It was of course the brutish human warrior, who woke him suddenly the day after to drag him across the Orlais. He wasn't even able to assign someone to care for the harpy while he was away. He had only hoped one of the advisors were kind enough to remember. Cole was brought as well to this travel, much to the spirit boy's reluctance. As was Dorian, so he really had no one he could rely on to watch over her.
It was five days into the journey that they arrived at a camp in the Plains, and he was given a letter delivered by one of Leliana's messenger birds.
It was from Varric. He was relieved that the dwarf took it upon himself to watch over the harpy. Solas was also touched that she was worried about his sudden disappearance. He felt guilty for leaving so suddenly, she had already felt like a some beast to be studied, and now she must have felt abandoned.
Solas to wrote back immediately, requesting Varric to give her company while he was away. Apparently she was quick to make friends with him. He would read and tell her stories and she would react depending on how interesting they were. It also her served her well to better understand the Common language. Varric often reported with little messages from her. Was Featherless alright? Where is Featherless? Is he safe from Inquisitor? She even asked if she could come to the Exalted Plains with him. Of course he refused, not wanting her to be in any danger and more so to keep her away from the Inquisitor.
Needless to say, his spontaneous journey through the Exalted Plains became less dull, even Cole was happy to leave a small message for his feathered friend and Dorian commented how much she's improved in language.
"What's this I here about you getting messages from that creature?" The Inquisitor asked one night, as they made camp. Solas had been mostly avoiding him throughout the travel. Only speaking when spoken to and keeping his thoughts to himself.
"I am sending messages with Varric, Inquisitor. She speaks to me through him."
He made a face and chuckled, "Alright, so it can like talk to dwarves? I thought you said it was an elf?"
"I've said before, Inquisitor, she is no elf, but she seems to understand Elven better than other languages."
"Ah, got it," he shrugged off. He was silent for a moment before he piped up again, "have you tried tweeting and squawking? Maybe it'll understand you better." He laughed at his own jokes.
Solas closed his eyes in irritation and continued his work of putting up his tent, "I haven't thought of that, I shall give it a try next time, Inquisitor."
The Inquisitor scowled, "you take things too seriously, Solas. You're no fun."
It was a couple days later that Dorian had asked questions about the harpy. He was wondering if he could relay some messages to her as well.
"Ask if she knows anything of the Exalted Plains. She sounded like she knew where it is if she asked to join us here. Maybe, someday, we can actually bring her along? Get her to show us some tricks of the harpy?" Dorian commented with an amused smile.
The Inquisitor seemed to have been over hearing as he decided to answer, "How exciting would that be? Our enemies would cower in fear at the site of such a hideous thing fighting at the command of the Inquisition!" he suddenly got excited at his own idea, "Solas, do you think you can teach it to kill people on command? Oh, imagine, having it perched on my throne as I pass judgement! People would fear me. They wouldn't dare mess with the Inquisition if I show them I can tame a beast," he bragged, "It's no dragon or giant but it'll do I guess."
Solas and Dorian were both caught off guard at the leader's sudden spout, but they were also worried. He seemed to be in stuck in his thoughts before he puffed up his chest and marched to up Solas.
"Alright. I've decided. Solas, when we return, I want you to train that thing to fight and kill. I will be helping as well to make sure it doesn't turn on us, but I think you can handle most of it." He patted the elf's shoulder firmly.
"Inquisitor, I-"
"No. I have decided already. End of conversation, I'm going to bed now. Dorian, you have first watch."
Solas was furious and turned to Dorian for some kind of explanation to what just happened. Dorian gave him a sorry smile and hurried off to check the protection wards around the camp.
"He doesn't understand that well, but she would like to be free. 'Out here with the mother' she says." Cole appears beside him, offering some form of comfort.
Solas relaxed his tensed shoulders from when the Inquisitor touched him, "Mother nature. She would like it, but I don't want to put her in any danger. The way he talks about using her as if she were some tool."
"She would trust you to be there. And she can protect herself."
"Even if she can protect herself it still angers me how ignorant he is."
"Me too."
It was roughly three weeks until they had returned. Finally, back in the mighty fortress of Skyhold Solas was exhausted, but he went straight to the harpy's cage to see her. Only, she wasn't there. The cage was empty, except for the tree, her small blanket nest, and the barrel of water.
His heart had stopped for a moment until he heard chirping from the stables. He turned and hurried to where her sounds were coming from. He finally spotted her happily stroking one of the mounts nose, a hart to be exact, with Varric and Blackwall at her side chuckling at her excitement.
"Handsome fellow, ain't he? He doesn't get taken out much, but the Inquisitor likes to keep him for show." Blackwall commented gently stroking the Hart's neck.
"Damn, too tall if you ask me." Varric chuckled.
"All too tall for you, Varry." The harpy quipped with a soft giggle, making them both laugh.
Solas watched the scene with a feeling of pride and amusement. It's seems she has picked up on the language fast with the silver tongued storyteller, though he can clearly hear her accent as she spoke. She even seemed comfortable enough to be chatting with the warden as they petted the brown hart.
Varric was the first to notice Solas had arrived and gently nudged at the harpy's leg. She smiled at the dwarf before turning and noticing the elven mage. The clear happiness and relief on her face was clear as she lunged to her friend with her winged arms, wrapping him in a hug. Solas was barely able to steady himself as he accepted the embrace.
"Featherless!" She squealed out.
"Hello to you too, falon," He chuckled as she pressed her forehead to his in their usual greeting.