SHOUTOUTS GO OUT TO: Willowsle and everybody else who has been lovely enough to read out fic!
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Nimwen watched as sleep finally overtook her daughter. "Usually it takes me forever to get her to sleep," she said. "She is like a little ball of energy."
"She's a kid," Solas pointed out.
"That she is," Nimwen smiled. "You were so good with her."
Solas rubbed the back of his neck. "I raised my nephews," he confessed. "It's a lot easier to deal with just one child rather than twin boys."
"Oh goodness, I love children, but I don't think I could ever handle twins, let alone twin boys," Nimwen said. "I think that would be too much for me."
Solas smiled. His arm was warm around her shoulders as he guided her from where three children slept. "I need to find Felassan," he told her. "I have a feeling the boy is hiding somewhere."
"Alright, I need to find my people as well," Nimwen said.
Solas nodded and left her there.
Nimwen looked around, learching for her companions, until she spotted something by a nearby tree. It looked suspiciously like the tip of one of Iron Bull's horns. With an eyebrow raised in suspicion, the mage walked over to the tree. She stepped around it, not sure what she would find. She certainly didn't expect the majority of their group huddled together behind a tree.
"Um, hello?" she said in confusion. She snickered when her voice made them jump in surprise.
"Oh frig, it's her!" Sera yelped.
"We have eyes, Sera," Dorian retorted.
"What's going on?" Nimwen asked. Her eyes strayed to Etha. "Care to explain?"
Etha gave her a warm smile. "It's nothing, milady. We were just talking."
"Yeah, Boss, just getting to know one another," Iron Bull added.
Nimwen crossed her arms, shifting her weight to one leg. They were up to something. It didn't take a genius to figure that out.
"What's really going on?" she said with a raised brow.
"It's as Iron Bull says." Etha's eyes locked onto Nimwen's. "We were getting acquainted."
"Uh-huh, getting acquainted. Behind a tree. In whispers."
"It's a nice tree," Sera said lamely.
"I didn't mean to!" a cry sounded behind Nimwen. "It was an accident."
Solas appeared beside Nimwen and dropped Felassan. The boy fell to the ground.
He scrambled and pressed his forehead to the earth. "Please forgive me, Master. I will do anything."
"I'm not upset, da'len. Now, get off the ground." Solas pulled the boy up. He turned his pale gaze on the group. "Secret meeting?" he asked in cool tones.
"No, apparently it's 'getting acquainted behind a tree' time," Nimwen said sarcastically.
"Really?" Both of Solas's eyebrows rose at this. "An odd place even for such a nice tree."
"Master." Etha shifted. Her gaze dropped to the ground. She dropped to one knee, fist pressed to her chest. "Please, we were just talking."
"Oh, for fuck's sake," Sera groaned. "I don't even know why I was hidin' it. I wasn't even part of it." she looked at Nimwen. "Look, these idiots were trying to get you and baldy to-"
Dorian slapped his hand over her mouth. "Quiet," he hissed.
"No, no. Dorian. Please, let her continue," Nimwen smirked.
Dorian made a disgusted noise and pulled his hand away. "You licked my hand!" he snapped as he wiped his palm on his pant leg.
"Serves you right," Sera smirked followed by her sticking her tongue out.
"Will everyone please stop licking me?" Dorian yelled.
"Well, kadan,what about when we're-"
"If you know what's good for you, you will keep your mouth closed," Dorian warned as he glared daggers at the qunari.
"Oh, Creators," Nimwen groaned as she pinched her brow. "Somebody please just say what is going on."
"They wanted to get you and master together," Felassan blurted out. He clapped his hand over his mouth. Violet eyes wide with horror as he stared at them.
"Ah, I see." Solas had a small smile on his face.
"Well," Nimwen couldn't hold in her laughter.
"What's so funny?" asked Sera.
"Guys, while appreciate the thought, it's a bit unnecessary now," Nimwen explained.
"'Unnecessary?'" Dorian repeated.
Solas let out a low breath. His arm wrapped around Nimwen's waist and he pulled her towards him. "Felassan told Lori I'm her father," he explained. "Or will be her father."
"He did?" Iron Bull looked over at the young elf. "Huh, thought you didn't want to help, and now we hear you went that far? Good on you, kid."
"I didn't mean to!" Felassan's eyes were wide. "I didn't know she didn't know or that it was a secret or anything like that. And I didn't want to be part of this."
Etha smiled. "I wish I had thought about that." She nodded.
"Ha, don't you all feel stupid now?" Sera laughed.
"Hey, Sera, be nice," Nimwen said. She looked at the group. "Even though you didn't really do it, I still appreciate that you wanted to try and help us. It means a lot."
"Anything for you, Boss," Iron Bull said.
"Quite right," Dorian agreed.
"Just don't do it again or I'll haunt your dreams of an eternity," Solas threatened them.
Felassan yelped and hid behind Etha.
"Not literally, da'len."
"Stop teasing him, vhenan," Nimwen said.
"Why not? It's fun," Sera smirked.
"While it is," Solas stated, "we have other matters to discuss and it's best not done behind a tree where no one can see the children."
"Agreed," Nimwen said. "Let's all go by the fire and discuss what to do next."
Everyone agreed and the group migrated towards the campfire.
Solas settled beside Nimwen. "You said the amulet which brought you here isn't working?" he asked the group.
"That's correct," Dorian said. There was frustration clear in his voice. "Normally certain incantations are required to activate the amulet, but for reasons I still can't figure out why nothing is working. I helped develop this magic for Maker's sake, but whatever that thief did essentially locked me out of the amulet's magic." He reached into his pocket and pulled out the amulet. "Until I figure out a way to get this to work, it's nothing more than an ugly piece of jewelry."
"May I?" Solas held out his hand.
"Be my guest," said the altus as he handed him the amulet.
A frown creased his brow as Solas turned over the amulet. "I've never seen such magic before. Sadly, it's not my area of expertise," he confessed. "And the one who would know of such magic is," he hesitated, "indisposed."
Nimwen raised a brow. "And by 'indisposed' you mean?"
A small breath escaped him and Solas lowered the amulet. "Exactly that. Dirthamen can't help and he is the only one who would be able to do so." His frown deepened, hand on his chin in thought.
"So, just how in shit are we?" asked Sera.
"Calm down, Sera. This isn't hopeless," Nimwen assured her. She turned to Solas. "Surely there has to be someone who could help us. This is supposed to be elvhenan. I thought the People's knowledge of magic was vast?"
"Unfortunately war is brewing between two of the Creators," Etha told them. "It's unlikely those who do have the knowledge would be willing to help us. Especially given your connection to one of them." Her eyes were locked on Nimwen.
"What do you mean?" Nimwen asked. Her eyes strayed to Lori. "You're not saying that she's in danger are you?"
"You both will be," Etha stated with a shrug. "But not as long as you stay with us. All I am saying, is those willing to help our group aren't mages and will know nothing of magic. Most of them will be slaves or commoners."
"I'm sorry, but why would Nimwen and Lori be in danger?" asked Dorian.
Ice ran through Nimwen's veins. That's right, they didn't know. "Um…" Nimwen bit her lip. How should she put this?
"Got it!" Solas exclaimed.
"What is it?" asked Nimwen.
"While the sentinels of Dirthamen would turn us away, there is a place which holds his earliest work. The answer to this question might be there," he told her.
"That's great! And you know where this is?" Nimwen asked.
Solas smiled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Where Skyhold will one day stand."
"Sorry to interrupt this stunning revelation," Dorian cut in. "But you never answered my question. Why would Nimwen and Lori be in danger in a time where nobody knows of them?"
Nimwen turned to Solas. "Solas?" she asked, unsure.
Solas frowned. He looked rather confused by this.
"You weren't listening, were you, Master?" Etha sighed. "They want to know why we can't ask a mage. I told them of the war starting between two creators."
"Ah." Solas stood and brushed off his robes. "My real name is Fen'Harel."
Three pairs of eyes widened at once.
"I...I beg your pardon?" Dorian sputtered.
"Holy shit," Iron Bull whispered.
Sera suddenly stood, shaking.
"Sera?" Nimwen asked concerned.
The yellow haired archer stared at Solas with a mix of fear and horror. "Y-you're lyin'." she stammered. "You-you can't be one of those god thingys. Th-they aren't real."
Solas frowned. "We're very real, thank you. We're just not gods. It's what the People call us."
"You're lyin'. You aren't real!" Sera argued.
"Sera, please, calm down," Nimwen urged.
"I ain't calmin' down!" Sera screamed. "He, th-they can't be real. If they're r-real, what-what about Andraste? What about the Maker? They can't both be real! He's lying!" The rogue began to back away. "If-if you're real," she whispered. "Andraste isn't real. The Maker…"
"Sera, please, sit down and we can talk about this," Nimwen pleaded.
Tears began to well up in Sera's eyes. "He's lyin'!" she hissed, pointing at Solas. "They're all lyin'! They're just stupid elfy elves who want to be better than everyone and everyone's gods. You're no better than us!" she screamed at the other elves. "I-I need to go."
"Sera wait!" Before Nimwen could do anything Sera took off for the forest.
Shadows whipped out before Sera. The next moment Solas stood before her. His hand pressed to her head. "Sleep."
Sera collapsed into Solas's arms.
"What did you do?" Iron Bull asked.
"She will sleep off the shock," Solas stated as he laid Sera down near the fire. "As I was saying, we're not gods. Just," he paused, "it's not something that's easy to explain. I've not found all the answers even after countless centuries searching for them."
"I'm sorry," Nimwen apologized. "I was worried something like that would happen."
"Yes, well, can't completely blame her," said Dorian. "Personally I'm glad you say you aren't actually gods. Leaves me some hope. Also it's a bit strange to think I once shared a library with a god."
"Pardon?" Solas asked then shook his head. "Never mind. I actually prefer the idea behind your Maker," he stated as he settled down again near to Sera. "It would be better for people to have a more distant god."
"Back to the matter at hand," Nimwen started. "You said we might get what we need where Skyhold will end up being built? How long is it from here?"
"About half a year's journey if not longer," Solas confessed. "I would rather avoid the eluvians," he stated. "Andruil will have her followers watching them. Both the common network and the one used between us. My personal ones were shut down," he confessed.
"'Half a year?'" Dorian repeat. "I think I speak for everyone when I say that is far too long."
"Solas, are you sure there's no other way?" Nimwen asked.
Solas grimmanced. "There might be one, but I am not sure if any of my contacts still live," he confessed.
"If there's a way we have to try," Nimwen said. "If Lori and I are in as much danger as you say, we can't stay here and wait for Andruil's people to discover us."
"It will still take a few months and it might not be safe. We won't run the risk of running into Andruil's forces however," Solas told them. "And there is no other way I think to find what's wrong with your amulet." He held it out to Dorian.
"What is this alternate path you're suggesting?" asked the altus as he took the amulet.
Solas smiled. "The Deep Roads. If my contacts still live, they will provide transport," he told them.
"The Deep Roads?" Nimwen questioned. "But they are teeming with Darkspawn-"
"Not yet," corrected Dorian. "Remember, Darkspawn aren't around yet."
Nimwen's eyes widened. "Of course! The Deep Roads are still connected!" An excited gleam entered her eyes. "Imagine, we get to see what the dwarven empire was like at its height! Scholars have dreamt of this for centuries!"
"The darkspawn thing again," Solas muttered. "Fenedhis shemlen."
"So you have contacts among the dwarves?" Nimwen asked. "Who?"
"Yes," Solas stated. "I have a few among the nobles but most were miners or merchants. I helped June establish trade with them," he confessed.
"And they'll help us?" asked Dorian.
Solas chuckled. "Andruil never saw a point in establishing contact with the durgen'len. I doubt they would help her. Besides I have a few items we can trade for travel if we don't meet one of my contacts."
"Have you ever travelled the Deep Roads?" asked Nimwen. "I know you said you and June set up trade with the dwarves, but have you travelled the Roads themselves?"
"From Kal-Shorak to Orzammar on several occasions," Solas told her. "I admit I don't much like it down there."
"Hard to dream?" Etha asked him.
Solas nodded.
"Where's the nearest Deep Roads entrance?" asked Nimwen.
"What's this about the Deep Roads?" Nysa had just returned and dumped her fresh kill by the fire.
Aleron trailed behind her, wincing from fresh burns on his fingers.
"We are heading through them," Felassan told her with a shy blush on his face.
"Tch." She scowled at this. "I didn't come along to go to durgen'len slums, Only for help to Arlathans." She shook her head. "Count me out of this mess." She turned on her heel and stalked over to her hart.
"Wh-what? Wait, Nysa!" Felassan leapt to his feet.
Etha yanked him back down. "Your duty is here," she snapped at him, "not fawning after some bit-" She glanced towards the kids and coughed. "Crabby girl."
"Nysa," Nimwen stood to look at the other elf. "Are you sure we can't change your mind?"
"Hmph." Nysa glared at Nimwen. "I doubt that." She mounted her hart. Before anyone could act, she kick the hart forward.
Solas didn't move like he had to Sera, just watched her go. "I am not going to say I'm unhappy to see her go."
"I had a bad feeling about her," admitted Iron Bull. "It's probably best if we just let her go. At least Sera won't be picking fights with her."
"Agreed," said Nimwen. Still, she had a feeling of unease as Nysa rode off. She was unsure where the hunter's allegiances lied, and she knew about Lori. She prayed they weren't making a mistake in letting her go.
"There is an entrance not too far from here," Solas told them as he stood once more. "Aleron, what happened to your hands?"
The human grinned, eyes shining. "This!" Fire exploded in air before him. Aleron fell back.
"What was that?" Nimwen cried.
"I'm a mage! No more wooden swords!" he cheered.
"No, but now you're my student," Solas stated.
Etha grinned. "And if you think I was hard, Master is far harder a trainer."
"Congratulations," Nimwen said. "Just, please, be careful, I don't want you setting us on fire."
Aleron's face had gone shock white. He seemed to not have heard Nimwen as he stared at Solas. "I think I want the wooden sword back."
"Not happening." Etha grinned. She stood and clapped Aleron on the back. "You're under master now." She walked over to the meat. "I'll get dinner ready. We should rest before heading down there."
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FW: So, yeah, Aleron's a mage, a really late bloomer as a mage, but still a mage. If you read what has been posted of Final Hour you will see this is hinted at. And there is a lot happening here. Solas just bluntly reveals he's Fen'Harel finally to those around him, granted he is still ignorant about a lot that happens in the future, so he doesn't see a problem with it.
HH: Drama llamas abound. So yup now we go off to the Deep Roads. Stay tuned for more!