The discussions with Leliana had gone on for two weeks, ending with the biggest issues resolved. All but one.

"Kaffas this is ridiculous!" Dorian sighed, setting his hands squarely on Vhen's shoulders. "It isn't as though neither of us has kissed before, soras. You are an attractive woman, or at least I would say so if I went for that sort of thing, and I like to think I am not unpleasant to look at."

Vhenan sighed. "You're right lethallin, but..."

Before the Inquisitor could finish her comment, Dorian pulled her in and pressed his lips to hers. It wasn't as scared or tentative as before with Josephine and Leliana watching over their shoulders, and definitely not as fearful. Vhen closed her eyes, and for a moment forgot where she was and who she was kissing. Heavy arms wrapped around her, caution thrown to the wind, and she couldn't help but reciprocate. It took a few minutes before Dorian unwrapped from her.

"Well."

Fen'vhenan blinked. "Yes. Well."

"That was... different." Dorian scowled a bit, but didn't break eye contact. "Very strange."

"Very strange," Vhen agreed. Then she borrowed from Varric. "Shit just got weirder."

"You realize, soras that we are going to have to do that again."

All she could do was sigh. "I'm not sure how I feel about that, lethallin." Then she suddenly lowered her head. "We didn't think... and Leliana and Josephine wouldn't get it. If we keep using familial endearments..."

"We give the game away," her friend concluded. "You're right. That settles it. We need to think of something new, soras. Or...not soras."

"This isn't going to be easy, is it?" Fen'vhenan grumbled, blowing hair from her forehead. "I guess the first question is Tevene, common, or elvhen?"

Dorian shrugged. "It would make more sense for me to address you in my native language, but you have your pick."

"Hmm." She thought carefully, then smiled. ~You are the last little joy I have left...~ She had already said it, and it would be simple for him to respond to. "Da'nehn."

Dorian smiled. "I can remember that one." Then, more thoughtful, he offered, "I do have a thought. What about animus?"

Vhen thought about that a moment. It was a broad term, almost too broad for normal use, but it was an interesting idea for the game they were playing here. It could mean anything from strength, to courage, to soul. It had just enough subtext to be possibly intimate without feeling terribly close. "That could work, though I'm not sure how it could apply."

"Vhen, you're the heart and soul of the Inquisition. Not a one of us has been a part of Skyhold without thinking of you as the will that drew us to purpose many times over."

Fen'vhenan just nodded in response, unable to find a real smile. After all, if everyone her Inner Circle had felt that way she wouldn't have wound up on her own in Skyhold with only one member of her ground team actually remaining. "The sentiment is... admirable. If it feels right, use it."

- * Meanwhile, somewhere far north... * -

The elf that walked through the ruins of ancient civilizations was changed from the one who had accompanied the Inquisitor in her time of need. It had been so long since he'd actually seen her, the only messages from deep in the Fade and one weathered book of fables written by Varric Tethras that he read almost nightly. He might have had to leave his Vhenan behind, but their time together was nothing he would forget, and the few reminders were what he clung to. That and the idea that when his duty was done he would have created another world where he might be able to stay at her side.

A bit of magic had helped change his appearance. Hair had grown back, finally, the same dark auburn he had remembered having before; it was a surface thing, but so many focus on the surface that it would separate him from Solas. Leliana's agents had caught up a few times, but between the new appearance and name it was hard to recognize him as the same elf. Especially since reports said he traveled alone, when in truth he no longer always did so.

"You want to go back to her, but you feel you cannot. Is it because of the mirror?"

The elf now known as Nadas, chosen to remind himself of his obligation, turned to his current traveling companion. "Yes Cole. Because of the mirror."

"She hates the loneliness. Nadas ir uthu? When will it end? You shouldn't linger in your journey."

The sound in reply was slightly animalistic as Nadas gripped his bow, the new weapon of choice, much tighter. "I'm not exactly dallying you know."

"I know. But there is danger everywhere. To both of you."

"I know." He also knew he sounded defeated. "Luckily neither of us is completely alone."

As quick as he was to turn away and continue his search, the elf never heard the response from the spirit of Compassion that followed. "Not yet."

* - 00

"There was a time when all elves had magic, and barriers were just as important as in the Imperium," Fen'vhenan explained to Dorian as they continued up the Imperial Highway. "My theory is that it was intermarrying with humans that spread the bloodlines thin."

"So mages have elfblood, and the elves without magic at all have mixed with humans. That would mean the two are equally melded, and the attempts at separation trivial."

"The whole thought falls apart though. Elvhen traits are so recessive they disappear if an elf mates with a human! If the theory is correct that wasn't always so."

"Or magic is a dominant trait," Dorian suggested. He liked the conversations they had. Traveling together with just the two of them had been a nice experience. It allowed for debate, and hard questions on the spot. For example... "What happened with your magic then, animus? You certainly are no mage, but you seem to have a rare gift."

"Fen'harel's doing. I mentioned how my magic was returned to me just before... 'Solas'... left. Apparently it came with an unanticipated bonus. He seemed surprised when we met the first time in dreaming."

Dorian scoffed. "He left you vulnerable. You realize as both your best friend and apparent fiancé when we see him again I will have to... I don't know, punch him or... something."

Vhenan giggled. "Just don't damage anything I'll want to use- da'nehn."

The banter was normal, and the new terms while clunky at first did suit their needs well. As they neared the border, ready for the true tests of their skills, it was with a lot more knowledge and ease than they had started out with.