Darkness. Heavy. Tangible. Pressing down, down, down.

Shadows writhed, twisting into something sharp and spiteful. Closing in. Breathing down her neck. They lashed out. Inky whips of malice, so cold they burned.

Elianna screamed. The sound echoed back to her ten fold. A choir of torment. A cacophony she couldn't escape.

She was running.

No, she was crawling.

Crawling through a sea of blood. Already an inch thick over unforgiving ground.

Hands, slick with red, she dragged herself away.

Away from what?

Laughter joined the song of her screams. Elianna crawled faster. A sob caught in her chest.

The arrow in her shoulder tugged with each jagged movement. Still there. Still gleaming. A glow that cut through the dark like a knife. No amount of desperate pulling would get the thing to budge. When she looked back she could just about make out a cord of something attached to the end. A tether of power that disappeared into the black abyss behind her.

Like an insect caught in a web.

The cord twanged like something big had pulled on it.

An intense wave of horror had her scrambling over blood soaked earth.

The shades at her back lapped up her fear like wine. Pressed closer. Reached with greedy hands.

Too much.

Too much.

Too–

A spine chilling growl cut through the air. Gutteral. Thunderous. Frothing at the mouth with rage. It sent shadows scurrying. Shades screeching.

"Begone from this dream, foul fiends!"

The voice was deep and low and powerful. Filled with untold threat and danger. Elianna dragged herself desperately towards it.

It was home.

It was safety.

The darkness shifted, parting like a curtain. A wolf stepped through, larger than life. Its fur was a deep black but it held a warmth the surrounding shadows did not. Red eyes glanced down at her. Only two right now but still recognisable. It hesitated on the periphery. Dared not move too close. But Elianna was having none of that. She reached up with blood soaked hands and buried her face in the fur of its neck.

She felt the wolf flinch, freeze. A surprised breath huffed through its nose. It only lasted a moment before the wolf curled around her. A warm, fluffy barrier against the night. Soft light appeared above their heads and the blood soaked ground gave way to cool grass.

"Rest now da'len. I will keep the nightmares at bay," the words rumbled through his chest, through her cheek.

Elianna burrowed closer and sobbed wordlessly into the wolf's fur.

oOo

Awareness bled through. Less of a curtain being ripped away and more of a slow reveal. The fade released her from its tight grasp. The pressure diminished. She felt like she could breath again. Her chest expanded with little pain. Deep, satiating lungfuls.

She stretched her fingers. All ten felt like they should. Though a low hum was present in her left ones. Like the aftermath of casting a spell. Though it didn't hurt so she put it from her mind for now. Below her hands was something soft, warm. A blanket tucked close to her body. Thick enough to keep the cold at bay.

Elianna, relaxed. Allowed herself to sink into a cushioned mattress and simply revel in the peace. It was a damn sight better than the last few times she had woke up.

Wait.

Memories flashed through her mind with the force of chain lightning. She shot up with a gasp, hand rising to confirm her suspicions. The green glow was calmer now but still inexplicably there.

She still had the mark.

She was still in the past.

By the void what was she supposed to do?

A loud crash had her head whipping up. Her surroundings were unfamiliar. A rustic cabin of some sort. Her bed was the only one in the room. But she was not the only occupant. An elf woman was staring at her, eyes wide in supplicant terror. A box lay lopsided at her feet. Its remnants scattered across the room.

"I am so sorry. I did not realise you were awake."

Elianna felt uneasy under the strangers scared eyes. The feeling grew even more once the elf refused to look at her, staring pointedly down at the ground.

"Its okay. You didn't wake me," Elianna's voice was hoarse, thick with sleep and thirst. She coughed against the sensation. When was the last time she drank anything?

The elf woman threw herself to the floor and Elianna flinched back. The reverent stance and bowed head gave her a bad taste in her mouth that had nothing to do with lack of water.

"I beg your forgiveness and your blessing. I am but a humble servant," she said, hands raised "You are back in Haven, my Lady. They say you saved us. The Breach stopped growing, just like the mark on your hand. It's all anyone has talked about for the last three days."

"Three days!"

She had been unconscious for three days? That was more than a little worrying. Though she would admit she felt worlds better than she had before. It no longer felt like a stiff breeze would kill her off anymore.

"I'm sorry!" the woman shied away, Elianna felt bad for raising her voice.

"No, its okay I didn't mean to shout. It's just…a lot," Elianna scrambled for the right words. Nothing she came up with seemed to work. Her questions were too big, too numerous. But none this woman could answer. She was alone. In a strange place. Uncertain of the path forwards.

"What am I supposed to do now?"

"I'm certain Lady Cassandra would want to know you've wakened." The woman straightened, climbing to unsteady feet "She said, 'At once.'"

"Where is she?"

"In the Chantry, with the Lord Chancellor. "At once," she said." The woman ran for the door before Elianna could ask anymore questions. She flinched as the door slammed shut, ears twitching.

She took several moments just to breathe. To centre herself. She would get through this one step at a time. At least she had a goal now. A destination to reach. But first, a more pressing need, weighed on her.

An ewer of water was blessedly placed next to her bed. She poured a decent amount into a wooden goblet and held it to her lips. It was cold and glorious. The most delicious thing ever tasted. She had to force herself to slow down or she might throw it all back up. A waste. She sipped at it until the whole thing was gone and she was panting like she'd ran a mile.

Only then did she gather the courage to move.

The blanket slid away from her as she climbed to her feet. There was not even the hint of pain in her ankle anymore. She rolled it for good measure and let out a sigh when it remained true. At least she could walk now.

Her shoulder was a different story. Stiff and aching. But she could move it freely now. It just took a bit of effort. The damage from Andruil's arrow must have been immense for it to still to grieve her like this. She shut her eyes against the image of it buried deep in within her. With a shake of her head she banished the thought. It would not do to get caught up in the fear again. Not when she was 'safe'.

Though she swore she could feel a phantom tugging at the wound. Like she had felt in her dreams. The plucking of a spiders web. Barely there. Imperceptible unless she concentrated. She shuddered against the sensation and forced herself to move. To think of something else.

Someone had dressed her. The clothes were plain, pale blue and soft from use. They were clearly secondhand but well cared for and smelled faintly of soap. On a chest at the end of a bed she spied warmer, winter clothes. Fur lined legging and a thick wool tunic that she did not hesitate to throw on. Then a choice of too big boots or the familiar coil of footwraps. Elianna chose to wrap her chilled feet rather than brave the shem boots.

Finally, Elianna donned the cloak Selene had stolen for her. Someone had gone through the trouble of hemming the bottom so it no longer dragged on the floor behind her. The act was touching. Unexpected. Elianna strove to find the one responsible and thank them.

Elianna stepped outside and nearly regretted it. She shrunk inwards under the weight of gaping and gawking. It felt like the whole town had gathered around her little hut. Mostly humans with the odd city elf lingering at the sidelines. A tang of something hungry and desperate clung to them. They looked at her like she was something other. Something bigger. No longer a person.

She felt so bitterly alone.

Elianna wrapped the cloak tighter around her. A barrier. An armour. Their stares would not touch her. Their strange reverent words would not reach her. She pushed forwards, head low. The chantry had to be the large building up ahead, nothing else around fit the bill. She skirted around the crowds, shirking off the wandering, worshipping hands that sort to touch her.

Who did they think they were just grabbing her in the middle of the street? Did they do this to mamae?

By the time she made it to the chantry it felt like her skin was crawling. She was just about to reach for the door when it slammed open. The force of it sent her reeling. If her cloak had still been longer she would have tripped over the hem.

The scowling visage of Chancellor Roderick stormed through the doorway, muttering about thugs and injustices. He was so caught up in his own stewing thoughts he did not even notice her there. He stomped away, leaving her alone at the threshold.

"Ah there you are Elianna," Cassandra's voice cut through the confusion. She cut a bold figure as she strode through the chantry hall. This was her domain. "Come, there are things we must discuss."

Cassandra indicated over her head and turned to walk back the way she came. Elianna rushed to catch up.

"You must have seen Chancellor Roderick on his way out," she said.

"Uh, yes," Elianna said.

"Ignore whatever spiel he tries to spout. You are no longer a prisoner here and he has no power. He is just posturing."

"Okay," she said, her mind struggling to catch up.

"Much has happened while you slept," Cassandra said, "You may have noticed people have changed their attitude about you."

"Rather hard to ignore."

Cassandra frowned "They believe you to be Maker-sent. Divine providence in our darkest hour."

"You can't think that though, right?"

"You cannot deny you were exactly what we needed when we needed it," she said.

Elianna's stomach flipped. Cassandra could not think her holy. That was ridiculous. Her Cassandra saw her as the little tyke that left sticky fingerprints on her white robes. Not a prophet.

Cassandra pushed her way into a room at the end of the hall. Leliana stood inside opposite a large war table. She held her arms loose at her side. Seemingly trustworthy. Not a threat. She was the only other occupant in the space. Once Elianna slipped through, Cassandra closed the door behind them, sealing the three of them in.

It was odd. She knew these women. Had known them all her life. Yet right now they were like strangers. They had no reason to trust her, to believe her. It made them dangerous. Made her uncertain. Elianna clung to the fabric of her cloak, hugging it tight to her.

"The breach is stable now. Whatever you did worked," Cassandra came to a stop next to leliana, arms crossed. The table separating them from her. It made her nervous. Like she was on the wrong side of a widening gap.

"I'm glad I could help."

Cassandra softened at the smallness of her voice "You have our gratitude. We could not have done this without you."

Elianna's cheeks heated and she gave her a ghost of a smile.

"Unfortunately the breach is not gone. It still remains a threat. One we aim to fix."

"We hope that you will help us with that," Leliana said, moving around the table towards her. Crossing the divide.

"Yes," Cassandra said with distaste "While we do not enjoy relying on one so young, we find ourselves with little choice. You alone have the power to help here."

Elianna knew that, but it still settled heavy in her gut. A rippling dread. A rolling nausea.

"You should also know, that while we know you are innocent there are others who still condemn you. The choice to help us is yours but we will not be able to protect you should you choose to leave." Leliana came to a stop in front of her.

Elianna swallowed thickly. "I'll help."

"Thank you," Leliana laid a hand on her shoulder "What you are doing is very noble and very brave. You will not be alone in this."

"What do you know of the inquisition of old?" Cassandra asked, resting her arms on the table. Between her hands rested a large tome. The flaming eye of the inquisition, speared through with a sword stared out from its cover.

Elianna knew of this inquisition, but she knew that wasn't what Cassandra was talking about.

"Uh, not much."

"They were a group of people that banded together to restore a world gone mad. This here is a writ in Divine Justinia's hand, ordering us to form it anew." Cassandra jabbed a gloved finger at the book. "You will have the new inquisition at your back. We will support you at every turn."

"Thank you," Elianna said, sincerely. "What-what do I have to do now?"

Anxiety churned through her at the thought of the future. Both immediate and far-flung. She was desperate to get back to her home, to the people that loved and remembered her, but what if she destroyed everything by leaving. What if there wasn't even a way back? She could be stuck here in the past. She would have to live through the entire war with Corypheus and hope she didn't accidentally cause world destruction.

It was an awful lot of weight to bare on inexperienced, injured shoulders.

"You should rest for now. Recuperate," Cassandra said, standing upright. "We will inform you if we have need of you."

Rest, she can do that, she thought. Though the crawling sensation under her skin may make that a bit harder.

"Do you have any family we can contact, Elianna? We would bring them here to support you. Tell them what has happened," Lelianna said, her face a mask of polite concern.

Elianna could not keep her gaze. She looked down at her feet instead, biting the inside of cheek. Her family was here, in front of her. Only they weren't. It did not feel fair.

"I-I don't have any. They're…" Gone. Lost. Nearly two decades into the future. She was abandoned. Adrift. Alone. And it was all her fault.

"I see," said Leliana, "I am sorry for your loss."

"Did you need anything else?" Elianna asked, stepping out from under Leliana's hand. It didn't feel right. The sympathy for people who weren't actually dead. The distance of a stranger in her gaze. Elianna was overcome with the sudden need to be away from this room. She needed air.

"No, that is all for now. Rest, like Cassandra said. We will have some food brought to your rooms."

"Okay," Elianna nodded and turned to leave without prompting. The heavy door creaked loudly as she forced it open

"Let us know if you need anything. We would be happy to oblige," Leliana called after her.

"Should we follow," Cassandra enquired, voice low, but not low enough to go unheard.

"Leave her for now. You might scare her off."

Elianna pushed the large chantry doors open. The sun bounced off compacted snow and blinded her momentarily. It made her blink. Made her dizzy. Her breaths came out faster. A sea of faces swam into view when her vision settled.

"That's her."

"The Herald."

"Herald of Andraste."

They jostled for a look at her. Gawked like she was a museum display. Saviour, they called her. Herald. But she was just a girl. She did not feel equipped to handle this. How had mamae done it?

She didn't know where to go. The path she had taken from her hut was overrun by people. Blocked off. They looked like they wanted to approach her. Talk to her. Reach for her. She felt hemmed in. Overwhelmed. Her skin was too tight. She reached for the comfort of her necklace and let out a sigh of relief when it was still there. The burst of warmth cut through her panic, but only just. It still remained buzzing on the periphery.

"Elianna, you are awake. I am glad to see you on your feet," Solas' voice carried over the courtyard. Elianna turned towards it, like a flower to the sun.

People seemed to falter in his presence. Whether because he was an elf or a mage she did not know. But at his approach they lost their eager looks and turned to find something else to do. Her chest did not feel as tight with Solas there as a buffer.

"Are you well, da'len?" Solas rested a hand on her arm "You look a little pale."

"I'm fine," she said, like a liar. Her eyes darted to catch the curious faces of others. Watching. Waiting.

Solas frowned, clearly unconvinced. "How about a walk? The forest air may be beneficial."

A walk? Away from the teeming masses and towering responsibility?

"Yes please!" she agreed quickly, eyes shooting back to his.

The corner of Solas' mouth ticked up in amusement. "Come along then."

He offered his arm to her, like a gentleman, and Elianna tucked her own into the crook of his elbow. The move was familiar, comforting, and if she held on a little tight Solas did not mention it.

The people of Haven parted for them. Still interested, but not brave enough to approach now she wasn't alone. Solas led them down a hill. The meandering path was almost recognisable, but she had been rather out of sorts the last time she was guided through here. More details popped out to her now she was no longer being dragged in chains.

There were several buildings. Small, rustic. Nowhere near enough to house all the people that she saw. Instead a village of tents had been created. The wind rattled the fabric and Elianna did not envy the people living in them. Towering wooden fences marked the boundaries. There were two layers of them to stop an enemies approach. Elianna blanched when she recalled the story of Haven being overrun. Those barriers would be nothing more than toothpicks against Corypheus' army. His dragon.

Would she have to face that now?

Blessedly no one stopped them as they slipped through the front gates. Several soldiers looked up from their drills as they walked by. One of them got clocked around the head with a training sword when he wasn't paying attention.

"Back to your training soldiers. You can't be distracted like this in the field." A man shouted. Elianna had a sneaking suspicion of who it could be and was grateful to him.

Solas led her towards a frozen lake. They took a slow, silent journey around the edge of it until it lay between them and Haven. Far enough away for the hum of people to quieten. It felt like she could finally breathe again.

The forest itself was rather sparse. The trees spread far apart. But Elianna preferred it that way. A far cry from the tangled jungle of the fade. She did not want to be reminded of that nightmare.

Though now that she had stopped, now that she was in relative safety, it seemed almost harder to keep the images at bay. Like they had waited until she had calmed to choke her. Everything she had experienced in the last several days piled high and pressed down. Flashes of fear. Prickles of pain. The lurching terror of losing control.

Solas brought them to a stop and dropped their raised arms. "Now, how are you really feeling, da'len?"

Like she was going to explode.

"Do you know a spell that can block out sound?" she asked, wound tight.

Solas furrowed his brow. "I do."

With a subtle wave of his hand he cast a spell out like a net. It settled around her like a blanket, muffling the sounds of the birds and training soldiers.

"Ah good."

She did not answer the question in his gaze, simply tipped her head back and screamed. Loud and sustained. Swearing in every language she knew. And she had been taught a lot of bad words by her family. In Qunlat, Tevene, Elvhen, Orlesian. Even the odd Antivan curse she had managed to ring out of Josephine.

It wasn't fair. None of it. She shouldn't be here, parading around as the Herald of Andraste. She shouldn't have had to run from a being so powerful they couldn't be killed, only contained. She shouldn't be separated from those she loved yet still have to see them.

She screamed for her family. For the fucked up situation. For herself.

It felt good. Like releasing a build up of steam. She no longer felt like she was about to burst at the seams. It also had the hilarious side benefit of Solas' gobsmacked face. He was struck dumb and taken aback by her very vocal display. When she drew to a breathless stop he arched an eyebrow.

"Better?"

"Much," she nodded. She felt worlds better.

His eyes crinkled at the corners. "I feel like I should scold you for your very colourful use of language, but if it helped you, I will allow it."

"How generous of you," she felt a smile of her own pull at her mouth.

"Would you perhaps like a big stick and something breakable?" he said, placing his hands behind his back.

"Depends," she said "Do you have a particularly ugly teapot on hand?"

"Alas, I do not, or I may have joined you."

Elianna huffed a laugh. He was still Papae at heart. "Not a fan of tea?"

He screwed his face up "I detest the stuff."

"It's not that bad."

"Then you can keep all the bitter wet leaves for yourself, da'len."

Elianna shook her head and smiled. There was at least one difference between Solas and Papae though. Papae always called her da'fen, his little wolf. Solas did not know to call her that.

A comfortable silence settled between them as they took in the surrounding forest. Solas looked out across the lake back towards Haven. His expression was neutral but she could see thoughts churning behind his eyes.

"I have decided I will stay," he said after a moment.

"You were going to leave?" It came out like a squeak. Surprised and half-panicked. He couldn't leave!

Solas turned back to her. "I am an apostate mage surrounded by Chantry forces, da'len. It is dangerous for me to be here. You have a divine mark that protects you, I unfortunately do not."

"Please don't go, I need you." She could not be alone. Not now. She needed any version of her Papae she could get.

His eyes softened at her admission, then a subtle look of surprise. He was supposed to be a stranger after all. She kept forgetting that. But she wouldn't take back her words.

"For that reason I shall stay. I will help in any way I can."

"Thank you," she breathed, heart rate settling back down.

Solas turned on his heel and started guiding them back around the lake. A nug scurried into the underbrush at the sound of their approach.

"The people here see you as a hero da'len. The Chosen of Andraste, sent to save us all. How does that make you feel?" he asked.

Trapped. Gawked at. "Like a fish in a tank and everyone is tapping on the glass, trying to make me do a trick," she sulked.

"Quite an apt metaphor, I must say."

"I'm not sure what they really want from me."

"Something gallant perhaps? I would suggest riding in on a griffon but, alas, they are extinct."

"Griffon's aren't extinct," she said, kicking a rock and watching it skate across the ice. It made a satisfying sound.

"Oh? And have you come across such a creature not seen since the fourth blight?"

She had actually. A baby one. Some of Papae's people had found it while they were out searching the Arlathan forest for Elvhen artifacts. They had brought it to Skyhold once and she nearly keeled over in excitement.

"Maybe."

Solas gave her the patient, disbelieving look of a parent listening to a toddlers tall tale. "You will have to tell me the story one time, da'len."

She couldn't tell him. He wouldn't believe her even if she told him the truth. The details were too outlandish. That meant he would keep thinking of her as the soft hearted optimist that wished for unicorns and griffons.

Elianna pursed her lips and kicked the next rock a little harder than necessary.

"Ah there you are, thank the gods!"

"Mm–Selene!" she waved at the nearing figure, very nearly calling her Mamae.

"They said you'd woken up, but then I couldn't find you. I got worried." Selene drew close.

Chilled hands found her cheeks and Elianna smiled. Selene was still here. Had been looking for her. It made her heart warm.

Selene turned to Solas and scowled. Her hands slipped from Elianna's face. "What did you think you were doing just stalking off into the forest without telling anyone?"

"Oh, should I inform you everytime I step outside, da'len?

"No, I don't care about what you get up to. I'm only concerned with Elianna."

Elianna was trapped between the two of them. Like a child caught in the middle of bickering parents in the throes of separation. It wasn't right. Her parents loved each other dearly. They did not glare and spit venom.

"If you are really so concerned, then you must know we are out here for Elianna's benefit. I thought it pressing to get her out from under the watchful eyes of a braying crowd and allow her to breathe."

"How magnanimous of you hah'ren," Selene scoffed.

"You seem to like the word magnanimous, do you not know any others."

Elianna cleared her throat loudly. It had the desired effect of stopping them in their tracks. Solas had the decency to look ashamed. A slight pink tinged his cheeks

"Sorry da'len. Got a bit carried away there," Selene said, chastened. "I was actually coming to see if you wanted a bath."

That was not what she had expected. But now that she mentioned it…

Her skin was no longer caked in blood and dirt, someone must have wiped it off for her, but there was still an unsettling feel of sweat and grease. When she ran her fingers through her hair she found it tangled and snagged. Something stuck to the strands and her mouth turned down in disgust.

Also the idea of hot water on her aching muscles sounded divine

"I don't think I have ever wanted anything more."

Selene laughed wholeheartedly "I will lead the way then."

oOo

Haven had a bathhouse tucked around the corner from the chantry. Heated by some kind of hotspring. There were two pools inside, split into separate rooms for men and women. Each one had their own changing room attached.

Elianna and Selene slipped inside to find the room conveniently empty. Or nearly empty. There were a few women but they spooked at their approach and left quickly.

Did she have the blight now too? Elianna grimaced but chose not to say anything.

Selene paid no mind and started slinging her clothes off with no preamble. She threw them and her bag into a messy pile at the side. Elianna followed her lead with little hesitation.

"Now, I know I got most of the dirt off you while you were unconscious, but nothing tops a good soak," Selene said, hopping on one leg to remove her footwraps. "And this ones warm! Beats a cold river any day."

"You cleaned me? You didn't have to do that," she said, feeling moved by the action.

Selene snorted, letting the footwrap fall into the pile. "You should have seen the state of you. I very much did."

Elianna's cheeks flamed, "Fair enough."

Once they were both as naked as they day they were born, Selene led them into the pool warm, wet air was like a slap as they toed their way into the room. After a moment to acclimate to the steam, Elianna noticed the bath had also been 'conveniently' emptied. But she was not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. This way she could relax without any unwanted staring. Selene was also boldened by the empty pool and jumped straight into the centre with a whoop, sending water splashing over Elianna's feet. Her laughter echoed off the glistening walls and Elianna couldn't help but join in. She surfaced and wiped the water from her eyes.

"Come on, its lovely in here."

Elianna chose the sensible option of climbing down into the pool instead. The fact that she was being the mature one of the two of them made her smile. How ridiculous.

Selene was right though. The hot water was divine and Elianna sank into it.

Everything felt less sharp and pressing while she floated. She could close her eyes and just feel warm. It was exactly what she needed. Once she finally deigned to come out, she was wrinkly and smelling like the soap Selene had snagged from somewhere. She felt like a person again.

Elianna was slow to dress. Not quite ready to brave the world again quite yet. Sat in her smalls and breast band, she ran a comb through her long locks. Her shoulder twinged as she reached upwards. The water had done wonders but it wasn't a miracle worker.

"Oh, I forgot, I have something for that," Selene said, dressed similarly except she'd donned her shirt.

Elianna dropped her arm with a question in her eyes. Selene rifled through her pack until she unearthed a small wooden pot wrapped in twine.

"Adan gave me this, for you," Selene deposited the pot in her hands.

"Adan?" Elianna carefully removed the twine and unscrewed the lid. A pungent herbal scent hit made her nose twitch. Inside was a thick, light green poultice of some kind.

"He's the apothecary. Very good at his job. Terrible bedside manner. Nearly swung for him a couple times, but I held it in," she laughed, planting herself down next to Elianna on the bench. "He said you need to rub this in at least twice a day to get the muscles moving or something."

Elianna gathered a reasonable amount and rubbed tentatively at her shoulder. The muscles ached under the pressure but she persevered. The poultice had a strange warmth to it. Almost stinging. But she assumed that meant it was working.

She closed the lid and placed it down. Next to her Selene was tapping nervously on the wooden bench. The vibrations reverberated through her leg and Elianna gave her a bemused look.

"What's wrong?"

Selene deflated at her words and sighed heavily. She reached for Elianna's hand, held it between both of her own.

"I spoke with Leliana," she said as explanation "Well shouted a bit really. I told her off for talking to you alone."

The idea of Selene shouting at the spymaster because of her felt surreal. Leliana was not someone to get on the wrong side of. Not for silly reasons like this.

"I was fine."

Selene raised a doubtful eyebrow. "Even so, she shouldn't have done it. But, she also told me about your parents. I am so sorry for your loss, da'len."

What loss? You're right here.

The world was too confusing. Selene, held on tighter.

"It's okay," Elianna said, dismissively.

"Its not, and it never will be." It felt cruel, yet kind at the same time. "But it does start to hurt less. It just takes time."

Ah, but time was her enemy here too.

After a beat of silence Selene said, "Where is your clan da'len?"

The question surprised her. She didn't have a clan in the technical sense. Her clan was a group of eccentric weirdos that had banded together against a tyrant and still stuck around afterwards. But that was not what Selene was asking.

"What makes you think I'm Dalish?" she said, in lieu of answering.

"Well your armour looked Dalish and your elvish is pretty good. You also don't seem to care about being naked." she said with a smirk.

Elianna giggled "Whats that got to do with anything?"

"All these city elves I've come across, are all massive prudes. I saw one woman turn beat red because I walked through here without a towel on, the other day. She stuttered and left before I could ask what was wrong."

The idea of Selene strutting through a room of humans and city elves with her bare arse hanging out made her snort. Mamae was never shy about nakedness. Apparently it was a Dalish trait.

"So, your clan?"

Elianna's smile dropped. She didn't know what to say. She hated not being able to tell the truth.

"It's complicated," her gaze dropped to their clasped hands. "I–I don't have a clan."

Her Papae had been dubbed the god of trickery and deceit, yet Elianna struggled through the simplest lie. It would be funny were the circumstances different.

"Oh da'len, I'm sorry," Selene moved to press a hand to Elianna's cheek "You don't have to talk about it, If you don't want to."

Elianna, let herself be brought into an embrace. Her throat tightened. Her eyes stung. She swallowed down the sensation. Breathed through it.

"I can be your clan, for now. If you'd like that." Selene said "A clan of two. Maybe together, us elves can make it out of this mess."

Elianna leaned back to look at Selene's face. She was sincere. Completely and wholeheartedly sincere. She didn't even know Elianna and she was offering kinship. Her mamae was a good person.

Her lip wobbled and she pressed them together tightly. With a nod, a single tear broke free.

"I'd like that."