In A Manner of My Choosing
By Pyreite
Warning: This chapter contains coarse language. Discretion is advised.
Dragons and Goodbyes
Sera prodded a slate-grey arm. The thick hand and clawed fingers were wrapped around the shaft of a Qunari spear. The Viddasala, poised to cast her weapon, was petrified in stone. Sera gave the statue's ample bosom a longing look. The snug breastplate and bodice left little to the imagination.
"Maker", sighed Sera. "Your women are gorgeous, Bull".
"They are", agreed the Iron Bull. "When they're not trying to kill you".
"I suppose you're right", said Sera. "You wouldn't have fun with them if they're trying to stick a spear through your back".
"Probably not".
Dorian rolled his eyes.
Sera snorted. "Are you jealous that Bull likes women too?"
"Hardly, Sera. Every man has eyes. Women are beautiful, it's true, but not every man appreciates them in the same way. Bull can look all he likes, but I know he won't partake. We trust one another, just like you trust Dagna".
"Yeah", mused Sera. "You're right, but you still didn't answer my question". She nodded to the petrified Viddasala. "I saw that look, Sparkler. You were beady-eyed with a furrowed brow and bristling whiskers like a pissy old tomcat".
"Maker's breath!" hissed Dorian. "I have a moustache, Sera. A moustache. I do not grow whiskers like a cat. Furthermore, I age like a fine wine. I also smell like a delightful bed of roses not a chamberpot full of urine".
Sera snorted. "You hoity-toity types can never take a bloody joke". She gave the irritable mage a hard look. "Stop being annoyed with me and listen. I know you're worried about, Inky".
"Oh", said Dorian. "Is it that obvious?"
"You were glaring at the stony Viddysally. If looks could kill she'd be dead ten times over".
"I have every right to be angry", he insisted. "She tried to kill my best friend".
"Inky's not your best friend", corrected Sera. "She's our best friend. Get it right, Sparkler. You're not the only one who thinks she's the crème de la crème. I'd jump off a bridge if she asked, not that she ever would, being the honourable shit she is".
"Ellana is a terribly good person".
"I know right? I feel guilty every time she frowns. Bloody spoilsport. I can't even play pranks anymore without getting twitchy. I can still have a good laugh at someone's expense, but I always feel bad about it afterwards. Thanks to her being a goody-goody".
"Congratulations", quipped Dorian. "You've found your conscience".
Sera scowled.
"That sneaky bitch! Making me feel ashamed for being a shit! I never wanted a conscience! I enjoyed making people's lives miserable with a cream-pie to the face! I'll have to disown her for this!"
"You won't", declared the Iron Bull. "You love her too much".
Sera's lip curled, but she didn't curse. She pouted like an unhappy child. "Yeah. I do. She's become more than my friend. She's part of my family now".
"Mine too", seconded Dorian. "She's a lot nicer than my mother. And more respectful than my father. She cared about me, not her own reputation, when the rumour-mill started churning. I will never forget the look on Mother Giselle's face. It was priceless".
He shared a conspiratorial grin with Sera.
"Yeah, she's pretty damned special for an elfy do-gooder".
"She is", agreed Dorian.
He glanced across the meadow, searching for Ellana. His eyes widened when he spied the Iron Bull instead of their mutual friend. He stared when his lover deliberately flexed his pectorals. Muscle bunched and coiled beneath Bull's grey skin. Dorian barked a reprimand.
"Amatus! Stop distracting me!"
"You like it", teased Bull.
"Of course I do!" grumbled Dorian. "That does not make it appropriate! We are trying to have a serious conversation about-Don't flex your arms! Venhedis! Stop pretending you're deaf!"
Bull grinned and rolled his burly shoulders.
"You're a horrible person".
"I'm not the one drooling, Kadan".
"I am not drooling!"
Bull made his pectorals dance again.
Dorian groaned.
"Oi!" hissed Sera. "Get a room!"
"Oh we will", promised Bull. "After the Exalted Council". He winked at Dorian. "You know the rules, Kadan. It's business before pleasure".
"I hate you".
"Liar".
"Fine!" griped Dorian. "I still love you, but I think you're being a despicable ass right now".
"Kadan", called Bull. "Stop thinking about my ass".
"I am not-Vishante kaffas-Shut up!"
Sera pouted when she heard Bull's rumbling laughter. "It's not fair", she whined. "Bull and Sparkler. Inky and Grumpy-baldy-butt. Everyone has their sweetheart, but my Widdle's back in Skyhold".
Ellana smiled. "Actually, Sera". "I think it'll just be me and Fen'Harel soon enough. I don't think Solas is coming with us this time. Are you?"
She turned to her lover and extended her hand.
The spirit of Fen'Harel bared his fangs. His guttural rumble shook the earth. His myriad red eyes glowered balefully. He snarled when Solas took a step towards Ellana. His warning was stern when he snapped his formidable jaws.
Solas paused still as stone.
"I love her as you do".
The wolf-spirit was just as possessive as his elven counterpart. He turned a gleaming red eye on Ellana. He slapped a massive black paw onto the grass between them. His talons, curved like scythes, gouged the earth. His meaning was clear.
Solas's smile was tinged with sadness.
"He will not allow me to go with you, vhenan".
Ellana frowned. She glanced from her lover to her guardian. She moved toward the spirit's paw. It was as large as a baby dragon and covered in silky black fur instead of scales. Ellana laid her hand upon the blunt top of a claw as big as she was.
"He needs to atone for what he's done".
Ellana gasped when that gargantuan paw slid backward. She was taken by surprise, fingers scrabbling, and feet dragging. She clung like a burr until the abrupt motion ceased. Ellana tentatively set her heels on the ground. She stared at the furrows dug into the earth.
Her spirit-friend had upturned grassy swards, small shrubs, and a tonne of rubble.
The scar in the dirt, cut in a perfect half-circle, ended at the Viddasala's petrified feet.
"Andraste's flaming knicker-weasels!" exclaimed Sera. "Look how he tore up the ground!"
Dorian exhaled shakily. He took a wary step backward. He flinched when a heavy hand landed on his shoulder. A frantic look and he sighed in relief. He was glad that Bull (and not some shady spectre) had caught him unawares.
"Kaffas!" cursed Dorian. "You gave me such a fright!"
"Sorry, Kadan", apologised Bull. "You are a little jumpy".
Dorian gestured to the destruction caused by Ellana's spirit-friend.
Bull shrugged. "I've seen a dragon do worse".
"You and your bloody dragons!"
"Hey! Dragons are powerful creatures! They can burn cities to the ground!"
"So can a horde of rampaging darkspawn led by an Archdemon!"
Bull snorted. "Archdemons are not dragons!"
"They are so!" argued Dorian.
"Says who?"
"History! And more recently the Hero of Fereldan! He battled an Archdemon about a decade ago! It was during the Fifth Blight! It had wings, breathed fire, and was covered in scales! Ergo, it was a dragon!"
Bull sniffed haughtily. "Archdemons are old gods corrupted by darkspawn. They take the form of dragons, but that doesn't mean they are dragons. There's a difference. Darkspawn couldn't get within a foot of a real dragon without being roasted alive".
"Fasta vass!" swore Dorian. His moustache bristled as he opened his mouth. He was prepared to argue his cause. Bull could be so pigheaded. Sometimes he needed a stern reminder about the way the real world worked.
The Qunari were renowned for being narrow-minded.
"Ma falon!"
Dorian recognised that exasperated tone. His mother sounded the same when she was annoyed too. He glanced at Ellana. He grimaced when he saw her scowling face. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright, and her vallaslin was glowing.
"Sorry. I get snarky when I'm nervous".
Sera snickered.
Dorian gave her a dirty look.
"That's what you get for interrupting an important conversation".
"Sera!" snapped Ellana.
Sera raised her hands in supplication.
"Sorry your, Waspishness. You can get on with your goodbyes now. Us mere mortals will shuffle our feet and be obedient snotty-nosed brats. It's not like we're your friends. We haven't been waiting for you for three bleedin' hours either!"
Ellana blushed. Sera was right. They had waited patiently whilst she'd reunited with Solas. Their passionate tryst had lasted for more than an hour. Ellana was a little worn out.
"Ir abelas".
"Whatever", griped Sera. "I'll be waiting for you at the Eluvian. Hurry up and send baldy on his way. I think your beastie's right. You're better off without him".
Ellana watched Sera walk down the flight of stone steps.
"I think she's right you know", seconded Dorian. "It might seem strange, but that wolf of yours is trying to protect you. Solas was our comrade, Ellana. He's not now. He proved he was our enemy when he threatened to turn us to stone".
Solas had the decency to look guilty.
Dorian snorted. "It's too late to feel bad about it now. The deed is done. I will never trust you again. It is best, for all our sakes, that you leave Ellana alone".
He followed Sera down the stairs too.
Bull swung his great-sword over his burly shoulder. The steel sang as it was sheathed. He shared a single understanding look with Ellana. A simple nod conveyed all he needed to say. He ignored Solas and offered her a calloused grey hand.
"It's time to go, Boss".
The spirit of Fen'Harel barked his agreement.
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 falon – My friend.
Ir abelas – I am sorry.
Kadan – Where the heart lies – Used by Qunari for someone they care about.
Amatus – A term of endearment used for one's spouse or lover. Likely means 'Beloved'.
Kaffas – Shit.
Vishante Kaffas – You shit on my tongue.
Venhedis – A Tevene swear word.
Fasta vass – A Tevene swear word.