In A Manner of My Choosing
By Pyreite
Warning: This chapter contains coarse language. Discretion is advised.
Passing the Torch
Sera brought up the rear with a smug smirk on her face. She waggled her eyebrows at the Orlesian guards on either side of the broken door. A quick shake of her head stopped them from reaching for their swords. Sera whistled a merry tune and skipped passed them when Ellana strode forward. She was giddy with excitement as the crowd parted like two halves of an apple split down the middle.
"I bet you didn't expect to see us so soon", crowed Sera. She winked at the wide-eyed Divine seated between the Orlesian and Fereldan delegates. "Sorry we're late Vicky, but Inky had to stop a Qunari invasion. She could have let them kill you all, but she's not a sadistic bitch like Corifypiss. She wanted to save you ungrateful arseshats from another world-ending calamity".
Sera glared at the Fereldan delegate seated to the left of Divine Victoria.
"Yeah, I'm looking at you, Arl Tightarse Gunkface".
"Sera!" gasped the Inquisition's Ambassador. "Please! Such vulgarity is unnecessary even if it was said in my defence".
"Arl Arsehole threatened to have you shackled and thrown in a dungeon!"
"It was a jest uttered in a moment of distress".
"Horseshit! He meant every bloody word and you know it! Stop defending him! You're worth twenty of that stuck-up prat! He's not fit to kiss the ground you walk on!"
Josephine glanced at the red-faced Arl Teagan. The man was trying to contain his rage. The name-calling drew snickers from the crowd. Ladies giggled into their silk handkerchiefs. Men feigned fits of coughing to hide their laughter.
Josephine gave the Divine an exasperated look when she cleared her throat with a hoarse Ahem.
The twinkle in her eyes belied her stern expression.
Cassandra was amused by Sera's cheek.
"It was a poor choice of words", agreed the Divine. "I am certain Arl Teagan was exercising his concern for Inquisitor Lavellan's safe return".
Josephine bit her lip when the Arl's nostrils flared. His right eye twitched as his face purpled. The man resembled a snorting bull ready to charge. He struggled to rein in his temper when Sera smirked and her audience laughed. The people of Val Royeaux thought he was a fool.
Arl Teagan shot to his feet and brought his hands down hard on the dais before him. The resonant slam, like a clap of thunder, silenced the sea of amusement. The crowd quietened when the Arl bared his teeth. He opened his mouth to bellow a scalding tirade until Ellana interrupted him. Her harsh command made Josephine gasp, Sera giggle, and Divine Victoria smile from ear to ear.
"Sit down and shut up!"
"You dare!" spluttered Teagan.
"I did not give you leave to speak!" hissed Ellana. "Close that yawning chasm you call a mouth before you get yourself into more trouble". She nodded to those sharing the dais alongside him. "I beg your pardon, Divine Victoria. And yours, Lord Cyril de Montfort. I was delayed in returning to Val Royeaux due to unforeseen circumstances".
Arl Teagan sank back into his seat.
The laughter at his expense rippled through the crowd again.
Ellana's deliberate snub enraged him.
"Our dear Inquisitor is being overly modest", declared Dorian. He was quick to intercede on her behalf before the irascible Arl could vent his anger again. "Those unforeseen circumstances were armed with steel and magic. Both of which they used, frequently, to engage us in several bloody battles. We were victorious of course, due to our cohesion as a team, and our Inquisitor's leadership".
Sera cackled when Dorian gave Ellana an adoring look.
"Geeze, Sparkler", she teased. "Keep your shirt on. We don't need a repeat performance. Inky has impressive stamina for a girl. She's not even limping after that three-hour sex-fest".
Dorian sold the lie with a charming flush in his cheeks.
Bull rolled his shoulders and got the rumour-mill churning with a tired groan.
"You're not wrong. I can still feel the kinks in my back from all that twisting. Yeowch. I'm big not bendy. Flexibility is best left to Dalish women not their bedmates".
A hush descended upon the Exalted Council. The Lords and Ladies of Orlais and a dumbstruck Josephine gaped at Ellana. The Inquisitor shrugged her shoulders in a gesture of casual nonchalance. Divine Victoria's mouth fell open. A swift glance at Ellana's supposed lovers made her blush a charming cherry pink.
"That is why you were late?"
The Divine choked on her own spit when Ellana nodded.
"Fighting is thirsty work and almost dying makes a woman desperate to know that she's alive".
Ellana favoured Dorian and Bull with a shy smile.
"Without my friends I wouldn't be here right now".
Sera snickered.
Dorian smirked.
Bull winked.
Cassandra was red-faced when Cyril de Montfort proved to be more observant than most.
"That does not explain the markings on your face, or the presence of a wild wolf inside this chamber".
Several members of the crowd backed away when a large black wolf loped to Ellana's side. Some gasped and others gawked like children. Red eyes rolled, a pink tongue lolled, and white fangs were bared in a menacing snarl. Lord Cyril recoiled in his seat. Fen'Harel could smell his fear.
So full of false bravado. If I leapt onto the dais he would piss himself. I suggest you end his curiosity before I do. My solutions to problems, vhenan, tend to result in death. I was named the Dread Wolf for good reason.
Ellana sank her fingers into Fen'Harel's ruff. His thick fur concealed the nails digging into the nape of his neck. Ellana petted him as if he were a tame mabari. Fen'Harel, playing the part, calmed under her touch. He whined in pleasure when she scratched a hard-to-reach place behind a furry lupine ear.
Vhenan! Yes! Right there! Oh! That feels wonderful!
Ellana smiled and her touch gentled. She thought of Marethari and the choice she'd made. She smelt the sweetness of the wildflowers in the air again. She heard the lullaby her parents had sung to guide her home. Ellana hummed the familiar tune of an old Dalish melody.
A wild red eye focused on her.
You sing beautifully, vhenan. I wonder if you moan as sweetly too.
Ellana pinched a silky black ear.
Fenedhis! It was a jest! Ouch! Stop twisting my ear! Vhenan!
Fen'Harel's pained whine made Lord Cyril blanch.
"He was a gift from a friend".
"What kind of friend gives you a wolf?" asked an aghast Divine Victoria.
Ellana's face softened. "The kind that never wants you to be alone".
She looked Cassandra in the eye. They had been comrades once and friends too before her ascension to the Sunburst Throne. Ellana gave her a respectful nod. She had apologised for her tardiness and given an excuse. It was time to decide the fate of the Inquisition and her own before the Exalted Council.
"The Inquisition was formed to defeat Corypheus and close the Breach. We have achieved both goals and restored order to Thedas. I could disband the Inquisition, but I believe it is needed now more than ever. The Inquisition will serve as Divine Victoria's personal honour guard. We will answer to her as we transition from a military force to a peacekeeping organisation".
Ellana nodded when Cassandra smiled.
"The Inquisition will stand with you, Divine Victoria".
"The Inquisition", repeated Cassandra. "But not you?"
Ellana released Fen'Harel's furry black ear. She soothed his hurt with the tender stroke of her thumb. She heaved a sigh at the title Cassandra gave her. She had carried the hopes and dreams of the people of Thedas upon her shoulders for too long. It was time to relinquish that responsibility into hands more capable than her own.
"No", confirmed Ellana. "I will be retiring from service. A suitable successor will assume my place as the Inquisitor. I recommend Cullen Stanton Rutherford as a prime candidate. As a former Templar he understands the importance of the Chantry and the Divine to the people of Thedas".
Cassandra couldn't believe what she'd heard.
Neither could Lord Cyril.
Even Arl Teagan was startled by Ellana's announcement.
The audience of nobles, guards, and servants were stunned into silence.
"The time of the Herald of Andraste is over", said Ellana. "Once again I am just a humble Dalish elf. I bid you farewell. And I wish you all good health and a long life. May the Dread Wolf never haunt your steps".
She turned away with a final nod to the Divine. The crowd watched, full of apprehension, as she left the Exalted Council. Dorian followed her out. Sera did too. The Iron Bull moved towards Josephine, the crowd parting in his wake, as he ushered her toward the door.
"Come along, Ambassador. We're done here".
Josephine gave Arl Teagan a last parting look. "Yes. You are quite right. It has been a long and tiring day". She was flattered when Bull offered her his arm. Josephine accepted the gentlemanly gesture with a smile. She chatted with him as he led her away.
Divine Victoria watched the Inquisitor leave.
"She renounced her title", gasped an incredulous Arl Teagan.
"That she did", agreed Lord Cyril. "Though I doubt this is the last time we have heard of Lady Ellana Lavellan".
Cassandra wiped away the tears before they could fall.
"No it is not. Her legend will continue to grow as the Warden's did. I will miss her, but I am glad that the Herald of Andraste lives. I am certain the Maker has other work for her to do. If she must leave us now than it is only because she is being sent to do his will elsewhere".
"Is that what you believe?" asked Arl Teagan.
"With all my heart", replied Cassandra. "Ellana is just like the Warden. She was there, by the Maker's hand, when the world was darkest. She brought light and hope when many thought Corypheus would destroy Thedas. She closed the Breach and saved us all. If that is not a miracle, Arl Teagan, than how are we sitting here now?"
"You make her sound as if she were god-touched", concluded an awed Lord Cyril.
"Perhaps she is", admitted Arl Teagan. "Who are we to judge? Divine Victoria is right. Lady Lavellan was exactly what Thedas needed. She is overbold, but even I can agree that she is doing the Maker's will".
He frowned as the Inquisitor's pet lingered. The beast's tail wagged happily. Teagan wondered what magic the Dalish possessed that could tame a wild wolf. He had only ever seen a mabari welcome such friendship. The wolf followed Lady Ellana Lavellan silent as a shadow.
The beast paused in the broken doorway leading into the council chambers. Teagan was taken aback when it glanced over a furry black shoulder. Teagan's eyes widened when the wolf licked its chops. It seemed to be staring at him. Teagan swallowed nervously when its ears perked.
"Garas", called Ellana.
The wolf slunk off with a twitch of its shaggy black tail.
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.
Fenedhis – An elven curse, likely translated to 'wolf crap' or similar.
Garas – Come.