Dragon Age: Inquisition was probably one of the biggest clusterfucks she had ever played. She had initially started out as a human rogue, but after several times trying to explore the Hinterlands across several playthroughs, she realized that she hated it. Two handed warrior was out too and she absolutely loved playing as a warrior in Dragon Age II. She completely blamed Fenris for that, total fucking badass.
She then decided to give the mage class a shot and at first it was twitchy for her because she didn't deal much damage overall, but she finally found a rhythm to the flow of battle and she fucking excelled like the badass she desired to be. It got even better when she chose the Knight Enchanter specialization that was essentially the Arcane Warrior specialization from Dragon Age: Origins. The only difference was that she got to summon a spectral sword instead of wielding an actual sword like Spellweaver.
She had been watching videos on YouTube about the game and discovered that one of her favorite characters, Solas, was actually a powerful mage from ancient times known as Fen'harel, the Dread Wolf. She then discovered that the only way to romance him was to play as an elf and she really didn't like the body structure for the elven figure, but ultimately decided to at least try it a few times like she did the rogue and warrior classes.
For the longest time, she could not seem to get her avatar to look right before deciding to just base the features on her favorite two handed elven warrior from the second installment of the Dragon Age franchise. Talk about a fantastic decision! The silver white hair was exactly what she needed to make her elven avatar finally work though she did shoot for having the startling and vibrant blue eyes she had always wanted in real life.
She chose to play as a mage because of Solas himself. She wanted to relate to him in every way possible. Though she wished for an option where she could play a more open minded viewpoint, because she really didn't like how stuck the damn Dalish were in regards to their so called heritage and interactions with Solas in the beginning at Haven was like a fucking mine field. Even with looking up a damn dialogue guide, it was quite the harrowing experience.
She eventually got annoyed with how long it was taking to play through the game to progress the relationship, so she finally cheated and watched it on YouTube. She fucking bawled like a little bitch because she saw the exact moment when her beloved Solas chose not to continue their relationship. It was because her character did not know the truth about him, about her beloved being the so-called trickster god, Fen'harel, but she, the player, knew.
She returned to her game and finished playing it. She cried again because watching it in a video was one thing, but for her own character to experience it herself was just utterly heart wrenching. Things became worse with the Trespasser DLC and the return of her beloved Solas. The Lost Elf theme that played during the scene made the whole damn thing so much more impactful and don't get her started on the installment that came after.
Ugh, her heart was just all over the place with him. The kind of character you love to love and love to hate, either you want to kill him or marry him or both. She, personally, wanted to save his sorry ass from himself. She wanted him to be happy, but to also see just how amazing the world of Thedas truly was so that he wouldn't kill countless people by destroying the Veil. Yes, the Evanuris were a problem, but she actually had several ideas about how to buy more time and integrate magic back into the world without causing a motherfucking apocalypse.
Good grief, her beloved scholarly elf was so fucking stuck on the restoration of the past that he ignores everything else. He didn't ask himself the question of just because he can, doesn't mean whether or not he should. She would forever love her witty and charming Alistair and her love for the enigmatic and broody Fenris would never die, but if she had to choose someone that she had to devote all her time and effort to, then it would be the tortured soul that was her Solas.
Now how did any of that apply to what was currently happening to her… she was in Thedas. She woke up in the dungeon beneath the chantry, but she wasn't shackled. She did, however, possess the Anchor which meant that she had been at the Temple of Sacred Ashes. Her hair was now a silvery white and shaggy as opposed to her extremely short but not quite a buzz cut, dark blonde hair. Thanks to the reflection in a cup of water, she knew her eyes were an awesome shade of blue and after tucking some hair behind her ear, she discovered that she was an elf. Her ears were pointed, yes, but they were small and were not like the comically huge elven ears that she commonly saw in the game.
Leliana's behavior towards her was rather strange. She had suspected the good cop, bad cop thing was going to happen, but then it didn't. The former Orlesian bard had asked short and to the point questions. Like what her name was, Artz Lanaria, and what she remembered about the Conclave which was diddly squat. Cassandra had been another surprise. She was remarkably tame in comparison to her gaming counterpart and she had this look of sympathy in her eyes that didn't sit well with her for some reason.
Eventually the events of the game progressed and she was taken outside. Her first look at the Breach had caused her mouth to drop. The graphics of the game did not do it justice. The sickly green color and the sheer size of it was just nuts. When it expanded, the Anchor sparked to life but for some reason it didn't hurt her. In fact, it was like there was a constant thrumming in her hand and when the Breach expanded, her entire hand shook from the vibration.
That's when she realized that it wasn't the only thing that was thrumming like that. The Breach itself possessed that same thrum, but there was a different kind of thrumming flowing through her own body and she wasn't quite sure what it was. She wasn't able to focus on it because the Seeker had started guiding her out of Haven and she said something about her mate having left to study a nearby rift.
She wasn't entirely certain of the context for the word mate. Was it like her best mate as in a friend or a life mate as in a lover or spouse, though if it was the latter then she would have a lot of fucking questions and she already had a list going as it was. How did she end up in Thedas, how did she become an elf, was she dead back in her world, was her younger sister Anna okay or was she somewhere in Thedas too, what the fuck was she doing at the Conclave because she sure as hell wasn't a Dalish elf? She had seen her face and it bore no vallaslin of any kind.
She did call out to Cassandra before the bridge collapsed, managing to prevent them from falling which brought up another question. The Seeker didn't demand how she knew the bridge was going to get hit and simply said that they would use the debris to climb down safely and continue along the frozen river. After reaching the bottom, however, demons appeared as they did in the game and Artz hastily looked around for a weapon. The weapons crate nearby showed a staff on the ground.
Mage, she was a motherfucking mage! She went to reach for it but for some reason, her instincts told her not to. She turned as the demon roared. She threw out her hand and the thrumming inside of her became like a song. Out of her palm shot a fucking real ass fireball except it was blue instead of the standard orange. Her body was practically serenading as she shot more fireballs. What a fucking rush?! Did all magic feel like that because that had been fucking awesome.
"You should use a staff since I cannot protect you myself." The seeker suggested, causing the future Inquisitor to let out a derisive snort.
"Staffs are nothing more than glorified walking sticks; cumbersome, unwieldy, and just always in the way…well for me at least. That's not to say there is anything bad about using one. It's just not my style. If that makes any sense." She rambled, giving the Nevarran royal a sheepish look.
"Understood." Cassandra acknowledged before they continued on their trek towards the temple.
Artz was really beginning to worry. Between the nonexistent pain from the Anchor to this mysterious mate that the Seeker kept referring to, it had her dreading her initial contact with Solas which was ironic considering that his given title was the Dread Wolf. The duo heard sounds of a battle as the Anchor sparked, indicating a nearby rift. They crested the hill and just like in the game, both Solas and Varric were fighting off the constantly spawning demons.
For a moment, she couldn't look away from the Dread Wolf's battle. His lithe body and fluid movements belied a history of combat, years of experience in fighting with magic. Every twirl of his staff executed with absolute precision, the barest minimum of effort expended at any given time. He really wasn't holding back either, laying all the cards out for all to see which was very different from the Solas she knew. That Solas had been hiding his true abilities and powers, but this Solas seemed to be telegraphing it so loudly that she was sure that even Tevinter had picked up on it.
A demon approached him from behind and the magic within her screamed. Her hands shot up like Piper's hands from Charmed and the demon was hit with an explosive force that took a chunk out of it. The blast caught Fen'harel's attention and he immediately finished it off. She joined the fight properly then, tossing fireballs and using something akin to a fire whip. She battled back to back with the Dread Wolf himself, the two moving around each other like they had fought side by side for their entire lives. One motion following into the next and always in perfect sync. It felt so surreal yet so completely right too.
Once the remaining demons had been dealt with, Solas guided her to the rift and took her left wrist, making the blood rush to her face and turning her cheeks a lovely shade of pink. Now was not the time to be physically attracted to the man that had already broken her heart too many times already!
"Quickly, ma vhenan, before more come through." He urged, throwing her mind into chaos.
Ma vhenan?! Solas was her motherfucking life mate?! What the hell was her life right now?!
The Anchor connected to the diminished rift, but she couldn't figure out how to close it. She looked to Solas for help, hoping he would know what to do.
"Picture it in your mind, ma lath, like a sewing needle. Weave the threads of the Veil together and pull them tightly until it is sealed shut. I have faith in you, my love." He instructed, his eyes holding such warmth that it felt like she was going to swoon at any moment.
She closed her eyes and focused on the image of sewing a hole close in a piece of fabric. Somewhere in the back of her brain, she wanted to make the Veil thinner to allow small amounts of magic to filter through but keep the spirits from being forcibly drawn into this world. There was a brief spike of power and then the rift was gone, the Anchor quieting for a moment.
"It would seem, ma lath, that you hold the key to our salvation." He spoke softly into her ear.
It sent a shiver down her spine but in a good way and she became hyper aware of how he was holding her. He was pressed against her back and his arms were wrapped around her, but his grip was gentle like that of a doting lover. She turned to look at him, wondering what was going on.
"Varric Tethras, rogue, storyteller and occasionally unwelcome tag along." Her favorite dwarf introduced, regaining her attention.
"Wait, Varric Tethras, as in the best selling novelist in Orlais, author of Swords and Shields and if so, when's the next chapter coming out because you totally left it as a fucking cliffhanger, you little Dalek." Artz commented, internally cursing at her usage of the word Dalek.
The crossbow wielding storyteller took it in strides and didn't even comment on the strange word.
"A fan, eh? I hadn't planned to continue it but close that hole in the sky and I'll finish the whole damn serial." Varric proposed.
"You got a deal, Weaver!" She agreed happily, noting the look of relief on the seeker's face but was gone almost as fast as it appeared.
"Weaver?" Solas questioned, still close to her ear.
For fuck sake's, Solas!
"As in weaver of tales, ma fen." She answered, testing his reaction.
The smile that appeared on his face made butterflies erupt in her stomach. He nuzzled her neck, placing a kiss at the pulse point of her neck.
"I am yours, vhenan, and I do so love chasing you, my beloved snow fox." He replied huskily, a predatory glint in his stormy eyes.
Her breath hitched as her pulse accelerated, heat flooding not only her cheeks but in between her legs as well. Cassandra made a noise of disgust.
"I'd say get a room but…" Varric began.
"We must go, ma lath. Come." Solas stated, guiding her down the embankment.
"I would love to, but the dwarf and the Breach are motherfucking cock blockers." She mumbled.
The Dread Wolf tilted his head back and laughed rather heartily, making her stare at him. Tears pricked at her eyes as she relished the sound of his laughter, this single moment of genuine happiness. He noticed the wetness in her eyes and immediately took her face into his hands.
"There is no need for tears, my love. Breach or not, we will have more happy moments to share together. This I promise to you, my heart." He vowed, every word ringing with sincerity.
She didn't care if he was lying or not, and she wasn't sure if this was all just an act to better aid his plans to tear down the Veil. Her emotions overwhelmed her rational mind as she dragged him to her and placed her lips firmly against his, but instead of keeping it brief and chaste, Solas deepened the kiss. He pulled her fully into his arms and gave her a thorough and proper kiss that left her wanting more. He placed another kiss on her lips, a gentle promise.
Cassandra's cheeks were rosy from watching their little moment and even Varric had a light dusting of pink on his cheeks as well. The Dread Wolf took her hand and helped her jump down to a frozen stream next to the embankment. He then guided her to an iron deposit. He raised her right wrist, the top of her wrist bracer facing towards the ore.
"Clench your hand into a fist, my love." He instructed.
She did as she was told and a blue light projected out of the gem on the bracer. It scanned the ore and when done, there was a brief flicker and the iron deposit was gone.
"What did you do?" She asked in wonder.
"I did nothing. The credit is yours and rightly so. You created the runic formulas necessary to collect objects and items of all sizes, densities, and forms. You've grown quite the collection of herbs, minerals and treasure from our travels." Solas informed smiling softly at her with pride in his eyes.
"You do not remember your own creation?" The seeker questioned, eyes narrowing in suspicion.
Thanks for throwing her under the proverbial bus, Solas.
The Dread Wolf's smile became a sad one and it broke her heart.
"No, Seeker. She would not remember. When I was tending to her after the explosion at the Conclave, I discovered an injury to her head. She had been bleeding internally with no visible exterior wound. Had I not healed her when I did, she would have been dead in less than two days. Amnesia of this nature causes the brain to forget a great deal or very little. In fact, I doubt she recalls even a single memory of me or am I wrong, ma vhenan?" He explained, looking at her with such pain filled eyes.
Her eyes filled with tears again and this time, they fell. He took her face into his hands once more and brushed away her tears.
"Ir abelas, ma fen. I didn't want to…" She trailed off, unable to finish the thought.
"There is no need to apologize, my love. I remember and that is enough. Instead we will make new memories and this will give me the chance to win your heart this time. You captured me so completely the first time and so swiftly that it's laughable. Now it's my turn." Solas replied, the sorrow now clashing with hope.
"Well you're off to a good start." She commented, bringing a smile to his face once again.
"We must go…now." Cassandra demanded, looking as if she wanted to shed tears herself but turned away so that a certain dwarf wouldn't see.
Solas knew that the woman who was soon to become the Herald of Andraste was very confused and he could not blame her. All of his words and actions thus far have undoubtedly thrown her into chaos, but he needed to make her understand that he was not the Solas she knew from her world. He was different and there was a reason for that, quite a few reasons. The Dragon Age series may give her an edge, but the knowledge he possessed of what was to come vastly outweighs that.
In fact, he was going to attempt to gain the position of Inquisitor if she would allow it. He would not go against her wishes nor would he try to control her actions in any way. He had tried that before and it resulted in her death long before the Breach was ever sealed. He has tried so many times to keep her by his side and accomplish his goals, but it was impossible to do so, at least by his own actions. The closest he ever came to succeeding was when he chose to listen to her suggestions and ideas.
The way she saw the world was incredible and the way she could interact and utilize the Fade and its denizens was beyond anything he had imagined. Using the Fade to reflect her desires, to call the spirits she needed to succeed in every endeavor, and mold the Fade completely by the strength of her will… remarkable. It was during one of the last time lines that she finally revealed what she had kept hidden from him…the Dragon Age games, brief windows into events that granted her so much knowledge.
She had used this knowledge in every timeline, sometimes with success but other times with disastrous consequences. The time lines where he had manipulated her into taking a certain path still haunted him. Those times had resulted in terrible things happening to her and around her and would commonly end in a horrific death or a long life of torment, usually at the hands of the Evanuris. He has watched her die so many times and in so many ways, each time carving deeper and deeper into his heart and spirit.
Every lifetime spent with her was not enough for him. Even after so much time, he has yet to truly understand what drives her. Not once has her spirit been dominated, not a single person had been able to conquer her. She had been beaten, raped, manipulated, tortured, and forced to participate and witness terrible atrocities but she never surrendered. The Evanuris had enjoyed the challenge she had presented, especially Andruil. She had used him to torture and rape his beloved, but Artz's eyes never changed.
She was always happy to see him and she openly taunted the self proclaimed goddess of the hunt so many times, calling her out about not being good enough to break her and having to rely on others to save face. Andruil's rage was fierce and swiftly rendered, but it just gave his beloved more ammunition against the ancient elf. Eventually the others of their kind had to intervene in order to prevent Andruil from outright killing her, but it did not stop her from killing him which activated his spell.
Blood magic was sacrificial by nature and its potency was amplified if the blood used for the spell was from the caster. Every time his life was ended, the spell to extract his essence and displace his past self would activate. The first time he had done this spell was when he had awoken from Uthenera a second time, having destroyed the Veil and the Evanuris. He had been so confident that he had saved his people, only to awaken and discover the terrible truth.
His people had become the very monsters he had sought to save them from. With both their magic and immortality returned, they had easily conquered the other races or wiped them out entirely. Humans were the slaves, not a single one was free. The vallaslin was enhanced to force complete obedience, making them prisoners within their own minds, and it was made stronger in each new generation. The slaves were actually born with their markings. It was commonplace to breed the humans in large groups to insure the largest number of births.
It was sickening and the spirits he loved and cherished so much had been enslaved too. Almost all of them being forced to take a physical form, their purposes warped to suit their master's despicable desires. The elves had become vile beasts without any honor or kindness. The light within them was gone and it was his fault. He destroyed the world a second time and how he wished he had listened to her so long ago. Artz had told him that things needed to change first before bringing down the Veil, otherwise the need for vengeance would drown everything else out.
He had given her an indulgent smile, and argued that the elves would never sink to such levels of depravity. He remembered the forlorn look in his beloved's eyes. She had worked it out, her ability to map out probable futures had allowed her to see what he had refused to. He was grateful that she did not live to see this future for it would have broken her heart, but then his own heart had been broken when he witnessed the rise of two human sisters.
They were twins though they looked nothing alike. The older twin had crimson red hair and vibrant blue eyes while the younger twin had chocolate brown hair and brilliant purple eyes. He soon discovered that the redhead was Artz reborn and the brunette was the one she had called her truest believer, Anna. They possessed the memories of another life, the life they had lived in a parallel world, and their will overcame the vallaslin. The two working together became what he had once been, the leaders of a rebellion.
They became Fen'harel, the Dread Wolves of this world. They wore the title as a badge of pride, giving hope to their allies and instilling fear in their enemies. He revealed himself to Artz who almost killed him, but managed to stop when she recognized his voice. She did not tell him how she knew him, but did welcome his aid. Her sister had been overjoyed to meet him, going so far as to hug him. He revealed to them what he had done and they forgave him. He had been completely unprepared for their easy acceptance and actually lost his temper, demanding how they could simply accept that he had destroyed the world not once but twice. He was the reason that they had been reborn as slaves since birth. He simply didn't understand them at all!
They let him rant and rave and just get it all out of his system before he collapsed to his knees and wept, shedding the tears he had never allowed himself to shed. They wrapped their arms around him and held him close, neither saying a word and simply accepted him. He did not deserve their acceptance, their forgiveness, or their friendship, but he selfishly took it anyways and helped them overthrow their elven overlords.
When the last elf had been captured, a majority of the rebellion wanted to execute them. To wipe every last stinking elf off the face of the planet, himself included, but Artz and Anna refused to commit genocide, saying that it would make them into the very monsters they had fought so hard against. They became the voices of reason as a new age was ushered in, but as Mythal before them, they were betrayed and murdered, along with the rest of elves that still lived.
He barely managed to escape and found himself once again within the remains of his former home, Skyhold, though there wasn't much left at this point. It was here that he discovered Abelas and the other sentinels from the Temple of Mythal. It was through them that he learned the spell to displace his past self, using what power he had collected during the previous lifetime to alter the fabric of creation. It could not change everything but it did allow him to mold quite a lot.
When asked why they had been researching this kind of spell, Abelas revealed that Mythal had encountered an Artz from a parallel world. She was known as the Star Child and was the founder of a powerful order known as the Blood Guard. Her seeress, Yuel, had foreseen the destruction of their world, but did not know how it could be saved. Her visions had simply shown multiple lifetimes being lived by the Dread Wolf and that he, alone, could change what will be.
Solas had been so arrogant to believe that he could save the world himself which was why it took countless lifetimes for him to realize the truth. He was meant to live through the variations of the time stream to guide the person that could actually save the world, Artz Lanaria. The ritual was fused with the very essence of his spirit and could only be activated by his own blood. To initially cast it without limiting how many times it could be reactivated, the life force of every living thing was used.
The millions of humans, all the animals, every single tree and plant, the ancient elves and Solas himself were drained of all life. The first time doing this had ended in disaster. He hadn't worked out how to really change anything and it ultimately resulted in Corypheus winning. The next time, the Blight destroyed everything. Another time ended with Artz being made Tranquil which utterly destroyed him and he actually wiped out the Inquisition in retaliation, an act he felt terrible guilt for.
So many times he has failed, so many times he tried to do it right, so many times he shattered her heart, so many times his own heart was destroyed, so many times that everything went wrong, and the one time he almost got it right…he couldn't do this anymore. His heart couldn't take it. One more time, he was going to try one more time and then he would destroy himself for good, leaving the damn world to sort itself out on its own.
Although they were battling spirits warped into demons, he found himself enjoying the battles. Perhaps it was the fact that Artz fought by his side, matching his rhythm and creating a seamless flow between them. They seemed to have harmonized this time, something that had never really occurred in the previous lifetimes. Was it because he had used so much of his previous power to create a mating bond between them? She was still free to find another mate for he was her secondary mate, one supposed to be mated by choice and it was his own selfish desire that caused it.
He gave her the body fashioned to the specifications of an ancient elf, specifically with the potential of an Evanuris so that she could easily assimilate the Anchor and not lose her left arm this time. The choice of an elven body was to also avoid the taboo of multiple spouses. He had created a few tomes explaining mating bonds and the necessity of multiple mates, mainly as a means to insure procreation. It was a genetic trait found amongst all elves, but was rarely practiced due to the lack of knowledge on the topic, something he had attempted to share with the Dalish and was spurned for.
As for who was to be the instinctive mate of his beloved snow fox, he had a few ideas. One of them or should he say at the top of the list was the elven warrior Fenris that was currently wandering Tevinter. Artz latched onto him during one of the previous time lines and it had utterly destroyed her to let the warrior go and remain with him. A mistake he was never making ever again. It was possible that she would have other mates. There was usually one primary, four to seven secondary, and any number of tertiary mates. He hoped to not have to share her with too many too soon.
Upon reaching the forward camp, they encountered yet another rift. His heart fought alongside him once more and he could practically feel the song of their combined magic thrumming through his veins. He could so easily become lost in the glorious melody and he could almost hear the triumphant horns as the Anchor connected to the rift and the song faded softly after the rift was sealed. They passed through the gate and onto the bridge where the camp was located. Chancellor Roderick was arguing with the spymaster, Leliana, and he had to resist the urge to sigh. He had heard this argument so many times.
"As Grand Chancellor of the Chantry, I hereby order you to take this criminal to Val Royeaux to face execution." The weasel commanded and Solas stepped in front of the woman he loved with his entire being.
"Attempt to take my mate and I'll turn you to stone." He remarked casually, but his eyes were sparking with blue light.
Cassandra immediately raised her hands in a gesture of surrender, her eyes showing a small amount of fear. The seeker had witnessed him petrifying a soldier that had attempted to rape his snow fox while she had been unconscious. Then promptly shattered the statue into dust with a snap of his fingers before immediately returning to his love's side and using magic to give her a thorough check over. The Nevarran royal did not want a repeat performance.
"You would dare to threaten a member of the chantry?! Seeker, I order you to arrest this apostate and take them both to the capital for trial." Roderick insisted, fully expecting to be obeyed.
"Order her?! You're a pansy prancing about in a dress and squawking like an idiot when there is a giant ass fucking hole in the sky! Dude, you need to get your priorities straight!" Artz snapped, annoyed by the glorified clerk.
"You are the one that caused this in the first place!" The Chancellor yelled in outrage.
"Enough! Leliana, aside from the obvious route through the valley, are there any alternatives?" Solas interceded, wanting to move things along.
"The mountain pass and it would be safer than heading directly to the temple." The spymaster supplied.
"We lost contact with an entire squad on that path. It's too risky." The seeker rejected.
The Dread Wolf felt a tugging on his sleeve and turned to see his love holding onto his sleeve, a clear look in her eyes that said she had an idea.
"You have an idea, don't you ma vhenan." He stated rather than asked, making her cheeks tinge pink.
"We can't leave the scouts to die and those that have died, we owe it to them to bring back news to their loved ones. There's no need to sacrifice soldiers for a distraction, simply hold the line at any rifts they come across and I'll loop back around to close it before pushing on to the Breach, allowing for a larger force to be at the Temple in case everything goes to shit." She suggested, her grip tightening on his sleeve.
It was obvious that she was uncomfortable with expressing her opinion, mainly at the prospect of being rejected or upsetting someone which was why he wanted to become the Inquisitor to avoid as much damage to her naturally kind spirit as possible. Cassandra nodded with a slight smile on her lips, her expression one of approval. A similar expression appeared on the spymaster's face as well.
"I agree." The seeker approved, leaving instructions with the former bard.
Artz's posture relaxed, relief radiating from her aura. He took the hand from his sleeve and laced their fingers together, causing her cheeks to flush in response. He guided her past the still sputtering clergyman, enjoying his heart's bashful behavior. To see her innocence again, to feel it brushing along his damaged spirit was a balm he would gladly accept. So many lifetimes of pain and regret, to be at the beginning once more was wonderful.
They began the long trek up the mountain, the wind and snow whipping around them. She slipped in the snow, but a quick pull on their joined hands landed her in his arms. He frowned slightly at how little warmth her body was giving off. He surprised her by slanting his lips over hers, kissing her softly while pouring his magic through her mouth and teaching her own magic to mimic the warming spell he was using to regulate his own internal temperature. She sighed in relief and he took advantage of the opportunity to slip his tongue inside her mouth, deepening the kiss.
"Solas." The seeker snapped, breaking through his revelry.
He broke the kiss, mentally berating himself for getting carried away. She has only just arrived and does not know this version of him. She hasn't had the time to get to know him or have been able to put aside the memories of how his fictional counterpart broke her heart. He needed to slow things down and do this right. He couldn't bear to lose her because he couldn't be patient.
"It's alright, Cassandra. He was just helping my magic learn how to keep me warm. It required a more intimate approach so we didn't waste time trying to learn it the old fashioned way. Besides, just because my head doesn't remember, doesn't mean my heart has forgotten. He won't take it any farther than what I'm comfortable with. I trust him." Artz responded softly, her eyes revealing the truth.
She truly did trust him and that made his heart soar. That even now while surrounded by so much uncertainty and doubt, her faith in him has not wavered. He kissed her again, catching her by surprise which made her laugh in delight. She smiled up at him, eyes sparkling in happiness. The feelings bubbling up inside him were threatening to overtake him.
"All in due time, ma fen. Let's at least stabilize the Breach first." She scolded playfully.
"Stabilize it? You cannot close it?" The seeker questioned.
"I wasn't sure before, but now that I'm closer, I can sense it. At my current level of power, the best I'll be able to do is stop it from growing which will prevent any new rifts from forming and stop shit being spewed at us. I'm sorry, to do any more than that would require me to destroy not just my body but my soul as well." Artz revealed, "But if it will save Thedas, I will gladly destroy myself to see it done."
Solas immediately panicked, bringing her completely against him and keeping her in a tight embrace. He begged her in Elven to not leave him, to not destroy her soul, and if she did so then to let him go with her, that no matter where she went, he would always follow. He heard her gasp, her eyes wide in recognition. She pulled back to look into his eyes and unknown to him, his eyes had darkened to almost black. She beamed at him, her eyes shining with a light from within.
"I will live for you, my Captain." She spoke in Elven.
His eyes widened at the endearment, remembering the Artz that had become the Dread Wolf. She had told him of the Fourth Captain of the Blood Guard and what he meant to her. He kissed her again, deepening it once more and she let him, accepting everything he was willing to give. The seeker attempted to break up the moment and he did try to pull back, but his heart refused to relinquish him. She pulled him back and kissed him harder and more passionately.
Unfortunately there was a need to breathe, so they finally pulled away from each other, but the look in her eyes told him that this was far from over and he would gladly give whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted it. She pulled him up the hill and past their blushing companions. His thoughts were flying around at the revelation that had just rocketed through his being. She had named him, Her Captain, and that was something she would not have done so on a whim.
The Scourge of the Sea, her beloved dark captain, was a man she would always obey. Any order he would give her, she would always obey without question. Had she called him that in any of the previous time lines, he would have taken advantage of it and she would have been nothing more than a pawn, an object to be used whenever he saw fit, but in this lifetime, he would never be able to bring himself to do it. He loved her with his entire being, every part of him was hers, to do with as she saw fit and yet he knew that she would never abuse him, never use him like a slave or a tool.
Even now she was always taking his feelings into account and trying her best to make him happy if only for a moment, one brief shining moment. Hearing him laugh had brought her such relief and joy that she almost started crying. When she revealed that she had no memories of them being together, even though she would not have, she had shed tears of sorrow, experiencing pain on his behalf because of her lack of remembrance. No, this woman was too kind to simply use others like marionettes.
He was not looking forward to the peace talks at the Winter Palace. The Great Game was not something his snow fox should ever be subjected to and yet something about this current version of Artz seemed different. She looked dubiously at the ladders they were about to climb and actually backed up into him, glancing back at him in fear.
"There is nothing to fear, my snow fox. We will climb together. You will not fall, I will not allow it." He assured, watching the tension bleed from her form.
Like that…she trusted him in an instant. The other versions of her had always had some measure of hesitancy or doubt, but not this version. They began to climb and he made certain to stay pressed against her, moving as she moved in perfect harmony. Thus far he has only witnessed confusion and uncertainty in how to do something, but not once has she shied away from him as the others had done. Why was this Artz different from the others?
They climbed the next ladder and about two thirds up, a rung broke as she grabbed it with her right hand. She cried out in pain, the wood having sliced her palm, inner wrist, and half way up her forearm. He caught her and kept her steady. Unfortunately, he couldn't release the ladder without risking them both falling. He watched as she closed her eyes, took even breaths, and the wound appeared to reverse itself.
The blood retreated back into the wound as the splinters and shards of wood slipped out. Until finally the wound had sealed over. It wasn't entirely healed, but it was no longer at risk of tearing open, a line of raised flesh being the only indication that the wound had ever existed. He looked to her for an explanation, because that was unlike any kind of healing he had ever witnessed in any of the time lines. She smiled at him, her eyes tired.
"An obedient body obeys the mind." She whispered, her voice revealing just how exhausted she was.
He internally cursed, realizing that it was not the healing that was draining her. It was them…he, Cassandra, Varric, and all the soldiers they had been passing. He hadn't been able to sense it before, too lost in his own thoughts and feelings. She had been healing every person they had come across and doing so instinctively. Add in the constant battles, the heating spell, and the closing of the rifts…it was a miracle she was still standing.
He urged her to continue. He needed to get her out of the elements for a few minutes. Their bond would allow him to transfer some of his magic into her body to replenish herself and he would never subject her to the effects of a lyrium potion. Reaching the top, he ordered her to stay back until they could clear out part of the mine shaft. He knew of a small room along the way where they could take a brief respite which had the seeker squawking.
"My mate is in no condition to move on, her mana stores are dangerously low. If she tries to close a rift in her condition, it will render her conscious and possibly into a coma." He snapped, helping his love to sit down a nearby chest.
"Here. Give her this." The warrior ordered, pulling out a potent lyrium potion.
He heard Artz gasp and saw her staring in horror at the glowing blue vial. She moved away as the seeker attempted to give it to her, she almost fell off the chest. Solas grabbed the royal's arm and took the potion, setting it down on the nearby desk. He returned his focus to the terrified snow fox that was his heart. He took her hands in his as he knelt in front of her.
"It is alright, vhenan. You will not be the one taking it. Our mating bond allows us to transfer magic between us. I will give you my magic and use the potion myself to restore mine. And before you refuse because you're worried about me, I know how to break down the lyrium within my body to prevent any adverse effects." He explained, maintaining eye contact to convey that his words were true.
She searched his eyes, her vibrant sapphires filled with so much worry and fear and not for herself but for him. She finally nodded and he sat up straight while still on his knees. He brought their faces together and let their lips touch, breathing his magic directly into her body. He did not hold back, giving every drop he could spare without falling unconscious from mana exhaustion. How he wished his body was stronger, that he had the power of his foci to give to her.
She possessed the mana reserves of an Evanuris and she had been spending so much of it to heal hundreds of people, to soothe their hearts and minds, even helping the spirits retain a part of their original selves so that they could return to the Fade and not lose themselves entirely. She had been helping so much and didn't even realize she had been. By the stars, he loved this woman, this amazing and wonderful woman that viewed herself so poorly and so without worth. She deserved to be loved by so many and so much and he was going to make it happen.
He stopped the transfer and nearly passed out, falling backwards onto the stone flooring.
"Solas!" She cried out in alarm.
She was by his right side in seconds, lifting him into her arms and holding him close. She was crying and whispering apologies as the seeker unstoppered the potent lyrium potion and brought it to his lips to drink. He did so gladly, even though he hated the taste, and shuddered as his mana surged, filling his entire being with a crackling energy. He raised his left hand to cup his love's face.
"It is alright, vhenan. Your reserves were much lower than anticipated. You have been healing the soldiers we had come across on the journey and healing the spirits before they reentered the Fade so that they could retain their original purpose. You have saved hundreds of lives today, ma vhenan, both mortals and spirits. You truly are a goddess in mortal form, my love." He spoke, causing her eyes to widen and her cheeks flush a deep red.
"Are you okay? You're not hurt?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper and chock full of emotion.
He sat up fully and placed his other hand on her face, wiping away her tears with his thumbs.
"I'm okay, we're okay." He replied gently.
Recognition flashed through her eyes and he was curious about what memory his words had made her remember, but mattered little due to the beautiful smile that appeared on her face and her eyes filling with relief.
"Are you crying, Seeker?" Varric commented, making both elves look over at their companions.
Sure enough, the seeker of truth and Nevarran royal was trying hard not to cry.
"Of course not!" She snapped, making a sound of disgust as she left the room to check the immediate area.
Artz giggled, the sound a bit watery from her own tears.
"Thanks, Varric. I needed that and feel free to use this little scene for reference in your future books, because whether you believe it or not, you're actually quite good at writing romance novels. You've got all the basic elements, it just needs a bit of ironing out, smooth out the transitions, and up the feels in a few places and you'll be selling them like very scrumptious, frilly cakes in Orlais." Artz supplied.
"Oh, is that so? You wouldn't happen to be a fellow novelist by any chance?" The dwarf questioned.
"Publicized, no. No editor was willing to take the literary works of a second class citizen, but she is an accomplished writer. Once we return to Haven, we can show you some of our co-written works. She is a bit hesitant in revealing her personal works, especially after being rejected by every publisher in Ferelden, Orlais, and the Free Marches. We cannot go to Tevinter without becoming slaves and at this point, she cannot bear further disappointment so we decided not to journey to the Anderfels, Nevarra, or Antiva." Solas explained, watching her shoulders slouch in dejection.
"You leave that to me. I've got a few contacts that owe me a favor." Varric replied.
"As long as it's not your publisher because he's stealing from you. I wasn't kidding when I said that you're the best selling author in Orlais. They absolutely love your crime serials." She commented offhandedly before freezing in shock.
"You okay, Starshine?" The rogue asked, concerned.
"Ah, I know what the problem is. She is frightened because her magic has revealed information to her that combined with her gift of probability mapping and she spoke as if it were common knowledge. She is now scared of your reaction and what you and others will do to her when they find out." He explained, feeling her tense up in his arms.
"Oh that! Whoa, it's okay, Starshine. Chuckles already told us all about it and that's why you were at the Conclave. You were trying to warn the Divine of an impending attack while Solas was evacuating everyone he could." The storyteller said in a rush.
"So I had this ability before?" She mumbled.
"Yes, vhenan. Ir abelas. I should have told you before, but I am simply used to you doing it and I forgot. Please forgive me, my little fox." Solas apologized, cuddling her.
He felt her relax slowly into his embrace, nuzzling the underside of his neck affectionately. Warmth blossomed in his chest at the action, enjoying the innocent yet intimate movement from her.
"You are forgiven, always and completely forgiven, my beloved wolf." She whispered with absolute sincerity and honesty ringing in every word.
Pain slashed through his being as tears poured down his cheeks before he could stop him. Those words…those were the last words she had spoken to him in the last lifetime, the words that had utterly destroyed him so completely that he did not have the strength to continue on past the current timeline. It was at the very end, he hadn't listened, too impatient for it to finally be over, and it killed her. She had died in his arms, a slow and painful death as he apologized over and over, begging for forgiveness and she said those words.
Cassandra Pentaghast was many things, but she was not immune to her deeper emotions. She was a mighty warrior, a Nevarran princess, a seeker of truth, and the right hand of the Divine, but she was still a woman with a heart that feels. When she first met Solas, she had been extremely suspicious of him, but he seemed to be genuinely concerned with the welfare of their prisoner that he claimed to be his wife or life mate.
She finally agreed to allow him to examine her, only to discover that the guard they had left to watch her inside the dungeon was sexually accosting the unconscious elven woman. Solas's eyes crackled with blue light and she watched in horror as the man turned to stone right before her eyes. Then with a snap of his fingers the statue turned to dust. Within the next second, he was by the snowy haired woman's side and using his magic to examine and heal her.
Cassandra would admit to not knowing how to react to such an impressive display of magical power. She was offered a convenient exit when another guard arrived, informing her that Ragalyan, her lover had arrived. She ordered the guard to remain watch outside the dungeon and left to find the mage she loved more than life itself. Imagine her surprise when she learned that the only reason her lover was even alive was due to Solas and his mate, Artz.
Artz's magic allowed her to sense the most probable future, along with quite a lot of seemingly random information, but it was this ability that told her about an impending attack on the Conclave, on the Divine specifically. When Artz crossed paths with Ragalyan, she insisted that he get to Solas and evacuate with the others. He had refused, but she begged him to go on the grounds that Cassandra deserved to be loved and to not take that away from her.
Even though it had cost precious moments that might have been used to save the Divine, the snowy haired mage had cared for the seeker and her future happiness. The Nevarran royal had never been so touched in her life. She had actually cried, a fact that her lover had graciously hidden from the world by embracing her and holding her close to his chest. Ragalyan did not remain in Haven, even though he wanted to.
With the peace talks destroyed, new conflicts were already erupting across Ferelden and Orlais. His first stop was the Hinterlands, but beyond that was anyone's guess. There was so much to do and so few mages willing to do what was right and help the people caught in the middle of this mess. They had a set of sending stones so they could keep in touch and he called her every night to quote her a bit of poetry and convey his unwavering love for her.
The seeker of truth returned to the dungeon and removed the shackles, much to the male elf's surprise. She explained that he and his mate had been exonerated, now knowing that they had truly been trying to help the people at the Conclave. Solas apologized for not being able to save more of them. The leaders of the chantry refused to leave unless given a direct order from the Divine and neither the mages or the templars would leave for fear of being attacked by the other group.
Cassandra told him that he was not to blame and that he and his mate had easily saved over a hundred people; servants, scribes, stable hands, and the families of those that had remained had also been spared and all due to their selflessness. They did not have to journey from the Free Marches to the middle of the Frostback Mountains to warn them, but they did, they chose to help and that meant more to them, to her than could ever be said with words.
After stabilizing his mate, Solas volunteered to heal as many of the wounded as possible before heading out to study a nearby by rift in the hopes of understanding the Breach and the Mark better. She had watched him move from patient to patient, such attentiveness and kindness. He cared so much and all of them were strangers. When he had noticed the perplexed expression on her face, he asked what confused had confused her so much.
"You do not know these people, yet the way you treat them, so much compassion as if you truly do care about each and every one of them." She attempted to explain.
He chuckled and smiled at her good-naturedly.
"My mate's influence, I assure. I was not always so open hearted as I am now. She has a deep respect and reverence for life in all its forms. A respect she has instilled me and her ability to not only care but to forgive…simply extraordinary.
When I first met her clan, I was rejected for my so called heretical teachings. She was the only one that listened, that wanted to know more, to know the truth of her people and they exiled her for it, labeling her a traitor. Even stripping her of the clan name. She held her head high and left the clan without regret. When she learned that I could remove the vallaslin, she begged me to take them away, to remove shackles of her life before meeting me.
Exiled and shunned by the Dalish, treated like a monster for being a mage, and spat upon by humans that viewed her as nothing more than a slave or entertainment…it boggles the mind. I have no idea how she was able to remain so impossibly kind, how she could care for those that despised her, how she would offer a helping hand to someone that had just tried to kill her.
Before I even knew it had occurred, I was in love with her and I wanted to give her the world. Little by little, my heart opened more and when she told me about the attack the Conclave, I didn't hesitate. Whatever she wishes, it will be done. She's exactly what Thedas needs right now and as her mate, I will be her champion." He replied before returning to work.
Cassandra had held off her final judgment of the mysterious Artz until she could actually speak to her and in less than an hour of being in the woman's company, she completely agreed with Solas. The woman was impossible and a sassy little shit which it made quite difficult for the seeker to keep a straight face. When she had learned that Artz was suffering from amnesia, the royal had felt her heart break for the woman's mate.
So when Solas began kissing the snowy haired elf so passionately, she butted in, wanting desperately to protect him from himself. She did not want him to lose his mate because of his love for her overwhelming his rationality. Turns out she needn't had bothered. Artz obviously trusted her mate despite not remembering him and her instinctive reaction to when Solas nearly collapsed told her that the woman's heart still belonged to the man her arms.
The love they shared was so incredibly pure and it moved Cassandra in ways she had never thought possible. Then that stupid, insufferable dwarf had to see her crying. She had left the room to clear her head and now she was in over her head with several demons and at least two wraith. She was quickly tiring and a demon smacked against her shield, causing her to fall onto her back. Two other demons were poised to strike her and there was no time to dodge.
Her eyes widened in shock as the snowy haired elf covered the warrior with her body, a bluish silver barrier projecting out of her. The attacks were repelled away. Solas and Varric quickly joined the fight and managed to hold them off until Artz could get the seeker to her feet. The barrier fell and the two women joined the fray. Cassandra was surprised by how in sync their movements were with one another. Never before had she been so in tune with another person in her life. Within minutes, the battle was over.
"Oh sweet Maker, Cass, are you okay? Are you hurt?" The snowy elf gushed while scanning the warrior woman with her magic.
"Nothing a stamina potion won't cure." She answered.
"Solas! Do I have any stamina potions in my inventory?" The elven woman questioned, still quite worried.
Solas came up behind his mate and took her right wrist, making her hand swipe down. He pointed to something that the Seeker could not see. Then Artz tapped something and a stamina potion appeared in her hand from seemingly nowhere. She swiped up with her hand before handing the stamina potion to Cassandra. She drank the potion and let out a small sigh of relief, placing the empty vial into a pouch at her side.
Once the snowy elf was certain that the Seeker was in good enough shape to travel, they pressed onwards. They discovered the bodies of some of the scouts and her heart sunk, but forever the optimist that was apparently Artz, believed that the others were still alive and rushed forward with Solas quickly following behind. Varric followed almost immediately after and she watched their backs.
Sure enough, the other scouts were indeed alive. A rift was blocking them from leaving, so with their help, they took out the demons and Artz closed the rift. They didn't linger long because the snowy elf wanted to help their main forces reach the temple, so they took off in that direction. Fortunately there was only the single rift and Artz took care of that easily enough.
"Sealed as before. You're becoming quite proficient at this, vhenan." Solas commented, making his mate blush at the praise.
"I hope it works on the big one." Artz commented bashfully.
Commander Cullen Rutherford approached them while sheathing his sword, relief etched on his tired face.
"Lady Cassandra, you managed to close the rift. Well done." He congratulated.
"Do not congratulate me, Commander. This was Lady Artz's doing. She insisted that we circle back to close the rift to prevent further loss of life." The seeker corrected, gazing at the woman with pride.
Artz blushed deeply before going to hide behind her mate. Varric guffawed loudly at her actions and even Solas chuckled at her antics.
"Come now, Starshine. No need to be shy." The storyteller called.
"I was only trying to help." The snowy elf mumbled, burying her face into her mate's back in embarrassment.
"I hope they're right about you. We've lost a lot of people today." The commander commented.
Cassandra saw the elf grip her mate's clothing even harder and from her view, she could see the grief in her blue eyes.
"That's enough, Commander." The seeker snapped, surprising the former Templar, "Lady Artz has done all in her power and more to save as many lives as possible. She almost collapsed from mana exhaustion healing every wounded soldier we passed on instinct. Go and get your men and prepare for an assault on the temple!"
The commander scurried away to comply and she turned to Solas.
"I apologize for his behavior. He had no right to treat her like that." She apologized.
Artz peeked her head around her mate and blinked at her.
"Um, Weaver, did I just hallucinate because I thought I just heard Cass apologize?" The snowy elf asked incredulous.
"Nope, you heard right, Starshine." Varric confirmed.
"That just proves it. The world is officially coming to an end." Artz snarked, smirking at the seeker.
Cassandra couldn't help it, so she laughed at the absurdity.
"Oh no, she laughed! We're all gonna die!" The elven woman crowed at the sky.
Varric and Solas both laughed as they began to herd the cackling snowy haired woman towards their final destination, the Temple of Sacred Ashes. Somehow she knew that things would never get boring with that woman around. Cassandra sent a prayer of thanks to the Maker for allowing her to meet Artz, though she did wish it had been under better circumstances.