Chapter 3 - Oakmoss and Blackcurrant

He placed her on the bed. She groaned softly in her sleep as the raw skin on her back touched the covers. He readjusted her in his arms so she was sitting. Solas gently slid between her and the mattress, propping her up against his chest as his fingers hovered over her tunic. They trembled as he fumbled the line of buttons that ran from her neck to her stomach. It took him longer than he expected to undo all of them, and once he had, he threw the garment on the ground. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. That's the easy part done. When he saw her topless, apart from her small clothes, his resolve weakened. He studied the mark on her sternum, his fingers tracing the outline of it. Her skin was as soft as silk. The lightest of moans escaped her lips as he touched her. He bit the side of his cheek to refocus himself. He gently laid her on her stomach, removing her weight from him. Solas unlaced the back of the undergarment, pushing it to one side he examined the red gashes on the skin of her back. None of them would scar and they didn't need stitches but there was still a danger of infection if they weren't treated. His open palm lay gently on her back, letting his magic through into her. He watched as the wounds closed up leaving only the slightest of imperfections on her otherwise flawless skin.

Once he had finished he carefully redressed her and laid her on her back, covering her with a thin sheet. In the corner of the room, he took a seat and got comfortable. It wasn't long before he had fallen asleep.

It was nearly noon when Ellana awoke. Her sleep was blissfully peaceful, she woke up feeling well-rested. Trying to decide whether she was ready to leave the bed, she lay on it for a few minutes before getting up. She sat up and examined the space. It was a small cabin, it was moderately decorated. On the wall next to the bed was a small end table; across from it was a large chest of drawers. In the corner of the room, by the door was a chair. There Solas slept. He stretched his legs out before him, his arms lazily draped across his chest. Slouched in the seat. She watched the light rise and fall of his chest. As she placed her barefoot on the wooden floor, she heard it creak quietly. Her legs felt wobbly as she attempted to shift her weight to them so she decided to stay seated for the time being.

"On dhea, Lethallan," Solas's eyes remained closed as he greeted her.

"I am sorry, I didn't mean to wake you." Ellana watched him as he opened his eyes and readjusted himself so he was sitting upright on the seat.

"You did nothing of the sort." He got himself up off the chair and walked toward the bed. He extended his hand to her, "Come, the others have been waiting for you," Ellana took it getting to her feet. They were still like jelly so she was thankful for the assistance.

"Where are we?" she asked Solas. He had retreated to the chair, standing in front of it.

"Haven, now come,"

Ellana followed Solas out of the cabin. The sights and sounds signalled that their danger had passed at least for now. Although she could still see the Breach, it appeared to have calmed down. She could hear children playing, the smell of fresh-baked bread. The sound of day to day life halted once they caught sight of her. At first, she assumed they were still looking for her blood, but she noticed they were looking at her with admiration. If anything this frightens her more.

"Solas, what happened?"

"It would probably be wise to leave the explanation to the others."

They approached the Chantry, a sea of people surrounded it. She could hear whispers about the 'Herald of Andraste' and how she was 'Blessed by Andraste herself. Solas looked at her. She looked confused, unsure and afraid. He wanted to take her into his arms and hide her away. They had cleared the crowd. Ellana pushed the door open, looking back at the man. "I will be here when you return," He nodded to her, she turned back to the door and entered the building.

Inside the eerily empty building, the sounds of shouting voices bounced off the polished stone walls. She recognised them both and followed them to their source, the shouting came from behind a door.

"Are completely mad? She should be taken to Val Royeaux immediately, to be tried by whoever becomes Divine!" Roderick's voice was the louder of the two. It is encouraging to see that he still wants to take my head off. Ellana thought. "The prisoner failed, Seeker. The Breach is still in the sky. For all you know, they intended it this way,"

"I do not believe she is guilty." Cassandra's voice rose in defence. Ellana twisted open the door. Inside was Rodderick, Cassandra and Leliana. Templars stood guard on either side of the room as they gathered around a large war table.

"Chain her!" Rodderick commanded. The templars immediately flanked her, one grabbing each of her arms. "I want her prepared for travel to the capital for trial"

"Put her down, and leave us," The Templars let her go and left the room as instructed. Leliana stepped around the war table.

"Someone was behind the explosion at the Conclave. Someone Most Holy did not expect. Perhaps they died with the others — or have allies who still live." Leliana spoke

"I am a suspect?" The man looked outraged."But not the prisoner."

"I heard the voices in the temple. The Divine called to her for help" Cassandra was looking at Ellana as she spoke, "Providence. The Maker sent her to us in our darkest hour." She looked at the Seeker in disbelief.

"You realize I'm an elf. A Dalish elf." Ellana said half laughing.

"I have not forgotten. We are all subject to the will of the Maker, whether we wish it or not. It doesn't matter what you are, or what you believe, you are exactly what we needed when we needed it"

"This is not for you to decide." The man protested, his face reddening with fury. Cassandra slammed a thick book on the war table. Ellana was amused to see Rodderick flinch,

"Do you know what this is, Chancellor? A writ from the Divine, granting us the authority to act. As of this moment, I declare the Inquisition reborn. We will close the breach, we will find those responsible, and we will restore order. With or without your approval." Cassandra jabbed a finger at the man's chest. Outraged, he stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

"This is the Divine's directive: rebuild the Inquisition of old. Find those who will stand against the chaos. We aren't ready. We have no leader, no numbers, and now no Chantry support." Leliana turned to Cassandra

"But we have no choice: we must act now. With you at our side." Both of their eyes fell on Ellana.

"And if I refuse?"

"You can leave if you wish." Leliana gestured toward the door as she spoke.

"You should know that while some believe you were chosen, many still think you are wrong. The Inquisition can only protect you if you are with us."

"So blackmail then," The Dalish responded. It didn't seem like she had much of a choice in the matter.

"We can also help you."

"It will not be easy if you stay, but you cannot pretend this has not changed you. Help us fix this before it's too late." Cassandra reaches out her hand to Ellana, sighing she takes it. Accepting the offer.

Her eyes looked down into a cup of something, she assumed, similar to ale. It wasn't often that she drank alcohol but she needed something. She could tell from the fuzz in her vision that she had probably had a tad too much. Varric rounded the corner approaching her. She smiled, seeing him as a welcome distraction, and slid across the step offering him a seat.

"How are you doing, Red? I mean you have moved from the most wanted criminal in all of Thedas to joining the armies of the faithful. Most people spread those out over more than one day?" He sits down next to her, pulls out a flask and offers her some. Ellana shakes her head.

"Varric I have no idea what is happening anymore,"

"That makes two of us" He nudges her with his elbow. "For days now, we've been staring at the Breach, watching demons and Maker-knows-what fall out of it. 'Horrible for morale' would be an understatement. I still can't believe anyone was in there and lived"

"It was pure luck that I did," she replies. He looks at her.

"Good luck, or bad luck?"

"I don't know anymore,"

"You might want to consider running at the first opportunity. I've written enough tragedies to know what's coming. Heroes are everywhere. I've seen that. But the hole in the sky? That's beyond heroes. We're going to need a miracle." He stands up and bids her goodnight before disappearing out of view.

"The Chosen of Andraste, a blessed hero sent to save us all." Solas looks down at Ellana. He had been standing there, leaning against the wall, watching her for a while. He walked down the few steps so he was standing in front of her.

"Am I riding in on a shining steed?" She smiled, her eyes glittered.

"I would have suggested a griffon, but sadly they're extinct" His stoic face grinned. Ellana laughed softly "Joke as you will Lethallan, posturing is necessary." He walks down the stairs past her, she gets to her feet to follow after him.

"I have walked through ancient battlefields and ruins, I have experienced the dreams of many lost civilisations, all of which had their heroes." He stopped to face her. "I wonder what hero you will be?" She looked down at her hands, her thumb tracing over her mark.

"One that makes the world better, that is all I can hope to be," she turned her face back to him. He was standing with his hand cupping his chin, pondering her.

"That isn't always easy Lethallan, but I wish you good luck. I will stay, at least until the Breach is closed."

"You were planning to leave?" Her heart dropped at the thought of him leaving, not only as he was one of the few connections that she had to her people here but there was something about him that made her want to stay by his side.

"I am an apostate mage, surrounded by Chantry forces and unlike you, I don't have a sacred mark to protect me." He sighed "Cassandra has been more than accommodating but you can understand my caution,"

"I won't let them hurt you, Solas." There was a determination in her voice.

"Really, and how would you stop them?" he questioned her, arching his eyebrow.

"However I had to," she said sincerely.

"Thank you, Ellana" It was the first time that she had heard him call her by her name. "It is getting late, and you" He leant close to her taking the cup from out of her hands. She froze as he came closer, she had completely forgotten she was holding it. "should get some rest." His fingers grazed the skin of her palm. She felt her heart flutter and heat rise to her cheeks. "Sule tael tasalal" He bowed.

"Sule melan'an, Solas"

The forest floor felt cool against her skin. Underneath her, she could feel the leaves and twigs that had fallen from the tree above her, and the long grass tickled at her arms and legs. Moonlight pooled around her as it broke through the gaps in the canopy. There was something in the air that made her skin tingle. She slowly sat up, seeing him walk into the clearing. Ellana could see him clearly for the first time since he started invading her dreams. His face was covered by the same mask he always wore. It was made from black leather and resembled a wolf. A thick black pelt covered his head and fell down his back and over this otherwise naked chest.

"Who are you?" Her voice shook as he came closer. She wanted to run but something held her back. He remained silent, Ellana drew her knees to her chest. He knelt before placing his hands on her thighs. His touch was like fire. She was sure that his handprints would be burned into her skin. "What do you want?" He didn't answer, he gently pulled her closer to him. She was trembling as he leant over her, kissing the space between her shoulder and her neck. She bit her lip trying hard to hold back a moan. Her reaction seemed to encourage him to kiss her more deeply. She could feel his teeth dragging against her skin. She closed her eyes tightly trying to block out the feeling. He chuckled, he stopped kissing her shoulder and dragged his tongue up her neck to her ear. Ellana could feel the desire building up inside her, she was ready to burst.

"Ha'mi'in," He whispered nipping her ear. She lay down on the ground underneath him, looking up at what she could see of his face. He leant forward and planted a kiss on her collarbone. Dragging his mouth to her birthmark, kissing it. She moaned bringing her hand to her mouth. His fingers gently traced down the sides of her waist to rest on her hips. "Mar rodhe ir'on" he growled looking down at her. Her face was flushed with lust. She was completely undone.

"Sathan.." She whimpered. He pulled away from her, she cried out weakly missing the feeling of his body on hers. The feel of his lips on her skin. He kissed her one last time before letting her slip away from the dream.

Solas woke, his body soaked with sweat. He had gone too far. He got out of the bed, looking at his face in the mirror. He muttered every curse that he knew. He had been walking in her dreams for years now and had fallen in love with her from a distance. In the last few months, it became increasingly difficult to fight his need for her, but now, he knew the feel of her skin, her scent. The soft moans that she would make if he was to touch her in all of her secret places. He was thankful that his weakness had only stretched as far as the Fade. However, he knew if it continued he wouldn't be able to limit it to there. He swore to himself at that moment, he would keep her at arm's length, for her sake.

In the weeks that have passed Ellana has been tested more than once. First, there was the mage rebellion in Red Cliffe, the Templars abandoning the order altogether They had made new allies and enemies, one of them being Dorian, a Tevinter mage they met in Red Cliffe, without him they wouldn't have been able enlist the help of the mages, nor get the power that they used to finally close the Breach. Luckily she had found distractions were she in Solas's tutoring on the Fade and Varric's wit and charm. Solas had kept the promise to himself. His visits to her dreams, while still occurring, are done from a respectable distance. They sat alone. Silent, save for the crackle of the fire and the not to distant celebrations. Ellana rested her chin on her knees, her toes warming by the fire. She hated the boots that the inquisition provided, preferring instead to walk barefoot unless completely necessary. It was one more thing Solas admired about her.

"You seem oddly knowledgeable about the ancient elves" Solas broke first. He was drinking in her face as the firelight danced over her features.

"For a Dalish, I suppose?" Ellana knew that Solas's opinion of the People did extend to her, but she still loved teasing him about it. She smiled, directing her gaze away from the fire. He rolled his eyes and signed. He opened his mouth in a sarcastic retort but stopped when she continued. "My mother used to tell me stories of the magnificent ancient cities, and sing us songs about the deeds of the Evanuris,"

"She sounds like a remarkable woman. I am glad that you have inherited her passion for your heritage." Her expression had changed. Seeing this, Solas stumbled over an apology. "I'm sorry Lethallan, I did not mean any insult," Ellana gestured with her hand letting him know it was OK. He breathed a silent sigh of relief.

"She was wonderful and loving. When she was with us. She used to Dream Walk, or at least that is what she called it. The old Keeper said that she was born without a tether to this world, that she was like a cloud. When she was here we used to sing and dance, pick flowers and tell stories of famous romantic heroes. Then she would leave. Sometimes hours, then days, then weeks. Arrel and I had to learn to fend for ourselves mostly. When she wasn't there she wouldn't eat or sleep, she just sat there empty, lifeless. Like a shell of herself. Then one day, she didn't come back. I was a young child, no older than seven years old.

After she died we were raised by the old Keeper and then when he died Keeper Deshanna cared for us. When we found out I had magic, like her. Arrel was terrified that he'd lose me too. Made me promise him that I wouldn't try Dream Walking. It's funny really. He tries so hard to protect me, but I do more to protect him," She felt a lump growing in her throat. She clenched her knees closer to her chest as a tear rolled down her cheek. She hated people seeing her cry.

Solas looked at her, she looked so small. So fragile. He wanted nothing more than to take her into his arms and kiss away her tears. Take every painful memory. To lay her out on the ground so he could see what her naked skin looked like in the low like of the dying flames. He knew he couldn't. In the end, he would just inflict more pain on her than this. He slid closer to her until they were only a breath apart. A vision of her face flashed in his mind, her breathless and her face painted with lust, her voice weak and begging for him. He bit the inside of his cheek. The sharp pain stopped chasing the vision away. She bridged the gap between them resting her head on his board shoulder. He was warm and soft, he smelled like oakmoss and blackcurrants. She took in a deep breath of him, her pulse quickened. Solas felt it, it did nothing to help maintain his resolve. He lifted his arm, wrapping it around her waist, pulling her closer. His curses were directed at himself for his weakness. Ellana didn't stop him, allowing him to embrace her. He gently rested his head on hers taking in her scent as they watched the fire.

Translation:

On dhea - Good Morning

Sule tael tasalal - Until we meet again

Sule melan'an, Solas - Until then, Solas

Ha'mi'in - Relax

Mar rodhe ir'on - You taste delicious

Sathan.. - Please..