In A Manner of My Choosing
By Pyreite
Warning: This chapter contains coarse language and crude references to bits of elven anatomy. Discretion is advised.
Mine
"You said that ancient elven slaves wore vallaslin", declared Ellana. "I bear the Mark of Fen'Harel. Your mark. It is vallaslin too. If I am not a slave than what am I?"
Solas kissed her shoulder as he helped her dress. The emerald lines etched onto her skin were unlike the vallaslin of the elven pantheon. Most adorned the face, but some were tattooed on the throat, shoulders, and spine. The vallaslin of Fen'Harel lacked such modesty. It flowed over Ellana's chest, back, arms and legs, and hands and feet to the tips of her toes and fingers.
Any elf who saw her vallaslin would know to whom she belonged.
Solas was comfortable with the idea.
"My consort".
"What?"
"You heard me, vhenan".
Ellana donned her small clothes. They were moist but salvageable. Her breast-band was in worse condition. It was a tattered mess thanks to her lover's impatience. Solas had been determined to stake his claim.
"You ended our relationship two years ago", she reminded him. "You walked away from me. As far as I'm concerned. Today was a simple goodbye. We've had our fun".
Solas slid an arm around her waist. He gripped her hip and stepped forward until the small of her back nestled against his belly. He towered over her by a half-a-head in height in and out of his armour. He did not intimidate Ellana. She held her head high as she pulled on her stained undershirt.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"You returned to me".
"I did", confirmed Ellana. "Now I have to leave. Dareth shiral, Solas. If you don't mind. I have an Exalted Council to attend".
Solas's grasp tightened. He buried his face in the nape of her neck and inhaled deeply. Her hair smelt of wild-flowers. He frowned in confusion. There were no flowers in their meadow, only green grass, and patches of broad-leaved weeds.
"Nae".
Ellana tugged on his wrist. "Solas. I have to go".
"You are not going back there".
Ellana tried to pull away from him. Solas held her tight. She struggled as he laced an arm around her shoulders. His eyes glowed a fiery grey-blue when a shadow loomed over them. He looked beyond his paramour to the grey-skinned giant blotting out the sun.
"You can't keep her against her will", rumbled the Iron Bull. "Sex is one thing, but a relationship is something else entirely".
"She is mine", growled Solas. "You will not take her without a fight".
Dorian plucked Ellana's breeches off the ground. He dusted them off and straightened the rumpled hose. He ignored the irate elven apostate. He approached Ellana with a smile and handed over her pants. He complimented Solas with a waggle of his eyebrows.
"You have a fabulous arse and fantastic legs".
Bull scowled.
"Stop complimenting the man".
"You were looking too, Bull".
Sera rolled her eyes.
"Andraste's flaming butt-cheeks. Solas, if you're going to argue with Bull, at least do it when you've got your smalls on. Your dangly bits are distracting. Ellana and these idiots don't mind, but I do. You don't have enough tits on your chest to interest me".
She gave Ellana's breast-band a dirty look.
"Sera!"
She snickered when Ellana hastily covered her chest.
"You have a great pair of boobs for an elf".
"Maker's breath!" cursed Ellana. "Will you please turn around!" She glared at the Iron Bull and Dorian. "That goes for you two as well! I will not have an audience while I'm getting dressed!"
Sera pouted.
Bull chuckled.
Dorian give her a courteous Vintish bow.
"At once, madam".
"Dorian!"
He had the cheek to wink.
"I thought a bit of sex might loosen you up, darling. Maybe you need another demonstration of your dear Solas's affections. I'd offer to help, of course, as any gentleman would. Alas I'm not inclined towards bedding nubile elven ladies. I prefer my bedmates, big, manly, and in possession of an impressive rack of horns".
"You know it", seconded the Iron Bull. "We Tal Vashoth are just that damned sexy".
Dorian smirked and turned his back on her in a flourish of white silk.
Ellana groaned. "I knew I should have left you lot in Val Royeaux".
Sera giggled as she turned away. "Fat chance of that. We're your friends, Inky, and you're stuck with us for life".
The Iron Bull followed suit only after Dorian elbowed him in the side.
"Give her some privacy, amatus".
"Fine", grumbled Bull. "But just so we're clear. I'm not into elves. They're too small and fragile. I'd break one in half if I was too rough".
Dorian snorted. "You are such a liar".
Bull shrugged. "Hey. I was Ben-Hassrath remember? Lying is part of the job. You're just mad that I'm better at it than you".
"I am not".
Bull grinned. "Yes you are".
"I am not!"
"Now who's lying?"
"Bull!" hissed Ellana.
"Sorry, Boss. I'm turning around now. See? There we go. Oh and Sera's right. You have great tits".
Solas laughed into Ellana's shoulder. He had missed this easy-going banter in his days away from the Inquisition. He was glad that his beloved had such good friends. They were showing more patience and restraint than he would have thought them capable of. Sera, Dorian, and Bull had taken wonderful care of his consort in his absence.
He was glad for with this unforeseen change.
He didn't have to be alone anymore.
"Let us dress, ma vhenan. And then we will discuss what to do".
Ellana was annoyed by his presumption.
"I am going back".
"We shall see", countered Solas.
"This isn't up for negotiation!" snapped Ellana. "Bedding me does not give you the right to decide what I will and won't do! We're not bonded, Solas! You're not my husband! I will do what I want whether you like it or not!"
Solas frowned. "You forget, vhenan. You wear my vallaslin. My agents will welcome you. The Qunari spies will not".
Ellana grimaced. "It doesn't matter!"
"You will be in very real danger", insisted Solas.
"You never cared before!"
Solas cupped her chin and turned her face towards him. He peered into her eyes. He smiled when she glowered. She looked so fierce under the vallaslin of Fen'Harel. The twisting emerald lines suited her defiant spirit.
"I was a fool", admitted Solas. "Now my eyes are open. You are mine, vhenan. I will break the world thrice more before I lose you again. Unlike the Evanuris, I do not make the same mistakes twice".
Ellana was unamused when he kissed her.
"This argument isn't over".
"Oh", agreed Solas. "I know".
"You are an arrogant ass!"
Solas laughed. "Did you just figure that out now?"
Ellana refused to dignify his question with an answer.
Elvish, Tevene, Qunlat Translations: Courtesy of the Dragon Age Wiki
Vhenan – Heart.
Solas – Pride.
Dareth shiral – Safe journey – A Dalish farewell.
Da'len – Little one.
Ma vhenan – My heart.
Nae – No.
Fen'Harel – The Dread Wolf – The elven god of Rebellion, Betrayal, and Trickery.
Evanuris – The mage leaders of the elves before the Fall of Arlathan. Banished by Fen'Harel.
Tal Vashoth – True grey ones – Those that turn away from the Qun.
Ben Hassrath – The faction that police the Qunari.
Amatus – A term of endearment used for one's spouse or lover. Likely means 'Beloved'.