BEAUTY LAVELLAN & THE IRON BEAST

/ Tale as old as time \
True as it can be
Barely even friends,
Then somebody bends
\ Unexpectedly. /

Cold. So cold. Heavy steps. Slouched walking. Difficulty breathing. Frostbite. It burned, it hurt. Her skin was agonizing under the merciless gale. Her medium armour was no match for the temperature outside. Her fingers felt the worst; well, not quite; to be truthful, she had almost lost all feeling in them. Her feet were starting to give in, too.

So much snow. White. So white. It pained her eyes. She could barely see through the heavy storm. Her body was slowly shutting down, craving some rest. Her mind was a sea of smoke. She couldn't tell anymore if she had completely lost her vision, or if everything was just faded, a mess of bright silver, the brisk air pecking at her from all sides.

I want home. Home, where the tall trees are, with their beautiful leaves of striking emerald. The colourful berries, the little critters running to and fro, the birds with their enchanting songs… Home, where there is warmth and love… Where mother makes me flower crowns, where Father gifts me books from his travels to the outside… Home, where my sisters and I spy on the cute hunters and pick one for each of us… Father, mother… Sisters…Home… Am I… Am I home…? I think I'm almost there…

["Arte'mys? Hurry, hurry!" "Come see the beautiful dresses our mother got for us! " "We kept the rose-coloured one for you." "We know it's your favourite!"]

The beautiful dresses… I never did find an occasion to wear it. Mother said it complimented the freckles and the fairness of my hair nicely. She is always so kind.

["My child. I was… pondering. You did well today out in the field, Ranger Ardreth told me so. If you'd be willing, I can teach you how to mix the poisons you asked about. It's the least I can do." ]

I remember… Father, you never got to show me how to make them, after all… You're probably waiting for me, still. I didn't forget what I needed. A sprinkle of the black pollen… Yes… Some crushed buds… The root of that infectious weed… The deadly flower sap…I'm coming home, Father… I'm almost home…

"Herald! Herald, can you hear me?" "Lavellan, where are you?" "Don't give up, she must be somewhere close. She must have followed behind us, I'm sure. ""Cassandra…" "I said don't. Stop. Searching! Am I clear?" "It's no use, Seeker. We cannot see a thing through this storm." "Solas, I need you to shut up right now and help me search for her." "It's reckless to go out there. I know we gotta find her, but wait until the fog passes." "We can't stay here. People are freezing to death, and food supplies are running low." "We're not leaving without the Herald!"

Herald…? Isn't that… me? Who is calling for me? It must be sister Thebea, it sounds like her voice… Does that mean I'm home? I have to let them know I'm here… I have to…

Gathering all of her strength, Arte'mys curled her hands up to her chest, clinging desperately onto her scarf, pulling at it, trying to force her throat to make a sound. She had to tell them she was finally home. She would finally see her family again. Air gathered in her lungs as she took a deep breath, before considerably straining her vocal chords, calling out to her searchers.

"I'm… home…!" Her voice was incredibly croaky, the words barely escaping her, as the last straw of energy left her form, legs rendering meaningless, body collapsed into the snow. "There! It's her!" "Thank the Maker!" Her eyelids slid to a close, and she could make out shapes approaching her hastily. She fell into deep slumber, the warm memories of her family lingering in her heart.

"What would you have me tell them?" We cannot simply ignore this! We must find a way!" "And who put you in charge?" "Please, we must use reason! Without the infrastructure of the Inquisition—""That can't come from nowhere!" "She didn't say it could." "Enough! This is getting us nowhere!"

Cullen… Cassandra… Josephine… Leliana… The Council… my Advisors… My colleagues, my friends, my party. Varric, Sera, Blackwall, Vivienne, Dorian, Cole… The ones who were always by her side… Solas… and…

A distant scene. Remembering. The jokes, the playful poking, the banter, the excitement, the comradery.

"Bull."

The Dalish girl lifted her head off the improvised pillow, Mother Giselle by her side. The Iron Bull exhaled, a little weight lifting off his chest. Hands crossed in front of him, he had lingered next to the Herald's tent, watching the Advisors bicker ever since they found her.

"They've been at it for hours" Arte'mys sighed, glancing towards the Chantry member. "They have that luxury, thanks to you." She further informed her of the situation, how Corypheus had fled, how doubt led to blame, and the argument outside started.

The Herald stood up, wincing in pain, struggling to walk towards the others. Nobody looked at her, all of them sulking on their own. Her vision lingered onto them, for a few moments, before a serene song resonated through the improvised camp.

"Shadows fall and hope has fled

Steel your heart, the dawn will come

The night is long and the path is dark

Look to the sky, for one day soon…

The dawn will come."

Eyes slowly looked up, heads turning, the people gathering to the scene. Leliana's crystal voice soon joined, colliding harmoniously with that of Mother Giselle,

"The Shepard's lost and his home is far"

and, steadily, soldiers gathered round, adding to the overlaying intonations.

"Keep to the stars, the dawn will come"

Even Commander Cullen's baritone voice followed in unison.

"The night is long, and the path is dark

Look to the sky, for one day soon

The dawn will come."

People were approaching, kneeling – familiar and unfamiliar faces alike glanced upon the Herald of Andraste, putting their faith into song, bestowing it upon her.

"Bare your blade and raise it high,

Stand your ground,

The dawn will come

The night is long and the path is dark

Look to the sky, for one day soon…

The dawn will come.

Everyone's hearts connected, for that moment that seemed to be floating in time, like a reverie. The fires burning ember, the wind howling around them, the unity and compassion of spirits uniting. Impressive was an understatement; the elf was moved to tears, and, although the lyrics were foreign to her, she listened closely, watching them with honour. The grandeur of this simple crowd of enduring survivors was more than any gold could ever offer. It was such a unique feeling that ended up staying in Arte'mys' heart for as long as she lived. It was then when she finally realized, this was her home.

[x]

"There is a place that waits for a force to hold it.

There is a place where the Inquisition can build, grow.

Skyhold."