Once the group had returned to camp, Daman left to deliver their prize to their commander. He had been angry with Ellana on the journey back. He told her she was reckless and that Lori was hurt as a result. In her view, he was just upset she had succeeded where he had been happy to fail.

Before Daman claimed them, Ellana had managed to inspect some of their findings. As well as maps of known and yet to be discovered elven ruins there was detailed analysis of elven legend, potential locations of artifacts and much more that she could not fully comprehend.

"He's looking for something and I'm pretty sure I know what," she thought, smiling to herself. "Nice to know we still have time while you look."

Although she wanted a world where her people no longer had to live in fear, she did not want hers to end too soon.

"What are you smiling about? You know you look creepy when you do that," Lis remarked, pulling Ellana from her thoughts.

"Nothing in particular." she replied as she wiped the grin from her face.

"You know you're a terrible liar? Well, apparently old men fall for it…but not me, I know you too well!" Lis nudged her and smiled.

"It was something stupid. Nothing important."

"Was it someone male? Sounds like an accurate description and it looked like that sort of smile…" Lis remarked, raising an eyebrow slyly.

Ellana shoved her. "No, it was not. Now shut up and let's celebrate!"

Lori and Garith had already opened some cheap wine in celebration of their victory. Ellana dragged Lis over to the bottles, picking one up for herself. The anger was boiling up inside of her again. She felt that way whenever she inadvertently thought of Solas. Lis's prodding certainly had not helped. It had been a long time but her anger had not diminished.

"The price of ignoring the issue for so long," she thought, grimacing.

Ellana had gotten quite adept at drinking and still maintaining some semblance of sense. Given how regularly her companions seemed to drink, she had been tested many times but her near constant fear of being caught still thrummed louder than the alcohol that hazed her mind. It was lucky she had such a strong constitution as by the time Daman returned it was the middle of the day and they were all thoroughly sloshed. He filled them in on the meeting with their commander while trying to catch up.

"The guy was so impressed with how we handled the old man and the little complication that he told his boss about us and he wants to personally thank us all for our work!" Daman said with pride. "We are to meet with him tomorrow just before dusk. We're going to get some sort of commendation I just know it!"

The boozy fog over Ellana's mind snapped back. She had no desire to meet anyone higher up or make waves of any kind. She was pleased for her friends but the fear of exposure consumed her.

She felt paranoia already sweeping in to her mind, "What if it's not just some commander? What if it's him? Damn you! You should have just left the map! You need to sort this!"

When Daman got up to get more wine, she approached him.

"Daman, who is our commander's commander? Who are we going to meet with?" she questioned in what she hoped was not a panicked tone.

"Don't worry, kid. It's just some guy. Take the compliment," Daman said in a bothered tone.

"I know but remember how we talked about how I…"

"Yeah, I remember. You don't want to meet the legend himself. I think you're crazy but whatever you say… Look, they asked for you specifically so you have to be there. It's not him anyway so what's the issue?" he interrupted, his clear discomfort doing nothing to abate Ellana's anxiety.

"But I don't…"

"That's an order!" He lifted his glass and laughed nervously, intending his statement to be seen as a joke but taken seriously none the less.

Ellana walked away, dejected. She had tried to mention as often as she could that she did not want to meet with any top agents and especially not Fen'Harel himself. She had spun some rubbish along the lines of 'never meet your heroes'. It was a ropey explanation but she had hoped her insistence would be enough. It clearly had not worked. She retired to her tent, hoping none of her brothers and sisters had picked up on her sour mood. She knew they would need to leave soon but she needed some rest. She did not want to face what was to come without a clear head.

The journey had felt longer than it was. Ellana had tried to avoid conversation but Lis, as she always did, ensured she failed. After all this time, Lisette felt she knew Vala well. She rarely appeared anything but happy to the untrained eye but Lis could tell she was haunted by something. She never asked, figuring she would talk when she was ready. There were days when she noticed Vala found it difficult to hide. Today was one of those days and Lis did everything in her power to help Vala hide her dread from the others.

They arrived at the location Daman had described shortly before dusk. As they proceeded through the wooded area it quickly became apparent that they were most definitely not alone. A group of elves came in to view, patrolling the woods and more were visible through the trees.

"Brothers and sisters, what brings you to this place?" one of the patrolling elves asked.

Daman stepped forward and replied, "Ar-melana dirthavaren. Revas vir-anaris. Commander Hurand told us to come to this location."

Ellana recognised the words from her time within the Eluvians, what seemed like an age ago. She knew it now as a secret greeting - a way of identifying yourself and others as agents of Fen'Harel.

The elf nodded and turned to one of his companions. "Send for Agent Hurand." The companion left and he turned back to Daman and his band. "Andaran atish'an brothers and sisters. Come this way."

They walked a short distance before being met by Hurand flanked by three others.

He approached Daman with enthusiasm, "Brother! I am glad you all arrived safely. Which of these is the elven maiden we spoke about?"

Daman gestured towards Ellana. "This is the one. Vala has proven herself time and time again in her service to the cause."

"Her appearance betrays the talents you have described to me, Daman! Unassuming but cunning I am sure!" Hurand remarked, his enthusiasm never seeming to be lacking.

Ellana was surprised a man of this disposition had managed to rise through the ranks of a spy network. The small elf to the left of Hurand stepped forward with a quiet air of confidence. His eyes were a piercing blue and his manner suggested a strong sense of poise and control. He was in charge, that much she was certain of, and that fact brought her yet more dread.

He spoke directly to her, never breaking eye contact, "From the reports we have received it is clear you exhibit great skill. Only a fool would base his estimations of anyone on outward appearance."

Hurand looked hurt by this remark for a brief moment but said nothing. His behaviour only worsened Ellana's suspicions.

The quiet elf continued, "Seeing you now it is clear you have great strength of will that should be commended." He only broke eye contact to nod to Hurand. "We should proceed."

"Daman, I will speak with you after," Hurand said before leaving with a noticeable spring in his step.

Ellana was glad to see the back of him and his nauseating joyfulness but she was far too concerned by her own situation to really care. As they proceeded further in to the wood with their entourage, more of her brethren were visible through the trees. Each was attending to their own tasks, paying the troupe no mind but the sheer number of them was disquieting. Ellana could not help but think that this many agents would not be gathered here for a lowly commander. She looked at Daman and saw excitement, nerves. Further in to the wood, the fir trees gave way to silvery birch and a glade with a small lake could be seen ahead. At the edge of the lake, the quiet elf stopped them. Elven ruins were visible beyond the waters and a great Eluvian sat amongst them. Its depths were dark. Ellana had seen inactive Eluvians like this one in her time with the Inquisition and the mere sight brought back unpleasant memories.

"I believe I did not introduce myself," the quiet elf's words broke Ellana's train of thought. "I am Elris Varden, second in command to our lord Fen'Harel. I would ask that you wait here. Fen'Harel shall be arriving shortly."

"What?!" Ellana cried out in disbelief, unable to stop herself.

Luckily, her cry had been mercifully disguised by her friends' similar outcries but where hers was laced with distress, her companions' were filled with excitement. Ellana knew that to many elves, Fen'Harel was a hero and meeting him was considered a great honour so she could forgive her brothers their reaction. More importantly, they seemed surprised and that meant they too must not have known. Knowing she had not been deceived by all her friends offered her at least some comfort. Varden had quietly left their side although Ellana was in no state to notice.

"I thought it would be a nice surprise for you all!" Daman exclaimed happily.

Ellana grabbed him, control lost to her. "You told me it was not him! You explicitly told me it was not him!"

Daman's happy demeanour vanished beneath her rage. "I don't understand what your problem is? This is an honour for us all! Besides, they asked for you specifically! I could not risk you refusing to come with us!" He patted her shoulder, trying in vain to appease her.

Ellana was about to reply when the powering up of the Eluvian and a glint of gold within pulled her back to her senses. With her friends diverted by the movements across the lake, she grabbed Daman's leather helm and slid it over her face. She pulled the hood of her robes over her head and the neck of her tunic up, obscuring as much of her face as she could. She refused to look at the incoming group, knowing what she would see. Her mind was screaming at her to run but she knew that she would never get far. All she could do was stand there and wait. The group reached them and with Ellana's gaze fixed firmly on the floor she could see the light of the setting sun dancing off his golden armour.

"Agents, it is an honour to meet you all," the familiar voice rang out.

The sound of it pierced Ellana's heart; her pain flowing freely again after so long. She heard it in her mind saying those three precious words and the rejection that followed.

"Each of you has contributed a great deal to our cause. Over the past few months, your company has distinguished itself beyond all expectations."

He was moving up the line, from one member to the next. Ellana could hear his voice getting closer.

"Each one of you has performed beyond your station and is worthy of commendation," his voice was upon her now, the source so close she could touch him.

He paused and she could feel his stare upon her. It took everything in her not to look up at him. A gauntleted hand reached out to her chin, stopping shy of touching her.

"You need not be afraid of me," he said, urging her to look up.

She glanced at his face, the pain building in her chest. "It's him. By the gods it's actually him," she thought.

She could feel herself shaking as her gaze rested on Solas. His eyes, just as she remembered them, turned wide as they reached hers and a look of pained recognition came over his face. He stared at her for entirely too long. Standing at his side, Varden looked concerned.

"Remove the mask," Solas finally said, his voice breaking uncomfortably.

Ellana fixed her gaze back to the floor, shaking her head involuntarily. She could not bear the feelings pulsing through her. Varden moved forward, his look of alarm growing and his fist moving to his blade. Solas raised a hand and he stopped in his tracks.

"Remove the mask," Solas repeated, weak tone replaced entirely by unrelenting insistence.

Ellana looked around at her friends, their expressions filled with confusion and concern. Lis mouthed something to her but she could not make it out. She downturned her eyes one last time, resigned to what was to come. Determined and angry as though he had left her only yesterday, she made sure to look straight at him as she reached up and lowered her hood and tunic. She glared in to the eyes she remembered so well as she removed Daman's mask.

"Ellana…" he breathed.

A/N - This chapter was updated AGAIN on 08/11/17 as apparently, I am never happy.