Solas forced himself not to rub his pounding skull. That was the last time he let Hallmar convince him to gamble and drink. The drinking would have to stop. He admitted the waking from it was not as fun as the gambling and drinking part. Though, he should have figured this out centuries ago.

The door slammed nearby. Stone echoed and Solas winced.

"You drank a little too much," Hallmar chuckled.

"You're the one who kept bringing more," Solas stated.

Hallmar smirked. "Aye, and be the best idea. You get better at gambling the drunk you be."

Solas rumbled his temple and stood. "Shall we just head back above ground?"

"Not until you be out of that hangover." The dwarf stirred Solas back towards the bed. "Sleep it off. You be liking sleep, so sleep!"

Solas glared at him. He didn't argue and collapsed back onto the bed. Perhaps he should sleep off the headache. Though it would be more helpful if he could touch the Fade. Solas closed his eyes, but sleep didn't come. This didn't surprise him. There was so little of the Fade here it was impossible to sleep.

The door closed again.

Solas rolled over and stared at the stone. His mind wondered back to the thoughts before the drinking had started. So little was known of who Dirthamen had grown into. Though considering who Dirthamen's father was… it wasn't so hard to picture his once sweet nephew being just as cruel as Elgar'nan or Falon'Din. Shadow and mirror. That was what the people called the twins. This could point to Dirthamen being an image of his brother.

Solas closed his eyes. He didn't want to think on this. His family, those he had loved, had vanished long ago. All that remained of his family were twisted shells of who they had once been. Corrupted by the lust for power, distorted by greed; they were no longer his family.

* ~ The Past ~ *

"Get back here!"

Solas looked up, the beads and bones within his hair clicking from the movement. A small boy stumbled into the cavernous room. He tripped over his feet before scurrying over to Solas. His small hands closed around Solas's legs as he half hid behind Solas, half under the chair.

"Dirth!" another stormed into the room. His eyes flashed with rage, long, golden hair fell down his back, neat and clean. His gaze snapped to Solas. Eyes a shade of brown so light they were almost embers. "Brother," his voice was tight, curt. "I seem to have misplaced my," – he hesitated – "son."

A scowl pulled at the corners of Solas's lips.

Little Dirth slid to floor beside Solas's legs. His small hands held tighter to Solas's leg.

"I can see to him, brother," Solas stated, his voice even.

His brother's jaw tightened. His hands balled into fists as the temperature increased in the cave. "He needs to learn to be as strong as his brother," Elgar'nan's voice was tight with his rising rage.

"He can be taught later." Solas locked gazes with Elgar'nan.

For a long moment Elgar'nan glared at him, seething in silence before he turned on his heel. "Fine, then you can teach that waste of air!" he snapped. He was gone in the next moment.

Solas felt his scowl deepen. Waste of air? He had known his brother was disappointed in Dirth, but to go as far as to call him that… Solas looked down at his nephew.

Dirth blinked up at him. There were cuts lacing his face and hands. The twins were still extremely young. Dirth only just reached his knee in height. Smaller and slighter than his twin, Falon. They were both too young to be placed through the training Elgar'nan was putting them through.

Without making a sound, Dirth clambered up into Solas's lap. His eyes stretched wide as he looked at what Solas had been working on. It was a painting, well sort of one. Solas was still working out what plants would work best and which stones would hold images. They hadn't been away from those who had enslaved their People for long. Only one cycle of the seasons. One cycle out of the five the boys had lived through.

The boy's hand was so small beside the images, his eyes wide with wonder. Then he turned his bright, yellow-gold eyes on Solas. "Talk, Uncle, please?"

Solas smiled. "What do you want to learn?"

Dirth pointed at the stone. "What it of?" he whispered. His voice was small and quiet.

Solas looked at the picture. It wasn't really too good of one but it had been an idea he had when he started painting for it to be of their story. "Our history," he told the boy. "Or an attempt at a moment in our history."

The boy tilted his head to one side and looked at the painting, then at the paints. He placed one small finger into the bowl and pulled it out. "It wet," he muttered.

Solas smiled and placed his hand on Dirth's head. "Of course it's wet."

"It too wet, it run from stone." He pointed again at the attempt at the picture.

A small breath escaped Solas. Of course, Dirth was right the mixture wasn't right again and it was causing the colors to bleed together.

"A problem for another day," Solas turned his gaze back on Dirth. "Will you tell me why you were running from your father?"

Dirth shifted and looked up into Solas's eyes. His bright yellow gaze was the mirror image of both Dirth's twin and Mythal's. Solas could see Mythal in him every time he looked into Dirth's eyes. Yet, there was nothing of Elgar'nan's temper or forceful personality in the boy.

"I couldn't run fast," Dirth murmured and looked at his cut hands. He pulled on his sleeve. "Falon slowed for me but Father not like that and got mad at me. He said I too slow and I a mistake." Dirth looked back at Solas. "Am I?"

"No." A mistake? Solas knew his brother was many things, but to call his own son a mistake? Granted he had just heard Elgar'nan call Dirth a waste of air.

"But I not fast. I not strong like Falon. What if we fight the dark ones? I would be in the way."

"You're not fighting the dark ones until you're much older."

"But they come for us? For all us?"

This was true; yet, Solas felt it was wrong to let someone as young as his nephews fight. Dirth, especially, was so small and there was no denying Falon was stronger than Dirth was.

Dirth blinked. A small, almost questioning frown on his small face. "Am I going to die in next fight?" he asked. "Father said I would if I not run and fight like Falon can."

"You're not going to fight in it."

"Father wants us to," Dirth stated and shifted on Solas's lap. "I want to help too. Can I? I don't want to be a in the way."

For a long moment Solas looked at Dirth. The child was so small, so light. How could he possibly think of fighting the dark ones? Yet, if Solas knew his brother, Elgar'nan would place his own sons into the fight. They could walk which, to Elgar'nan, meant they were ready to fight for their lives.

"We'll fight your strengths, how about that?" Solas soothed Dirth's soft, black hair.

Dirth blinked and nodded. "I have strength?" he asked.

"We all do." Solas lifted Dirth as he stood. "I can figure out paints another day. Let's spend some time and surprise your father."

Dirth's face let up. "I show him I strong too?"

"Yes."

"But I not." His face fell.

Solas smiled at the little boy his arms. "That's not the strength I'm talking about, Dirth."

* ~ x ~ *

Solas opened his eyes, snapping out of the dream of the past in a haze. It took him a long moment to remember where and even when he was. Solas closed his eyes, not against a headache, but rather against a dull ache in his chest.

Dirthamen had been such a bright child. His strength, as it had turned out, had been one of the mind. Out of all the others he had matched Solas in tactics until Dirthamen had been much older. After his eyes had changed color, Dirthamen had turned the tables on Solas and beaten him in games of tactics.

So much time had passed, so much had changed for all of them. There was no point in thinking of how Dirthamen had been. The meeting of his and his brother's people the other week showed Dirthamen was just as greedy as the rest of the evanuris.

Solas stood. A shiver raced up his body when his bare feet touched the cold stone. He would never get used to the deep places in the world. The dwarven cities were ones he was almost always happy to leave behind him.

A small breath escapsed Solas. It was time to return to Elvhenan and the fight against the others. With Hallmar's aid, one mine had been stopped, but Solas knew it would do little if he couldn't act on having stopped June's people from gaining this mine.

Solas put back on his armor before he stepped out of the room.

"I see you be up now." Hallmar turned to Solas. A smile appeared on the dwarf's features. "Ready to be getting out of here?"

Another dwarf sat across the low table from Hallmar. Her features worried as she eyed Solas. "Take care of my father, will you?"

"I will," Solas promised as he gave the woman a small bow of his head.

"I'll be fine. Solas's lot are good fighters now. It's not like I be walking blind onto a battlefield."

The woman scowled. "That's exactly what you're doing!" The anger melted from her round features. "Please just be careful. I want you to live long enough to meet your grandson when he's grown."

Hallmar smiled at her and placed his hand over hers. "I will be coming back to see him," Hallmar vowed. He stood and gave the woman a kiss on her hand. "Be safe, my little girl."

The woman looked at him with sad eyes. "You don't need to go, da. You have a good a job here. You're respected by the merchants and by everyone who knows you. Please stay."

Solas looked at the pair and kept his expression even. It was Hallmar's choice in the end. Nothing Solas would do or say would convince him to stay. Yet, Solas couldn't help but wonder if matters had been different in his own life, if he would have had a child who wished for him to stay as well. He shoved the thought aside. In the end, such thoughts were only wishes of moments long passed.

The People needed him. They needed to be freed and shown the lies which had been woven into the world.

"I want a new life on the surface where none be knowing me," Hallmar soothed the woman's auburn hair. "I'll be back, little love." He kissed her again before he grabbed his helm. He turned to Solas. "Ready when you be."

Solas nodded. "My thanks for everything, my lady." He bowed to the woman before he turned. He grabbed his staff on the way out.

Hallmar took a deep breath when he appeared outside of his daughter's home. He clapped his hands together and grinned. "Let be going! I'm more than ready for seeing more the world above."

Solas cocked an eyebrow but didn't otherwise comment.

The two of them moved back through the city until they reached a room within the upper part of the city. Here was a hall with a few eluvians. Each would lead to different parts of the crossroads.

A few of the elvhen who were there paused and eyed Solas as he and Hallmar passed. Solas ignored the looks and head for one of the eluvians. The sound of Hallmar's footsteps halted a little before he raced after Solas.

Solas stopped before it and lifted his hand. He stirred the direction of the eluvian until it lead to the correct part of the crossroads. The journey through the roads took longer than Solas cared to admit. He was forced to slow his pace to match Hallmar's. Non-elvhen always had difficulty walking through the beautiful roads.

Solas was more than happy when they arrived at the sanctuary. At least until he saw one of Mythal's men standing on the side of the eluvian. "To what do we owe the pleasure?" Solas asked as he stopped before the other elf.

"My lady has requested your presences. I was informed you were out and thus waited here for your return." The elf's pale gaze locked onto Solas. His expression almost blank. "You know where she will be." He gave Solas a curt nod before walking through the eluvian.

"I be more than happy to wait here," Hallmar stated as he settled himself on the ground. "You couldn't pay me enough to be going back into that," he hesitated, eying the eluvian, "place." The tone of his voice implied he had been wanting to call the crossroads by another name.

"It might take some time," Solas stated. "We could get you into the sanctuary proper."

"I be fine here."

Solas hesitated. There had to be a reason Mythal had asked after Solas. It wouldn't do anyone any good to keep her waiting. "You know where to meet

"Very well." Solas looked back at Hallmar. He turned and gestured to the other elf. "I won't be long."

The trip was must faster this time. Solas exited an eluvian to where he normally met Mythal. The space within the crossroads was bright and beautiful. Tress mirrored the world beyond the crossroads and lined a path down to where Mythal stood. Behind Solas was an eluvian framed by a dragon and a wolf.

Solas started down the steps but stopped when noticed Mythal wasn't alone. A frown pulled at Solas's lips. The elf across from Mythal wore fine robes of greens and gold. He tilted his head back, causing the gold tipping his pointed ears to catch the light.

"You know where that insect is!" spat the elven man. His yellow eyes flashed with rage as he took a pace towards Mythal. "Tell me!

Solas moved down the steps, careful not to draw the attention of the man. His eyes narrowed then widened as he recognized one of the twins. It was Falon'Din. The moment this fell into place, Solas stopped. His gaze flickered over the large space. There was no sight of Dirthamen anywhere.

This made Solas wary. There were only a few times in his memory he knew the twins to be apart. The one which wrankled him the most had been Dirthamen bound two demons to him in order to catchup to his brother. Yet, there was no sign of Dirthamen anywhere, not even lurking hear the eluvian.

The gold rings on Falon'Din's hand flashed as he caught hold of Mythal's shoulder. "Where is he?" Falon'Din snarled, sounding more like his father with each new word uttered. Rage leaked through his teeth and blazed as a fire in his eyes. "If I learn you're hiding him—"

"Dirthamen isn't here, Falon'Din," Mythal cut off her eldest child, her tone even. She locked gazes with Falon'Din. Her eyes calm. "If he wanted you to find him, you would have found him by now."

Falon'Din scolwed.

Solas shifted.

Falon'Din's gaze snapped to him. His scowl twitched into a sneer as he released his mother. "If it isn't the Dread Wolf himself." Falon'Din started towards Solas. Each step clicked against the stone. More gold could be seen with each step he took, lacing his toes and ankles. "I bet the insect raced to you to cower and hide like the pathetic bug he is."

Bug? Solas felt a frown pull at his lips. "I've not seen Dirthamen in many centuries, not since our last co-project at least." Which was more than true, given the last time Solas had seen his other nephew had been back when the People viewed them as honored elders and not kings let alone gods.

Falon'Din turned so he was able to see both Solas and Mythal. "If I learn either of you are protecting him it will be war!" his eyes flashed with raw hatred as he glared at Solas. Contempt appared on his features as he looked at his mother. "One way or another will find the insect." Falon'Din strode passed Solas and stopped. "And mother," – the word sounded as if it was something foul on the tip of his tongue – "I will learn who it was you betrayed father with."

Solas turned. His gaze locked on Falon'Din's back as he nephew stepped through the eluvian. Air seemed to crash down on Solas. That hadn't been pleasant to say the least.

"What was that about?" Solas turned to Mythal. "What was he talking about, Mythal? And why was Falon'Din calling Dirthamen an 'insect'?" Solas moved down the rest of the steps as he asked these questions. He stopped before her, eyes locked onto hers.

Mythal looked at Solas. Her gaze was sad. "My thanks for arriving when you did, Solas. All I know is Dirthamen is missing and Falon'Din is trying to find him."

Solas frowned. The words made his heart flutter with unease. It felt as if she was dodging the questions, as if she knew more of what was going on than she wanted to tell him. And, yet, Solas knew better than press the issue. He doubted what was happening between his nephews was the reason she had asked him here.

"I doubt you asked me here to stop Falon'Din," Solas changed the subject.

"Walk with me, old friend."

His brow furled. He fell into step beside her, arms behind his back.

"There is a group of elvhen moving away from your boarders, I believe they are wanderers."

Solas didn't speak. He had known a group of wanderers passed by the sanctuary twice a year. Most of them time they stopped for supplies and to exchange news with those are the edge of the sanctuary. Solas had never interacted with the band himself.

"I received some information the others are seeking to put an end to wanderers entirely."

"Wanderers don't harm anyone," Solas stated. "Why would the others seek to stop them? They still worship the others."

Mythal cocked an eyebrow at him. "This maybe true, but the others don't want to risk the group joining forces with you and thus seek to stop them. Since they are on your boarders right now, I thought it best to inform you. It isn't an attack against your… domain."

"You aren't going to try to stop them?" Solas asked.

"I advised the others against it. You know your brother, he thinks he's always right."

Solas closed his eyes. "I can send a small group to warn them and try to aid them. But wanderers don't tend to accept outside aid."

"It would still be wise to try."

"Agreed." Solas opened his eyes and looked at Mythal.

They had stopped beside one of the tress. Solas found himself looking into her eyes. Long ago his heart would have fluttered at being this close to her, but such feelings had faded with centuries. She had chosen Elgar'nan and now all which remained was friendship. And one night shared between them.

Solas turned from her.

"Solas, be careful. I doubt Elgar'nan will keep turning a blind eye to our actions."

Solas paused. "I am the one poking the hornets' nest. If his rage lashes out, I will be the one it's directed at." With those words, Solas left Mythal by the tree. His mind turned over all she had told him and the fact Dirthamen was missing. This was most curious.

(Author's Note: Happy Thanksgiving!

I didn't edit the chapter because I wanted to get this up today. I will go back and edit it tomorrow.

I changed what Elgar'nan looked like because the original design made him stand out more. So his eyes are an amber color instead of orange.)