Still getting to know the characters, and I try to give Lavellan as little as possible of character traits, as I know someone prefer her as redhead, others blond, and so on. This way, you can keep your favorite image of your Lavellan.

Chapter 4.

The encounter with the famous champion of Kirkwall had been an uproar of mixed emotions. She had heard and read most of the stories circulating around the beautiful mage who had journeyed the Deep Roads with Varric, fought against the templars when Anders blasted the Chantry and ending the adventure with a first enchanter turned abomination by blood magic and a mad knight commander.

Ih'tal hadn't known what she would do if she ever met the woman, but she had a serious case of hero worship when it came too Hawke.

The interaction had been short and to the point, but she walked away with new allies and new hope for finding the missing Wardens. Varric had stayed with Hawke, catching up with everything going on, in and outside of the Inquisition, even though the mage probably already knew a lot already.

The sun was about to set, and people were gathering in the tavern and the great hall to find their evening meal. Ih'tal hadn't eaten all day and the day was catching up with her. Her plan was that she would catch a quick meal and then head upstairs to claim some much needed sleep.

In the hall she scanned the tables for an empty seat. There was, as always, a seat besides Sera, but Ih'tal had learned the hard way (and the spicey way) that Sera had an act for tempering with the food of the person sitting next to her. Not a problem for the Iron Bull who had taking up the spot next to her. Ih'tal though that the Qunari found the whole ordeal entertaining, and the spy tried to catch the little elf in the act. She herself tried to limit the meal sharing with Sera to a minimum.

Looking down the tables she saw her advisors huddled together, with maps and papers divided between them. Though she was grateful for the roles they each played, she wasn't in the mood to talk strategies, and be mediator between them when they argued. And when a frown began to form, from Josephine's forehead, she knew it was only a matter of time before they got into another one.

While still trying to locate a seat, she found her eyes connecting to Solas. He had joined several of the mages, who was chatting amongst themselves. Ih'tal knew that it still wasn't the time to confront Solas about what had happened in the Fade, but she knew her time was running out, by the patient but determent look he was sending her across the room.

Debating her options, she decides to join her advisors, they were the least of three evils, and the seat was the farthest away from Solas. Besides she didn't have the energy to join Iron Bull or Sera, where the latter was poking her arrow at the former. Taking a seat, she nodded a hello and began filling her plate with the food lined alongside the middle of the table. Cullen and Josephine had begun arguing about the ambassadors arriving at the Stronghold and their security. Liliana didn't spare her a glance while she moved her gaze between the two opponents.

All in all, it was a relative quit affair, with only the Iron Bulls loud shout, when (she guessed) Sera's arrow hit a sore spot, and the debating between her commander and ambassador was kept at a relative quit volume.

She was almost done with her second serving, when Liliana, who was about to leave, began addressing her.

"Inquisitor, I believe to have found a solution between Varric and me. I had a message sent to him to discuss it further. As such, you don't need to attend, but I will be sending a report and a debrief you at the wartable. Would that be acceptable to you?"

Ih'tal swallowed and said "Of course. One less thing for me to worry about". She gave the spymaster a grateful look "Thank you Liliana".

"Anytime Inquisitor. Our job is to make your life easier" Liliana gave her a soft smile and left the table to return to her tower.

When she possible couldn't eat another bite, she rose to follow the advisor's example and go to her own quarters. She felt her eyes drop at the prospect of a good night's rest. But when she finally reached the top landing, she froze.

Standing in front of her bookcase, roaming her tomes, was the Dread Wolf himself. She knew he had heard her walking up the stair. Still, he didn't seem to be in a hurry to explain his presence. And seemed content just browsing through her personal items.

Ih'tal sighed and relaxed her stance, with her fatigue evident in her voice she asked him "what are you doing here Solas?"

He didn't turn to face her but replied "You haven't been down to see me after our last talk" he reached for another book and scrolled through the pages. "You see. Things has always been easier for me in the Fade, but now I find myself in unfamiliar territory." Still not facing her, but with a serious voice he continued "I wanted for apologize for encouraging the kiss. It was impulsive and ill considered. It has been a long time for me, and even though I does not excuse my behavior, I still need to apologize".

While regarding him carefully, but needing to get back at him, for invading her personal space, she said "Sure. Fade tongue doesn't count. I mean, everybody knows that".

Solas turned around. Quizzically searching her gaze if she was serious. Ih'tal, tried not to give anything away, and waited for him to reply.

"I really... I mean I didn't…" he awkwardly shifted in place. She had clearly flustered him "what I mean is. I don't think this is the best idea. It could lead to trouble, and you have other things to concern yourself with". He dropped the serious tone and replaced it with a more tender and emotional one. "This is to important, than for you and me to interfere with what must be done".

She knew he was right. He hadn't told her everything and was clearly hiding something. But again, so was she. She couldn't very well demand honesty when she herself hadn't been truthful. She needed to change that. There were so many things she admired about Solas, and even if her own feelings didn't account, they were still kin, both Elvhen, both from a time long ago forgotten. She could not lose sight of that.

"Solas, I think it is I who owe you an apology. I'm the one who started kissing you and I am the one who have been avoiding you ever since"

she rubbed er forehead and felt a headache beginning to form. "There is still a lot of things unsaid, a lot of things I haven't told you or anybody yet, and I know trust goes both ways. But still, I want you to know that I care about you. And at the end of the day, I don't regret anything". She steeled herself and met his gaze. "I will respect your wishes if you want to distance yourself and don't want to speak of this again, but know that whatever you choose, my feelings won't change, and I still want you to be a part of this".

While he seemed to process her words, she felt relieved getting the word of her chest. It was out there in the open, and regardless how he chooses to move forward, she had opened the way for honesty.

"I think" Solas started. "That I need time to think. There are… consideration that I must take into this". Solas moved closer and took her hand in his own. "I am not often thrown by things that happens in dreams, and yet you manage to rock the very foundation of everything I once though and believe. There is much to think about, but I will try to deserve your opinion of me".