I dreamt again that night, the dreams seemed to come thicker and faster now. This one was different however, because my mother wasn't there.

"Lower your elbow, for gods' sake girl." Snapped a harsh voice beside me, an older voice. I knew he was talking to me and something told me he was my uncle. We stood in a glade, it was quiet and serene, the only company we had was a few shadows and wisps but that was it. He had painted a target crudely on a tree several feet opposite, at which I was to shoot. I'd tried and failed three times to hit the bullseye, yes I could hit the tree but hitting the exact target was pertinent.
"What's the use in aiming if you don't hit your target, lower your elbow, Nevalla." He repeated, pushing a hand down so that my arm almost cramped at how unnatural it was.
"I'm trying." I hissed in frustration before letting my arrow fly.
I woke up before I knew if I hit my target.

The following morning was nice enough. We got up, had breakfast and it was an all round pleasant affair. The sun was out, the breeze was balmy and birds chirped in the trees. Bees too, buzzed about the place, much to Sera's enjoyment, she seemingly loved the furry little creatures. I couldn't help the smile on my face, it seemed like everything would be alright now... Even though I only had to turn my head to see the breach in the sky, that was a bit of a downer.

"Tea, lavellan?" The Herald called over the fire. I nodded eagerly and she passed me a small tin cup.

"Herald, do we really have time for... Tea?" Cassandra sighed. Trevelyan only chuckled and said positively the most Ferelden thing I've ever heard.

"Cassandra, my mother always told me, there's always time for tea."

"Here here." I raised my cup in agreement. She laughed then and proceeded to offer the rest of the group. Solas' look of utter disgust did humour me slightly. He shook his head politely in refusal but I didn't miss the suppressed snarl of disgust even at the mere mention of tea.

"Not a fan of tea, hahren?" I jibed and his head turned my way. He shook his head again with a slight smile, "I detest the stuff." I distinctly remember feeling aghast when he said that. Who didn't like tea? What sort of maniac didn't like tea.

"Don't tell the Herald, she might get offended." Varric chuckled.

"Every Ferelden bone in my body is offended." She said indignantly, but with a good natured smile.

The rest of the day was pleasant too, as is the way when you have a pleasant morning, not very much can put a dampener on your day. I was smiling contently for the most part, letting the rays of sun bounce off my face and stared in awe at the way it reflected diamonds off the waterfall coming into the Village. It was then, unfortunately, that my day took an unfortunate turn for the worse. Glaring and oppressive outside of Redcliff's gates was a horrid green tare in the veil.

"Bollocks." I heard Sera sigh as she taught her bow, I did the same. Before I knew it we were slashing, hacking and... Well, whatever noises staffs make- through the demons that poured from the rift. You would think by now we would be used to it, and yes, with any other rift it was quite systematic. Hold off the demons enough to weaken the tear and then Trevelyan would close it. Only this time however, there were spots of green light around the rift, spots of light that either sped up time or slowed it and believe me, the slowing of time in the middle of fighting a demon that's more claws than sense is not ideal. It was almost weakened enough, I could tell, I don't know how but I knew, the screaming always got louder. However without thinking, I let a demon get too close and so I stumbled back into the patch of light that slowed time. It was quite a surreal experience and if I wasn't about to have my guts clawed out, it would have been quite relaxing. But no, I stumbled back in slow motion all the while a demon readied its great sharp claws to tear me limb from limb. My instinct was to turn and run but it was as if my feet were glued to the spot. All I could do was wait for the axe to fall, so to speak.
However, I blinked and suddenly felt the full force of something charge into me and knock me flat. I hit the ground with a thud that knocked the air clean out of me. Then I realised what had happened. The force that hit me was none other than the baldy elf, who now stood leaning heavily on his staff, his breathing falling into grunts of pain. Cassandra finished off the demon behind him, but I was by his side before it even hit the ground.

"Wait." I said urgently, scanning his pained face for injury. It wasn't until I caught the red contrasting the green on his shoulder. "Shit, Solas..." I whispered, carefully removing his rucksack. His hiss of pain told me I should have been more so.
"Dread wolf take me, I am so sorry Solas." I muttered frantically, seeing the angry red gash stretching down his shoulder blade.

"Tel'abelas, Lethalin." He grunted easing himself up straight, as if to continue on into Redcliff like he'd only skinned his knee.

"You're not going anywhere with that." I said, holding him in place by his other shoulder.

"Shite, she's right, that's pretty bad. Probably gunna need stitches." Sera whistled.

"All the same, very heroic." Varric chimed, that old shit eating grin on his face. Solas simply rolled his eyes.

"I will tend to my wound, you should continue to speak with Enchanter Fiona. I will not hinder you now." He said, though he tried to keep his face and tone level, it was clear the wound pained him.

"We can't just leave you in the middle of the road." I protested.

"Truly, I will be fine."

"Then let me at least help you." I retorted again, helping him shimmy his arm free from his outer jacket.

"I believe it would be wise to let Lavellan help you Solas, we shall at least get you inside the Village walls, come, we must not tarry." Cassandra said and we quickly piled on into Redcliff. I stayed close to Solas, guilt almost overwhelming me every time I saw the colour on his face fade and the pained expression he wore. By the time we made it to one of the Inquisition tents, I was almost in bloody tears! I sat him down hastily and began ringing a clean cloth in water, my hands shaking unintentionally.

"Nevalla." I heard him say behind me, his tone firm. "I will be fine, you should continue with the others."

"I'm not leaving you to stitch your own shoulder, its not even possible." I tried to force levity into my voice but its crack gave me away. He looked at me then with almost pity in his eyes and opened his mouth as if to say something, but I looked away because the tears would have streamed over the rims of my eyes otherwise. I hated people doing this. Not that I wasn't thankful! But he should never have gotten himself hurt just to save me... Mythal's mercy he could've been killed.
Carefully, he pulled off his tunic and the wrapping he wore under it allowing me to see the full extent of the gash as I sat behind him. I barely hid my gasp and he chuckled slightly. "Is it so terrible?"
I bit my lip them and told myself to stop being foolish, crying helps nobody and Solas was in serious need of help. It didn't bleed profusely but it had bleed enough and was still an open wound, easily infected. Mustering my common sense, I lightly dabbed at the bloodied skin. His whole form tensed in pain so I lightly pressed my left hand onto his back, letting the little healing magic I knew sooth his pain.

"Thank you." He sighed, his shoulders relaxing now.

"It's the least I can do." I said guiltily. As I dabbed his shoulder and let my healing magic sooth the wound I couldn't help but let my eyes drift over the light peppering of freckles across his shoulders. I smiled slightly at them, it must have meant he was a natural red head, surely. Before I could stop myself a finger had already traced a line between three of them, causing both myself and Solas to startle. Neither if us said anything however and I continued to tend his wound. This meant, unfortunately, that I would have to stitch it.
I am not very experienced in the art of stitching wound. Clothes? Yes. Skin? Not so much. I'd stitched tiny cuts before, one on my hand from when I'd tripped on a hunt and one on little Ellana's knee where she too had tripped. Not gaping wounds like this, no, this was a whole other matter. Still, I had to do it. Who else was going to? Unless Solas was a remarkably talented contortionist, I highly doubt he could do it himself. So I fetched the needle and thread from his pack, took three tries to actually thread it and prepared myself to do this properly. For gods' sake I had to stop my hands shaking. With a deep preparitive sigh, I plunged the needle into the angry skin surrounding the gash. Solas hissed out a long elvish curse and I saw his face screw up in pain and I was again awash with guilt.

"Ir Abelas..." I whispered, plunging the needle in the other side and pulling it tight. I don't even think Solas tried to contain his pain. Which was bad. Because Solas was prideful and stoic. It must have been truly awful if he was willing to let that calm exterior slip.
I bit my lip, cringing at his grunts of pain as I stuck the needle in again.
It was then that he let out a long, trembling sigh, shook his head firmly and brought up his hand to his shoulder. The soft and cool green light of his healing magic began to flood over the wound and seemed to nit itself back together before my very eyes, barely even leaving a scar. He sighed in relief when he had finished and I could only stand there in awe. He stood then, not looking at me and pulled his clothes back on. I could barely articulate myself.

"How... What... Why did you not just do that in the first place?" I whispered.

He shrugged on his back pack and in a clipped tone replied, "You were insistent on helping, I thought to let you tend my wound would stem some of your guilt." I didn't know whether to feel stupid or offended or both, ot whether I just felt guilty again for causing him even more pain. Suddenly though he stopped and offered down his hand.
"You are quite the butcher, however." And the smile was back in his voice, the kindness back in his eyes as he pulled me up to stand. I blushed fiercely and do not ask me why because I still have no answer. After that comment however, whatever guilt I might have felt was indeed stemmed and we quickly got back to the matter at hand; following the rest of the motley crew up to the Tavern to meet Fiona. We didn't speak much on our way, however it didn't feel awkward. I felt as if we had truly set aside our differences this time. After all, you don't just throw yourself in front of a demon for someone you dislike. I made a mental note to repay him for it if the need ever arose. He was an odd man, Solas. Something was truly strange and yet ever so familiar about him. Perhaps I'd make it my mission to find out what it was that made him so enigmatic. Perhaps I would never. All I knew was that he saved my life, more times than seems justified and for that I was immeasurably grateful. He was a good friend. A loyal friend and I was simply happy to call him as such.