Chapter 2

Varric threw open the castle doors and took a deep breath. "Skyhold, backwater of Thedas." he sighed. "It's good to be back." Looking across the great hall he noticed a surprising lack of people. He hadn't seen the place so deserted since they first found the mountain fortress all those years ago. In the relative quiet he could hear the fires crackling in their braziers and the quiet murmur of voices. He saw Iron Bull, Blackwall, and Cole sitting at the end of a long table, close to the Inquisitor's chambers. As he headed towards them he noticed they were playing cards.

"Varric!" Blackwall exclaimed, "Glad you could make it! Come join us for a game."

"We're trying to teach Cole how to play Wicked Grace." Iron Bull said.

Cole frowned at the cards, "Some of them have faces," he pondered, "How do you know if they want to be played?"

Varric shook his head and laughed as he took a seat, "You aren't supposed to announce your hand, kid."

"We've tried telling him that, but he doesn't want to hurt the card's feelings." Iron Bull said as he continued dealing.

Varric shrugged as he placed a small satchel on the table, "Not everyone is meant to be a gambler." He took a quick look at the cards he was dealt, "I didn't expect this place to be so...empty."

"Strange, isn't it?" Blackwall asked, "Josephine managed to convince the nobles and dignitaries to give the Inquisitor a few weeks of peace, considering the unique circumstances."

Varric nodded, glancing at the door to the Inquisitor's room, "So, who else has returned for this happy occasion?"

"Dorian arrived a few days ago." Blackwall replied, "I didn't think the birth of a child would be of any interest to him, but he insisted on being here for Valla."

"He wanted an excuse to get out of Tevinter." Iron Bull added, "Can't say that I blame him."

Out of the corner of his eye Varric noticed a hand reach over his shoulder and grab his satchel. He spun around to see a young woman with blonde hair and pointed ears grinning at him.

"Ooh, what kind of present did you bring for us, Varric?" she giggled.

"Sera!" Varric tried to snatch the bag from her, "Give that back, you urchin!"

"Oh come on, Mister Viscount." Sera teased as she tried to open the bag, "Don't tell me you've forgotten about us normal people and won't share the spoils of being important!"

"Sera..." Blackwall gave her a warning look.

Sera looked at Blackwall and rolled her eyes, "Oh fine, Beardy." She tossed the satchel to Varric, "Keep your boring secrets."

"Its a gift for the little one, if you must know." Varric said as he fastened the bag shut.

Before anyone could inquire further, the door to the Inquisitor's chambers flung open and a messenger sprinted into the hall. He looked flustered as he dashed past the companions, ignoring them completely, and pulled open the door to the rotunda.

"Hey!" Varric shouted at the messenger, "What's going on?"

The man looked anxiously back at them, then peered into the rotunda, then back at the companions, "The Inquisitor said...it's-it's time." the messenger stammered, "She said to find...er...I have to go!" he bolted through the door, leaving the others behind.

"Looks like the baby is on the way." Blackwall said, "It's about time."

Iron Bull burst out laughing, "Did you see what room he went into? Poor bastard."

Varric raised an eyebrow, "Care to explain?"

Cole stared at the door, "He is nervous. He just wanted to deliver the words, he didn't think he would have to go through a mirror to do it."

"That's where Valla keeps her eluvian." Blackwall explained, "That poor messenger probably has the unfortunate task of going through it and finding the father."

"You mean Solas." Varric said. He had received letters from Valla recounting the Inquisition's mission in Tevinter. Varric still couldn't believe how close Solas had come to destroying the world. Part of him was relieved that his duties in Kirkwall kept him from joining them. He couldn't imagine having to fight against someone he once considered a friend. Varric shook his head at the thought, "I always thought Solas was strange, but I never could have imagined he was a thousand year old mage responsible for shaping Thedas as we know it."

"You weren't in Tevinter." Blackwall said gruffly, "You didn't see what he was capable of."

"He might have managed to win over Valla, but I still don't trust him." Iron Bull said.

Cole looked at them earnestly, "Solas didn't want to hurt people. He didn't do it to be right, he did it to save them!"

"Speak for yourself." they heard Dorian's voice echo from across the great hall. Arms folded, he sat down at the table with the others, "You aren't the ones who ended up getting captured."

Sera let out a high pitched giggle, "Hilarious, that is! Did he lecture you about how the elves will never be as good as they were? That would be torture!"

"Regardless of what Solas has done," Blackwall replied, "He's at least been smart enough to stay away from Skyhold."

"As for me, I'm glad I wasn't in Tevinter." Sera said as she picked up her bow, "Everything that happened there sounds way too elfy for me. Too many ruins, too many things that need an arrow to the face!"

Absorbed in their conversation, they hardly noticed the people rushing in and out of the Inquisitor's chambers. Iron Bull watched as an elderly midwife shuffled through the door. She gave the companions a disapproving look before slamming the door behind her.

"Should we make sure Valla is alright?" Iron Bull asked.

"Trust me, my friend." Dorian smirked, "You don't want to be anywhere near those chambers right now."

As they spoke a familiar figure came running out of the rotunda. The companions turned around to see Solas standing before them, breathing heavily.

"Am I too late?" he panted, "Where is Valla?"

Sera yelped and drew her bow. The others jumped out of their seats and followed suit, drawing their weapons on Solas. "You!" Sera screeched, "Did you just come out of that mirror-thingy?"

They watched Solas suspiciously. Though his face appeared calm, they could the worry in his eyes. Instead of inspiring sympathy, his expression only made them more cautious. They had all become accustomed to the legends of Fen'Harel. They heard the stories of the Dread Wolf's tricks and deceit and now as he stood before them in the flesh, they took nothing to chance.

"Hey there, Chuckles." Varric said cautiously, "We were just talking about you."

Solas knew his arrival would not be a welcome one. He looked at his former companions with their weapons drawn and could see the hostility in their faces. He sensed they were looking for any excuse to attack him. He knew he would have to speak carefully.

"Please," Solas said, "I mean you no harm."

"Forgive us if we find that hard to believe." Dorian snorted.

"No harm he says! How do we know if you aren't just playing us for fools again?" Sera demanded.

Solas looked tense, "Because I am not here for any of you. I came here to be with Valla for the birth of our child. Am I not within my right?"

"After everything you've done, you should have no right." Blackwall growled.

The door to the Inquisitor's chambers flung open and the elderly midwife shuffled into the hall with a scowl on her face. "What is the meaning of this?" she scolded, "There is a woman with child in the next room and you are at each others throats like a pack of wolves! Shame on you!" The companions gaped at her and slowly lowered their weapons. The midwife pointed a withered finger at Solas. "You." she barked. "You're the father, are you not? Why are you out here with these savages? Come with me."

Bewildered, the rest of the companions let Solas pass out of fear of being scolded any further.

Solas followed the woman up the winding stairs as she muttered complaints under her breath, "Andraste preserve me, a woman is giving birth and they are waving weapons around and acting like animals. So uncivilized." Solas had to hold his tongue as she opened the chamber door and he quickly made his way inside. He was greeted by the sight of Valla cradling a small bundle in her arms. She looked exhausted, but happy.

"You made it." Valla smiled as their eyes met. "Come and meet your daughter."

Solas silently crossed the room to Valla's bedside and knelt next to her. The sight of the sleeping child in her arms took his breath away. She was a spitting image of her mother. She had Valla's high cheekbones, narrow chin, and radiant auburn hair.

"She is beautiful." Solas breathed, reaching out to caress the child's cheek. She slowly opened her eyes at his touch revealing a deep shade of blue.

"She has her father's eyes." Valla said, gently placing her in his arms.

Solas held the child awkwardly, looking rather nervous. Valla laughed at his unease. "Don't tell me the Dread Wolf is scared of holding a baby!"

His expression turned from anxiety to embarrassment, "My expertise is in magic and the Fade. Caring for a child is a skill I never thought I would have to learn." His gaze was fixed on the child's face. "Have you thought of any names?"

"Ashalle." Valla replied. "After my mother."

Solas smiled at the idea, "Ashalle, she who is beloved by the halla. A beautiful name with a beautiful meaning. I think it is the perfect way to honor your mother."

Valla was glad he agreed, "I did not know her well, but those in my clan who knew her called her Asha. They said she had a kind and gentle spirit." She watched as Solas gently cradled the child in his arms. The sight of father and daughter together filled her with hope for the future, it also made her think. "Sometimes I wonder what my mother would think of the decisions I have made." she said, "So much has happened to me in the short time I've been on this earth. I wonder if she would be proud."

Solas leaned down to lovingly kiss the top of Valla's head, "If she was anything like you, I am certain she would be." He gently placed Asha back into her mother's arms. "I may not be experienced in the ways of raising a child, but I promise I will do everything in my power to be here for both you and Asha."

Valla looked at Solas hopefully, "Does that mean you are staying in Skyhold?"

Solas glanced at the door leading to the great hall and sighed, "It may be against the will of your friends, but yes. I intend to be here for both of you."

Valla laughed softly as to not disturb Asha, "Give them time, vhenan. I'm confident you can earn their trust again."

"I am not as optimistic." Solas said dryly, "But then again, you have proven me wrong before."

Meanwhile the companions had received word of the happy news and headed to the Herald's Rest to celebrate. Assembled in the tavern with drinks in hand, everyone was pleased to be celebrating something that didn't involve them saving the world.

"Friends, I propose a toast." Varric said, raising his tankard of ale. "To little Asha! The newest member of our strange little family."

"I'll drink to that!" Sera grinned.

"We might be strange, but I wouldn't have it any other way." Blackwall laughed.

"I'll tell you something," Iron Bull said, "This kid certainly has an interesting future ahead of her."

"What do you mean?" Dorian asked.

Iron Bull took a long swig of his ale before continuing, "Think about it. The child of Solas and the Inquisitor? Who knows what kind of powers this kid is going to have."

"Well, Asha's mother is a powerful mage. The child is obviously going to be gifted with magic." Dorian replied. "It's nothing to be concerned about."

"It's not Asha's mother that concerns me." Iron Bull said quietly.

The group fell silent at the thought. It was something no one had considered until that moment. The daughter of the Dread Wolf would certainly be unique to say the least. Dorian frowned at the drink in his hands. "I suppose you have a point. I am no expert on elven lore but as far as I know, none of the first elves from before our time ever reproduced. Even if they did, their offspring would be long gone since their immortality was lost."

"To the Evanuris, having children probably never seemed important." Blackwall agreed. "Why worry about carrying on your legacy when you are going to live forever?"

"Exactly." Dorian said, "It is too early to be certain, but Asha may be a very unique child indeed."

"Just stop." Sera glared at them all, "She's a baby! She was just born and you're already making her sound weird! Babies can't say or do anything weird! Because they're babies."

They all looked taken aback, realizing she had a point.

"You're right, Sera." Blackwall said. "We shouldn't be speculating so soon. We shouldn't place assumptions on an innocent child. We came here to celebrate, and that is precisely what we're going to do."

"Good!" she said as she started refilling everyone's glasses.

"Regardless of what the future has in store for the little one," Dorian smiled, "She will always have the support of her strange little family."