A FEW MINUTES LATER

Neria and Solas stood silently on the balcony overlooking the mountain pass.

They had been standing there for what felt like hours watching the sun set over the mountain pass in a pastiche of orange and pin. There was much to talk about, but neither wanted to start.

Neria was worried. Given their last encounter, the things that she had said…she was worried that Solas had returned to end things…Fidgeting, Nereia couldn't take it anymore. Without looking Solas' direction she hesitantly began, "I was afraid you wouldn't come back."

"I had…much to think about," replied Solas curtly.

Worry crept into Neria's heart. He is going to end it She turned to him quickly to speak, but she was surprised to be interrupted by Solas' hands tightening around her slim waist. Tentatively, he leaned in for a kiss, touching his lips lightly with his own.

He pulled their bodies gently together. His kisses deepening as she responded passionately. This was not like their dreamy tingling kiss in the Fade. She was absorbed in the taste of his tongue, and the way he wound his fingers through her hair. A small moan escaped her lips, which Solas took as an invitation to trace the lines of her throat and neck with his mouth.

Their bodies moved against each other, Neria pushed up against his body and growing need, winding a leg around him. Solas began to move his hands over her waist, pulling her as close as possible. Three years of building tension was evaporating,…she couldn't wait any longer…she lightly began to pull up his tunic…nothing could…stop them….until

Until a loud bang echoed from the next room, "Inquisitor?" A curious voice asked, "Inquisitor, we brought you dinner."

Solas groaned quietly in her ear, gently untangling their bodies. "Later," he whispered in her ear. He laughed when she rolled her eyes. Life in Skyhold was amazing, but there were eyes everywhere.

"Thank you," she called walking into her airy chambers after fixing her hair. The two maids had brought up a few dishes of bread, crumbling cheese, fruit and slices of left over roast. One was preparing her table with two plates, while the other filled two goblets of wine, pausing to wipe a way an escaping drop of liquid from the pitcher

Their eyes widened as Solas walked in the room behind her. Neria knew there were rampant rumors regarding his absence. Dorian had told her that some of them were borderline lurid, ranging from pregnancy to demons. Two apostate elven mages, how could there not be great stores?

She cleared her throat, assuming an authoritative stance "Solas has just returned from a mission for Leliana. We welcome him back to Skyhold." The two maids looked up, curtseying as they exited the room. They walked quickly as though they couldn't leave fast enough.

"I see my absence has been observed, " he laughed.

"Yes…well," Neria said curtly, turning to look at him again. "I feel like I gave you a good send off….Solas, where did you go?"

He spoke quietly, "I wandered for a time, looking for my friend. Spirits don't die exactly, but she did not remember me when I found her. After that, I…thought…I thought about my life before coming here."

"You didn't need to mourn alone." She reached and took his hand in her own. "Solas, I know I'm young, and these aren't the best circumstances. I don't care what it is that holds you back…you're here now. I see the way you look at me."

She looked at him expectantly, waiting for an answer.

She was met with him looking at her curiously. She could tell he was deep in thought. He paced about slightly, which was awkward with a now more obvious limp.

Truth be told, looking at him in the flickering candlelight of her room, she was worried about him. She could tell his adventures had not been kind, he looked like someone who had—well slept outside for the last few months. His muscular frame looked smaller as though he had not eaten enough for weeks. His eyes, while warmer than usual, looked exhausted.

"Solas…you look, " she changed the subject laughing, "terrible."

She laughed harder as he turned to her grinning. "It was not a good journey."

Neria took his hand and led him to one of the chairs at her table. He sunk down with a sigh. She couldn't help generously piling his plate with food. She had expected him to ravenously but he gestured to her to sit across from him, before delicately picking up his utensils to eat delicate bite after delicate bite. Josephine was jealous of the effortless ability he had when it came to dining.

"You always are so elegant. Where did you learn such graceful table manners? Neria asked quizzically.

Solas crinkled his nose, looking up, "One never knows what one will learn in the Fade…I…this is not what I want to talk about."

"What do you want to talk about then?" Neria demanded.

"The anchor."

"The anchor?''

"Yes."

"Oh," she sighed disappointedly, "Always the anchor. It's a rather marvelous green color. Sometimes, in the words of Iron Bull, 'fry those fucking demons' with it."

Solas laughed while delicately spreading butter on a hunk of bread. He had eaten at least two platefuls of food, and was working on eating another.

"Has the anchor changed you? What were you like before?" Solas asked looking up at her, crossing his hands across his chest.

She leaned in, "I was the same in spirit if that is what you were asking."

"That is."

"Why?"

"You are not what I expected of the Dalish."

"What did you expect?"

"You show a remarkable ability to help others, a dedication to this cause, and a way of seeing that looks past preconceived notions. I never thought the Dalish would be capable of producing one such as yourself."

"You give us no credit."

"Perhaps not." He looked up at her then, his serious face melting into something much different. Something she had seen before. He looks like he is undressing me with his eyes.

"Solas?" She asked playfully raising an eyebrow.

She was self-conscious. She had lovers before, but never one like this. All of the other men she had flirted with, or entertained a relationship seemed so unsure. Solas was disarming. She knew that his feelings ran deep, that much was certain, but she didn't quite know what to do with them. Every attempt she made at flirting was always shut down so quickly.

"You are so beautiful," Solas said interrupting her thoughts, "And I have not forgotten the kiss." He stood then. Was he going to leave?

"Don't go." She said.

"Go? It would be kinder in the long run, but…I can't go. I'm sorry for before, I should…I was conflicted. You are so young. I am a fool."

"You're not a fool."

She watch Solas sigh. He looked so tired. He slumped in his chair. She could see a tear in his sleeve revealing a gash. He needed some healing salve.

"You might be a fool depending on what did that to you," she joked gesturing at the wound.

"Oh this…yes. I was rather careless and ran into a bear."

"From the looks of it, I expected at least a dragon. Here let me help you."

"Thank you," he said wearily shutting his eyes, "I am very tired."

She stood and led him over to her bed. She had recently purchased a new one in Val Royeux. It was a decadent splurge, but one she was please with. This one was of Fereldin make, with large red curtains that had kept her warm throughout the winter months. The castle was nothing but drafty.

"I see you have a new bed?" Solas flirtatiously said, bouncing on it to test the spring. "It's been so long since I've slept in a bed."

She could feel a blush spreading across her cheeks, "So you expect to be sleeping here?"

Solas grinned before pulling her close again. He was kissing her just as ardently before, his tongue separately her lips. Her body was reacting to his independently of her thoughts, she couldn't help reacting as his hands rubbed her smooth flesh gently.

She was fumbling with the ties on his tunic, straining to remove his clothes as fast as possible. "Solas," she moaned, "please… I want you."

He groaned, rolling her over to pin her with his body. Neria's hips rose to meet his. He drew back for a moment to look deeply into her eyes. Neria saw so many emotions flickering under the surface: turmoil, frustration—but mostly hunger .She pushed up hard with her hips, intertwining her legs around his.

Solas broke the kissing to pull Neria's shirt over her head exposing her two small breasts. She felt the cold air passing over her body, only to be warmed by Solas' mouth as he kissed one breast and then the other greedily. Hastily she pushed him up grabbing at his tunic again.

"So hasty," he smiled.

She ignored him pulling up his shirt over his head to be met with his well-muscled chest. In awe she delicately traced his well defined abs. He was so handsome. With a new burst of confidence she began to kiss his jawline and to suckle his ears.

Solas rewarded her with a groan. Throwing her playfully over the bed he stripped off her trousers, growling as he threw them on the floor. She pulled up to her, but was pushed back down on the bed again as he kissed her again with a new ferocity.

"Ar lath ma vhenon." He whispered in her ear adoringly.

"Ar lath ma vehnon' she echoed looking up into his eyes.

The two melted into a dance of passion. Neria couldn't wait any longer, she tugged at the rest of Solas clothes until they were completely naked, flesh touching flesh. She could feel Solas' need pushing against her thigh, teasingly at her slit.

He pulled back, "This is your first time." It was a question not a statement.

"Solas, Now. Please. I want you."

With no delay he thrust up into her, gently at first, a flash of pain gave way to rolls of pleasure as their bodies met. With every thrust Solas filled Neria up until she could no longer think, everything was blurred in a mixture of sweat and moans. She felt as though she was being pushed out of her body, clawing at the sheets, her body clenched around Solas tightly as she came… Solas accelerated in his pace calling out her name wildly as joined her.