Vhenan
For the next days, Ennaly couldn't stop thinking about what Solas wanted to show her. A place not outside of Skyhold but it would still take time to reach it? Ennaly didn't mention it to anyone, not even Dorian. She wasn't quite sure why not. Perhaps she didn't want to endure any teasing without knowing what would happen.
On the evening in question, she washed and re-braided her hair and put on one of her nicer purple woollen tunics that had a little embroidery near the collar. She took her white coat before heading back down again.
Solas was waiting with his backpack and a smile. "Follow me," he said.
"Where are we going?" Ennaly asked in puzzlement.
"You will see," was everything Solas said, a mysterious smile on his lips.
She followed him. He went outside and crossed the courtyard to walk to the battlements. He seemed to search for a specific spot downwards, outside of the walls, on the rocky terrain. They were at the side of the castle, behind the stables, where the walls were caved in. There was nobody around, but if there was something Ennaly was sure of, was that Leliana always has eyes on wherever she was when she was in Skyhold. Someone would know they were here.
"The only way to reach this place is by climbing there, as the internal corridors are all long since destroyed," Solas said.
"You know that I can't Fade-step, right?" Ennaly said, her eyes following where Solas was pointing, below, where there was a small ridge following the castle walls, then trailing out of sight.
Solas observed her with an amused smile. "I can assist."
"Well then… I will follow."
"Do you allow me?" Solas asked, holding out his hand. He looked at her, expectantly. It felt like the question was more than just asking for him to touch her. She looked at him, breath held.
"Yes," she said, taking his hand. He wrapped his other hand around her waist, and with a surge of magical energy, they found themselves at the rocks outside of the battlements. Her skin was still tingling from having passed through the Fade.
Solas let go of her and started walking. There was no path, but he seemed to know where he was going, so Ennaly traced his footsteps. At moments, they had to use magic to pass over, under, or through obstacles.
"Are you sure this place is worth it?" Ennaly asked after climbing over another rock. "The sun is already starting to set."
"We are almost there," Solas replied, and halted. Ennaly walked up next to him, and followed his gaze.
They were looking at a small waterfall that ran down the vertical mountainside. Whatever was behind it, laid hidden from view. There was no visible path leading down.
"You want to cross that?" Ennaly asked, disbelieving.
"Our destination is behind there, yes," Solas replied. He reached out his hand again, indicating his wish to Fade-step there.
"Are you... Well, are you absolutely certain there is something behind there to land on?"
"I am fairly certain, yes." He seemed entertained by her apprehension.
"Fairly certain?"
"I have been there before, Ennaly."
"By the Dread Wolf, I must be crazy," she said with a sigh. Even if Leliana might have had eyes on her, she was sure they werne't being followed and they would have lost trace of them. "If we die here, it'll be on you and nobody will ever find our bodies. We should have told..."
"I promise you it will be worth it," Solas said mischievously, his hand still extended.
"You are a wicked man, you know it, and I am crazy," she said, taking his hand and pressing her eyes firmly closed in terror. He again wrapped the other around her waist, and with a yelp from Ennaly, he Fade-stepped right through to the other side of the waterfall.
Ennaly could feel the tingling sensation of passing through the Veil, could feel the slight moment they passed under the waterfall, and then felt hard rock beneath her feet. Instead of being soaking wet from passing under a waterfall, there were just some stray drops. She could feel a finger wiping them away from her cheeks.
"You can open your eyes," Solas whispered as he stepped back. "We still live. This place is best appreciated at this time of day."
She did and gasped in surprise.
She stood in a small incline in the rock, about 50 foot deep and 30 wide, filled with sunbeams from the late afternoon sun. There were three arches in the side that opened to the skies, carved in the stone, delicate and reminiscent of Elven ruins. Two of the arches had a matching carved stone fence at the ground level, all in organic patterns. The fence at the last arch was mostly crumbled down. To the left of the opening was the waterfall running down the mountainside, diffusing in a rainbow of colours in the low sunlight.
The far side of the room was completely caved in with large rocks. The mountainside opening was the only entrance to this place. One of the long walls was bathed in sunlight. Between the broken mosaic floor of the place, there grew a small tree, some grasses and flowers, spreading a sweet scent. On the other long wall, that never saw sunlight, was a somewhat faded fresco of a forest scape in greens and pink, springtime.
Ennaly walked around the place, her hands trailing over the stones. There it was, irrevocably surrounding her, in the waking world, that this place once belonged to her people. Her ancestors had once trailed their hands on the same places as her, had painted this fresco, had carved these stones. The knowledge that Elves had once dwelled here, called this place home, brought her down to speechlessness.
She turned around to Solas, who seemed to observe her admiring the place. "This is... I don't have words. It's truly wonderful."
"It is not much, but it is something," he said with a smile.
"It is everything," she replied, looking at Solas in wonder.
She turned around when the rays of the setting sun shone on her face. She walked to the edge and looked out. The mountains glittered with orange and pink in the rays of sunset. Solas was right that this was the best time to appreciate this place. Even without casting a spell, it felt like magic hung in the air.
He joined her near the edge, looking out and several moments passed in comfortable silence. Then, the Anchor on Ennaly's hand flared up a bit. It didn't hurt, but did gave off a flash of light.
"It's odd, right?" she said, looking at her hand. "Without this, all of this would never have happened. I certainly wouldn't be standing here. I'd probably have been killed in Haven. But instead... It has allowed me to see so much. It has changed so many things."
Solas turned to her, his look impassive, hard to read. "Has it changed you?"
She looked at her hand, considering the question.
"Has it affected you? Your mind, your morals, your… spirit?"
She looked up in wonder, considering the man in front of her. His use of the word spirit wasn't lost on her. He didn't use that lightly. "I don't think the Anchor has changed anything about me. Well, only my fate, that's for sure, but not me. My spirit is still the same."
"Ah," Solas replied, sounding almost disheartened, looking away.
"That's a rather disappointing ah," Ennaly said, surprised by that reaction.
"No," Solas said, shaking his head and looking back at her. "That is not disappointing… You are not what I expected. You have shown wisdom, compassion, you showed that you care. I have not seen someone with your spirit since… since my deepest journeys into the ancient memories of the Fade."
"And you think the Anchor might have changed me?" she asked softly.
"It might have. Most people act with so little understanding of the world. But not you."
"This has always been me... The anchor might be on me, but it doesn't define me."
"You have a marvellous spirit then," Solas spoke, looking at her with admiration. Her heartrate increased. The rays of the sun shone on his face, warming his eyes. She saw him looking at her lips.
"Do I, now?" she said amused, taking a step closer to him, looking up. The rays of the sun now also warmed her eyes. She looked up to his and could see the longing there. She longed for him, too. She could feel his breath on her skin. He hesitated, looked away, then met her eyes again.
"Losing you would..."
He took the final step of space between them and kissed her. He pulled her closer by her waist. Their first kiss in the Dales had been passion and hunger, a stolen moment against better judgement. This kiss was tenderness, a connection of two souls that seemed to have found each other despite the chaos of the world.
His arms wrapped around her and this was all that mattered. A moment of serenity in the rays of sunset, in a forgotten ruin that only they knew still existed, a connection in the past and present.
They parted, but still remained in each other's arms.
"Ar lath ma, vhenan," Solas whispered to her. She didn't have words to speak, could only look at him and hope he could read in her eyes how she felt. He still held her, one hand at her waist, the other tenderly in her hair. She placed her head on his chest and wrapped her arms close around him.
Standing like this, locked in their embrace, Ennaly listening to Solas' rhythmic heartbeat, they watched the last rays of sunlight fading behind the mountains.
Ennaly was broken from her reverie when a chill passed over her. Solas pressed her closer when he felt her shiver. The temperature dropped rapidly in the absence of the sunrays and presence of icy mountain wind.
"Shouldn't we go back?" she whispered. "It's almost dark, how do we find our footing?"
"We don't have to go back," he replied softly. They parted a bit, Solas turned his head to land upon the pack he brought. "I brought something to eat and a warm blanket. There is one more thing I wanted to show you, but I cannot show that when we are awake."
Ennaly smiled. They parted and Solas lit a torch of Veilfire that was still attached to the crumbling wall. They spread the blanket and drank wine and ate nuts, dried fruits and cheese, while chatting happily.
"Do you know what happened, that last dream?" Ennaly asked, while curling up against Solas. "How could I have visited if you didn't summon me?"
"It must have been this," Solas said, taking her left hand and turning it palm-side up, looking at the Anchor. "It makes you easy to find and invite you to my dreams. Perhaps you were thinking about me the same time I was thinking about you, and that might have summoned you."
Ennaly paused while contemplating that. He had been thinking about her, there in that serene place near the pond. She ran her hand over the material of his tunic. It was soft, comfortable, but certainly not fancy.
"You were wearing something different," she said.
"Well… It was the Fade. I could wear what I wanted," he replied. "You were also wearing other clothing."
She wished she hadn't. "Well, I was dreaming about a festival before. My mother made most of that. The embroidery, the carved beads… She is very crafty."
"She must be very skilled indeed. I could see it was expertly made."
"In the next dream, make me wear something pretty."
He smiled. "Tell me more about the festival. I want to know."
She told him, about how they danced, in reverence of those that had died in the last year, and to ask for blessings and a mild winter to come. Then, caressed by starlight, they fell asleep, Ennaly in the crook of Solas' arm with her head on his chest.
They opened their eyes in the same place they had closed them. It took Ennaly a while to understand. They were in something that resembled an herb garden, strange plants growing in neat beds, a rocky ceiling above her and a view over mountains. It smelled slightly spicy and fresh, like the scent of Royal Elfroot. These mountains were coloured with fresh greens and pinks of blossoming trees, matching the now-vibrant fresco on the wall.
The mosaic floor was whole again and supported a small bench topped with plush pillows, a perfect spot for some quiet time. Instead of rubble at the far side of the alcove, there was an arched door, wood with decorative filigree.
Everything seemed slightly out of focus, not fully sharp in view, unless she focussed on it very well. Even so, there was something about the atmosphere, the waterfall that shimmered in the mountainside across the valley, that made it seem otherworldly. Like the fabric of the sleeves of Solas' dream tunic, everything seemed to shimmer and reflect ambient light.
Ennaly turned around to look at Solas, expectant wonder on her face. He was wearing a simple white tunic of rich material with golden buttons, belted at the waist with a plaited leather belt, over fine white breeches. He seemed to carry himself differently again, proud and tall like a king, yet completely comfortable, no stress or tension in his muscles. Or it might have simply been the clothes.
That is when she noticed what she was wearing. It was just a simple white shift, like that night in the Dales when he pinned her against a tree. Her hair was in a plait down her back.
"I said something pretty," she said, her tone unimpressed, yet the symbolism of wasn't fully lost on her.
Solas stepped closer, a wicked smile on his face. "That is what I did." He let his hands rest on her bare shoulders, then let them glide down over her arms.
"Well, I want something else," she said, looking up to him. "Make me match you."
"As you wish," he said, lifting his arms, and with a movement of his wrist, her outfit shifted.
She was now wearing a simple white dress, draped at her shoulders, belted with golden medallions at her waist. Her hair was intricately braided on top with loose curls over her back.
"Better," she commented as she twirled around. The fabric lightly sparkled like it was covered by fireflies.
She realized again where she was standing and stopped, facing Solas excitedly.
"Are we really…?" she asked, looking around.
"Yes," Solas replied with a smile.
"Can we really…?" she asked, looking at the door that wasn't there in present times.
"Yes," Solas replied again, walking in the direction, his hand in a gesture for her to go first. She looked at him, her heart racing of what she was about to do. She opened the door and in front of her, there was a corridor with stairs going upwards, lit by torchless flames dancing above them. Everything seemed veiled in effortless grandeur. At first Ennaly walked slowly, too impressed by what she was witnessing, then quicker, eager to see more. At the end of the stairs was another door, which brought them to a large courtyard.
Ennaly couldn't believe her eyes. Tall spires loomed above them, not harsh and angular like the Human towers, but graceful, shining in magic. Trees and flowers were planted around her and everything seemed to be placed with purpose, but also where they naturally should be, in harmony. Between the towers she could see the pink and green mountaintops surrounding them.
"Is this really Skyhold?" Ennaly asked in wonder, looking back as Solas.
"Tarasyl'an Te'las. Skyhold how it used to be, a long, long time ago," he replied with a smile. "It has been rebuild many times since."
"Can we go to the highest tower?" Ennaly asked in wonder, looking back at Solas.
"We can go wherever," he replied with a smile. "But I do have to warn you, these are old memories. They might be unwilling to unveil certain secrets."
"Is that why everything seems so… misted over?"
"It is."
Ennaly danced her way to the centre of the courtyard, where there was a large fountain, the water slowly trickling down the tiers. Solas followed at a normal pace. She halted for a moment, then danced back again.
"This is the single best thing anyone has ever done for me. Thank you," she said sincerely.
There was sorrow behind his smile as he held her.
"Don't be sad," she said, placing a hand on his cheek.
"I am not sad," he replied.
"You are always a little bit sad," she said. "That's okay. But you don't have to be, not with me."
She kissed him, and when she parted, she grabbed his hand.
"Come, I'm sure you didn't bring me here to stand in the courtyard. I want to see!"
They explored the towers and halls. As Solas mentioned, some places would not show their interior, and some of the paintings and frescos seemed too blurred to make out the context. They walked through libraries filled with blank books, halls with magical instruments and devices, their use long forgotten in time, empty dining halls and what seemed to be offices.
They walked all the way to the highest tower and looked out over the surroundings and the towers of the palace itself.
"I wonder who this place used to belong to," Ennaly said, after she had observed all the sights she wanted to see. "Do you know who it was?"
"Someone more powerful than we are right now, no doubt," Solas replied. "Someone who was certain he knew everything."
"Imagine though, if this was where you lived. Don't you ever pretend, when you visit these places, like you're the king? Is that why you dress like this?"
Solas looked at her with a wistful smile, but didn't answer.
"Well, if you're not enjoying this to the full extend, I will. Come, my king." She smiled and descended the stairs again, followed by Solas. She halted on the bottom step. Solas took a few more steps before he realized she wasn't following him and turned around.
He stepped closer, wrapped his arms around her and considered her. With her standing on the bottom step and him on the floor, they were the same height. He kissed her. It turned passionate, and while his hand trailed down to her bottom, she pressed her hips against him and fumbled blindly with her hands at the buttons of his shirt. She could feel his grin through the kiss before he parted and she could see it on his face.
"Are you certain you want to do this?" he asked, his hands on her hips.
"Am I certain?" she repeated, trailing a hand over his jaw. "I've wanted you for weeks. Besides, you started this when you made me wear nothing more than a shift. I know what was on your mind."
"I merely wanted to be certain," he said, before kissing her again.
Ennaly tossed Solas' decorative belt aside and finished unbuttoning. She let her hands glide over his bared chest, then halted.
"Can we though, here?" she asked. "Do we need to be afraid of demons?"
"They cannot harm us here. Besides, what can a desire demon tempt me with when you are right here? With you, I do not have to think about anything else."
She pressed herself against him. It was clear he wanted her, too. "Well then, where's the fancy bedroom? Whoever lived here must have had a fancy bedroom and they're not around to object to us using it."
"I know where," Solas said, grin still on his face, as he unclasped the medallion belt at her waist and let it fall down with a clear ringing noise.
Slowly, they made their way to a new spire. In the courtyard, Solas pulled Ennaly's dress over her head and sat her down at the edge of the fountain. Before they continued, he let his hands run over her bare skin, her back, her thighs, and kissed her shoulders, her neck and her breasts. Little sparks of magic flared over her skin under his touch, teasing her and making her breath shallow.
Then, near the door of the tower, he lost his breeches and they paused to let Ennaly admire him, before ascending the stairs. On a midway landing, he pushed her to a wall. After that, he picked her up, her legs wrapped around him, to continue on to the room he had in mind.
Had Ennaly's mind not been otherwise occupied, she might have noticed that from the moment they kissed on the bottom step, the castle around her suddenly became in sharper view. The mist was clearing up and faded frescos turned vibrant again, depicting scenes of Elvhen being freed from their Vallaslin, of wolves, and Elvhen dressed in armour, raising weapons, the one leading them having familiar features.
While carrying her, Solas opened the door to a room at the top of the tower and dropped Ennaly on the bed before joining her. The covers were soft on their skin and the pillows plush. It smelled fresh in the room. Vases filled with the herbs from the garden below were standing on beautifully carved and decorated wooden dressers, next to beautiful instruments of gold and crystal.
It was late afternoon here, the sun shining in the room through facetted windows, scattering colours on the walls. They were both propped on their side, Solas was tracing the silhouette of her figure with his fingertips and she gasped at the touch.
Gods, she wanted him, her body yearned for him. She pushed him down on his back and climbed on top of him. It was what she wanted ever since the night in the Dales. Gently, she started to rock back and forth, losing herself in the feeling. His fingers traced over her skin, tenderly teasing.
"Ma sa'lath," she said, while leaning down to kiss him, now moving more eagerly.
Solas parted and looked up to her with mischief in his eyes. "So, vhenan, you like to play pretend, deem yourself the queen of this castle?"
Ennaly grinned broadly, giving him a playful look. He gave a mischievous grin back before he wrapped his arms around her. "I'll show you want I would do to mine," he said, almost a growl of hunger in his voice, rolling them both over so that he was on top.
Ennaly gasped, surprised by the shift of control, but willing to release. She had felt powerful on top and now felt protected, safe. He pinned her hands next to her head and let his gaze shift over her body. Then, he leaned over to kiss her exposed neck and by doing so, he took her breath away.
And while their bodies intertwined, Ennaly was blissfully unaware that she was not the only one here who could lay claim to Skyhold's largest bedroom, though in a different time.
Author's note: I hope you enjoy my rendition of the balcony scene. I thought a different balcony would set the scene more! While Ennaly is in a romantic sun-filled ruin, I'll be going to romantic Paris with my own lovebird, so no updates this weekend!