-tied in a delicately woven cord, strong but pliable, with little green stones threaded through-

Dearest Juniper,

I know how much it bothers you, your hair in your eyes in battle. And yes, you have just gotten it trimmed, but I saw one of the troops with this in her hair, and I had to ask after it. She told me who she bought it from, which led me to a pair of twins, who spoke in turns every. other. word. and they said that they hadn't actually woven it themselves, but that they traded a bottle of brandy for it, among various other sundry items that they tried to sell me, but it was honestly garbage.

A mage had wanted the brandy, but only because he had lost a bet to a dwarf, who led me to one of Cullen's soldiers, who introduced me to someone I believe is one of Sera's friends, and then finally, to the elf who wove it in the first place.

I will not tell you the price I paid for this one. Just… enjoy it.

With love,

Josie


Somehow Juniper felt that the world should stop, give them a breather or something, now that she and Josephine had finally found each other. So much wasted time, on both their parts. Juniper most definitely could have just said it, but Josephine, also, had been looking for whatever tiny reason she could to deny the fact that mutual affection had blossomed. They laughed about it afterwards, Josephine's engagement broken off (maybe that Lord Such and Such wasn't so bad after all, so graciously bowing out), sharing a bottle of wine in Juniper's quarters. Everything seemed as if it could be laughed at now, their love making them feel as if nothing bad would touch them again.

But it was a dream short lived, and their enemies cared not for newly blossomed love. Both of them knew that they had little time, perhaps even less than they thought. Who knew what tomorrow would bring?

But Josephine was quick to rally, always. Work needed to be done and so she worked tirelessly, often late into the evening, hunched over her desk, writing letters to be sent with the dawn. It was one of the things that had caught Juniper's attention in the very beginning - those ink stained hands, that passion and dedication. Josephine always handled everything with ease, knowing just what to say, how to say it, the smallest word defusing a situation. She saw it more than once in the war room, when tempers would flare and opinions got heated, and Josephine, in a few short sentences, would bring the argument down, and everything would proceed calmly once more.

Niceness not knives, Leliana said, almost mockingly, but Juniper admired that about the ambassador. Such integrity, such adherence to a strong sense of ethics… of course, Juniper herself knew that niceness couldn't solve everything, but as a Keeper's First, that had been her job - solve problems, mediate, defend. Violence was a last resort, always, for her clan was her brothers, her sisters, and quarrels between family should never be solved with bloodshed.

But she didn't have time to reflect on that, barely had enough time to share it with Josephine, curled up with her, voices low and hushed as they whispered little affections. Their path now took them to the Arbor Wilds, and Juniper got a taste of what it felt like for Josephine herself whenever she went out in the field. Combat should not find their way to their camp, but if it did? What if red templars overran their fortifications? Who would protect Josephine?

She tried not to think of that as they lay together in Juniper's tent, large and luxurious as it was - the Inquisition never seemed to spare any expense (or was it Josephine herself?). A warm, brown shoulder was bared as Josephine's nightgown slipped, ties at her breast loose. Dark hair tumbled about her shoulders, freed from their usual confines, and Juniper ran her fingers through it as she brushed it, Josephine sighing her delight. She was sure that her own hair had never been so soft…

They were able to spend hours together talking, but just as equally, they could spend long moments in silence, just enjoying each other's presence. The latter was happening now, Juniper trying her hardest not to think about the potential danger Josephine was in, trying to stay in the moment. The ambassador, though, seemed to have a harder time of it.

"I know you have to go," she suddenly said, opening her eyes to look up at Juniper, her head nestled in the elven woman's lap. "And I know that saying this is unfair. But… I wish you didn't have to."

A smile quirked Juniper's lips, even as her own heart hurt a little - this was the one thing she'd been trying not to think of! "We could always just run away. How long do you think it would take Leliana and Cullen to track us down?"

That got a laugh at least, little and lilting, and Juniper was glad of it. "Far too soon, my lady, far too soon!"

And Juniper wished that she could keep the light mood going, but unfortunately now her mind was on this too. "You have to promise me to stay safe. I don't care how you do it - at the first sign of danger, I need you to run."

"And leave you behind?" Josephine sat up now, brushing hair out of her eyes. Juniper never would have guessed it was so unruly, being pinned back so often. "Preposterous."

"Whatever you may call it," freckled, sun-kissed hands pushed those shoulders back down again, and Juniper straddled her, trapping her against the bedroll. "It is what you'll be doing." She leaned down, wishing her hair was longer so that she could trap Josephine under a curtain of that as well. As it was, her bangs hung down, tickled Josephine's forehead, making her wrinkle her nose. Her voice lowered, a bare whisper. "You wouldn't dare defy an order from your Inquisitor, would you?"

Heat crawled up Josie's cheeks, and she bit her lip, eyes darting away. Juniper wasn't used to being the one on top, literally and figuratively, and a secret thrill raced through her, clenched low in her belly. "If I did?" Came the hushed reply, something sliding behind those words, making Juniper's heart skip a beat. "What would happen then?"

What indeed?


-on official letterhead, bearing the seal of the Inquisition-

No, Bull, you are not allowed to ask what I need the rope for. Yes, I will tell Dorian that it was you who accidentally spilled his last bottle of hair pomade if you do not keep your mouth shut.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Her Worship, the Herald of Andraste, Bearer of the Mark, Champion of the Fade, Guiding Light to the Mages, and Asha Elvhen,

Lady Juniper Lavellan