Dorian took to sitting in the infirmary with Elisa's prone form for the next couple of days, keeping himself occupied with research or light reading. He still exhausted easily, much to his frustration, but the healers thankfully didn't complain when he climbed onto the cot next to Elisa to take naps when he needed them. They weren't very happy when Nolan had taken him away for a proper bath and a comfortable bed, but Dorian had returned the next morning and the healers kept their complaints to a minimum since he was resting. The second day, Cullen brought his reports and a chessboard to keep the mage company, and of course to check on his object of affection.

Dorian smirked at the thought as he made his move with a pawn.

"Dorian."
"Yes Commander?"
"How old is Lady Umbra?" Cullen glances up at the mage after making his own play.
"Didn't your mother ever tell you it's rude to ask about a lady's age?"
The blonde clears his throat as Dorian folds his hands and sits back. "Err…never mind."
"You make teasing you so easy." The mage smiles. "She's nineteen."
Cullen's hand freezes over a knight. "I knew she was young but…"
Dorian narrows his eyes. "Too young for you Commander? If so, perhaps you should stop trying to court her before you hurt her."
"No! I was only surprised!" He holds up his hands as if to placate the mage. "There's no need for your magic."

His magic? Dorian turns his attention to himself to indeed find that he had surrounded himself with storm magic. With a sigh, he dispels the magic and rubs his eyes with his forefinger and thumb. He had his magic under control—otherwise Cullen would not be keeping him company—but it the amount he could call upon was still fluctuating a bit so he had to be more careful. It got worse the more tired he got.

"I'm sorry. That wasn't deliberate."
"We can stop for now if you need to rest."
"I'm fine Commander. I promise not to burn Skyhold to the ground." Dorian reaches out to move another pawn and Cullen raises an eyebrow.
"Are you even capable of that right now?"
"Not unless I want to risk mana exhaustion again."

The two continue their game for the next hour in silence as Dorian recalls what he was told happened at Adamant after escaping the Fade. After the battle, Hawke had immediately scooped up Elisa and fled with her while Cassandra had to help Dorian stumble out after them. Varric was close behind, and Nolan was the last to leave the rift before closing it behind him. When the mage asked about the Warden, he was informed Stroud stayed behind to fight the Nightmare that had reappeared, to ensure the rest of them were able to escape. No one had time to grieve at the time because the healers had told Nolan they couldn't do much for Dorian and Elisa with what they had, and so he had them thrown onto a cart and rushed back to Skyhold. Even Hawke returned with them. He wanted to make sure the both of them survived so he stayed longer than he had planned. Apparently it wasn't long before a very angry elf came to Skyhold looking for him. Varric was quick to tell Dorian to stay in the infirmary until Hawke could calm his lover. The elf was not very fond of Tevinter magisters, and even though Dorian was not a magister, he would not live long enough to make the correction if he was seen.

"Do you think I could get to my room?"
"Why?"
The mage sighs. "I would like to have some wine when lunch arrives. The good kind. Not that swill they serve in the tavern."
"I've seen you drink that swill."
"When I don't have another option, of course. I sometimes believe if I drink more, it will get better. It doesn't."
"I'm starting to believe you have a drinking problem Dorian."
Dorian scoffs. "Nonsense. If I did, Elisa would not win favors from Josephine and use them to get a good vintage for me."
"She spoils you."
"I return the kindness Commander. Otherwise, she would simply be happy with my presence."
"Your ego astounds me."
The mage frowns. "That's not what I meant and you know it."

Their conversation is soon interrupted by an agonized scream, and both men jump in their seats before looking toward Elisa to find her sitting up in bed, looking around wildly without actually seeing. Dorian swears and jostles the table in his haste to rush to her side, causing chess pieces to clatter onto the floor, which Cullen ignores as he steps closer after jumping up himself. The mage cautiously approaches the frantic girl, and when he gently cups her cheek, her unseeing gaze lands on him before she grabs his wrist in a painful grip. Dorian ignores the pain as he attempts to soothe her in Tevene, and silently thanks the Commander when the man stops their entering friends and the healers. They must have heard the scream and came to investigate.

"Dorian is trying to calm her. You might make it worse if she sees you."

Trying was definitely the keyword at the moment. Elisa's grip was tightening each second and the frenzied look in her eyes was not going away. He kept trying though, whispering in Tevene as calmly as possible, until a healer moved past the Commander and drew Elisa's attention away from him. Dorian forms a wall of static between them and the healer, the spell showing the first hint of recognition from the young warrior when her grip slackens.

"Dorian?"
"You're safe sorora."
Elisa releases a sob. "You were all dead…and it wouldn't stop. It kept killing—"
"Hush."

Dorian sits on the bed and Elisa quickly curls into him while continuing to hold his wrist in a death grip, and lays her head over his heart. It was her way of assuring herself that he was indeed alive, and he would remain silent until she calmed down enough. Moments like these were rarely needed but it seemed the Nightmare still had a grip on her while she slept and terrorized her however it could. Now that she was awake, Elisa would be safe from it. Any future nightmares she had would not be directly influenced by the demon.

He allows her a few more moments before dispersing his static wall, permitting the healers to come and look her over as thoroughly as Elisa would allow it with her position. Once satisfied that she seemed well enough, they left and the bedside was soon crowded by the Inquisitor, the Commander, and the Champion. Sera also managed to appear on the bed and hugged them both.

"You're okay, yeah? I don't want to lose my best prank partner."
Cullen visibly bristles at her words. "What did you do to my desk?!"
Elisa wipes her eyes and pulls away from Dorian to smile at him. "I put a wedge under one of the legs. You seriously haven't found it yet?"

The Commander leaves with a grumble, possibly to finally get his desk to stop wobbling, and Sera cackles at his retreating back before turning back to Elisa.

"You gonna do something else to Mr. Stick-up-his-arse?"
"I have a couple of ideas. We'll do something new whenever he figures it out and fixes the newest prank."
Dorian lunges at the elf and she hops off the bed with a snicker. "I'm the one who gets yelled at for your shenanigans! Stop dragging Elisa into it!"
"It was Ellie's idea in the first place! Talk to her!"

Sera leaves as well after sticking her tongue out at the mage and he sighs before glancing up at a very amused Champion.

"I definitely need some good wine now. Can I safely leave the infirmary now or will I be turned into a Tevinter kabob as soon as I step outside?"
"Fenris will behave."
"If he doesn't, I have someone that will avenge my death." Dorian side-eyes Elisa. "I adore you pet, but I also like having two hands."
"Oh." She finally releases his wrist and Dorian rubs it. "Sorry."
"Nothing to forgive. Do you want anything from our room?"
Hawke laughs. "You two share a room?!"
Both Dorian and Elisa ignore him. "I could use some chocolate right now."
"I'll bring it but you have to eat lunch first. They'll be bringing something soon."
Elisa pouts. "Yes Dad." She blanches. "Just saying that left a bad taste in my mouth."
Dorian grimaces as he stands. "I think my ears are bleeding. I'm going to go vomit."

The mage leaves the infirmary while Nolan and Hawke keep Elisa company, and makes his way toward their room for some desperately needed vintage wine. Even though he had been asleep for most of it, it had been a very tiresome week. Now that Elisa had finally woken up, he would be able to relax and return to his alcove to probably continue his work. His research of travel in the Fade was immediately thrown out the proverbial window since the incident at Adamant, and Solas had confronted him the day before after discovering his notes in the library. She will die if you try to get her home, he had said. Dorian asked him if the elluvians would be an option and he was quick to turn down that idea as well. The mirrors were also connected to the Fade, not to mention there were hundreds of them and it wasn't likely that there was one in her world. Dorian was both disappointed and glad.

He wasn't looking forward to telling Elisa that he couldn't get her home. In a way it felt like he was breaking his promise, even though he knew that wasn't the case.

With a sigh he shoulders his bedroom door open and retrieves his bottle of wine, as well as a couple of glasses, and Elisa's favored salted chocolate that he was sure Cullen was endlessly supplying her with. The poor man had it bad and Elisa was still blissfully unaware. Dorian might have to start hinting about the Commander's feelings to her if that relationship were to go anywhere.

Dorian stops.

If their relationship actually managed to go anywhere, Elisa might choose to stay with Cullen instead of joining the mage in Tevinter. The Altus resumes his task of gathering what he needs, as well as grabbing some fresh clothes for Elisa. He would not be selfish. If she wanted to stay, it was not his place to deny her. Especially since she was stuck in a world she wasn't completely used to. Once he collects what he came for, he leaves his room and returns the infirmary to find a third person had joined Nolan and the Champion. Hawke's elf to be precise.

"Perhaps I should have brought more glasses."

The three men turn to him when he speaks and he sets his collection onto the table after he cleans up the forgotten chess game. Hawke then motions toward the mage.

"Fen…Dorian Pavus. Lady Umbra's designated brother."
A silver brow shoots up. "You are related?"
Dorian struggles with the cork in the bottle of wine. "Only by name. Fasta vass! Why is this—" He examines the cork and narrows his eyes when he finds sap. "Sorora…what is the meaning of this?"
"What are you talking about?" Elisa swings her legs out from under the blankets and sits on the edge of her cot.
"There's sap on the cork."
"Why would I do that? I'm the one that would have to listen to you complain."
Dorian sighs. "Sera." He holds the bottle of wine out toward the trio of men. "Would one of you open this please? Opening it with magic would be messy and pointless."
Fenris was surprisingly the one to grab the bottle and successfully pull the cork out after a couple attempts of his own. "At least the mage has good taste. Very Tevinter of you Pavus."
"A compliment and an insult. I'm flattered." Dorian replies dryly as he takes the opened bottle back. He then slams his hand over the parchment wrapped chocolate and gazes coolly at Elisa and her outstretched hand. "After lunch. Or I will eat it then forbid Cullen and Josephine from getting you anymore."

She backs off with a huff just as a couple of servants arrive with trays of food for the lot of them. After rearranging some furniture closer to Elisa's cot, the food is distributed among the five of them and the servants leave them to their meal. Extra glasses had been provided so Dorian was able to share the wine, excluding Elisa who was happy enough with some water. The mage didn't want to risk causing complications to her health after waking recently and Elisa understood his concerns. So much so that she didn't even grumble. Another Maker-forsaken miracle.

"Garrett tells me that Lady Umbra matches me in battle." Fenris picks at his grapes as Dorian indulges in his wine.
"I've never seen you fight so I can't agree or disagree."
"I'm right here." Elisa huffs at the two.
"Hush and eat your food."

A knife imbeds itself into the table next to his hand and Dorian glares at Nolan when he clears his throat.

"Did you give her knives Amatus?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."