A/N: So it's been a long while, but! I have a surprise! I'm going to mix things up a bit, well more than a bit. This chapter will be a little slow in the beginning because I have to find a transition, but I hope you'll like my newly envisioned story! Enjoy!
It was autumn, although no one back in Haven would know. I liked it that way, how the farther we traveled away from Haven, the snow and ice melted and gave way to the warm welcoming sun, a brisk energizing wind, and slowly falling leaves.
From what Cassandra said we arrived in the Hinterlands since this morning and were heading towards their base camp where Scout Harding would inform them of the surrounding area.
Cassandra was not sociable, but Solas and Varric kept me company enough. Solas would provide commentary for the surrounding world and natural phenomenon, and Varric had a witty funny comment for everything.
What I enjoyed most was being outdoors without fear. For the first time being here in this world I felt relaxed. I stopped thinking of home, and how I could maybe never go back. Instead, I simply thought of this world how it has its own character and legends.
"The base camp is over there," Cassandra yelled to the group, bringing me back from my daydreams, she pointed up a large steep hill. I followed her hand, and blocked the sun from my eyes to see the tip of a tent and the top of people's heads moving around, "The sun will be setting soon..." Cassandra was thinking aloud, "change of plans we'll stay here for the night." Without even blinking an eye she plowed up the hill with her killer thighs.
"Meet me before dinner tonight, Snow. Don't think I didn't see you fall earlier," I blushed remembering my embarrassing trip over an overgrown tree root; my knee landed first taking the impact from the cobblestone road. But Solas and Cassandra were ahead of Varric and me, how could he have seen it? Damn you Varric!
Varric laughed and said, "Is he whispering his sweet nothings again, Bronto?" Suddenly Varric's face became sour, "Oh! Now the entire joke is ruined, maybe you do need a nickname change. Bronto just doesn't seem to roll off the tongue."
"Agreed!" If I could convince Varric out of calling me Bronto then I'd be that much happier.
We arrived at the camp shortly, following Cassandra's brisk lead.
An attractive female dwarf greeted us as we entered, "Lead Scout Harding, nice to meet you Seeker."
Varric chuckled, muttering some bad pun to himself, while Cassandra discussed reports with Scout Harding.
"Come with me, Lethallan," Solas took hold of my hand and lead me to the camp fire, centered in the middle of the brown tents.
"It's not that bad...I'll be fine, don't waste your mana on me," I protested, I didn't need him to heal every little cut and scratch I got. I could handle it myself.
Solas smiled slightly, "I don't mind, sometimes a distracting bruise is all it takes to fall in battle."
"Only for fools," I say.
"Are you a fool?" Solas asks, I can't help but feel as though this is a trick question.
I think for a few seconds, "Not when it comes to bruises in battle."
"If not bruises, then what?"
I catch my breath, he's got me. He gets me. He makes me a fool. And for some reason that made me angry. I don't like feeling cornered, and narrow my eyes at him, "Wouldn't you like to know?" Good job Snow, very childish.
Solas raises his eyebrows but says nothing, focusing on healing the giant bruise covering my entire knee.
Scout Harding, Cassandra, and Varric approach us, "...seen a Chantry Mother down in the Crossroads,. She's tending to the refugees, offering what aid she can. You're not planning on taking her away from here are you? The refugees here are desperate and need any help they can get-" Scout Harding stopped suddenly, realizing she had stepped out of line, "I apologize. It's just that I grew up here and know a lot of the people down there. I know that stopping the Breach is more important," She cut her hand through the air in front of her, as though she wished she could wave away the Breach, "If Mother Giselle can help be apart of that then I'm sure the refugees will understand."
I got up and placed my hand on her shoulder, giving her a gentle squeeze, "It's alright. It's nice to know you care about those people. We need people like you who take into account the lives of others. We came for information. We will not force Mother Giselle to leave, I promise."
"Thank you. You're not who I'd thought you'd be." Scout Harding smiled gratefully for my acceptance. She wasn't a stone cold soldier, and that was okay.
"Thank you for your time Scout Harding," Cassandra nodded to her, "Have a pleasant night."
Varric winked at Harding as we left for our tents, "You should read my book some time: Hard in Hightown," She rolled her eyes.
IXI
"Does it feel any better?" Solas and I stood outside my tent. Cassandra lay inside drifting into sleep.
"Much, thank you." My hand glides over my recently bruised knee, why does Solas think he needs to heal every single cut I get, why does he treat me like I'm some delicate fragile flower, it gets annoying sometimes, I just want to be seen as equal! "Solas, why do you coddle me?"
"Coddle is a strong word, simply healing your injuries isn't coddling."
"That's not what I meant. You can be so cold to everyone, but to me...you're warm and kind. Why?" I didn't want to sound suspicious and ungrateful, but I had to know.
He smirks, "Would you rather me be rude and hostile?"
"Well...no. I-That's not-" He didn't answer my question and twisted my words.
Solas placed his pale slender finger on my lips." That was a mistake.
I pushed his hand away, "This is exactly what I hate Solas, being treated as though I'm a child. My mother is over protective enough! I don't need you too!" Suddenly I was hit with a wave of sadness, I had no idea why. I was angry at Solas, not sad.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you." Solas raised his to hold mine, but I rejected him taking a step back.
Why? Just why was he so nice to me? I wasn't some extraordinary person who people loved to be around. For some reason I felt a sudden click within me to doubt him. Sure I had a power to close rifts, but still he could help close the Breach without befriending me.
"Snow..." Solas sighed, "I care about you...is that so hard to believe?"
I looked him straight in the eye, he seemed to be genuine...then why do I still get the nagging feeling this is all a lie? "Why should you?" I say with spite.
Solas gave me a look as though he couldn't believe what I was saying to him. It wasn't a sad or confused look, not even surprised, it was just a speechless look. Then he almost snarled at me. Snarled! I could see the hint of it on his face, under a calm and contained mask. He suddenly left for his tent, barely brushing my side, but just enough to let me know that he was upset. In his own Solas way...
Was he upset because I just ardently rejected him? I simply couldn't trust someone that nice... especially if they're only that nice to me. Maybe in time...but for now I should keep my distance.
I exhaled loudly, letting out a baited breath. I was exhausted, my eyes were heavy and my muscles ached. I would deal with tonight's repercussions in the morning. But first, a goodnight's sleep.
IXI
I dreamt I was carried away on wisps of air, tiny faint breaths lifted me from the heavy ground, and whispers guided my direction. I felt like an elegant feather, floating through the starry night. Everything was a beautiful blur, a harmonious wave...
IXI
"Vah'ren, it is time to wake." A smooth female voice said calmly into my ear.
My eyes opened softly to see a transparent figure siting over me. I was laying on a light blue silk bed, surrounded by dark purple and gold decorations that adorned the vibrant stone walls.
The change in surroundings did not stir a panic in me, my heart did not stop with fright and fear. The rhythmical beating of my heart continued its metronome.
I looked at the transparent figure, it was clear that she was an elf, and a ghost. The soul of one long deceased.
"I am Sariel, you were brought here at the request of my master. Illahnas Keep, Lethallan." She gestured to the large ornate window behind me, framed in golden swirls. I sat up and gazed out the window. It held a picture of a shimmering waterfall, the surrounds cliffs were filled with vegetation and small wildlife.
Sariel left my bedside and opened a wooden wardrobe, inside were numerous gowns. She quickly picked a dress; lavender with light green accents. It reminded me of Spring. Then she opened the bottom drawer and pulled out a matching pair of flat shoes.
"Your garments are being washed, in the mean time my master has permitted you to wear this," She set the dress and shoes at the end of the bed, "I will wait outside the door for you. We will be eating breakfast with my master in the main dinning hall." She curtsied and glided out of the room.
My feet hit the ground and I was surprised to find that it was not cold. I was wearing my thread bare under clothes, I was glad that my decency remained intact. I held the dress above me, surveying its size. It looked too long and slim for me, but as I slipped its fabrics over me it transformed to my body, creating the perfect fit.
Magical clothes to fit any size? I didn't realize there was that type of magic. The only commonly learned magic was either offensive or defensive, and it was usually for combat purposes. I realized there was much that I didn't know about magic, and wanted to learn.
The shoes fit as well, cushioning the soles of my feet. It was a welcome feeling, after having walked for weeks on end to the Hinterlands from Haven. The Hinterlands! Of course!
The misty calm feeling surrounding my brain washed away. I wasn't scared, I didn't feel as though I had a reason to be, but questions did start filling my head, questions that I would soon ask this "master". Is it a he or she? Are they a mage? Did they conjure Sariel from the Fade?
I had no idea where I was apart from being at Illahnas Keep, I hoped I was still in the Hinterlands.
I pulled on the door latch and there was Sariel, waiting for me as she said, "You look lovely Vah'ren."
"Vah'ren? Why do you call me that?" I asked her.
She gave me an ambiguous answer, "All your questions will be answered soon, for now have patience. It is a virtue," She started walking down the hall, "This way Vah'ren."
The halls were filled with light from sconces, and the sconces lit by magelight: an undying pale yellow fire.
So Sariel's master is a mage...
The lights slowly became brighter until we reached the end of the hall. Two great wooden doors arched above us. Sariel lightly tapped on them and they swung ajar for us, revealing a large sunlit room.
It was an extravagant dinning hall, but all of my attention was directed at the person sitting comfortably at the end of the silver plated table.
A woman with maroon hair, lively eyes, and full lips stands to greet me, "Beautiful, truly," she smiles at me with wide curious eyes.
"Sariel, place her next to me, and bring us the first course,"
"Of course, master," Sariel guides me to the woman, and I sit compliantly. Sariel leaves the room to bring us food, closing the door behind her.
"You must have many questions, ask away and I will answer. I am curious to see what you have gathered to far," She sits back in chair, waiting for me to speak.
Immediately I say the first question on my mind, "Sairel calls you master. Why?"
The woman laughs, "Not 'Who are are?' or 'Where am I?', but...why does the spirit call me master? Because I conjured her, she is bound to me and must follow my orders. That is why," She laughs again as another thought enters her head, "You really are related. Your first thought was whether or not I'm a Tevinter Slaver, was it not?"
Tevinter? I vaguely remember someone mentioning it before...
"Do you not know of Tevinter?" She pauses, thinking over her own question, then waves it away, "Of course you know of Tevinter, how could you not?"
"Why did Sariel call me Vah'ren? And who is that? It's not me, my name is Snow."
"I'm not sure what delusion you're under, but Vah'ren is your given name."
This doesn't make sense, I'm not from this world! I don't have any "given" name except for Snow. Wait... she said related earlier, how did I not catch that?! Who does she think I'm related to? This is a serious case of mixed up identities.
"Look, I don't know where I am or who you are, but I am not the person you think I am." I stood up from my chair.
"Oh you most certainly are!" She exclaims, "And how could you know who I am? You haven't even asked yet!"
"Alright then," I say settling back into my seat, "who are you, where am I, and what am I doing here?"
"Finally! We're getting somewhere!" She slaps her hands together, eager to tell me, "You are a guest in my humble abode, Illahnas Keep, hidden deep within the Hinterlands," She says dramatically and extends her hand to me, a gesture of trust, "Ambrosia, servant of Mythal."
A/N: So, what do you think? Leave me a review, I love to read your guys' feedback :)