Her eyes began to open, the light becoming unbearably bright, she winced. Sometimes she hated the sun, until she got the brief reminder of it's warmth and it's freedom. She had spent so many years in the Circle tower looking out at the sun and the freedom that awaited her there.
So many years of looking out into the world and here she was finally in it. Out of pure accident and circumstance, but luck be a lady she assumed. Her mind no longer wandering about aimlessly as her eyes adjusted to the room.
Her body was tired, it ached in her limbs but her mark no longer burned. So there was a positive to all of the aches that she was feeling at this moment. Her feet slowly touched the ground, the wooden floor creaking beneath her weight. She shifted, still uneasy on her feet. She didn't know how long she was out, but this place was unfamiliar, and her movements were jittery at best. She could hear the hustle and bustle of Haven outside, a noise she once feared, but now grew used to. She wondered if they still hated her, if they still believed she was responsible..Only time will tell.
Her eyes came across the small figure of an elf, a smile on her face as if she was in a different world. She dropped her crate, the sound of bottles rattling, their contents spilling on the floor, "Oh!" The noise seemed to skitter across the ground, the elfs body becoming defensive as she slowly backed away, "I didn't know you we're awake, I swear!" She seemed to back away more and more towards the door. Anara suddenly wondered if this was about the fact that she was a mage, or if she still believed she destroyed the Conclave.
This wasn't the time to have such doubts, "Don't worry about it I only-"
The elf threw herself to the ground, the action startled Anara who stood there confused, her eyes shifting about the room trying to understand what was happening. "I beg your forgiveness, and your blessing. I am but a humble servant."
Her eyebrows raised tempted to start questioning the elf on her odd choice of behavior.
"You are back in Haven, my lady. They say you saved us, The breach stopped growing, just like the mark on your hand."
Anara flexed her fingers, realizing what joy it was to no longer feel the burn in her hand, even if it was only temporary. The green light flashed still, but she couldn't feel it's power spreading anymore. Either it had consumed her completely or it had stopped finally, which one she could not tell.
"It's all anyone had talked about for the last three days…"
Anara hung her head, relief washing over her, they were happy, pleased? They didn't want her head, or her to face a trial then? She sighed in relief, "Then the danger is over." She seemed so certain of her words now, hoping for the very best.
The elf still stayed on the floor, her head bending a little lower, " The breach is still in the sky, but that's what they say." She began to shift, pushing herself from the floor, her hands fidgeted together. Looking more like a small frightened creature then a person.
" I'm certain Lady Cassandra would want to know you've wakened, she said, 'at once." She began to back towards the door, as if she was recoiling from a hit.
" And where is she?" Anara began to move towards the door, wishing to see the 'Seeker' as well.
"In the Chantry." The elf's movement became more panicked, " With the lord Chancellor. 'at once' she said.." As quickly as she appeared she was gone, the door closing behind her.
Anara looked around herself, feeling irritation seep through her exterior. A scowl appearing on her face as she was alone, her head lolled as she stretched her neck. The stress she was feeling began to become unbearably tight, she had only been awake for several minutes. Her mind moved about, trying to go past what irritation that she felt, pushing it deep down inside of herself.
She looked over herself, taking in the sight of what she was wearing. "What, by the maker.." There was a groan as she looked at the pants, felt the top and all the awkward metal rings and circles that covered. As if she was wearing armor to bed, her eyebrows furrowed in annoyance, oh how she wished for anything other than what she was wearing. She shifted uncomfortably in the clothing provided, she searched desperately for her tunic and coat. Finding them mixed with the bottles that clattered on the floor.
" Thank the maker…" She sighed as she quickly changed, leaving the temporary clothes strewn on the floor. No matter what, she was always messy despite her heritage, and the circle tower did nothing to curb her habit.
She stood there at the door, awaiting the stern face of Cassandra to be there on the other side, but instead was met by Solas, and his gentle smile. " You're awake I see." His eyes seemed brighter when in sight of her.
A smile spread on her face as she looked down, suddenly becoming shy to the elf. Regardless of what happened between them a few days ago, it felt as if it just happened. " I suppose I have you to thank for keeping me alive this whole time. It looks like I owe you my life a second time."
A wicked smirk spread across his lips as he leaned in, looking Anara in the eyes. "You can pay me back in other ways Vhenan." A blush formed across her cheeks as she remembered the roughness of his fingers and hard plains of his body. Her words failed her as she stammered, nonsensical, hardly together in her thoughts and words.
Solas seemed to enjoy this, he felt as if he had her under his thumb. Poking and prodding her in such a way to create the best response. He didn't realize she would be so easy to embarrass, but he was beginning to enjoy it. Oh the things he had planned.
Solas grabbed his staff, supporting himself on it as he began to make his move away. "I assume that Cassandra will be looking for you soon. I will not take up any more of your time for now Vhenan. But please, speak to me soon. " He grabbed her hand, pulling it up to his lips, leaving a quick kiss on her hand. The feeling sending shivers down her spine, Solas left her on that, his back turning to her as he walked away.
Her mind stared at the elf as he walked away, unknowing of the scene that stood before her.
Haven had gathered.
A sea of people swarmed the area, all whispering amongst themselves as Anara took caution to her steps.
"She closed the breach."
"Make bless you."
"The Herald saved us."
Her footing was uneasy as she walked through the crowd, expecting admonishment but instead received approval from all those around her. Feet crossed the packed in snow as she walked up the steps, her movement still slow as she grew used to the temperature of Haven once again. The wind was calmer, but there was still a piercing chill that dug through her and reddened her cheeks.
She had crossed the small tented camp that Varric would normally stay, but his figure was missing from the scene. Her feet kept walking, past soldiers with their heads bowed, their hand over their heart.
"That's her. She stopped the breach from getting any bigger."
Her feet felt the need to move faster, to shun and flee from all this attention. She crossed the training grounds outside the Chantry, the soldiers there stood there in silence. They bowed their heads, and crossed their hearts as she passed, her eyes shifting between them and the Chantry doors. Guarded silently by the priests of The Chantry, them standing there like chickens outside of their coop, they seemed frightened like there was a fox among them.
The breach looked as if it had stopped, the bright green scar in the sky still loomed over the town. But Anara took the fact that it had stopped growing as a good sign, for both her and for Thedas.
Her hands braced the doors, the priests and sisters of the chantry stood there in some sense of fear. She wondered what of, of her? That she was a mage? That she heard the name Herald out there? Or that she still had a hand in the Conclave. She didn't know, and perhaps she didn't really want to know what they thought of her.
Her eyebrows moved together, lines forming in her forehead as she pushed the doors open, the chill of the wind in Haven flooding the warm Chantry. It's lights twinkling inside like stars in the sky, without the presence of those devot it's halls felt like an empty void. Wishing to come back to it's former glory.
Her feet echoed on the stone floors, the sound resounding throughout the whole room. She felt alone, she was alone, in these halls that she was once held prisoner. In these halls that she now roamed, her hands touching the door at the end of the hall. She stopped, trying to decide if this was the best idea, she listened briefly to the heated argument that was inside. Hearing the distinct voice of Chancellor Roderick and his incessant bickering. Her heart and body gave a sigh, her hand pressing the door open…
Cassandra stood in the room, the Templar's guarding the door taking up more room then they should. Anara could feel her magic dwindle under their watchful eyes, everyone in this town seemed to know she was a mage. It wasn't exactly an easy thing to hide anyways, better they know now then later she figured to herself.
Chancellor Roderick stood there, finger pointing words spewing and expectations too high for himself. Anara truly did not like this man, too arrogant, pig headed and too full of himself to get any real work done. She stood there, tuning out the mans tirade thinking about the rough capture of her lips and the hands of Solas on her body.
She snapped herself back to those present in front of her when she felt her magic tingle, reawakening once again. The Templar's had left, closing the door behind them. Roderick continued on his tirade and Anara wished she never brought herself out of her day dream.
"You walk a dangerous line. Seeker." Roderick's emphasis on the word still dripped with the same venom as it did before. Cassandra closed in the space between them, making herself imposing on the older man.
" The breach is stable, but it is still a threat. I will not ignore it." Her words began to take a serious tone, a hint of annoyance began to creep it's way into her words. She had spent too much time trying to explain things to Chancellor Roderick, trying to make him understand. But perhaps Cassandra was beginning to feel what she had already felt the moment she met him.
"Someone was behind the explosion at the conclave. Some most holy did not expect." Leliana tried to step in between the two unmovable forces that were Cassandra and Roderick, but neither budged.
"Perhaps they died with the others-or have allies who yet live." Leliana's gaze fell upon Roderick, his arms flailed in opposition. He cursed and pointed more fingers at others, any blame falling upon anyone but him.
Cassandra still tried to assure him of Anara's innocence. Calling her presence, providence. That her presence here was the will of the maker.
Anara's throat tightened at the prospect, the maker sending her here. The maker putting her and countless others through this? She laughed internally at the thought, the maker had a strange sense of humor if she was some divine, or guided by his hand.
"Are you sure?" Was the only thing that came from her mouth, Cassandra didn't approve of her questioning of the makers motive. But she understood Anara's confusion to the matter. For so long she felt that the maker wanted nothing to do with her. Her family had all but abandoned her to the circle, her title was forfeited, her chance at lands, wealth, marriage all but out the window. She and others had been abused by the Templars that ran the circle. She had lost someone that she loved in the very explosion that she survived. But it was all by the hand of the maker a man somewhere playing at his game of divinity.
"You are exactly what we needed, when we needed it." Cassandra tried her best to sound reassuring. She held her faith in both her and the maker rather high at this point, and Anara didn't want to disappoint suddenly.
" The breach remains, and your mark is still out only hope of closing it." Leliana seemed to negotiate her way through to Anara, trying to appeal to her good nature.
"This is not for you to decide!" Roderick chimed in again in his usual fashion. Once again making everything about him, Leliana seemed to disapprove of the man's attitude, everyone disapproved of his attitude it seemed.
There was a loud thud, Cassandra threw a book onto the table, her voice began to reach a new level of annoyance. " You know what this is, Chancellor?" Her words dripping in enough venom to kill a Druffalo.
" A writ from the divine, granting us the authority to act. As of this moment, I declare the Inquisition reborn."
Cassandra began to move, her imposing form closing in on the Chancellor, his body backing away from her. " We will close the breach, we will find those responsible, and we will restore order. With or without your approval." Her hands motioned, her fingers gesturing into the chancellors chest as he took up distance in the small room.
Anara stood there, a smug look upon her face as she saw the chancellor become more and more uncomfortable. His movements becoming more flighty, and panicked. He looked around the room at the women who stood there against him. Who wanted to stand there against the breach and all those responsible for it.
He turned, trying to hide his look of disgust as his eyes came across Anara, that smug look plastered on her face for all to see. His body left for the door, knowing now that his words fell upon deaf ears and that he held no power here among these women.
Leliana approached the book, her hand reaching out the the leather bound tome. "Rebuild the inquisition of old, find those who will stand against the chaos. We aren't ready, we have no leader, no numbers and now no chantry support."
The Chantry….Anara laughed to herself, what has the chantry done for her lately besides provide her with a wet floor to sleep on. She was bitter now, more than she ever was before about the chantry or the maker. Both she felt, lived only to mock her and her life. Cassandra extended a welcoming hand to Anara, allowing her to join the inquisition. The voice in her head screamed for her to flee. To turn away and to leave, find a small hermit hole in the woods and live her days away from the world and it's maker.
But in the back of everything, behind her pride and her callousness a small voice chimed in. Her compassion came in, and in all the dark that she had experienced and felt in her life, there were still moments of light.
She hung her head, eyes closed as she rubbed her temple, Cassandra was asking too much of her right now. To make a decision right now, she was still uncertain but the voice became louder. That there were arms that were willing and able to hold her at night, that weren't restricted by duty. That out there, with the inquisition stood Solas, who pulled her from oblivion, only to send her back over with his body.
The things he could promise her, and give her. The things he could make her feel.
Her mouth became incredibly dry as she thought of the elf, and the things he's already done. The thoughts of him made the decision easier then the logical route.
"f you're truly trying to restore order..." She spoke, as she looked up from the table, to the ladies that were in the room. Her mind was made up, regardless of the dark that faced them ahead. Anara knew that she was a light, that would become a beacon of hope in their darkest hour.
' Help us fix this, before it's too late." Cassandra held out her hand, welcoming Anara's hand as they shook. Silent agreement falling upon all within the room.
The inquisition had begun.
Haven began to clamor as the banner began to raise, and ravens left to the sky, messages upon their wings to reach distant shores.
People gathered outside the Chantry, mumbling among themselves as Commander Cullen walked forward. Nailing the Inquisition's paper to the door, telling all of Haven that the inquisition of old had come back, to purge the darkness back into the void.
Chancellor Roderick looked at the papers, his mind becoming uncertain of what laid ahead of them all. Worry began to seep into his face, his emotions seemed cross back and forth between worry and anger as he stormed off.
the blacksmith's hammer could be heard from all around, their tireless work sounding into the night as the prepared everyone for the tasks that laid ahead of them.
Cassandra walked through the yard, men and woman standing their ground, heads held high, as she made her way to the Chantry. Anara standing there with others at her back, feeling the eyes of the commander focusing too much on the nape of her neck.
She looked back at the commander, his gaze quickly fixing to Cassandra. Her eyes moved over the crowd, looking at a suspicious Solas looking at the Commander. Anara looked between the two, trying to understand what it was between the two men.
Cassandra said her words, reassuring the people of this decision, promising their protection. Anara felt different about this, that they were providing false hope to people who have lived in false hope. But the words were pretty, eloquent, matching the station that Cassandra was born into, and perhaps to lead into one day.
Anara stood there, letting the people silently make their own judgement of her. Friend or foe, she did not want to make the situation any worse than what it was. When it ended she felt those around her disperse, all having better tasks to do than stand about.
"My lady." She turned to look into the eyes of the commander, his short distance making her chest beat. She always seemed to have a soft spot for Templar's and this unfortunately wasn't helping her.
"Commander." She spoke, nodding her head to the man her eyes pulling away from the scar on his lip.
" I do hope we can work together in the future, I am Commander Cullen." He gave a curt nod, his hands grabbing hers as he pressed it up to his lips. A quick press and her face turned, awkward and embarrassed as she looked out for Solas and empty plea in her eyes.
Solas's face was flushed, the corner of his mouth trying not to twist up into a snarl as he looked at the commander. There was a reason he didn't like the Templar and this action only seemed to solidify it. Solas began to move, his feet no longer under his control as the distance closed, closer and closer until he cleared his throat.
"Commander Cullen, there are troops that need you to teach them how to swing a sword." Solas could feel the anger and jealousy ring through his voice as he looked at Cullen.
"Of course, my lady I will see you later." Cullen turned his back, making his way across the yard to the new recruits, standing there among the tents and clashes of practice battle.
Anara quickly turned her head, "Solas I'm sorr-" She was cut off by his finger pressed against her lips.
"I know Vhenan, don't worry. He knows something, what I'm not sure. But I'm not worried about you.." Solas's mind seemed to wander off into the distance, like he wanted to say something, but not in the presence of prying ears.
" Come meet with me Vhenan. Tonight. Under the night sky with the stars as our witness. If you come, then we can become one."
Her throat suddenly felt itchy, her lips parted as she looked at Solas, they were still bridged after so long, and she felt if she went tonight, they would become bridged by more than just their minds. His voice still rang in her head as he gave her a soft smile before turning away.
" Come find me tonight. Across the frozen lake, I will wait."
She shifted in her spot, her mind and body not in sync as she fumbled about, turning left for a distance before going right then left to correct herself. The prospect became so unnerving that she forgot what she was doing, or where she was going.
Cullen looked across at the elf and Anara as he pressed his finger to her lips. A huff coming out from under his breath as he critiqued an awful shield block. He knew that Solas was up to something what, he didn't know. But he would keep an eye on Anara for the following days, just in case.
The day continued without a hitch, sparring in the yard and the smiths busy at work. Anara stood there in her room as she started at what little was there. A cotton throw and a few apples was all she could scrounge up. Oh how disappointing the sight was as she figured it was the best that she could do.
The sun fell and darkness came in close behind it. The stars lighting up like small beacons to her destination. Her coat brushed against the snow as she moved through the town. A silence fell over the town as people rested in their homes, trying to gain some relief to the day.
As she stood outside the town she saw a small light burn in the distance, across a frozen lake. Her feet not moving fast enough as she reached the light, a green flame burning from a post. But nothing around. Anara looked around, trying to decide if this was a trap or if she'd been stood up until she felt a hand touch her shoulder.
Her body reacted as she turned, panic set into her stomach for the briefest moment until she saw Solas's eyes, and eyebrow cocked, "Is something the matter?"
Relief washed over her as she heard his voice, "Oh, no, I was worried. You weren't here so I thought."
"That I had stood you up?" She couldn't find words to say as her mouth opened like a fish trying to find water. Until her arms gave in and her head collapsed, silently agreeing to his statement as she nodded.
His hands touched her face as he looked into her eyes. Looking into her brown depths, he saw the stars shine in them, "I would never do that, and unless you say so, I would never leave you."
His words weren't said to make her feel better, or to encourage her. But were said in honesty and truth, to her and to her character. He brushed aside the stray hairs from her eyes as he looked again, feeling his gaze move into her very being, "Never."
His lips moved closer as his eyes closed, their first kiss would never be enough for him. Not until the end of his days would he look upon their moment and not want more.
He knew inside what he felt, human or no, mage or not. His body had loved her in every way he could conceive and he would spend the rest of eternity proving his love to her.
His lips had touched hers, the spark in their connection rekindled. Tonight he knew, under the stars he would speak of love, and he would feel it completely with her.
Tonight under Fen'Harel, she would be his, forever.