I played Trespasser again and am sufficiently emotionally wrecked again. Why do I do this to myself over and over again?

Damn you, Bioware.

Trespasser Spoilers.

Dawn peered over the war table with her husband and Cassandra quietly, murmuring about the Dread Wolf. Their friend's betrayal had just finally sunk in, and the fact that Solas and Fen'Harel were one and the same become an uncomfortable fact. Skyhold had grown somewhat quieter following the Inquisition's disbanding, thought hustle and bustle remained as the fortress stayed an important trade stop between Orlais and Ferelden.

That, and it had become the center for the efforts against Solas. Former party members showed up to discuss movements and plans and their own updates quietly. Some of the world still did not believe the Inquisitor and her party's resolute claims. Vivienne routinely had to remind Dawn that she had to be careful about how much she talked about it, lest people begin to think they were mad. The court enchanter maintained that she did not merely believe, but knew for a fact, that Dawn was telling the truth. Nevertheless, they had to watch their tongues.

The door to the war room creaked open, and Vivienne and Sera walked in, followed by Tanya Strong-Steel. Tanya had changed in the years since they first met; she stood taller, straighter, somewhat calmer. She was frowning, lips pursed. The robes of an Archmage covered her comfortably in the cold mountain air. The Dragonborn stopped on the other end of the table, bowing slightly to the herald.

"Archmage, thank you for joining us." Dawn greeted. Tanya shook her head.

"You needn't be so formal. I'm still Tanya to you. In any case, Vivienne and Sera have informed me of the situation." She sighed and shook her head. "Solas...Divines, I thought better of him. I thought he was a reasonable man."

Dawn looked down at the table, trying to hide her melancholy. She breathed out roughly. "I know. I was friends with him, as were you. With luck, we can show him he's making a mistake. If not..."

"He will die." Vivienne snapped. Her expression softened as Dawn looked up, looking tired. "Darling Dawn, make no mistake. Fen'Harel is not your-"

"-or anyone's-" Sera cut in, looking pissed. Vivienne cleared her throat.

"-friend anymore. He is the villain, and we can't forget this."

The Inquisitor huffed. "I know, and you are right. Anyways, Tanya, we brought you here to ask for aid from the College of Winterhold, and you. The Dragonborn at our side would be a powerful ally."

The Archmage hesitated and nodded. "I will lend what I can to the cause, and my husband, J'zargo, and Brelyna have offered their aid, but this must be kept a secret from most of the college. I worry that if the Thalmor were to hear of this, that they would foolishly jump to help Solas." She chuckled darkly. "Fools, but I wouldn't put it past them, considering their feelings on elven supremacy."

Sera pouted and huffed. "Fucking Thalmor fucking everything up, as usual. I remember when that Anca-whatshisface almost destroyed the elfy mirror when he used that orby-thing. And then you killed him." She giggled. "Nicely done, by the way."

Tanya snorted. "He's been dead for over a year and a half now, Sera. The fact his bits hung out in the pose he fell in after I killed him is-"

"-still hilarious!" Sera cackled. Cassandra made a disgusted noise and Vivienne rolled her eyes, but Cullen and the Inquisitor snickered lowly. Tanya cleared her throat, getting their attention. She was frowning, arms crossed.

"I will do what I can, but...I cannot come with you to hunt after him or get into combat."

Sera raised an eyebrow. "Why? Worried your fancy mage robes will get mussed?"

The Dragonborn sputtered. "What? No, of course not. See...here's the thing." She took a breath. "I'm pregnant."

There was a moment of stunned silence. Sera gawked, eyes darting between the Dragonborn's face and her gut. She beamed. "You? Carrying a little dragon baby in there?"

"She won't be Dragonborn, no. She'll be a normal human girl, most likely." Tanya corrected. Dawn beamed.

"That's wonderful news, Tanya! Congratulations to you and Onmund. You said a she?"

"Yes. Colette ran a few tests on me and it looks like the baby will be a girl. We're going to name her Mirabelle, after..." She looked down briefly at her abdomen and breathed hard, again, steadying herself. "In any case, we're expecting a little girl named Mirabelle."

Cassandra smiled at her genuinely. "Congratulations. Didn't you and Onmund just get married a few months ago?"

Tanya let out a laugh. "Yes. I got pregnant much, much sooner than I ever expected, if ever, but there you have it." She cleared her throat. "Getting back on topic, I also wanted to let you know that, Divines forbid, Solas succeeds..." Her voice caught in her throat, and she heaved a breath. She looked the Inquisitor in the eyes. "I will be forced to destroy the eluvian. I cannot have him invade my world, if he so decides. You may flee to Skyrim if you wish, but..."

"No," Cassandra snapped, "if it comes to that, I will not flee. I will not abandon this world or the Maker, ever."

Dawn nodded. "I understand you, but I will be here until the bitter end. It won't come to that. I'll stop him."

"Understood. Now, about Vidar? He's a Legate in the Legion now, isn't he? And Harbinger of the Companions? Can he get us help from either?" Vivienne asked. Tanya shrugged.

"His sentiment was the same: we need to keep this hidden from our world and the Thalmor at all costs, but he's doing his best. The eluvian to our world is being kept under lock and key by a handful of his soldiers." She looked down at the war table. "At the very least, he has more forces to spare, since the Stormcloak Rebellion was put down." Tanya winced briefly. "It still worries me that he has anyone in the know at all to guard the eluvian, but he swears that he only assigned those he trusts completely."

"And the Companions?" Cullen asked, frowning. "I understand he told a few of the Inner Circle about us. I'm less uneasy about their aid now that he's not a werewolf anymore."

"Only Aela is, right now, and that is her choice, and we will not judge her for it." Tanya snapped. "In any case, only Vilkas, Farkas, and Aela know." She chuckled wryly. "They're good at keeping secrets, anyways. They'll come help if you call upon them. Aela in particular said something about eviscerating the Dread Wolf if she finds him, just to warn you."

Vivienne and Cassandra simultaneously made disgusted noises. Vivienne wrinkled her nose. "You won't, but I do judge her. She's insane if she considers lycanthropy a blessing and not a curse."

"We need all the help we can get, Vivienne." the Inquisitor scolded, shooting her a withering look. She turned back to the Dragonborn. "Thank them for their offer of aid on my behalf, please."

"Will do. And as an additional note, I did go to my sister and parents. You met Carlotta, right, my sister?" She smiled. "Carlotta could rival Josephine in her shrewd diplomacy skills, and she's a skilled marksman. She and my parents will send soldiers from Kvatch, if need be, but hopefully we can keep it quiet if we have to. Serana has also offered help, which is somewhat unrelated, but there you have it."

"Oh, yes, I meant to ask, how is your sister doing?" Dawn inquired. Tanya grinned.

"Carlotta's keeping herself busy. She's in a relationship with a nice woman, and she's been decided upon as the heir to the title of Countess." The Archmage stood up straight, proudly. "Since Lord Harkon, Miraak, and Alduin are slain, and we only are left to prepare for the inevitable war against the Thalmor. Solas will see reason or die."

Sera stuck her tongue out. "Ugh, Miraak. I still can't believe you went through all those...demon books." She shuddered. "You're not doing that anymore, right? I mean, that Hermarsehole doesn't..."

Tanya scoffed. "As if! I left the cursed Black Books with Neloth. He can look through the blasted things, if he wishes. I refuse to chain myself to a daedra. I am not taking Miraak's fate." She looked down, sighing deeply. "Solas...by the Nine, why?" Her expression hardened as she looked back to the others. "The entire Strong-Steel clan promises their aid, as much as we can safely spare. We don't back down, and we are at your disposal, Inquisitor."