AN: I'm sorry I've been so slow with updates, life has picked up and writer's block sucks ass. That and trying to finish the final few chapters of my other story have been kicking my rear end. I love you guys! Thanks for sticking with me!
Gaelathen's frustration was clear as he paced back and forth across the cabin, his lip twitching on his otherwise undisturbed face. Avisari listened to his footsteps, absent-mindedly dragging her shortsword across a whet stone. It was already sharp, but her hands lacked anything better to keep themselves occupied with, and the sound filled the gaping silence.
"What do you think, lethalan?" Gaelathen startled Avisari, turning towards her abruptly, his eyes sharp. "Should we turn to the mages for help, or go to the Templars?" Avisari set the stone aside and sheathed the blade, wrapping it in the belt it belonged on and setting it on the table beside her. "Well," she began. "That's a complicated issue. The mages have extended an invitation, so that would be an obvious choice. However, it would be an unpopular one, and many of the nobility have offered to support our cause should we choose to pursue the Templars. As for sealing the Breach, I think either would work, despite the worries plaguing both sides."
Gaelathen frowned. "So you're not going to answer my question at all." Avisari grinned in a cheeky manner. "This is your problem, Herald of Andraste. I'm just a glorified grunt." Gaelathen let out a frustrated sigh and continued with his pacing. Avisari sucked her cheeks in, concern for her friend overwhelming her desire to stay out of the matter. "If you really want to know what I think, I think you should look into the Templars first. The mages will be fine, but from what you've told me about their behavior at Val Royeaux, something is going on with the Order. I don't like it."
Gaelathen stopped pacing, bringing his hand up to rub his chin thoughtfully. Stress was eating at him. "I think you're right," he mumbled, rubbing his face. "Something was just… off. I didn't like it at all." He nodded to himself, making up his mind. "We will just have to see to them first, and hope that we don't end up sparking more conflict with the mages. I'll let Cassandra and the Advisors know." He turned back to Avisari. "It will take time to gather the nobles. In the meantime, there are a few things that need doing. The Wardens have gone missing, except for one by the name of Blackwall, who's been located in the Hinterlands. Will you find him for me? Varric is also concerned about some Carta activity there." Avisari nodded. "Sure. What will you be doing?"
"I'll be headed to the Storm Coast. A mercenary group has an offer to make, and some of our soldiers have gone missing there. I'm going to take Cassandra and Solas to find them." Avisari frowned a bit. Gaelathen laughed softly, "sorry, you'll have to do without him this time." Avisari rolled her eyes, trying to fight back the blush creeping up her neck. She decided it was best to keep a dignified silence.
"So tell me," he sat down across from her with a gleam in his eye, "how did your little escapade into the mountains go?" Avisari snorted. "Well, it was colder than a Greater Mistral's left tit, if you must know. We went right in the middle of a sodding blizzard. I told you about the artifact already, what more do you want?" Gaelathen laughed, his fingers half covering his mouth, a shy habit of his. "You know exactly what I mean. Get any further with your little crush on our apostate friend?"
"Don't call me out like that, asshole."
"That's a yes, then?"
Avisari hid her girlish smile behind her hand and tossed the closest thing in reach at him, which happened to be a pouch of elfroot. Dried leaves went everywhere. Avisari cackled when Gaelathen started sneezing, the crumbling leaves tickling his nose.
"Elvar'nas,*" Gaelathen rubbed his nose. "How far did you get?" Avisari groaned, leaning back in her chair, "are you really gonna make me give you the details?" Gaelathen had a sly smile. "Like we've ever hidden anything of this sort from each other. When did you become so shy?" Avisari grinned, "I'm not, but I'm still going to give you a hard time about it." Gaelathen shook his head, smiling. "Alright, you tell me, and I'll tell you what happened on my trip."
Her curiosity was piqued. "Alright," she pursed her lips for a moment. "Well we certainly weren't shy. He's a lot more muscular than I would have expected. He's almost got the build of a ranger, rather than a mage. He's got those archer arms, but his back and legs, they've clearly seen a good bit of close combat.* It's rather strange." Gaelathen rested his chin on his fingers. "So you got quite far, then." "Oh yes," Avisari grinned, her cheeks flaring. "Now, tell me what happened with you."
Gaelathen smiled, his expression melting. "She let me kiss her hand. We were sitting by the fire on the way back, just talking, and she let me hold her hand and even smiled when I kissed her hand." Avisari put her hand over her mouth, "you're in love, lethalin! How precious!" He hid his face in his hands, his ears turning bright red. "How could I resist her, even if I wished to?" He let out a heavy sigh. "I just hope that it works. With everything else going on, I fear I won't have time to pursue her." Avisari gave him a sympathetic smile. "Don't worry. This can't go on forever."
Gaelathen let out a soft sigh. "You know, Avisari, I think I might convert." That came as a shock to Avisari. Gaelathen had never been a zealot about honouring the elven gods, but he was just as faithful as any other Dalish. "Why? For her? Gaelathen, you shouldn't do something like that just for-" "No," he cut her off. "Not for her, though she has influenced me." He looked conflicted. "I don't like the Shemlen Chantry, and I don't think I'll ever follow it, but the religion behind it? It makes sense. Much more sense than ours. What if…" He let out a deep sigh. "What if we're wrong, lethalan?" He ran his fingers through his hair, clearly stressed. "I don't know. There's no easy answer."
Trying to offer some comfort, Avisari said, "Solas tells me that he believes the elvhen gods existed, but that they weren't gods, merely powerful mages that elevated themselves above all the others. They were real, but they were mortal, just like us." Gaelathen pondered this for a long moment. "Perhaps he is right." He looked weary. "I will sleep on it. Such a decision, turning on everything I've ever known, it is not made lightly."
Avisari stood, going to put out the candles around the cabin. "Pray tonight. When you wake in the morning, ask yourself who you prayed to." Gaelathen remained in his chair. Once the cabin was dark, he asked, "who do you believe in, Avisari? You followed the rituals with the clan, but you don't believe like they do." Avisari settled in bed. "I think Solas is right. They existed, but they weren't gods. As for the Maker, I don't believe that either. Parents don't turn their back on their children just because they misbehave."
"Surely you must believe in something."
Avisari thought on that for a moment. "I suppose there must be something out there. Life cannot come from nothing. However, I am content not knowing. I have other things to worry about."
*mean
*just a bit of trivia: going off of the stories and depictions of Fen'Harel as both an archer (the fable of The Slow Arrow) and a warrior (various depictions in mosaics in Fen'Harel's sanctuary)
