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Just letting you know, I might be late for the next update, I have few things to figure out before it and lacking time to do so.

They were to leave for Halamshiral in two weeks. Fourteen full days left for Josephine and Vivienne to talk everyone into not beginning a war as soon as they arrived.

She had hardly caught a lot of free time during the last weeks. She found some times with her friends anyway. Solas had been a little tensed for some unknown reason the days following their last talk.

She went back into her quarters after an endless meeting, hoping to take some fresh air on the balcony before the next one. She leaned with a smile against the wall. Solas was there, reading. He sat at the table, his back towards her. She looked at him for few moments.

She sauntered to the table and took the seat face to him. They didn't exchange a word, enjoying the comfortable silence. She poured some tea into a mug. She felt the boiling water cooling down to the perfect heat just before touching her lips. He didn't move his sight from the book. She smiled slightly. He finished his page before finally speaking.

"I hope you do not mind my trespassing, vhenan. Your Tevinter was driving me crazy and I remembered your offer of coming here when such was the case. If I bother, just say the word and I leave you alone." She shook her head.

"Nonsense." He smirked, looking up to meet her gaze.

"Good."

She ended her tea and stood, playing with a loose strand of hair as she looked elsewhere. She had few things to do before the meeting. Consulting reports for once…Her eyes laid on the ballgown resting on a dummy next to her dresser.

She winced and suppressed a sigh, as each time she remembered the existence of the damn thing. The ebony dress was stunning, a finery of Orlesian fashion. The silver thread lining the low cleavage, letting her shoulders and neck gracefully nude. The silver patterns around the neck line, enlightening her breasts. The top was tight to highlight her thin waist. The sleeves were partly opened and completed by fingerless silk gloves. A line of black lace was coming down in the middle of the chest.

She had yelled at Josie for this detail. The thing was revealing enough as it was! But no, except for Celene herself, she had to be the most breathtaking. The dress itself was a piece of the Game and, considering her Dalish origins working against her, she had to play perfectly. The bottom was typical of a ballgown, large with plenty silver details on it. It was supported by a metal shape as well as several petticoats. The Ambassador wanted her hair to be seen and had found a half silver mask reminding of the Dalish heraldic. Josie had been playing with her origins, finding little tricks to keep them visible – Maybe was it more her ears than her hair that she wanted to be seen. This was important to show the Inquisition had no shame in her being elven. Even if it was obvious she was planning on a good dose of make-up to hide any tattoo which were no vallaslin.

How muttered as her sigh was, Solas somehow felt her annoyance. He dropped his book and came behind her, wrapping gently his arms around her waist.

"I am no expert when it comes to Orlesian fashion, but I can say you will leave the Winter Palace speechless. What is wrong, vhenan?"

"We are expecting troubles and I weirdly happen to have a hard time picturing myself fighting in this. Do you think our foes will be kind enough to let me time to put on an armor…Orlesians you know, could work." He chuckled.

"Don't you worry, they will be distracted enough by your sight for you not to need an armor." She giggled.

"I will take your word on that. Josie said it could be possible to part the top and the bottom. With some trousers under it, I could at least gain mobility even if it would hardly be an armor…Leave the issue of the staff…" She resumed, thoughtful about logistic. He nodded.

"The weapons risk to be our major issue. I guess the spymaster have some thoughts about it?" She winced.

"Yep, given we convince Varric to let some spy carry Bianca. For now, he still plans to put her under his formal attire and doesn't care about how ridiculous it would look." She felt a quiver running down her spine as his mouth brushed her neck. She spun towards him.

"Don't you dare leave another bruise. Josie is going to kill me if I leave it for the whole Winter Palace to see!"

She pointed the cleavage of the dress with her finger. He looked at it and finally nodded. He smirked playfully and took back his hands, pretending to go back to his book. She stared at him with disbelief a second before grabbing his arm to pull him back to her.

"I mentioned only the neck." Clarified she with mischief.

She reached his lips boldly. He smiled against her mouth and drove her in a tight embrace. She put her arms on his shoulders and soon around his neck. He tilted her backward, his hand finding the small of her back to support her. Her tongue grew sinful as she felt his touch on top of her cheeks. She leaned more into the kiss, tongue meeting his roughly and teasing his mouth.

They reveled in the hot sensation of their magic melting into each other, heady, passionate. He finally straightened with the intent of breaking the embrace but her arms remained around his neck so well that he unwillingly lifted her. She knotted her legs around his waist and stared at his eyes, pupils gleaming with mischief. He moved one hand under her as he kept the other one on her back to hold her up. She tantalized even more, pressing her body against his. He muttered a grunt, feeling lust and heat growing in him. He smirked as his pupils expanded. His voice was husky when it came out.

"Fair warning: if you want to avoid bruises, you might have to let me go, ara lath." She smirked back, leaning closer to his ear. She purred.

"I'm sure they won't be half as mad if the bruises are on you…Or…"She paused enjoying the feeling of his heartbeat speeding up against her breasts. She slowed steamily her voices "...You will have to be more creative."

She let her tongue linger on his earlobe. He breathed heavily few secs before finally resuming his smirk, ignoring temporarily his own excitation. He took a strand of her hair between his fingers to judge their length. Satisfied, he let go of it and gazed for few seconds at her eyes with a hungry gaze which made her skin on fire. He finally swiped the hair out of his way and pressed harshly his mouth behind her ear. She gasped, feeling him hotly sucking her skin, tremors of pleasure taking her neck. His tongue followed the frame of her ear slowly before his teeth titillated her earlobe deviously. She poorly muttered a moan. She felt his mouth moving into a self-satisfied smile. He moved with her around his waist. He settled her on the table to regain mobility with his hands. Hers slipped under his cotton tunic. Her fingers ran around the muscles of his chest and back. They dawdled above his belt, teasing. She let once or twice one of them linger barely under the top of his trousers, provoking grunt of eagerness. The apprentice coat she wore as a casual outfit was already on the ground and her black tunic was going to join it when they jumped as a energic knock resounded.

"INQUISITOR! WAR ROOM IN FIVE!" Cassandra yelled. He frowned with frustration as she growled.

"Fasta vass." She blew on a strand falling across her face with a pout. He couldn't help his chuckle. A pouting Mahariel was not a sight one got to see every day, but she was wonderfully cute with this scowl. He reached the hair and gently stroked them behind her ear as he pointed out.

"It had been long since I heard you use Tevene."

"That's on Hawke, she has been saying Tevene curses so much last time I saw her, it's coming back…And you got to admit, Tevene sounds damn good when it comes to curses." She paused, thoughtful. "I think this is related to him, he used to live in Tevinter so maybe saying them make her feel closer…I don't know if you've ever see her sad eyes when she looks at this red ribbon on her wrist and thinks no one is watching…She misses him." Her eyes lightened and she suddenly asked. "Could she see him in the Fade?"

Solas did speak with the Champion – he was curious about the woman…If even a third of Varric's stories about her were true, she was a powerful mage. And, despite everything, she had not hesitated to come and helped. This was something he respected. Still, they did not speak of personal matters and he felt a bit at lost.

"Who?"

"Fenris! She is a mage, maybe she could see him in the Fade! My ability to walk the Fade comes from the Anchor but you can walk it too without any weird-old-elven-glowing mark." He shook his head after few secs.

"Walking the Fade is no easy task. Some mages are simply not able to do it, even with years of training. Wouldn't it be simpler to make this Fenris come to Skyhold?" Her nose wrinkled.

"She refused. She said he would give his life for her and she would not give him this chance."

"I'm surprised it stopped you."

"Oh, it didn't." She replied with an evil smirk which made him chuckled. "Enough on this, better discussed with Varric after the meeting."

She smiled and kissed him. He grinned tenderly and nodded, before putting her back on the ground. They both hesitated a bit as they were almost back in an embrace but she finally wielded her will to step aside and check herself in the mirror. He picked up her jacket and put it on her shoulders. She smiled softly before heading to the stairs as he went back to the table.

Once she was gone, he let his thoughts run freely. If it wasn't for Cassandra's intervention…He had to be careful. This was not the first time he found himself overwhelmed by his passion, lust, love for her and…Going this path, he knew at some point no one would show up and he didn't know if he would be able to stop himself from – You cannot do that. You will not lay with her under false pretenses, no matter your – or her – urges to do so. She is different and may understand but until she knows…You simply cannot. This would not be right by her. He reasoned himself, for once, all his thoughts on one voice. He loved her and respected her. This was no harmless sex, there was more to it, and he just couldn't do that with a woman he loved if she didn't know half the truth about him. Still, he wasn't ready to tell her. The more he spent time with her, the more he thought it could work. She was no mindless Dalish, believing any tale her Keeper could have told. She had a wonderful spirit and wisdom. She could understand. Still, he couldn't take any chances. When the time was right, he would tell her, but it was not now. So, he had to keep his desire for her in check…Harder, keep her desire for him in check. Any physical urge he had, he could manage. But knowing she wanted him, feeling her body pressing for more…This was intoxicating, overwhelming. He sighed. Remaining in her quarters would be unwise to say the least.

Despite – or because of – the endless teasing of the others, Mahariel and Solas had decided in an untold agreement to keep their relationship low-key. More than one had suspicions, but no one actually caught any glimpse proving them right. It had been made clear the Spymaster knew, but she had apparently decided to respect their wish. For now.

"Considering the Inquisitor got distracted during the break, let us repeat the main points before we begin."

When she heard Leliana's full of innuendos voice addressing her even before she crossed the doorstep, Mahariel almost plough into a wall at her wink and tone. She seriously considered spinning on her heels right away to flee the redhead. She turned crimson as her mouth gaped, her eyes wide and pleading for her to shut up. Leliana giggled happily at the effect. Mahariel – kind of – composed herself, only to growl.

"If I'd known escaping ONCE through the balcony would bring so much damn spies near my window – "

"You'd have done it anyway." Interrupted Leliana with a knowing smile. Mahariel glared at her with daggers in her eyes. "And besides, once?"

The elf shrugged with a had-to-try look, quickly going back to her mask. Well, she did mostly respect their wish for privacy.

After the meeting, Leliana asked Mahariel for a word. She waited for Cullen and Josephine to leave the room and for the door to close before looking at her.

"If this is a blackmail attempt, Nightingale –" The laughter interrupted her line.

"Chase the thought, I'm not at all eager to share your secrets. This is so much funnier to see you turn red and plough into walls…. Wonder of wonder, would this work on our other aloof apostate…"

Mahariel cleared her throat, as much because she wanted her to shut up as because she wanted to know the matter. Leliana nodded and resumed.

"I wanted to talk to you about the Grey Wardens. I thought about something, considering you already said you wanted to save the Order. Considering what you learn in the Western Approach, I'm afraid good intentions won't be enough. If we are to avoid a bloodshed, we need to legitimate our assault." Mahariel frowned.

"This is why we have Stroud isn't it?"

"Indeed, but I may have a way to provide you…more convincing people. Given you are willing to modify your regular escort."

"I'm listening." Leliana, despite their loneliness, looked around, awaking even more suspicion in Mahariel.

"This is…Complicated. That's partially why I wanted to talk about it without the others."

"I thought it was because Josie was going to snap if you mentioned anything else than Halamshiral." Leliana half-smiled.

"That as well." Mahariel sighted. She knew the spymaster had contacts – or used to – among the Grey Warden, given her help during the fifth Blight. Still, she wasn't fully at ease with those poor hints of information. If she was talking about who she thought…This was messed-up. And risky.

"Can you at least tell me which kind of weapons these convincing people carry? I would like to know if we will have a kind of balance, especially considering Hawke and Stroud will be with me as well." She nodded, appreciative of her tactical concern.

"A rogue, carrying daggers and bow, and a warrior. One handed sword, shield. By the way, Stroud contacted me this morning. He is bringing a mage as well." Mahariel's nose wrinkled.

"So, three mages will be the front line…" Her eyes were dark, as she remembered the ritual they witnessed. This was no good. Even if the mages weren't Grey Warden, the threat of demons was going to be lingering in every corner during the assault. She looked up at Leliana.

"Do we have trusted templars? I guess Cassandra can keep an eye but we are already almost too much in the escort as you called it, and we need to move quickly –"

"Why do you ask?"

"Let me sum it up. We are going to be six. Four Grey Wardens I guess? Your convincing people bear likely the taint, or I really have no clue why they are legit. Stroud is likely coming with a fellow Warden as well, who is a mage. And the two left are Hawke and I, both mages. Normally, I would be at ease but considering the situation, this configuration is as dangerous as it is needed if we are to save the Order. So, do we have enough trusted templars who can act quickly if the situation gets out of control?"

Leliana supported her serious look, not liking what she was implying. Still, she sighed. She had a point. None of them wanted to imagine Hawke, her or the Wardens on their side claimed by the insanity. Still, between the demons, blood magic, possession, Calling…

"I will see to it with Cullen, make sure there will be templars presents for the assault." Mahariel nodded before commenting with more lightness.

"So, here is my escort. I hope Blackwall won't be disappointed…I guess he will understand."

"He was not the disappointed one I had in mind." Pointed out Leliana. Mahariel winced.

"Taking him when we want to save the Order? Each time I would play diplomat, he would insult them. And eventually we will end up arguing in the middle of this mess. Not the best way to avoid bloodshed!"

"Fair point. One last thing. I discussed with Cullen. If you agree, we were considering going to Adamant right after Halamshiral. Stroud's letter was unnerving, there is no time to waste. My scouts can take care of providing you anything you need on the road so we do not need to return to Skyhold."

"Good idea, I would hate saving Orlais to find out once in Skyhold a demon army is marching through the Empire. You can confirm it with the Commander, Stroud and…Er, whoever you are planning to tag along."

"Consider it done, Inquisitor. I'll let you know if anything requires your attention. Enjoy your evening." Mahariel rolled her eyes when she winked on the last part. This is going to grow tiresome soon enough. Wait, already has.

She watched the spymaster leaving the room, thinking about their discussion and processing the information before walking out too.

She remembered she wanted to see Varric. She found him at his table in the main hall. Without Hawke. It suited her but remained surprising.

"Varric, where is Hawke?" He suppressed a sigh before standing up to face her, concern on his face.

"Probably the tavern. I shouldn't be one to chastise about drinking habit but –"

"She has been drinking. A lot." Mahariel interrupted and confirmed. "I noticed. She could use some cheering up if only she would admit something was wrong."

"Agreed, drowning it in ale won't do any good." He shook his head. "Elie is…Well, you spent time with her. She acts just like you – hero thing I guess, always smiling and joking even if she has the weight of the world on her shoulders. You know what happened in Kirkwall. When Blondie blew up the Chantry, it broke something in her. Made her feel helpless to save the people and her own closed ones." She nodded, ignoring the part he called her a hero even though her nose wrinkled a bit.

"This is why she came here alone, isn't it? Because she thought it was her burden, that Corypheus was her mess and she didn't want to put anyone else in danger. She thinks this is her mistake to fix."

"I knew you'll get her quick. But she misses them. Sunshine, Aveline,…Broody most of all."

He huffed ruefully. He couldn't get the truth out of Hawke about him, why he was not here. So, of course, he was convinced she had done something incredibly stupid. It had to be incredibly stupid if she could not even tell him…

"Funny story about these two. I bet you noticed her red ribbon. Years ago, back in Kirkwall, he pulled her away after…Well, let's say when he did, they were already deep in it. This is when he began to wear one. We noticed immediately, Hawke the first, this red ribbon which had suddenly appeared on his wrist, as well as a little reproduction of her family heraldry hanging on his belt. He probably thought it will go unnoticed under his black coat, I don't know…Anyway, she never put words on it, but I will always remember the hope popping up alongside the pain in her eyes when she saw it. This is what made her believe he would come back to her, it was an untold promise that he will. This is how their relationship survive for a long-time, without ever mentioning what happened. This is why she wears it now, as a promise they won't be kept apart, that she will find her way back to him. She needs it. She has lost too much people, she is constantly afraid for him." She was listening to his words, eyes wide-opened as her face dropped.

"You harellan, you said funny! This is all but funny, this is fucking heartbreaking!" He half-smiled and teased without heart in it.

"Careful Grey, people could think you actually have a heart when you say such think." She straightened a bit, eyes unreadable. "Arr, never mind. You probably didn't come here to hear me worry about her." A sparkle of mischief jumped in her pupils.

"Actually, this is half-true. If I recall, he does not know where she is but himself is somewhere in north Orlais?"

"Something like that, Leliana would know better. Hawke asked her to keep an eye on him." He spotted a smirk "What do you have in mind?"

"What do you think of adding one elven servant to the Inquisition for the ball?"

"First, I think you better explain yourself pretty good for him not to rip your heart out for calling him servant." He laughed excitedly. "Second, dammit I'm in, Grey! C'mon, let's find Nightingale!"

Varric and Mahariel slammed fiercely the door of the rotunda with the firm intention of rushing to the top of the tower. Solas, back from her quarters, raised an eyebrow when he heard the row. He wasn't the slightest surprised to find a white-hair storm at its source.

"Told you I didn't!" She commented cryptically for anyone but him when her eyes laid on him. He smiled with affection.

They did not ease their pace before reaching Leliana, drawing the attention of everyone in the library on their way up.

"'LIA!" She exclaimed eagerly. The other woman looked at her with a little laughter.

"Inquisitor, Varric, do I really want to know what this is about?"

They both found their breath and explained their thoughts to the redhead. She found herself laughing even more.

"You are both incurable!" She lowered her voice and leaned slightly towards Mahariel. "I did not think you had a soft spot for romantic fairytale rendezvous, my Lady Herald."

Mahariel faked annoyance, all too satisfied by their plan to consider the teasing. Leliana hummed, thoughtful.

"Obviously, Josie cannot hear about this, she would kill us to even consider – "

"Us?" Interrupted Varric and Mahariel in one full-of-hope voice. Leliana smiled.

"I'll see what I can do. Varric, are you sure Hawke won't kill us, by the way? She seemed pretty determined to keep him away."

"You met both of them, Nightingale. She will kill us if she learns we are planning something. Once she faces him, she will snatch him in a heartbeat! No time for murder!"

"Fair point. So, a private place, I take it?"

"Oh, I don't know, they could be a perfect distraction for the fights. Better than me stripping off my dress." Mahariel commented with a laugh, picturing both scene.

"I wouldn't be too sure about that."

The three of them stopped talking, Mahariel turning crimson horrifyingly swiftly. Solas had barely mumbled the words from the rotunda, busy with his book. How did they – Dammit, how much did this place resonate?! Well, enough to hear them in a first place, clearly. Varric couldn't take it, his face as red as Mahariel's for another reason. He burst into laughter, wiping a tear from his eyes. Even if subtler, Leliana's reaction was pretty much alike. As well as Dorian's under them. The dwarf tilted over the guardrail.

"That was RICH, Chuckles!"

Dorian's head emerged from the second floor to look at Mahariel.

"My my, I didn't think it was possible to reach such shade of red."

Her eyes suddenly widened even more as a thought popped in her head. When they were in the…Oh Creators, and the weird way he reacted to Josephine's questions…Oh crap. But that was months ago…Why didn't he…Waiting for exactly THIS. She managed to become even redder as she babbled.

"Wait, has it…always…resonated that much?" A huge beam took Dorian's feature as he winked.

"Do not worry. One needs to really pay attention to hear the stairwell."

Varric took several seconds to understand. He looked at both Leliana and Dorian, in mirth. Then at Mahariel and Solas, starring at each other, eyes wide-opened, lips slightly parted, the first one reaching scarlet…And he could even spot a blush on Solas' cheeks and ears as well. His mouth formed a O as he clapped his hands.

"NO! NO WAY! Oh, I thought his comment was rich but…This day is going better and better!" Both elves tried to compose themselves. Mahariel did a vain attempt to change subject.

"So, Hawke, Fenris, is it settled?"

"Funny thing, I had the same question for you two!" Varric replied, leading to more laughter. Mahariel's finger pinched the bridge of her nose, as much to cover her red face as by annoyance.

"Poor choice of words." Under them, Solas sighed and offered.

"I doubt a good one existed in this particular situation." Varric's voice rose once more.

"Wait a sec, you mean Hawke was right that day about the – Shit, I just lost a bet!" Mahariel spun to Varric but stop the words from crossing her lips. Bad idea, going to make it worst.

"Bet over what?!" Of course, Dorian just had to ask, however.

Cassandra chose that moment to enter the rotunda.

"Inquisitor, here you are! If I may have a – "

"GLADLY!" Mahariel interrupted.

She jumped carelessly over the guardrail and hang herself to reach the second floor before jumping once more and hanging herself with the firm intent to reach the first in record time without even a glance at Dorian next to her. He commented.

"Wow, she is eager to get out."

She ignored and let herself fall from the guardrail. She was about to land nimbly when Solas' arms caught firmly her waist to put her safely on the ground. She chuckled with despair.

"Ma tel'halani, vhenan'ara." Not helping.

"Nor would a broken leg." He pointed out with half a smirk. She smiled.

"Ir abelas, duty calls. I have to leave you to…Them." She spat the last word, glaring towards the upper levels.

"I can manage, vhenan. Dareth shiral."

"Dareth shiral." She nodded before heading out of the rotunda with a skeptical Cassandra. Once she was out of sight, his nose wrinkled as he looked up to the whistles.

"This was so cute!" Dorian declared before he spun back to Varric "Bet over WHAT dwarf?!"

Maybe the retreat was the best move, considering…