In A Manner of My Choosing
By Pyreite
Warning: This chapter contains coarse language. Discretion is advised.
Twice bound
Dorian frowned. He glanced between Solas and the gigantic wolf guarding Ellana. If her lover had refused to help her than who had saved her life? He swore when he realised the truth. Where Solas had fallen, another had stepped into his place.
"Fasta Vass!"
"Kadan?" called Bull.
Dorian pointed a frantic finger at the spirit Ellana had befriended.
"What are you squawking about?" demanded Sera.
"The vallaslin!" exclaimed Dorian. "Ellana's left hand! The stabilising of the Anchor! He saved Ellana's life when Solas wouldn't! It all fits!"
Bull gaped at the spirit dwarfing Ellana.
Sera followed his line of sight.
The wolf leaned into Ellana's touch when she scratched a thick furry black ear.
"Vashedan!" cursed Bull.
"Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit!" swore Sera.
"I'm afraid so", remarked Dorian. "We owe that creature a substantial debt. He's the reason our dear Inquisitor is alive".
Ellana's eyes widened. "The Orb of Fen'Harel". She stared at the spirit before her. "Solas said you were imprisoned inside it. I destroyed the Orb when I tore Corypheus apart with the power of the Anchor".
Solas sighed.
He understood her incredulity.
"Magic flows like water, vhenan. It cannot be destroyed, but it can be transformed".
Solas nodded to her hands bearing the emerald lines of his vallaslin.
"My orb was destroyed. The magic contained within it was not".
Ellana reminded him of a simple truth.
"I am not a mage".
"You are more".
Ellana stared at him.
"What do you mean?"
Solas gestured to her newest friend.
"You bear the Anchor and the Mark of Fen'Harel. My orb was both a prison and a foci. It contained him and focused my magic. The orb is gone and he remains. You are his Keeper, my love, as surely as you are mine".
The corners of Ellana's eyes prickled. She wrapped her arms around the spirit's broad black snout. She finally understood what Marethari had tried to tell her. Ellana embraced her friend and ally. Love bound them to each other as surely as it bound her to Solas.
"You saved me when he wouldn't. Ma serannas. I owe you my life". Ellana smiled as the tears trickled down her cheeks. "I won't waste the gift you've given me".
The spirit of Fen'Harel whined.
The lines of Ellana's vallaslin glowed with an otherworldly light.
"I won't let anyone hurt you", she promised. "Not the Divine, the Chantry, or the Templars. You're not evil. You're good and wonderful and mine. I'll protect you, always, until my dying breath".
Dorian grimaced.
"Divine Victoria won't like this at all".
Sera shrugged. "Old chainmail tits will get over it".
"Cassandra can fuss all she likes", concluded Bull. "It won't matter one bit".
"Of course it will!" insisted Dorian. "Something this bizarre isn't going to go over well with someone as devout as Cassandra".
"Not friggin' likely, but she won't start a war over it", snorted Sera. "It's not like Inky can go on being the Inquisitor with that wolfy-thing attached to her hip".
"Do you mean Solas?" asked Dorian. "Ow! Stop hitting me! Sera!"
"I was talking about the wolfy-spirit-thing not that bald bastard!"
Solas groaned. "I can hear you, Sera".
"That's a first. You ignored me when you were part of the Inquisition. I was just a stupid street-rat without a lick of sense between her pointy ears. Now who's been knocked off his high horse? Welcome to Humbleville you mouldy old, prat".
Ellana laughed through the tears.
"She's right. You're old enough to be my grandfather a thousand times over".
"I am not a lecher!" snapped Solas. "And it was a mutual attraction".
"Pfft", snickered Sera. "Says the man who's a few thousand years old. For all you know Inky could be your descendant. If she is than you just shagged your own thousandth great granddaughter. Which, smart-arse, would make you a lecher".
Solas grimaced.
Ellana blushed.
"Sera!"
"What?"
Her sly smile oozed innocence.
Dorian frowned. "Just stop. Please. You're making my stomach churn".
Sera grinned.
The Iron Bull chuckled. He was used to Sera's antics. She was naturally mischievous. She disliked Solas too. Bull stepped in to steer the conversation away from such an uncomfortable subject.
If Solas ever bred he doubted Thedas would survive.
"Well then the Inquisition will have to be turned over to Cullen or disbanded".
"I know", agreed Ellana. "I think it was inevitable. The current Inquisition is riddled with Qunari spies and Solas's agents. No one can be trusted outside my inner circle. I think Cullen would be an excellent successor".
"He's a seasoned commander", reasoned Bull. "And a veteran Templar".
"He is", agreed Ellana. "He'd also be the best equipped to deal with Cassandra".
"Venhedis!" swore Dorian. He gaped at Ellana. "You're going to abdicate your position as the Inquisitor!"
Ellana nodded.
"The Exalted Council will force me to step down once they learn I still have the Anchor. Solas is right. I'm a threat, Dorian. No amount of good I've done will change that. In order for the Inquisition to continue I'll have to leave it behind".
"You can't! Thedas needs you!"
"I've done my duty and served my people". Ellana ran her fingers through slick black fur. Her smile was one of relief. "Now I have to serve another. This beautiful spirit needs me more than they do".
Solas scowled. "What of me?"
"We had sex", said Ellana. "I think that's compensation enough".
"And if you fall pregnant with my child?"
"You were willing to cut off my arm", countered Ellana. "A baby would make us even".
Solas stared at her. "You would not take medicine to prevent conception?"
"Never. If the Maker blesses me with your child. I will accept his kindness. If not than I will lament the loss. And move on with my life".
"Vhenan", implored Solas. "We should stay together".
"Have you had a change of heart?"
"For you. Yes. For the future of my people. Nae. I cannot stray from my path".
"You always were stubborn". Ellana nodded. "If you can't compromise, Solas, than neither can I".
"Vhenan!"
"Enough, Solas. You will not have your way this time".
Ellana was unsurprised when her elgar'falon bared his fangs in warning.
A sharp snap of his teeth and a menacing growl made Solas flinch.
"She is as much mine as she is yours!"
The spirit of Fen'Harel disagreed.
Ellana was soon surrounded by a protective cocoon of black fur.
"I guess he doesn't like you either", giggled Sera.
Solas glared at her.
Sera poked her tongue at him.
The Iron Bull grinned. "You're free to join my band, Boss. The Chargers leave for the Storm Coast in a week. I could use an archer and a master locksmith. Your wolf's welcome too as long as he shrinks. Anything that big is going to draw unwanted attention".
"Amatus!"
"Put a plug in it, Kadan", reproved Bull. "The offer stands, Boss".
Ellana shared a look with her elgar'falon.
"What do you think?"
The spirit of Fen'Harel barked his agreement.
Ellana laughed. "You've got yourself an archer, Bull".
"Good. I hope you don't mind. You'll have to follow my orders".
"I'd have the best person in Thedas leading me".
"Aw, Boss", chuckled Bull. "You're making me blush!"
Dorian pouted. "I thought that was my job".
Bull's cheeks were purple. "It is, but she's being sweet".
Dorian have Ellana a dark look. "I'm sorry my, dear. But he's mine. Your sweetling is over there being a snooty arse. And you have a wolf-spirit too which is incredibly unfair".
"I know", said Ellana. "And I'm sorry too, but I did have to die to get both of them".
"True".
"Dorian", groaned Ellana. "Please stop pouting".
"I can't help it. I'm envious, Ellana. It runs in the blood. I am from Tevinter you know. We magisters are a jealous lot. But if you get me a mabari puppy I'll forgive you".
"Kadan", groaned Bull. "Dogs shit and piss everywhere".
"If I can teach you to appreciate fine Orlesian wines", said Dorian. "I can train a dog not to shit or piss on my horribly expensive Orlesian carpets". He nodded to Ellana. "You're still the Inquisitor. Get me the puppy I've always wanted and you'll forever be welcome in my family's estate".
"But elves are slaves in Tevinter", grumbled Sera.
Dorian jabbed a finger at Ellana. "What magister is going to clap her in irons?"
Sera grinned. "None".
"Exactly. He'd be dead before he could cast a spell. And that's if the wolf didn't tear him in half first. Which gives me a great deal of relief. I'm glad she's my friend and not my enemy".
"Me too", avowed Sera. "Me too".
Elvish, Qunlat, and Tevene Translations: Courtesy of the Dragon Age Wiki
Vhenan – Heart.
Fen'Harel – The Dread Wolf – The elven god of Rebellion, Betrayal, and Trickery.
Solas – Pride.
Ma serannas, ma elgar'falon – My thanks my spirit-friend.
Kadan – Where the heart lies – Used by Qunari for someone they care about.
Vashedan – Shit.
Amatus – A term of endearment used for one's spouse or lover. Likely means 'Beloved'.
Fasta Vass – A Tevene swear word.
Venhedis – A Tevene swear word.