A/N - due to the restrictions in FFNET regarding explicit content, this is the SFW version of this chapter. If you would like to read the unedited version you can do so by finding me on Archive of Our Own, under kittynomsdeplume.

River Love

There was no true exhaustion in the Fade, that was a constraint of the physical world. Here they were free to love endlessly if they desired. Languid explorations of pleasure, fiery dalliances with pain and all stages in between were theirs to share. Occasionally they would come up for air, drifting together through the Fade. Either seeking new places together or Solas bringing her to more special memories he had found. He revelled in her enthusiasm, her unquenchable curiosity and joy in discovery.

Their journeys through these places were like a dance, as they moved apart from each other to explore, only to be inexorably drawn back together. They would linger a moment - sharing a touch, a kiss - before drifting apart again. Oft-times they would collide with raw passion, hungry and burning for one another. Whatever form it took, the memory of their ardor was now etched bright in those ancient places.

In their little bubble of ecstasy they did not at first notice the shadow creeping over the Fade. The dreams of mortals turned fearful and haunted as Blight ravaged across Thedas. The terror and suffering fed the darker creatures of this realm, increasing their strength and numbers. Maera's call to Harrowings became more frequent - more urgent - as demons sought to break through the Veil. They longed to feed on the base evils that awaited them on the other side, as violence and desperation drew out the worst in humanity.

"It's getting worse," Maera laments after a particularly difficult battle. "If you hadn't been here-" she swallows hard.

"But I was, I am," Solas crushes her against him. "I won't leave you alone ever again," he promises. "This will pass in time, it always does, we just need to be patient." Maera smiles with relief at his assurance. Solas does not voice his own concerns about the escalating changes he has observed in her. She is more withdrawn, which he can partly understand given the strain she is under protecting mages. But it seems deeper than that, as though she is haunted too.

Often he catches her gazing out into the Fade, always to the same point on the horizon. When she notices him watching her in these moments she gives him a cheerful smile and pretends it is nothing. Solas does not want to press the issue - he wants her to confide in him of her own volition. There is only so much of her suffering he can take in silence however.

The next time he finds her staring to the horizon he creeps up beside her and takes her hand. Maera starts slightly at his touch, but turns to him with a welcoming expression.

"What troubles you, vhenan?" He asks, sweeping a stray wisp of hair from her eyes. She ducks her head, happy mask slipping. Solas gives her hand a squeeze and clambers up beside her on the little bank overlooking the Minanter River. He watches the muddy green water idle by, the song of cicada's heavy in the warm air. Maera turns his hand over, tracing slow patterns across his palm.

"It calls to me," she answers cryptically. "I can feel it becoming more urgent." Solas wants to ask her what she hears when suddenly her hand clamps, vice-like around his. "Stay with me," she pleads, trembling.

"Vhenan…" he whispers, putting his free hand to her cheek, turning her toward him. Her eyes dart everywhere but at him, ashamed in her terror. "Look at me, Maera." He urges and she does, unable to resist him. Her eyes glisten with budding tears, but as he holds her gaze her trembling subsides. "I am here ma sa'lath." Maera throws her arms around him, burying her face in the crook of his neck.

The calm waters begin to splash and churn with the bodies of salmon, casting themselves upriver to spawn. Along the bank, trees burst into vibrant colour; red, gold and brown, turning to Fall. He notices the change in her body language as she grinds against him. He wants to chastise her for trying to distract him, but her flickering kisses succeed in their aim. Her breath hitches in excitement as her hands roam across his waist and back; his own body beginning to respond to her proximity.

"Trying to change the subject, hmm?" he murmurs, as she arches against him. "I thought we had agreed not to hold back, you broke our promise." Maera opens her mouth to speak and he silences her with a kiss, bringing her down to lay on the riverbank.

"Siu'Fen," she moans as he breaks for air. "Gara!" She exclaims suddenly, trying to push off the snow that now covers the ground. Solas grimaces at her expletive as he catches her, holding her steady against him. The Dalish had lost all sense of poetry in their reduction of his people's tongue.

Snowdrifts blanket the shore, the river crawling to a halt as it freezes over. Maera shivers from the sudden cold shock, goosebumps raising like scales all over her skin. Solas rolls her on top of him, sacrificing his own back to the cold, though it is no great discomfort for she burns like a firebrand against his chest.

"You could melt the snow, da'vise," he murmurs against her neck. She falls against him, losing herself in the warmth of his embrace. The discomfort of the snow fades away as they have thoughts only for each other. They make love, giving freely, holding nothing back until they are spent and sated.

For a brief moment as he catches his breath, Solas swears he can smell smoke and the distant cries of battle. But then the river is flowing again, drowning out all sound as it roars, swollen with Spring rains. A light breeze drifts over them, shaking blossoms from the trees. They fall on Maera's back, drifting down her sides like his own caresses, catching in her ebony hair. He reaches up to pick them tenderly from her tresses and she moans into his shoulder.

"I can't move," she declares, her body slumping heavily on his. She laughs, full of ease and contentment; sweet music to his ears.

"Ara'satha." Solas declares, as he holds her close, burying his face in her hair. Maera peppers little kisses along his collarbone, gently stroking his head and face. As she draws a lazy finger along the slope of his ear she raises her head to look at him, eyes twinkling gleefully.

"Mmmmm," she bites her lip and sighs, eyebrows twitching suggestively, "…again."

"By the Void woman!" he exclaims, his laughter mixing with hers. "You are insatiable."

"Only have yourself to blame," Maera coos, "being so damn irresistible."

"You need to cool off." Solas declares, snagging her wrists and bucking her off him. He gets to his feet and scoops her up, making to throw her in the river.

"No!" She shrieks, squirming wildly and - having underestimated the steadiness of his own legs - they fall in a heavy heap on the riverbank. "Ouch." Maera groans, untangling from around him.

"Ir abelas, ma vhenan." Solas says contritely, settling on his knees and giving her a hand up.

"Mmmmm, it's alright." Meara winces, rubbing her hip as she leans in close to him. "I know how you can make it up to me," she purrs and he shakes his head.

"You need a thrashing." Solas laughs as he pulls her onto his lap, giving her a sloppy smack as she wriggles away. They clamber to their feet and he notes the sudden stiffening of her spine. She half turns before she catches herself, but he knows where her gaze wants to drift. Solas runs his hand across her back. "You hear it, don't you?" She nods and turns into his embrace. "What is it?"

"I don't know." Maera replies. "It's a feeling, more than a clear voice. Tugging at me." She clenches her stomach, as though pulling against an invisible cord.

"I thought you wanted answers?" He rubs his hands over her waist, trying to ease the tension there.

"I did." Maera hesitates. "I do. But there's something…" she sighs. "I can't explain this feeling. That I won't like what I find."

"Wherever you lead, I will follow," he assures her. "Whatever you find, I am with you." Maera nods and pulls him in for a passionate kiss. Reluctantly she draws away and takes his hand, turning toward the ominous horizon.

TRANSLATIONS

Da'vise - little flame

Siu'Fen - sweet wolf

Ara'satha - my delight