"Well congrats Solas you did, guess they don't call you the trickster god without reason…" Coldly, I scowl at him, sliding my hand out of his ice cold gauntlet, turning my back to him crossing my arms unimpressed, ignoring the faint shiver of my skin missing his gentle touch.
"Vhenan I never saw your body as an object. Your body is nothing more than a temple I wish to cherish, the trust you had within me only made me die on the inside for every time I lied I died on the inside Vhenan, my heart broke…" Tenderly, he whispers to me earnestly as I bow my head, brushing off his lingering touch.
"But you lied to me, I loved…I love you. Did you really think I wouldn't have understood?" Pained, I whisper to him, my back still turned as I peer over him, my arms crossed underneath my chest as I face him with my teary hues seeing his features soften more in pain.
"Ir Abelas Vhenan…" Softly, he whispers to me, his voice hoarse bowing his head only making me chuckle, he looks like a kicked mabari…ironic really.
"It's poetic almost…the silver shroud, the slave liberator you know. Those who I had freed deluded themselves into thinking we were some sort of god, you heard the name and the tales…I just…it's funny almost, maybe it's irony who knows the Fennic Fox of the Tevinter Imperium, the silver shroud, the slave and mage liberator falling for the dread wolf…" Emptily, I laugh shaking my head at the thought, it seems poetic in some sense.
"Ir Abelas Vhenan…" He whispers again making me scowl, my brow furrowing further at his repeated phrase, apology after apology I'm sick of it! Stop apologising and just talk to me dammit!
"Ma Harel Lasa!" Angrily, I snarl at him, his eyes wide from my fury.
"Only by omission…" Heartbroken, his whispers softly.
"Ma lasa banal'Ghilana!" Roaring, I scream at him enraged.
"What would you had me say? That I was the great adversary in your people's mythology?" Irritated, coolly, Solas demands from me.
"I would have had you trust me!" Screaming, I shout at him as I glare up at him while he stoically stares down at me. My ears relish the brief silence between us as we glare at one another the brief grunts and whimpers of Eve alongside the gushing sound of the waterfall echo. Saddened, Solas steps down, his features softening as he backs down.
"And my people? They aren't even your people despite the fact that it was you who screwed them over with your Evanuris buddies and once you grew bored of slavery you decided to take it down…" Seething, I accuse. What could have triggered him to see slavery as bad? If he was an Evanuris how would someone who was being benefited from slavery see that perspective? How many have suffered from being his slaves? How many lives have he screwed over from his time in the pantheon?
"I didn't rebel out of boredom!" Insulted, he snaps at me making my eyes widen surprised only then to narrow, steeling my nerves.
"How do I know this to be true? How do I know this isn't another woven web of lies of yours for me to just let you go? For you to make yourself feel better by deluding yourself with this defence. How can I trust you after all the trust I gave you which you shattered? I gave you everything, I gave you my heart and you broke it, I gave you my trust and you broke it, I gave you my loyalty to you and you fucking broke it! I gave you everything I swore I never would. I loved…love you and you just…I…" Pained, I whisper my voice shaking breaking as I scream at him, my features softening into pain.
"Ir abelas, ma Vhenan…" Solemnly, he repeats again making me scream at him raising my foot as I kick aside some debris or rubble or whatever, pacing back and forth trying to regain some sort of composure.
"Another empty phrase. So what? You think I'll just come with you, leap into your arms like some sort of prince and princess after you used me, you lied to me, you manipulated me. You honestly fucking think I would leap back into your arms after the shit you pulled. This is the real world Solas not fairy-tale. I'm not running off with you as my happily ever after because guess what in this world there are none." Snarling, I state the fact as it is.
"I never wanted you to. I had never planned for this, for us, for me to meet someone like you." Strictly, he responds making my eyes widen only then to narrow as I shakily exhale.
"You…you're just the same as them, the magisters, the Evanuris, all different names all with the same need of power, who believe themselves better who can control those beneath them through fear, manipulation and magic. What has magic touched that it hasn't spoiled?" Poisonously, I recite my brother's phrase seeing that phrase now more than ever in reality as his eyes widen almost hurt, pained by my comparison.
"You…" Solas begins.
"And here the trickster continues to lie I know why you did it." Smugly, I proclaim arms outstretched.
"I never thought we would…" He repeats.
"Oh, don't lie. You saw me as a reminder of your past, of your elven servants and thought it would be funny, some good nostalgia, right? I bet you loved touching the marks to recreate your army of elves, inspecting my body to see where the magisters went wrong for you to make clones that were right for your army for your agents? To mock the magisters for their now what did Abelas call it ah yes…a mockery, a knock off of what the Tevinter imperium tried to copy. I'm just another think the Dalish failed to remember…" Disgusted, I glare down at myself seething shaking with both disgust and anger, feeling the boiling hot tears threatening to fall, only to shiver from the icy chill of fingertips gently touch my cheeks, my body shudders from the iciness as I blink back the tears threatening to fall.
"You are nothing like that. You are so much more than what Abelas spoke of you. You are much more than what any of them made you to be. I would never wish what happened to you on anybody." Resolute, he promises me making my blues widen as I feel his fingertips tenderly lift up my features down casted. My blues widening at the sheer determination in his tone as my ears hear the faint hitch in his tone.
"It still did Solas, my markings originated from somewhere and that was your time. You had people like me under your lock and key, did they serve you well? Dying for you? Sleeping for you? Hurting for you?" Disgusted, I sneer at him feeling my blood boil at the thought.
"We respected them." Determined, he promises me making me scoff.
"Oh don't make me laugh? You lot and respect? You're no better than the vint abominations that stole your idea, that robbed me of my life, that…that…Tell me, did you have fun stringing me alone, manipulating me, tricking me into trusting you into saying those FUCKING words…making me think I could be…I could be…" Angrily, I scream at him, combing my fingertips through my silver roots tugging at them, trying to calm my burning rage.
"You are, you are loved so much. When you are in pain, I feel it, when your heart breaks, mine breaks inside, seeing your pain makes me want to destroy everyone who put you though this, if your master was alive I would make him suffer for you." Earnestly, he vows to me making me scowl.
"Another string of lies…" Huffing, I scoff gently brushing him back as he turns his back to me.
"I sought to set my people free from slavery to would be gods. I broke the chains of all who wished to join me. The false gods called me Fen'Harel and when they finally went too far. I formed the veil and banished them forever. Thus I freed the elven people and in doing so, destroyed their world." Gravely, he confesses to me as I follow after him reluctantly to find myself staring at the castle like building before me, where I once with Eve and the others explored alongside the Qunari.
"You love the fade. Why would you create the veil to hide it all away?" Confused, I question him.
"Because every alternative was worse…" Grimly, he answers.
"Meaning?" I raise a brow not satisfied.
"Had I not created the veil, the Evanuris would have destroyed the entire world." He tells me.
"How did the veil destroy the world?" Perplexed, I arch a brow.
"You saw the remains of Vir Dirthara. The library was intrinsically tied to the fade and the veil destroyed it. There were countless other marvels all dependent on the presence of the fade, all destroyed." He points out.
"Oh, would you look at that? An issue in your self-proclaimed perfect world…" Mockingly, I sneer.
"I never said it was perfect." Tiredly, Solas sighs.
"Then what makes you think it's better than the world before us!?" Frustrated, I demand from him.
"You don't understand it was as if I woke to a world of tranquil." Pained, he confesses to me making my glassy hues widen.
"We're not even people to you?" Upset, I whisper my voice breaking.
"Not at first but you proved me wrong." Softly, he tells me.
"Did you even give them a chance?" Scowling, I shake my head.
"I did. I tried sharing my knowledge but all I relieved was yelling, stones throne at me as I was chased out of the camp. Ever since I came here, I have seen nothing but anger and violence towards the elves, towards mages towards Qunari even." Earnestly, he confesses to me pain etched into his tone.
"Okay you want to talk about Qunari let's talk about them. Let's talk about how horrible you were towards Bull when you first met him or how belittling you were to Varric calling him a child or should I bring up how you looked down on Eve and Vivienne for being circle trained…" Angrily, I point out.
"They were being held back, restrained by unneeded fear!" Firmly, Solas argues making me scoff.
"Unneeded fear? Solas you haven't seen what we've seen while you slept, we suffered, people have good reason to fear magic and come up with ways to deal with it, come up with a compromise. We are still trying to find it." Tiredly, I try to reason with him.
"So, you approve of tranquillity!?" Disgusted, Solas scowls at me.
"Of course not! Not for every case…" Exhausted, I sigh.
"At least with the time of the elves…" Scowling, Solas begins making my eye twitch.
"And you thought you were so much better than them. Careful sweetheart your Denarius side is showing." Coldly, I whisper sharply pinching his cheeks making him grimace pained.
"I am nothing like him." Offended, he scowls.
"Oh, aren't you? I'm sorry but who am I seeing before me oh that's right, a belittling like prick who thinks they know how the world should be changed, should be altered to be like their supposed perfect world, when they themselves are no better than the magisters that have ruined so many lives. You never even gave them a chance!" Fed up, I point out.
"I did. I told you." Confidently, he states the fact.
"No Solas that doesn't count that was one time and knowing you, you were being a prick about it cause guess what? If you hadn't guessed from them or from when you told me about my friend's vallaslin that she so cherished and revered people don't take it well when you tell them their whole belief system is a fucking lie!" Frustrated, I shout at the dumbass.
"…I tried." Weakly, he repeats.
"Trying isn't good enough Solas!" Seething, I snap at him as he goes silent.
"Your legends are half right. We were immortal. It was not the arrival of humans that caused us to begin aging. It was me. The veil took everything from the elves, even themselves." Frowning, Solas tells me.
"So…how did you lot become gods? From what I heard they were elven mages…" I recall.
"Slowly. It started with a war." Sighing, Solas begins.
"Of course." I mutter grimacing at the sick sense of deva ju.
"War breeds fear. Fear breeds a desire for simplicity. Good and evil. Right and wrong. Chains of command. After the war ended, generals became respected elders, then kings and finally gods. The Evanuris." Solas concludes.
"What did they do to go too far? What made you betray them?" Perplexed, I question him.
"They killed Mythal. A crime in which an eternity of torment is the only fitting punishment." Resolute, Solas answers turning away as I note the pain in his tone.
"I thought Mythal was one of you lot?" Lost, I furrow my brow.
"She was the best of them. She cared for her people. She protected them. She was a voice of reason and in their lust of power. They killed her." Sadly, he smiles only then to grimace scowling pained as he turns away from me again.
"So, you banished the false gods but didn't kill them?" Frowning, I arch a brow at the rather stupid idea.
"You met Mythal did you not? The first of my people do not die so easily." Sadly, he smiles at me.
"Don't remind me of that." Huffing, I grumble turning away hand on hip.
"You can imagine my surprise that you met her before. The Evanuris are banished forever, paying the ultimate price for their misdeeds…." Fondly, he smiles at me only then to grimace.
"You make it sound as if I wanted to. What now then? What stupid plan are you doing that I will no doubt have to stop." I demand from him.
"You truly think you can stop me?" Softly, he smiles, an endearing smile at me making me scowl.
"I will do what I must to protect this world. I have people to protect." Determined, I step forward, my watery blues meeting his stoic yet aching amethyst.
"And why protect a world that has put you through such injustice Vhenan. You were born into a world where they treated you like dirt, where they marred you where they…they…" Horrified, he whispers my eyes widening at the sheer pain, malice and sorrow in his tone, he…why does he feel such genuine sorrow over me?
"I don't need your pity Solas. What happened happened. Besides I'm not this perfect princess you make me out to be. I am not a saint Solas, I am no hero, I have done things I am not proud of things. Things I still need to sort out and fix in this world." Honestly, I confess to him making his pained blues stare into my own blue.
"I lay in dark and dreaming sleep while countless wars and ages passed. I woke still weak from a year before I joined you. My people fell for what I did to strike the Evanuris down and still some hope remains for restoration. I will save the elven people even if it means this world must die." Solemn, he turns away as my eyes widen from his words.
"I'm sorry what? Do…Do you hear yourself? What gives you the damn right to think this world should change? You're just like Corypheus and the magisters! Who are you to decide something so pivotal when you yourself are so narrow minded, a stranger in this new world!? You're no better than the Tevinter imperium! You speak of the elven restoration which is great but what makes you think you can do this when it itself can affect the entirety of Thedas!? Just because you were a god once does not mean you can dictate us Solas! You may have been a god once but that godhood of yours is long gone because we don't need you. We don't need gods telling us what to do, that is the world I strive to make to rip away with titles of godhood to give people the independence they need, they want. We are not your pawns in your game of chess, we are not your soldiers, we are not your slaves for you to use and manipulate. We are people, we feel, we adapt, we love, we hate, we are alive Solas whether you like it or not we are not taking this lying down!" Screaming, I roar at him trying to get him to see logic, logic that clearly is not in his head.
"I cannot do that to you Vhenan…" Grimly, he tells me.
"But you would do it to yourself? Why must you suffer when there are other people who can help you, aid you in an alternative solution!?" I demand from him perplexed by the harder extreme solution.
"There is no alternative." Self-assured, he tells me.
"And you know this? Just because you can't see it doesn't mean there isn't one!" I argue.
"I walk the Din'Anshiral. There is only death on this journey. I would not have you see what I become. It is my fight you should be more concerned about the inquisition…in stopping the dragon's breath you have prevented an invasion by Qunari forces. With lucky they will return their focus on Tevinter. That should give you a few years of relative peace…." Tenderly, he assures me making me grimace.
"The Qunari said we were working for the inquisition…" Frowning, I point out.
"I gave no such orders." Sternly, he states.
"You led us to Skyhold…how am I to know you didn't scheme this? It is in your nature and besides you did say you wanted to save Eve? And did the elven spies who got us into this mess not come from you?" I point out making him sigh.
"And see you…" Softly, he whispers making me scoff.
"I don't matter. We don't matter. What matters is the future, what your idiotic plan is." Harshly, I snap reminding him.
"So, you can stop it?" Mockingly, he arches a brow.
"Damn right." Resolute, I step forwards challenging his calm gaze with my blazing fury.
"Heh…always so bold, a trait I had missed these past years…" Fondly, he smiles as I scowl at his honied word, needing the truth, sick of the game, sick of the dance, sick of it all.
"Don't change topic Solas. Explain. Now." Angrily, I demand from him.
"Corypheus should have died unlocking my orb. When he survived my plans were thrown into chaos. When the inquisitor survived. I saw the Inquisition as the best hope the world had of stopping him. And you needed a home, hence Skyhold." Calmly, Solas explains to me.
"You gave your orb to Corypheus?" Stunned, I blink taken aback.
"Not directly. My agents allowed the Venatori to unlock it. The orb had built up magical energy while I lay unconscious for a millennium. I was not powerful enough to open it." He informs me making my eyes widen.
"Wait…a millennia? In the fade you…" Quietly, I whisper my eyes remembering that time in the fade trying to save…
"I did." Fondly, he smiles at me recognition in his eyes.
"Then that day when I…" I trail off at the memory.
"So, you remember…" Lowly, he chuckles shaking his head.
"You…you were…" I whisper furrowing my brow at the memory of that wolf.
"I never thought I'd see you again. I didn't even realize it until a few days later you could imagine my surprise…the plan was for Corypheus to unlock it and for the resulting explosion to kill him. Then I would claim the orb. I did not foresee a Tevinter magister having learned the secret of effective immortality." Honestly, he confesses to me.
"If only I had cut you down that day you saved me…" Seething, I exclaim.
"If only I hadn't met you, things would be easier for me to do this…" He counters hands behind back as I shake my head.
"If you claimed the orb…what would have happened?" Pained, I question him.
"I would have entered the fade using the mark the inquisitor carried. Then I would have torn down the veil. As this world burned in the raw chaos, I would have restored the world of my time…the world of the elves." Honestly, he confesses to me.
"Wait, If you tore down the veil wouldn't the false gods be freed?" Lost, I furrow my brow.
"I had plans…" Simply, he answers making me scowl.
"Do you hear yourself? I mean you had plans? You just had plans? Oh for…what if that plan of yours failed Solas? You would be endangering more than just you and those idiots that follow you. You are…you are ridiculous! Why must the world die for the elves return…Solas if you would just listen, we could come to an alternative route, we could all help restore the elven but improve upon it, morph it into a world for both the elven and the people of Thedas to live peacefully in. Who are you to decide the fate of Thedas when you left it for an entire millennium? Just because you don't like how the world changed does not give you the right to just…chuck it over. You're a child honestly!" Frustrated, I scream at the idiot.
"You must understand. I awoke in a world where the veil had blocked most people's conscious connection to the fade. It was like walking through a world of tranquil." He asserts.
"We aren't even people to you?" Baffled, I furrow my brow.
"Not at first. You showed me that I was wrong…again. That does not make what comes next any easier." Grimly, he turns his head away from me.
"You never cared about us. We were pawns an means to an end. I can see why they called you the dread wolf." Bitterly, I snap, poisonously.
"You were people and you deserved better…like all the rest I have used in one hopeless battle after another." Sombrely, he recites.
"You really are no different than Denarius. I hope the next girl you manipulate into loving you kills herself to spare herself form ever loving a monster like you…" Seething, I snarl at him.
"I did not lead a rebellion against immortal mage kings without getting my hands bloody. I am no monster there has never and will never be who I have loved more than you. Vhenan if my plan works you may be able to live." He offers making my eyes narrow.
"But at what price? To live on with a man who has lied to me, used me, manipulated me!? How can I stand by a man who will lie about everything to me? How can I stand by your side knowing all my friends, my family, my loved ones died because of you…I'd rather die than force myself in servitude of being with you…" Honestly, I confess to him.
"Truly…?" Pained, he whispers his voice breaking as I go silent glancing to the side grimacing, my heart aching, writhing, finding myself unable to look at his devastated expression.
"After everything they've done to you? After they dragged you mission after mission, using you to get others to join the inquisition?" Bravely, Solas breaks the still silence between us as I scowl shakily.
"And wouldn't you do the same? The slave liberator by your side, after everything I wouldn't be surprised. At least they were telling me the truth! You have been hiding who you are, where you're from... EVERYTHING! I trusted you with my heart, something I thought I would never give to anyone and you used it and twisted it and broke it... the moment you left you broke it, the minute you lied about who you are, you broke it and hearing you say those words... those STUPID WORDS! I just knew you were going to be the end of me." Seething, I snarl at Solas, my voice breaking as I try to steel my voice, refusing to give him the satisfaction of my sorrow.
"I never wanted to lie... I never meant to make you feel like I was using you, I never was. I wanted to keep you safe and out of harm's way. The thought of you dying makes me want to die with you because the minute you leave this place and move on, you're taking my heart with you and I need to be with you." Earnestly, he confesses to me making me scoff at the poetic crap.
"You would kill thousands of people, men, women, children all to bring back a empire that has its own faults with it!?" Frustrated, I argue.
"It's better than this world." Simply, he answers making me scoff.
"And who are you to decide that? You are as bias as the next person just because you were the last god standing means nothing…" Fuming, I scream at him.
"Wouldn't you to save your own?" He quirks his head to the side making my eyes widen stumbling back, grimacing at the memory of him…of us…of… pained, I bow my head at the brief silence consuming me, conflicted.
"I am NOTHING like you. I know when to move on Solas, I know when to be grateful for what I have, I know what it means to survive. You? You know nothing of survival? All you know about is hiding away, turning your back on the people, like a coward. Oh, but don't worry the people I'm referring to me are me, my people not yours. Because your people are so much better and have no flaws whatsoever…now tell me something, that elven spy she was one of yours wasn't she?" Boldly, I state the fact grimacing form my words as I exhale shakily trying to compose myself as I question him.
"So, you caught on." Fondly, he smiles at me, impressed almost.
"You think I wouldn't recognise one of your bloody spies?" Irritated, I hiss at him.
"Do you know how I discovered the Qunari plot? The Qunari spies in the inquisition tripped over my spies in the inquisition. The elven guard who led you to the Qunari body, who intercepted the servant with the Gaatlok barrel? Mine." Bluntly, Solas reveals.
"Why? Why do all this when you're just going to destroy the world anyway?" Fed up, I demand from him perplexed by his decision.
"You have shown me there's value in this world Vhenan. I take no joy in what I must do." Pained, he bows his head.
"Then why? Why must you do this to the people? To yourself?" Angrily, I demand answers from him.
"Because until that day comes, I would see those recovering from the breach free of the Qun. I would see you happy, living your last days to your fullest." He informs me.
"Why? How can I be happy knowing the world will end? Is this just to stroke your ego to make yourself feel better." Scowling, I accuse him.
"Because I am not a monster, if they must die. I would rather they die in comfort. it is done." Sternly, I state the fact.
"If you're expecting a thank you, you can think again…tell me something that mural you spent months on, that you never let anyone see. Who is it? Is that woman Mythal?" Perplexed, I step forward.
"Why would you think that?" Lost, Solas furrows his brow.
"She was beautiful, the mural you did it was as though you worshipped the very ground the woman walked upon as if touching her was a privilege…" I describe remembering Varric walking in as I held his necklace, close to my chest sobbing my eyes out.
"And you truly do not know who that is?" Hurt, Solas steps forward, hurt etched into his features.
"I do not…so how did you get the Eluvian's under control?" Sighing, I decide to change topic.
"Yes. You remember Briala from Halamshiral? For a time, she controlled part of the labyrinth. One of my agents was supposed to take it from her but he did not succeed. I had to override the magic personally. The Qunari stumbled upon the section independent. With them gone the Eluvian's are now mine." Solas informs me.
"Eve's hand what you did will it stop it? It's getting worse." Concerned, I question him.
"I know Vhenan and we are running out of time." Upset, Solas turns his head away.
"Arhg!" Loudly, Eve screams startling us.
"Eve!" Urgently, I turn to her.
"The mark will eventually kill her, drawing her here gave me the chance to save her and…see you at least for now." Coolly, Solas informs me.
"Solas…" Conflicted, I turn to him.
"Vhenan…" Softly, Solas whispers to me.
"Tell me…tell me you don't love me. Tell me you've found someone else just tell me you don't want me anymore." Viciously, I spit at him desperate.
"I can't lie to you Vhenan. Not anymore…" He confesses making me scoff.
"That hasn't stopped you before." Snippily, I remark crossing my arms.
"I never lied about how I felt for you." Frowning, he promised me.
"I'll prove you wrong! Even if it means killing myself I will show you this world has value!" Pained, I vow to him, making his features break heartbroken almost.
"I would treasure the chance to be wrong again Vhenan. Ar lath ma, vhenan…" Softly, he whispers to me noting the pain in his tone, the lone singular tear cascading down his trembling features as he leans over me, his temple meeting my own, a soft sullen silence falling between us, our eyes closed, allowing the singular tears to finally flee down our prideful exteriors. I feel his fingertips cradle my features leaning forward as I lean upwards, our lips meeting, allowing the tears to come crashing down as we feel the painful fireworks fly, exploding as slowly, hesitantly, he removes himself from me.
"I will never forget you…" Softly, he whispers to me. Pained, I push him back, forcing myself to step back a few steps, my hands bawling up as he turns his back to me, walking through the Eluvian as I crash down to my feet, bawling, my pained cries releasing the high heaven. Drained, I force myself to stand, wiping aside the tears, focusing on the task at hand, steeling myself as I rush over to Eve's side, my eyes widening at her hand, limp, the bone nothing more than fluid as it flops about making my eyes widen, knowing what must be done.
"Dorian get over here! Focus on cauterizing the wound!" Loudly, I call out to Dorian as I step through the Eluvian everyone rushing over to my side as I gently set Eve down, my brow furrowed at her arm flaring up, rotting away as we speak.
"What…what are you doing?" Perplexed, Dorian furrows his brow."
"The arm is rotting if I don't stop it may spread and she lose much more than her arm." Sternly, I state the fact kneeling down as I take out my blade, making sure to clean it.
"What do you suggest?" Confused, Varric furrows his brow as I turn to Dorian nodding as he uses his flames to cauterize the blade.
"Cutting it off." Simply, I state the fact.
"Are you mad? Have you ever done this?" Gawking, Varric demands from me.
"Yeah…we had to if a few slaves had an accident. Mum taught me a bit." Aloofly, I mutter remembering mum's lessons.
"And had anyone of them survived?" Frowning, Varric wonders.
"Not many, they would later die of blood infection or worse." Honestly, I confess only to be cut off by Eve's scream of agony.
"Oh perfect." Dorian hisses as he begins focusing from my directions.
"We have a mage it should be fine. Bull…" I turn to him.
"On it." Stoically, he nods getting the picture loud and clear as he takes out one of his spare blades.
"Eve I need you to bite into this if it hurts alright?" Gently, I tell her as I place the hilt of one of Bull's blade hilt into her mouth as screaming, she bites down upon it.
"I don't want to die." Whimpering, she cries out her cries muffled.
"You won't I promise. Just hold on…hold her down." Tenderly, I whisper seeing the waterfall comes gushing down as she nods as the others turn to nod gravely at me, pinning Eve down. I raise my blade high into the air, hearing her ears piercing scream into the high heavens as my blade slams down as we begin the procedure…
"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Gently, Dorian whispers to Eve as we hear the sound of muffled screaming and shouting from the council making the three of us share a tired uneasy sigh.
"I just…I need to get to the others. I have to warn them." Sternly, Eve confesses to us.
"Yes but you need to be careful you're going in…" Gently, Dorian begins.
"I don't care! I just…I have to do this. Now." Frustrated, Eve snaps.
"Alright…" Dorian places his hands up in surrender as sharply, Eve turns on her heel, grabbing a familiar book and storming off.
"You think she'll be okay?" Dorian questions me.
"She just had her bloody hand taken off how do you think she is? Alongside this political nonsense…I don't know Dorian sorry." Exhausted, I crane my neck back drained apologetic.
"How are you?" Gently, Dorian asks me as I sigh, Dror is safe with Varric so they should be okay.
"I'll be fine I've already told Leliana and you lot about it I just…I got to get to Cullen warn him at the least." I reason watching the fleeting figure.
"Fen you need to talk to someone eventually about…" Dorian trails off from my sharp glare.
"I really don't. What matters is right now not the future. Now if you will excuse me." Curtly, I argue as I turn leaving Dorian.
"Cullen…" Gently, I call out to him as he leans over the railing, looking down apologetic pitifully at Josephine having to deal with the ambassadors alongside Leliana looks sadly at her friend.
"Fen! Is Eve alright?" Urgently, Cullen turns to me as I tiredly sigh bowing my head.
"Cullen…you love Eve right?" Gently, I begin placing my hand on the sleek steel railing, unaware of the brief burning pain in my palm.
"I do with all my heart." Resolute, he promises me.
"Despite any flaws she has?" I prob my eyes narrowed.
"I love them all." Confidently, he answers as I feel my fingertips dig deep into the railing, frowning at the faint grainy substance beneath my fingertips.
"And you will stay with her if she dies…" I point out.
"I will stay with her until our dying days…" Earnestly, he replies as I sigh bowing my head, quickly, urgently brushing off the black stains beneath my hand.
"We can lose the inquisition now we stand on the brink of war with the Qunari!"
"Yes, before this Solas provoked them in the first place!"
"The inquisition did not cause this threat. We informed the summit of the danger-" Josephine cuts in.
"The danger posed by Qunari spies in your organisation!" Annoyed, the Fereldan ambassador points out.
"Without our organisation you would not be alive to complain." Fairly, Leliana inputs.
"No one has forgotten what you have done. But Corypheus is two years dead." Sighing, the Fereldan ambassador gives in.
"If the inquisition is to continue, it must do so as a legitimate organisation, not a glorified mercenary band." Orlais decides.
"Maker…" Stunned, Cullen gasps taken aback as proudly, confidently Eve strides in ignoring those gasping at her rolled-up sleeve.
"Inquisitor?" Surprised, Josephine blinks.
"Will you still marry her?" Lowly, I whisper as Cullen stare on in sheer stunned silence.
"Whaa…yes! Of course! Why wouldn't I?" Quickly, Cullen answers.
"Most would be put off…" I trial off gesturing to her arm.
"I don't care. If you love something you love them for everything." Determined, Cullen answers.
"You're a good man Cullen." Relieved, I praise him a soft sombre smile on my lips, ignoring the pang of pain in my chest.
"You all know what this is. A writ from Divine Justina authorizing the formation of the inquisition. We pledged to close the breach, find those responsible and restore order. Without or without anyone's approval. It wasn't a formally authorized threat that saved Fereldan's people. It wasn't careful diplomacy that ended your inane civil war. It was never about the organisation. It was about people doing what was necessary. Now if you'll excuse me I have a world to save. Again. Effective immediately, the inquisition is disbanded!" Loudly, Eve declares to the audience, dropping the book purposefully to the floor while some gaping at the sight of her rolled up tied sleeve.
"You're proud of her…" Cullen points out as I lean over the railing smirking smugly.
"Aren't you? That was once a frightened mage locked in a tower, scared to say anything now look at her." I point out in awe.
"She has grown…Did you?" Lovingly, he smiles only then to furrow his brow as he turns to me.
"Yes…" Gravely, I nod my head frowning at the memory of crimson coating all over me, her scream once shrieking to the high heavens soon becoming nothing else than weak whimpers.
"I am sorry…" Cullen bows his head shocking me.
"I just hope she can forgive me." Grimly, I confess shrugging sheepish.
"You did what you had to." Cullen assures me placing his hand on my shoulder giving me a quick squeeze before darting out of the room to tend to Eve to attempt to. Deflated, I sigh bowing my head, exhaustion flowing through my veins as I quickly wipe away the stray drop descending down.
"I did that…" Horrified, Eve whispers trembling, shaking in bed, curling in on herself as I lean against the other side of the room, allowing her to freak out after her little outburst to the entire exalted council.
"Neither can I that was bloody perfect!" Amazed, I praise her.
"Perfect!? How can you call that perfect I just…I cannot never go to Orlais again I can't…" Trembling, Eve freaks out her voice breaking, her body trembling shaking from the adrenaline. I sigh at the poor girl, placing my hand on her shoulder as her shaky greens look into my calm blue.
"Oh relax. You did great." Tenderly, I promise.
"You think so?" Hopeful, her glassy greens look into my own.
"I know so. So how are you feeling?" Quietly, I question glancing at her arm or lack of a hand.
"I…I don't know I just…how am I to face Cullen? Who would want someone like me? I'm already an abomination!" Pained, she whimpers, tears cascading down as she sobs.
"He doesn't see you like that…He's told you this." I assure her, reminding her.
"But he can see this!" Frustrated, she glares down at her arm, attempting to move it about making me sigh bowing my head hearing the pain in her wobbling tone.
"Hey he saw you in there and was proud." Impressed, I assure her.
"He was?" Surprised, Eve blinks taken aback.
"Yes I asked him and he told me he wanted to stay by your side he didn't care about your arm." I tell her.
"He doesn't? Even if I look…" Ashamed, Eve bows her head glancing down at her arm or lack of.
"Listen to me you are…pretty. You are amazing you have done so much that anyone would be envious of and no matter what it shouldn't matter what matters is how you view yourself." Confidently, I explain to her.
"Thank you Fen." Grateful, Eve beams brightly at me.
"No problem." Awkwardly, I pat her shoulder, feeling my muscles tense a tad bit.
"How are you…?" Gently, Eve questions me as longingly, my blues gaze at the bottle bestowed upon me.
"Me? I'm fine…" Strained, I smile.
"Fen." Sternly, Eve furrows her brow.
"Really Eve I'm fine." Sighing, I assure her.
"Are you and Solas not…?" Eve trails off as I feel my muscles tense frozen stiff at the mention of him, bowing my head, exhaling shakily.
"I…I don't know. He and I…. it's complicated but that shouldn't matter what matters is stopping him." Curtly, I reason changing topic.
"With what? The inquisition is disbanded thanks to me I just…" Guilty, Eve bows her head.
"Thanks to you, you stopped the inquisition from being a political pawn for Orlais and you at least stopped the corruption or likelihood." Firmly, I cut her off assuring her.
"But we have no force…" Eve whispers.
"We don't need one. Every piece on the board has the power to take out something, we can rebuild it again with new people, people that Solas doesn't know…" Sternly, I state the fact making Eve's greens widen.
"Fen…I…everyone is going to leave aren't they?" Pained, Eve whispers, her voice shaking, a glassy glow in her greens, a gentle drop of water cascading down her eyes.
"Not everyone. We'll stay I mean I can stay a few days to help you with your arm. Varric is already using his contacts and so is Sera using her red jenny to get some sort of new hand for you…" Calmly, I assure her.
"Fen…" Softly, Eve smiles touched from my words.
"Look I…we don't know what's going to happen all we know is we have to stop Solas". Sternly, I state the facts.
"Yeah…are you okay with that even if it means killing him…?" Eve questions me making me freeze in my steps, bowing my head at the thought.
"If I have to I will. For Dror's future." Coldly, I hiss out steeling my voice, no doubt he wouldn't hesitate to kill me so why should I hesitate with him? For all I know he could have another girl behind my back, I was nothing but a toy for him, to amuse himself with….
"You'll kill his own father?" Stunned, Eve gawks at me, her voice breaking.
"If his father proves to be a threat then so be it." Harshly, I state the fact.
"And what about you? Do you think you can bring yourself…?" Eve wonders pestering me making me grimace at the thought.
"We'll see on the day now come on." Snippily, I huff standing up, helping her up.
"Where are we going?" Perplexed, she furrows her brow.
"You'll see…" I smirk as I guide her over to a familiar blonde playing with his mabari, rubbing his stomach as I make my way over to the nearby shrubbery smirking down at both the giggling Dror and Varric.
"Cullen? Is that a…mabari? He's adorable!" Animatedly, Eve gushes at the sight of the barking mabari.
"They don't breed Mabari in Orlais. The merchant said he was abandoned. Perhaps his owners grew tired of the novelty?" Cullen tells her.
"Tire of you? With that positive attitude and fetching ability?" High pitch, Eve's voice reaches kneeling down pinching the cheeks of the dog.
"He's not supposed to fetch it." Huffing, Cullen mutters.
"I don't think you understand how this works." Giggling, Eve argues.
"Another Fereldan trapped at the winter palace- I couldn't leave him to that fate. Besides I think he likes me." Cullen confesses to her.
"Maybe we could take him to Fereldan when we meet your sister again that is well…." Excitedly, Eve beams only then to falter turning crestfallen as I note her green hues linger on her sleeve.
"I did promise my sister a visit. She might try to spoil you. Remember who you report to." Softly, Cullen reasons.
"Um that isn't…" Gasping, Cullen tries to fix the situation to reassure her only then to gasp as he attempts to fall to his knee for the stereotypical pose for him to gasp as he manages to trip on himself.
"Oh, Maker are you alright? You fell on your knees is it the lyrium or…" Panicked, Eve gasps kneeling down next to him.
"Maker…" Varric groans facepalming while I sigh at the lost cause…
"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Meekly, Cullen smiles up at her.
"Cullen I…" Bravely, Eve begins.
"Marry me." Abruptly, Cullen cuts her off making both me and Varric gawk alongside Eve, her green hues wide.
"What!?" Screaming, Eve squeaks back.
"I mean, will you…I had a plan and…and there wasn't a dog…there was Fen though." Panicked, Cullen rambles unsure glancing to the side.
"Mummy's not a dog," Huffing, Dror grumbles making me chuckle.
"I-I know that I just…. but you were…it doesn't matter. I thought of little else and I don't need a plan. Only to know if you would…" Sputtering, Cullen sighs.
"I would Cullen I will!" Eagerly, Eve beams brightly wrapping her arm around Cullen.
"Cullen are you sure? I mean with…" Scared, Eve falters reeling back, self-consciously staring at her stuffed sleeve.
"I don't care you are you Eve. You are everything I have ever dreamed of and I want to spend the rest of my life with you…" Earnestly, Cullen confesses to her.
"Cullen…Yes! I will! I will!" Tearfully, Eve's voice breaks sniffling.
"You will…" Relieved, Cullen smiles taking her loved hand and placing his lips upon her gloved fingertips.
"People will notice the inquisitor marrying her commander in the middle of the exalted council…" Concerned, Eve voices out.
"It won't go over well. But we know a few people who can keep things…secret." Slyly, Cullen turns to glance at us as I wave shyly while Varric peeks out through the green shrubbery, Dror peering through the shrubbery too.
"Hello!" Perkily, Dror waves his arm about.
"Well that went smoothly," Chuckling, Varric smirks.
"Making notes already Varric?" Teasingly, I arch a brow at him.
"Hey just because I'm a vicount now doesn't mean I can't still write books besides there always needs to be a happy ending to all this shit." Varric reasons as I give him a strained smile.
"Agreed." Pained, I smile nodding my head as I take back Dror in my arms, feeling his arms wrap around me clutching clinging to me as I do the same.
"Well that went better than Hawke's proposal…" Jokingly, I point out.
"Which one?" Playfully, Varric wiggles a brow.
"Take your pick my favourite is the Qunari attack." I confess.
"Now that was a good one." Varric agrees.
"Wait what!?" The two chorus as I shake my head.
"Don't ask now come on we got a wedding ceremony to do it." Smirking, I assure the two pushing myself off the pillar as I smirk looking up at Dorian, Vivienne, Cassandra, Cole and the others peering down at us as we get everything ready…
"Vivienne, I have to ask how did you get a dress under such a short amount of time." Impressed, I turn to the woman crossing my arms over the other as we watch on, for some odd reason Eve insisted I would be maid of honour. Awkwardly, I shuffle my feet back and forth as I notice the Mabari acting as Cullen's too as the others happily watch on, Cassandra, Dorian and Josephine behind me as the others watch on joyous.
"Experience my dear…" Proudly, Vivienne answers from afar.
"Just now. Everything feels like it was worth fighting for." Softly, Cullen smiles lovingly at Eve wearing a gown of snow white.
"It was." Tearful, Eve beams brightly.
"This is…" Bravely, Cullen begins.
"This is the part where you make a promise." Smirking, Mother Giselle inputs.
"Oh right. I swear unto the Maker and the Holy Andraste to love this woman the rest of my days." Cullen recites.
"Oh maker…" Tearfully, I turn my head to smirk at the sniffling vint.
"Wait are you crying?" Snickering, I raise a brow at both Cassandra and Dorian making me snicker.
"N-No!" Quickly, Cassandra rejects.
"Of course not." Sniffling, Dorian huffs.
"Bull…" I call out.
"On it, here Kadaan." Tiredly, Bull pulls out a familiar perky pink handkerchief.
"Thank you Amatus…" Grateful, Dorian sniffles using it to dab his tears.
"Aw Dror looks well cute look at him the little ring bearer…" Cooing, Josephine smiles as I smirk at my little boy, standing lookup at the tow adults holding a plush velvet ruby red satin pillow where resting are two bright golden gleaming bands.
"He is my son he does get his looks from someone." Smugly, I smirk.
"Modest as ever." Slyly, Dorian snickers making me roll my eyes.
"This coming from you." I remark as happily we watch the married couple share a sweet kiss, inciting the others to cheer happily for the couple as the celebration begins…
Fondly, I lie on the fainting couch as I watch on as the others celebrate, Dror nuzzled into my chest, my ears hearing his soft snores. I observe Vivienne and Dorian chattering amongst themselves, judgmentally watching the others no doubt as drunkenly, Bull snores on the floor alongside Blackwall and Sera, someone side hugging one another in their drunken haze. Fondly, I smile at the happy couple dancing still, in their own little world. However, that joyous moment is quickly ruined when my eyes narrow at the small steps behind me.
"If you have something to say say it." Grumbling, I glower looking up at a familiar harlequin leaning over me as I note Varric happily writing his notes as he then approaches Cassandra, passing over a certain book, making her eyes widen in joy at the book she had been longing for…
"They are going to know the truth…this anchor may have held them down for a few months before going but once they enter Tevinter, they'll see your true colours and see the real you…" Venomously, Raven spits into my ear making me grimace.
"I know…" Gravely, I whisper as smugly, Raven stands strutting over in her supposed victory." Tiredly, I sigh leaning over smiling softly. I note Eve's look of concern as I give her a fake smile, this is her day not mine, she's gone through enough as it is.
"Mummy? Are you alright?" Surprised, I turn to look down at Dror looking up at me.
"Of course I am sweetheart, I'm fine don't worry…" Softly, I smile at him, nestling my face into his raven roots blinking back the tears threatening to flow as I simply tighten my grip on my baby boy, watching the festivities undergo happy for the newlyweds.
After the events at the Winter Palace, elves left the Inquisition under mysterious circumstance as did elven servants across Thedas. None could say where they went but those who believed the Inquisitor's story about Fen'Harel wondered just how large the Dread Wolf's forces were…and what the ancient elven rebel had planned…
"My agents have found nothing. With the Eluvian he could be anywhere…" Sighing, Leliana confesses to Eve as she walks over to Eve, hunched over the map scowling at the map below.
"With the inquisition official disbanded we have no army, no formal alliance…" Sighing, Cassandra shakes her head.
"We have what we truly need." Eve assures the group.
"We will need to be careful." Cullen exclaims.
"Solas knows everything about us. Who we are, how we work, our strength and weaknesses." Leliana points out.
"Then we find people he doesn't know. We will save our friend from himself…if we can." Sternly, Eve declares as the others nod in understanding as Eve slams her dagger straight into the map before them straight at Tevinter.
"Mum?" Shakily, my hand clasps Dror's as we trek up through the mountains of Skyhold, the harsh cold winds blow. Protectively, I place my arm over Dror's cloak, keeping him sheltered within my own as he leans on me.
"Let's go Dror." Coldly, I order him as we continue our trek.
"Are we not going back…?" Meekly, Dror whispers hesitant looking back at the snowy Skyhold making me sigh bowing my head.
"No, we've done all we can. Come on…" Sternly, I tell him as silently, Dror nods his head complying and following me as we leave Skyhold and leave the inquisition.
And so the silver shroud continues her journey through Thedas, freeing any slaves she could find, seeking to write the wrongs of those she stumbled across while keeping low hidden under the veil of her silver shroud laid her child, a youth no one in the light of day would ever discover. Sometimes the silver shroud's dreams would haunt her, but she steeled herself, no matter the fight she had against the sleep slumber she wouldn't fall prey to it...
*So this is the end, what did you think of the ending? Of the book? Of Fennic as a character? Of her and Solas? Would love to know your thoughts!*