Outside there is a cold breeze, the sun is setting. It appears it will rain. "This must be quick, as she will be near death when she returns...if she returns at all." I think as I walk towards her. Looking down at her, I can see that she has become pale, so much so that her lips hold a bluish tinge. A moment passes as I stare at her, so lifeless and empty. It's wrong; she was so full of life. It is just...so unfair...I think before my attention is drawn away as a large shadow falls across her body. "What in the name of...?" I say as a large raven sits on her chest. I stare at it, and it begins to pluck at her limp hair, cawing. "Get out of here you beast!" I yell as I wave my arms in the air at it. It flies up for a moment, but lands again on her chest. I am furious, and begin to throw rocks at it, trying to scare it away. It doesn't move from her, but opens its wings and caws at me a second time. I rush over to her body and try to shoo it away, but nothing seems to work. My hand brushes against her bare skin. She is so vulnerable, so lifeless, and so cold... I won't let this, this plague-ridden bird... defile her body. I think, as I move to scare it away again, but this time with magic.
A quick flash of colour changes my surroundings. It's the same, but different, it is less colourful, but more alive. Something takes hold of my hand tightly, causing me to look down quickly. She's holding onto my hand. I look at her face, but she's frowning. "Leave the bird alone! You're going to make him leave." she says firmly. I stare at her and then to the bird sitting on her chest, it caws with laughter. "That's right boy. Better leave me be, or your little friend here can stay in the Fade" the bird screeches loudly. "This bird is your "friend"? He's pecking at your body like it's some roadside corpse." I add frowning at him. Why would she pick a raven to carry her? They are tricksters by nature, but then again, so is the Dread Wolf...
She smiles as she looks at me, "Because this little guy misses his mate, and wants to help a pair of star-crossed lovers." she says as she scratches the ravens neck. "He's a big softie on the inside, but tires of a world without meaning. I thank you my friend, it won't be for nothing. I promise you."
"Are you sure Vhenan? What if I'm not powerful enough to perform the ritual properly? I was in my prime the last time we did this, and I had you to help me. Now, I am performing it on you, alone.
"You can do it. I believe in you Solas. You are smart, strong and cunning. Even after everything that's happened, I trust you. May the Creators have mercy on me. I trust that you are still the same man ...different, but essentially still the same." she says with a wink.
I blink only to see that the world has returned to normal. I take the dagger in my left hand, and hold it's blade to my right palm. Wincing, I slowly drag the knife into my skin and create the Elvhan symbol for life. My blood slowly drips onto the raven and my love. Shakily, I place my right hand on Levallan's forehead, and wipe each eyelid with my blood. It is done so that she will be able to enter her body within the fade.
I take a deep breath and begin the ritual..." Elgara values, da'len, melava somniar, mala taren aravas, ara ma'desen. Iras ma ghilas, da'len, ara ma'nedan ashir, dirthara lothlenan'as, bal emma mala dir, tel'enfenim, da'len, trassal ma ghilas, ma garas mir renan, ara ma'athlan vhenas, ara ma'athlan vhenas."
(The sun is setting, your time has come, but the fight has not ended, and this fight must be won. You stand at a crossroads, between life and death. I am calling you home, to fight for your clan. We send for your spirit, to return to the world. Be lost no more, I am calling you home.)
As the words leave my lips, I open my eyes. A bright column of light emerges from Lavellan's body. The raven's wings are flapping slowly as it hovers above her. Time seems to slow as tendrils of light emerge from her chest, wrapping around the crow's wings, and body. The tendrils of light look gentle. The bird appears to be embraced with light itself. It is pulled into her chest, and merges with her body in a brilliant flash of light. I shield my eyes from the sight, and when I look back... her chest rises.
Weakly, I go to her side as fast as I can. Her pulse is faint, but it is steady. I lean down, and kiss her lips. As I do, she opens her eyes. Her smile is more beautiful than it ever was. I wrap my arms around her tightly, as though I might lose her again if I let her go. She lifts her hand and touches my face as she did in the Fade, before she returns the kiss.
Gently I lift her body from the altar, and bring her into my tent. I lay her on my bed as softly as I can and dig through my scattered belongings to find some healing potions. There are a few, so I bring them over to her. Gently, I lift her so that she will be able to drink the potions, with these she should heal faster. Without my staff my magic is too unstable to use on her. After she drinks the potions she falls asleep quickly, unable to keep her eyes open for more than a few moments at a time. She must be exhausted. When the little girl went through this ritual it took her weeks to regain her strength. I feel ma vhenan will be no different. That night I fell asleep next to the bed holding onto her hand.