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The survivors of Haven stepped into Skyhold by half Cloudreach.
The main point of the first week was to settle in and establish supply lines as soon as possible. The healers still had a lot to do with the wounded and they were in desperate need of alchemy labs. Mahariel was helping them by preparing mists, poultices, and everything she could. But their stocks of herbs were low. Most of it blew up with the Apothecary and the Frostback were not the best place to find such furnitures, even by spring. The mountains did not care much about the seasons, the plants were shy and the snow immortal.
Mahariel could not do much more for the injured. Once there was nothing else for her to do, she ended up helping mother Giselle with the children. Especially the elven ones. The younglings were frightened by the humans. She was dazzled when she actually understood some of them were Dalish. Giselle explained her quickly that the said Dalish children had arrived with their mother. The twins – who were likely not more than six years old – were mages and the woman left the Clan which could not take care of two more mages. Six years old was such a young age to discover one's power…Not that she had time to give it much thoughts. Their mother being awfully busy in the kitchens, the children were at lost. There were but two faces which seemed friendly to the children: Dalish's from the Chargers, and hers. It kind of settled her personal interrogations about what to do with her vallaslin, since it was the only thing subsiding the dalen'en. They stayed with her most of the time for the following days, along with the few other young elves. Mother Giselle was taking care of the human ones and they spent a good amount of time trying to put the elves at ease around the others.
Conclusion, she had not a lot of time to speak with the inner circle. Everyone was busy somewhere. Solas, Cole and Dorian with the injured; Vivienne watching the mages and fighting with Fiona about the right way of handling things; Blackwall, Cassandra and the Chargers with the Commander working on protections; Leliana and Josephine sending messages all day; Sera helping in some way she could not quite guess; Varric disappearing randomly and being all jumpy. And when the all lot was not busy, Cassandra, Cullen, Leliana and Josephine were discussing in low voices about gods know what.
At the end of a very busy week, the courtyard and some strategic places in the building did not look like a wreck anymore.
She looked at the sword the Seeker was holding, skeptical. Nice of you, Cassie, but what the hell do you want me to – Her eyes widened. She turned speechless. Oh…Crap. The people gathering around the stairs, every eye on her…The words hit home: the one who has led the Inquisition since a moment now. She was talking about her! A slight smile appeared on Cassandra's face as Mahariel finally understood where she was going with it. She tried – poorly – to find her composure. A question popped in her head, and soon through her mouth.
"You would give this power to a mage?! An elven mage?!"
"Not just me. All of us." Replied she, failing at being comforting.
"Are you sure? Don't get me wrong, I am…honored is not even sufficient…But are you sure that's wise? They won't follow someone like me." The seeker raised an eyebrow of disbelief. She shoved the sword in Mahariel's hands before she could protest and stepped forward. She shouted to Cullen.
"Commander! Will they follow?" The commander looked at her, at Mahariel, and finally turned to the crowd – all of it with a confident smirk.
"Will you follow?" his voice resounded. An ovation began.
"Will you fight?" The applauses grew louder. The determination in their voices was overwhelming.
"Will we triumph?" She tightened her grasp on the sword and smiled at Cassandra.
"Your leader, your Herald, your Inquisitor!" He raised his blade, followed by the soldiers' and the bare fists of the others among the shouts of happiness. Her confidence back, she beamed and raised hers with the same strength. Inquisitor.
The next week was but a huge blur. Between her new responsibilities, the renovations, the constant meetings with her advisors…She had barely time to breath. The absolute first mission for the renovation – according to the Ambassador – was to provide her with quarters worthy of her title. Despite her protestations stating that it was all but a priority, the Ambassador didn't step back and here they were.
When she entered them for the first time, she was amazed. The huge bed with silver finery, black blanket and red pillows…A little smile took place on her face. Were her favorite colors so obvious? On the wall above the bed, she noticed a painting and this time it was a full grin. A big tree with ravens in it, a halla near the roots and…Wolves? Of course, he remembered this short discussion in the Hinterlands. She had to find time to thank him, it was stunning. Little harellan, still going behind my back to do the loveliest gestures. Thought she and giggled.
She closed her fist in irritation. Damn sound, STOP it. She turned around and smirked at the Dalish glass on the windows. Obviously, Josephine preferred her being Dalish and found obvious way to make it known. She had clearly not rushed when it came to replace her antaam-saar lost in Haven. The Ambassador was way too happy to see her come around in a more neutral apprentice coat. Not that Mahariel complained, there was indeed way more important things to do. However, it was entertaining to notice they had had time to provide her an apprentice coat of dragonling scales, matching fingerless gloves and a black tunic whose off-shoulder cleavage was lined with silver threads.
She was going to head to the rotunda to thank Solas for the paintings – they had barely exchange a word during the last weeks – when someone knocked on the door. She heard the voice of Leliana and told her to come upstairs. The redhead reached the second floor and nodded her greetings.
"Inquisitor, sorry to disturb the little free-time you have." Mahariel smirked.
"But you have to talk to me and we spent all of our time in the War Room with other ears."
"Precisely." The spymaster grabbed a letter in her pocket and handed it "You should read that."
Mahariel took the paper without a comment and went through the letter. Her eyes widened as she let out a bitter laughter. Was that a joke?
"When did that arrive?"
"Today." Mahariel looked at the letter and read a part out loud.
"Agents of the Inquisition, we learned the presence of one of our People among your forces, Mahariel of Clan Lavellan. We ask hereby an assurance than she is treated well and want to hear from her as soon as possible." Mahariel shook her head. "Sons of a bitch. They think anyone is buying their act?"
"I admit I was skeptical, to say the least."
"And you should be. They knew exactly who was the Herald. But when they learnt the said Herald became Inquisitor, the position became suddenly way more interested."
"Without forgetting they banished the said Herald." Mahariel looked up at her with nonchalance.
"You have been waiting to say that, don't you?" Leliana seemed slightly discomforted.
"I figured it was a sensible information for…Other reasons."
"I see. At any rates, few knew about the said banishment and the act was burned in Haven. I cannot believe they just dropped my clan name…Not that they had a chance to be credible without that. They think they can get protection from us."
"Can't they?" Mahariel sighed and shook her head.
"Of course, they can, if needed. But they could just ask me, not going through this kind of stratagem. I recommended the banishment, did they think I would not understand? Is it possible to send scouts, preferably elven ones, to the Free Marches to get in touch with Clan Lavellan?"
"Consider it done, Inquisitor."
"Seriously, can you be back to call me Mahariel?"
"I may consider it."
"I guess I will have to work with that."
"Inquisitor, War Room in five!" resounded Cassandra's voice from downstairs.
They looked at each other and Leliana made a sign towards the door. Mahariel's nose wrinkled the slightest. She really hoped she would get the chance to swing by the rotunda. She hesitated a bit and grabbed a paper on the desk. She wrote a short note under the prying look of Leliana. She raised an eyebrow at the Spymaster.
"You use to have the courtesy of being discreet, Nightingale." A sparkle of amusement jumped in Leliana's eyes.
"This was friendly prying, Mahariel. A whole different matter."
Mahariel rolled her eyes with feigned irritation. She climbed down the stairs on Leliana's heels. She stopped a servant to ask him to bring the note to Solas. The maid nodded and went right to the rotunda as the women made their way to the War Room.
Solas, working on his panels as he was, raised a surprised brow but took the message and thanked the servant. He opened it.
Ma serannas, lethallin, the paintings are stunning as always. I intended to come here myself but I fear I found worse than a big dragon: an Antivan Ambassador. As soon as I defeat the beast – Creators burn this once read – I will stop by. Hopefully. Given this does not end in Josie's hands or I'm as good as dead. Seriously burn it. Mahariel.
He smiled genuinely at the note and let a chuckle out. Of course, Dorian did not miss it and leaned over the guardrail.
"Look at this, scandalous! Our aloof mage is getting smutty message!"
"Excuse me?" Solas turned towards the Vint.
"Do not try it with me elf! Everything is yelling your guilt! Proof one: smile. Proof two: chuckle. Proof three: blush. Guilty you are! So, tell me everything."
"I shall not." I did not blush.
"So, there is something to tell! How outrageous!"
"I did not say that."
"You did not say otherwise either."
"Fine. So, I am saying otherwise now. There is nothing to be said."
"Don't lose your split on it, Sparkler. He will not admit anything, believe me, I tried! And she won't either. You are not funny, you elves!"
Varric's voice resounded as he came from the main hall. When he actually tried to cut Solas some slack, he did forget Dorian had not been around that long. Despite of what the Tevinter had witnessed in the future with Mahariel, the attitude of the two elves afterwards convinced him that Mahariel spoke the truth and that there was not much between them. Until now.
"She? Elves? God if this is who I think it is, this story is going better and better!" Solas looked at Varric with disapproval and frowned. The dwarf raised his hands in innocence.
"Don't look at me like that, how could I expect someone being blinder than Curly? Even him eventually got it!"
"There is nothing to get."
"Right and you are not brooding, this is your happy face. Heard that before, didn't buy it either." Seeing the disregard of the elf he mumbled. "Er…The private joke is not as effective without the right audience…"
"I recommend you go find the right audience and you take the Altus mage with you."
"And…Right. See you later, Chuckles. Sparkler?"
"Wicked Grace?" The mage asked. Varric laughed.
"Remember you asked when I take your coins. I gather you won't join?"
"Indeed, but I appreciate the offer. Now if you will excuse me, I would like to finish this." Full-composure back, he turned back to his panel, grateful that the dwarf took Dorian with him. He read the note again with a smile. He was right that night. He missed her.
The meeting did not go as she wished, considering the advisors reported missing patrols in the lovely area of the Fallow Mire. Her nose wrinkled at the news. They had to see to that. She had hoped to go with Hawke to Crestwood…Fenedhis. She pinched her nose. This was becoming way too complicated already.
"Cassandra, get Dorian and Sera ready to leave at first lights for the Fallow Mire. Hawke, Varric and Blackwall will travel for Crestwood meanwhile to locate the Warden." Cassandra hesitated.
"Inquisitor, I would be more at ease if I could go to Crestwood with them." Mahariel raised a brow.
"To help them or to watch them?" Cassandra frowned a bit but did not answer. Mahariel shook her head "Go with them if you want, but do not antagonize Hawke nor Varric. Please. I will stop by to let them know, if you can still inform Dorian and Sera…Well, add Bull to it, we could probably use a warrior in the Fallow Mire." The Seeker nodded.
"I will see to that. Thank you." Mahariel grinned sarcastically.
"No problem, how could that go wrong? While we do that in Ferelden, Cullen, can our forces set a position in the Western Approach or is it premature?" The Commander seemed thoughtful a second.
"I will see what we can do, Inquisitor. Considering the recruits arriving every day, I could probably spare men before you are back."
"Perfect. If there is nothing else, I shall go packing."
When she went out of the War Room, she had a frown on her face as she was still processing the several reports. She bumped into Varric – Wicked Grace obviously finished by then.
"Oh no, not yet another broody elf! Hawke is on the battlements, she is way more gifted than I with those!"
"I am not brooding."
"Yeah, yeah and there are no puppy eyes. Heard that before." She waved away, decided to ignore reference she only half understood. The Tale of the Champion was not such best-seller in Tevinter and she had still not read it. Yet.
"Since you are there – "
She summed up quickly the conclusions of the meeting.
"Why is Seeker coming with us and not with you?"
"She asked. I count on you to take advantage of this time to be all friendly-dwarfy. We barely finished the tavern, I will be grateful if she could stop breaking the chairs."
"Duly noted." He paused and smirked "All boring business apart, can I ask why everyone is on outside duty except Chuckles?" Her face remained impassible.
"And Vivienne. For a good reason: Madame de Fer is all busy with taking care of the mages settling. Which is not that bad, however, a counter-weight is needed. Solas replaces me on diplomatic duty until Vivienne stops pissing off Grand Enchantress Fiona."
"Always all pragmatic and plausible, are you not?" She smirked.
"Would not be fun if I was not, would it?"
"Not as much, there would not be scores to keep. Well, it might be a good thing that you take Sparkler if Chuckles is to stay here."
"Problem between the two?" She saw Varric's contrite expression and rolled her eyes. "Let me guess, you said something totally innocent and now Dorian is not leaving him alone."
"That's…pretty much it." She shrugged.
"I see. Well, good thing Dorian will be with me, indeed."
She was thoughtful for a second. Solas was not getting along so well with Vivienne either and he had no private quarters yet. Better safe than sorry, let's prevent a diplomatic incident before it occurs. She held her hand to ask Varric to wait and took another paper from her pocket. She scribbled another note and handed it to him.
"Could you give that to him? I have to go packing." He grinned.
"So, it was from you!" She raised an eyebrow.
"You would have had one too if I did not bump into you." He pouted.
"You won't let me get a single point, will you?"
"Hardly."
"Not afraid I'll read it?"
"Be my guest."
"So not funny." He turned back and they parted. She headed to her quarter and him to the rotunda. He was going to enter when he remembered Dorian was back upstairs. No need to trigger back the conversation. He called Solas from the floor.
"Chuckles, a word?"
"What is it now, Master Tethras?" Asked he as he came.
"Just trying to make amends." He gave him the note "I did not even read it." He went back on his steps. Time for a drink with Hawke…And likely more elfy romance now that he thought of it. Solas looked at him going away before opening the second message.
Lethallin, retrospectively inevitable, I am in a rush. I will be heading out tomorrow, I trust you to prevent Madame de Fer from antagonizing the rebel mages. If you need calm time, do not hesitate to use my quarters. Preferably, before you get the urge to kill her. Because it will happen. Twice an hour. At least. Mahariel. PS: Burn this one too or I will finish as a lovely ice statue before the end of the day.
He chuckled a bit and grinned, sincerely touched by the thought, even if disappointed not to see her. He came back to the rotunda with a neutral expression and placed the note in one of his sketchbook as he had done with the first one. It will be nice bookmarks.