Chapter 7! Yay? xD
I just want to apologise in advance, because I seriously do not know how to ride a horse (I'm allergic) which again means I'm playing a guessing game here. Generally - just bear with me!
Also, bear with me with the tents. I've had way too much fun using 'modern technology' in Thedas. So those tents? That's happening xD
Thank you for the reviews! And for putting me on fav/follow! You're lovely!
Disclaimer: not mine, sadly!
-o-
Chapter 7 - Da'mi
Hermione entered the stables early the next morning, wanting some peace and quiet – taking her time, as Solas said.
She walked around, chatting softly with the intimidating animals while wondering how many bones she would break during the following week.
"Oh, Merlin!" Hermione gasped as a rusty sword poked her side. "Please don't stab me."
The extremely unnerving Bog Unicorn neighed softly, and Hermione realised he wasn't trying to murder her. She stared at the beast for a moment, and was surprised to find a spark in the animal's eyes. A spark of intelligence.
"There's more to you than meets the eye, isn't there?" she said as she moved closer. The beast neighed softly again, and Hermione reached out a hand to stroke its muzzle.
And that was how Hermione ended up with the Bog Unicorn as her horse of choice.
-o-
Two days later, Hermione's behind was sore, and she ached everywhere. She praised magic, though. A cushioning charm and a stabilizing charm was her salvation.
Not to mention a horse that totally got her.
"You need a proper name," Hermione told the Bog Unicorn as they walked down the road from Skyhold. "Wouldn't you agree?"
The Bog Unicorn neighed happily, and Hermione laughed. "I'm glad you agree. I'll think about it, and come up with some suggestions so you can help me choose. Sounds good?"
The Bog Unicorn neighed in agreement.
-o-
By day four, Hermione was able to pull off something that looked like gallop, if nothing else. She was making fast progress, mostly thanks to her wonderful mount. "You are perfect, Da'mi," she said softly, and the horse neighed softly back.
'Da'mi' was an elven endearment, meaning 'little blade'. They had yet to agree on a name, so Hermione had taken to calling the horse by different endearments. She liked Da'mi, though. Hermione liked endearments, and 'little blade' was just so apt.
"Mr Bog Unicorn?" she said, and the horse neighed. "How about we just go for Da'mi? Little blade? It's apt, wouldn't you agree?"
And that was how the Bog Unicorn was named Da'mi.
-o-
By day six, Hermione had broken no bones, could gallop, and the intensity of the training had created quite the connection between her and Da'mi, and he just…got her. He understood her, and recognised her commands, whether it was a nudge in the side, or a slight pull at the reins.
He also understood voice commands. The horse was bloody intelligent, because Hermione had absently asked; "Could you just walk a bit carefully down the road while I fix this strap? I can't watch the road, because it's behind me. Could you watch the road?"
Da'mi had neighed, and to her surprise, begun walking gently down the road while Hermione was fixing the strap.
-o-
"Hello, Hermione," Trevelyan said as Hermione entered the war room on day seven. "How are you? I have barely seen you the last week."
Hermione smiled. "I'm fine, thank you." The Inquisitor raised an eyebrow, and Hermione laughed. "I mean it. I'm fine. Suffering from homesickness, it's the end of the world, and I'm terrified that me showing up here will end in death and destruction for us all, but other than that; I'm fine."
Trevelyan gave her a shocked look. "If that is your definition of 'fine', I don't want to know what you would call 'bad'."
Hermione laughed again as she shook her head. "I've had worse. The homesickness is actually less severe than what I would have thought, and although it is the end of the world, we have every tool for stopping said end." Hermione paused, realising she was telling the truth. She was fine, strange as it was. "It's strange," she said quietly, "but I don't feel out of place here. Before I got here, I did. Feel out of place, I mean. I kept looking for a purpose I had no idea what was. I was...discontent. But now...I don't know...it feels right. I don't know how to explain it."
The Inquisitor gazed at her for a moment. "Perhaps Cole is right when he says you belong here," she said before rolling her eyes. "Who am I kidding, Cole is always right. Honestly, Hermione, I think he's right. You belong here." Smiling softly, she continued. "And I hope - and very much so - that you are here to stay."
Hermione realised how much it meant to hear those words, and gave the woman a warm smile. "Thank you, Evelyn. That means more than you can imagine."
-o-
Two days later, they were about to embark on their journey to the Western Approach, and Hermione had very mixed feelings about the whole thing. She was dreading the whole thing, and yet, she was excited.
'They' were the Inquisitor, Blackwall, Dorian, Solas, and Hermione. Hermione was really happy that she was an addition to the group, and not replacing anyone.
Hermione had created an enchanted bag for each of the companions, and she had also brought two tents – two, in case one broke somehow – and they would be using the biggest tent. It had three bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, living room, and a storage room that Hermione had turned into a bedroom. Blackwall would be sleeping in the living room, and that left the others with one bedroom each.
Thank Merlin for magic, Hermione thought as she looked at her small pouch containing potions, tents, food, books, clothes, and basically everything one would need for a comfortable life. Maybe the journey wouldn't be so bad. Famous last words, probably, Hermione thought as she headed towards the stables to get Da'mi ready.