Another short one-shot of my Lavellan and Blackwall, because I'm unashamedly obsessed with them.
Katerina is afraid of wolves; she sees them in her dreams, their snarling, snapping jaws inches from her face, saliva mixed with blood the only thing she can see. But when Elaina asks them to rid them of the wolves that threaten Redcliff farms, she knows that 'no' is not an answer. Not when the Inquisition needs Master Dennet, and the farmers need to return home.
Then, a nightmare come to life. She's still not used to fighting, and she gets caught by surprise. A crazed wolf comes seemingly out of nowhere, flying towards her and pinning her to the ground. It only takes a moment for the panic to set in, and a whimper escapes her as she struggles against the beast. Far, far away, she hears Solas call for her, the urgency in his tone consuming her as sure as the darkness that dims her vision. Claws dig into her shoulder, pain and blood and Mythal, please help me-
But it is not Mythal that comes to her rescue- instead, Blackwall is there. He bashes his shield against the wolf, heaving it off of her with a growl. In one smooth motion, he draws his sword across its neck, and she is safe. Her fingers tremble as she wraps them around the hand he has stretched out to her, and she hopes he does not see her hesitate. It will take a while still to shake off her mistrust of those who are not like her.
"Are you alright, my lady?" She is, but only because of him. His gaze is heavy, filled with things she can not name. Stranger yet, though, is that she finds she doesn't mind his gaze, even though she knows that she should. Blackwall is a human, and she knows better. Be civil, but keep your distance; it is safer that way. Do not think of courage or nobility or strong hands that lift her onto horses and hoist her up steep cliff-sides.
Just this once, she decides that she will not heed those warnings. Instead, she laces her fingers through his for just a moment. A simple enough action, and yet it surprises them both.
"Ma serennas...thank you."