CHAPTER 13
Ellana woke up in a room so bright that the glare of fluorescent bulbs momentarily blinded her. As her vision came into focus, she registered a red-headed human dressed in an aubergine tracksuit was peering down at her. Her mind raced as she tried to piece together what was going on, calming when she made out the metal edges of a hospital bed and the paisley pattern of a hospital gown. She was safe; the steady beeping of a heart monitor, a soundtrack celebrating her survival.
"Ellana? My name is Leliana," The woman said in a muted voice. The kind one might use with a child or injured bird. "I work for Orlesian Homeland Security. You are in a hospital. Do you remember what happened?"
All Ellana could manage in response was a raspy gasp. Gesturing to her dry throat, she was grateful when Leliana held a straw up to her lips. Taking a sip, Ellana felt the instant relief of fresh ice water. Whoever this Leilana was, she had a practiced bedside manner judging by the way she held the plastic cup at precisely the right angle for Ellana to drink with ease.
"Do you remember what happened, Ellana?" Leliana repeated in a lilting Orlesian accent.
"I was attacked." Ellana stuttered, replaying the memory over again. Flashes of gold light, a hallway full of blood-and a face. A beautiful but menacing face of a woman who had, with a wave of her hand, cast a powerful spell with ease. Magic? She reached up her hands to touch her chest where the blast had hit, the IV hooked into her veins inhibited her movements. Everything hurt.
"It was a woman-an elf. A mage?"
"Yes," Leliana continued. "She is a leader of a group of Elven fanatics. Her name is Andruil. She read your book." Leliana said as if carefully lining up the words, the pause between each short sentence focused and deliberate. "She is convinced you can help them locate religious artifacts."
"What could I possibly offer them?" Ellana responded skeptically. "I'm not an archeologist. I don't excavate sites-"
"My department is still figuring out the group's motivations. I don't know if her attack had much to do with you."
"She called me out by name!" Ellana insisted angrily.
"Yes, I understand," Leliana responded. "However, considering in Thedas you are the only elven scholar of Dalish artifacts, they probably assume you are a natural ally to their goals."
"Then why would she attack me? Asking seems easier," Ellana said, recalling the mysterious woman's riddle. She felt an itch, the same she had when digging through archival sources or puzzling at a picture, knowing that if she persisted just enough whatever song the object had underneath its surface would reveal itself.
As Ellana's glare deepened, Leliana's expression remained neutral. Still, Ellana couldn't help but wonder: What story was she trying to sell her?
Trying to concentrate, Ellana couldn't find the focus to analyze Leliana's motivations in detail. No doubt, glancing at the IV in her hand, she was pumped full of pain medication. She was about to ask another question when she was interrupted by a raven-haired doctor wearing maroon scrubs saunter into the room introducing herself, "Hello, Dr. Lavellan. My name is Morrigan. I am your doctor."
Ellana noticed that Leliana shuffled uncomfortably in her chair the moment that Morrigan started speaking. Turning to give her doctor her full attention, she was startled to find two amber-colored eyes, a shade she had never seen before, staring back at her.
"Twas very fortunate that Solas was there to stabilize your injuries on the way to the hospital." Morrigan began, "Otherwise, I do not think we'd be having a conversation right now, although judging from the wounds on your hand, you put up an admirable fight."
"Professor Fen'Harel?" Ellana asked skeptically.
"Yes, Solas arrived just in time to save you," Leliana interrupted. "He's been very concerned and hasn't left the hospital since."
"What now?" Ellana asked the two of them, ignoring their admiration for the neurologist.
"You'll have a security detail," Leliana said. "Plainclothes officers. You won't notice many of them, but my agents will be stationed outside your apartment and classroom, and follow you when you leave."
"Is that necessary?" Ellana detested the idea of her independence curtailed in any way. The arrangement seemed intolerable.
"Andruil is very dangerous." Leliana continued, "Really, we should be putting you witness protection. I suggested that but Solas-"
"You know him," Ellana said with a harsh realization.
"Yes, he's worked for my agency before-"
"Before we play more of the spymistress' games," Morrigan cut off Leliana with an uncharitable scowl, "You have some severe cuts and bruising, along with a few fractured ribs. You'll need to rest and take it easy. We'll need to start weaning you off the pain medication soon. It will interfere with the healing. I want to see you back here in a week for a follow-up."
"Thank you," Ellana said earnestly.
"Tis not me you need to thank, but Solas," the woman replied absently, picking up and making a few marks on her chart, before looking up with the same austere look.
"I'll bear that in mind," Ellana responded.
"I should leave you," Leliana said with an efficacious nod, "I'll be in touch shortly. We can speak more about Andruil when you are feeling better."
"I look forward to that conversation, Leliana," Ellana said with a warning which earned her a giggle from Morrigan.
"You're looking better than expected. I'll come back in a few hours to check on you again," the Morrigan called out as she too exited. "The button to call a nurse is on the nightstand. Don't hesitate to push it."
Alone, Ellana thought to watch the news on the television hung on the wall above her bed, but before she could locate the remote, or summon a nurse to help, she was pulled back to sleep again, the short conversation having exhausted her.
Ellana woke again some time later. Looking around, she realized she was in another room, one that resembled a home rather than a hospital. Pale green curtains were closed over the windows next to her bed. Judging by the level of light coming through, it was night. Panic set into her chest when she realized she didn't know what day it was. Had she missed class?
She was surprised to see Solas sitting in a chair at the end of her bed, a newspaper draped over his chest. It appeared that he had just woken up.
"Dr. Lavellan," he said groggily as he roused himself. Although he looked tired, Ellana couldn't help noticing that he was handsome in the dim room. He was sitting so close that she could see the light dusting of freckles on his pale skin, the cobalt blue scrubs, and surgical cap he wore, bringing out the deep color of his eyes.
None of that. She reminded herself, attempting to sit up, noticing that she was no longer plugged into any medical devices or IVs.
"I am glad to see you awake, Dr. Lavellan. I understand that Leliana stopped by to explain the circumstances to you?"
"Yes," she said before abruptly changing the subject, "What day is it?"
Solas peered down at a watch on his wrist. Ellana had expected it to be an expensive one, given the tailored suits he wore around campus. Instead, it was a heavy-duty gadget made out of black plastic, the kind that she had seen on survivalist how-to shows and deep-sea diver advertisements.
"It is Monday, just after three in the morning. Fortunately, there is one more day of vacation."
Ellana leaned back on a stack of pillows, her breathing calming once she realized that she still had a few more hours to rally before returning to campus.
"Surely, you aren't planning on teaching this week?" Solas observed, his voice barely managing to conceal his disapproval.
"I don't know if I have a choice," Ellana said. She was too tired to keep her anger up. Learning, also, that Professor Fen'Harel had rescued her made her feel more at ease with the strange man. Although she had spent little time with him, she realized with a small bit of shock, how kind he had been.
"I spoke with Morrigan earlier, she and I are old friends-'
"Along with Leliana," Ellana observed dryly.
"Yes, I have consulted with her on a few projects."
"Because you are a spy," Ellana said sternly. "Dorian told me."
"I was a consultant, but that was a long time ago." Solas chuckled. "Speaking of Dorian, I was wondering if you'd like me to call him so he could come pick you up when you are discharged."
"I couldn't-impose on him and Bull. I will take a cab."
"You shouldn't be alone-I've known the young man for several years, and I'm positive he'd be more than happy to pick you up."
Ellana shook her head. She felt embarrassed about needing any form of assistance.
"Is there anyone else that you can ask? Perhaps, I can drive you home-or Dagna if you prefer?"
"No, thank you, Professor Fen'Harel, a cab, will be fine."
"Are you always this stubborn?" Solas asked rhetorically. Ellana could tell she had worn away his patience, his usually aloof exterior melting away. "You were blasted in the chest by an Elvhen fanatic-one I happen to know from first-hand experience is extraordinarily dangerous."
He paused before continuing, inhaling deeply and exhaling as if counting his breaths.
"I don't mean to lecture you. I make the offer to help you while recognizing how capable you are. However, as a doctor, let me impress upon you that the fact that you are alive is remarkable. I have seen other, much more powerful mages than you die from similar injuries. All I am suggesting is that you accept a car ride from an anxious colleague who watched you narrowly escape death!"
His expression was stern as if to dare Ellana to challenge him.
"Barrier-spell," Ellana responded calmly. "All I did was cast a barrier spell at the right moment. The other mages that you spoke of probably tried something flashy."
Solas chuckled, his face softening, clearly amused by her brazen retort. "Is that so?"
"I have considered your recommendations, and perhaps I jumped too quickly to refuse your generous offer of a ride home." Are we flirting?
"Excellent, let me go speak with Morrigan, we can start your paperwork to have you discharged. I can't imagine you want to stay in the hospital much longer."
Before he could exit, Ellana sat up with a jolt. Turning to look back at her, he smiled when Ellana abruptly announced, "I'm sorry I need to use the restroom."
"I'll call a nurse," Solas said with the practiced clinical voice of a doctor.
"I can manage, only..." She gestured down to the thin hospital gown. She knew that it was mostly open in the back and that given the probable state of her clothes, she wasn't wearing anything else. Although, she had grown more comfortable with the neurologist-even starting to feel friendly towards him-the idea of him catching a glance of her naked bottom made her feel self-conscious.
"Ah," Solas said with a wry smile. He stood up, grabbing a folded pink terry cloth robe from the top of the dresser opposite the bed. Walking over, he held it out to her, one sleeve at a time, until it was snuggly around her shoulders. Ellana noted how skillful he was at guiding her into the cover-up without making any contact with her body, his eyes averted as she tugged the garment around herself. Tying the belt around her, she inched out of bed, stifling a few groans as her muscles rebelled against standing.
Solas paced a few steps behind her, ready to catch her if she wobbled, but she made it to the small bathroom towards the entrance, noting the sound of his footsteps exiting her room, hoovering a few steps out of the doorway to give her more privacy. He is a gentleman for all his arrogance.
Washing her hands, Ellana found herself facing a mirror for the first time since entering the hospital, she was startled to see her mangled face reflected back at her, the side where she had fallen, bruised almost behind recognition in a marbled pattern of purple and red. Her lip was split, and cuts went deep into her cheeks. It looked as if there had been a few attempts to suture the deeper wounds with tape, but overall she felt that she looked like a bed of hot lava.
Exiting the restroom. Ellana sink into the chair Solas had been sitting in moments ago. A sense of despair overwhelmed her. Seeing her injuries, however, transformed the horrible dreams of the last few hours into a lasting concrete reality. Despite her resilience, Ellana found herself crying. There is no way I can teach looking like this.
Hearing her gulping sobs, Solas rushed in, squatting in front of her. Between the slats of her fingers, Ellana could see him reach his hand up to touch her arm before pulling it back with a jolt.
"Dr. Lavellan, are you alright-should I get Morrigan?" He asked, the worry seeping into his usually calm cadence.
"No," she shook her head, her voice wavering as she got the words out. "I'm sorry, it's my face."
"Dr. Lavellan, I assure you-your injuries will heal…" Solas' voice trailed off. His expression perplexed.
"I'm sorry. You must think me terribly vain," Ellana whispered defensively, before choking on another sob. "It's just-I can already hear Roderick Asignon gossiping in the art history office about how the Dalish Professor proved how savage her people are, getting into a bar fight or whatever other malicious gossip he can dream up."
"Are the other professors that cruel?" Solas said softly, clearly shaken.
"Do you not believe me?" She demanded, her tears giving way to fury, "Surely, as an Elvhen professor, you too receive any number of side-comments-or worse the surprised ones when you complete a project with any competence."
"Yes, but I'm not…"
"Dalish." She finished for him dryly, a frown twisting her lips. "The regular elves are fine. After all, they know their place."
"I apologize, Dr. Lavellan. Truly, even if I am an elf, I had-have-little idea what it is like to experience such hateful words."
Ellana slunk into the chair, pulling her arms tightly around herself.
"If you like, I know a spell to heal the bruising."
"You would do that?" She said, shocked, observing the blue waves of mana that were already germinating from his fingertips. As a mage, Ellana knew that Solas' gesture was a generous one; her injuries were significant enough that the power needed to heal them would result in a week or more of fatigue.
It was one thing to offer her a ride home, another completely to give her part of himself.
Solas nodded with a smile reaching up towards her face, his fingers hovering right above the surface of her skin, moving from her forehead to her chin, the glimmer of magic prickled her nerves at first, but then soothed the ache. When he finished, she was surprised to feel him tuck a loose piece of hair behind her ear. As much as she didn't want to admit it, she liked the sensation of his touch.
"Ma serannas, hahren," Ellana said softly. Judging by Solas' wild grin, her words of respect had pleased him. Touching her face, she could feel her skin even and unbroken, the pain (at least from that part of her body) gone.
"I might suggest you try and sleep as I track down your paperwork, lethallan." Solas countered gently, their eye contact not wavering. The silence had been tense between them when she first woke up. Now it had changed shape, it was comfortable, if not pleasant.
"Yes," she said taking the arm he offered without protest. Ellana argued to herself she was too tired to do so otherwise, and that allowing him to lead her back into bed, and pull the covers up over her as she slid in, was the sort of thing that invested doctors did for all their patients.
Still, Ellana couldn't help but wonder about the man staring back at her. It made sense that he had treated her injuries on the way over in the ambulance. It would have been immoral for him not to as a doctor. Keeping vigil for hours in the hospital, sitting next to her bedside, and waiting to take her home-what could have motivated him to do so?
"I will stay for a while longer, if that is OK with you Dr. Lavellan."
"Professor Fen'Harel," Ellana interrupted him imperiously as if issuing an official edict in her classroom.
"Yes," He said as he looked back at her mournfully.
"You should call me Ellana. After all, we are colleagues."
"Thank you, Ellana." He laughed. Please, call me Solas."
Ellana didn't reply as she had already drifted back to sleep.