So just a couple of things you might want to know for this chapter. As we all know by now Elora is elven and I wanted to have here use her native language during important times of the chapter. So below I will be translating the words for you guys and gals in a chapter if I use any. Also if you couldn't tell already Elora does think to herself a lot just like me. I tend to think about the logical side of things and I wanted to convey that within Elora. I'm trying my best to bring out Sera's character she is very challenging to understand at times.
Here are the translations:
Aneth ara -My safe place.
Ma vhenan'ara-My heart's desire
Mythal lasa ghilan- Mythal grant me guidance.
Ma serannas- My thanks or Thank you
Enjoy! :)
A warmth enveloped Elora's hand. A small recognizable hand cupped Elora's. It was dark and she could barely make out whose hand it was. "Don't be afraid, listen to your heart. I'm always here for you." The whisper caught Lavellan's ear aflame with a beautiful tone. Music to her ears. A sudden flash of radiant green light engulfed the darkness. Her hand was flaring up but why? As she looked away from her glowing hand, a face a few inches away twinkled in her blue eyes. Shining with hope and compassion. The face was outlined with long, flowing blond hair that almost looked white in certain light. Green eyes colored with blue specks along the pupils and iris. Flawless skin almost porcelain like. The woman was elven due to her ears peeking through her curtain of hair. A purple vallaslin outlined and encircled her left eye, the shape forming into two blooming flowers above her eyebrow. The stems of the flowers came down to meet her left cheek "It's you, but how are you standing before me?" The mysterious elven woman came closer to Elora with graceful steps. The unnamed woman placed her hands on each side of Lavellen's face and cradled her cheeks. "Please don't blame yourself anymore." Her voice could set ones heart at ease. Full of wisdom and innocence. "Do what your heart tells you and don't think twice." Elora gently grabbed the elf's wrist while the woman still cradled her face. Leaning into the woman's hand she closed her eyes and stood frozen in time. "I don't want to leave, you are my Aneth ara. You are ma vhenan'ara. Elora rarely spoke any of native language anymore since she became Inquisitor. When she did it was usually towards Solas or to her Clan. Tears fell from Lavellen's face. "I know Elora. I must go. Dareth shiral. The woman gracefully turned on her heel and vanished into the darkness. Lavellan's hand growing dimmer. "No don't leave me!"
Elora jolted awake. Sweat soaked her beige button up shirt. The elf spoke to herself, "It was just a dream. When did I fall asleep last night? I must have been exhausted." Elora cleaned herself up and brushed the knots out of her red hair. She couldn't shake the dream from her mind, it seemed all too real. Rays of the morning sun cascaded along the stone walls signaling Elora it was time to start the day and see where Thedas needed the Inquisitor today. Throwing on a purple leather jacket and magenta scarf she headed downstairs to the main hall. She headed through the ambassador's study and into the war room where all three advisors stood waiting for her. "Good morning mi 'lady how are you doing this fine morning." Josephine waited for her reply. Trying desperately to forget the dream she wore a fake smile for the advisors and told a little white lie. "It has been well. Thank you Josephine." Rocking back and forth on her heels and receiving concerned looks from Leliana, the meeting began.
"Inquisitor, there seems to be a bandit problem up in the Hinterlands." Leliana spoke up as well. "My scouts tell me they are far too well trained to be simple bandits. The correct term for these bandits may be mercenaries but what they are doing in the Hinterlands near the refugees no one knows. Cullen nodded in agreement. "We thought you could take a few of your friends and take care of the problem. Our soldiers have had no luck." Why did she leave me? Why did I have to wake up? Why can't I dream normal things like everyone else around here? "Inquisitor?" Cullen's booming voice snapped Elora back into reality. "Huh, oh yeah, I will head there as soon as possible commander." Josephine smiled, "I will tell the stable hands to get four horses saddled up right away Herald."
The advisors proceeded with their duties except for the master of ravens. Her eyes burned into Elora with great sympathy but yet concern. "Inquisitor please come here." Leliana motioned to the window in the war room overlooking the icy river valley below. Lavellen cautiously walked over to the spymaster afraid to hear what Leliana had to say after receiving the look from earlier. She felt like a child who was about to be scolded by her mother. When she reached Leliana, the hooded woman just stared blankly into the window, hands crossed behind her back not even bothering to face her friend. "What's eating at you Elora? I can see it all over your face since you waltzed in here." Elora sighed, "I had a bad dream and when I awoke my hand was numb." Leliana listened in with a friendly ear. "Is the mark on your hand bothering you, Lavellen?" Why is she asking me this she knows damn well Solas fixed it. "No just a little numb, it's my overwhelming thoughts that are getting in my way." Leliana went silent. It was a very awkward silence and by the look on her face she was hiding something of interest. What is she up too now? "I had a visitor this morning Elora. A friend of yours." Leliana let out a playful chuckle, "They were very intimidated by me and my winged messengers. Am I really that scary?" Lavellen smiled. Leliana can be intimidating at times but she always knew how to lighten the mood. Is it because of her bard training? Whatever it was Elora still appreciated it. "Not to me. You're just an average woman that does sneaky business." A smirk formed on Leliana's lips. "If you described me like that to a noble they would think I'm some sort of thief of the night. Which I don't mind it keeps away hungry eyes." Leliana finally looked Elora in the eyes. "Speaking of thieves, it was Sera who came to visit me this morning. She wanted me to convey the message to you that she wants to come along with you on this mission" It has to be a coincidence after everything Cole told me last night. Then my dream this morning, what is everyone playing at. Why Sera? When did she have the courage to actually talk to Leliana? Too many questions, not enough answers. Damn it all! "Lost in your own world again I see." Elora flushed with embarrassment, "Yeah, I guess." Leliana and Elora walked towards the door stopping just before turning the handle. "If it were me Inquisitor I would bring the archer with you. After all I have eyes everywhere and I have heard that Sera would love to get to know you better." Leliana pulled the door open to let the elf out of the war room and to the stables. "Oh and one more thing keep your head out of the clouds we wouldn't want you to be dying on us would we." With that Leliana closed the door rather quickly.
She knows something. What did she mean by Sera would love to get to know me better? I have already talked with Sera and we know the basics. What more is there to know? Mythal, lasa ghilan.
Lavellan reached the stables, confused as ever after her chat with Leliana. Elora perked up once she saw four horses saddled up. Maybe some action on the field will help me forget about things for a little while, especially that dream. Cole stood next to his horse gently petting the mare's mane while feeding it a bright, delicious red apple. Walking towards the compassionate spirit Lavellen could vaguely make out what Cole was saying. She realized it was her never ending cycle of consciousness she called a mind. "No please, don't leave me! I'm all alone. Fingers twitching with pain, the glow is her guidance, she must not realize it yet. Hair flowing in the darkness it catches my soul aflame. The fire is not hot. I like how it makes my skin tingle with temptation but yet a kindness sparkles inside the flame she calls a heart."
Can he really tell all that by just looking upon me? "Yes Inquisitor I can. Only while you are in pain." Her eyes pleaded to Cole to stop with the mind reading. "Look Cole, you're a good friend and all but let's just focus on the mission at hand. Please keep my thoughts to yourself." Lavellan felt small in the spirit's presence knowing he had the power to heal and all she could do was close rifts. Suddenly a foreign sensation trailed through Elora's marked hand. It's as if a mage charged her hand with lightning magic giving off a pins and needles sensation. Then her hand grew with magical green light. The same light the rifts gave off. "What's happening, my hand has never done this before." This is what happened to my hand in my dream. This damned thing sometimes I wish I was never at the Conclave. Iron Bull, who just got done sharpening his weapons in the barn, finally noticed the ordeal happening outside. "What's wrong with your hand there Boss?" Confidence was resonating in Bull's gruff voice, "If Corypheus is around I'll tear him a new one just for you." Still staring at her glowing hand Elora knew this was different. "No I don't think this is Corypheus, this is something else entirely." Still not sure what to think footsteps sounded behind the elf. "Ready to go fill some baddies full of arrows, Lady Herald." Sera's words floated in the air as Elora's hand shined brighter than ever. Pain filled the entirety of her hand and Lavellen fell to her knees. "Ahhhh!" Everyone surrounding the stables including the merchants, nobles, and servants stopped to stare in awe and horror trying to figure out whether they should run or not. "Ma…Make it…st…st…stop!" Cole grinned with happiness, "The glow that guides." Sera knelt down besides Elora who was shaking and trembling with pain. "Hey creepy this is no time for stupid words." Gritting her teeth Elora managed to make words. "Sera…please have some...someone get hel…help." Sera in a panic agreed to do the deed herself. "No, stay with me. Tell Bu….Bull to get Solas." Sera nodded, "Hey big guy, Inquisitor wants baldy here on the double." Bull put down his giant axe and ran past the two elves. Sera reached for Lavellen's marked hand. "Wait Sera, I thought you were scared of magical stuff like this." What is up with her all of a sudden she never had that look in her eye before. It's comforting. Why can't I see things clearly for once in my life? "I don't give a nug's arse, you are my friend and I'm gonna help. We can't have you dying on me can we?" Sera grabbed Lavellen's hand and placed it in hers. As their hands connected the pain slowly dissolved from the marked hand. All that remained was the green glowing light emanating throughout her hand.
"It's gone, the pain is gone." Elora turned to Sera in disbelief, "How did you do that?" Sera's eyes widened but they were filled with joy. "I'm no mage, I guess I scared it away…I guess. The tips of Sera's pointy ears turned bright red. "Oi! Big guy she's okay I scared it away. No need for baldy now." Bull was just about to reach the top of the stairs to the main courtyard when she heard Sera call out to him. Cole was still petting his horse as if nothing happened. The glowing green light was completely diminished now, gone even. "You sure you're okay Lady Herald? Do we need to wait to stick it to some stupid bandit?" Lavellen still on her knees, stared up at Sera meeting her gaze. I wonder if anyone has told her if she has beautiful eyes. Kind and comforting filled with a storm of hope but with a glimmer of a sad history. Reminds me of her…. No! Everyone has different eyes. I must be imagining things after all that pain. "Earth to Inquisitor! Are we going to the Hinterlands?" Elora stood up pushing her ridiculous thought away. "Yes, I'm okay. Let me grab my gear and we will head out." Sera broke out in laughter, "Looking a little red in the cheeks there Inquisitor. Were you thinking of naughty elfy things." Elora didn't even notice she was blushing until Sera said something. "I was not! It's just uh… a little warm out here that's all." Sera continue to laugh, "Admit it you were. What's wrong a little dry down there Inquisitor." Bull chimed in "Oh Sera, that's why I love to drink with you." Bull and Sera gave each other a high five. Bull bending down a ways since he was Qunari and Sera just an average elf.
All four companions hopped up on their horses ready to make the long journey to the Hinterlands. Slowly trotting towards the main gate of Skyhold a voice of wisdom yelled out to Elora. Turning her horse around Elora spotted Solas in his enchanter robes striding towards the four companions. "Inquisitor, my apologies for holding you up but I must ask? Interested in Solas's question Elora let Solas continue. "I would like to know if it would be okay if I could accompany you and the others to the Hinterlands. I overheard from the whispering servants about what happened with your mark earlier. I would like to see if it will happen again and perhaps I could be of some assistance in the matter if it does occur again. Maybe give you some insight of why the mark is acting up. After all I did stop it from killing you at Haven. That explains why you are in your robes. Having him come along couldn't hurt. Elora looked down at her marked hand. What if it does flare up again while I'm gone? "Okay Solas, you can come along, you make a good point." Solas bowed to Elora, "Ma serannas, Inquisitor. I shall return in a few minutes with my horse." Sera shifted in her saddle. Elora knew hearing her native language spoken out loud made Sera uncomfortable. "Ugh, does baldy have to come. He always ruins my fun. And my pranks." Elora gave Sera a reassuring smile, "He's only coming along in case my mark causes me anymore pain while we are gone and besides he is skilled with magic in battle." Sera sighed, "Too elfy for me, makes me wanna sleep." The sound of hooves from a horse echoed in the courtyard. Solas. "Ready to go when you are Inquisitor." Elora squeezed her heels into her horse's side and took off down the long stone bridge that led in and out of Skyhold. Her friends keeping the pace behind her. She looked behind her shoulder at Cole who has kept a smile on his face since the incident in the courtyard. What is up with him? It's like he is sneering at me with pride? He knows something, but what in the world could that be?
What did he mean by the glow that guides?