The past few days had been difficult for her, to put it mildly. Whenever she was able to find sleep, the wolf was there, keeping her safe in her dreams, but she was often unable to fall asleep, and as such had difficulty concentrating on just about everything.

She was enjoying this, whatever it was that had started between Solas and herself, she enjoyed his company immensely, he was kind to her, gentle and affectionate. She had never experienced the like from a man.

The only true sad part, was that Jariri had withdrawn from her, she tried to question him, but he had gently shrugged her off, and avoided her. This time, however she knew he would not be able to avoid her for long.

"Jariri, please, tell me what I did wrong, please tell me how I lost your friendship." she asked him one evening in the dining hall.

Sighing in defeat, he took her hand, "Walk with me, please Eleyne." She did so eagerly, following him quietly. Once they reached what he had deemed to be a safe, quiet and secure area, he started speaking, unsure of how to begin. "I...this is difficult for me..please Eleyne, bear with me, while I try..." moving around nervously, he spoke She moved to hug him, he allowed it for a moment, only to wrench away from her "You are making this more difficult, As she tried to hug him, he relented, wrapping his arms around her and simply holding her, after a while, they let go, he started pacing in frustration, "I will be leaving Skyhold for a while, shortly, if you have ANY need of help, write to me, please! I will find you and I will help." He left shortly after bidding her farewell, for now. Eleyne felt a strange sensation, almost as if something had been thrown past her at great speed, only to look in shock at the arrow that was lodged in the ground where she had been standing but moments before.

Her face paling, she took her leave of Jariri, picking up the arrow, she sought out Solas. "Fanor, I did not expect to see you again this evening, are you well?" he asked noticing her pale face, and the arrow she was clutching in her hand. She asked him if he knew who used those types of arrows. He replied that he thought it might be Leliana, but he was unsure. Concern apparent on his face, "Eleyne, have you been sleeping at all? I have been unable to locate you in the fade."

Nervously biting her lip, "I have been able to fall asleep a few times", smiling fondly at the memory of the wolf in her dreams, but other times, I find myself unable to. "How long has it been since you have been able to fall asleep?" concern lacing his voice.

Smiling at him sheepishly, "As I stand here, its been three days." his eyes going wide at this, "Eleyne, this cannot continue, we must rectify this somehow, you cannot go without sleep for this long. It is dangerous to your health."

"Do you have any suggestions, Solas, I am open to try, just about anything. I am tired, no, wait, I am exhausted."

A faint blush coloring his cheeks, "I could aid you, in falling asleep. If that is your wish."

Smiling at him gently. "I...I'd like that, Solas."

That evening,as she readied for bed, a knock came to her door, she opened it to find Solas there, already dressed in the clothing she assumed he must sleep in. Lying down on her bed, she felt him join her, his arm wrapping around her waist from behind her and pulling her close. "Do not worry, I will behave myself." she could practically hear the smirk in his voice.

"Thank you Solas, and uh, goodnight." she nervously spoke

"Sleep well, Eleyne." was the last thing she could recall him saying. She was asleep within moments.

She woke the next morning, feeling slightly confused, as she tried to turn over, the arm around her waist tightened for a moment, and she remembered. Solas had been with her during the night, that must be why she slept so well.

Turning a little, she lay looking at him, waiting for him to wake, some time later, he opened his eyes, which softened when he saw her. "I trust you slept well?" he asked, his voice still husky from sleep.

"I did, thank you Solas." she replied, cupping the side of his face, his eyes closing at the touch. "Maybe w..we c..could repeat that..." she added with a nervous laugh.

Lacing their fingers together, he replied, "I would enjoy that."

She simply lay there for a while, taking in his appearance, she was loath to break the comfortable silence, but she had to ask, "Solas, I...I have to ask, why me? I'm not an elf, and you...well, you can probably have any woman you want.."

He considered her carefully for a moment before speaking, "Eleyne, if I wished for different company, if it mattered to me at all that you are human, I would not have left the letters for you. I simply did not wish to alarm or frighten you away, I find you beautiful and captivating, both in spirit and appearance. Few that have been through what you have, will not only survive, but refuse to allow their spirit to be changed by it."

She had been biting her lip nervously during his declaration, now, she did the only thing that felt right to her, she moved closer to him, and kissed him, she could not resist the temptation. His arms immediately wrapped around her, pulling her closer, after a few moments, he squeezed her a little tighter, causing her to gasp, this gave him the opportunity to deepen the kiss and he slipped his tongue into her mouth, tasting her as if it was the last thing he wished to do before he died. Eleyne had never experienced anything like this, her heart was racing and it felt as though the world was spinning faster than usual.

After what felt like hours, but could only have been moments, he broke the kiss, resting his forehead against hers, "Eleyne, I wish to see you happy, I do not know if I am the right man for that, but I find myself unable to stay away from you." She could tell he was as affected by their kiss as she was. Staring into his eyes, she was unable to move, it felt as though she were drowning in his gaze.

Parting ways shortly after, he left to his studies, and she wandered around Skyhold for a while, unable to keep him out of her mind for any period of time.

Solas POV

He did not recall when, or how she had become so important to him, but he could no longer imagine any kind of future without her in it.

He had taken the arrow that had nearly harmed her the previous evening, intending to speak to the Inquisitor's advisors about it, and find out who had tried once again, to kill Eleyne. The thought terrified him, whoever it was, they had come close. He would not allow this to stand, even though he could not reveal himself. That thought, presented another dilemma, how would he even be able to tell her, if at all, who he really is? Inhaling deeply, trying to calm his nerve, he decided that he would have to tell her the truth, and have her decide for herself after, if she wished to have anything more to do with him, or not. He would abide with whichever decision she made.

Focusing on his task, he went to speak with the Commander, if anyone would be able to assist him in this, it would be him. Knocking on the door that lead to the Commander's office, being bade to enter after a moment, he steeled himself, and entered.

Eleyne

She could not stop smiling, nor thinking about him, he wanted her. The thought seemed an impossibility to her, not knowing what made her so special, for him to want to be with her, but she was not going to question it, she was happy, for the first time ever.

As she made her way across the garden, she saw Jariri, he appeared to be deep in thought, not even noticing her, she walked by him, touching his arm, but he was lost in his own world. Deciding to give him the space he clearly needed, she went to the rotunda in search of Solas, only, he was not there, and she ended up conversing with Dorian for a while, she truly liked him, he was good company and had an interesting sense of humor. She scanned the shelves for a book to read, coming upon one that seemed interesting, she settled down on one of the chairs and lost herself in the book, for a time.