Summary: Even if you know what's coming, you're never prepared for how it feels. - Natalie Standiford
Notes: This chapter was so hard to write. Posting it was a biatch too because for some reason when I pasted it - everything became BOLD and I swear to god it better not be BOLD when I post it.
This alone took me three days write - with me staring at the screen - mulling over what I should do - oh my god it's finally postable.
Brace yourselves.
But seriously This BETTER NOT BE BOLD. o/
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
XXX"Evelyn – It's good to see you. " Mahanon greeted a smile playing on his lips. "I didn't expect to see you here of all places but its always nice to see such a familiar face again. You too Dorian."
"Ah good, I was beginning to think I was invisible." Dorian commented, shrugging casually. "So did you find anything useful?" Mahanon grinned, shifting Ellana's body in his arms and pointed at the Trinket dangling around her neck.
"Just our ride home."
"Ooh goodie – bring it here." Mahanon pulled the locket off, and fitted it through the bars so that Dorian could see it. He lifted it up and inspected it. "Yes, this will certainly do –" He paused, sparing a glance at the sleeping beauty in Mahanon's arms. Such a face, he could never forget. Turning towards Evelyn, looking for answers, he saw a frustrated face.
Scowling and ever watchful, Ellana silently observed but kept her distance from the empty shell. Afraid of being pulled in and forced into a role she could not afford to become just yet. Even now – every part of her being was drawn to the unconscious form. Calling to her, promising an unrelenting source of magical energy that just waited to be unleashed. Such an offer almost too tempting to pass up but Ellana knew such great power came at a painstakingly high price. For Ellana's real body was missing one crucial element.
The Anchor.
Looking back – Ellana realized the gift she had been given upon finding sanction in Evelyn's body. Her spirit drew upon immortal spring from Fen'Harel's completed goal. It allowed her to face difficult challenges and press further and farther into a world she previously would avoid thrusting herself into.
To return in real body and to have the veil kiss flesh once more...There was no telling what could happen. She could undoubtedly lose her immortality as well as her leverage on keeping Solas at her side.
It was no good.
The gain, in the long run, was not worth the losses that followed.
And how it pained her to realize it.
How close she was – and yet how far – Ellana had to force herself to peel eyes away from such a pitiful form. A broken Inquisitor – awaiting to be rescued, to be freed from imprisonment as well as given the chance to awake from long slumber only to cross blades once more with unrequited love in unending defiance.
"You could have just bought the locket," Ellana responded coolly as she crossed arms over her chest. "I don't understand why you brought that back with you, Mahanon. If anything you should have left it where you found it. But no – now you've gone and endangered us all. I can't believe they thought you'd be more suited for this mission. Clearly – they were wrong."Mahanon raised a brow at the sudden sass.
"But—Isn't this your body?" He asked her, and Ellana bit her lip. Eyes sharpening into a narrow gaze.
"What of it?" Mahanon tilted his head in confusion, he figured she'd appreciate the cause.
"I thought you'd be happy was all..."
Ellana let out a bitter laugh.
"How could I possibly? Being home is certainly not a pleasurable experience."
"Home?" Dorian echoed, "You're from the past too?"
Ellana stared at him oddly and then remembered that Solas and her had deluded him into thinking this was back in the golden days.
"She's not from the past - just from another world entirely." Mahanon responded.
"The ending is not a happy one –I do not wish to see your world endure the same fate."
"Wait so your actually from the future?!"
"A would-be future yes. We must make sure this day never comes so if you'd be so kind and start channeling your spell Dorian – I would be most grateful."
"A-ah, yes of course..." Dorian trailed off, sweat rolling down his face. "Worry not, I assure you that under this handsome mug lies a very talented and gifted mage. You can count on me."
"Do you really have to be so snippy Evelyn?" Mahanon asked as he set her body against cell as he attempted to pick lock door. It was hardly a challenge. "I get that your involved but could you pretend to look a little bit thankful. This is your body were talking about and since we've met you've obviously had some sort of an identity crisis...Who you are and who you should be – with this I've given you a welcomed fit."
"Such inconsideration. This is why we need more libraries, people don't learn as much as they used to I'm afraid. " Dorian commented because unlike Mahanon he understood what Ellana implied when she claimed the world was in danger. If this was a would-be future then that would mean someone directly forced the Veil down. Meaning simply Disaster. Mayhem. Also explaining why there was nothing but Elves everywhere. "Remind me not to get under Solas's skin. Which reminds me why are tagging with him again?"
"What does Solas have to do with anything?" Mahanon asked and Dorian smiled.
"Apparently everything, given his background." Mahanon shook his head, not following. "Not my place to say," Dorian commented, throwing a glance to Evelyn. "Wait is that why you sent him away? We're going to leave him here is it? Ingenues! Killing two birds with one stone!" He was quick to earn a sharpened dark glare from the woman beside him. "Ah no, so I'm wrong in my assessment – okay then. I'll leave it to you."
"Who sent whom away?" Mahanon questioned still feeling lost.
"No one is sending anyone away. Solas went off with Fen'Harel to retrieve you but you clearly don't need retrieving. How did you even managed to slip away Mahanon? The warriors here can detect the slightest movement."
"Oh yes about that. I met this extremely well mannered Elven guard – Abelas, was it? He was showing me around as per his master's request. Fen'Harel, I presume – crazy to see the Dread Wolf here of all places but...That's when I asked if he knew anything about – well, you know, – Ellana –and thankfully he was quick to point me out. I was surprised at their generosity. They treated me to warm meals, baths, and a luxurious massage on top."
"Hang on, you were doing what – while I was in this dirty cell? That's hardly considerate...Considering."
"You wouldn't have enjoyed it Dorian...No women – just a bunch of sweaty, armored, bulky Elven male warriors rubbing your feet."
"My footsies are freezing thank you." Mahanon rolled his eyes.
"But honestly Evelyn, I don't see why you'd want to leave this place. When it came to you everyone I've met has been really caring and helpful."
"That's because they hated me...His people thought I was a distraction. Which technically is true considering that Fen'Harel wouldn't work whenever I was around. He'd instead spent his day to day activities following me around and humiliating me whenever opportunity arose."
"Humiliating?" Mahanon wondered, glancing at such an impassive form. "To me, you look prissy and pampered. Almost like a princess in such an exotic dress like that one and quite frankly I don't see a mistreated woman. Just a misguided one is all."
Ellana took a step forward and went to punch him with a strong right hook but Mahanon easily caught her blow. The two gritting teeth as they exchanged harsh curses at one another. It was Mahanon who sent her flying back and down to the floor on her ass by the end of it. He outmatched her physically in all regards and she could have little say in the matter otherwise. "I'm only stating the truth is all."
"That's hardly the truth!" Ellana cried out as she leaned forward slamming hands to the ground and thrust her mana out of her body. She was sure that Solas and Fen'Harel would have been alerted from it but at the moment Ellana was too blinded by her fury to care. An Ice Wall shot out from her and threatened to pierce Mahanon but Dorian quickly activated his Haste ability and countered her Ice with his own Wall of Fire.
It quickly dissolved and canceled out sudden outburst. Mahanon faltered, sweat rolling down his head from heated flames. He then gave small thanks to Dorian as Dorian allowed his own spell to break up and fade away from sight. "You just don't understand. That body, no that version of me is simply a representation of insanity chained to its will. A shattered soldier if you dominated by past warfare."
"Dominated, really, you?" Mahanon questioned once he had his wit back to him. "Considering how powerful you are – I don't think your being entirely honest here Evelyn."
"Mahanon that's enough." Dorian snipped, "you're crossing a thin line as it is and I'm trying to actually take my job seriously. Honestly, do you all want to leave or not because I certainly can't focus on the two of you bickering like children?"
Mahanon sighed and helped Ellana up while apologizing to the both of them.
"Sorry, Evelyn...I-It just doesn't make sense to me. Right now I only see one side of the story. I would appreciate the fill in now if you would."
"Of course. You see the truth is that Solas is actually Fen'Harel." Ellana told him and waited for the reaction. Mahanon's face went blank and Dorian was snickering beside her.
"It gets funnier the second time I hear it. Especially with that look on Mahanon's face. That's pretty much the topping on the cake." Dorian pointed out and beside him Ellana groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. Mahanon cracked his neck, and then his eyes darted off somewhere in deep thought before finally, they returned back to Ellana – now squinting.
"I'm sorry - could you possibly repeat that little tidbit?"
"You heard me," Ellana stated firmly and Mahanon blinked.
"Solas?"
"Yes."
"Apostate Hobo?" Ellana nodded twice over and Mahanon's eyes widened a fraction. "Really him? I have to admit, the resemblance was striking when I compared the two initially. It's just I kept telling myself it must have been an acquittance of some sort."
"Or an ancestor." Dorian pipped in, and Mahanon snapped his right hand and pointed at Dorian.
"Yes exactly!" He shouted, and then touched his own chin laughing. "Funny how things turn out."
"I can't believe you two," Ellana said shrugging as she watched the two males share a bonding moment.
"Oh come now Evelyn – his reaction practically matches my own. You can't expect us not to react. This is Solas were talking about."
"Mr. Droopy ears." Mahanon snickered and Dorian replied that he had never heard that one before and Mahanon mentioned a very silly Elven archer back at Haven who had plenty of words to describe the apostate in question. Dorian couldn't wait to meet such an honored guest and Ellana sighed between their excited chattered.
This was going nowhere.
"Mahanon, Dorian please focus. Now's not the time for banter."
"But we're talking about Solas!" Mahanon argued. "Stop being a stick in the mud Evelyn...You too must have reacted along the same lines – the disbelief and the – the – oh Maker... No wonder he's such a cunt when it comes to talking about our people!" Mahanon suddenly cried out and that little quip finally caused Ellana to tremble lip. "It makes so much sense now! Ugh! How could you possibly date that?"
"Do you mean Fen'Harel or Solas?" She wondered, now reduced to a bundle of giggles.
"Aren't they one in the same?" Dorian asked and Ellana shook her head.
"No completely different." Ellana managed as she settled herself down. "Fen'Harel caused Veil to be torn from sky."
"– Veil torn from sky?" Mahanon repeated in disbelief. In his mind things were starting to wheel into a full circle. His laughter quickly fading into anger. "How could you possibly allow Solas to – please don't tell me it was because you loved him?"
Ellana tore gaze away, ashamed. "Really, You let love blind you? Seems to me like this world is the way it is because of the choices you've made." Ellana felt fists ball up but let her then allowed herself to relax.
He wasn't incorrect after all.
"Try to put yourself in my shoes. What if Cassandra were in Solas's place?" Mahanon's expression darkened.
"First of all – don't you dare compare Cass' to Solas. Cassandra would never put herself in that position. Plus she's not a power-hungry crazed fucking mage that wants to bring the destruction of the world for one measly percentile of the world – Evelyn."
"Well, what if she was a mage then?" Ellana tried.
"Then I'd put her down," Mahanon replied curtly.
Dorian and Ellana both felt speechless at his icy response. "It's not complicated. It's a principle matter of morality Evelyn. You don't let the masses die over one person. I loveCassandra yes, yes I do...But if she was a mage and was showing signs of turning path away from us – from me than yes – duty over love. I would do everything in my power to make sure that she was no longer a threat. Whether it be binding her or ending her. I will do what I must to protect those around me."
Ellana rubbed her arm, feeling deflated.
"I guess I'm not as emotionally stable as much as you are then Mahanon." He shrugged, and she looked to Dorian for some support. "You see to me – Solas was everything. I couldn't imagine a world without him beside me and since becoming a part of your world I've been blessed. I've managed to find a Solas that holds regret for deeds he has not played a hand in. I'm sorry for being so weak."
"Nonsense." Dorian commented as he lowered locket and offered Evelyn a hug with open arms – Ellana was happy to oblige, she missed him so very, very much. "It's hard to play by the rules when our beloved ones are center stage. I should know. My father and I – our relationship have always been in such a shattered mess. If you can't find comfort in the others, you can always come to me."
"Dorian,you have no idea how much it means to me to have you say that and for that alone – thank you from the bottom of my heart."
"The pleasure is mine, really. I have learned that Tevinter needs a good shaping up once I get back home."
"That or you could always stay with the Inquisition." She offered, and Dorian grinned.
"And here I thought you'd never ask! Well, I'd quite frankly love to."
"Welcome aboard."
They shared one final laugh before breaking away. Attention now turning to see Mahanon lifting up Ellana's real form back into arms.
"So what shall I do with this then?"
"For starters you could give my heart back to me before I severe yours for daring to cross me." A voice snapped and they whirled to see a furious wolf glaring back at him. Behind him Solas was glancing over the wolf's shoulder, eyes checking over hers to make sure she was alright. Ellana nodded in reassurance before moving forward, brushing past Mahanon, light touch to the right shoulder as she passed, and met scowling wolf half-way between the two.
"Calm yourself, Dread Wolf." Ellana pleaded while placing her hands out to block Fen'Harel's path. "Mahanon didn't mean any harm. He simply brought this woman to Dorian because he thought she was injured. Dorian, although he might not look it to you – You'll have to trust me when I say he is quite proficient at what he does."
"Move." Fen'Harel replied darkly making it clear he wasn't in the mood for idle chit-chat. Ellana to swallowed heavily from the pressure radiating from his body.
This was after all the first time she has come face to face with such murderous beast without him recognizing her.
Normally Fen'Harel was far more in control of his emotions but that was then and this was the now.
She should have known.
Just as Solas was her everything.
Ellana was Fen'Harel's true desire –
His Toy.
His Inquisitor.
His Vhenan.
Ellana could practically see the wolf's lurking silhouette of six-eyed beast threatening to spill out and wipe out all those who opposite it.
"Make me," She dared now summoning blade to hand. "If you can at least."
"Knight Enchanter." He quipped, grinning, "Humorous,at best."
Ellana watched his head roll back, glancing over his shoulder to where Solas stood. "Pride," He called lazily, "Do be a dear and remove your pet-"
Fen'Harel found voice cut short when Ellana decided enough was enough. Using right hand, she proceeded to grab Fen'Harel's collar and jerk his attention back to her. He raised a brow, but before he could utter a word, she was up on her tip-toes, capturing lips against her own.
Ellana was immediate to break away from the shocked wolf. She released the hold, pushing him away from her, and allowed right-hand fall to hip, playful grin now forming on her ever beaming face.
"Don't you mean –your pet, Vhenan?" She asked tauntingly.
Fen'Harel took a double take and then much to her disapproval and displeasure – Fen'Harel began to laugh at her. Ellana soured instantly, suddenly feeling uncomfortable and very self-conscious – she had expected something more but certainly not this.
She was no jester – just cursed, and for all, she knew it was his fault!
Ellana blinked up in surprise to see that the Wolf closed in on her during her mental anxiety. She felt her mouth part in disbelief when his left hand grabbed hold of her Spirit Blade and canceled out her magic instantaneously.
"What the-?" She asked, confused at such a feat. Her left arm growing numb, and Ellana began to fear that he might have turned it to stone. Looking down – it was fine - but still, the notion startled her to so much that she allowed a guard to fall a second time. Ellana let out a strangled gasp when his right hand gripped at her throat – cutting precious air from lungs.
She clawed at his right hand. It seemed to be much stronger than what she remembered it to be. Maybe because before he wasn't using so much of his true power before? No, that couldn't have been it. She was sure that he must have done something to her. It didn't make sense. Especially at her best – Ellana was always a step ahead of him.
In truth, it was her love for him that sent her a stumbling step back.
So why?
Why was she so damn weak all the sudden?
"Stupid girl, did you really think you could mess with my emotions? Him and I are not one in the same. I assure you – I do not have such delusional taste as your pride does. To me you will never be ma Vhenan – especially not some filthy fucking Shemlin like yourself."
Ellana's eyes widened ten fold at his words. It didn't make sense to her at all especially not from him of all people. "I will personally rip your throat from neck for impeding me from what is mine. No onewill be able to grieve your body once I'm through with it. " His grip tightened, leaving her sputtering for air, vision blurring and fading out with each imperiling second. It didn't take very long for a large blast of Flash-Fire magic to hit the wolf from behind. He scowled knowing just whom the blast came from. "Pride. Must you really intervene?"
Solas stood firm, magic crackling free – his own wolf threatening to bare fangs upon seeing Ellana's life put in danger by his hands of all people.
"...Solas..." Ellana managed weakly. "...Please don't...He's too powerful like this...Leave me...I'll be okay..." She begged as her gaze continued to drop in and out of consciousness.
"Dread Wolf!" She heard Mahanon yell. Fen'Harel entertained call but paused at sight. Mahanon stood, over a now dropped Ellana with blade in hand pointed at unconscious heart. "Release her now or say goodbye to your precious heart. "
Fen'Harel snarled at such notions but thankfully with a heavy heart– the wolf dropping Ellana from hold. Ellana immediately fought for breath only to have her head pulled back. Fen'Harel's right hand now gripping a fistful of reddened curls as he forced her to look back at his fierce crimson orbs. With left hand raised – he grinned down at her shocked expression.
"Dirthara-ma." He told her not even in the least bit hesitant to slap her firmly across the face. He then proceeded to toss her aside like a rag-doll as well as following up by blasting her behind with an Immolation spell.
"Ellana!" Solas cried out as he slides across the room in a Fade-Step fashion to help prop her up a weakened heart. His magic already working to soothe flame-kissed wounds.
The Dread Wolf twitched at call but his senses were drawn away by the scent of blood. Her blood. Immediately he whipped back to see Mahanon drawing blood from Ellana's precious throat. Fen'Harel's mouth twisted into a deepening scowl, a growl escaping his mouth as he began to shape-shift into his wolf-like form. Eyes shifting from two to six in mere seconds.
Mahanon felt throat parch at the sight.
"Dorian...!" He called, and the mage behind him was already channeling his mana into the trinket.
"I'm already working on it!" Dorian insisted with a snap. He had begun to re-channel upon seeing Evelyn get man-handled. "This is all very demanding considering – just try to keep quiet – I need to concentrate!"
"I don't think I can keep quiet Dorian!" Mahanon yelled back as the wolf let out a knee-buckling howl. The two quivering at such a display. "I don't even know what the hell I'm doing at this point. Solas – some help would be appreciated!" He called as a pool of sweat rolled down his face.
Back at the other two – Solas continued to focus on heal wounds. She was already banged up as it was but he needed her immortality to kick in. Right now as she was in his hands – Ellana was hanging on by a bare thread. Fen'Harel really gave no mercy in that last attack. It was intended to kill.
"Ellana," Solas called to her in the bare whisper as his mana spreads around her, coaxing her to rouse. Gratefully he was able to relax when he heard Ellana groan. Her eyes beginning to flicker open and groggily she searches for his face. "Vhenan." He breathes out in relief, guiding her left hand to his left cheek with a somber gaze. She offers a weak smile and he turns to kiss now warmed finger-tips. She finds herself to laugh at his affectionate display. She hisses in pain from such actions and Solas turns too quickly scold her. "Don't push you, you need to rest. "
"I'm actually quite alright – thanks you." She insisted. She could already feel bones snapping back into place. There was the pain – an immeasurable amount – but her body could go on – she could still fight. Still, play a role. "I'm, I'm just dumbfounded is all. He hit me. Fen'Harel actually hit me Solas...He's," she pauses as a lone tear rolls down her face, "He's never actually hit me before..." Her mouth twitched into a frown. "I don't know why I thought it would make an impact...Love really has blinded me. For a moment I thought he may have felt the same way about me as I once did for him."
"He does though. He cares a great deal for you." Solas told her whilst cursing himself under his breath for doing something so stupid but he could understand the reasoning behind it.
"I don't understand then."
"Ellana– you-you didn't change back." Her orbs rose were on him in an instant, holding a very bewildered look to them.
Solas sighed dejectedly. "Your still human Ellana, your still – Evelyn."
Ellana gawked at such a claim and dropped hand instantly from Solas's cheek. She then raised both hands before eyes to get a good look at them and sure enough hands still as rough as ever.
"But I –" She tightfisted both hands, " I kissedhim. I'm not sure what could have happened. It should have-"
"The answer is a simple one really." Ellana found herself snapping up at that voice – Wolf now taking over where Solas once stood. "Pride is dead." Every bone in her body stilled. Her blood freezing and heart pulling to a stop.
"W-what did you just say?" The Wolf debated for a moment as he studied her face. There was a slight flicker of anxiety flashing in his eyes before finally he settled and repeated himself.
"Pride is dead. I do not sense him anywhere in that body – Ellana. It is possible that in your absence that Pride may have consummated and surrendered his body to Fen'Harel completely." The wolf told her whilst looking at the growling beast with a sharpened narrow gaze. He then turned to Ellana and his gaze significantly softened. "I'm sorry for your loss."
"N-no there's no way that can be right." Ellana whispered as tears began to well and fall bitterly. "T-there's just no way...Solas just can't be – he simply can't be dead."
"Your connection to Pride is obviously what started this curse. Shall we, shall we test it, Vhenan?"He asked her, brushing right index finger against bruised lip.
"Test away." Ellana replied suddenly distant. The wolf falters at her inability to scold him for taunting her. It's alarming and strangely does not put up with him very well.
"Are you sure?" He questions sounding sincere – she finds that her gaze meets his crimson ones with astonishment. "I don't want to force you into this."
She finds herself loss for words for a moment but then finally shakes head and smiles forms on lips once more. "Silly Fen'Harel – I thought you were supposed to be the bad guy here."
"What?" He questions and then realized she called him by his name. He now finds himself strangely sheepish. " I–" He is cut off when Ellana uses left hand and yanks him down towards her. His lips crashing down – a little sloppily – but never the less down to her own. She releases him only to have wolf hungrily staring down at her. Now she is the one who is being pulled back into a kiss. Tongue slipping way into parted lips. His dominant desires now unleashed as ravaging lips punished her with an intensity so great that Ellana was left utterly breathless.
As they parted she found her heart racing all the more when Solas was now smiling back at her with flushed cheeks. He was currently brushing loose white strand behind the long pointed ear.
"There's ma Vhenan."
Ellana flushes, feeling a sense of renewal as Solas helps her to her feet. The two now hand and hand – Ellana's right to his left – allowing their mana to sync and combine with each other.
Two hearts beating as one.
Their magical presence alone causing Fen'Harel to revert back into self with their overwhelming pressure. He gaped upon seeing Ellana's true beautiful face staring angrily down at him with bruised and bloodied lip.
"E-Ellana?" He questioned taking a step back in utter horror. Solas beside her smirked triumphantly.
"See our tastes really are not that different." Solas smugly commented referring to previous chatter.
Fen'Harel sputtered. His eyes darting from unconscious form to a newly revitalized one. "How is this even remotely possible? Wait don't tell me it's been you all this time..."
"Easy," Solas whispered to Ellana when he felt her right hand squeeze his left tightly. "Focus and breathe and allow your mana to meld within my own." He commanded. Ellana nodded, allowing eyes to close and surrendering power to Solas's will. He moved, still not releasing her right, but moved so that he could allow his right hand to grasp at her left hand.
His objective is the Anchor. He let his mana wash over it, snapping lock away that his other self so crudely placed and guided that hand towards stunned counterpart. It was a risky plan but – Ellana's magic could perhaps manage it. With his own eyes sliding shut Solas concentrated on the desired destination. "Open!"
Ellana's echoed the command and as she did there was a large hissing crackle of energy. She dared to allow eyes sight and was able to witness a now newly formed opened rift where the wolf stood in shock. This rift – she had only seen it once before – it would lead to the physical world of the fade.
The rift shifted to the crossroads then into a lone shrine where a huge Eluvian pulsed and hissed behind the Wolf.
Her skin practically crawled in repulsion when illuminated arms appeared from the mirror and grasped at Fen'Harel, pulling him in despite his struggled protests and constant pleading for forgiveness along the way. He was eventually swallowed behind Eluvian – it shattering upon wolf's disappearance.
The sound itself caused Ellana to jump away and break held concentration – rift closing firmly tight leaving breathless heroes in its wake.
For a moment nothing was said.
Ellana simply staring at empty space expecting Wolf to reappear and attack but nothing of the sort happened. It was all very anti-climatic and because of it, Ellana found herself turning to Solas for a much-needed explanation.
"What was that? Where did you send him?"
"Do not worry. The storm has passed. We are safe to move about now."
His cryptic answer did not help.
"Solas." She pressed and appreciatively Solas shared his secrets.
"Apologies, Ellana. I honestly did not know if it would even work out the way I imagined it would. Though given your history - I had to try."
"Go on." She ushered and Solas gave a hint of nodding approval. He really did love to explain himself and his actions.
"The Anchor's primary power is open a rift in the physical world of the fade – I'm sure you're aware of that?" She nodded, Mahanon, on the other hand, was freaking out and Dorian looked to be hit by a massive bombshell. "Well let's just say I connected that into my dreams. Into a place where well, Fen'Harel is with family now. He shall not bother us again." Ellana swallowed at such an implication, blood running cold.
So it would seem that Solas had used her anchor to assist in banishing the wolf to the same imprisonment as the other so-called Old Gods. "We've best be heading off now before we have a war on our hands. Dorian – if you will."
Dorian swallowed, nodding.
"Right – maybe I can finally get this done without all the distractions."
"Wait – we can't leave now!" Ellana cried out, and all three men looked in her direction with a questioning gaze. Her eyes were on her unconscious form, hands waving about – unsure of how to go about this. "We can't just leave with my body – it has to remain here."
"Ellana we must bring it back with us." Solas told her, "Once Abelas and the others discover my absence - they'll surely retaliate against form. It was the wolf who kept you from harm's way – remember that."
"I know that!" Ellana insisted. "I just –"
"Heart heavy, lips quivering. She doesn't want him to know the truth. She's afraid without Immortality that she won't be able to stay at wolf's side. It is after all - all she's ever truly wanted.
Ellana froze in the voice.
Body whirling to see the familiar voiced newcomer.
"Cole..."
"I've missed you."
Solas was at her side at once, and she had to reassure him that everything was alright. That Cole was her friend. One of their dearest ones.
"Explain."
"He is a spirit of compassion. He only wishes to help."
"Compassion?" Solas echoed and stared at the boy with a squinted look. "Or do you mean Love?"
XXX
TBC
Notes: Translations:
ma Vhenan: my heart
Dirthara-ma: May you learn