Knife-ears
It was warm in Val Royeaux now that it was early summer. They had made a few diplomatic visits and follow-ups with nobles that they'd talked to in the Winter Palace. Between duties and travelling back to Skyhold, they allowed themselves some time to catch up on personal business.
Dorian dragged Bull along to relax in some fancy bathhouse, Cassandra wanted to visit a few personal acquaintances and Varric declared he had work to do. Cole was out and about helping people, returning back to the group at irregular times.
As opposed to the others, Solas and Ennaly did not have a lot of personal business to attend to. So, while the others went their own ways, they accepted an invitation from Professor Bram Kenric to visit the University of Orlais. It was a place that Elves were recently allowed to attend, if only they could muster enough patronage for entrance fees. Bram himself had an Elven assistant.
They spend a pleasant morning perusing the library and chatting with the professor, who was working on research regarding the first Inquisitor. Ennaly noted that Cassandra might be particularly interested in his work. After a fine lunch, they left contented with promises of correspondence.
On Dorian's insistence, they had decided to gather in the evening to attend some kind of theatre play, supposedly a tragically romantic tale. Ennaly had never attended anything like it but was curious, and only at Dorian's constant pleading did she allow him to select a dress for her.
This still left her and Solas with an afternoon of time to kill, and they decided to stroll along the lakeside, glad for their disguises that made them almost appear Human, if you squinted from afar.
The promenade was a somewhat crowded place, busy enough to blend into the crowd, but not so busy to be overwhelming. Salesmen were selling small meals, drinks, and a wide variety of trinkets. A little further ahead, an acrobat was showing her skills performing a dangerous routine across a rope strung between two buildings, and an artist sat drawing a portrait of a young girl while a woman, clearly her mother, looked over his shoulder.
Somewhere deep down, it seemed strange to Ennaly. It wasn't the liveliness of this place, for she had seen that before, though at a lessened state. The first time she had been here was half a year ago, when it had been colder than it was now, so fewer people took to the streets.
What struck her as odd, was that there was a complete disregard for the time of year. At her clan, they would all have been busy decorating the camp for the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, which would be the next day. Perhaps Humans didn't care, since they were less in tune with nature, not living in the forests and planes like the Dalish did. The solstice was the true beginning of the summer, yet at the same time, the decline of light, and therefore a moment of contemplation and change.
Ennaly stopped walking and looked out over the water, shimmering in the afternoon sun. The other side of the lake overlooked the surrounding rolling hills, green and lush, with farmlands and a small village visible nearby. She was pleased with the hats, not only to hide their Elven features, but also offering shade.
"Do you know what day it is, tomorrow?" Ennaly asked quietly, wondering if Solas knew.
He turned to look at her. "Tomorrow is the summer solstice."
So, he did know. Ennaly sighed mournfully. "It's like these Humans don't even care. We would be up and about for days, decorating our camp for the festival and preparing special dishes. It used to be my favourite day of the year."
Solas gently placed his hands at her waist. "I am sorry, vhenan," he said softly. "I believe the solstice holds an important place in Dalish culture."
Ennaly stared at her fingers, absentmindedly fidgeting with a ribbon on her skirt. "We would ask our Gods for blessings. As a First, I got to play around with fire. In most festivals, the Keeper leads the ceremony and the First assists, but on the summer solstice, the day of change, those roles are reversed."
They remained silent and looked out over the lake as a small cloud passed in front of the sun. "If there is something you would like to do, we can probably arrange it," Solas suggested.
Ennaly conjured a faint smile. "Nah, I don't think Val Royeaux is quite the place for it. It was all about our community, you know." She looked up to Solas. "What did the ancient Elves do at the summer solstice?"
He gazed at her in contemplation, before a smile formed on his lips. "I once brought you to a sanctuary in a lake, surrounded by mountains, where we watched a sunset, if you can remember?"
Ennaly nodded in reply and Solas averted his gaze again towards the distant rolling hills, before he continued, his voice almost chanting the words. "I witnessed the summer solstice. Amidst daylight's glow, Elves gathered, leaves and flowers entwined in their flowing hair. A day of merriment, music and joy to share, and all danced beneath the radiant sunshine. They raised a pyre grand of sorrows they held. And as the sun bid farewell to the sky, they set it ablaze, flames reaching high."
They both remained silent, staring into the distance. "That is a lovely story," Ennaly said, calmed by Solas' tale. "It's rather similar to what we still do today. When we lit the pyre, we always pray to our Gods. Is that what they did, too?"
Solas gaze turned a little wistful. "No, I do not believe they did."
"Oh well. Perhaps you just didn't see that part."
Solas leaned away from the balustrade and looked ahead into the busy promenade. "Perhaps."
She stared at the Anchor in her palm, the sparks barely visible in the bright afternoon sun. "Feels rather weird to think about that, knowing that I owe this to them." She dropped her hand and gazed out over the street. The last time she had been at a clan and near an altar with statues of their Gods, was with clan Nomaris, Anarel's clan. That was hardly a happy memory to remember.
A pang of grief hit her heart again with the knowledge that she would never be able to see her own clan again. She steeled herself, not wanting grief to overshadow this beautiful sunny day. "Come, let's just continue."
"Of course," Solas replied, continuing their stroll. In public, they didn't often share physical touch like holding hands, unless it was purposeful, like the times Solas tried to help Ennaly through her anxieties.
They only took a few more steps before Ennaly gasped with excitement. In the distance lay a small dock with gondolas for rent. Ennaly felt her spirits rise again, and eagerly, she took Solas' arm. "I've wanted to do this the first time I saw it!" she said excitedly.
Solas smiled tenderly at her joy as he sped up to keep pace with Ennaly. "I remember you mentioning it. Let us take a look."
A gruff man sat under a makeshift shade with a wooden coinbox and book on a table next to him. In front of him was a cardgame for solitary play and the man seemed to find his next move more interesting than the prospect of happy customers. "Ten gold for an hour," he grunted, not bothering to look up.
Solas, his coin purse heavier after their last game's winnings, counted the coins.
As the sound of ringing gold entered the man's ear, he glanced at Solas, did a double take, and rose from his chair. He was heavy-set, large, with a red bulbous nose. "No Elves welcome here."
Solas looked up from his coin purse. "Excuse me?" he asked.
"Do I have to repeat myself?" the man sneered. "No knife-ears welcome here. Go back to the alienage, where you belong." He shot Ennaly a look of disdain before and a shadow of shock washed it away. "And you're one of the savages."
It was a slap in the face after their relaxing stroll, shattering Ennaly's joy and shaking her senses into high alert. This was a terrible mistake. They were foolish for thinking they could have come here. What had she expected? That a hat would provide enough disguise? That the sound of coin would make this man agreeable?
There was no Cassandra here, no authoritative presence to shield them. No Iron Bull looking all intimidating. Dorian and Varric might have been able to charm their way out, and Cole could have made the man forget, but they were just... Two Elves, vulnerable, insignificant in this man's eyes. Trying to use their powers would only lead to more trouble.
Solas wanted to take a step forward to challenge the man, but Ennaly took his arm to drag him back. "Come, we don't need this," she whispered urgently. Solas opened his mouth to say something back to the man, but Ennaly dragged him away, trying to hide her face from any onlookers. They couldn't risk letting this situation escalate. "Never pick a fight with a Human," she stated with an unsteady voice, begging with her eyes for him to see reason. "It always ends badly. You – you must know this."
Solas looked like he wanted nothing more than to throw a fireball at the man who returned back to his card game.
"I didn't want it that much anyway," she pleaded, knowing that was untrue, still desperately dragging Solas along. She had her small physique against her, and Solas didn't want to move.
He turned to her, his face angry. "That is a lie."
She flinched at the tone of his voice, but kept looking at him with wide eyes. A second later, his anger faded into compassion. "I apologise," he said. "You are scared."
Ashamed now, Ennaly released him, but Solas took her hand back in his, surprisingly gentle. Still embarrassed, she looked up. "Of course I'm scared," she muttered. "We're two Elves, two mages, and thinking we could just walk here together in Val Royeaux was madness. This world is not made for you or me."
She was acutely aware of her surroundings, on edge to flee at the next sign of conflict. She had been foolish to think that a dress and hat could disguise her, when the very shape of her face screamed that she was an Elf, her eyes, her Vallaslin, her ears, still visible under the brim of her hat.
"You are the Inquisitor," Solas started to say, as Ennaly noticed a familiar voice speaking towards their left. She quickly pulled her hands away from Solas' grasp and conjured a friendly expression to her face as they spotted Varric standing among a group of people, not far away. It was clear he had seen them.
"Madams and Messeres," he recited to the group around him. They were clearly adoring fans, from the way he had their attention. Varric told them with his eyes to get closer, and Ennaly straightened her hat and smoothened out her clothes before she did so. "Enough about guardsman Donnen. Today, I have the very fine pleasure of introducing you all to our Inquisitor. Lady Inquisitor Lavellan, how do you do?"
"Varric, always a pleasure," Ennaly replied, turning on her Inquisitor voice. She was still very much aware of the rude salesman, now staring at them from his table with the cards. "How could I be any better than having a stroll in this lovely city? Madams, Messeres, I hope the day is treating you well."
If Solas was accusing her of lying, he could add this to the list, but diplomacy just often meant a certain disregard for truth. She could still feel the latent anger hot in his blood, but he managed to compose himself with a calm, polite smile.
An exciting buzz went through the crowds. She wasn't dressed in any formal clothing or anything that carried the Inquisition's sigils, on purpose, so she could hardly blame people for not recognizing her. Through the answers of "Splendid!", "Enchanted!" and "Your Worship", she heard soft murmuring. "I thought she'd be taller", "I'm going to faint!", "She is rather pretty" and "Who's that man besides her?". Ennaly ignored them.
As the group turned to face her instead of Varric, she noticed two young women dressed in silk, one in white, one in purple, the cut of their gown not unlike the gown she had worn to the Winter Palace. It seemed like she had made an impression with her fashion, after all.
"I could tell you all about the rifts she closed on her way here. You have all heard of her powers, haven't you?" Varric continued. "Several vineyards are saved because of her efforts. Do drink to her health tonight."
The red-nosed man looked absolutely horrified as he watched the spectacle. After noticing it, Solas' demeanour changed to a wicked sense of pleasure.
"Do tell us, your Worship!" the young woman in white silk asked her. "Can we invite you to our afternoon tea?"
"Her Worship is enjoying an afternoon of relaxation and told me she was just planning to take a gondola ride," Varric continued. "But I will be pleased to tell you all about her latest endeavours."
"Yes," Ennaly said, now looking over her shoulder. The reaction of the crowd, together with Varric's presence, dissipated her fear, and if the Dwarf was offering her the chance of retribution on a silver platter, she felt justified to take it, for her own sake as much as Solas'. "I do believe I ran into some setbacks just now, however."
"Setbacks? After all –" Varric started, a smirk just visible under his honeyed words, as the red-nosed man hurried himself forward.
"I was just making sure our very best gondola was readied for her Worship, truly," the man grovelled as he bowed.
"With a complementary basket of refreshments, certainly," Varric said. "It is the perfect afternoon for a picnic on the lake, after all."
"Of course. Nothing but the best for our Inquisitor," the man continued, as he made frantic eye contact with some of the boatmen at the dock to ready the request.
"Then it leaves us to wish her Worship the very best of boat rides," Varric said.
"Madams, Messeres, it has been enchanting to meet you," Ennaly added with a flourishing, graceful curtsy.
The crowds greeted them warmly and Ennaly shot Varric a thankful look. She got a wink in return and Varric stepped to the side to guide the crowd along.
"I think I saw them exiting the Winter Palace together," one of the silk-clad women said to the other.
Her friend tittered in response. "Is he her lover? He is tall for an Elf."
Ennaly followed Solas to the docks. The red-nosed man led them to a gondola with white velvet drapery and golden tassels to protect them from the sun. "Your boat is readied, Milady Inquisitor. My sincere apologies, Your Worship."
Ennaly just gave him a nod, but didn't answer. A little fear lingered and while she did feel a wicked sense of pleasure, she dared not open her mouth lest her voice betrayed her. The man's personality had taken a full turn, especially under the eye of some influential nobles and hurried to offer his hand to Ennaly in assistance to enter the boat, but Solas had other ideas. He stepped in front of the man and offered his hand to Ennaly instead. "We shall not need an oarsman," he said to the man.
"Of course," the man grovelled. "Enjoy your afternoon and the refreshments, your Ladyship."
Solas shot him a final look as he entered the boat after Ennaly. "Dirthara-ma," he spoke to the man, who was unaware that he was on the receiving end of the Elven curse, may you learn.
Solas took the oars and moved the boat forward, still wearing an angry expression of how they were just treated. Ennaly pointedly turned her gaze towards the water. They sat there for a short while as Solas rowed the boat out of earshot from everybody.
"I'm sorry," she muttered without turning around, just loud enough for him to hear.
"There is no need for apologies," came the reply. "You have done nothing wrong."
"But I lied," she tried, her voice small, and her eyes still fixed on the water.
When he deemed that they were sufficiently far enough away, Solas stopped rowing. His steps towards Ennaly gently rocked the gondola, but she didn't care as strong arms embraced her from behind. "You are safe now." As he heard her sniffle and felt her tremble, he gently turned her around and wiped away her tears.
Ennaly kept staring downwards, still embarrassed about what had happened, embarrassed about her current tears. But Solas did make her feel safe, he always had. "I wish I had your courage, and could be angry instead of scared."
"Fear is a reaction that we cannot control," he replied soothingly.
"You have to understand," she tried, wishing he could see her point. "I don't know how you remain so unafraid of Humans all the time. It wasn't even a full year ago that the limits of my life were decided by Humans. I've told you about my struggles. They could often dictate the terms or arrangements during trades. We couldn't count on anyone but our clan to take our side in conflicts, as no Human noble would ever favour the side of Elven wanderers. I've always had to be on my toes around Humans, scared of templars. You've heard what happened to my clan. You don't unlearn thirty years of experience in a few months."
With every word she spoke, Solas's embrace tightened, clearly angry at her words. She looked up again, and while she saw the rage still in him, there was nothing but tenderness towards her. He released the firm pressure of his grip, perhaps not even realising he had increased it.
"I do not believe you are without courage," he said. "True courage lies not in the absence of fear, but in recognising the need for sacrifice and selflessness for a greater cause, and I think you have acted with great courage throughout your life, vhenan." He looked out over the water. His tone quieted as he continued talking. "Do not think I am without fear. Yet, sometimes I forget."
Ennaly played with a cord on his shirt, soothed by his words. "Forget what? To be afraid? Seems like a good thing to forget."
He turned back with a somewhat mournful smile. "Sometimes I forget this is not the Fade, and my powers have their limit."
Ennaly stopped playing with the cord and instead flattened her hand against his chest. "Yeah," she said, a tinge of sadness seeping into her words. She took a deep breath, not wanting to give in to her sorrow. "You know what? We're here together now, and that's all that matters. And if I can use my magic to move aravels around, I can certainly use it to sail this thing, too."
She stepped back, shutting her eyes. Drawing upon her inner strength, she started to gracefully move her hands around, drawing power from her core. The wind around them responded to her commands, gradually picking up its pace, pushing the gondola forward without the need for oars.
Opening her eyes again, Ennaly found Solas' eyes gazing at her tenderly. Playfully, she tapped a finger against his chest before she walked towards the bow of the gondola. Enjoying the effect of her magic, she reached up to remove her hat and undo the cord that kept her hair in a plait down her back. She shook it loose and the warm summer breeze picked up her tresses, dancing and playing with the curls.
"I think this is just what I needed to quell down my storm," she murmured, eyes closed, and feeling at peace in the surroundings.
Solas made his way next to her and she opened her eyes to tenderly caress his smooth scalp. "I wish you could feel the sensation of wind playing with your hair."
He chuckled softly but tried to prevent her hair from whipping in his face. "Yours is enough to contend with. Besides, I once possessed long hair. I remember the sensation."
"Oh?" Ennaly asked curiously.
He shook his head with a playful grin. "That was in the cocky days of my youth. Quite a hassle, really. This will take you a while to detangle."
"Sometimes you talk like a man twice your age, hahren." A grin grew on her face as she looked at him, trying to imagine him with long hair. "Next time we dream, show me, will you?"
He raised his eyebrows as Ennaly chuckled and stepped back to the hull to rummage in the basket. "Red wine, fresh fruits, and some of those little cakes you like." She let herself fall back on the pillows with a contented sigh.
Solas found his way next to her and she nestled against him, head on his chest. The shade of the canopy was a welcome respite from the scorching sun, and the clattering sound of the water made for a soothing melody, matching the gentle rocking and movement of the gondola. With Solas' heartbeat under her ear, Ennaly could fully relax.
The soft touch of a finger on her cheek made her flutter her eyes open. Solas was gazing down at her, gently caressing her cheek, but his face was set in a serious expression. "You deserve to live in a better world," he said, eyes burning with conviction. "No slaves, no Elves that are seen as lesser."
The intensity of his brazen look caught her off guard. "We're helping with the Inquisition, aren't we? Briala has a title now and we're already standing at the precipice of change. And I believe Dorian can help out, now that he seems convinced."
Solas sighed impatiently and averted his gaze, still frowning. "That boatsman is likely alive because of the sacrifices you made, and instead he denied us service."
Ennaly smiled despite herself. Once, she had always thought Solas was nothing but calm and unwavering, but the closer they grew, the more she witnessed the moments where he wasn't calm at all. It was a small reminder that they were all just people, perfect in their imperfections. "Now there is a storm brewing inside of you, ma'arlath."
He turned back at her, conviction still ablaze. "Do you not agree?"
"Of course I do. But we have put that man in his place. We're making little steps with the Inquisition. Didn't you see those two young ladies dressed in silk?"
"I did," Solas replied earnestly, tracing the pattern on the neckline of Ennaly's dress. "They will be wearing grape embroidery all summer long after this display." The smile faded from his face as he pulled his hand back and propped himself up on an elbow. "I am not talking about small steps. What if there is a big step that can make the world a better place for the Elves? If such an opportunity arises, are we not obliged to seize it, to try?"
Ennaly peered at him, again surprised by the serious tone of his voice. "Of course. If you know of something, it would be worth it to try. But I don't know of any such steps, do you?"
Solas looked pensive, but didn't reply.
Ennaly sat up straight and poured a glass of wine for each of them. "It's the summer solstice tomorrow. I already told you, we Dalish consider it the day of change. I believe there is a better future in store for us."
The brazen look of conviction in Solas' eyes turned into a brazen look of love. He leaned over to kiss Ennaly and accepted the glass of wine. "I believe you are right, vhenan."
The play they attended later in the evening was rather spectacular, but the music was loud, the illumination made the already warm theatre sniffling hot and the crowd was... a lot. The dress Dorian had chosen for Ennaly was rather pretty, but it was more suited to standing and dancing than sitting, since it was closed with a long row of buttons that pressed into her back and bottom as she sat.
All in all, Ennaly was glad to be back at the inn again.
"Please help me get out of this," she sighed dramatically as they closed the door behind them.
Solas worked on the row of buttons, as Ennaly's eye fell on something white on the vanity that hadn't been there when they left.
"What's this?" she asked as Solas finished unbuttoning. Dressed in nothing but her shift, she walked to the surface and found a letter addressed to the Inquisitor. "Any ideas?" she added, turning around to look at Solas.
"Not quite," Solas said curiously as he looked at the handwriting. "Open up, I think?"
She did, smoothed the piece of paper and read out loud.
Milady Inquisitor Lavellan,
It might be time for me to return the help you have given me. I invite you and your Elven lover to join us tomorrow morning at dawn, but only the two of you. A friend of mine will pick you up at your inn. Dress for travel and arm yourself, just in case. Please notify the others you will be away for two days, but I urge you to keep this quiet. There are old Elven secrets awaiting you.
Marquise Briala
"Would you look at that," Ennaly said in wonder, lowering the letter to her lap. "Do you think we should go?"
"Oh, I think this might be very interesting," Solas replied, and there was a strange hint of triumph in his eyes.