This is a sequel to my previous story, The Fifth Blight, a Grey Warden Story. This one will take place during Inquisition. It will focus on Cullen and Solona. I ship these two hard. I favor the mage origin, although I've played them all. I wanted to give them a proper resolution to their story. This will still follow the relevant events in Inquisition, just with the Warden Commander Solona Amell added into the story. I am a romantic at heart.
I will use the default name for an Elven female Inquisitor, who is in a romance with Solas.
Do not own Dragon Age Inquisition
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8 Harvestmere, 9:41 Dragon, Haven
Ellana watched the celebrations below. With the help of the Templars, the Breach has been closed. The elven woman is aware of Cassandra walking up to her. The two exchange some cautionary banter before the sound of the alarm goes off. The two see fires in the distance, moving closer to Haven. Cullen approaches, informing them that lookouts in the watchtowers have spotted an army moving towards the village. The call to arms is announced, Ellana, her advisors and the companions she has gathered, converge on the main gate to Haven. Cullen and Josephine are discussing the possibilities of who is descending upon them. They hear the sounds of fighting through the closed doors, then everyone feels the effects of a healing spell, but Cullen knows this aura. His heart beats fast, both excited and scared of who is on the other side of the gate. The gentle rapping of a knock on the gate breaks the hold on him.
"If you could open up please. We're keeping the attackers at bay." a gentle female voice calls out, one Cullen recognizes instantly.
Ellana opens the gate. Standing on the other side is a small group of six mages, and defending Inquisition forces retreating back to Haven. Ellana recognizes some of them, Connor, Arl Eamon's son, and Dorian, the mage she met in Redcliff's Chantry, the others are ones she met around Redcliff village. The female is the only one she doesn't recognize, but she draws the most attention.
Auburn hair, tucked into a bun, some strains loose around her face. She ushers soldiers towards the gate, sending a powerful chain lightning spell at their pursuers. She is wearing a blue Tevinter style form fitting robe, it is molded to her figure, accentuating her curves. The last of the soldiers rush past her, she doesn't turn, she backs up toward the gate, keeping her eyes trained to the front. The other mages, rush inside after the soldiers, Dorian stays with the woman. Finally, the female mage turns to look at everyone, she is very beautiful, reminding the people gather around of a gentle forest spirit. Green eyes, dancing with warmth and mischief, softly stare at Ellana.
"Solona!" Cullen gasps at a whisper.
"Cullen!" her attention drawn to him in an instant, just as surprised, her whisper just as soft.
"Solona. Where?" Leliana starts, pushing through the crowd, "Maker's breath! Where have you been? Never mind. What's going on?" she finishes, concerned.
"The Elder One is on his way. He is extremely put out that you took his Templars." Dorian explains, pointing to an out jut on a cliff across the lake, "There."
The group sees two figures appear. One is a human woman, Dorian names her as Calpernia, the leader of the Venatori. The tall being next to her, a twisted disfigured creature, Dorian names as the Elder One. Solona shocks the Inquisition with her next words.
"He is a Darkspawn. Ancient, and Evil. As Warden-Commander of Ferelden, it is my duty to fight this creature. I have come to lend my aid in defeating this threat." Solona informs them.
"So we will have Grey Warden support for our cause?" Josephine inquires.
"No. Not exactly. I will aid the Inquisition in this endeavor, but Grey Wardens must remain neutral. Consider it an alliance of commonality." Solona clarifies, and doesn't.
"Let's get everyone back to the Chantry, we can go over everything there." Cassandra offers, just a little surprised with the turn of events.
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A quick game plan is put in place. Cassandra, Ellana, Solona, Solas, and Varric go out to support the troops on the trebuchets. Solona takes command seamlessly, ordering the troops, while sending out spells. Cassandra is impressed with her skills. Varric is grinning from ear to ear, he is already coming up with a story for fighting beside the Hero of Fereldan. Ellana and Solas are surprised by her magic, both had never felt anything like it.
"Your skills are impressive. Are all Grey Wardens similarly trained?" Solas asks.
"A lot of my training has come from the job. I have however, learned a great deal of new, or forgotten magics from my travels. I have spent time with Avvar and Chasind tribes, I am a honorary member of several tribes and holds." Solona tells him, sending out a chain lightning spell.
"I have heard that you are also an honored guest to any Dalish clan. My own clan has been asked to make every available honor allowed to you, if you should have happened to come upon us." Ellana tells her, sending a fireball out.
"I was not aware of that. I will have to speak with Keeper Lanaya, the next time I see her. I would never ask a clan to forsake their practices in order to accommodate me. That's just rude." Solona quips, shaking her head.
Ellana and Solas both chuckle softly at her remarks. Solona moves to support the soldiers manning the eastern trebuchet, a few have been hit with spells from the Venatori mages. Solona casts a group heal, surprising everyone gathered again.
"Sweet Andraste's knickers. Does your healing spell always feel like that?" Varric asks, feeling lighter.
"Yes. You'll get use to it." Solona offers. She does not see the look Solas gives her.
The trebuchet fires, the soldiers are ready for more. The group moves over to the western turret, something is going on over there.
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After clearing out the Venatori, Ellana mans the trebuchet, they are going to start an avalanche and bury the approaching army. Solona smirks and praises Ellana. The wrench comes in the form of a dragon. It destroys the turret, forcing the group to retreat.
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Returning back to the Chantry, they rescue some of the villagers, Solona impresses the group continually. They meet up with Dorian, he is helping Chancellor Roderick, Solona rushes to them, taking the mans other arm. Once inside, they seat the Cleric in a chair. Solona asks him first if she may heal him. Cullen approaches, watching. Roderick nods. Solona gets to work.
"Maker! That is wonderful." the Chancellor comments, his wound already feeling better.
"Love is not selfish." Cole remarks cryptically.
"What an odd thing to say." Dorian says, confused.
Solona smiles softly to Cole, before turning her attention back to the Cleric.
"The Archdemon has erased what time you have bought us." Cullen starts, "We can not hold here, Haven was not built as a fortress. At this point, we just need to make them work for it." he finishes.
"That is not an Archdemon." Solona interjects, still healing the Chancellor.
"Well it sure looks like one. How do we fight it, without endangering the people of Haven?" Cullen asks, concerned.
"There has to be some way. Warden-Commander do you have any ideas?" Ellana inquires, needing something to hold onto.
"Your original idea had merit." Solona starts, Cullen jumps in.
"We could cause another avalanche, bury Haven village. It would destroy the rest of the Venatori army, and possibly take this Elder One with them." Cullen explains.
"That's your solution? Kill everyone, at the possibility of taking out this Elder One. Are you an idiot?" Dorian rebuffs, upset, "I didn't risk my life to come here and warn you of the attack, just to die by resignation." he finishes.
"There is always Hope. Even in the most unlikely places." Solona admonishes, looking at Roderick.
"The summer pilgrimage path. I don't know what drew me to take it, or why I am the only one alive from the Conclave who remembers. It was so over grown, it had not been used for many years, but something compelled me to take the path on my way to the Conclave." the Cleric offers.
"Can you lead them?" Solona queries, remembering the path of which he speaks.
"I can. Thanks to you." Roderick returns, smiling at Solona.
"Perhaps guiding hands surround us more than we realize." Solona offers, giving the Cleric a knowing smile.
"We'll need a distraction. Someone will have to go out there and draw the dragons attention and turn the trebuchet." Cullen states, remorseful from Solona's gentle chastisement.
"I'll go back out, give the people time to escape. Cullen, get them out." Solona states, determined.
"You will not be alone. I can't help with the tainted dragon, but I can help cover the civilians escape." Ellana says looking at Solona, shocking those gathered.
"You'll die." Cullen can't help himself to state, looking at Solona.
"I know. But I am a Grey Warden. We are protectors." Solona tries to reassure Cullen.
"I..." Cullen starts.
Solona nods to him, it is all she can offer him.
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"So what's the story with you and Curly?" Varric asks, as the group runs toward the last trebuchet.
"I do not think this is the time to talk about it, do you?" Solona redirects, amused at the dwarfs tenacity.
"I figured, we're going to die, might as well confess a few things." Varric tries, smirking.
"Nice try." Solona retorts, grinning.
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The dragon circles, the group runs. The trebuchet is set, but Cullen has not sent the signal. Cassandra, Solas, and Varric run ahead. Ellana and Solona are cut off, the dragon harries them back towards the turret. Solona is batted away, as she sends a spell. The dragon stalks Ellana. Solona has a gash in her arm, but it is manageable. The Elder One is talking and Solona will listen before making any moves.
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Ellana is running fast, she sees a red fox jumping down into a hole to the right. Ellana jumps in after it, she bangs her head against the side of the wall, knocking her unconscious.
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Ellana stirs, her head is groggy, but otherwise, she is fine. Standing is slow, but she manages to get her feet under herself. The cavern she is in is of medium size, there is a tunnel ahead of her. She sees fox prints in the snow covered floor. Ellana figures the fox found a way out and follows its trail.
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Dealing with the Despair demons in the next cavern is easy after summoning a rift to send them back to the Fade. Looking around the new cavern, Ellana sees the red fox further ahead, waiting.
The fox trots ahead of her, it stays in her visual range, but does not come close to her. It leads her to an exit. The fox turns right out of the cave, disappearing. Ellana pulls her jacket tighter around herself, the wind is cutting into her. She is tempted to set herself on fire, just to feel some relief. She spots the fox ahead, dancing around a dark shape in the snow.
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The fox is always ahead, it stops when Ellana stops, as if waiting for her. It weaves through the trees that cling to the mountain, finding a path that offers some respite from the torrential gale beating down on Ellana.
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The little creature has lead her to a fire pit, the embers still hot. The wind has died down, but Ellana is still freezing. She looks around for the fox, but it has disappeared, she sees a warm glow up ahead, between two rises in the rocky path. Moving forward, she is on the last of her strength. Just as she drops to her knees, the little fox comes running towards her. Cassandra is not far behind, followed by Cullen and Leliana. It runs past her, turning right, disappearing into the distance.
"Thank you, little fox." Ellana offers as it passes.
"There she is. Thank the Maker!" Cassandra exclaims.
"Solona? Where is Solona?" Cullen asks, looking behind Ellana.
"I didn't see her." Ellana chatters, as Cassandra wraps a blanket around her.
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Leading Ellana to the tent set up for the wounded. The small entourage spots Solona, leaning over an injured soldier. They hear the bone snap back in place, before feeling the soothing magic of the Warden-Commanders healing spell. Cullen rushes forward.
"Have you been here this whole time?" Cullen asks, disbelieving.
"Not the whole time. I did go looking for some healing herbs. Deep Mushroom should be plentiful around here." Solona answers.
"Ellana is in the beginning stages of hypothermia." Cassandra barrels through, sending Cullen a stern look.
"Lay her here. Connor, take over on the leg. It's set, it just needs another heal spell to get him going." Solona and Connor switch places.
Solona gets to work, focused on her patient. She does not see the way Cullen stares at her.
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