before she could open the door to Skyholds herb-garden. She turned, surprised, to look at him. He looked apprehensive, like a child caught with its hand in the cookie-jar.

"What is it Dorian, did you finally find a love worth keeping and need a honeymoon?" Anuira snickered lightly at his squirming and fiddling. It was very rare to see Dorian flustered and nervous. It was even rarer for him not to snark back in a seconds notice when she teased him.

Her smile disappeared, replaced by a look of concern as she rushed to put his hands in hers, squeezing gently and trying to catch his gaze. He resolutely looked away but let her keep his hands in hers.

"Dorian?" she coaxed.

"I'm going away for a while. Back home." he said pouting and studiously looking away from her. "Maker knows I don't want to, but someone has to try and fix the blighted mess the Venatori left us."

Anuira smiled at him and drew him into a hug. He usually protested at such mushy display of affection but once alone and concealed from prying eyes she'd found he would readily oblige, even as he chided her. Today he did nothing of the sort, but instead hugged her back in force.

"I will miss you, asa'ma'lin." (I will miss you, sister.) he mumbled barely audible.

"Melana ju'ea shem sule ea'ir saron sal, isa'ma'lin." (Time will be quick until we are together again, brother.) She said as she broke from the hug to look at him with a warm smile.

"Did you just call me shem!?" Dorian said sternly and cocked an eyebrow at her. And just like that all the uneasiness as well as sadness seemed completely blown away from his features, he was back to his normal pompous self.

"No you ass. I said that our time apart will be swift, isa'ma'lin. Shem is the word for quick, not only short for quick children." she giggled, smile still in place, making her eyes sparkle like the turquoise waters of Rialto Bay.

Of course she would miss Dorian, more than she would care to admit. But she wasn't about to tell him that. The mage had an ego big enough to sustain all of Tevinter already, without her adding to it.

As Anuira and Dorian made themselves known to the world of Skyhold again, Josephine was in an uproar. There was yet another mind-numbing Orlesian party to attend and Josie had so much the Inquisitor had to do and learn as to not make an ass of herself.

Dorian patted Anuiras shoulder and gave her a look as if to say 'good luck!'. She sighed glumly earning a scowl from Josie who stressed how important it was to uphold diplomacy this close to the exalted council. Every support they could muster was a step closer to remaining free from influence.

And as Dorian went his marry way to pack his belongings she followed after Josie like a good student, to be educated on the noble houses, etiquette and the dos and don'ts of the game.

After a hard day getting drilled by the relentless ambassador Montilyet she went to meet up with Dorian at the stables to see him of.