Author's Notes:
Welp...this chapter took a while to finish.
Sorry! Real life got me backed up! But! I finished it!
Also, Skyhold is a castle...there's endless of dungeons for a big place!
To all my readers, thank you so much for sticking with it!
Hope you will like this chapter! Its a a little short.
Skyhold and The Inquisitor
It's been a week since they arrived and settled themselves in Skyhold. A lot of people all across the settlement arrives daily. Skyhold was now becoming a pilgrimage. Cullen, his soldiers and some volunteers were cleaning out the outer walls of the castle. Bull and his chargers, piling up some bricks for the dwarves to either fix the cracked walls, or rebuild the entire wall. The other volunteers were picking out weeds, vines that blocked most paths, or doors. Josephine writing letters to all the merchants for new beds, dressers, chairs, and all other things they need inside the castle. The inquisition was lucky enough that some merchants donated some goods at no cost, others in charity. The mages, led by Fiona, also contributed; some tend to the wounded, others used their magic for cleaning out the stables, rooms that weren't badly ruined, and some cabins that could be of use to whatever the inquisition plans for. Lavellan, Erelan and Sera helped the cooks preparing food for everyone working. Everyone was surprised how good the cookies Sera made were, they could not picture her in a kitchen without cooking up some pranks. As night falls, everyone returned to their tents, or whatever are they claimed to be their room permanently, all except Sera, Lavellan and Erelan.
They carefully tiptoed around the castle walls. The mages helped a lot with the progress of cleaning everything, the castle almost looked like it wasn't a ruin. As they head down the stairs, they hear a loud crashing sounds of water, they bolted down faster.
"WOW! Waterfall!" Sera exclaimed.
"Look how far this goes…" Erelan tiptoed her way to the edge looking down.
"From the looks of it…I think this is the dungeon? Cells?" Lavellan walked around, looking.
"Bet cha people can't escape from this, or they die tryin." Sera said.
"I doubt people would try to escape from the inquisition, seeing that it is now growing and becoming powerful." Lavellan said, walking towards them.
"Don't they need a leader? You know the 'important people'." Sera asked.
"I thought Cassandra was leading." Lavellan replied, confused.
"Not exactly…no one is leading the inquisition at the moment, and I think they will start having a vote on who will lead." Erelan said, matter of fact.
"I think the inquisition is doing fine without a leader." Sera replied.
"I agree." Lavellan nodded.
"True, but the inquisition will need a leader to represent this organization." Erelan said.
"Well…I think it will be Cassandra she will be a great leader, or Josephine she is after all the ambassador." Lavellan said, thinking.
"Cassandra leading…" Sera shudders at the thought. "She scares me already…but I think she would be good for it. As for Ms. Prissypants…I think she would break on the pressure."
All of them stayed silent for a while, thinking of who will become the leader. Sera broke the silence.
"Ugh! I don't wanna think bout it! Makes my head hurt!" She huffed.
Erelan giggled. "You're right, no point in thinking of who they will make the leader, whoever it is I wish them luck, being a leader is no great feat, all the burdens of the world hang on your shoulders. Ugh, just thinking about makes my body shiver." She shook her head from the thoughts.
"I agree. Let's go explore more of these places!" She beamed.
"Yeah!" Sera and Erelan agreed, hands up on the air.
They 'quietly' explored the rest of the castle, finding a wine cellar, it was empty and dusty that they barely went in to check what else is inside. They found the library. It was covered with lots of dust and cobwebs. Sera nearly hit her head on one of the bookshelves, when a spider fell infront of her face. Erelan swatted the tiny spider on the ground, and Sera stomped on it like there was no tomorrow.
"DIE! YOU PISS FACE!" She muttered, while stomping.
Erelan and Lavellan laughed, wiping tears from their eyes, and holding their stomachs.
"Not funny!" Blurted Sera, glaring at them.
"Sorry! Ha ha ha!" Lavellan replied, trying to control her laughter.
"So much books!" Erelan exclaimed, looking around.
"Can one of you do something bout these!?" Sera waved her hands furiously around the room, pointing at each cobwebs and dust. Erelan chuckled and with one swift move, the room looked good as new.
"Happy?" She turned to Sera, smiling.
"I just don't like those things." She muttered.
"Wonder what type of books these are…and if there is more?" Lavellan said, touching each book she passes.
"No Idea…" Erelan replied, barely a whisper.
'How you've changed…Tarasyl'an Te'las. Once a glorious stronghold…now almost a ruin.'
'Nostalgia…at its finest.'
'Indeed.'
"Hey, look at that big book!" Erelan's thoughts were interrupted by Sera. She and Lavellan turned to the spot Sera walked at. They all stood around it. The book was left open, some of its writings barely readable. Lavellan carefully traced some letters and words.
"Tarasyl'an te'las...the place…where the sky is kept." Lavellan read. "Do you think this book is about this place? Skyhold?" She asked looking at them.
"Don't ask me…I don't read elfy stuff." Sera replied, crossing her arms.
"Maybe? This book looks like it will crumble if we move, or change a page. I suggest to not touch it for now, till we find out how to not break it." Erelan replied.
"Hmmm…your probably right." Erelan stepped back from the book, and started looking at the other books on the shelves.
"If you ask me, this place has too many books! Who reads this much rubbish!?" Sera said, picking up a book.
"Some people…before our time love to read books. No harm in that." Erelan replied, already reading a book on her hand.
"Pfft…yeah no shite." Sera threw the book on the ground. Lavellan and Erelan spunned around.
"Sera! Be careful!" they both hissed in unison.
"Okay okay, don't get all pissy about it." She said. "Can we go explore another area? This place is boring."
"Fine." Lavellan sighed, putting the book she looked at back. Erelan did the same.
All through the night they explored areas that haven't been seen, touched or known. The castle has a lot of interesting rooms, big and small. They stumbled upon a dungeon, it looked like it was untouched. Lavellan and Erelan used their fire magic to light the way, Sera behind them.
"What do you think this place leads to?" Lavellan asked.
"No idea…but whatever it is…I'm getting a bad feeling bout this area." Sera said, looking around. "Bad enough I don't have my bow!"
"Relax…I doubt this place is different from the others we've been through." Erelan reassured.
"What happen to being adventurous Sera?" Lavellan teased.
"Right, well I don't feel safe here, and we should leave and go somewhere else!" She replied.
"You're being edgy right now. You alright Sera?" Erelan asked.
"I'll be alright after we leave this place." She muttered.
"Sera, please nothing is going to happen." Lavellan shook her head.
As they kept walking the long hallway, Lavellan stepped on something. She looked down her foot, and saw one of the tiles shift. As they listened closely 'swish, swosh' sounds can be heard.
"I know that sound…ARROWS! LOTS AND LOTS OF ARROWS!" Sera yelled.
"Seems, to be coming towards here…RUN!" Lavellan yelled.
They turned around running for their lives, as arrows flying across behind them, gaining speed. Lavellan looked back and saw that it was gaining them.
"KEEP RUNNING!" She yelled.
"I TOLD YOU IT DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT!" Sera yelled.
"WE ARGUE ABOUT THIS AFTER!" Lavellan replied back.
"IF WE CAN EVER OUTRUN THEM!" Erelan yelled.
They didn't realize how far they have walked the area until they ran back. An arrow flew across Lavellan's face. Then more arrows flying across all three of them. Each of them dodging as they ran. An arrow was about to hit Erelan she ducked and back flipped as another arrow flew across. Ahead, Sera flipped and side swipe to dodge some arrows. Lavellan crouched and then twirled around. After what felt like an eternity of running they saw a light and the door. They ran past, and Sera slammed the door hard, a loud bang echoed through the halls. They all slide down the walls, slump, and breathed heavily.
"I…think…we…are…done…exploring…for…today." Lavellan said, breathing heavily.
"Agree." Sera replied, coughing and catching up with her breath.
"Well…least we know…what that place is…maybe…probably." Erelan said, breathing and coughing.
After catching up their breaths, they head back towards their bedrolls in the great hall, for now everyone slept together until everything arrives in a week, much to Josephine's dismay.
Wood chopping. People chattering. Smell of smoked pig, and fresh bread from the kitchen. Skyhold is once again bustling with people. Repairing, helping new refugees that just arrived, and finally the furniture arrived, Josephine already telling people where each sets go, and to who's room it goes. Josephine specifically told everyone she will be the one to take care of each accommodation on the rooms. A lot of Lavellan's inner circle already made themselves at home in the new Tavern; Sera, Bull and his chargers. The Stables; Blackwall, he preferred to do something with this hands like carving figures. Dorian made himself at home in the rotunda, with books, down below him Solas, took the space and made himself at home. He has already, according to Leliana and Dorian, started painting the walls around him. They don't know what he is painting though. Leliana stayed near her crows, the upper part of the rotunda. Vivienne made herself comfortable on the balcony overseeing the patio, and the throne room. As for Cassandra, she is comfortable in one of the decent room they have, but she spends mostly training with her dummies. Cullen took one of the tower room. Erelan not far from his tower room. That raised a lot of eyebrows from everyone and a giggle from Lavellan and Sera. Josephine, took the one near their war room. As for Lavellan, no one has told her where she will be staying at. Cole, is…well…everywhere. He says he doesn't sleep, or even eat, his happy to just roam around helping people.
As time passed by, all the furniture has finally been delivered respectfully to everyone. Erelan and Lavellan are in the garden walking and talking. Everyone has noticed the blossoming friendship between the two…in truth three, including Sera. Today was different, Sera has some Red Jenny business and had to leave for a while. It was rare to see just the two of them.
"I'm surprised you haven't been with your advisers these past days…well…besides the plans for Skyhold of course." Erelan said, picking up flowers from the garden.
"We talked…but since the Winterball in Orlais is approaching, they have been trying to find a way to get invited." She replied, sitting on one of the benches.
"My guess is Josie already has a plan?" Erelan said, now with hand full of flowers, and sitting next to her.
"She does, but another problem arise. They feel the inquisition now needs a leader." She replied.
"Thought so…this organization is growing, and more recruits are pouring in from all Thedas. Cullen says so anyway." Erelan started weaving the flowers together.
"Yeah, he said that too." Lavellan looked up at the clear blue sky above them. "It is so peaceful here…I wouldn't mind staying here forever."
"I agree, but…sadly our enemy is still out there." Erelan replied, now finished with her weaving. "Done!" She said smiling.
"That is really beautiful!" Lavellan said, admiring the work.
"Thank you! Here." Erelan put it on Lavellan's head. "Perfect! You know it has been said that if a friend gives you this, they think of you as their sister."
"Sister? You think of me as a sister?" Lavellan asked, looking at Erelan confused.
"Why not? Unless…" She looked at Lavellan for her answer.
"Of course! I always thought of you as a big sister!" She replied, her smile warm as the sun's light.
"Well…I wouldn't know about 'big' sister, I'll just be happy as a sister." Erelan replied, returning the same smile.
Cassandra walked towards them.
"Sorry for the interruption. May I have a word, Herald?" She asked.
"This seems important; I'll see you around…sister." Erelan said as she nodded pass Cassandra.
Cassandra raised an eyebrow. "I did not know you and Erelan…I thought…"
"Don't worry, were not blood sisters, we just recently became sisters…" She pointed to her flower crown. "This is apparently a symbol."
"Ah…I see. Walk with me." She offered.
They both walked towards the courtyard, as Cassandra talks about how the inquisition has improved and grown.
"The elder one, we have the walls and numbers to put up a fight here but this threat is far beyond the war we anticipated, but we now know what allowed you to stand against Corypheus, what drew him to you." Cassandra said.
She looked at her mark. "He wanted this, but now it's useless to him so he wants me dead. That's it."
They walked up on stairs, Lavellan never noticed where they headed. Cassandra stopped as she did the same.
"The anchor has power, but its why you're still standing here. Your decision let us heal the sky, your determination brought us out of Haven. You are the creatures rival because of what you did and we know it, all of us." Leliana stood beside them, holding out a sword, head bowed. Cassandra continued. "The inquisition requires a leader. The one who has already been leading."
Lavellan looked around and saw everyone has gathered. The advisers standing proudly looking at her. The people looking up with hope in their faces.
'Fuck…are they serious?!'
'Creators! They are making you leader! YOU!'
'I don't lead!'
'You do now.'
'Dread wolf take me!'
She looked at Cassandra, disbelief. "Are you sure…you want…a mage…an elf?"
"I will not lie…I would be terrified handing this power to anyone. But I trust you and whatever you decide, we will follow."
She looked at the sword, then to the people, and then back at the sword. Stunned. Speechless. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she slowly took the sword in her hand. It was heavier than it looks. Her hand slipped just for a moment, and she gripped it tightly.
'The burden…has now fallen unto me…I guess.'
'This sword is heavier than it looks though…'
'It tells you how heavy this title is…I guess.'
She looked at the sword. "I will lead us to Corypheus and I will be the ambassador, I'm an elf and a mage standing for Thedas. The Inquisition is for all."
"Wherever you lead us." Cassandra started, as she walked at the edge and looked down. "Have our people been told?"
"They have, and soon the world." Josephine replied, smiling.
"Commander! Will they follow?" Cassandra said.
"Inquisition! Will you follow?" Cullen asked, looking at their soldiers.
They cheered, and their hands up high.
"Will you fight?" He continued. They cheered again. "Will we triumph?" They cheered again. "Your leader! Your Herald! Your Inquisitor!" He drew out his blade, and held up high. People cheering.
Pumped up by the cheers and adrenaline, Lavellan smiled and held the sword up high. The cheers grew louder. Cassandra, Leliana smiled, and looked at their new Inquisitor proudly. Bull, Blackwall, Sera, and Dorian cheered as well, Bull mostly roared and the chargers whistled and yelled. Vivienne smiled, and just clapped her hands like the ladies in Orlais. Solas and Erelan standing together in the corner smiled, except Erelan was jumping up and down waving franticly. After the cheers, the Advisers and now the Inquisitor, with the exception of Cassandra now walked towards their new War Room. There they stayed for hours planning their next move, which areas are in dire need of help.
The sun has started to set, just as they finished their meeting. Lavellan walked out of the War Room, massaging her right shoulder and rolling her arm.
'I should not have held that sword too high…ugh.'
Josephine and Leliana fast walked beside her.
"Inquisitor." Josephine started.
"Please…don't call me that…feels weird." Lavellan interjects.
"Uhm…what…would you like to be called?" She asked.
"Lavellan is fine, or…Levy. Erelan calls me that."
"Then…Lady Lavellan then." Josephine said.
"Uh…just Lavellan please…no lady."
"As you wish…Lavellan."
"Thank you Josephine."
"Tell her already Josie!" Leliana interrupts.
"Tell me what?" Lavellan asked, confused.
"Right! We have a surprise for you! Please follow us."
Josephine and Leliana led her towards a door, next to the throne. She tries not to look at the chair and the sword on it, but it was hard. There is where she will sit soon, and she has no say in it. Josephine opened the door, and together they climbed up some stairs. Then another door and more stairs, but this time is a little shorter. As they near, Vivienne and Dorian were standing together proudly, grinning and looking at Lavellan. Josephine and Leliana stood next to them. Lavellan took one more step and then she looked at her surroundings. The room was huge, on the corner there is a desk, papers already on it. Bookcase filled with books. Huge fireplace. Dresser and a Closet. A Fancy couch, no doubt Vivienne's pick. Then an extravagant looking bed, with a private curtain around it. The bed sheets were silk and in gold color. Curtain Velvet grassy green color. The bedframe, in iron gold. Windows all around, making the room bright. Balconies looking over the courtyard and the mountains. What caught her eye is a mural above the bed. It was a painting of Skyhold castle, mountains surrounding it, and in the center the inquisition symbol. Leliana noticed her fascination of the mural and stood next to her.
"Solas found it, and started repainting it, and made it more vibrant form before." She said.
"It's beautiful." She replied. "But whose room is this for?" She turned around and looked at them.
Dorian gave a small chuckle. "Yours of course!" He said.
"Mine?" She replied, disbelief. "This…is too grand! I can't sleep here! I'd rather sleep among the others!"
"That is out of the question!" Vivienne scoffed. "You my dear is now the inquisitor, you must show your importance."
"And…sleeping in a huge bedroom…is part of that?"
"Of course! Also your clothes. We can't have you wear shabby…uncharacteristically clothing." Vivienne walked over the closet and opened it, showing glamorous clothing. Dresses of different colors and designs. As for the shoes…they were very…interesting to say the least. Different masks on the top shelves.
"Madame Vivienne personally commissioned the entire wardrobe." Josephine explained.
"I Personally designed the shoes." Leliana added, looking rather…excited and happy.
Lavellan looked at everything, she touched some of the dresses. Silk. Cotton. Velvet. Wool. All designed and detailed so precise.
"I have my personal designer made all these." Vivienne said, proudly.
"Oh…uh…thank you…really, but…I think…I like my 'normal' clothes better." Lavellan replied.
"Fashion is necessary my dear. They need to see what great power you hold, and aspire you."
"I think…we will talk more about that later." Dorian interjects. "So, how do like all these?" He said smiling.
"I…don't know what to say. All these…are too grand for me." She replied, looking around.
"Nonsense. This is yours Inquisitor." Josephine replied.
"It will take time to get used to. But…I love it. All of it. Thank you everyone. Truly." Lavellan replied, and bowed her head to everyone. They returned the gesture.
They all left her alone in now her room as they go about their business. Lavellan walked around, looking and touching everything. She walked out to the balcony overlooking the courtyard. She saw Sera running away from one of the kitchen staff, probably pranked her. Cullen giving orders to the soldiers. It dawned on her she never really got to thank Cullen for helping in Haven. She ran down stairs, opening and closing doors as she made her way to the courtyard.
As she approached Cullen, she heard him barked orders to the soldiers around him.
"Send men to scout the area. We need to know what's out there."
"Yes, Ser!" Two of the soldiers saluted and walked away.
Another recruit walked behind him. "Commander, Soldiers have been assigned temporary quarters."
"Very good. I'll need an update on the armory as well." He replied. The soldier, looked at him nervously, and confused. "Now!" He commanded. The soldier saluted and left in a hurry. She walked behind him.
"Someone's been busy." She teased. "Do you ever sleep?"
"Who can sleep after what happened in Haven." He replied, turning around to face her.
"Can't argue with that." She replied. "How…many did we lose…" She asked, hesitant.
"Most of our people made it to Skyhold. It could have been worse." He replied. "Thank you…Inquisitor. None would have made it without your courage."
"Weird…title…Inquisitor Lavellan. I don't think I'll get used to that. Please…it wasn't just me alone." She said.
"Yes, but…you faced archedemon alone…you stayed behind." He hesitated. "I…will never let that happen again." He said, determined.
"Is the commander flirting with me now?" She teased him. Cullen blushed.
"No! I mean…that…that's not what I meant. I'm just- I- makers breath." He rubbed his neck, and signed.
Lavellan laughed. "I'm sorry, Erelan's ways is rubbing off on me."
"I fear you have been together far too long." He replied.
"Speaking of Erelan. Do you know where she is? And Solas? I haven't seen them since the courtyard." She asked, looking around.
"From what I hear, Solas and Erelan are in the garden…together." He replied, looking down almost…like he is hurt. She noticed, and reassures him.
"Cullen, don't be so worried. She only has eyes for you!"
"What-? Oh! Uhm…I…uh…" Surprised, he couldn't finish his thoughts.
She patted his shoulder. "Trust me, I know. I'm a girl who is on the same boat as she." She confessed.
"Solas." He said.
"Its…complicated…he asked to give him time…and I accepted his terms. Though in truth…I don't know how long." She replied, giving him a slight smile. "Thank you for the information, I'll go find those two. Remember! Erelan only has eyes for you!" She winked at him, and left towards the Garden, leaving a crimson faced Cullen.
On her way, people greeted her and asked for her blessing, which was very unnerving. After a while she finally arrived at the garden. Solas and Erelan, standing under the gazebo talking intimately with eachother. A small prick of pain struck her heart. She stood there watching them, they were very close to eachother, that it seemed like they were just whispering to eachother.
'No. Stop thinking about it. They are just Hahren and a Da'len. Nothing is going on.'
'What if there is?'
'Stop! No, Solas asked for time and I will give him time.'
'What if-'
'No!'
Lavellan shook those thoughts away, and walked towards them, slowly. Erelan was the first to notice Lavellan walking. She and Solas smiled at her, Erelan skipping and hugging her.
"Lev- Inquisitor!" She said.
Lavellan rolled her eyes.
"Inquisitor." Solas said, bowing his head slightly.
"You too?" She grunts, in disgust. "Please…just call me Lavellan or Levy! I'm still the same person." She muttered.
"But you're the BIG boss now!" Erelan teased.
"Ery…" She glared at her.
"Oh…scary! Fine…Levy!" She squeezed Lavellan into a bear hug, as Lavellan coughed and breathed hard for air. Erelan laughed. "I'll…leave you two alone, I have an appointment with our dear Sera!" She said.
"Pranks?" Lavellan asked, knowing full well.
"You make it sound like its bad!"
Lavellan shook her head, and Erelan left and waved goodbye at them as she ran out of the garden. Solas and Lavellan walked back towards the gazebo and sat on the bench. Silence filled them.
"I heard you repainted the mural in…I guess my quarter now." She said.
"The ambassador told you I see." He replied, a small smile showed on his face.
"It's beautiful Solas. Thank you." She said, smiling at him.
"It is…no trouble. In fact, I have started to paint the walls on the rotunda."
"Will you show me?" She asked, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Of course. When I am finished." He said.
They stayed quiet for a while as they watch the sun slowly setting. Torches now being lit up. They stayed under the gazebo for a while, and looked up at the sky. Stars, shining brightly, and a full moon cascading light over the garden, giving it a serene atmosphere.
"Solas, I remember you telling me…about the fade, and all the encounters you made." She said.
"Yes."
"Can…anyone do that? Enter the fade?"
"Yes, as long as they can control their dreams, and mind. Mages, however have a stronger connection to the fade, than most."
"Does this mean I can?"
"That remains to be seen." He smirked.
"Show me?" She asked, hope in her voice and curiosity.
"Of course, tonight, when you sleep. I will look for you." He said.
"Alright." She replied, eagerly.
Night time approached, and as the evening drew close to midnight, Skyhold was now standing proud, tall and silent. Everyone has gone to bed, except for the guards on the towers and doors. Lavellan changed into her cream colored silk nightly gown, commissioned by Vivienne herself. Apparently, even in sleep you have to show power. She got on her bed, and slipped under the covers. The cool air from outside, and warmth from the fireplace, lulled her to sleep and dreamt.
Author's notes:
And done! Hopefully this chapter was enjoyable...maybe?
Next chapter will be of course...THE FADE WITH SOLAS AND OUR DEAR QUIZZY!
Heads up, I will use some of the conversation, but also add a little spice to it, since well...that remains to be seen!
Until next time!
P.s. Sorry this took so long! *Bows in forgiveness*
