Apologies for the lateness of all of this. Weddings eh?
We've had to book a venue, set a date, look at vendors, think of caterers, talk to friends about engagement photos and wrangle our families. I spent about 3 days now trying to talk between my bridesmaids about dress fittings and all that jazz. 3 days, and all I got finished was a date and time to meet up. That's it uuuuuuggggghhhh.
Oh man someone tell me that this wedding thing gets easier in time...Cause that'd be great.
In other words I was also on a mini vacation so I don't go insane from work and wedding stuff...To say the least I got a pretty bad cold during vacation. So, I. WILL. LIVE. ON!
But regardless, I will try to keep up to date on this! Just. So. Much. Stress.
Onward, to victory!
They had wandered around Val Royeaux, taking in the sights and sounds of the grand city. Anara didn't want to spend too much time exploring the area, they had someone to meet that night. She didn't always take letters tied to arrows as a good sign, the fact that it was aimed in her direction didn't ease her either.
Solas had looked uncomfortable, honestly, everyone had looked uncomfortable. Varric was muttering about politics and how it rivaled the merchants guild. Cassandra hated the idea of being stopped, either recognized as the right hand of the divine, or as a Pentaghast. Solas only took notice to the Orlesians gaze of him as he wandered with the group. Obviously seen as below the rankings of a Trevelyan, a Pentaghast and a Tethras. His eyebrows furrowed as he thought to himself, lost within his own mind, remembering the tales of Red Crossing and the exalted march the Chantry had against the elves. Solas left a mental reminder to himself to explore that past within the fade when he had the chance.
Solas looked up, noticing Anara's concerned look. He forced a smile, trying to help her alleviate some of her worry. He was fine, he swore in his mind and in his heart as he tried to push down the feelings he felt in the back of his mind. He began to doubt himself, to doubt the strength of the love he felt for the woman in front of him. She was a noble, and he an elf that would be a servant among her kind. But he knew that her affection for him was genuine, but he had felt a small amount of doubt in his mind, only to what he knew was hidden there.
Night began to fall as the lights began to shine within the city, torches and lamps left a dim glow through the courtyards and markets. The slow chill of winter beginning to seep it's way into the bone of those in less appropriate attire.
The nobles began to flee back to their chateaus, or their quarters. Regaling to themselves and all those within earshot about their family and their importance.
Anara's hand rubbed her temple as she heard waves of Orlesians talk about lineage and history of their family as they walked off. The great game that they loved so much was beginning to get it's swing as night fell. Balls and parties would begin and soon enough so will the conniving backstabbing.
There was a collective sigh of relief as it felt they were the only ones left in the courtyard. Heavy coats and furs helped stave of the winter cold. Something they felt the Orlesians couldn't possibly understand.
The night felt longer than it was supposed to be. Especially after the meeting of a red Jenny. Or THE red Jenny? It was difficult to decipher by the way she spoke. "Squishy one, but you heard me right? ' Just say what." Anara found the woman odd as she pulled the arrow from the man's throat, "Blah, blah, blah. Obey men, arrow in my face."
Her voice felt frantic and rushed as she kept talking, rambling on and on. Anara didn't mind all the talk and the flare for the dramatic, but she preferred the guardsmen that she fought to have breeches…
The woman laughed, and introduced herself as Sera, and Solas seemed to look at the elf with curiosity. She was a strange one indeed, always chattering away and rambling on and on about things that didn't concern him. Let alone, he didn't feel it should concern Anara as well, but she was in a good enough mood. Allowing her to humor her with her words and strange anecdotes.
Varric seemed strangely amused by her antics and the way she talked. Wondering if her mind was a jumbled mess like her speech.
Cassandra on the other hand was cross with the whole situation. Her arms crossed over her chest as she listened to Sera talk, the usual grimace coming to her face. She looked at the bag of breeches that Sera had conveniently with her, as she shoved them off on Anara, giggling away as she left for Haven. Cassandra didn't approve of the heralds choice in their new companion and ally.
" Are you certain about this?" She spoke, looking at the herald.
Anara looked down at the bag letting out an exclaimed yelp as she realized what it was that she was holding. The bag hitting the ground, Her face twisting in both curiosity and the smallest disgust. "By Andraste..where those washed?"
Varric chuckled looking at Anara, "Hey, you never know when we'll need some breeches for the men." Varric egged her on to picking the bag back up.
She let out a disgusted grunt as she stepped away. Her foot nudging the bag away from her. "Bag of breeches..." She muttered under her breath, wishing to leave Val Royeaux. The city was beginning to vex her, the numerous politics and nobles were drawing on the last threads of patience that she had. The circle wasn't filled with political backstabbing, and people seeking movement in the hierarchy. Ostwick seemed like a distant more fond memory in retrospect of what she was staring at here.
Their movement was strained as they began to step away from the market that they first entered, beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Anara could sense another body coming within distance of them. Her senses felt out like roots to a tree, her magic sensing others. She turned to look to Solas, his eyes having the same look of confusion and alarm that she felt within herself.
The magic felt different, restrained but something about it felt touched. Like a different set of rules fell behind it and controlled it. Her hand gripped tighter on her staff expecting an ambush. She could sense the same feeling from Solas, both of them prepared for the worst as Cassandra and Varric moved on without a care in the world.
"If I might have a moment of your time?" The group turned, looking at an elf in mages robes walking towards them. Anara's eyebrows furrowed, looking at the woman who seemed so familiar.
"Grand enchanter Fiona?" Cassandra recognized her as Anara took a few moments to look her over. Trying to remember the leader of their rebellion.
"Leader of the mage rebellion. Is it not dangerous for you to be here?" Solas realized who she was by Cassandra's words. Indeed, it is dangerous for any mage to be here, for the herald to be here, for the leader of the rebellion to be HERE.
"I heard of this gathering, and I wanted to see the fabled Herald of Andraste with me own eyes."
She looked upon Anara with a familiar gaze, maybe realizing the irony for Andraste of all people to choose a mage as her herald. Her eyes, seemed to pierce hers, almost as if she was reaching into her very soul. Anara could feel a cold grip within herself with Fiona's eyes upon her. Her mouth spoke again, " If it's help with the breach you seek. Perhaps my people are the wiser option."
Anara cocked an eyebrow at the Mage leader, "I'm surprised the leader of the mages wasn't at the conclave." Her skills at negotiating and speaking to people on the same level apparently needed work.
" Yes. You were supposed to be, and yet somehow you avoided death.." Cassandra came off more suspicious in how she spoke, making Anara sound less antagonistic.
" As did the lord Seeker, you'll note. Both of us sent negotiators in our stead, in case it was a trap." Her eyes moved away from Cassandra, no longer needing to justify her suspicion. Instead her eyes turned back to Anara, that strange icy grip coming back as she stared at her, her words forming. " I won't pretend I'm not glad to live. I lost many dear friends that day.."
Fiona seemed to focus on her words, pulling the pains that Anara felt when she awoken from her sleep. Realizing all the death and destruction that she emerged from, all the lives that had perished. All the sorrow and how the veil had torn open from all that death, all that...Magic..
"It disgusts me to think the Templar's will get away with it. I'm hoping you won't let them." It felt as if Fiona looked into her very mind to see her dislike for the Templar's. But she realized, it didn't take much to sense that she was a circle mage, just like Fiona.
No circle was truly kind, every circle mage knew that. Some were worse off than others, Kirkwall in the past years had deteriorated to nothing now. Kinloch Hold during the last blight was something as well. She had heard stories about it from Ostwick. Of demons roaming freely within the walls. Maleficarum practicing on each other, and how the Hero of Ferelden saved them from themselves.
" Consider this an invitation to Redcliffe: come meet with the mages. An alliance could help us both after all. I hope to see you there. Au revoir, my lady Herald." Her eyes lingered for a moment, turning her back to them as she left their sight. Anara felt different about Fiona and her invitation, suspicion filling her mind with doubt and concern.
'Vhenan' Her head twitched, looking for Solas out the corner of her eyes. He stood there in the back, his hand still braced on his staff as he looked out, past the area that Fiona inhabited. ' Trust your instinct.'
She could sense his mounting concern as well, both trying to figure out what they felt in her presence. Magic was a creature all in it's own, like the ebb and flow of the oceans it pushed and pulled at those around it. Drawing some in, and pushing some away. Fiona's magic, her presence drew in your magic, as if consuming it, draining it from one. Surely Cassandra must've felt it, she was a Seeker after all…
Cassandra turned to Anara, her short black hair falling into her eyes as she spoke, " Come. let us return to Haven." It had seemed that Cassandra met the situation with suspicion as well. She had hoped that she too sensed something from the Grand Enchanter, the strange chill she brought to the air.
Cassandra though pushed all the concern down inside, trying to not let it surface as they left Val Royeaux. The grand city in all it's marble and decorated glory well behind them. Another, hopefully distant memory to be left in the dust with everything else. They had gained a companion in Red Jenny, and an enemy in the Templar's. They were extended an invitation for alliance in yet something deeply troubling in it's wake. They did not leave empty handed to say the least, but didn't leave with the information they wanted either.
The days marched on as they made their way back to the Frost-backs. Solas telling the group of his adventures in The Fade. Assuring both Varric and Cassandra that his journeys never meant any harm, only observation.
As each night progressed Solas told her stories of times much different. Of times before man, when all that there was were elves and nature. He'd spin tales of Arlathan, the great Elven city before the rise of Tevinter, and before the disappearance of the Elven gods because of the one called Fen'Harel.
Solas would lay there beside her, his arm pulling her body closer as he looked up into the night sky. Haven was only a days march away now, and Anara knew when they were within the town they had to be careful. Solas reminded her how humans would never understand their connection, and how the Dalish have fought over such things as love.
" We live in a world Vhenan, in which neither Humans or Elves could understand this." She felt his hand pull hers to his lips, placing a light kiss on her palm. Her head rested in his shoulder, sighing contently at the feel of his lips.
"I do not care for what people don't understand Solas." She moved her head to his chest as she looked at him. " People fear magic because they do not understand it. So why should I care what they feel about us?"
Solas smiled softly at the Anara, "Well put, I suppose there isn't much to argue then."
She smiled back, determination on her face, "No indeed." She had rolled on top of his hips, her hands holding his as she looked at his fingers. " I do not care for their opinions.." She brought his hands to her lips, kissing his knuckles gently. "For the only opinions I care for are yours.." She bent down, pulling his arms above his head as she leaned in, her lips inching away from his, " And mine.." The words touched his lips, sealing unspoken promises as she pressed her lips against his.
She felt him stiffen underneath her as he groaned, not feeling her lips or her touch for weeks felt like an eternity to him. Setting fire to a desire that he has long suppressed in the company of others and their travels, hoping not to expose himself to all eyes.
He would make her his tonight, regardless of what others thought and said, he loved her and the fear and doubt he felt before fell away like a burdensome armor.
Solas pulled himself from his mind as they reached the gates. Pulling himself quickly from the events of last night, back under the eyes and scrutiny of all those around.
He pulled himself away from the group as they entered the small town. Ferelden was still filled with prejudice towards Elves, but it seemed their spite for Orlais was the glue that kept them together. Solas understood that much, but for him and elf to be seen with The Herald, and a Noble...Well, to say the least it wouldn't bode well with Orlesian courts.
He trekked his way through, making his way back to the solitude that greeted him at Adan's. Like a perch overlooking a forest, Solas could see the life and activity of the town from right there, ever watchful.
Cassandra and Anara walked across the training yard, the area suspiciously quiet. There were no clashing swords, or blocking shields or their Commander screaming of terrible blocks and training exercises. It was all suspicious.
The Chantry doors were wide open as they looked at Josephine walking towards them, the gold satin on her outfit making her the easy to spot.
" It's good you've returned. We heard of your encounter.."
"You heard?" Cassandra asked just as confused as Anara was of the sudden situation that they were thrust into.
Cullen and Leliana rushed from the War room, Cullen still vigilant, like a Mabari ready to pounce. His eyes looked weary from talk and lack of sleep, the stress he was feeling flooded his face. He looked like he had grown older in the weeks that they had left. Cullen's eyes pulled up from the floor, trying to remain the neutral column within the Inquisition.
Her eyebrows furrowed in worry, she felt she had seen something like this before in the Templar's and mages within her tower. Like a lingering disease that has spread from the deepest corners of Thedas into her adviser.
Leliana broke the silence between them, " My agents in the city sent word ahead, of course." She felt her head suddenly remember, ' Right, Spymaster...' It was as if that has escaped her mind at some point in the last weeks, forgetting the talents that the left hand of the Divine had before her appointment.
Cullen had crossed his arms over his chest, his armor looked dark in the dim light of the room, but she could see what he felt. She could sense it.
His powers were waning, weakening; like a limb without use or purpose. His power would weakly reach out for hers, like a dying lover in a last embrace. She knew that she shouldn't show her signs of worry so much, so easily in the eyes of a spymaster and a seeker. Would they know? Would they know of the proposition that Solas and her gave Cullen? Did they already know about it? No, this was not the time for such thoughts and questions to enter her mind. She had to focus.
" It's a shame the Templar's have abandoned their senses as well as the capital." Cullen looked her in the eyes, as if silently pleading for her to stop worrying. She felt her shoulders relax as she calmed herself down, realizing the truth in his wordless plea.
" We have the opening we need to approach the Templar's and the Mages." Josephine cut in as Anara moved Cullen, slowly pushing past him, her magic trying to sense the Commander and get a feel for his ailment.
They all began a slow walk towards the War Room, reviewing details and rumors that they have heard. Reports from Leliana's agents had been varied to say the least. Cullen insisted on working with the Templar's regardless of the Lord Seekers change in personality.
Josephine mentioned the Mages and she could feel Cullen's mood sully. His temper seemed to be a taut line, almost in the midst of breaking.
"You think the Mage Rebellion is more united? It could be ten times worse!" Cullen snapped back, Anara could feel annoyance rise up in him.
She took a breath, slowly feeling the cold in her magic take shape within her, cooling her down from the intense situation. She looked over the three before her, " Or you could stop bickering and make a decision.." She tried to pull it off as humor but Cassandra took it instead as a command, agreeing to her attempt.
They bickered and argued and fought with each other again and again in the middle of the Chantry. Trying to decide which side will be better to align with, the mages were desperate and possibly dangerous, but the same could be said about the Templar's. In the end, there felt like there was no real decision made once again.
Anara began to slowly lose hope in their ability to work together, her hand rubbing her temple as she closed her eyes. Hearing the familiar voice of the Spymaster as she stepped forward, "There is one other matter.."
Anara's eyes looked up to meet with the redhead that stood before her, " Several months ago, the Grey Wardens of Ferelden vanished. I sent word to those in Orlais, but they have also disappeared."
She gave the woman a confused look, knowing that the Hero of Ferelden was still a Grey Warden as well as the Queen, " Ordinarily I wouldn't even consider the idea they're involved in all this, but the timing is….Curious."
Anara didn't want to jump to conclusions and wanted to keep her glorified image of the Ferelden Queen in her mind. Not wishing to sully it with speculation, " So you're telling me this because…?"
" The others have disregarded my suspicion, but I cannot ignore it. Two days ago, my agents in The Hinterlands heard news of a Grey Warden by the name of Blackwall."
Anara seemed to think to add another mental item to her list of things to do in The Hinterlands. Save the land from the rebels, get Master Dennet, Talk with the Mages, and now the loss of Grey Wardens.
" If you have the opportunity, please seek him out. Perhaps he can put my mind at ease."
" And if he can't?" Anara's voice was beginning to sound serious as she thought more about the Grey Wardens absence in the region.
"Then there may be more going on than we thought." Leliana turned away from Anara, leaving the room to her as she thought.
Anara began to sense the creeping feel of doubt as she thought about the Grey Wardens. She had heard of Fiona joining the Wardens, and being the only Mage to return to the circle. She had heard the tale of King Alistair and his Queen, they would surely know of the Wardens disappearance would they not? She didn't know anymore, her doubt was beginning to seep deeper into her mind, causing her to second guess her choice in the mages.
"Vhenan?" She heard a voice speak from the door, her eyes turning up to see Solas's frame in the doorway.
"Solas." She spoke, trying to hold some ground of professionalism, she knew his need to uphold appearances, but he seemed different in his manner.
" It seems our commanders and diplomats are still at an impasse?" Solas walked through the hall, his arms crossing his chest as he approached. "I think Vhenan, you need to take a step away from this burden of decision."
Anara made sure they were alone, as she gently smiled at Solas, allowing herself to relax enough in his presence, "What do you have in mind?"
Solas smiled back, gentle but restrained as he leaned in closely. "I assume you're still curious about the history of the fifth blight?"
She could feel a grin pull across her lips, Solas seemed to know what kinds of stories and magic he needed to make her feel better. " Indeed I am."
Solas nodded gently as he turned his back to her, " Good, I've heard stories of the Hero of Ferelden's presence at the Temple of Sacred Ashes. Do you wish to see history first hand?"
She laughed, following alongside Solas as his face went back to it's neutral and passive self. "Of course! How can I say no?"
They stood outside the Chantry the darkness taking hold of the world around them as the town remained in hushed silence. The eternal brazier burned outside the doors, fires from the nearby camps lighting the way. Solas looked ahead, his eyes looking over the Commander as he stood there, watching the two mages.
" I suggest my dear that we Fade step..or all eyes will be on us." Solas's eyes looked at Anara, still putting on a show for the rest of the world.
Cullen looked them over, wondering what was up the mages sleeves. They looked like they were scheming and plotting once again. His eyes met with Anara's as she laughed to Solas, seeing her smile and joyful made apart of him happy. Glad that she was finally better now, if only on the surface. But Cullen had wished that it was beyond him making an ass of himself that she would've sought joy.
He looked at Solas and watched as he began to glow an eerie blue. Cullen knew a fade step when he saw it, but his abilities were not strong enough to stop it, even if he wanted to. But he knew that neither of the mages showed any form of distrust in him. In fact both seemed to trust him almost implicitly, something he would've never expected from them.
His eyes met back with the brown depths of Anara's eyes, a smile spreading across her lips as she smiled almost playfully at the Commander.
She raised her eyebrows almost as if she was suggesting something. Cullen was glad to see her smile at him, even if he felt that smile wasn't truly for him.
He watched as she bit her lower lip, her smile still there as she too began to glow. Her brown eyes and smile the last thing he saw until she disappeared in a streak of blue light.
It seemed that she had finally recovered, no longer dwelling on her hatred and self pity. But instead becoming the mage and the leader that the inquisition needed. Becoming the woman that he knew she truly was deep down inside, the woman he was falling in love with.