In A Manner of My Choosing
By Pyreite
Warning: This chapter contains coarse language and more slight voyeurism. Discretion is advised.
The Vallaslin of Fen'Harel
"They do not mind".
"I mind".
Ellana smacked the hand trying to cop a feel. She was naked, covered in a thin strip of fur, and reeked of sweat and sex. Her friends had seen more of her than she'd wanted them too. She was relieved they were willing to be courteous. No one was watching her bask in the afterglow, but Ellana knew they'd gotten an eyeful of her assets.
She had heard the Iron Bull's comments.
"Vhenan", teased Solas. "You are being overly self-conscious".
"Stop touching me!"
Solas chuckled. "Vhenan. I doubt there is an inch or two of you I have not licked, kissed, or caressed in my efforts to deflower you. My vallaslin covers you from head to toe. I could not have been more thorough physically or magically".
Ellana blushed.
"You said the vallaslin of the Evanuris were slave-markings".
"They were and still are".
Ellana frowned when he traced the line flowing down the bridge of her nose. It split her upper and lower-lip in two. The barbed prongs on either side resembled fangs. The jagged teeth continued to the corners of her mouth before splitting again. A wolf's shaggy cheeks followed the swell of her own to the slopes of her temples.
The lines intertwined to form a stylised half-circle around each eye. A final interlocking spiral, with more barbed prongs, framed the Mark of Fen'Harel. Solas recognised the pointed ears, long narrow snout, and maw full of jagged teeth. The symbol was archaic, from before the days of Arlathan, but still had the power steal his breath away. Solas was humbled by the idea that a childhood scribble could still have significance.
He smiled when Ellana asked the inevitable.
"What about your vallaslin?"
"I did not enslave my people".
"You didn't answer my question".
"Solas", called the Iron Bull. "Stop being an ass".
"Yeah", seconded Sera. "Ellana deserves a straight answer after all the shit you've put her through".
"She most certainly does", agreed Dorian. "Elven intrigues get old after a few thousand years. Do be a good sport and tell the Inquisitor what she wants to know".
Ellana heard the shuffling of their cards. They were playing a tenth round of Wicked Grace. Their backs were turned, but they were still eavesdropping. Ellana rolled her eyes when Sera placed another bet. Her fellow rogue added another pebble to the pile serving as their pot.
"I'll see your bet and raise you another rock 'cause I think Solas will make up a shitty excuse and run out on her again".
Bull nodded his great horned head. "Yup. Force of habit. Guys that can't commit always run off like a little bitch with their tails tucked between their legs. Gives us legit men in rewarding long-term relationships a bad name".
Dorian snorted. "We've only been together for six months, amatus".
"Hey. One night stands were my usual before I met you", admitted Bull. "Then I fell in love. And now I'm in for the long haul. Besides you're pretty loveable for a Vint".
"Of course I am", seconded Dorian.
"Yeah you are", agreed Sera. "For a magister. It's still weird that you have a fetish for iron collars, leather crops, and silk undies. Don't lie, Sparkler. I've heard the stories about you and Bull going around Skyhold".
Ellana rolled her eyes when Sera discussed Dorian's love-life. The explicit detail made her ears burn. She cleared her throat with a hoarse cough. Solas chuckled. He was more amused than offended when the conversation died down.
He still heard their excited whispering.
"Bull's right", insisted Ellana. "You owe me an explanation".
"You're welcome, Boss".
"Thank you".
Ellana gave Solas an expectant look.
He smiled with a flash of white teeth. "What about the Exalted Council?"
Ellana opened her mouth to reply.
"They can wait", declared Dorian. "This is more important".
"Too right it is", said Sera. "Two bloody years is too long a time to be worrying about someone. She thought you were in a heap of trouble and worse for months after you ran off. It was awful having to hear her whinge all the time. All I heard was Solas this and Solas that and Solas, Solas, Solas".
"I wasn't that bad!" complained Ellana.
Bull laughed. "Oh yes you were. You couldn't take two steps, for twenty four months after he left, without your ears drooping. It was hard to watch, Boss. You were like a sad little dog who'd lost her favourite bone".
Ellana averted her eyes when Solas smirked.
"You missed me".
"No I didn't".
"She's lying", said Sera.
"Vhenan", teased Solas. "You cannot win this battle of wit and will".
Ellana grimaced.
She didn't like being on the receiving end of Sera's taunts.
"Fine. I did miss you".
"Told you so", avowed Sera.
Elvish and Tevene Translations: Courtesy of the Dragon Age Wiki – Elven Language
Vhenan – Heart.
Vallaslin – Blood writing. A special dye used to tattoo the patterns, sigils, and so forth of various membersof the elven pantheon onto the face. Used by the Dalish elves.
Fen'Harel – The Dread Wolf – The elven god of Rebellion, Betrayal, and Trickery.
Arlathan – This place of love – The capital city of ancient Elvhenan.
Solas – Pride.
Amatus – A term of endearment used for one's spouse or lover. Likely means 'Beloved'.