Author's notes:

SolasxLavellan Chapter

'Italics' - thoughts

Italics - Fade/dreams/flashback

Fallow Mire

Lavellan shrieked at the sight of an undead. Harding did warn her, and asked if she was squeamish about it, of course she lied.

"FOR FUCK SAKE! CAN THEY STOP POPPING UP!" She yelled, as she froze one of them.

"HAHAHA! The inquisitor afraid of the undead! Who would have thought after fighting demons, darkspawns, closing rifts, and the one thing she's scared of are undead?" Varric commented, as he blew up one of the corpses.

"Shut up!" She sent a fireball to the last corpse.

"I don't get it boss, we fought these before, you never showed fear." Bull stated. "Why now?"

"We had demons to fight, and all I could think of was killing the demons, I mean we had a rage demon that could burn us to death!" She replied.

"Hey chuckles, did you know she's afraid of undead?" Varric looked at Solas.

"No, child of the stone. This is news to me." He replied.

"All of you shut up! Let's just go find this Avvar guy who wants to duel me. AND save our soldiers!" She huffed, and stomped away towards their destination.

"Wonder if the Soldiers are alright." Varric said, loud enough for any of them to hear

"Well only one way to know for sure is when we arrive." Lavellan replied.

As they kept walking down the path, they noticed a beacon.

"Creepy shit." Bull muttered.

"What's a beacon doing here?" Lavellan asked.

"Look, there's a rune on the wall." Solas said.

"Don't we need Veilfire for it?" Lavellan asked, confused.

"Maybe one of you should light this?" Varric pointed at the unlit torch.

Solas used his magic and lit it up. Rumbling and moaning sounds can be heard. Suddenly they are surrounded by undead and a pair of terror demons.

"Well…shit!" Varric yelled.

"Everyone gather around!" Lavellan ordered.

They have their weapons ready. Bull taunted the terror demons to him, together the demons opened a portal under them towards him. He jumped out the way before they come up around the group. Varric dropped traps, and acid on the ground infront of the undead. Solas and Lavellan took turns throwing fire and ice at each undead. The terror demons closed in on Bull, using his axe, he spunned around slashing them as the blade hits them. One of the demon opened up a portal and then came back behind him, knocking him down.

"Bull!" Lavellan yelled.

She casted a barrier around him before the demon slashed its claws at him. Bull jumped and slashed the demon in half, killing it. He turned around to hit the other one, but it vanished underground. Varric busy with the undead infront of him, failed to notice one of the undead behind.

"Varric!" Solas yelled.

He turned around and saw the undead shooting an arrow straight at him. Solas, using his staff, slammed the end of it and froze the arrow and the undead archer just in time before it stabbed him. Varric taking the opportunity shot an arrow at its chests, and blew it up in pieces. Lavellan's scream made all the guys turn to see the last demon hovering above her. It sneaked itself under, causing her to fall on the ground and her staff thrown far from her grasp. Solas, horrified and angry fade stepped to her side, and immolated the demon with his fire magic. He grabbed, and fade stepped away from the demon as it shrieks from the flame. Lavellan grabbed her staff from the ground, and sent a wave of lighting blowing it to pieces. As the last demon died, so did the undead, and the veilfire turned into just a normal fire.

"Well…I guess now we know what this beacon does." Varric commented, putting Bianca on his back.

"Yeah, it brings out the demons and undead." Bull replied, walking towards them.

"I wonder if there is more, if there is we might be able to just kill most of the undead." Solas pondered.

"Here…I thought this mission will be easy." Muttered Lavellan.

"With you as our leader feisty? Never." Varric teased.

"The demons and undead are gone now, you two love birds can let go of eachother now." Bull said, grinning.

"What?" Solas and Lavellan said in unison.

They looked at eachother and noticed Solas's arm is still around her waist, and her arm around his. They abruptly let go of each other. Lavellan turning crimson red, Solas cheeks burning red.

"Andraste's sweet knickers…this is the first time I've seen chuckles blush! Oh I have to put this into the story now!" Varric exclaimed.

"Please give me the credit of being the one to point that out." Bull added.

"I would appreciate if you don't Master Tethras." Solas said, clearing his throat.

"I'll think about it then." Varric replied, still grinning.

"Can we just leave this area, its giving me the creeps." Lavellan said, walking pass them.

The guys followed close behind, sensing her discomfort and annoyance, they stayed silent.

As they kept walking closer to their destination, killing undead and demons within the beacons they found, three beacons counting the first one. Lavellan stopped, feeling the tingling of the anchor. She walked off course from their path, following the anchor's pull.

"Are you sensing a rift?" Solas asked.

"It's faint…but it's there." She replied.

"Great…why can't we just kill dragons…dragons are more fun and not creepy like demons." Bull protested.

"Don't tell me your scared of demons Tiny." Varric teased.

"Demons are shit, I hate them." Bull replied, disgusted.

"I won't argue with that." Varric agreed.

"Shh…someone is here." Lavellan shush them.

As they neared the rift, they noticed someone or something big is looking at it.

"Are…you an avvar?" Lavellan asked, from the distance.

He turned around. "So you're the Herald of Andraste." He replied. "My kin want you dead, lowlander. But it's not my job. No fears from me."

"Oh goody, so…why aren't you with the other Avvar?" She asked.

"Trying to figure out this hole in the world. Never seen anything like it's like. They spit out angry spirits. Endless. What the sky's trying to tell us, I don't know."

"They're caused by the Breach in the sky. It was some kind of magic gone wrong." She answered.

"I know that, lowlander. I'm talking about the Lady of the Skies. Do you not know her? Can't you see the warning she writes through the bird flocks in the air?" The Avvar asked.

Lavellan turned to her party. They all shrugged their shoulders. She turned back around to face the Avvar.

"Well…if you don't mind, I'd like to open and close this rift."

She walked passed the avvar and reached out to the rift. It crackled and then it opened, demons pouring. Lavellan and her party fought them off, the avvar attacking some of the minor demons. Her party covered her as she disrupts the rift and stunning the demons for a moment. As the last demon died, she reached up and closed the rift.

"Lady of the skies! You can mend the gaps in the air?" The Avvar asked.

"Pretty great, huh?" Bull replied.

"She isn't called the herald for nothing." Varric added.

"Maybe you do have a God's favor." The Avvar said.

"Do you know if my soldiers are still alive?" She asked.

"The last time I saw them they were." The Avvar answered.

"Well…thank you."


Lavellan and party left the Avvar at his spot. They followed the trail again and found themselves at another beacon. Lavellan sighed, and nodded for Solas to light it up. As soon as he did, demons and undead poured out everywhere. It took almost an hour and almost their healing potions to finally defeat all of it. Exhausted from all the fighting, Lavellan drop on the ground, Solas crouching sending some of his mana in her.

"Ma Serannas." She whispered.

"You okay there feisty?" Varric asked, concerned.

"I'll be fine once we kill this prince of prick, and save our soldiers if they are still alive and get out of this forsaken place." She replied.

"We're almost there boss, hang on." Bull reassured.

"Can you stand?" Solas asked, his face full of worry.

"Yea…help me up?"

Solas nodded, and helped her to her feet. She stumbled a bit, but Solas steadied her. As they got closer to the castle, infront of its gate, massive group of undead gathered.

"More undead!" Lavellan yelled.

"There's too many of them, we have to run pass them!" Solas yelled.

"Bull! Can you clear a path?" Lavellan asked.

"You got it boss!"

Bull ran up ahead and taunted them. Solas put a barrier around him, for protection. Varric, Lavellan and Solas ran towards the gate. Varric threw poison on the ground, and it starts spreading. Bull running not too far behind. As they got inside the gate, Avvars started attacking them. Lavellan quickly put a barrier around her, Solas and Varric. Bull charging towards the attackers, and hardened his armor. As they finished off the last Avvar, Lavellan climb up the wooden bridge towards the lever and pulled it. The iron bar that was close, opened up. She saw some potions on the edge of the wall and took some. Varric picked on the locked door on the tower, and opened it. They entered the area, and found some trinkets, one of them is a badge for Wardens.

"Shit, Blackwall is going to hate me for not taking him." Lavellan grumbled.

"I'm sure he will understand." Varric replied.

She put the badge in one of her pack and they all left the room. As they run up the stairs, getting closer to their destination, Lavellan felt her heart beat uncontrollably.

'Really?! I'm nervous about this?'

'Avvar's are huge sons of bitches.'

'Still, of all the things I could be anxious about…why this?'

'Because your weird. I mean you talk to yourself before fighting this thing.'

'Good point.'

Solas noticing her silence, ran beside her.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

Taken from her thoughts, she looked at his direction and gave him her most reassuring smile she could muster. "Yep, totally fine. Not scared at all." She chuckled, nervously.

"You know you're a bad liar." He replied, a small smile formed.

"Here I thought I was." She replied, sighing.

"Don't worry we are all here for you." He said, reassuring.

"Better be, or I will haunt you all for life!" She replied, teasing.

They stopped running as soon as they arrived, a huge figure, slamming his axe on the ground, started yelling at them.

"HERALD OF ANDRASTE! FACE ME! I AM THE HAND OF KORTH HIMSELF!"

"Well…at least he knows how to introduce himself with style." Lavellan joked. Bull and Varric, snickered, and Solas shaking his head.

Solas put up a barrier on everyone as an avvar defender launched himself towards them. Bull yelled and body slams into his shield, causing the avvar to falter for a moment. Varric went incognito as he positioned himself behind the avvar archer. Solas and Lavellan took turns throwing ice and fire at Korth, hoping to break down his harden. Korth charged toward Lavellan, she ran behind one of the stone pillars, and his axe hit the stone wall instead. While trying to wrench it out, Bull with his axe, bashed him from behind. Varric, still occupied with the archer dropped traps, and shot an arrow on its shoulder, blowing up in contact. Solas, taking the opportunity of Korth being wounded by Bull, froze him. The group feeling like they have won, gathered together, until Korth yelled out and broke free from being frozen and got his weapon out.

"Shit! Does he even feel pain?!" Lavellan asked.

"Apparently not." Varric said.

Korth regained his stamina, and started to charge towards them. Bull, hardened and charged towards him. Both their axes clashing together. Varric ran behind Korth and shot an explosive arrow, and blowing up in contact with Korth's back. Korth screamed, and with his strength threw Bull backwards, hitting his back on the stone wall.

"Bull!" Lavellan screamed. She ran towards Bull, until Solas yelled for it.

"LAVELLAN!"

She turned around and saw Korth charging at her. It took her a moment to realize what's going on until Korth's full body crashed to hers, causing her to fly and hit her back hard on the stone wall. She screamed in pain on impact. She fell on the ground, face down. Her staff far from her reach. The impact made her dizzy, and unable to see clearly. She can hear Solas and Varric, yelling. By the time her vision cleared up, Korth already standing infront of her, with his axe in the air, ready to strike.

'Fuck! Is this how I die?!'

'Inquisitor Lavellan, died during a little duel with a prince of prick.'

'Totally not a good way to go.'

'STOP TALKING AND START THINKING!'

She closed her eyes, and started to think of a way out. A tingling sensation came to her right hand. She saw a bright light, unlike her mark, and grabbed for it. She opened her eyes, and in one swift move, a bright phantom sword took place and with full force she stabbed his heart all the way until the blade went through. Korth dropped his axe, and staggered backwards. He fell on his knees, blood spilling out of his chest making a pool of blood. Lavellan, with her phantom sword, stood up infront of him and with a swift move, beheaded him. The headless body fell unto its pool of blood. Lavellan breathed heavily.

"Asshole." She spat.

Weak, and injured her body gave out, she braced for the hard impact that never came. Solas, fade stepped behind her and caught her before she hit the ground. She looked up and smiled weakly at him. Varric, went over to Bull, asking if his alright. Bull nodded, and they both walked over towards them.

"Solas, is she alright?" Bull asked, limping and holding his sides.

"I'm fine Bull. Not dead yet." She responded.

"Even when near death you still joke." Varric chuckled.

"Hey…like Sera said, 'we can't be all be moody'." She responded, smiling.

"Where did you get the sword you had on your hand boss? That was awesome!" Bull exclaimed.

"I honestly...have no clue. Let's put that discussion for later, yes? Does anyone know where our soldiers are?" She asked weakly, breathing heavily.

"The only door I see is that one." Solas responded, pointing at the door. "Korth probably has the key for it."

"I'm on it." Varric walked over to the corpse and found the key. "Found it!"

"Let's go free them. Solas, please." Lavellan looked at Solas.

"You are injured; you shouldn't be moving about." He said.

"Pfft…Bull is injured but his moving." She pouted.

"Hahaha, Boss I get these all the time. Plus, my body is built for this." Bull responded.

"Not helping my case here Bull." She glared at him.

"You will have to lean on me then." Solas said, as he put her shoulder around his neck. She winced at the pain.

"Fuck, this shit hurts." She hissed.

"That's what being injured is." Varric said.

They walked together towards the door. Varric, using the key opened the door. The soldiers cheered for joy that they are saved.

"It's the Herald!" One exclaimed.

"She really did come for us!" Another said.

"I told you she would." Another responded.

"Is everyone alright?" Lavellan asked, concerned.

"Yes, but some are injured and will need healing. We can manage to go back on our own Herald." The female soldier responded.

"I'll have some men help you out along the way." Lavellan said.

The soldiers saluted them as they turned around to leave. Bull looked at the dead man's axe and grabbed it.

"Nice axe, I think I'll take it." He said.

"Go ahead, it does need a new owner." Lavellan replied.

"Yeah, I'm going to take good care of it." Bull said.

"Forgive me inquisitor." Solas said.

"What-?" Before she could answer, Solas swept her off her feet and carried her. Varric whistled.

"Nice." Bull said, grinning widely.

"Solas? I…can walk…" She said, hiding her flushed cheeks.

"Sorry to break it to ya feisty but with you limping we won't be able to make it back in time to heal you." Varric said, grinning.

"Don't deny that you don't like it boss, you know you love it." Bull teased.

Her face is probably already more red than the color itself. She buried her face on Solas' chest, hiding. She felt him chuckle as it vibrated through his chest. Everyone slowly made their way back to their camp, avoiding water as much as possible. Lavellan had fallen asleep while being carried.

Back at camp, Solas started healing Bull first, then to Lavellan. Bull is lucky his body is built for such heavy impact. As for Lavellan, it was a different story. She suffered from broken and cracked ribs. Her skull cracked from when she fell on the ground, and bruises all around. At least there is no internal bleeding. Varric, and Bull are outside talking to scout Harding. Solas stayed inside the tent to watch over her. She has been sleeping for almost a day now. He worries that although she's healed physically, spiritually maybe she is not. He took a seat next to her and closed his eyes, hoping to find her in the fade.


He walked for what felt like forever, until he stumbled upon a forest. Huge trees hovering everywhere. The moon above, the only light shining through. Caution, he walked on the path laid out and followed it. As he approached closer, a single fire, laughter could be heard. As he emerged, the trees disappeared and now replaced by an open field, and the only single fire. Three figures emerged, a man and a woman, then a child barely ten years old. It was clear to him that it is a family. A happy and loving family. Suddenly the scene turned dark, other figures started appearing, and closing in on the family. The man stood up, the woman ushering the child into the tent, to hide, then turned to stand next to the man. Then a fight broke out, the man got killed. The woman raped mercilessly then killed. The child who had been hiding, jumped out, cried and screamed. Then the area became cold as ice. Solas is now witnessing the memory of Lavellan, the time her parents died, and her magic awakened. The child now standing alone, eyes empty stared at Solas. He caught his breath as her eyes dugged deep into his body to his soul. He is so caught up by her, he did not notice the real Lavellan standing next to him until she spoke.

"Like what you see?"

Solas, turned around and looked at now the adult Lavellan. She stared at him, looking for any reaction.

"I…I'm sorry I didn't mean to…pry into your dreams…" He said.

"Don't worry…it's not…a secret between me and you." She replied, smiling.

Unable to answer, he changed the scene to a more serene and beautiful. Waterfall flowing through a huge river bank. The water reflecting the moonlight made the scene look…romantic. Lavellan in awe with the abrupt change of scene, looked around.

"You really need to teach me how to do this." She said.

"It takes a while…but if you'd like we can try now." He replied, a slight smirk showing on his face.

"I…think it wouldn't be best for now…seeing…well…you saw it." She replied, as she sat down next to the river.

"Another time then." Solas said, sitting next to her.

Lavellan noticed Solas is sitting a little far from her. She wondered if she is the only one committed to this relationship…or if you can call their relationship a relationship. Solas did call her Vhenan but other than that, he barely showed any…feelings. For five days now, he barely said anything to her. It is always her that starts a conversation, she is always the one that makes the first moves. He never once took action, unless you count the fact he carried her all the way to camp after being injured. Lavellan, feeling stupid pulled her knees up and put her head down. Solas noticed her distress.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

"I…Solas…can I ask you something?" She replied, turning her head towards him.

"Of course, anything." He replied.

"What…what are we? What am I to you?" She asked, eyes searching his face.

Taken aback by her question, Solas shifted uncomfortably on his spot. Composing himself he asked.

"What do you mean?"

"You…and I…are we…in some kind of relationship here? Or am I just some kind of casual dalliance?"

"No, you are not some casual dalliance. You…are far more than that." He replied.

"Then why does it feel like I'm the only one committed to this…" She whispered.

Lavellan got up and turned around. Solas, doing the same. Without turning to face him.

"Maybe it's better…if we have space. I feel like I'm forcing you into this. I don't want this Solas, I don't want to be the only one in this."

Before he could reply, she walked away and disappeared. He stood there staring at the now empty spot she walked out of. He sighed and woke himself up.


Solas woke up to an empty bed. He looked around the tent, and then heard her laughing outside. He got out of the tent and found her sitting with Varric, Bull and Harding huddled by the fire, exchanging stories. Varric is the first to notice him walking towards them.

"Well, look who decided to join us." He said.

"Had a nice dream Solas?" Bull teased.

Solas ignoring the question, looked at Lavellan, who is purposely not looking at him. She engaged herself with Harding, who is happy to oblige. Varric, noticing the icy wall between the two, shifted uncomfortably on his spot. Bull, not paying attention just went on drinking. Solas walked over towards the two women. Harding greeted him.

"Messere Solas. Good evening." She said.

"Scout Harding, may I speak with the inquisitor alone?" He asked, smiling at her.

"No need to speak to me privately Solas, we are a group after all." Lavellan said, disdain in her voice. "Whatever you have to say, I'm sure others will find it helpful." She finished, not looking at him.

"My apologies Inquisitor…but it is something of…private matters." He replied, composing his voice.

Lavellan closed her eyes, and stood up from her spot. She turned around and looked at him, but not the way she used to. Her eyes showing no emotion, not even the spark that he pulled him to reality.

"Can this wait until we go back to Skyhold? I do have a lot of other things to do. After all…I am the inquisitor." She replied, coldly.

Solas, unable to answer just nodded and walked away. Bull, Varric and Harding all witnessed the intense exchange felt uncomfortable and excused themselves. Lavellan, alone and feeling remorse from her actions, exhaled heavily and fell back on her spot. She covered her face with her hands.

'You…are stupid.'

'You just noticed that?'

'You're not helping here.'

'Just agreeing with the obvious.'

Lavellan looked up at the sky. The rain has stopped pouring for a while, then a single drop fell on her face. In moments, it started to pour. She watched as the fire has died out from the rain, and slowly made her way to her tent. It was empty when she went inside. Ever since the day of their mutual affection, she had insisted they share a tent, until now. Solas' things are still in the tent, but he wasn't. She sighed in relief but also regretted her action and words. She forced herself not to think of it and took out a book: Tales of the Destruction of Thedas by Brother Genitivi. She read until sleep took over her. An hour or two later, Solas returned from where he came from, and slept in his own bedroll.

Author's notes:

Well...that was interesting.

What will happen to Solas and Lavellan now?!

Until next chapter; back in skyhold!

Thank you for reading!