AN: Enjoy! I suppose you guys have waited long enough ;).

The Games People Play

"Oh the games people play now,

Every night and every day now,

Never meaning what they say now,

Never saying what they mean." – Joe South, Games People Play

I waited for Sera at the port, evading Cassandra's probing questions about how I'd met her. A large wave crested against the docks and there was a distinct plop before a huge ball of sea gunk came flying at us. I shifted to the side, watching as it hit the docks with a loud splat.

"Frig!" Sera wiped her hands over her plaid pants, "Didn't think you'd move!"

Cassandra unsheathed her sword in warning, "Explain yourself! You just attacked the Herald with no provocation!"

Sera took a cautious step away from her before scoffing at me, "What, can't take a joke now, Glowy?"

I pinched the bridge of my nose, "Cassandra, it's alright. This is Sera, our new addition. Sera, this is Cassandra Pentaghast, the Right Hand of the Divine. This is Solas and Varric," I indicated them, before motioning her over, "You'll be taking my ticket to Fereldan."

After I passed her my ticket, Cassandra took me aside, "Herald, her? Why her?"

"She wanted to help and she's good with a bow and arrow," I shrugged, "Saw no reason to say no."

Cassandra's face cycled through too many expressions to name before she nodded then boarded the ship.

"You gave me your ticket, not that I'm complaining mind, but how ya getting to Fereldan?" Sera arched an eyebrow, "Gonna run through the forest like a proper elf?"

I looked away for a moment, trying not to show how her snide remarks needled me. Solas and Sera were a special kind of terrible who took satisfaction in insulting other elves, and while I could ignore the insults of non-elves, hearing an elf disparage my people made by blood simmer.

"Got it in one, Sera," I forced a friendly smile onto my face, "Watch and learn how, lethallin." I took care to pat her shoulder as I enunciated the word. When she grimaced and brushed me away, my irritation eased a little.

I waved at the others in farewell before focusing on Thranduil's rune in Haven. I fade-stepped, my mana draining dangerously as I held the spell over five hundred kilometres. Once I reached, I struggled to catch my breath, panting heavily as mana exhaustion overwhelmed me. As my vision dimmed and my heart rate struggled to return to normal, there was a sudden rushing, like air filling a vacuum, and my mana was suddenly full. I grabbed hold onto to a tree next to me, disoriented by the assault to my senses. My eyes wandered around before resting on the Breach.

The Breach. A smile spread slowly across my face as the full brunt of instantaneous travel with endless mana fell on me.

My smile remained as I spotted Thranduil with one of the 'rehabilitated' rebel mages from the Hinterlands. I approached Thranduil, slapping him across his back in good cheer, sniggering as he jerked forward from the force.

"That wasn't very nice, Erelani," Thranduil scolded quietly, before wrapping an arm around my shoulder, "But you do have good timing. You remember Marcus don't you, from the Hinterlands?" He brought me close before leaning down to whisper, "He has a message from Grand Enchanter Fiona. She wants to meet you to discuss how she and the Mages can help close the Breach."

I frowned thoughtfully, trying to ignore the discrepancies that I remembered. Life wasn't a game, it had never made sense that she travelled all that way to Val Royeaux, especially since Redcliffe was a stone's throw from Haven. "That's wonderful. Where did she want to meet?"

Marcus moved closer, "She's actually in a cabin at the foot of the mountains. She didn't want to risk approaching Haven. When she heard an elven mage was the Herald of Andraste, she thought it would be best to approach you first."

"Alright, let me restock and I'll leave right after."

Marcus returned to Haven and as I moved to follow him, Thranduil held me back, "Don't go alone, take someone with you. We can't trust them, not until we know for sure that they had nothing to do with the Breach. Ellana and I have to take care of Revas, otherwise we would come with you."

I tried to ignore his use of we, trying to remind myself I had more things to take care of than indulge my curiosity about his love life. But that was the problem, wasn't it? I was too self-absorbed to care about others.

"Noted. But since you brought it up," I nudged him, "How are things between you and Ellana?"

He smiled brilliantly, and I had my answer before he replied, "We're back together. I understand I have you to thank for it."

"Nah," I waved my hand nonchalantly, "It was all her. I did nothing."

His arms came around me completely, enveloping me in his warmth, "Thank you, really."

I patted his back awkwardly before separating, "I need to find a few people to accompany me. I'll see you when I get back." I strolled away, waving a little before a large hand tapped my shoulder. I lurched, caught off-guard and swerved around to see a large hulking mass of grey. My gaze moved up, tracing the torso until it came across a one-eyed face, claw-like scars marring his forehead and even parts of his chest.

"Hey Boss!" He held up his hands in mock surrender, "Just thought I'd introduce myself. I'm The Iron Bull, part of the mercenary group that was hired at Storm's Coast, The Bull's Chargers? That's me, uh, us, I mean." He tilted his head to a group of mercenaries gathered around his tent.

I blinked, stunned for a second, before holding out a hand, "Welcome to the Inquisition. Thank you for joining us."

He shook my hand amiably, "Well, I'm gonna be upfront like I was with your agents. Ben-Hassrath, heard of it?" When I nodded, he continued, "Well, I'm one and I've run the arrangement by Leliana. Any messages I send to the Qun will be run by her."

I nodded again, still flabbergasted, "If it's alright with her, it's alright with me."

Silence fell as he awaited further response, but I only stared back, unaware of what he expected from me. As the silence stretched and his expectant gaze remained, my brain recovered, "What can your team do? What do you specialize in? Retrieval? Capture? Protection?"

He smiled and winked, "Whatever you can think of, Boss. If you want, you can have just me and my skills at your disposal. Whatever you need."

I blinked slowly, unsure if he meant the double entendre, "Alright. I'm heading out, so if you can, have your team and yourself ready to join me in an hour. Travel is only a day's worth."

"Sure thing, Boss," His hands fell on his hips and he flexed. I couldn't help but follow the movement of his muscles, impressed with his physique, "You're nothing like what the rumours say about you."

My snort was involuntary, "I don't think I want to know what those rumours are."

I nodded in farewell then strolled through the entrance, too mentally exhausted to think about the strangeness of our conversation. Up ahead, Blackwall and Eldric were deep in conversation and my feet moved automatically towards them, reminded of my conversation with Henry at The Chamber Pot.

My approach had Blackwall's speech stutter to an abrupt halt and my eyebrow raised in curiosity as I addressed Eldric, "You're badmouthing me already, Eldric?" I placed a hand over my chest in mock hurt, "I'm devastated. And here I thought you were madly in love with me."

Eldric rolled his eyes, hard, "Careful, Erelani, your dreams are showing."

I pulled him into a one-armed hug and whispered against his head, "You need to get in touch with your people again. Something's up. Check Henry."

Eldric stepped back, and shook his head mockingly, "And people think I'm the flirt."

"You are." I turned to Blackwall, including him in the charade, "Did you know? He once got caught with a married woman, and he invited her husband to join in," Blackwall let out a disbelieving laugh, the tension in his form easing, "Really! Just ask him!"

"No, no need Herald, I believe you."

"And here I thought we were friends, Blackwall." Eldric shook his head before raising a hand in farewell, "Anyways, I've got business to see to. Erelani, I'll be back in a few days."

An awkward silence descended at his departure, and I weighed Blackwall's usefulness as he fidgeted. I closed my eyes in defeat; I needed all the help I could get.

"Blackwall, right?"

"Yes, your Worship. Anything I can do to help?"

"I'm heading out in an hour to the base of the mountains. Can you join?"

"Definitely." His gaze searched our surroundings before he sighed, "A girl was told to tell you to head to the Chantry if you were back. She's not around, so…I mean, it sounded urgent."

"Yeah, sure. Thanks for letting me know." As I walked away, he suddenly came in front of me.

"I just wanted to say, what you've done, what you're trying to do, in these terrible times," his hands ran restlessly over his beard, "Thank you. And I want to help. I really do. Just lemme know. I don't have any problems with the outdoors or elves -uh, shit, uh, look at me, rambling, I'd be glad to help, is what I mean. Your Worship."

I stared, uneasy at his nervous demeanour. Why was he so intimidated by me? Wasn't Blackwall supposed to be more-more-not this?

I tried to soften my countenance as I smiled, "I'm doing what I can, just like you. I'm glad you're here."

He froze, and looked comically shocked, "O-oh. Thanks."

I smiled again, trying to put him at ease, before retreating quickly.

Why was everything so strange? What was going on?

Once I reached the Chantry, Cullen spotted me and rushed towards me, "You're back!"

I took a step back, startled by his intensity, "Is everything alright, Commander?"

He didn't reply and hailed an errand boy instead, "Summon Leliana and Josephine at once. Tell them that the Herald has returned."

He started ushering me towards the War Room, "I apologize. While you must be tired, there are urgent matters that must be seen to at once."

I took a deep breath, trying to stall my impending headache, "It's alright Commander. Though I'd appreciate it if you'd send a meal into the room."

A few minutes later, Josephine and Leliana barged into the room and Cullen grabbed a snack plate a servant was holding before locking the door shut.

The three then stared at me intensely, saying nothing.

"Alright, what is it?" I prompted when the silence stretched for too long.

Leliana dropped a piece of paper onto the table, "This morning, I received a very disturbing message from my agent in Val Royeaux. Is there anything you want to tell us?"

My stomach dropped to my feet and my mouth turned dry. I swallowed, "I don't know what you want me to say."

Cullen stomped towards me and I couldn't help the way I recoiled, "How about the truth?! We trusted you, despite our better judgement, and this is what you have to show for it?"

"Cullen, wait!" Leliana restrained him by grabbing his elbow. She turned to me, menacing, "Tell the truth. Do not, for even one second, imagine I will not know."

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. How could I tell them anything when I was just as ignorant? Even if I did know, how could I trust them?

"Was it the Desire demon?" Josephine asked, her tone cautious, "Did it possess you?"

That I could answer, "No, it wasn't the Desire demon." An idea blossomed; I could stick to facts as they had happened to me. Everything else, ultimately, was conjecture.

"Then what was it? Which demon was it?" Cullen snapped.

"I don't know what's happening." Truth. "Something's strange about the Mark. It-it terrifies me." The tremble in my voice was real, "Solas told me, on the way to the Hinterlands, that I was showing signs of possession. He said the Mark was killing me." All three of them stiffened and Josephine covered her mouth as she gasped, "Every time I seal a rift, it feels like, like, something is there, tugging at me, spreading inside of me. I don't know what it is, only that it's capable of sealing and opening rifts."

Josephine and Cullen turned to look at Leliana, who merely nodded. Cullen swerved back to me, "And how does this make you immune to the Smite?"

"It doesn't," I closed my eyes, fighting my unease at revealing my vulnerabilities, "It was agonizing; I could barely stand afterwards. But something made me snap back, immediately. At a guess, I'd say it was the Mark."

A tense silence fell over room, yet I persevered, "Will you punish me for being as clueless as you about the Mark?"

Josephine shook her head, "No, of course-,"

But I cut her off, unwilling to lose my leverage, "From the beginning, I've given everything I have, even binding myself to this organization. Yet you still treat me like a criminal, hounding me, not even allowing me a moment's rest. Every decision I've made, all of you have had a problem with. If I spared someone, I wasn't harsh enough. If I recruited someone, I wasn't selective enough. If I punished someone, I wasn't merciful enough. What do you want from me? Is my enslavement not enough? What more could you possibly want?"

Leliana's eyebrows rose condescendingly at my tirade, "It's simple, really. We want you to be upfront with us. How else will we lead? This isn't about you, it's about surviving and saving Thedas from this disaster, and to do that, we need information."

My indignation fizzled out at her words. I closed my eyes for a moment before replying, "Only if you do the same. It's hard for me to work in the field if I don't have prior information."

I watched Leliana's weighted glance to Cullen and Josephine. Cullen covered his forehead with his left hand, "It's only fair. It's unreasonable to send her out without intel. It's frankly miraculous that she's done as well as she has with the little we've given her."

"We can only succeed if we work together. We must cooperate, there must be give and take, I've said this repeatedly from the beginning." Josephine crossed her arms, staring balefully at Leliana.

Leliana nodded, "Very well then, we have a deal."

"Then you can start with telling me why everyone's been treating me so oddly." I turned to Leliana, "Surely, your spy network isn't so leaky that the me being an abomination is already out?"

Leliana shook her head, "No, it isn't, though we must prepare to deal with the fallout."

Josephine smiled, "Though the rumours going around now will help with that."

I waited patiently for them to get to the point, but it was Cullen who cracked first, "I can't stand talking in circles! The rumours circulating about you are wild and contrary. One says that you abhor humans and mistreat them. Another says you are so merciful that you even spare bandits. You have the patience of a saint! But you strike without mercy! These kinds of rumours are normal, what's unusual is that they are so contrary. It's put people on their guard, that's all."

Unease crawled through me at the nature of these rumours, they were true, yet not. I forced myself to shrug it off, the rumours would only escalate from here on out and there were more important things to focus on, "Grand Enchanter Fiona is waiting at the foot of the mountain, she wants to join us and help seal the Breach."

"What?" Cullen looked taken aback, "I thought you went to Val Royeaux. How did you meet Grand Enchanter Fiona?"

I settled in, grabbing the snacks on the table for myself. I was in for a long meeting.

I knocked on the cabin door, hoping this meeting with Fiona wasn't a trap like Cullen had insisted in the War Room. I could hear the clank of metal that said Bull had partially drawn his weapons. As the wait stretched, the tension mounted until even I started to believe this was a trap.

A sudden click startled us and the door swung open to reveal an older elven woman dressed in very fine silk. The pride in the line of her back and determination in her eyes convinced me this was Fiona and not one of her apprentices at her door.

"You must be the Herald of Andraste," a relieved smile blossomed on her face, "I am Grand Enchantress Fiona, leader of the Mages. Come in, please. I'm surprised you came here so quickly. I heard you departed for Val Royeaux only a week ago."

I entered, nodding at her words as I surveyed her cabin. Inside, four apprentices were crowded around the back. Though they weren't armed, their vigilance alerted me to their readiness for battle.

"Marcus here mentioned that you wanted to help us close the Breach," I paused while I waited for Marcus to reach me, "Is this true?"

"Yes, it is. However, in return, I expect the Inquisition to fight for our cause. The mages have been mistreated for far too long."

Surprisingly, Blackwall cut in, shaking his head, "You're asking us to prolong this pointless war. You're not thinking about the ordinary people caught in the crossfire. How many people died in the Hinterlands alone?"

"Even we want this war to end, so many people have died! But it isn't wrong for us to fight for basic rights! The money gained from mage labour is given to everyone except us! How is that right? Children are struck Tranquil for minor offenses! Templars suffer no consequence for abusing us! Tell me, where do I take my apprentices? Where is safe for them?"

Bull raised his eyebrows, "You ever been to Seheron? Your lives are luxurious compared to the mages of the Qun. The South shows far too much compassion to its mages. Your powers are a danger to everyone, even yourselves."

Fiona turned to me, her lips pursued, "And is this how you feel? You're a mage, are you telling me you are satisfied with how people treat us?"

I took a deep breath before replying, "Before I answer, I must ask, what do you know of the Breach? Why weren't you at the Conclave? Did you know what was going to happen?"

Fiona's shoulders dropped, "I suspected that it could be a trap, so I sent intermediaries in my place. But I didn't know that this was going to happen. These tears in the Veil, the kind of magic it takes, I understand why you'd think we had something to do with it. But I swear to you, we had nothing to do with this. We deal with the Fade every day, we know exactly what dangers can come from them," The apprentices moved to Fiona and stood in support. She seemed to take courage from the gesture, "That's why we want to help you. We want to protect Thedas against the evils of the Fade, for we are more familiar with them than anyone else. But after we do, we want our efforts acknowledged, we want to be trusted."

While I believed her earnest words, something about the exchange felt off. Desperation coloured the entire exchange; the secretive meeting, the entreating yet defeated posture of the apprentices, the undeniable relief in Fiona's expression.

Was I reading too much into this?

"Marcus came to me when you recruited the rogue mages from the Hinterlands. I wasn't sure what to think, after hearing the rumours floating around, but everything you've done shows me that you've got a good heart. Believe me, we can help you. We want to help you."

I looked at the others, gaging their reactions. Blackwall and Marcus looked sympathetic, but Bull was unreadable. The rest of the Chargers were standing guard outside the cabin.

"Sealing the Breach is the priority. If you help us with that, I'd be happy to help you. When can you depart for Haven?"

Fiona gasped, and tears filled her eyes, "Yes, of course, imme-," she paused, her face paling, "I need to return to Redcliffe and prepare the people. If you would journey there and bring an armed escort, just to make it official, that would be beneficial. It would relieve many of us if we had something in writing, maybe a treaty we can iron out, so that we can trust your intentions."

I sighed, ignoring her confusing body language, "Very well. I should return to Haven then, to prepare for Redcliffe."

"Wait! Just to show we're in good faith," Fiona's voice trembled a little, "I suspect the Templars have something to do with the Breach, they've been meeting up with oddly organized bandits who've been terrorizing the locals. We've even noticed Tevinter mages lurking in the area. You need to be careful."

I froze, unable to ignore the information she dropped. My gaze sharpened as I evaluated everything she'd done and said so far. It was true that she wanted help and that she was willing to help, but she was hiding something.

"Thank you for your concern. Do you need protection on your way back? My men will be happy to accompany you."

The offer seemed to snap her back straight and a light genuine laugh sprang forth from her mouth, "While I appreciate the offer, Herald, I'm more than capable of protecting myself. It's my people that I worry about."

I nodded and we said our farewells before leaving the cabin. As we climbed our way back up the mountain, Bull approached me, "Hey boss, don't disappear on us just yet. Walk back with us, yeah? It'll be nice to get to know you. Plus," He turned his head back in the direction of the cabin, "Something about that was fishier than a fish market."

"Her offer was genuine," Blackwall frowned, "She was someone who genuinely cared about her people."

"True." Krem nodded, "She was also desperate and desperate people do stupid things."

"Is what she said true?" I turned to the Chargers, "Have you guys spotted Vints in the area?"

Bull's lips spread from ear to ear, "Well," he dragged Krem forward, "Here's one! Filthy Vint!"

Krem shook his head before throwing his arms off, "Godless savage, I don't think she was talking about me."

Dalish came up on the other end, "We did notice a few Vints in the area, but every time we tried to do recon, it led to dead ends."

"Thank you, lethallin." I became quiet, watching the others banter playfully in front of me. They seemed a bit cautious, perhaps conscious of me, but otherwise indulged in their camaraderie. As odd as it was looking at it from the outside rather than from within, it was a welcome break from the regular stresses.

I took a deep breath and promised myself that I'd find time to relax like this.

When I returned, the Val Royeaux company was back, along with Thranduil, Ellana and a large contingent of runaway Templars. An odd expression came over Solas' face as he watched Thranduil and Ellana together and I forced myself to look away from him before he caught me staring.

After half a day's rest, the War Council convened again, this time, with Cassandra and Thranduil included. The discussion in the War Room went nothing like expected.

All of them expected me to save both the Templars and the Mages. The choice didn't exist; Thranduil volunteered to leave immediately with Valo-kas and the additional Templars to Therinfal Redoubt. The return journey would take at least two months; when Thranduil was close, he would summon me. Until then, the rest of us would attend to the mages in Redcliffe.

It should have relieved me. I should have been ecstatic that I'd be saving everyone.

I wasn't.

A deep fear began to grow within me.

It was too much. I can't do this. I can't! Not while knowing exactly what's awaiting me.

I didn't say a word in that meeting.

Thranduil must have noticed because he pulled me aside at the end of the meeting, "Is everything alright?"

It's funny, how of all the times to be frightened, it was now that I started trembling. My mind was rendered blank from terror; every interaction with that emotion and that demon had been in times of action or great adrenaline. What do you do when it's the burden of expectations that terrifies you? How do you overcome that?

I was not a born leader. I had no natural leadership like Thranduil. I wasn't charismatic like Ellana.

I only knew how to be a teacher. What would I do – educate others until they gave up?

Not in this world. And with the binding on me, I was destined to fail.

"Erelani, Erelani!"

"I can't do this. I can't! You're asking for the impossible!"

Thranduil blinked, startled, "What do you mean, exactly?"

"I can't save everyone, Thranduil. It doesn't work like that!"

"You've won every battle so far."

His words made the fear escalate.

"What if I lose? Why am I winning so much? How does that even make sense? This didn't happen when I was a mercenary. Why is it happening now?"

"Erelani, stop, you're not making sense." Thranduil shook me, "What do you mean, why am I winning so much? Isn't it obvious? It's the same reason I've been winning and the rest of Valo-kas continues to survive."

I stared at him, gobsmacked. How? Why? And how had he figured it out before me? "Why?"

"You can't be serious, you really don't know?" Thranduil's eyebrows rose high, "It's true what they say. It's the smart ones that are really dumb."

"Thranduil!"

"Well, it's because we're mercenaries."

I stared at him, uncomprehending.

"Really, you need me to spell it out for you? This is a refreshing role reversal," He smiled wide, "We're experienced fighters and it's our trade. We outfit ourselves and train for it. Bandits and mages who almost never fight pose no threat. While Templars are harder to deal with, our team dynamics and roles are more versatile than theirs, allowing us an easy win. The only people we'd have true difficulty against are Chevaliers, Grey Wardens and soldiers of an army. Even then, because we fight more often than them, we'd be more experienced than most. Why do you think mercenaries are in high demand? We're good at what we do."

Oh. That did make sense.

"Is anything else bothering you?"

My mind spun through the myriad issues plaguing me until it rested on something he could help with.

"Haven isn't fortified enough."

I could see Thranduil's mind working through all the possible problems and solutions to the issue I'd pointed out.

"I don't think there's much we can do, not with refugees coming in every day. Unless you want to cut them off?"

"No."

"Do you remember the barrier of intention that Zathrian used to set up when we were close to human settlements? Would that work?"

The barrier didn't do much more than alert the parties when someone hostile was approaching, and it was a spell I used frequently for its effectiveness. With such a large influx of people though, this information would be useless because the hostile person could easily lose themselves among the crowd. Maybe I could modify it so that the person in question was knocked unconscious and marked, allowing Leliana time to investigate. The trade-off was that barrier would have to be rejuvenated each time it went off, but the benefits would far outweigh the cons.

"No, but with a few modifications, it could work. Do you think you could grab Kaari and Ellana and meet me at the gates in an hour? We can set a perimeter."

Thranduil smiled, "Alright, see you then."

The hour passed quickly and with Desire and Valour's help I managed to create the modified barrier spell. The only thing left to do was set up the anchor points for the barrier, and with the others' help, the perimeter would be covered quickly.

I headed to the gates, unsurprised to find Kaari, Ellana and Thranduil already there, deep in discussion. I joined them and spent another hour teaching them how to setup this barrier.

"So, each of us takes a point and sets the anchor there. When you finish, meet me at the North point and I'll trigger the spell."

"By the way, you forgot to tell Leliana what you were doing," Ellana rolled her eyes, "You can be so forgetful sometimes, Hahren."

I shrugged, indifferent to her criticism. What was Leliana going to do, stop me from protecting the village? If she didn't like the initiative, then Cullen could do it. And if even he was resistant, at least the guards at the gates would listen to reason and go the extra mile.

Perhaps I should have, at least, let Leliana know what her role would be, to ensure this barrier operated efficiently. I shook off the thought, "Did she say she would help?"

Thranduil nodded, "The mages we recruited will be responsible for reporting and maintenance."

"Good. I'll take North point, Ellana East, Kaari West and Thranduil South. Meet me at North when you're done."

They headed off with a mock salute, making me huff in amusement. I exited the gates and trudged through the heavy snow, returning the nods that people gave me as I passed. I crossed the frozen river and pulled myself onto the ledge.

As I trekked further away from Haven, a peculiar sound caught my attention. It was unlike any sound I'd ever heard before; an odd amalgamation of percussion and string, with almost drum like beats accompanying the smoothness of an almost violin.

Entranced, I moved towards the sound, and as I got nearer, a deep soulful melody took shape. It was…it was painful.

The notes spun a story of loss, of heartbreak, of desperation. And beneath it all, a hope that things would get better, of moving forward despite failure.

My heart…my heart was breaking.

Someone help me, I'm breaking.

The music changed, slowly, gradually. The beats increased and the string got aggressive. It turned defiant.

As I neared the music, my steps turned silent. I stopped behind a large tree trunk and peered out into a small clearing.

It was Solas.

He was sitting cross-legged, holding an instrument I'd never seen before on his shoulder, the drum-like flat surface resting between his legs while the strings stretched from the end of the drum to his shoulder.

His eyes were closed, lost in his melody as his hands tapped the drum and strummed the strings without thought.

I couldn't move. I didn't know if I breathed.

I only watched, my body turning warm despite the snow.

He played for a long time and I stood transfixed.

A loud crunch of snow seemed to snap him out of his trance and his playing stopped. His eyes swerved around the clearing and even then, I only watched him.

His eyes landed in the copse of trees I was standing in and my heart started pounding, "Ellana?"

The cold returned with a vengeance and a wave of disappointment crashed through me. As I opened my mouth to answer, another voice cut into the clearing, "That was beautiful, Solas."

My heart crumbled as Ellana stepped forward from behind the trees, smiling, "You have an incredible talent, Solas. Why are you hiding this?"

At her words, Kaari stepped forward too, smiling, "That was some pretty incredible shit."

A hand suddenly came to rest on my elbow and gripped it hard. Alarmed, I turned to find Thranduil standing behind me, his face cold. He bent down to me and whispered, "Step out."

He must have seen something on my face because he squeezed harder, "You will not hide. Step out and let him know you heard."

What was he saying? Why was he saying this? I shook my head furiously. Solas had a peculiar effect on me, he made me feel…I felt…vulnerable.

With Thranduil, there had always been comfort and familiarity. It was a love that was almost familial, because he would always be there for me. It was reassurance and partnership. Love in its best definition, unrequited though it may be.

But never had my heart trembled like this. There had never been this complete loss of reason. There had never been a crippling anxiety that he would be indifferent.

When I didn't move, Thranduil's grip eased and wrapped around my hand. He jolted me forward and pulled me along with him.

I resisted like a little girl throwing a tantrum until we crossed the tree line. Embarrassed, I composed myself and Thranduil let go of my hand.

"Maybe we should get him to play at the bar. I know, at least, that Erelani would enjoy it."

Stop it, Thranduil! Don't do this! Don't humiliate me!

Baby blue eyes, still widened in shock, crinkled into amusement, "I will consider it, for the Herald."

Somehow, having his amused gaze upon me settled my anxiety. A real smile came forth, "Be careful of what you say, Solas, I might just take you up on your offer."

He let out a genuine laugh and I was transfixed. His eyes swerved to Ellana and stayed there, "As flattered as I am by all this attention, I did come out here for some time alone. Why are you here? Is there any way I can assist?"

"Hahren wanted to set up a protective barrier for Haven." His eyes still didn't leave her.

Solas and Ellana continued to chat about the barrier, ignoring everyone else. Even the questions he should've addressed me, like the design of the barrier, he addressed to her. He made no attempt to converse with me.

My heart sunk as realization dawned on me. Any mage worth his salt could sense the Mark when it was nearby. He'd known I was there all along.

Now, he was avoiding me.

I clenched my fists.

So not only was Solas dangerous, he was completely disinterested in me.

He was forbidden. He was dangerous. He was a challenge. This was the worst kind of aphrodisiac.

I was in trouble.

AN: Sorry for the late update.

I have good news. I got a job! Unfortunately, this means that updates might take longer than usual. But I will still continue, no matter what.

So, would anyone like to guess what's going on, with any of the characters? Any favourite characters?