Chapter 5:

More to Uncover

Lavellan had enjoyed the days where she was out with her companions, meeting the fight. Since the fall of Corypheus, she had grown tired of playing the part of figurehead in the politics of the Shemlen. She had attended a few events at Halamshiral, most attending quite disappointed that they did not see her dance, as stories of her dance with the Duchess still rumored about. They would whisper, "A dance with the Inquisitor is your dance of death." Wishing they had been so clever to have thought of it themselves. She liked the rumors, as they kept her from having to explain herself. Wearing a mask, was her favorite part of the charade. Josephine was exceptional at twisting the rumors to keep Lavellan's reputation in the light. Distracting from all the bloodstained brutality it took to shape a world such as theirs, especially since she was a dalish elf, or knife-ear. Lavellan may have led with purity, but purity was bloody.

She never stopped to think about every life that she had taken. The action was a means to an end as her people's fate lingers with every breath. Once a bolstering society, now they dwindle in struggle. Any price was worth a chance for elves to regain freedom, another sentiment hidden behind her mask. A rebellious spirit fighting for freedom, never seen as a good cause in the human society that still hold the power in Thedas. Nor, in elven society warning the children with stories of Fen'Herel. With the weight of an entire kingdom on her mind, being back in the hunt became more welcomed than ever.

Cassandra had received word of the recent events and is now pacing the halls of Skyhold. Waiting on the Inquisitor Lavellan to meet with her. Walking in, she smiles in a proud way, thinking of how much Cassandra hates hats and how she now stands as Divine.
"You should have come for me sooner." She demanded in her endearing way.
"We sent word immediately, Cassandra."
"Well, you need faster messengers, then." She scolded. "Let's head to the war room, I'm eager to rid these robes. Leliana has news." Before making it to meet with the others, the two are interrupted by a familiar voice.
"And to think, you started this all without me?"
"Varric?" Cassandra turned in surprise to face the dwarf.
"So tell me Divine, do your followers know our little secret?" Waving a copy of his new series.
"When I asked for a copy, I did not mean for you to bring it personally." Irritation marked her voice.

"Will you two ever just make up?" The Inquisitor smirked.
"So Varric, what brings you back from the Free Marches?" Cassandra still relentless with the dwarf, even after all this time.
"Let's just say a little birdy told me and I just had to find out, if it were all true. I mean, stories involving an ancient sentinel and crazed mages trying to break into the fade? Sounded like total garbage, I just had to see myself." Varric nodded provoking the conversation.
"Just what we need, more reason for you to smut up our journeys." Cassandra's sigh covering the relief she had seeing their old friend, the storyteller. "Leliana sent word, didn't she?"
"Oh you know you are glad to see me, Divine. Plus, you never know. I might be useful." Varric's smirk taunts at his old friend. Though they would never admit their relationship, the two had grown on each other in a manner that rivaling siblings usually hold.
"You are always welcome Varric." The Inquisitor takes a slight bow knowing it will annoy Cassandra.
"You two are just trouble." The snide remark comes with her well-known disgruntled noises.

The war room is already alive with discussion. The advisers exchanging the new leads and connections supporting the groups that are responsible for corrupting the mages.
"Why is it always the Templars corrupting the purpose?" Cassandra shows her irritation at the feud that holds little to no purpose.
"Because we gave them power to do so." Leliana's jeer showing her impatience as well.
"We knew there would be resistance."
"Cleaning up the charges between the Mages and Templars is one of many fights. We also struggle to find a place for the elves. Many are still resistant and the elves untrusting." Leliana looks over to Cullen always lost in thought.
"Well, when vowed to a cause that changes, there is bound to be opposition. Giving the proper tools would aid this transition." The force in the military commander's voice urgent on the minds of the Inquisition leaders.
"I could reinforce our position on the matter, they should know we stand firmly behind this." A well placed suggestion from Josephine.
"Yes, we must lend the Inquisitions voice loudly to this issue."
"The elves need land, a place where they can rebuild." The Inquisitor opens the next political web they must untangle.
"I believe Celene and Briala are working on that now. We should meet with them soon."
"Well, I hope I can at least wear a dress this time, if I need to dance." The Inquisitors smirk poking at the distaste she had for her last attire provided for such an affair.
"You haven't lost your sense of humor at least." Cassandra nods.
"You can thank Sera for encouraging that and for the countless other pranks going on." Josephine jabs.
"To work then?" Cullen says, trying to avoid discussion of resent ploys he may or may not have had a hand in. Though many of them do not even try to understand Sera at this point, they all covertly enjoy having her little – secret revealing – pranks around.

Intending to catch up with Varric, over a game of Wicked Grace, Lavellan is met by Muin and Morrigan. Interrupting the Inquisitors plan as she enters the Great Hall; still busy and bursting with life, a warm vision of the bustling community that has grown there.

"Inquisitor, we have news." Morrigan takes the lead.
The two elves walk through the garden with the mage to the eluvian Muin protects.
"At least someone is filling these roads with voices," Lavellan's smile showing the peace she finds in the abandoned roads.
"Indeed." Morrigan returns the sentiment.
Muin remains silent, for her thoughts are restless. "We have to get to them." She says breaking the silence.
"Get to whom, Muin?"
"Without them our people will not listen, we need their voices to help lead the elves." Muin, deeply in thought begins to unwind. "It is not just below Lethallan, it's above too. Nothing will work if we don't have both working together."
"We indeed need the works of both and to get above, we need to go deeper." Morrigan states in the way of leading up to her point. "We need to meet with the Dwarves." Morrigan lets on more.
"The Dwarves?" A look of surprise on Lavellan's face, not expecting the conversations turn.
"Indeed, many years ago, before the humans came to this land, the elves and dwarves ruled this land. Neither had any reason to cross. They just existed. During the first invasion, they made a pact, together they could protect." Morrigan revealing a history rarely spoken of.
"But, it didn't work?" The Inquisitor argued, curious about the failure.
"For reasons we do not know, they were tricked, given orders that led them away from one another. Never knowing, blood spilt and the dwarves went further underground refusing to help. They clung to their stone and refused to budge bringing a curse to their kind. Turning their backs on those they swore to fight side-by-side with. Others felt a curse was brought by the elves as vengeance." Morrigan explained.
"Who would have tricked them?" Lavellan's surprise forcing the question.
"Believed to be the first act that lead to the elven rebellion. Trickery is a tool, long used." Morrigan sharply extends her reach into Lavellan, stirring her memory. Reminding her of her first act seen as rebellion against the chantry. One that further pushed along the Inquisition.
"You mean elves tricked the dwarves away from an alliance?" The Inquisitor asked in confusion.
"There are those who became obsessed with their cause. Seeking the glory and power for themselves; leading our kind away from the skies." Muin stated softly, not completing the entire story.
"They used the alliance for their own purpose then?" Lavellan says starting to show her frustration.
"Many tried to reestablish the connection. But, they were no longer trusted and the dwarves. Not understanding the elves, dreams, spirits, they just turned their hearts back to the stone. Their comfort and focus remained on their own protection. How could they trust the rebellion? As they were already deceived."
"An elven rebellion? You mean against other elves?" Searching for more clarity the words marking her interest.
"Yes, a rebellion lasting a thousand years or more, it was before my time." Muin lets out a sense of how long ago this all began. "Not all who gain power of a god does what is best for all. Many seek to right wrongs personally done to them, no matter the cost. This is true for any race."
"You mean personal vendettas shaped the rebellion? Like Corypheus." Lavellan begins connecting the pieces.
"Yes, Corypheus sought to gain power and when refused, he vowed to take it, any way he could. After he began to question the gods himself." Morrigan answering the pressing question, hoping it serves as a reminder to Lavellan. "Passion is a strong motivator." The mage focuses her gaze even harder at Lavellan's will.
Muin redirects the conversation back to what needs addressing in this moment, challenging the witch's intent. "The dwarves are powerful, their aid could have helped win the rebellion. Those that sought destruction turned the minds and alliances of the dwarves to aid the humans." Revealing the great loss, Muin continues. "With the support of the dwarves lost, our kind retreated. Hiding away until yet another war stirred, in the volatile state left to all."
Morrigan meets the play and eases her gaze into Lavellan, seeing the direction Muin guides the information. "Like the father who refused to let the child play in the field, in fear that something could happen to the child. As the child grows, it does not understand the risks and makes foolish choices out of lack of understanding." Morrigan eases the direction further. "When the next war met the elves, they tried to gain aid, but the dwarves who tried to help, were killed. As were those trying to flee the mighty human marches. Tired of the fighting perhaps, coupled with the lack of understanding, sent some on a warpath of protection. Not seeing much else. As they began to fall, the gods were locked away, all of them. It is believed they all slumber now." Morrigan paints the picture in a clear enough way for the dalish to feel familiar.
"Fen'Harel…" Lavellan whispered.
"Yes, as the dalish call him, The Dread Wolf. Though, unwise to believe every tale of the Dread Wolf. His story remains to be speculation, written in a time of great distress and confusion. The tales twisted by the shemlen chantry and corrupted to keep the remaining elves in fear." Muin explains, keeping the lore in its place, she shows her masked knowledge. "Rebuilding an alliance seems impossible, but the dwarves hold secrets, secrets that could be useful, if we contact those connected to the ancient stones." Muin ends the attempts for Morrigan to influence the story any further.
"So, you said we have a contact with these dwarves?" Lavellan asks.
"Indeed, we must meet with them soon, for their travel to the surface is a risky one." Morrigan states firmly. "Muin, I hope you will go with Lavellan, your voice needed." Morrigan directs.
"Ma nuvenin." Muin's voice comes forth more hard and firm with little trace of the softness she is.

Lavellan returns to her quarters that night, in hopes to get some peaceful sleep before her journey. She feels a connection to the wolf so many fear, for she walks that same feared path. She is the leader of the largest faction to support a rebellion in ages, her hunt and prowess has tricked many. She plays the game well. Though there is nothing enjoyable about taking lives, the purpose keeps her focused. It is impressive to watch as her companions work their play, to each of their strengths. The pieces they have in place, built favor for this rebel cause. Companions like Sera or Cole, lending their skills to pranks and mending. Both doing the goodwill in their own ways, even though it sometimes means it may get a little bloody. It is still for good cause…

For good cause…trickery seen for what it is. A means to an end that also opens a beginning… Fading off to dream. So many voices singing her a song, spinning a story, echoing in the veil. "His beginning is struggle, not meant this way, not supposed to happen like this."
"He was wrong, he became dark. He lost everything. He cannot lose everyone to this. He must help them now, he cannot be free."
"I must leave them all. I must walk this path alone. I was selfish."
"He feels he must walk alone in his shame. But he is not alone, he is never alone. He carries them, protects them, it is his burden alone…"
"It's not right, not even here."
"It would be kinder in the long run, but to lose you."
"I have distracted you from your duties."
"You will have answers."
"Remember what we had was real…"
"ma'arlath ma vhenan."
Cole sits by her while she dreams, reminding the voices to sing of his love for her. It keeps her happy, it keeps her going. This Cole understands now.