Weeks had passed since the incident at Crestwood. The harpy awoke and continued on with her somewhat usual routine. Mostly idling around the large cage she calls home; feeding and basking, then her training as a weapon at the Inquisitor's disposal, and at night Solas would have long interesting conversations of her people and his.
"You had mentioned that your people have a greater longevity than other races, lethallan. May I ask how long you have been in this world?"
She pondered with a soft hum, as she preened her feathers under the waterfall of her paradise in the Fade. Solas sat upon a moss covered boulder nibbling on fruit she had given him, a sweet citrus taste.
"I don't recall exactly how long I have been in this world, but the earliest memory I have of the Patre, he spoke of a great war between Humanity and Elvhen," she sighed softly, her expression became sad; homesick she looked.
Since the time of Ancient elves? That is a long time. He held in his surprise and replaced it with curiosity, "Would I be correct in assuming you never met the Ancient elves in person in that time?"
"Back then, amec, they were simply elves."
"Ah, yes."
"But you are correct. Because of the war, the Patre reinforced our isolation. It was too dangerous for us to make any contact with either side, but that didn't stop a few other wanderers. They would leave and return with such intriguing tales. I was always interested in learning more, even in my youth."
"You know of the elves back then?"
"Not as much as I would have liked. The Patre holds most of the knowledge. Thankfully, however, I have made a friend, with a deep knowledge of his own people. Perhaps if I may, I would like to ask you questions of your People."
Solas raised a curious brow. There was an emphasis, she knows something, but he will not acknowledge it with a question. He smiled, "what would you like to know, falon?"
She gave a toothy grin, and plucked the fruit from his hand swallowing it whole. The proper way to eat it as she had claimed before, "It was said that elves also had a longevity that could compare to ours, was it true?"
Solas smiled gently and nodded, "My exploration of the Fade has given me much knowledge of the matter. It is true, Elvahn once had such a great connection with magic and the Fade that it kept them from aging as fast as humans do now."
She perked up and her crest of feathers flaring in excitement, "So it is possible that the old Elvahn may yet live!"
Solas stiffened a bit and stuttered on, "I… I do not think that is possible, my friend."
"You think, yet you do not know." She quipped.
He opened his mouth to speak, but she interrupted once more, "My people have remained alive for so long because we hide. Say your People, in the last moments before there fall went into hiding? It is possible, no?"
"I guess...it would be." Solas contemplated this for a moment. It was plausible idea, but to even think that some of his People have survived this long is far fetched.
"Amec, the sun is rising. You should awaken."
"Ah, one more question, falon. Your people know of the spirit world, the Fade. I have spoken with spirits before but they've admitted to no knowledge of your kind. Is it possible that you hide from them as well?"
Her eyes widen as did her grin, "A favor for a friend. A tale for another time, amec."
Solas awoke with more questions than answers.
"You left quite the impression on Hawke, Birdy, he wants to come back some time and visit." Varric announced proudly after reading his letter. He tucked it into the back cover of his book before flipping to a marked page.
This was an added thing to his routine. After being the messenger between the harpy and her caretaker, Varric had took to teaching her Common, mostly by reading to her. She enjoyed his tales and storytelling, comparing the silver tongued dwarf to a mockingbird. Taking a song and singing it over again beautifully and sometimes in a new and exciting way.
She cooed softly pressing up against the bars of the cage to read over the dwarf's shoulders, "Friend of Varry is friend of mine. Visit with Hawke would be good."
Varric chuckled and nodded looking up at the harpy, "I have a feeling he would also ask for flight lessons, if that's not too much to ask."
She chirped and ruffled her wings, "A fun lesson, yes?"
"I'll let him know you're up to it then. Now!" He exclaimed opening the book to the right page, "Where did we leave off?"
The harpy leaned in closer almost poking her head through the bars of the cage as she recalled, "Donnen attacked the crew of Belladonna!"
Varric grinned, "Yes, let's see what happens next, shall we?"
The two went back and forth reading from the book, both to pass the time and to improve the harpy's control of Common. She enjoyed reading with Varric almost as much as she enjoyed her talks with Solas in the spirit world. The exchanging of tales and stories was very important to her people, it is a form of the exchanging of knowledge and wisdom. Lessons can be learned from tales. It reminded her of the Patre. Patre. She misses her home.
Her mind wandered as Varric read. He had such talent with words that she was able to imagine scenes from the book in her head: the movement, the action, the emotions. It was beautiful.
Unfortunately, their session was cut short when the Inquisitor approaches with the Seeker at his side.
"Ah, and we we're just getting to the good part," Varric quipped as the Seeker gave an annoyed grunt.
"Would you mind retrieving Solas, Varric, there are some people who want to see the harpy." The Inquisitor ordered as he kept his firm cold gaze on her.
The dwarf looked between the two, noticing the harpy fidget a bit under the man's gaze. With a narrow eyed glance to the Seeker and Inquisitor, he obliged.
Solas had ended up dropping all that he was doing, which was comparing notes with Dorian about the astrariums and ocularums they've found in their travels, to help ready the harpy for some visiting scholars from the University of Orlais. Fantastic.
Been awhile since last update, sorry. Thank you CodelyokoFan23, Warflower, and RPGWarrior4824 for the comments.