Presumed Interests

Ennaly did not have a great night's rest. She once again dreamt of the horrors she had seen in the twisted future, when she and Dorian were sent forth in time.

Bull and Varric, together with their spymaster Leliana, were glowing softly, tainted by the red lyrium they were forced to consume. They were standing around her with outstretched hand, reaching towards her. Behind were a thousand more red shimmering figures, all begging for her help.

She tried to, had taken Leliana's hand, but the moment the touched, the figured overran them both, were clawing at her, dragging her down…

She shot awake with a startle and a short gasp when her ankle moved, still in pain.

"Are you alright?" a quiet voice spoke from her side. It was dark, but the embers of the fire lit up the surroundings bright enough to see. Solas was sitting on a nearby rock, his turn to hold guard.

"I've been better," Ennaly replied truthfully.

"Your leg acting up?" he asked.

"A bit, but that's not the worst…" She looked around. Most of the others were sleeping soundlessly, but she saw Dorian also twisting and turning.

"Those things we saw, Dorian and I, you just don't forget about that easily."

It was supposed to be a simple distraction, to keep the Magister busy, while Leliana and her troops entered the castle. She just to take just a few companions inside. They decided that Varric and Bull were probably best to help with distractions. If it had been diplomacy, Solas and Cassandra were probably best suited, but that wasn't the goal here.

And then they were sent forward in time, forced to witness a future they could later undo. If anything, it helped them uncover the plan that this Elder One, whatever it was, had its eyes on the Orlesian throne.

"If you'd like some distraction, I can offer a tale," Solas suggested.

"Yes, please," Ennaly replied gratefully. "Anything you've got. Something happy, if you have."

"Of course," he said. He rose and sat down on a closer rock, so his voice wouldn't wake the others.

She saw his eyes glimmering in the moonlight for a moment and it made him seen oddly serene. He started a story about benevolent spirits helping the people around them, unaware of their positive effect. His voice was calming and the stories distracted her from her terrors. After a while, she again drifted back to sleep, this time without unpleasant dreams.


Their day's journey was comfortable enough. At times, there blew a chilly wind, but the grounds were firm and their horses had an easy time traversing. Loyally, every time when they either got on or off their horse, Bull was there to help Ennaly.

It was in the middle of the afternoon the next day that they arrived back in Haven. Scouts had already seen their approach and for the last part of their journey, Cullen and a few soldiers rode to meet them, like an honour guard, welcoming them back. The templar did look quite dashing on his large white horse.

She remembered meeting the Commander and how terrified she'd been in the beginning. He was literally everything her clan had always warned her about: a handsome, strong templar man, with all the abilities to cancel hers, that would drag her off to a life of imprisonment, when the circles still existed. But then, when he was talking to her, he'd sometimes stutter and blush, and that made her blush, and soon he didn't seem as intimidating anymore.

Leliana had already sent ravens ahead so he was aware on the large outlines. Back in Redcliffe, they had decided it was best if Ennaly travelled back ahead of the main group. It would ensure she wouldn't be overwhelmed by the mages asking too many questions to her, and would keep her mystique high a bit. It would keep the mages more focussed if she wasn't around, and they could help prepare Haven.

Ennaly was glad, because she did have a strange fondness for Haven. Almost all that were in Haven, soldiers, civilians, visiting nobles, seem to align with their cause, even if they might be apprehensive of her. Sure, she'd heard enough knife-ear and other racial slurs spoken, mostly when she wasn't looking, but they were in the far minority by now.

While riding, Ennaly and Cassandra informed Cullen on all that had happened. "They should be there in a few days, three if everything goes according to plan," she concluded. "They then need to settle in and prepare, so we'll be ready to take on the Breech in five days, possibly six."

"We'll be ready. We've already set up new tents and have increased our inventories. Josephine's been arranging the Lyrium as well," he replied.

"Good to hear," Ennaly smiled back at him.

The path narrowed, and Cassandra moved behind them. Cullen looked around awkwardly for a moment. They were finished with their official debriefing, but still had a bit of road ahead before they neared Haven.

"So, did you have a good journey?" he asked.

"Well enough, until the end," Ennaly replied, and told him about the battle and her injury. He seemed concerned. "It should be healed soon enough," she shrugged. "I've had worse, I'll be fine."

Cullen smiled at her, then dropped his smile as he remembered something. "Right," he started. "Josephine told me that there's some sort of Ferelden noble who wants to see you. Apparently, he has money and soldiers to offer the Inquisition, under the condition that he gets an audience with you, first. Well, me and Josephine will also be there."

"Great," Ennaly sighed. "I cannot wait."

They arrived at the Haven stable and their horses halted. Ennaly had pulled her good leg over her horse's neck, sitting side-saddle, when she realized that she couldn't jump down or she'd hit her foot on impact.

Cullen was the closest person around. Somehow, that made her nervous. It was odd how a simple thing like a touch could be considered so differently, depending on the person. She had never once been nervous when Bull helped her off her horse, all the times this day and the day before, but the thought that Cullen would help her felt very different.

He was already next to his horse and looked up to her when he realized she was still on her horse. He looked at her and seemed to realize the same thing as she. For a moment, they shared an awkward look.

"Got you, Boss," Bull's voice sounded, from behind them, and gently picked her up from the saddle. "Good ride, Commander," he greeted to Cullen.

Ennaly and Cullen shared a lingering look and Ennaly hated herself for wishing he could have helped her down, after all. The horses were tended by stable hands, so they could retreat back to their respective places.

With the help of her staff, she hobbled forwards.

"Did my eyes fool me, Boss, or did you actually want to be helped by Cullen," he spoke, soft enough so only the six of them could hear.

"Those looks have been going back and forth for longer," Dorian teased.

"Really Herald, Curly?" Varric replied, actually looking around. Cullen was still at the stable, chatting with the soldiers that accompanied them.

"Just go this his tent tonight," Bull said. "I sure made an appointment with that pretty stable hand just now."

"Really," Ennaly said, her voice higher than normal. "If we're all done discussing my presumed interests, I'm going to take a proper bath."

Cassandra gave her a small smile and continued onwards when they reached the steps to the walled village. Bull entered his tent. The four remaining companions went up the steps, Dorian assisting Ennaly, and at the top she said goodbye to them all, turning left to her own hut.

All Ennaly wanted was a bath and a nap. She had a few hours respite before she was forced to converse with whatever noble she needed to meet. She envied the others in her party, that could relax for the remainder of the days until the mages would arrive.

A bath was one of those Human habits she secretly loved. She always revelled in those areas where the Dalish took camp near hot springs, and a bath was almost like a portable hot spring. If the water cooled down, she could just use some elemental magic to heat it up again.

After a nap and a good bath, Enaly hobbled over to the "formal" dining hall. Well, formal dining hall sounded grander than it actually was. They had set aside a side room in the chantry for official affairs, that offered mor privacy than the public benches that were set up inside the chantry's main hall for most communal meals.

When it was nearing time, Ennaly took her staff for support again and headed out. She met Cullen, who had freshly cleaned his hair and combed it back.

"I don't think Lord Lewis will give us too hard of a time," he said, offering his arm for support to help Ennaly up the stairs. See? It doesn't always need to be awkward.

"He observed this afternoon's training, and seemed pleased. I think he's mostly just interested by you, so he can boast back home of having met the Herald. Not eh… Not that you're not actually interesting yourself, of course."

"Of course," Ennaly replied with a grin. They entered the chantry and took a seat in the dining room. When Josephine entered, she fretted first for Ennaly's staff, that she placed behind herself. It was too much a symbol of magic, perhaps they could place it in her office for the time being?

At the sound of footsteps approaching, Josephine panicked and stashed the staff behind the tall curtains, out of side. A second later, when Lord Lewis entered, she had made a full recovery to calmness and politeness, and introduced them to each other.

Cullen was right. It wasn't too bad. The Lord was polite and seemed to have a genuine interest in their cause. Ennaly had already told her story so many times, she knew exactly what parts to highlight and what parts to skip. He was pleased and would offer his help.

Ennaly knew this was her cue to leave. She and Cullen would deal with some official business, and she could best take her leave, meaning she wouldn't distract anymore. For a moment, she looked around for her staff, remembered it was behind a curtain, and resigned to just suck it up. Cullen shot her a worried look, but Ennaly silently emoted that it would be okay. She really didn't want to appear weak and mess with things just before the official business.

She rose, bade a gracious goodbye, and left the room. She'd get her staff back in the morning. Perhaps Cullen would bring it back on his way to his tent. He'd basically be passing her hut anyway. Now that was a thrilling thought.

The communal diner hours were over, which meant that most people left the chantry, either to go to the Singing Maiden, the tavern, or whatever shelter they had. She was surprised to see Varric and Dorian still sitting at the table, a card game between them.

"There she is!" Dorian exclaimed. They must have waited for her. For a moment, Ennaly was overcome with emotion. They cared enough to wait for her.

"Up for a nightcap before bed?" Varric asked.

"With you two? Always," she replied with a bright smile.

"Well, hop on then," Dorian said, turning her back to her, while Varric gathered the cards.

Ennaly stood in silence for a moment.

"I won't be waiting forever," Dorian said, looking over his shoulder. "It's dark outside and you'll just stumble again, and then both your feet will be injured, and… It won't be easy if we have to carry you all the way to close the Breach."

Ennaly grinned and hopped on. Laughing, they made their way towards Dorian's hut. Inside, they lit the fire and soon it was mercifully warm. Ennaly hobbled over to the bed in the corner so she could stretch out her leg while Dorian and Varric took a spot on the table, which only had two chairs. Dorian offered them a glass of some questionable liquid and soon they were exchanging stories.

"Herald, you have to tell us something about your younger year," Varric suggested. "You left us all hanging with your stories about dancing. Nothing you'd wish to share?"

Nothing but the stiff drink could have persuaded her to give in.

"Fine," Ennaly replied. "Understand that this was a half a lifetime ago, I was fifteen or sixteen, before I got my Vallaslin." She touched the purple lines on her cheekbones. "I felt rebellious, so I wanted to act out, as teenagers do."

Her keeper had just told her where a young clan member of them had gone too, that she hadn't seen for a while. It was too dangerous to have too many Elves with magic in their clan, for fear of possessions. So, a few of her clan had taken the boy with them, and they would leave him behind when they found a proper place, like a small village.

Ennaly thought it was barbaric and cruel and a fate worse than death. The keeper told her that at some point she needed to make these choices for the benefit of the entire clan, or face the consequences.

Dorian and Varric didn't need to hear that detail. She continued her story.

"Angry as I was, I took a hike through the forest, away from my clan. After a while, I heard the sound of an axe hitting trees. Staying hidden, I sneaked closer to take a look. It was a human boy, perhaps a little older than me at the time, gathering wood.

By that time, I knew the effect I had on a lot of human boys. Being the First of my clan, I was often taken along when we traded locally for goods, so I could learn the diplomacy needed to trade with humans. Often, there was human boys who would ogle me, some of them had never seen an Elf before, and must have thought I looked exotic." She stressed the word with disgust in her tone.

"Well, at the moment I saw this woodcutter boy, I knew what I would do. He was the strong type I'd read in stories, big, toned arms, his sleeves rolled up, his blonde hair in a ponytail. I let my hair loose and started to dance between the trees, letting him see little glimpses of me before I moved closer. I knew the tales of forbidden love between Elves and Humans and at that moment I deemed myself one of the Elven princesses from the tales.

The boy was enchanted. He followed my dance, and found me, in a little clearing near a small stream. He had never seen an Elf before, living in a small village away from the large cities, and he found me as exciting as I found him. We danced under the moonlight and it was really quite sweet.

I didn't tell any of my clan, of course, but we met up more times than just that once."

She had a broad grin on her face from the memories. It had been a while she had been thinking about it.

"What happened then?" Dorian asked, and that broke Ennaly's short-lived reverie.

"We… We moved away," she responded. "I never saw him again."

Dorian made a disappointing sound, but Varric just laughed.

"I'm wondering now what his story is, sitting near the campfire and telling his friends," Varric responded. "Who would have thought, our Herald, an Elven Enchantress!"

"Please don't repeat that anywhere," Ennaly said softly, partly regretting sharing the tale. "It feels like memories from a different person."

It had been, in a sense. Those events were a turning point in her life. Because while they did meet up multiple times, Ennaly didn't tell it was exactly because of her that they moved away.

Bren. That had been his name. She and the boy met up a few times, making love, sharing tales, sharing food. The hours they spend together were one of the best ones, carefree in their youthful innocence. But then, at their fourth meeting, other human boys had followed.

She and Bren had just made love, they were laying side by side, naked, laughing at each other's tales. They had been so enamoured with each other they lost themselves in their surroundings.

Three human boys approached and they noticed them when they were too close. She wasn't quick enough, she jumped up but they grabbed her.

"We wanted to see if you were lying, Bren," they yelled. "About the Elven maiden."

"I didn't lead them here," Bren cried, as they also held him, looking pleadingly at her.

She and Bren struggled to get free. While Bren was strong and muscular, the others were just as strong, all of them doing manual labour, and he couldn't escape the grasp.

She was scared to use magic, her Keeper always said to be careful, because the consequences could be worse than the action, if templars were send after them. So instead, she tried to pry herself free, but being much smaller and never much trained in muscular strength, she didn't stand a chance.

"What she does for you, she can do for us," they jeered. One of them held her arms behind her back, while the other reached out to touch her.

Well, she didn't have much choice at that time. She was able to wiggle one hand free. A force pulse erupted from her palm, the two men pushed away by the impact.

All five men were staring at her in fear. She could only imagine how they saw her: naked, slender, her hair long and loose, waving around her in the energy of her power, fire erupting from her hands.

The boy that was in front of her, touching her, was on the forest ground. There were bloody cuts all over his face. The others, too, had a few bloody cuts on their face.

"She's a witch!" one cried.

"She's an enchantress!" a second added.

Bren touched his face, and looked at the blood on his fingers after touching one of the cuts. She had never wanted to hurt him.

"You - you seduced me," Bren spat at her. There was fear on his face.

"No, Bren, I didn't," she cried, stepping closer. "I'm sorry -"

"Get away from me!" he screamed, pulling back his arm. There was disgust on his face.

She turned around, and ran away.

It was hours later, in the evening, when one of her clan members found her, naked, cold, bruised, and brought her back.

She wasn't the first of whom something like this had happened. She got a good scolding from not following the rules and not having learned from the stories. Some wanted to get back and raid the little village, murdering the boys who did this. Ennaly begged them not to. It would only lead to death.

Instead, they moved away. Two weeks later, her bruises had faded, she had cut her hair shorter, even though it had since grown back, and she received her Vallaslin. It was truly the start of her adulthood, and she learned from her experiences.

She only partly listened to the stories Dorian and Varric were telling, and shortly after, she fell asleep.