Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/11288448.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Graphic_Depictions_Of_Violence, Rape/Non-Con, Underage
  Category:
      F/M
  Fandom:
      Dragon_Age:_Inquisition
  Relationship:
      Female_Inquisitor/Solas, Alistair/Female_Inquisitor
  Character:
      Solas_(Dragon_Age), Female_Inquisitor_(Dragon_Age), Dorian_Pavus, Cullen
      Rutherford, Josephine_Montilyet, Leliana_(Dragon_Age), Alistair_(Dragon
      Age), Cole_(Dragon_Age), Varric_Tethras
  Additional Tags:
      Minor_Iron_Bull/Dorian_Pavus, Smut, Angst_and_Fluff_and_Smut, Past_Rape/
      Non-con
  Series:
      Part 2 of Her_Beautiful_Soul
  Stats:
      Published: 2017-06-24 Updated: 2018-03-29 Chapters: 16/? Words: 103412
****** Rise of an Elven Queen ******
by Ladyayla121
Summary
     This story is a progression of what happens after the Battle with
     Corypheus. In it Ayla is pregnant with Solas' twin children. Her soul
     mate in question has left with plans of his own, unknown to her. She
     tours around Thedas as the new Hero, for awhile before hiding herself
     away to protect her unborn children while searching for her apostate
     lover.
     Solas begins to gain support for his own mission to bring down the
     veil, stepping into a roll he now despises because it keeps him from
     the one he truly loves.
Notes
     Hello all :D
     Here is the first chapter of Part 2 to Her Beautiful Soul. I am
     continuing Ayla's story and what happens to her during the time
     between Solas leaving and them meeting up again in Trespasser. Sorry
     this chapter is short as will probably be the second one but there is
     of course a reason for it.
     Also I am might make this go through three years instead of two like
     in the game due to the plot I am working on for after Trespasser. I
     hope you all enjoy! xoxo
***** Tours of Inquisitor *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Over a month and a half later, Inquisitor Ayla Lavellan was riding in a
carriage with Josephine, Leliana, Dorian, and Morrigan towards Orlais. They
were constantly with her on her tour of Thedas; all of them close friends and
diplomatic advisors, though Leliana was also her spymaster. It was the final
stop on her tour of the world she had saved. She had been to every land she had
freed from Corypheus’ chaotic control throughout the year, visiting with all
the dignitaries, nobles, and villages who wanted to either be her friend or
fawn over her due to her new status in their eyes. She was a hero and someone
important, an elf mage, who had reached out and earned her title and power. Not
that she wanted it. All she wanted to do now was sneak off into the night and
finish her pregnancy away from the dangers that being a hero presented. But
destiny seemed to have other plans for her as it always had. Ayla had to stay
in her role until after the world stayed cleaned up for a while and that meant
journeying from land to land, making sure no rifts were left and Corypheus’
mess was cleaned up.
 
The whole Inquisition hunted down and killed the rest of the Red Templars and
several of the lingering Venatori. Luckily Ayla didn’t have to do any of those
things other than visit the towns and palaces to make sure everyone was able to
rebuild and to show herself off. There were only a few rifts left and they were
easily taken care of since they stood no chance against her powers.
 
All throughout the tours Ayla and her team hid her pregnancy that nobody knew
of other than her Advisors and her inner circle; Dorian, Leliana, Morrigan,
Cullen, Josephine, Vivienne, Iron Bull, Varric, Cassandra, Blackwall, Sera,
Cole, and of course the Dalish elves who had stayed with her at Skyhold. This
is a secret that she had since before the battle with Corypheus and one she
protected at all costs.
 
Safe within the carriage with her four companions, Ayla undid the outer layer
of her robed dress, a fancy ensemble that Dorian and Josephine created to
signify her station as Inquisitor and to hide the swelling stomach that she
revealed to them all in the confines of the carriage.
 
Once her belly was in view, still covered but obvious as to why she was
swollen, Ayla smiled brightly as she caressed her stomach as the lives within
kicked vibrantly. The four with her inside the compartment smiled at the
mother-to-be.
 
“Inquisitor, I would like to remind you that the Empress, her cousin, and
Ambassador Briala are all under your command as you have much leverage against
them.” Leliana began. “What do intend to do with your power over them now that
Corypheus is dead?”
 
“If things are running smoothly and peacefully I will let them be for now.”
Ayla said simply. “My only concern right now is to protect my unborn children.
Thank the Goddess this is the last journey for a while. I am starting to get
noticeably bigger and want to stay in Skyhold where I am safe. If anyone wants
my attention they will have to come to us.”
 
“I don’t know how long we will be able to hold the council off to figure out
what is to be done once peace has been officially restored.” Josephine said
with a worried frown.
 
“Well thankfully they are taking forever in choosing a new Divine, which is
they’re more pressing issue at the moment. That will give us some time to
figure out what to do.” Leliana replied.
 
“How do you feel being one of the candidates?” Ayla asked Leliana.
 
“It is surprising to be sure, but if I am given the opportunity I will help to
keep the lands in peace. I think we should reinstall the Circle Towers but
instead of making it a prison we should make them universities for Mages to go
and learn more after a certain age if they want. I know the Dalish have their
own teachings but at least this way we can have peace between the Templars and
Mages.” Leliana said. “I also think that the Templar order should be remade
without the use of Lyrium. I think the Dalish can help us with that since you
have been helping Cullen with his addiction.”
 
Ayla nodded with a smile at the mention of her friend. He had given up the
harmful Templar ways by not taking Lyrium anymore. Several months into being
appointed the Inquisitor, Ayla had found her Commander in heavy withdrawals
from the vile stuff. The memory of helping him overcome it by showing him how
to use the Earth was something she was proud of. He had indeed overcome his
addiction and when she was home at Skyhold she often found him in her sanctuary
meditating and using the energy within him and the Earth, always giving thanks.
 
“Deshanna has offered to help any of Cullen’s Templar soldiers wanting to be
rid of the stuff.” Ayla nodded in consideration. Ayla was immensely proud of
her former Keeper. She and Deshanna had a traumatic experience with a band of
corrupted Templars just before this whole battle started with Corypheus. Their
clan had been attacked by them, raped and murdered. Deshanna and herself were
all that was left of Clan Lavellan. Ayla had fought and succeeded in freeing
herself before either of them was killed with the rest of their clan. However,
it had resulted in both of them being extremely weary of Templars.
 
When Ayla had first woken up she had been a prisoner due to the explosion at
the Temple of Sacred ashes. She had seen a group of heavily armored men taking
the Divine at the time, forcibly removed from her rooms and into the conclave.
Ayla, who had just been attacked by Templars, moved to go to the woman’s aid
not wanting her to suffer from what she and her Keeper had. But that was not
what happened.
 
Instead, a disfigured and extremely tall man had used the woman as a sacrifice
to enter the Fade. It didn’t end well since she barged intent on saving the
woman. After a scuffle the man had dropped the power source he was using to
sacrifice her with which rolled over to Ayla and returned a lost power to her
and starting her on the path of becoming Inquisitor and the yearlong battle
with the Magister.
 
Along the journey she had met some truly fascinating people who had changed her
life forever. Some of them had become her closest friends and she had even
found her soul mate, an apostate elf. The apostate, Solas an Ancient Elf, left
her though and caused her a world of heartbreak but he also left her a gift.
The two children currently having a kicking match inside her.
 
“We have arrived, Inquisitor.” Josephine said softly. Ayla quickly covered her
belly behind her robes making sure it was well hidden before they allowed the
footman to open up the door and stepping out.
 
Cheers met her ears as she stepped out, making her feel overwhelmed and
nervous. She still wasn’t used to, nor did she like the adoration that came
from these people who wouldn’t even look at her without fear or disgust for
being a forest heathen, as some called her. But save the world and suddenly
everyone wanted to know her, be her friend, or what have you.
 
They made a quick round to the crowd so everyone could see her before entering
the palace of Halamshiral. They were shown to the ballroom where the Empress
Celine and her court of nobles were gathered.
 
“Presenting Lady Inquisitor Lavellan, Hero of the Thedas and her Inquisition
advisors.” The herald announced.
 
The court all bowed their heads respectively as she came to where Celene, her
cousin Gaspard, and the elven ambassador Briala were waiting.
 
“Inquisitor, it is a pleasure as always.” Celene said. It was a warm welcome
but was met with slight tension due to Ayla’s leverage she had over them.
Briala and Gaspard nodded in greeting but didn’t say anything.
 
“Thank you, Empress Celine.” Ayla smiled at the woman, nothing but that warm
smile showing as she kept up her mask she used in these types of talks.
 
“Let us take this meeting somewhere private.” Celine said as she turned to go
into a room made specifically for such meetings. Gaspard and Briala followed
her; all of them tense with worry about what would happen now.
 
Ayla looked to Leliana and Josephine with a quirked eyebrow before she nodded
to Dorian and Morrigan. “Morrigan go snoop around. We need to make sure they
aren’t going to try anything. I’m not really concerned about Celine or Gaspard.
They seem to have gotten over their feud with one another. But Briala isn’t
happy with this and is most likely going to try to turn them against the other
again.”
 
Morrigan responded in agreement, a look of disgust at the so-called Ambassador.
“She is indeed up to something. I shall find it if I can.”
 
“I shall go immerse myself in conversation with nobles to learn of any more
rumors.” Dorian said before walking off to do just that.
 
With that settled the three women entered into a room that held a table much
like the War Table in Skyhold though this one wasn’t filled with a map or
battle strategies.
 
Celine sat at the head of the table with Gaspard on her left and Briala on the
right. Ayla sat at the other end mirroring the three Orlesian leaders, if one
could call Briala that.
 
“We wish to discuss what you wish us to do now that Corypheus is dead. We know
you hold a certain amount of leverage over all of us, but now that the Magister
is dead we want to know what you intend.” Celine began bluntly.
 
“I don’t intend to do anything right now. You and your cousin’s feud seems to
have faded, and your efforts into helping the lands rebuild despite your
unsettled kingdom.” Ayla said, looking both Celine and Gaspard in the eye, not
even bothering with Briala. “So long as you keep the lands in peace and rule
with compassion, grace, and strength to help the people under your guidance, I
will leave you be. I don’t wish to control you anymore than you want me to. But
if something comes up that causes strife within your kingdom, something you all
disagree about and can’t find a solution that is when I shall step in.”
 
Relief showed on their faces, only Briala’s stayed neutral. She didn’t know
what the woman’s beef with her was but she knew sometime in the future, the
Elven Ambassador would try to rise against her and would have to be put in her
place.
 
“Of course, Inquisitor.” Celine said with a genuine smile that actually reached
her eyes. “It is a most gracious relief to hear you aren’t going to take
advantage of the information despite the rumors floating around. We really do
want peace.”
 
“Those rumors, as I understand it, were made by a power hungry and jealous
person of the court.” Leliana said with a glance at Briala. “I believe they
thought that if you two were at each other’s throats she could be the voice of
reason between you too and giving herself the power she so desperately wants.”
 
Briala didn’t even flinch, pretending not to even care about such gossip. But
Ayla and Leliana saw through her. Though her mask was enough to fool Celine and
Gaspard, Leliana and Ayla read the utter anger and hatred of everyone within
the room.
 
 They all bowed their head with respect, dismissing her and her advisors. They
exited the room keeping their thoughts to themselves, not wanting anyone to
overhear anything they were thinking. Briala was clearly up to something and
Ayla wondered if it had to do with Solas.
 
Sighing with longing at the thought of her soul mate, Ayla walked out with the
others using the visit to shop, chat, and enjoy each other’s company. Leliana,
ever the spymaster, was of course listening to everything as they walked
through the rich town of Val Royeux planning to use whatever was interesting
enough for the good of the Inquisition later on as the Council finally turned
their attention to them, after the new Divine was chosen. Ayla hoped it would
be Leliana; she had the right idea about how she wanted to change things.
Cassandra too would be a wonderful choice but she was more concerned with the
rebuilding of the Seekers.
 
That night they were to attend the ball held in Ayla’s honor like the many they
had already attended throughout their tour and so they were out shopping for
the masquerade theme. This ball was the most important of the parties since not
only was the Empress and her court there but King Alistair and his court would
also be in attendance. It was another night of games for the rich and nobles;
one Ayla and her Inquisition were unfortunately required to engage in.
 
As they shopped for their costumes Cullen, Bull, Varric, Vivienne, and
Blackwall arrived with a small group of soldiers that were to be Ayla’s guards,
all of them Dalish and close friends with the Inquisitor.
 
Ayla was frustrated with the fashion that was in style with Orlais, all of it
form fitting and hard to hide a bulging belly. She didn’t like any of the
dresses and after a wasteful day of searching she turned to Dorian.
 
“Will you escort me to wherever our rooms are? None of these dresses are going
to work.” Ayla looked up at her fiercely handsome best friend. “Will you help
me choose something that will fit this gala and protect me?”
 
“Of course, Amatus.” He grinned. “We could probably come up with something so
much better than this tomfoolery anyway.”
 
She smiled in return and quickly made their farewells to Leliana and Josephine
before making their way to her rooms, which they had to be shown though Ayla
automatically knew since the room they put her in was the exact same as last
time. The one where she and Solas had made love for the first time. Memories
assaulted her and for a moment she simply closed her eyes and let herself smile
at them, wishing he were there with her now.
 
“What did you have in mind, Ayla?” He asked after giving her a moment to adjust
herself to the room. He knew what it meant.
 
Ayla walked to her wardrobe where Aviselan one of her Dalish friends that was
to be one of her guards no doubt had unpacked all of her clothes. She looked at
the choices and pulled out a long black robe that had silver and diamond
rhinestones decorating the shoulders, neck, breasts, and torso where the sides
were supposed to meet and all down to the floor.
 
“I believe this is sleek enough for their tastes but if we add a flowing black
dress underneath, it will be perfect for what I need.” Ayla said with a smile.
“Best part is it is a Keeper’s fancy wear for weddings and such made a little
more elaborate for me since I am not just a Dalish elf anymore.”
 
Dorian studied it and then smiled back at her as inspiration hit. “Stay here, I
will return shortly. I saw the perfect dress to go underneath it in one of the
shops.” He said as he hurried out of the room, making her laugh at his
excitement. There was no denying it he loved dressing her.
 
While Ayla waited, she used the time to bathe and begin her hairstyle for the
evening. After fiddling for a few minutes she began putting in intricate braids
onto both sides of her head, and then pulling all of her loose straight strands
of hair back up in a ponytail that looked more like a maroon red mane cascading
down her shoulders, upper back, and just past her breasts.
 
Next she put on her make up, using her normal purples she so loved on her eyes
to make the emerald green irises pop with the right amount of smoky black on as
charcoal liner and the black oily substance she used on her lashes.
 
Just as she finished with her eyes, Dorian came back in followed by Leliana and
Josephine who wanted to help. They stopped at seeing her hair and face. Though
she was their friend, the Inquisitor was also a ravishingly beautiful woman
that often left them intimidated by not only her looks but the fierce
personality that accompanied it.
 
She smiled, now used to them staring at her whenever she dressed up in such a
fashion. They were used to seeing her dirty from her travels or dressed for
battle.
 
Dorian grinned his charming smile that often made Ayla wish he were into
females. He had the ability to make her heart flutter with it and she often
wondered if this man were into females would he be her soul mate instead of
Solas. Her soul did recognize him as a missing part of her as much as Solas was
but what exactly was a baffling question she had been trying to figure out
since they had met in the Red Cliff Chantry almost a year ago. He came up to
her and motioned for her to undress so he could help her with the black silk he
had found to go underneath her robes. They continues helping her dress and
enjoyed themselves for the rest of the afternoon until it was time for the gala
itself.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In another part of the palace of Halamshiral, a mostly bald elf put the
finishing touches upon his own costume. His skin was pale but with more pink
than that of the Inquisitor’s moonlit pale skin. If she could see him now she
wouldn’t recognize him. Solas had always been bald throughout the time he spent
with her and the Inquisition. But now his light brown hair he usually magicked
off was growing back in. A patch of fuzz upon his once baldhead.
 
He looked at himself in the mirror and wondered if she would find it attractive
or did she prefer the man she had gotten to know? Can’t worry about that now.
He chastised himself. Satisfied with his appearance he grabbed his mask, a
black wolf mask. He smiled at the irony of the situation. He, Fen’Harel, would
be going as himself in more ways than one. He had to of course hide his
identity, not wanting Ayla or the friends he had made in the Inquisition to
recognize him.
 
He grabbed his fancy jacket, put it on, and then added the mask before walking
out of tower room nobody visited for some reason, making it the perfect room
for him to stay while he was there.
 
It took five minutes to reach the ball and snuck in through the servants’
entrances. All of them simply bowed to him and let him walk on through. He
entered the ballroom and kept to the shadows near the food.
 
He was one of the first groups to arrive, the night still early and waiting for
the guests to finish getting ready for this gathering. Empress Celine and her
court arrived first and everyone but him bowed down to her and Gaspard.
 
Next was, to his surprise, King Alistair and his wife Queen Anora. Again the
court all bowed, offering respect to the Fereldan King and Queen. He watched
them, noticing the ashen hue to Anora’s face. She was sick it seemed. They
chatted as if nothing were wrong though and so Solas’ focus drifted off to
other people for the next hour or so.
 
Then the horns trumpeted announcing another important guest’s arrival. The
herald came to the balcony and called out, “Presenting our guest of honor, Lady
Inquisitor Lavellan, Leader of the Inquisition, Hero of Thedas.”
 
Solas’ breath caught and his heart skipped a beat. There she was in an all
black robe like dress decorated with diamonds on most of her torso. Her maroon
hair back in a ponytail with her signature Dalish braids that accompanied the
ponytail on the sides of her head. Her hair was a cascading mane down her right
side of her chest.
 
Ayla came down the stairs the dress trailing behind her followed by Commander
Cullen, Leliana, and Josephine. They walked across the floor as her circle was
announced. They were all there and stopped just behind their leaders. What
perplexed him most were all the Dalish that had followed in behind them all.
 
“We are gathered here tonight to honor the Inquisitor, thanking her in saving
us all from a terrible fate. Please enjoy the festivities for you certainly
deserve it.” Celine said to the room.
 
He watched her walk up to where the Royals were and began a deep discussion
with King Alistair. He frowned as he saw Alistair’s admiring stare when after
their conversation had finished and Dorian pulled her into another.
 
Mine, the territorial side of him thought as his eyes narrowed. A growl had
come out of his throat low enough for nobody to hear but it jolted him out of
his possessive thoughts, giving him a chance to compose himself back into the
emotionless man he needed to be.
 
Not wasting another moment watching his beloved, Solas walked out of the
ballroom and into the garden where he was to meet Briala. She didn’t know who
she was meeting but the note he had left in her bedroom held enough information
that it would bring her out to him.
 
The woman elf came out fifteen minutes later, looking around the shadowed
garden to find the person she was to be meeting. She saw his eyes glowing from
the entrance to the hedge maze.
 
“Good evening, Ambassador Briala.” He said in his quiet, polite, and cold tone
as he turned and walked into the maze, waiting for her to follow.
 
“Who are you?” The elegant woman asked as she cautiously followed him.
 
“I am Fen’Harel.” Solas said as he took his mask off. “I am here to recruit you
to my cause. I want to free the elves and bring back the time of Arlathan.”
 
“Why do you need me?” Briala narrowed her eyes at him.
 
“Because you have something I want. The Eluvian that I sensed here. I need the
keys to it and all the mirrors it is connected with.” He told her.
 
“Why does an Evanuris have need of such an object?”
“Because we were the ones who used them to travel between lands, among other
things.”
 
“What exactly are you offering me?”
 
“I just want the keys to the Eluvians. I want you to wait until I contact you
again when I have need of you. Until then you being here is very beneficial to
me. You will be my spy within Orlais.” Solas explained, not giving anything
away.
 
“Why should I help you?”
 
“Because you and I have the same goal. To help the elves be free and as
powerful as the other races once more.” He told her, a half-truth of course.
 
She studied him, wondering what he was hiding. Briala wasn’t a fool. She knew
to be wary with an Ancient Elf who was supposedly dead. Clearly that wasn’t the
case. What was he doing here after all these years the elves had suffered? All
these questions had her make up her mind. He intrigued her.
 
“Alright,” she said after a long while of debating it. “The keys to the
Eluvians are—“
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Back inside the ball, a few hours passed with Ayla feeling beyond exhausted
after having danced so much. Her aching feet throbbed under the pressure of the
added weight of the young kicking inside her womb.
 
After her latest dance, she walked off of the dance floor and simply sat with
Cullen at a small table with her shoes immediately kicked off and under the
stool. The young noble ladies were, as usual, crowding around her poor
Commander.
 
They giggled as they tried to entice him. Though Ayla was normally amused with
this, she was not in the mood to be surrounded by them. “Leave or I will make
you.” She threatened the women. They all gasped at her in shock for a second
but scampered off the moment they saw the look she was giving out to them. A
glare she often used in battle, one that meant she was serious.
 
“Maker’s breath. Sometimes you scare me, Inquisitor.” Cullen said, looking at
her. “Though I am actually rather grateful for your intimidating persona at
this moment.”
 
“You’re welcome, Commander.” She said with a tired grin pulling at her lips. “I
didn’t want them crowding me while I rested here. Balls are exhausting.”
 
“I agree with you whole heartedly, Inquisitor.” He said. “Thinking about
retiring for the night. Would you like me to escort you to your room?”
 
Ayla looked out at the guests, seeing Dorian and Bull dancing with several
nobles staring at the Qunari with wide eyes. Some of the women, she could see,
had curious expressions and she easily knew what they were thinking. She had
heard gossip about it earlier in the evening; they were all wondering how big
he was in other aspects aside from his horns.
 
“I believe I will take you up on that offer. But first we must bid the Royals a
farewell.” She said.
 
“Of course.” He nodded. “While you say yours I will let everyone know that you
are leaving for the evening.”
 
She smiled with gratitude and with a sigh at her shoes, put them back on and
made her way to where Empress Celine and Gaspard were chatting with Briala.
 
She bowed her head respectfully to Celine before telling them of her needing
her bed. They said their good nights to her before again they dismissed her
with a bow of their heads.
 
Next she walked up to King Alistair and his wife Anora. “It was nice seeing you
again, Your Highness.” She said to him. “I hope you decide to visit Skyhold
soon.”
 
“Of course.” Alistair said with a beaming smile. “Do you need an escort to your
rooms?”
 
“No, Cullen and I have both had enough of this gala. Not our scene and he has
graciously agreed to escort me since his rooms are near mine.” Ayla smiled
kindly in return.
 
They bowed to each other and then Ayla turned, walked off to where Cullen was
waiting, and together they left the party.
 
“So how was the tour of Thedas?” He asked as they made their way to the hall
with their rooms.
 
“Tedious and beyond exhausting.” She sighed in exasperation, making Cullen
blast out with a laugh at her expression. “I am so glad that we return to
Skyhold tomorrow where I can have some breathing room again.”
 
“How is your pregnancy going?” He whispered after making sure there was nobody
else about hiding or following them.
 
“Going well.” She said with a smile and a tender rub over her stomach. “Getting
harder to see my feet though. At four months and I am already bigger than
normal, but then again I have more than one life growing inside me.”
 
Cullen smiled tenderly at her. He had admired her for so long, since he had met
her in the War Room at Haven when the Inquisition was officially reformed. He
had seen a beautiful woman who had first seen him as an enemy. He remembered
her looking at him with such suspicion, fear, and hate at first. Had even
attacked him once when he accidently scared her one night, thinking he was
going to hurt her. As he learned what had happened to her and her clan, he had
felt overprotective over her, wanting to go and take out the rest of the men
who had done such a thing. When he heard how she had survived his admiration
for her grew. Then she showed him the beauty of the magic she knew, what her
people used and that was when he realized he was in love with her. But she had
and still loved someone else.
 
“Inquisitor, I know it’s only been a month and a half since he left.” He began,
his right hand ruffling his hair, a motion he used when he was nervous or
flustered around her. “How are you doing?”
 
“I miss him desperately. I keep hoping he will come back. But he isn’t and wont
I suspect.” Ayla said, her face falling and changing to one of pain and
loneliness. Solas leaving hurt more than anything, especially since she had
never gotten to tell him she was pregnant.
 
“I know that you still love him,” Cullen whispered nervously as they stopped
just outside of her rooms. “But I want you to know that i-if you can find it in
your heart to l-l-love another man, I-I-I would volunteer to be that man. I
would love you and the children you have growing inside of you as they were my
own.”
 
Ayla’s gaze snapped up to him in stunned, fearful surprise. His eyes captured
hers, his gently blues so different than Solas’. He was a handsome man and one
she once had a crush on before the apostate had shattered any such feelings for
anyone else. Could she love another man who wasn’t her destined soul mate? She
wondered.
 
As she debated this his face grew closer to hers, her legs instinctively
backing up to the door behind her as he pressed his body lightly to hers as his
breath tickled her nose. Her heart sped up in panic as she tried to decide
whether this was a good idea or not. Longing to be touched by someone again
decided her and she let him take her lips in a gentle but passionate kiss.
 
But the minute his lips met hers everything about it felt utterly wrong.
Sadness filled her along with regret. She wished, desperately, that she could
return his affection but her heart belonged to Solas.
 
With that in mind, Ayla pulled away. “I’m so very grateful for your admiration,
Cullen. But I can’t give any more than the friendship we already have.” She
sighed as she held his cheek in her right palm, a tender gesture. “I am so
sorry.”
 
“No, it is I that am sorry. I understand that you are his even if he doesn’t
know it.” Cullen replied with a sad smile. “If you decide you can move on from
him, know that I will be waiting in the wings.”
 
“Don’t wait for me Cullen. You deserve so much better than that. I know that I
will never be able to return the affections you feel for me beyond what I
already feel for you as a friend. I hope you find someone who can give you the
love I know I can’t.”
 
Cullen’s face fell a bit but then he smiled at her. “I bid you a goodnight,
Inquisitor.” He said as he bowed his head and walked away in the direction of
his rooms.
 
Ayla watched him a moment, tears gathered in her eyes. She turned, opened her
door, and entered into her room shutting the door behind her. She pressed her
whole body into the door as a soul-wrenching sob rumbled through her shaky
lungs, up her throat, and out of her mouth as she slid to the floor. More sobs
escaped her and she succumbed to them by pulling up her knees to her chest,
using them as a rest for her arms that she buried her head in and unleashed the
tears that had built up since she had found out about her pregnancy and the
added weight of Solas leaving her.
 
When her flood of sorrow finished, Ayla rose from the ground feeling that lost,
numbing sensation that always followed such grieving. She went through drawing
the curtains, undressing, and changing to a nightdress before climbing into bed
to sleep.
 
Chapter End Notes
     Here is the robe dress she wears during the ball.
     https://www.pinterest.com/pin/473229873333696395/
***** Skyhold, Paintings, and Fade Dream *****
Chapter Summary
     Ayla and her advisors arrive back at Skyhold. Ayla spends the next
     week resting from her tiring journey but eventually begins to wander
     around again. After weeks of not going into the Rotunda after Solas
     left, Ayla finds herself in there studying the murals her lover
     painted, including the one that had barely been started. She decided
     to create her own with the unfinished one, adding the final battle
     sequence with her own twist to it.
     Later on she is pulled into a dream with Solas, one of his own making
     and naughty things happen.
Chapter Notes
     This chapter has NSWF.
After leaving Briala, Solas stayed and watched Ayla from the shadows dance the
night away. He was thankful she mostly danced with Dorian, not liking the other
men that were interested in her.
 
But after several hours she quit the dance floor and planted herself next to
Cullen, who was of course surrounded by young giggling noble ladies. He didn’t
hear what she said but the deadly look in her eyes had them all scampering
away. He grinned in amusement at the utter shock but grateful relief on the
Commander’s face.
 
Not long after sitting there they both got up and made their rounds to everyone
and left the ballroom together. Solas growled in jealousy, not liking that she
left with him and what might happen. He followed them, torturing himself. But
he had to know. Had to see if she had moved on from him, to see that she was
happy with Cullen even though it made him want to tear the man apart.
 
So he followed discreetly a good distance back. They were headed down the hall
that had led to the rooms she and him had made love in the first time when they
had come to stop Celine’s assassination. His mood darkened and he hoped she
wasn’t taking Cullen into them.
 
He couldn’t hear what they were whispering but curiosity flashed through him as
she patted her stomach as if she was full from a meal. But no, this was
different. She patted it tenderly. Solas didn’t have a good view of it so much
of the action was obscured so he didn’t see that her when she did caress her
stomach a small bump, that was her belly was barely visible.
 
Solas saw them stop and the utter panic upon Ayla’s face as she was suddenly
back against the door to her rooms. Then a moment of indecision before she
settled on whatever internal musings she had been debating.
 
He found out what the decision was a moment later as he saw her allow Cullen to
kiss her. His blood boiled and his heart lurched inside his chest at seeing her
kissing somebody else. He got closer, not really aware of what he was doing but
subconsciously still staying hidden.
 
But a few moments later Solas saw her pull away with utter sadness and regret
on her face. “I’m so very grateful for your admiration, Cullen. But I can’t
give any more than the friendship we already have.” Solas heard her sigh as she
held the Commander’s cheek in her right palm, a tender gesture. “I am so
sorry.”
 
“No, it is I that am sorry. I understand that you are his even if he doesn’t
know it or appreciate it.” Cullen replied with a sad smile. “If you decide you
can move on from him, know that I will be waiting in the wings.”
 
“Don’t wait for me Cullen. You deserve so much better than that. I know that I
will never be able to return the affections you feel for me beyond what I
already feel for you as a friend. I hope you find someone who can give you the
love I know I can’t.” She told the blonde man. Solas felt bad for the man, his
friend, but he was also beyond elated to hear that she was talking about him.
Cullen’s words about the Inquisitor being his sent his lonely and shattered
heart soaring against his will.
 
He watched Cullen’s face fall a bit but then he smile at her. “I bid you a
goodnight, Inquisitor.” He said as he bowed his head and walked away in the
direction of his rooms.
 
Ayla watched him a moment, and Solas saw the tears gathering in her eyes. She
turned, not aware of him witnessing this, opened her door, and entered into her
room shutting the door behind her. Solas came out of his hiding place and
listened at her door. He shut his eyes in pain as he heard her muffled soul
wrenching sob from behind the door. More sobs escaped her and Solas nearly
caved, lifting a hand to knock on her door wanting so bad to comfort her and be
with her.
 
But he couldn’t. He had a mission to complete first. One that would
unfortunately put her out of his reach forever.
 
With a frustrated and painful sigh, he started to walk away. Then he got an
idea and changed direction. He headed off to the room next door where nobody
was in residence yet and went out onto the balcony. He waited for a while;
wanting to be sure she was asleep.
 
Solas climbed gracefully over to her balcony from the one next door using a
cloaking spell to make sure he wasn’t seen. He entered into her room moments
later coming in through the drawn heavy gold drapes and drew in a breath at the
sight of her sleeping.
 
Her maroon red hair was now completely down and fanning the pillow behind her.
Ayla was sleeping on her side, curled up in a half ball. Her breathing was
slightly heavy and it alarmed him a little since it wasn’t normal for her. But
she mumbled something in her sleep and decided not to check to make sure was
healthy. He sat on the empty side of her bed where he so desperately wanted to
be forever.
 
He laid beside her taking in the rose and jasmine scent of her hair, a soothing
concoction he sorely missed. He watched the rise and fall of her shoulder and
torso. She had most of the blanket covering her. It rested just at her chest
with her arm out and clasping it tightly under her armpit. Her nightdress was
all white from what he could see and made of fine silk. Not Dalish at all.
 
He stayed for hours just watching her. But the sun was starting to rise and he
had to leave. Solas rose to his elbows, leaning closer to her, and placing a
gently loving kiss on her bare arm. “Ar lath ma, Vhenan.” He whispered before
moving away and getting up quickly from the bed. He gazed tenderly at her as he
pulled the jawbone over his head.
 
Solas placed it upon the pillow beside her and with one final kiss to her cheek
that made her sigh happily, bringing a smile to his lips, he left.
 
 
 
 
Ayla awoke a few hours later, oblivious to her love’s visit until she rolled
over and gasped. There upon the pillow was the wolf jawbone necklace that she
loved to grip and tug on when he would kiss her senselessly. Tears again
gathered in his eyes and fell down her cheeks. Longing and love filled her as
she took it in her hand and clutched it to her heart, as if it were her most
precious possession.
 
A light knock tapped on her door. A moment later Dorian entered and stopped in
his tracks as he saw her there with those tears and the necklace.
 
“He was here, Dorian.” She said. “Why give me this if I was just a “side
benefit” as he once called our relationship?”
 
“Oh Amatus,” Dorian walked over to her and sat behind her, pulling her into his
arms to comfort her. “He loves you as much as you love him. Who knows why he
chose to leave you instead of staying. We don’t know about his past. You told
me he is an Ancient Elf like Abelas. He must be off doing something with any of
his people that remain.”
 
“But why not take me with him? Or let me help him?” She asked. As always that
feeling that Solas was more than he led on hounded her. Ever since she met him,
she knew he had an agenda of his own and that he joined the Inquisition to
serve his own purposes. What those were she knew not, for he had never confided
in her like she had in him.
 
“Guess we will never know. At least not until Leliana finds him. I know you
have been searching for him.”
 
“I just want to tell him about our impending parenthood. He deserves to know.”
She said. Ayla rubbed her stomach tenderly as she felt the life within begin
their morning kicking fest. A loving smile brightened her face as she felt the
movement against her fingers.
 
Dorian smiled in reaction to hers and placed his hand upon her belly to feel
what she was feeling. “That is an amazing feeling, Dear One. I can’t wait to
meet them and become Uncle Dorian.”
 
Ayla looked up at him, her smile growing bigger at the thought. She could
already see Bull and Dorian watching them when she was busy with Inquisition
business. See them riding on Bull’s horns.
 
“I don’t think I could do this without you, Lethallin.” Ayla said as she hugged
Dorian. “Thank you.”
 
Dorian couldn’t find the words after that and simply hugged her back. They were
two souls who connected instantly. He had been there for her the moment they
had been thrust into that horrifying future and she had been there for him,
supporting in his choice of whom he loved and when his father was judgmental of
him. He had been there when she couldn’t sleep because of nightmares and Solas
had pushed her away. He still slept with her. Had done so those first few weeks
of her lover missing. He would spend every other night with her and the other
with Bull. Or sometimes Bull would join them and it would be a sleepover of
sorts.
 
Ayla was so glad that the two men were together. Their love was a wonderful
distraction from her own lonely heart.
 
“Why don’t we order in our breakfast?” Dorian said as they broke away from
their friendly embrace. “We don’t need to be in court. They can do without you
this morning. We are leaving today anyways.”
 
“Thank the Goddess for that. I can’t wait to be home in Skyhold where I can
begin nesting.” She said as Dorian pulled the rope that signaled that they were
in need of assistance.
 
The elven servant came a few minutes later, entering after she knocked. Ayla
stayed in bed with the blanket covering all of her except her shoulders. They
ordered their breakfast, which came an hour later, and spent the morning
chatting about the gossip that they heard at the ball the night before.
 
 
 
 
 
When Afternoon hit, Ayla stood just outside the palace looking every bit of the
Inquisitor that she was, beside Empress Celine and King Alistair. Alistair kept
trying to engage her in conversation and though she was fond of her friend she
was tires and ready to go.
 
Her advisors stood at the front of the crowd with Dorian and her inner circle
directly behind them. All of the townspeople were behind them cheering at the
speech Celine was making. She studied the important faces, those of Gaspard and
Briala.
 
Gaspard’s didn’t worry her but the hatred on Briala’s face was hard not to see.
Ayla wanted to go up to her and tell her to get the hell over her foiled power
plan. She would keep an eye on her. Something told Ayla that this woman would
try to reach out again in the future and that she would do whatever it took to
get it. This woman may think she was helping the elves but it wouldn’t in the
long run.
 
Ayla kept her in her sights as she walked with graceful command down the steps
and into the isle where her fans cheered her after Celine’s speech. Her
advisors and all of her inner circle followed with the small contingent of
troop that accompanied Cullen there. With her arms folded elegantly behind her
back a pose she copied from Solas, she and her Inquisition made their way down
until she reached the carriage that awaited her. At her approach a coachmen
opened the door for her and helped her inside.
 
Leliana, Dorian, Josephine, and Morrigan joined her inside while Cullen and
everyone else mounted their steeds. The carriage jolted into movement a few
moment later and they were off, on their way back to Skyhold.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
They arrived back at Skyhold four days later and Ayla felt a momentary pang of
pain inside her already broken heart at the sight of the fortress. It was a
reminder that this was a gift from him, like the jawbone necklace. She grasped
it as she took in the castle. Not much had changed with it, it still being a
refuge to many. Now, however, it was slightly empty due to Solas’ absence. But
here was where she wanted to have their babies and to raise them. She could
imagine them running around annoying Leliana and play fighting with Bull.
 
She smiled with hope as she caressed her stomach as she walked into the
fortress. She could see herself in the courtyard teaching them to walk with
Dorian. Could also see Solas returning to her and the utter shock at seeing his
two children as well as the utter happiness on his face at how smart and
artistic they were.
 
“Whatever has you looking loopy, I would like some, Amatus.” Dorian’s charming
and amused voice said in front of her. She hadn’t even realized he was standing
there.
 
“Just daydreaming, Dorian.” She said. “Imagining how my children will grow up
here.”
 
“Ah.” He nodded in understanding, feeling slightly awkward since this was a
touchy subject. Though the Inquisitor was excited about impending motherhood,
the fact that their father wasn’t present to share in the excitement it brought
it down immensely.
 
Ayla closed her eyes and held back the tears that threatened to fall. She knew
she was overwhelmed with everything and not having him here was especially hard
since she wanted him to share this with her.
 
She sighed as she regained control of her emotions and began walking up the
stairs that led to the inner courtyard and up the second set that led into the
castle’s Great Hall.
 
Dorian walked beside her with his hand holding hers, squeezing it to give
support. She ignored the door to the Rotunda, having not been in there since
her left. Dorian and Leliana now came to her so she wouldn’t have to feel the
absence of Solas. They headed, instead, to the door that led to her rooms. She
wanted privacy, something she hadn’t really had since the whole fiasco with
Corypheus had begun. Once inside the safety of her room she allowed herself to
relax for the first time in a long while.
 
“Finally,” she laughed. “I have never been so glad to be back at Skyhold. No
more needing to travel in that damned carriage. I thought I was going to have
sore and cramped limbs forever.”
 
“I know.” Dorian agreed with amusement.
 
“I think I am going to simply stay in my rooms for a week and sleep.”
 
“I don’t blame you, Amatus.”
 
“I think I’ll start napping now. Goddess knows I am beyond exhausted from this
whole journey. I can finally relax a little.” She said as she began changing
into comfort clothing. Dorian helped her out of her robe like dress and as soon
as Ayla was free she danced clumsily around the room, laughing at the euphoria
of not having to be constantly afraid if she would survive the next battle or
how to act in front of people to gain their support.
 
Dorian laughed at her but joined in, not able to resist her sudden carefree
mood. They danced and laughed before sitting upon laying upon her bed. They
chatted some more before both fell into an exhausted sleep.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
After spending a week inside her chambers, only leaving to visit the war room
to meet with her advisors or to spend time in her hidden garden sanctuary Ayla
found herself inside the Rotunda.
 
Ayla smiled sadly as she walked around the room Solas had inhabited two months
ago, admiring the murals he had painted on the walls over the course of the
year that depicted her story. Only three spots on the wall remained empty and
it looked so unfinished, just like their relationship. Anger flashed through
her as she thought about how he broke his promises to her. His promise to
explain why he pushed her away and his promise to hear her out before he left.
But he hadn't! He had only said that what they had was real and then
disappeared before she could tell him of the lives growing in her womb.
 
Ayla had gotten over the grief portion of his leaving and was now in the angry
stage that was magnified due to her hormones that her pregnancy was invoking.
 
She studied the murals and she smiled to herself, caressing her stomach. You
couldn't tell from the way she was dressed that she was pregnant having chosen
a long and spacious gown that only showed the skin of her shoulders and her
neck. It was long, flowing, and the color of white and grey. Her feet were bare
as usual since they had arrived back at Skyhold.
 
She looked to the last painting to the empty wall beside it and decided to add
her own to his. A secret only she, Dorian, Her advisors, Cassandra, Bull,
Morrigan, and Varric knew. But first she needed to finish the painting he had
started the morning of the final battle. 
 
She walked over to where his unused buckets of paint lay. She considered for a
moment whether or not the fumes would be harmful to the lives she carried
inside her. Not wanting to harm them she thought for a moment before placing a
protective bubble around her face to keep the fumes out so she could paint in
peace. 
 
Ayla chose the colors she wanted and walked back over to the barely started
wall. Hmm, what had he been painting before she had interrupted that morning
and how could she use what he had started for her use? Her eyes lit up then as
an idea formed and looked up to the floor above where Dorian usually was.
 
"Dorian?" She called out.
 
The dark haired handsome man came to the balcony and looked down at her his
eyebrows raised in question at her.
 
"What do you need, Amatus?" He asked in surprise at seeing her in the Rotunda.
 
"Can you help me move the painting platform?" Ever since the final battle had
been finished he had forbidden her from moving things that could cause her to
miscarry and was vehement that she ask him, Cullen, Bull, or Blackwall for help
in such things no matter what they were doing. Even during the tours they told
her not to fight and only let her close the remaining rifts. Everyone had
agreed with Dorian saying she had already done enough and that she should sit
back, relax, and enjoy the calm that had settled over the castle since
Corypheus' fall.
 
"Of course." He said and left the balcony to make his way down to her level.
When he was down he looked at Solas' paintings before asking. "Are you adding
to them or painting over them?"
 
"He taught me how to do my own but this one is unfinished and I am going to
finish it with my own, using what he started." She stood beside him looking up
at the masterpieces that depicted the events of the year the only one missing
was her battle with Corypheus. She decided to paint that one now with a hinted
secret added in.
 
Dorian stayed down there with her after going to get a book to enjoy on what
used to be Solas' couch.
 
Lots of grey, red, and Fade green went into it as well as yellow formed the
scene. She painted herself as the yellow Halla, what he seemed to constantly
paint her as even though those in the Dalish considered her a black panther,
with her form inside it sending Corypheus into the Fade with her mark.
Corypheus' form hidden in the form of his Archdemon Dragon seen fighting what
everyone assumed was Mythal's Dragon in the skies above as she and her Halla
form fought below. As she made her way down the world fell away as she
concentrated on her task. Finally, late in the evening she was at the bottom
where she put herself standing proud and strong, caressing her belly as her
soldiers stood cheering while She painted Solas as the wolf she constantly saw
him as watching from the landing above where she stood.
 
Once finished, Ayla stood back and smiled proudly at her finished product. It
was in Solas’ style but her own artwork minus his small contribution up above.
Dorian rose as he saw her put her hands upon her hips to view her handiwork.
 
“I thought you didn’t know how to paint?” Dorian asked in awe of what she
created.
 
“Solas showed me how remember? I don’t know how I achieved this style when I
have only painted once but I have to say I’m rather stunned at myself.” She
said.
 
“Seems you have a hidden talent you didn’t know of.”
 
“I guess,” she laughed as she began to clean up her mess. Once everything was
put away and clean she whispered goodnight to Dorian and went up to her
chambers to sleep.
 
 
 
 
 
She was sitting on a thin blanket that laid upon the light but vibrant green
grass that whistled as a cool spring breeze blew through the small meadow.
Solas sat beside her looking up at the crystal clear and dazzling blue sky.
There was no sign of the scar that was usually in it after she had sealed the
Breach. Which meant that this was a dream.
 
Ayla recognized it as such immediately because not only was the scar in the sky
missing but also so was her pregnant belly. Oh, this was Solas’ dream. She
realized, one he seemed to have pulled her into. Whether it was intentional,
she new not. In this dream she was dressed in her favorite flowing white dress,
the one she had inherited from her mother. Her maroon red hair was wavy, long,
and completely down blowing lightly in the gentle breeze. In felt light and
happy on her moonlit pale skin.
 
Solas looked at her with the same adoration he had on his face before he had
shredded her heart in that magical glen. He caressed her cheek tenderly jump-
starting her aching heart and sending it into a frenzy, a loud drum in her
ears.
 
“You are so beautiful.” He commented with a loving smile. Her heart lurched
painfully at that saying and she closed her eyes, trying to hold back the hurt
that filled her. She tried to pull away, tried to wake herself up so she
wouldn’t feel this aching pain at the way he was looking at her, touching her.
“No, don’t pull away Ayla.”
 
Her eyes snapped up to meet his. This was intentional. “I can’t do this Solas.
It hurts too much.” She whispered hoarsely, her voice filled with the
heartbreak she felt. Tears were in her eyes as she met his deep ocean blues.
 
“I am sorry. It was ill considered. I wanted to show you in some small way that
what we had is still real to me, what is means to me. I have seen countless
dreams of yours since that afternoon in the glen of you doubting my words about
it being real.” Solas explained. “I thought I would invite you to a picnic on a
beautiful day in a meadow in the middle of the forest from your childhood.”
 
Surprise made her eyebrows rise as she retook in her surroundings. The forest
were indeed the ones with which she had gown up in before they were forced to
move. The tears fell freely as memories rushed through her mind of her running
with her younger sister playing. She returned her gaze back to him again,
feeling wary. She didn’t know how to feel about this. He had broken things off
with her, saying he didn’t want to distract her from her duty. Had, in fact,
pushed her away by being hostile and continually rude to her from that point
until the battle with Corypheus. He left directly after that only saying that
what they’d had was real.
 
“Why?” Ayla asked.
 
“Because I can.” He said. “Would you please humor me?”
“Fine. But I am not going to allow you to change me into a lovesick fool
again.” She huffed.
 
His left eyebrow rose and his eyes glimmered appraisingly, like he was
accepting a challenge. His lips quirked up in her favorite and highly sensual
smirk. Her heart sped up and her skin tingled with the beginnings of arousal.
 
Before she could shoot that look down, Solas was suddenly in front of her and
pressing his lips on hers in a demanding hot kiss. Cannonballs went off in her
head, shattering all of her thoughts about protesting. She groaned into him,
opening her mouth. He took advantage of it and invaded her mouth with his hot
tongue.
 
Their tongues clashed with each other’s and each stroke sent fire bolts to her
core, heating it up and sending shivers back up her body. His scent of books,
forest, and the herbs he often put in his tea to make it more drinkable filled
her nose until all that was there was him. Her eyes were closed in pleasure as
he began to caress her sides with his hands.
 
He broke the kiss and walked behind her, pulling her hair to one side of her
and simply breathed on her his lips only inches away from kissing her skin. His
heated breath tickled her skin, creating gooseflesh and shivers of pleasure
down to her core. She felt herself starting to become wet in between her legs.
 
He kept on with his breath, not touching her until he reached the tip of her
ear. He grazed that with his teeth, drawing a breathy moan from her. Another
wave of lust rocketed down and when it hit, Solas released a growl.
 
“You’re already wet for me, aren’t you? Just from me breathing on your neck and
teasing you.” He commented. “I can already smell your delicious scent.”
 
Fendhis! She should be resisting him. But she couldn’t. Her body was his to do
as he wished with. He turned her to face him and kissed her again his tongue
demanding. In an instant his hands were at her back unlacing her dress and then
gently sliding the straps holding it up off her shoulders. The material of it
slowly slid down her body and it felt so amazing slipping down over her already
aroused nipples. It was a silky soft feeling.
 
Ayla heard him breath in as her full breasts came into view, her nipples tight,
hard, and pointing up in salute to his seduction. They were flushed, rosy in
color looking almost completely red against her pale skin. She opened her eyes
and saw him staring at her intently, his eyes darkening in color. She bit her
bottom lip, as the light breeze seemed to tease her skin and blowing strands of
her wavy hair over her nipples. She inhaled in pleasure as they did and then
was once again in Solas’ arms with him kissing her.
 
She frowned cause his tunic was rough and she wanted his skin against hers. She
pulled away from the kiss, making him growl angrily at having been torn from
her lips and dominating her senses. But when she yanked his tunic up over his
head he smiled with promise as he gently but firmly pulled her against him and
retook her mouth with his.
 
After he was satisfied with his drugging kiss, he began kissing and nipping his
way down her body. Her skin smelled of roses, honeysuckle, and jasmine but
tasted of honey, drugging his own mind, and making his cock pulse with need.
Just a whiff of her always brought him to full and throbbing. The last month he
had a hard time focusing on his plans since he often camped out in the woods
and it being spring often brought a form of her scent to his nose. He’s lost
count of how many times he had to take care of himself to focus on where he was
going next.
 
He kissed the swell of her left breast stopping just before her nipple,
allowing his breath to tease it. He heard her intake of breath and smiled in
satisfaction at her reaction before he took it in his mouth gently and sucked
on it. That intake of breath turned into a low moan as his tongue swirled
around the aroused flesh.
 
Solas nibbled it a second later and then released it from between his teeth. He
breathed across her skin until he reached her right globe and mirrored his
actions of the left one.
 
As he laved attention upon that nipple he let his hand trail down her stomach,
flat and well toned in his dream, how he last saw her. His fingers tickled the
skin; raising gooseflesh and making her skin feel tight with her arousal.
 
Though the dress had been removed, she was still wearing a pair of short
smalls. He dipped his fingers below the waistband, slowly moving down until he
found her slick heat. His fingers rubbed up and down her folds spreading the
dew he had found waiting for him around and made her squirm. She felt him smile
against her breast.
 
He kissed his way down her torso, his lips, tongue, and breath teasing her.
“You smell so divine, Vhenan.” Solas commented, as he slowly got lower until he
reached her core, still covered by her strange shorts. He breathed upon her
after removing his hand, his breath like molten lava upon her core even with
her smalls in the way.
 
Ayla whimpered at the loss of his hand but when she felt both of his hands on
her hips pulling her shorts away, revealing her mostly hairless sex to his view
she moaned again.
 
“Did you know that this little strip of hair right here,” he ran his finger up
and down the small line of hair that decorated her mound that just barely met
her clit. She hissed as his finger touched it briefly, making her squirm. “Is
the first thing I dream about when I have these type of dreams?”
Ayla gasped at the admission, her core clenching in need. To hear him say that
he had dreams of her this way even after he had left was a big turn on.
 
Solas began to lower his head, eyes still on hers with a sensual cocky smirk on
his lips, as she watched him place his mouth on her slick sex in a kiss. A
whimper escapes her lips as his tongue begins a slow, torturous feast upon the
folds of her pussy.
 
She moans as she falls back onto the picnic blanket, eyes closing, surrendering
to his insistent ministrations. Then, suddenly, he drew her clit into his mouth
swirling it a around and around his tongue, while lightly sucking on it. Ayla
voiced her pleasure in a series of “Uh’s” and “Oh’s”, her hands moving to his
head, nails scratching his scalp as she began to grind herself against his
tongue.
 
Solas’ fingers returned to her throbbing core, he moved them in and out in time
to his tongues ministrations. She felt herself building to her climax fast and
when it hit she heard herself groan with release and shatter around his tongue,
which had replaced his fingers. His tongue feasted on her secretions that were
released from her core, lapping at it relentlessly until he had drank all that
she gave.
 
Ayla’s mind was blank, filled only with the pleasure that Solas had just given
to her. He rose up to her and was about to enter her when she pushed him away,
making him lay down on the blanket, his cock already in her hands.
 
“My turn.” She said with a wicked grin and carnal intent in her emerald eyes.
“But I am going to add something to this foreplay. I believe you have given us
a picnic basket have you not?”
 
Solas hissed out, “Yes.” As she stroked his velvet soft, and pulsating hard
cock. “What are you planning, Vhenan?”
 
Ayla stayed silent, as the grin grew wider as she used her other hand that
wasn’t attending to him to search the basket for something to use. Her eyes
flashed with excitement when she found what she wanted.
 
He watched her through narrow pleasure filled eyes as she pulled out a few
strawberry with chocolate frosted frilly cakes. Her favorite as well as his.
Something she never told him.
 
Ayla released his cock as she picked up one of the cakes. She dipped her
fingers in the chocolate frosting and brought it to her mouth, sucking the tip
of it. Her eyes closed as a moan of pleasure came from her mouth at the taste
of it. She reopened them a moment later and grinned with satisfaction at seeing
Solas’ eyes trained on the finger in her mouth.
 
She pulled it out and scooped some of the frosting on several fingers. She
brought it to his hard shaft, coating it in the chocolaty confection.
 
Next she brought the cake to his lips, allowing him to take a bite. His eyes
lit up at the taste. Strawberries, chocolate, and the residual taste of her cum
mixing together into an orgasmic treat. Pre-cum leaked from the tip of his
cockhead, the only part of his manhood not covered in chocolate frosting.
 
Ayla slowly bent her head down, using her tongue to lick from his balls to his
head. The chocolate combined with the taste of his lightly salted pre-cum had
her moaning with delight before she devoured his whole cock with her mouth. Her
tongue swirled around slowly, making sure to clean the whole shaft, leaving no
trace that the chocolate frosting was there other than the left over
stickiness. His moans greeted her ears, the sound a desperate plea for her to
continue. She sheathed her teeth and began a heavy sucking motion, determined
to make him cum in her mouth to add to her desert.
 
Solas grabbed her hair and held it still as he began thrusting his hips up into
her hot mouth until he reached the entrance to her throat. She choked slightly
as she got used to the intrusion and that was his undoing. He roared out as he
pulled back once and slammed back into her mouth, his seamen squirting out in
rope after rope on her tongue and down her throat.
 
Ayla moaned as the taste of him sparked on her taste buds. He tasted of
chocolate, a result of the frosting, and of lightly salted caramel. When he was
done he pulled her off his cock and rolled her on her back a second later, his
still hard shaft at her vaginal entrance. He pushed in gently, going in only
halfway before pulling back out for a moment, and then slamming back in
sheathing himself to the hilt instantly.
 
Ayla cried out at the intrusion, her body clenching him in a mini release. His
head, he rested on her forehead for a moment as they both tried to grab control
of their raging hormones, both wanting the moment to last. After a few minutes
Solas began to move inside her pulling out slightly and pushing back in slowly
again and again.
 
This lasted for a while, a way of edging them closer but keeping their
impending climaxes down. But Ayla was starting to feel extremely needy and her
whines expressed it urging him to go faster.
 
Solas pulled out and made her get on her knees, ass in the air and torso on the
ground. He eased back into her slow but hard before beginning to saw in and out
of her in a steady rhythm. In, out, in, out, again and again, faster and
faster.
 
“Uh… Uh… Uh,” she moaned, each one going up in pitch until she started whining
with pleasure as he pummeled in and out of her. Solas nipped at her lower back
making her arch at the sharp sensation on her skin.
 
“Come on, Vhenan. Give it to me. Cum for me.” He hissed out through his teeth.
He was close just as she was. At that precipice waiting to tip over the edge.
He was waiting on her, but she wouldn’t fall into the awaiting oblivion. “I am
going to cum deep inside you.”
 
Those words did it and Ayla screamed out his name as the velvet walls of her
sex clenched tightly on his cock, begging for the seed he was demanding to put
inside her. “Solas!”
 
“Argh!” He roared as he slammed into her one last time, making sure he was as
deep inside her as he could get and letting lose with his cum, harder and
longer than the climax he had inside her mouth. It went on and on as if in this
dream he was insistent upon getting her pregnant.
 
They came down slowly, both seeing stars. Solas was now heavy on top of her,
his breath hot and heaving on the back of her neck and hair. His hands were
trapped underneath her, holding her to him not wanting to let go.
 
Finally, he rose and slid out of her with a pop. Ayla stayed where she was her
brain starting to function again. Tears gathered in her eyes, annoyed and sad
that this was only a dream. Then anger flared inside her and she twisted around
and sat up, glaring at him. “Why?” She demanded. “Why pull me into this dream?
You broke things off. You left? Do you plan on coming back?”
 
At the frown on his forehead and the way he avoided her eyes she knew he
wasn’t. With a sigh he explained. “I left without a goodbye and broke some
promises to you. I wanted this to be the goodbye you deserved and decided to
pull you into the dream.”
 
“I would’ve preferred you have kept your promise. I had something important to
tell you. Wanted to do it face to face but you left before I could.” She said
angrily. “Why did you leave, Solas? Why are you running from this? You want it
as much as I do.”
 
“But I can’t have it. I can’t explain why either. I am sorry for hurting you it
was never my intention. Please know that what I said about this being real was
true, that this is true no matter what happens.” Solas said, his eyes pleading
with her urgently. “You can also tell me what you wanted to then.”
 
“No, I can’t Solas.” Ayla said sadly, a look of defeat on her face. “I want to
wake up now. Please release me from this dream.”
 
“As you wish.”
***** A Dalish Handfasting *****
Chapter Summary
     Ayla and Solas share another dream with each other though this once
     isn't under their control at first. How will it turn out? And who is
     getting married?
A few weeks passed since their shared Fade dream. Solas’ plans were already
starting to take shape thanks to Briala’s access to the Eluvians. He was able
to find one of his old castles in the in between world that had been created
when he had put up the Veil. It was a lost world with pieces of the Arlathan
and pieces of the current world that had been lost to the ages. To his surprise
the temple was still perfectly intact minus a few broken windows and other
glass that had decorated the castle. It was perfect for him to hide out from
Ayla and the Inquisition trying to find him as well as his many other enemies.
 
“Abelas,” Solas said. “I want you to begin recruiting from the Alienages. Gain
as many to our cause as possible. We need spies mainly. After training them
send them to Skyhold. I know the Inquisitor is trying to find me. We must be
one step ahead of her at all times. Also have them keep an eye on her and
protect when needed.”
 
“As you wish, Fen’Harel.” Abelas bowed his head and left through the Eluvian to
begin his task.
 
Solas walked into the castle and into his study. He sat down at his desk and
put his head in his hands. He missed her deeply, wanting nothing more than to
go back to her. Wanted to be the man she wanted, the man she often dreamed
about. The happily ever after she had hoped for.
 
But he couldn’t. He had a duty to the elves that were unhappy in this world and
the ones he had trapped in the other. He had meant to save them from slavery
but that hadn’t happened. They ended up slaves to humans or heathens that lived
in the woods in this world. Not how he had imagined them living after freeing
them from the corrupt Evanuris.

He still didn’t understand why he had slept so long. The plan had been to take
a short nap but it was as if he had been as trapped as the ones he had
imprisoned. Why? What had gone wrong? His spell should’ve worked!
 
He had tried to find out while he had been with the Inquisition, had even
suspected Mythal being behind it when he had learned she was up and walking
around this world. But she hadn’t been behind it, had learned that when he took
her power.
 
Sighing, he rubbed his head, scratching at the growing brown spikes of hair. He
had been through every book, scribbled notes on the theories of what happened,
and even tried to see the history of it in the Fade but it would not come to
him no matter how hard he looked for it. It was like it was being hidden from
him on purpose.
 
To say he was frustrated didn’t even cover it. He was livid that he who had
created the Fade couldn’t even access what he needed most from it. All of his
plans involving his orb had been disrupted; all because of how weak he had been
when waking up a thousand years after the fall of Arlathan. Something that
shouldn’t of have happened in the first place.
With a very angry growl he pushed away from his desk and stomped off to his
quarters to rest. He lay down on the bed and instantly fell asleep, his mind
instantly enveloped in a dream out of his control.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
That night she dreamed, she supposed, about her hopes and desires. This dream
in particular she was transported to a lovely home deep in the woods where her
clan used to roam when she was growing up. For a moment she thought it was real
as her senses, body, heart, and soul were fully engaged in the scene.
 
The house was built from the stone made to build Skyhold with the floors inside
made of oak. It was spacious with lavish furs and linens. The windows were
open, letting in the cool spring breeze. She was leaning against the wall near
the window looking inside her room, looking out into the lush forest that
surrounded her home, taking in the morning birds that were singing in the trees
above.
 
Her belly was to full term with child and she was wearing an all black see
through nightgown made of lace. Under it she wore a simple breast band and a
pare of really short smalls. Ayla smiled down as she held her nine-month
pregnant belly in a loving and protective caress. Her maroon red hair was long,
slightly disheveled with her natural beach-like waves flowing down her back and
chest. Her emerald eyes twinkled with utter happiness.
 
A gasp came from her right where the entrance to her room was located. Her gaze
snapped to the sound and found Solas standing in the entryway. Their eyes met
and for a moment they were lost in each other as the love between them filled
the room. He walked to her coming to a stop just in front of her.
 
“Do you know how beautiful you are in this moment, Vhenan?” He asked as he
caressed her face with his fingers. His eyes looked down at her in adoration,
like he had once before. Before everything was ruined. Before he had broken
their relationship and left.
 
In that moment Ayla realized she was in the Fade. But this wasn’t just her
dream. Solas was there too. She didn’t know how or why but her heart lurched
painfully in her chest at the knowledge that he dreamed of scenarios like this
too. But then panic set in as she wondered if he knew of her secret, the one
she so desperately wanted to tell him.
 
Ayla not wanting to leave this life, not wanting to wake up alone in her bed at
Skyhold, knowing that he was still somewhere in the world where she wasn’t
played along and smiled lovingly up at him. “Thank you, Solas.”
 
“And how is our child?” He asked as he put his hand on her stomach.
 
Ayla frowned. One child? She wanted to laugh but instead decided to tell him in
the only way she could without disrupting his dream state. “They’rekicking up
quite a storm, emma lath.” She smiled brightly, her whole visage glowing with
happiness at finally being able to tell him even if it was a dream.
 
“They’re?” His face frowned, showing his utter confusion on his face. Then his
eyes widened in stunned realization, making the scar on his forehead widen from
how tight his skin went from the overwhelming surprise his body was feeling in
that moment. “We’re having two?”
 
Ayla nodded and teased, “How could you not know? Being this huge isn’t normal
not to mention the fact you should have been hearing two heartbeats.” She
laughed.
 
Solas’ ears reddened and embarrassment graced his face replacing his shock. It
quickly changed to one of joy a moment later as delighted tears filled his
eyes. He pulled her into him and kissed her senselessly making her feel dizzy
and light headed.
 
But then he pulled away, his face dropping to one of sorrow as he realized this
is a dream like she had.
 
“Inquisitor.” He greeted her, knowing full well that she was somehow there with
him.
 
Ayla looked around as the background changed to neutral scenery. She took a few
moments to decide on whether to tell him but when she looked back up at him,
his face was cold and hard. “Please change your appearance to normal.” He
ordered his head gesturing to her still pregnant body and see through robe.
 
“Why?”
 
“Because I don’t wish to see you like this. This isn’t something I want. I have
no wish for such a life with you.” He said coolly.
 
“Bullshit.” She said with a punch of anger. “This wasn’t just my dream. We
shared it together.”
 
“No, it was only yours. The Fade just made me a pawn for a little while.” He
said matter of factly.
 
“No it didn’t. You were an equal part of this dream as much as I was. Though I
have such dreams often I have never dreamed of myself in this.” Ayla gestured
to the intimate nightdress and sparse clothing.
 
Solas’ ears turned back to red and the blush crept onto his face, staining his
cheeks. Ayla laughed coldly at him as she reigned in her emotions and changed
her persona to what he remembered her as when they first traveled together in
the Hinterlands. She didn’t want him to see her true self since his reaction
was not a good one.
 
Her attire however changed to that of the purple-leathered corset armor and
matching leather breeches with one shoulder armor pad and that arm mostly bare
except for the silver chain that decorated and dangled against her upper arm. A
leather arm cuff of the same purple as her pants also protected a portion of
the same arm. Her upper chest, collarbone, and neck were encased in a leather
material the same as the shoulder pad and black in color. It was attacked to a
long black cloak that covered all of her right side and was tucked inside the
purple belt that was wrapped around her stomach, showing off her curves.
 
Solas looked at her with a raised eyebrow at the sudden presence of the
Inquisitor.
 
“Why not just wake up?” She asked letting only curiosity appear in her eyes.
“Why change the scenery?”
 
“Because we need to have a chat. I don’t want our dreams connecting again so I
am here to ask you to not pull me in again.”
 
“Like I had any choice in the matter. I didn’t realize we were both there until
after you kissed me.” She lied smoothly, not letting on that she actually knew
earlier than that.
 
“I know for a fact that you can control your dreams as much as I.” He snorted
out.
 
“Fendhis,” she hissed sarcastically, her anger beginning to come out again,
“Wasn’t it you who told me that the Fade will pull you into dreams so strong
that you can’t control it no matter how hard you try?”
 
Ayla crossed her arms against her chest and raised her eyebrow at him.
 
“Ah yes, I did.” He admitted.
 
“So you have no reason to yell at me for something I absolutely couldn’t
control. Now, for a more serious question... why did you leave me your necklace
if you don’t want such a life?” Her eyes met his with and arrogant expectancy
that she had only showed once before, right before the final battle with
Corypheus. She was demanding an answer from him.
 
“You were wondering if I was still alive. I left it to let you know out of
respect for your caring nature, nothing more.”
 
His words hit like a ton of bricks blasting into her. Hurt. Again. At his
nonchalant rejection. “Whatever.” She said bitterly to him. “Spout your lies
all you want to someone who will actually believe you, Wolf. I am done
listening to you.”
 
She started walking away with a disgusted grunt and a dismissive wave of her
hand but then turned back, her duty bound face once again on her face.
 
“Don’t worry, Solas. I will no longer include you in my dreams. I am done
hoping for you to come home to me. It is time to focus my attention on more
important matters. Goodbye Solas.” She said before she flung her hands out and
pushed him out of her dream state and then made herself wake up.
 
She sat upright immediately wide-awake and severely pissed off, Ayla rose from
her bed and dressed for the day. Now in her fourth month of pregnancy, she
chose a long white dress with an equally long robe. Both were short sleeves
only covering the top of her shoulders. It was perfect for hiding her belly,
something she did when she had nobles visiting like she did on this day. It was
bagging from her breasts to the floor. It was of a simple making though nice
enough to satisfy the nobles with proof of her station as Inquisitor. She put
her hair up into an elegant bun.
 
Once done she made her way down to breakfast to eat with her friends. They
talked happily about all sorts of things but Ayla wasn’t focused on any of them
aside from Dorian and Bull.
 
She watched them with loving interest; knowing Bull was about to do something
romantic for Dorian. She waited but a moment before the time came and Bull rose
from his chair and looked Dorian in the eyes. He got down on one knee, which
was amusing to her since even kneeling as he was he was still taller than
Dorian, and began. “Dorian, as you know the Qunari don’t have any form of
relationship beyond that of a one night stand. We are raised without any real
notion of love or parents. We are just a number until we give ourselves our own
names. I love you so much and am asking you to become my husband. Will you be
my husband and honor me by being yours?”
 
The hall went silent except for Josie letting out an, “Aww” at the sweet
proposal.
 
Dorian’s eyes were wide, blinking rapidly as if trying to determine if this was
real. He looked around at everyone who was watching, smiles on their faces. His
eyes met hers and she gave a nod of encouragement. He turned back to his horned
lover, tears now within his chocolate eyes as he nodded his head, unable to
speak, Happiness filled them both and they hugged each other tightly. Ayla
beamed at her two friends and was the first one to be up and congratulating
them.
 
“Would you do the honor of marrying us?” Dorian asked immediately when she
embraced him.
 
Ayla pulled away in surprise but smiled when she saw he was serious. “Of
course.” She said with a bright smile.
 
 
 
 
For the rest of the day, Ayla spent several hours with her advisors and
visiting nobles. They discussed all of reparations that were underway in all
the lands that had been caught in the crossfire of Corypheus or the Orlesian
war.
 
These discussions went on for several hours with Ayla deciding on how some of
the damages were to be funded. With those dealt with Ayla requested for a
carriage and several horses be brought around for her and for the companions
she wanted to accompany her.
 
With that taken care of Ayla first went to Varric, Morrigan, Leliana, Bull, and
Dorian asking them to join her.
 
An hour later they were on their way to the clan Deshanna was staying. They
traveled for two days stopping each night to rest in a tent, her body tiring
more quickly now that she was pregnant.
 
On the third day they arrived sometime in the afternoon with a warm reception
waiting for them. Everyone spent the day relaxing happily with Clan
Tarasyl’ettln while Ayla, Leliana, and Deshanna planned a surprise for Dorian
and Bull. When finished they all came out of the Aravel with proud and
secretive smiles.
 
 
 
 
The next day found Ayla and Dorian wandering around the forest, her keeping him
distracted just like Varric was doing with Bull while Leliana, Deshanna, and
the rest of the Dalish clan prepared the surprise for the two.
 
Ayla chose to wear a Dalish maternity dress, all white with no sleeves. The
dress was hugging the swell of her growing breasts, which was holding the
ensemble up. The dress, though flowing, proudly displayed her protruding belly.
Out in the forest with the clan she didn’t have to hide the life growing within
her.
 
They walked, talked, and gathered herbs and flowers such as elfroot, jasmine,
and roses. It was spring and the flowers were all in full bloom. A little bit
before noon they stopped by the clear blue lake deciding on enjoying the
waters. Ayla went in with her dress, not caring that it would be wet or see
through. The material of her dress was cotton. As she waded into the water she
cupped several handfuls in her hands, pouring it over her belly, drenching the
dress from the stomach down. Her belly, hips, pelvis, and legs became visible
through the dress. Her privates were covered by extremely thin version of an
undergarment, one Dorian had never seen before. It covered all of her vagina
and butt with her hips being mostly bare except for the small strip that kept
the rest of her covered.
 
Ayla’s maroon red hair was wavy and down, length down to just the above her
butt. His breath caught at how utterly breathtaking she was, her usually pale
moonlight skin glowing with a tinge of pink. She held her belly, one hand where
it was transitioning into a swell and her other hand underneath the bump as if
holding it up. Her face was lit up with love and joy as she held her babies.
Dorian felt honored to see her so happy in such an intimate moment of her and
silently cursed the idiot apostate who had left her and was missing this.
 
He kept this memory in his head, promising to show this to the man if they ever
crossed paths again. She looked up at him and her smile widened, a secretive
look on her face.
 
“Come Dorian, let’s head back to camp.” Ayla said as she walked out of the
lake. They walked for an hour, with her completely dry when they arrived back
to the clan.
 
When they arrived everything was set up with Bull standing under the makeshift
arch. Dorian’s jaw dropped in shock at it before a beaming smile graced his
face. He turned to Ayla.
 
“You did all this for us?” He asked, choked up.
 
Ayla nodded. “If I am going to marry you two, it would be with my people. A
handfasting. Since you are my dearest friend I thought a ceremony among my
people who don’t care whom you love. To us your marriage will always be binding
since our ceremonies bind you to your other half. When my people find their
other half they stay with that person forever.”
 
“We’d be honored.” Bull said from his place.
 
Dorian walked up to the arch followed by Ayla. The whole clan was there along
with Leliana and Varric, both beaming with happiness for their two friends.
They were all gathered in two circles waiting for Ayla to begin.
 
“The circle in which we all stand is symbolic of the cycles of life, the womb
of the Great Mother, a sacred place created for mortal and divine interaction,
in which any negativity from the mundane world can be left outside and all the
love and joy we feel our two grooms is contained within. The circle in which
you all stand is a sacred space for a sacred event to take place. Much of the
symbolism of the wedding band hold true in the circle, the sacred womb from
which the two are born again as one and the symbol of eternity. Although for
many the sacred and the mundane meet and coexist as often as is humanly
possible, marriage is very much a sacred union, for it is a union of souls in
which the two lovers pledge unto one another their higher selves and all that
is divine within them selves. In Dalish customs, it is considered to the
marriage of the God and Goddess within, or in your case the God and God within.
You will also hear an elemental blessing. All the worlds’ religions still
parallel the agricultural calendar, because the natural world speaks its
lessons softly and constantly. In the blessing we simply ask to understand and
be able to see the how the attributes of each element can help us on our
journey” Ayla explained to everyone before continuing on starting with the
elemental blessing. “Since ancient times, people have communed with nature to
learn more about themselves by example. Since it is within nature that we all
do abide, we ask for Dorian and Bull the blessings of Nature’s Elements, Air,
Fire, Water, and Earth. We do this that they may fully come to understand the
lessons each element has to offer. The attributes of which are examples of
those aspects they mirror not only within divinity but within ourselves as
well.”
                                        
“We ask the spirits of Air to keep open the lines of communication between
this couple. May their future be as bright as the dawn on the horizon. As Air
flows freely to and from and through us all, may their hearts and minds and
souls come to know the world and each other in this manner. Seeing not only
with their eyes, may they together grow wise with wisdom.”
                                        
“Spirits of Fire, we ask that Dorian and Bull’s passion for each other and for
life itself remain ever strong and vital, fortifying each day with a vibrancy
rooted in boldness, and courage. As Fire clears the way for new growth, may
they know that this power is theirs: to create change and bring about the
richness and quality that comes with a true love of life.”
                                        
“We ask the Spirits of Water, that their love for each other and the comfort of
loved ones, like the serenity of the deep blue ocean, be the oasis that forever
surrounds our two grooms. May they be well loved, and love well, letting the
surety with which Water makes its journey to the sea, flowing over rocks or
around trees, even turning into vapor and riding a cloud, ever serve as a
reminder that with love all is well and will endure.”
                                        
“Spirits of Earth, we ask that you give unto those you see standing before you
this day, the rock solid place to stand and fulfill his destiny. May their
journey mirror the vast planes and fertile fields, expansive and alive. May
they find the right seeds to sow to ensure a bountiful harvest. And when they
look up at the Northern Star, may they know that it is as bright and constant
as their love for each other as well as the love of the divine is for them.”
                                        
“Goddess whose presence is felt in all things and at all times we ask your
continued blessings upon this couple, upon their union and upon their family
and friends who have gathered here to celebrate this joyous event with them.
May they become one in truth and forever revel in the magic that is love.”
 
She waited a breath before continuing on with a Dalish ritual that bonded their
souls each of them saying vows to the other. Each said them Bull beaming with
love and pride and Dorian’ eyes filled with happy tears and equally beaming
smile on his face.
 
Once the vows were said Ayla handed Dorian his ring for Bull while Varric did
the same for Bull. They placed the rings on each other’s ring fingers located
on the their left hands. They kissed to seal the promise a few moments later
the crowd cheering for the new married couple. Ayla wiped at the tears in her
eyes as she hugged her two friends.
 
The whole clan celebrated the union and after almost a full night Bull and
Dorian retired to their Aravel that was made for them to enjoy their night.
 
Ayla watched with both joy and sorrow. She was immensely happy for her two
friends but a part of her was bitter because she wished it were she and Solas.
 
Sighing in annoyance at herself, she walked out into the forest and soon found
herself back at the lake they had been at earlier. She sat upon a rock and let
her feet dangle in the water as she thought about how much had changed in her
life. Here she was pregnant without her mate, not even bonded. She was the
leader of an army that had saved the world from a man enslaved to the dark.
 
Granted that being the leader of this organization was just a step in her
destiny whatever that was. What she was supposed to accomplish this time around
she knew not, other than it had to do with the anchor.
 
She studied the scar that was still evident on left hand. It wasn’t supposed to
attach itself in this way but had due to the two foreign magics that had
attacked her when she had grabbed hold of the foci. One being Corypheus’ now
gone, and the other unknown. Ayla knew it had to do with the Evanuris who was
awake and somewhere in her world.
 
A week after the battle and Solas leaving, Morrigan had come into her chambers
as she was going through mountains of paperwork. The witch said that Flemmeth
was trying to contact her through the Eluvian that resided in Skyhold. She and
Morrigan were the only ones with keys to the mirror after stealing (or in her
case taking the power from the Well of Sorrows as was her birth rite) from
Corypheus, leaving through the mirror before he could take it himself. Ayla had
of course gone to see what Flemmeth wanted, or in this case Mythal.
 
Mythal had told her of the other Evanuris but not whom it was, saying she
didn’t know. She had passed off her powers, her being the keeper of an Old
God’s power just as Ayla herself was.
 
The power had been kept within Mythal since her murder over a thousand years
ago when Ayla’s past self had offered her a deal. Elgar’nan had somehow stolen
the power intending to use it on his people to make them slaves forever, him
and his sons greedy for more worshippers, the power of being heroes, Gods, as
they called themselves going to their heads. They needed more powers to be
untouchable, gods forever in the world’s eyes. Mythal not liking what her
husband and sons were turning into stole the power from them, intending to keep
it from their grasp and returning it to the Keepers who were tasked with
protecting it, but was murdered for it.
 
Ayla had accepted the power, taking most of it but allowed the Evanuris to take
some of it so that when the time came she could stop them. But she hadn’t heard
anything else since, not even from the whispers of the Well. Everything was
quiet for the moment. Not that she was complaining. It gave her the time to
make sure the Inquisition’s will for peace was enforced all across Thedas and
for her to get ready to become a mother.
 
As she sat there and thought of the past year part of her couldn’t believe it
happened. Everything happened fast and yet so slow at the same time, she hardly
had a moment to reflect on the changes within her since her clan had been
killed.
 
She had changed a lot and yet was still mostly herself that she had been before
everything. She was still a strong willed woman who believed that life should
be protected at all costs, had stayed strong in that resolve only taking others
lives if there was absolutely no alternative such as them being too far
corrupted by things such as Red Lyrium or were more harmful to others like the
men who had murdered others for the enjoyment of it.
 
She still cared strongly for those who had become family to her, still doing
everything she could to support and encourage them as they did her throughout
the course of the year.
 
The thing that had changed however, was the weight she carried on her shoulders
and the utter loneliness she had inside her heart, something that had embedded
itself deep inside her since Solas had broken things off. Her soul longed for
her mate, couldn’t accept that he had left without leaving any trace of him.
Leliana, her spymaster who knew and could find everything, couldn’t find
anything of his presence. No sightings or anything.
 
Ayla looked at the clear night, at the twinkling stars and full moon wishing
her lover were there watching the stars with her but nothing would bring him
back.
 
Leaves crunched behind her, signaling that she was no longer alone. Ayla looked
back and saw Leliana coming towards her. She sat next to her friend, studying
the stars for a moment before looking at Ayla.
 
“What’s on your mind?” Leliana asked.
 
“Quite a lot actually. Just reflecting on the year.” Ayla said her voice filled
with a weight of emotions. “How I have changed, how I haven’t.”
 
“Yes,” Leliana smiled grimly. “I believe we all changed in ways none of us
expected. You most of all. You came to us as a mystery, someone who was guilty
because you were a suspicious character in the wrong place at the wrong time. I
have watched you, desperately trying to save us all, falling in love with
Solas. Through your determination we would’ve never have made it.” The redhead
looked at her friend who carried so much weight.
 
“And I still I have so much to do.” Ayla sighed. “And yet I want nothing more
than to just quit. I am exhausted, why can’t I just leave? Let you, Josie,
Vivienne, Cullen, and Cassandra handle it all.”
 
“Because you are the Hero, not us. We may have been apart of it but none of us
could’ve done it. You have the power that saved us.” Leliana said. “But don’t
worry nothing too much will happen until after a new Divine is chosen. We just
have to finish establishing peace everywhere between not only Orlais’ monarchy
but also with Templars and Mages.”
 
“Luckily I can do most of that in Skyhold.”
 
Leliana laughed knowing her friend was happy to not have tirelessly journey
across Thedas. “There is that. Come let us get some rest.”
***** The Tolls of War *****
Chapter Summary
     Ayla is now seven months pregnant with Solas still unaware. He has
     spent the last three months gaining support adding spies and an army
     to his arsenal. Meanwhile she has spent her time in Skyhold, hidden
     from the world with the excuse of wanting a noble free break for a
     few months. She is attacked one night by an enemy of Fen'Harel, sent
     to kidnap her to draw out Solas, who the Qunari thinks is an agent.
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Three months later…
 
Abelas came through the Eluvian that led into the in between world where the
castle of Fen’Harel, and his base of operations stood. Abelas moved quickly and
with purpose as he headed to his liege lord’s study.
 
He bursted through the doors, drawing Fen’Harel’s irritated gaze up to him from
the papers he was studying.
 
“You have gained many recruits from the Alienages in Orlais and Tevinter, My
Lord.” Abelas said with a bow of his head in respect. “They are ready to move
when you are ready. Several of them have already been sent around the world to
be your scouts, two of them currently at Skyhold keeping an eyes on the
Inquisition. The Inquisitor hasn’t moved in months other than to help rebuild
Thedas though they are funding it, and troops out to help but she herself
hasn’t.”
 
“So she is enjoying the peace.” Solas nodded. Good. He thought. At least she
was content or so he hoped.
 
“It seems so. The scouts say she leaves her advisors to make most of the
decisions unless they are at a impasse. Then she steps in and makes the final
vote.”
 
“Good. Tell them to keep watch on her and her Inquisition. Have them foil all
attempts in finding me.” Solas ordered.
 
“Of course.” Abelas bowed his head again and then left the room.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Back at Skyhold, Ayla was enjoying her time in the garden hidden in her private
and most favorite area. It was spring and the wildflowers were in full bloom,
fragrant, and beyond vibrant. She was glowing with happiness as the she
caressed her bulging belly.
 
Now at seven months of pregnancy her advisors sent away all the nobles, she was
no longer able to hide it. Didn’t, in fact, wish to hide it any longer from her
friends. So the nobles of Orlais and Fereldan were told to go back to their
separate courts to allow the Inquisitor to rest and enjoy a few months of a
vacation of sorts.
 
Ayla sat in the garden wearing a Dalish dress, peach in color with red flowers
on the bodice that displayed her heavy, large breasts invitingly and on the
trim that met at just above her knees.
 
She was humming a sweet sound, a lullaby. This is what reached Dorian’s ear as
he entered through the willow tree’s vines. Though, he was a man whose romantic
notions were for his own gender, he could appreciate his best friend in all of
her beauty. She was truly a breath taking sight; glowing, happy, and carefree.
In this moment she was completely unguarded, not the fearsome but just
Inquisitor everyone saw her as for the last year and a half. Ever since her
advisors had made the nobles leave so she could enjoy her much needed break,
Ayla let down her walls and blossomed over that time. She rejoiced her
pregnancy excited to become a mother. Everyone was completely charmed with the
person she was, the person they had only seen glimpses of during the battle
against Corypheus.
 
All of them, aside from Vivienne drew closer to her, particularly Varric.
Though he had been friendly enough with her during their journeys, he hadn’t
dared get to close not sure how to approach her. But now he joked and laughed
with her every chance he got.
 
“You are simply breath taking, Buttercup.” Dorian said, announcing his
presence.
 
“Good afternoon, Dorian.” She looked up at him and smiled in greeting. The
smile was bright, happy, and sensual in a way. If he had been a man who found
women attractive he would’ve been automatically seduced by it like Cullen and
Blackwall were. Both men had a tender affection for her, one Cullen had tried
to pursue. Blackwall’s, however, was a secret admiration never to be acted
upon. “It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?”
 
“More breath taking with you in it, dear one.” He smiled in return as he came
to sit next her. He could see the vibrations in her belly from where the babies
kicked. He tickled that spot on her, causing one of them to kick again as if it
had been tickled. “Quite lively today, aren’t they?”
 
“Yes.” Ayla gasped as the other one kicked right after the first one. “Morrigan
says they are progressing beautifully.”
 
“That’s amazing.”
 
Ayla’s brightness dimmed a little as Solas crossed her mind. She hadn’t shared
a dream with him in months. He was keeping his journeys to himself and she was
keeping her dreams regarding her children to away from him. She was still mad
at what he had said in the last dream. Everything was radio silent in regards
to where he was, but some good news had been found courtesy of Leliana. Her
scouts intercepted a letter to Briala, proving her theory on him working with
her was correct.
 
She at least had a means to contact him now. Ayla was intent on at least
writing him a letter regarding her pregnancy, was in fact just finishing up
when Dorian came upon her.
 
“You miss Solas.”
 
“Yes, I do. I am hoping that Leliana will be able to deliver a letter to him
with the news of my pregnancy, so that he is at least told. I don’t expect him
to return; don’t want him to out of obligation. He deserves to know though.”
Ayla said as she ran a flower over her belly, liking the tickling sensation as
well as the answering kicks from both babies.
 
“I hope it reaches him then.” Dorian said.
 
They spent the afternoon together, enjoying the light sun that filtered in
through the vines of the willow tree warm and tingling on their skin. The small
hidden sanctuary smelled of jasmine, roses, and elfroot. She had planted them
back when they had first arrived at Skyhold when she had down time. Now they
were grown full and beautiful. They chatted about everything, mostly about
Dorian and Bull’s relationship. Both men were still in that honeymoon phase,
only being married for three months.
 
Ayla was truly happy for the both of them, enjoying her friend’s happiness.
Around mid-afternoon they finally left the garden and went their separate ways.
Ayla to the war room for a meeting with the advisors to learn of the progress
of peace from all the lands that had been invaded by Corypheus and Dorian going
back to his favorite spot in the Rotunda library.
 
Everything was nearly finished, all the repairs to the ruined villages and
lands put back to rights funded with a sizeable portion of the gold they had
amassed over the course of the year. Ayla was proud of everyone, including the
world for actually accepting the peace the Inquisition was maintaining between
everyone. A few new towers were being built for mages all across Thedas, but
this time being a college where they would go after learning the basics of
magic when the gift presented itself to the children. Once they had mastered
the basics, they were free to either join the college to learn more and become
an advanced mage or to learn just enough to have control.
 
With this all discussed, it going on during dinner with everyone in the close
circle, everyone happy with the progress, Ayla retired for the evening.
 
She dressed for bed wearing a heavy grey nightgown, the only dress that could
hide most of her belly. Though she was very tired, she couldn’t sleep. After
trying for several hours Ayla rose from the bed and wandered back into the
Great Hall, into the Rotunda, and up the stairs to Dorian’s hangout. He had all
sorts of interesting books to read. Not just books regarding the histories all
around Thedas but books of fiction, like the romances Cassandra seemed to love
so much with Varric’s Swords and Shields being her favorite.
 
Ayla chose such a book now, settling into Dorian’s chair, getting comfortable,
before opening up the book and getting lost in the story about a queen who had
been raised in the Chantry until she was of age to marry a prince of another
country. Their love was great and tragic. Ayla read for several hours before
she finally fell asleep in the chair.
 
 
 
 
 
Ayla awoke an hour later, alarmed for some reason. Something was off in the
Rotunda. Every nerve in her body was on high alert. Ayla scanned the whole
second floor of the room but found nothing out of ordinary. But still that
feeling wouldn’t leave and she stood up from the chair she had fallen asleep
in, Dorian’s chair since she was in his hang out spot. Her long nightdress fell
to her ankles as she walked forward. Her heart was pounding hard from panic,
making the babies in her seven-month pregnant belly react by kicking her hard
but she ignored it at the moment.
 
There was a danger here, but what she didn’t know. Warily Ayla walked towards
the stairs hoping to get down to the Great Hall but suddenly the threat pounced
and hit her in the head.
 
Ayla cried out in surprise, despite her awareness to the danger. Fear spread
through her as she realized that someone had come to assassinate her. A silver
flash glinted in the dark, signaling that the intruder was coming in to stab
her. She shielded herself in just enough time by grabbing the assassin’s wrist
and flitting around him before he could reach his mark. Ayla twisted his wrist,
adding a touch of flame magic causing him to cry out in pain. He dropped the
knife and they struggled him gaining the upper hand for a moment as she focused
on keeping her pregnant belly out of his line of fire, making her backup. They
headed closer to the corridor of winding stairs until she mind blasted him
back, trying to get space between him and her but the spell turned on her as he
lost his balance. He wobbled there as she stepped down the first couple stairs
trying to right him to keep him falling but it was too late.
 
He fell forward, on top of her. She yelled out as her back slammed into the
jagged stone of the stairs and shrieked with pain as he landed upon her
extremely rounded belly that had been hidden beneath her flowing nightdress.
They thunked and thudded until they landed on the first floor. The man moaned
as he rolled off her and she instantly curled into a ball, her belly and back
in complete agony.
 
She vaguely heard the sound of several boots coming into the room, having been
alerted to her shriek of utter pain.
 
“Inquisitor!” Cullen’s and Bull’s familiar voices sounded from somewhere in the
room and felt their boots thudding on the stone floor as they ran to her. He
stopped short seeing the intruder rounding on her, having gotten to his feet.
Bull grabbed hold of the huge intruder and slammed him into the wall, holding
him there as he looked to Cullen.
 
“Ayla? Are you okay?” Cullen asked with worry.
 
“NO!” She cried out, her voice filled with pain and panic, tears streaming down
her face. “MY BABIES!”
 
Cullen’s and Bull’s eyes met with worry. The door to Rotunda opened revealing
Dorian and Leliana. It only took a moment before they realized what had
happened and Dorian was at her side instantly.
 
Ayla was still hunched in a ball, trying to stop the pain and protect the lives
that had just been hit within her womb. Tears of fear and pain poured down her
cheeks. Dorian looked at Cullen and said, “Find Morrigan and Mother Giselle.
Now.”
 
Cullen nodded not even taking offense to the order. The Inquisitor was in agony
and they needed the best healers they had. He was almost out the door as he
heard Leliana speak to Ayla in a calm voice.
 
“Ayla, you need to relax.” She advised as Dorian gently moved her out of the
hallway off the stairs that she was still partially on. They had her lay
straight as both female mages entered into the room. Ayla was still breathing
hard, the pain and fear evident in it.
 
“What happened here?” Morrigan asked in surprise and worry. “Did she fall?”
 
“We don’t know for sure. Cullen and I heard a shriek come as we were walking
into the Great Hall. We found him getting to his feet.” Bull said.
 
“He… attacked me.” Ayla grunted. “We struggled… and he… lost his balance… on
the top stair. He fell on top of me. We landed on… the… steps.”
 
Mother Giselle felt her stomach in examination, making Ayla cry out with pain.
The woman and Morrigan exchanged worried glances. Morrigan used her power to
assess the babies’ heartbeats. She looked up with sorrow only finding one that
was barely there. It was clear that it wasn’t going to survive and that it’s
twin was already dead.
 
Ayla looked at both of them with hope, hope that burned out instantly at the
look on their faces.
 
“We need to move her to a bed.” Morrigan said looking up at all of the faces.
Dorian lifted her up gently into his arms, cradling her to him. They moved her
to her chambers, wanting her to be as comfortable and away from prying eyes as
possible for nobody but them knew of her pregnancy.
 
“Lets put him in the dungeon. She will deal with him when she’s ready.” Cullen
growled to Bull. “I don’t envy him at all. She’s going to want to kill him.”
 
“Agreed on that count.” Bull replied as they left the women and Dorian to
attend to her. They both knew that they couldn’t be in there. Only her healers
and two closest friends were to be there as she brought her dead children into
the world.
 
Once upstairs in the privacy of the Inquisitor’s chambers, Leliana and Mother
Giselle quickly removed the blankets off the large bed while Morrigan helped
Dorian remove every bit of clothing from Ayla before placing her gently upon
the bed. Morrigan again looked for life within her friend’s belly but as she
suspected they were both gone.
 
"I'm sorry, Ayla." Morrigan said, a look of pure sympathy upon her face. "The
babies are dead. I can feel no trace of their life force inside you."
 
Ayla closed her eyes, heart shattering into small pieces. She caressed her
belly, tears spilling down her cheeks, a sob of utter sorrow erupting from her
chest. 
 
After several minutes Morrigan spoke softly but direct. "I have to induce you."
 
Ayla nodded her head not able to speak as the thought of going into labor this
way made her die inside a little more. Dorian squeezed her hand before he
lifted her up and got behind her.
 
“I will be with you the whole time, Amatus.” He said.
 
His heart broke for her knowing how much the lives she had loved and dreamed of
had thrived inside her the past five months.
 
The process started with Dorian behind her hugging her to him, offering both
support and encouragement, anything to get her through this. Leliana held her
right hand and Morrigan with her left. Mother Giselle sat on in a chair beside
them waiting until she was needed.
 
Her stomach started cramping once the spell took affect, her body beginning the
laboring process. It was beyond excruciating since her belly was already
hurting from the fall down the stairs and the body that had fallen atop it.
Morrigan first began pressing on her stomach, turning the first child around so
that its head was positioned to be the first thing out.
 
As she progressed over the next couple of hours, her contractions steadily got
worse, more painful and began spacing themselves apart. Everything in her body
ached, the pain radiating everywhere from her belly up to her chest, and down
her back. She thrashed around and squeezed the hands that held hers.
 
Seven hours later her contractions seized her every five minutes making Ayla
whimper and hiss as the pains became sharper, pounding, and burning. It felt as
if her whole abdomen was being punched and stabbed with fists and knives that
were on fire. “Ow… ow… ow.” She cried out in short spurts that turned into long
whines, her whole body tense from the pain. She was crying with the pain, tears
streaming down her face.
 
Another hour passed, Ayla resting against Dorian’s chest crying. Dorian, though
uncomfortable stayed where he was not complaining about it knowing he was her
main comfort in this hell she was going through. They all stayed holding her
hand, talking gently to her, and caressing her hair in soothing comfort.
 
Two more hours went by when Morrigan finally looked Ayla in the eyes. “I’m
going to break your water now. I have been waiting for it to burst on its own
but it seems that it doesn’t want to happen since you are not at full term.”
 
“I don’t want to do this.” She whined still in pain from a current contraction.
“Please don’t make me do this.”
 
“You have to Ayla.” Leliana said authoritatively as Morrigan probed Ayla
between her legs, checking to see if she was ready.
 
“Okay Inquisitor, I am going to pop the bag now.” Morrigan told her softly.
“Once this happens you will begin to feel the need to start pushing. Don’t
resist.”
 
Ayla didn’t really hear her, the pain so intense she was mewling loudly. Ayla
felt a new sensation, a sharp needle like pain, there for an instant and then
replaced by a severe cramping within her womb. It was so strong it had every
muscle in her back cramping up. Ayla thrashed, pushing her left side off of
Dorian and the bed as her legs curled inward towards her butt. Long painful
moans came out of her as another contraction took hold, much worse than the
others.
 
Just as that one ended another one took its place forcing the breath from her
lungs as she cried out again. Several of them happened like that, one on top of
the other before she felt the urge to push. She settled back onto the bed, and
opened her legs where Mother Giselle waited patiently for the first child to
pass through her.
 
She pushed three times screaming in agony before the first child came out, her
son. Mother Giselle carried him off to another part of the room, not letting
her see him. Morrigan took her place between Ayla’s legs.
 
They let her rest for a few minutes before Morrigan said. “Come on, Ayla. You
have one more to go. But first I have to turn it so its head comes out first by
sticking my arm up you.”
 
Ayla’s eyes widened in horror and then narrowed in pain as Morrigan eased first
a finger, then adding several, then her hand, and finally her arm until she
reached the second child. She did this three more times before removing them.
 
“Push Ayla.”
 
“I’m so tired I don’t want to anymore. What’s the point?” She cried in heart
wrenching sorrow.
 
“If you don’t you will die.” Leliana said.
 
“Why can’t I? Dying doesn’t seem so bad if it means I get to be with my
babies.” She said.
 
“How do you think Solas will feel when he learns you are dead along with his
children?” That got her to think for a second.
 
“Why would he even care? He said he wanted nothing to do with this in the Fade.
Told me that he didn’t even want this life, that I was nothing more than a
passing fancy.” Ayla said on a tearful cry.
 
“What about us, then?” Dorian asked his voice filled with hurt. “What about all
the other people who care about you that you are leaving behind? What about the
children? Live for them.”
 
“No…” she whined. “I can’t do this. Please… I'm so tired.”
 
“Yes you can, Ayla. You must. Live for them. Live for us. Live for yourself.”
Leliana ordered in her scary voice. “You are so strong. Strong enough to get
through this.”
 
Dorian and Leliana’s words broke through her subconscious and her body
automatically started to gain the strength, building up the energy. With a deep
breath and bone-crushing grip on her friends’ hands, Ayla pushed once, twice,
two small ones before she relaxed a moment.
 
“Come on. You’re almost there.” Morrigan encouraged from between her legs.
 
With the last of her strength Ayla pushed once more, a big push and a scream so
loud that it rumbled the windows of her chambers and was heard through the
whole castle, that sent her daughter into Morrigan’s waiting hands before she
collapsed against Dorian completely exhausted. The urge came upon her again but
this time a small one as she released both placentas.
 
It took over ten hours of her screaming and crying in pain and sorrow as she
brought her dead son and daughter into the world. Mother Giselle came forward
with her son, Morrigan with her daughter. They placed each child in her arms
and let her gaze at them for a moment. So tiny with her lips, nose, and skin
color minus the purple hue and Solas’ eye shape, mouth, and ears. Perfect in
every way except that they weren’t breathing, kicking, or crying, as they
should’ve been.
 
Heart wrenching sobs escaped her chest as she handed them off to Mother
Giselle. She looked up at the woman and told her. “Please allow Morrigan to
preserve them until my Keeper Deshanna gets here. She will perform the
necessary customs that my people use to send off our young.”
 
“Of course, Inquisitor.” The woman said softly. She held them out slightly
towards Morrigan. The witch put her hands over each child and be-spelled them
to keep the decaying process from starting for several days. Once done Mother
Giselle made her way out of the room, hiding the children under her robe at
Leliana’s order since many people didn’t know Ayla had been pregnant. Only her
small circle stood near her chambers keeping everyone away and waiting in
suspense on how their friend was doing. At the look on Mother Giselle’s face,
they all knew and bowed their heads in a moment of silence for their friend and
her young.
 
As soon as she was out of the room, Ayla wailed in overwhelming agony. Dorian
held her and cried with her. How could he not? She had been through too much
first having the man she loves leave, leave before she could even tell him of
her pregnancy, and cherish them and glow with happiness only to have them both
ripped from her too. Nothing would ever be the same for his friend and he knew
that with the way she was grieving that she had died a little more, that
another piece of her soul fractured at the deaths of her children.
 
The wails reached the whole caste’s ears, including the scouts of Solas’ though
none of them knew what it was about. They didn’t know what to tell him since
they weren’t privy to the event that had caused such grief.
 
Morrigan, Leliana, and Dorian all sat with her, she still in Dorian’s arms
heartbroken and exhausted. She was hysterical and with good reason. After about
an hour of nonstop crying that was not helping her in the least, Morrigan gave
her a potion that put her out within minutes.
 
“She is going to be healing for quite awhile physically. As for mentally, I
don’t know. Give her time and we all need to be there for her.” Morrigan said.
“We may want to send everyone not close to her away. The ones who live here may
stay but will not be welcome in the castle at this time so that this stays
quiet. Inform all of the inner circle that if a word of this is spoken to
anyone they will be in big trouble.”
 
Leliana nodded in complete agreement with her, which was odd since the two
hardly agreed on much. They didn’t get along much but when in came to the
Inquisitor they agreed a lot. Ayla was a dear friend to both and were fiercely
protective of her along with Dorian.
 
 
 
 
A week later…
 
 
Solas was standing outside on the balcony of the castle he had once resided in
a thousand years ago. His body more toned since leaving the Inquisition.
Understandable since the work he had been doing required him to be fit and
healthy, no longer an apostate hobo as Dorian use to call him. His hair was now
long enough to put up in a small ponytail, a chestnut brown. He stared off into
the strange in between world it had fallen into thinking of the Inquisitor,
wondering what she was doing now. 
 
Not out there helping with the rebuilding herself, something he had imagined
she would be doing. It was strange since she had told him she wanted to help
afterwards but instead stayed in Skyhold. For the first two months after he had
left she had visited just about every land finishing up lingering rifts and
uniting the lands. But over the last three and a half only fleeting reports
saying she hardly left Skyhold at all anymore. Didn't even go leave the castle
these days. His scouts reported that she had painted on the mural he had begun
but never finished. They said she completely copied his style of painting, her
mural almost exactly as his but with her own story of the final battle. He
wished he could see it but didn't dare go back. 
 
"You need to go to her." Cole said as he appeared in front of him on the
balcony ledge. "She needs you. Now. Pain. So much pain. She is breaking, a
wound that will never heal. Heart shattering into a million pieces as she is
forced to let go of something you both created. Going through immeasurable
pain, healing in body but forever scarred in her soul." Cole told him
cryptically.
 
"What are you talking about, Cole?"
 
"She has to tell you. Has been trying to tell you. Did tell you. You must hear
it from her, I can't." Coke said.
 
Ever since Cole had forgiven the man who had murdered the boy whose soul he
shared and became more spirit he had been more cryptic and always harder to
understand, especially when it came to the Inquisitor. Something Solas never
thought would happen.
 
"He means she is deep in depression or so I gather from the scouts.” Abeles
said from the doorway of the balcony. "I found this in Orlais. It was delivered
to Briala. They know you have the elven Ambassador on your side."
 
Solas took it and recognized Leliana's handwriting.
 
Dear Solas, 
 
I don't know if this will find you but I hope it does. You need to come to her
because she needs you badly. I don't know if she will ever heal from this but
with you here it would be easier. She won't eat, only sleeps when dosed with
sleep potion. If you care for her like I believe you do than stop being
stubborn and come to her.
 
Spymaster of the Inquisition,
Leliana
 
He read the note and his mask dropped showing a face of worry. The Inquisitor
not taking care of herself? Because of him? A part of him desperately wanted to
go to her but he couldn't. She would have to toughen up and forget him. She
couldn't disrupt his plans. He had come too far to stop them now.
 
"Then you will lose her." Cole said before disappearing from his side.
 
 
 
 
 
Ayla lay staring blankly at the wall her skin a sickly pale. A week had passed
since her children were taken from her.
 
The door to her chambers opening, squeaking. She didn’t even hear it. Dorian
came up the stairs and her gaze moved to him. His heart was so torn from seeing
her this way. Tears pooled in her eyes as she looked at him.
 
“I’m so sorry, Ayla.” He said as he walked up to her bed. She wore a white
nightgown with a sheer black robe. Most of it was covered aside from her chest,
the rest of her covered in blankets. He reached the bed and immediately began
soothing her by rubbing her forehead and hair.
 
“These last few weeks,” she said, her voice breaking with the tears she was
desperately trying to hold back. “I couldn’t help wondering if they would have
my hair or Solas’, what color would it be if it was Solas’ hair color they got?
Would they have my eye color or his, secretly hoping they would be his ocean
blues. Would they have my lips or be a blend of us both? When I looked at them
I saw the blend of us but will never know what color their eyes or hair would
be. Never know if they would take after me or their father.”
 
Ayla’s lips quivered, a gasping sob tearing from her chest as the grief spilled
out and down her cheeks. Her sobs became more forceful as Dorian pulled her
into his arms, holding her head to his chest. She clung to him as she cried and
he held her tightly, trying to offer any comfort he could give her. All of her
dreams of raising her children dashed in a matter of minutes.
 
Her advisors spent the week with both Morrigan and Dorian making final
decisions on matters, knowing Ayla would not be up to the task for quite some
time. The castle was now quiet, all nobles officially told to not come to the
fortress seeking audiences with her. Only the servants stayed, only bringing up
food that Morrigan, Leliana, and Dorian force-fed her to eat, washtubs for her
baths that the three took turns giving her, and the night clothing. They all
simply assumed she was sick with a flu-like virus that left her weak. Exactly
what the Inquisition wanted them all to believe.
 
A few more days passed by before Deshanna arrived. She went up immediately to
check on her former First, heartbroken at the sight of her. But after they
talked for a while, Ayla finally refused her best friend’s help with attending
her bodily needs and did it herself while Deshanna prepared the babies for the
Dalish funeral rites.
 
Ayla came down to the Great Hall an hour later and guided Leliana, Morrigan,
Dorian, Varric, Cullen, and Josie to her sanctuary where Deshanna already
waited with one hole dug in the middle of the patch of wild flowers, her
favorite spot to sit.
 
As soon as they were all gathered, Ayla gathered her well-preserved lifeless
babies and placed them inside the hole. “Today we are here to lay to rest a
pair of lives that never got to live. Two children still growing inside a
loving mother’s womb.” Deshanna said to them. “Though they never got to be
born, they were loved before by Ayla. Cherished beyond measure and now here we
bury them, in Ayla’s sanctuary.”
 
Deshanna and Ayla both picked up a shovel that was near the hole. They both
shoveled dirt about halfway into the grave before stopping. Then each brought
out seeds and planted them before filling up the hole the rest of the way. When
the Earth was completely filled Ayla closed her eyes, raised her hands, and
called out. “Earth is life, vital, and nurturing. Water is essential, giving us
what we need to survive. Without both life cannot be made. I ask both to come
to me as I am both and they are me, as I will it. So mote it be.”
 
The water from the small pond rose like a small thin rope, twisting its way
until it drilled into the ground. The earth shook lightly as Ayla twisted her
wrists until palm faced up towards the sky. Several roots blasted up through
the ground and rose to form several flower patches of flowers all white with a
bell shaped teacup like petals, and a yellow star shaped. Calla Lilies and
Daffodils representing the purity and innocence of the lives that didn’t get to
live and rebirth. As soon as the flowers bloomed Ayla opened her eyes and left
the garden.
 
 
 
Four weeks later…
 
Ayla ventured to the dungeons where the perpetrator awaited her judgement. When
he came into view, she studied him. He was Qunari of that she was certain by
the way he held himself, though he wasn’t as large as most of their kind. Had
no horns of any kind either. He was lithe in form but still built like his
race, tall too.
 
“Why were you after me?” Ayla said finally, startling him.
 
“What makes you think I was after you?” He asked.
 
“You attacked me, tried to kill me.”
 
“Yes. The Ben Hassrath sent me to come after you because you aided and housed a
agent of Fen’Harel. Was in fact with you from the moment your Organization
formed.” The man said. “I was to get an audience with you to ask you to release
him into our custody but instead found out that you were a friend of his, more
than that, his lover. We planned to use you to draw him out. You know him as
Solas.”
 
“What?” Ayla’s eyebrows rose up in shock at this information. Solas? An agent
of Fen’Harel? She looked back upon the year at all the observations she had put
at the back of her mind. It made sense though. He was an Ancient Elf like
Abelas with a mask to hide behind. Though he had been honest on certain things,
she had never believed him to be from a village up to the north. She had in
fact known that story was a lie; her own people had investigated it. She had
always wondered why he reminded her of a wolf. “And what were you planning to
do once he came for me, if he came for me?”
 
“We were going to interrogate him about where the Dread Wolf was so we could
kill him before he fully regained power.”
 
“How did you even know he was awake?”
 
“Because the ruin that held him was underneath one of our villages. He awoke
sometime in the last few years and when his scouts found him they decimated
that village.” The man said. “Thousands of our people died because he rose from
his eternal sleep.”
 
“Then why try to kill me? I would’ve been no use to you dead.”
 
“I was not trying to kill you, merely tried to knock you out but it didn’t
really faze you. I… panicked. I didn’t want to get caught and so I attempted to
silence you. But it backfired when we fell.” He said.
 
“You killed my children.” She seethed, her voice dripping with hate.
 
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were pregnant. Not that it would’ve changed much.
Probably would’ve had him come out of hiding.” The man smirked. “Especially
since I believe he doesn’t even know about your pregnancy.”
 
“No, he doesn’t and now never will.” Ayla opened the cell just as Cullen came
down into the chamber having heard that she was down here. She looked up at him
as he came to stand beside the cell. The look in her eyes scared him, nothing
like the woman he had come to know. Her lips were curled in disgust, eyes
narrowed and filled with seething, fiery, rage and hate. She was here on a
mission and proved that when she suddenly grabbed a hold of his sword in a move
that quickly unsheathed it from the scabbard and with a yell she sent the blade
into the Qunari’s neck, slicing his head clean off his body. Blood splattered
her face, her clothes, her hair, and poor Cullen who was too close to have
gotten away from the splatter, her execution of the Qunari a spur of the moment
action.
 
Ayla was breathing heavily, her chest huffing and puffing from the exertion
that her actions wrought. She left the room, his sword still in hand as she
came back up to the Great Hall. The sword covered in blood, matching her
appearance brought several gasps from those out in the hall, mainly from Mother
Giselle and Josephine. Ayla didn’t even hear them as she made her way upstairs
to her chambers.
 
The minute she was alone in her chambers the sword clattered to the floor, Ayla
walked to a corner and broke down. She stayed in that corner for several hours,
the tears eventually drying up leaving her numb and staring, before anyone was
brave enough to go up and check on her. Dorian and Cullen were the two to go up
but the moment they saw her, Dorian came to her side.
 
Cullen watched, feeling completely helpless. Dorian suddenly began to remove
her shirt and he quickly looked away, a blush filling his cheeks. “Uh… Dorian…
I think I should come back after she has… is… um… not being undressed right in
front of me.” He said.
 
Dorian looked at him, a brief teasing look in his eyes but then nodded now not
being the time to make snarky comments. Cullen grabbed his bloody sword and
walked out of her chambers, leaving Dorian to finish undressing her and getting
her clean.
 
The process took an hour but Dorian and Ayla stayed in the chambers, eating
their dinner there before settling in for the night.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Meanwhile, in the in between world Solas brought one of his scouts to his
chambers. He had grown close to her a bit, though still keeping her at a
distance. He had seen her blush a lot within his presence and though he loved
another whole-heartedly, he found himself missing a warm body in his bed. He
was tense, needing to take his mind off a certain woman who had gone completely
silent over the last four weeks. Leliana’s note was at the forefront of his
mind and he had almost gone back to Skyhold just to see what was happening
since nobody was allowed in the castle such as the Great Hall, her chambers,
the Rotunda, or any of the rooms close to it.
 
So as a distraction, he invited Cara an elf with shoulder length brown hair,
brown eyes, and skin the color of toffee. So he went up to her and caressed her
arm in an invitation and she accepted with a kiss on his lips.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ayla had fallen asleep quickly, Dorian tucked in with her. Ayla was sleeping
across Dorian's bare chest. Though it looked like they were a couple in the way
they slept everyone who knew them knew that wasn't the case. They were the best
of friends and maybe if the Magister had been straight and not married to Bull
a few months earlier. Ayla would've been able to move on with him. He was
another half of her as was Solas. In fact, Ayla often wondered that fate had
given her two soulmates knowing that she would need her best friend to help
ease some of the suffering she felt from being parted from her lover and now
from her children. 
 
Ayla slept peacefully at first with harmless dreams, not plagued for once by
the endless nightmares of having to give birth to her dead babies, but that
feeling came over her again as her spirit magic pulled her soul out of her
body. Not again! She thought with frustration. This had happened only once
before almost a year ago when Ayla had tried to help Solas save his spirit
friend who'd been captured by stupid mages who knew nothing of spirits. 
 
Ayla flew over several lands before flying down into a ruin she recognized as
Mythal's temple. There she flew into the Eluvian located where an now empty
Well of Sorrows sat. 
 
Ayla flew out of the mirror into that strange in between world that was half
real and half Fade. This time she flew around until she came upon another
temple that was beyond beautiful. Inside she flew until she came upon a
bedchamber. Inside it she saw books stacked upon the desk, the first thing one
saw upon entering the door. She gazed around seeing tons of books on shelves
and the desk, all old from what she could tell.
 
Ayla looked around again and spotted the bed, doing a double take. Her breath
caught as she saw the man she longed for every night, even more now with the
emptiness of her womb where her children should be still developing. She gazed
at him lovingly for a moment surprised to see he had chestnut brown hair just
past his shoulders. Lust pulled in her belly at the sight of it but a movement
next to him caught her eyes. Ayla felt herself fly above him and a female elf.
Ayla gasped as the blanket covering the woman slipped off her chest revealing
her nakedness to room squashing any feelings of lust, replaced now with horror,
hurt, and rage. The rage took up the most of it in this moment as she observed
the woman snuggle closer to him. 
 
How dare he! She had stayed faithful and he took a lover nearly a year later?
Her heart cracked further and tears streamed down her cheeks. Did she mean
nothing to him at all? He had said it was real and then told her in her dream
that he didn’t want the dream they had shared. It hadn’t been real and he lied
to her. Grief over everything she went through had her chest rising and falling
as she felt his betrayal.
 
Having seen enough, Ayla began to turn away to go back to her body but before
she could Solas suddenly sat upright in alarm. He looked around before his eyes
found hers. They widened in surprise as he took in her spirit form. 
 
"How?" He began asking but she gasped as she felt herself being yanked back to
her body. 
 
She slammed back into it gasping awake. Dorian was above her shaking her,
trying to wake her up. 
 
One look at him and she burst into tears, her heart aching from what she had
witnessed. 
 
Dorian's eyes widened in concern before he pulled her into his arms comforting
her. She sobbed heart-wrenching cries and he knew she must've been dreaming of
Solas. 
 
"Tell me what happened, Amatus." He coaxed gently.
 
"I was sleeping peacefully at first but then my soul was pulled out of my body
and transported to wherever Solas is. He was asleep in a chamber inside a
temple that was not in this world. He was sleeping with another person." She
answered, tears still pouring down her face.
 
Dorian looked at her, his own heart breaking for her again. He held her a
little while longer, comforting her the best he could. 
 
After awhile her tears subsided and anger flushed through her. She pulled
herself away from Dorian, a stubborn and defiant bit very haunted look settled
on her face. She rose from the bed and pulled began pulling out several
outfits, stuffing a few into her travel pack and dressing in one of them.
 
“I can’t stay here anymore. I hoped he would come back to me but that clearly
is never going to happen. It’s too painful for me here and I am done waiting
for him.” Ayla said. “As of this moment I will no longer be just his. I will
embrace my Dalish upbringing and begin seeking lovers. To hell with his new
look of long brown hair.”
 
Dorian’s eyes rose in surprise. He understood her leaving Skyhold; none of the
happy memories could ever take place of her losing her babies. But hearing the
bald elf now had hair was shocking. "Wait he grew hair?" He asked, dumbfounded.
"Yes. It's long, but his head is shaved on the sides of his head leaving only
some at the top, which has grown down to just past his shoulders." She told
him. "Well what do you know? The Apostate has style after all." Dorian scoffed.
This made Ayla reluctantly chuckle helping her to calm a little. Hearing her
laugh had Dorian sighing with a little relief, knowing that she was starting to
return to some form of the woman he loved as his best friend. "Do you want me
to help you pack?" He asked. She nodded and together they packed up everything
she needed.
 
As soon as she was packed Ayla walked out of her rooms, into the Great Hall
until she was at the Rotunda. She had one more thing to do. Dorian followed
behind her, not sure what she was up to other than she was leaving in the
middle of the night, or so he thought. But she was now opening all of the paint
cans and using her magic to paint her vision onto the second to last empty
wall.
 
It depicted her, the halla, stabbed in her bulging belly by a horned beast all
of this inside a maroon haired grieving woman, adding in the distant figure of
a bald elf walking away to a wolf with six eyes in the back round. Once
finished she admired her handiwork. Lots of grey, black, reds, were prominent
in the scene. The only light color was she as the Halla in yellow and white.
 
Satisfied with the way she painted it, Ayla turned on her heels and left the
Rotunda. She made her way to the War Room where she knew her advisors met at
dawn. She had spent three hours painting it, normally six hours without the aid
of magic.
 
“Inquisitor.” They all looked up in surprise. She hadn’t attended a meeting in
weeks and was completely dressed for travel.
 
“I cannot stay in Skyhold any longer. The pain of what I have been through is
too much.” Ayla announced. “Were any chateaus given to us as gifts in Denerim
or Redcliffe?”
 
“Yes, you have one just on the outskirts of Denerim.” Josie said.
 
“Good. Leliana, send your ravens to inform whoever is keeping watch to ready
the place for my arrival. You all may follow me when ready or can stay here but
I won’t be returning here.”
 
“I will come with you now, Amatus.” Dorian said automatically.
 
“Good. Go pack while I go and prepare for the trip. Tell Bull he is to
accompany us.” Ayla said before turning to her advisors. “Have the servants
bring down my things. It's all packed up with the necessities in my pack. Send
the rest by carriage. How is the orphanage coming along?”
 
“Nearly finished.” Leliana said. “I will stay here, joining you once a month to
visit and inform you on reports.”
 
“I will join you within the week along with the rest of your things.” Josie
said.
 
“As will I.”
 
“Thank you for understanding.” Ayla smiled gratefully at them before bowing her
head to them before exiting the War Room. She made her way back up to her room,
grabbed her things, and took one last look around before leaving. Josie would
come with the rest of her belongings so felt okay with leaving them here. Now
she had once last thing to do. Ever since Solas had given her the jawbone, Ayla
had at first wore it religiously but when he had denied her in the Fade she had
hidden it under one of the floorboards by her desk. She pulled up the board,
pulled it out, and held it in her hand admiring it for a moment. Shaking her
head in anger for the memories of her grabbing it when he kissed coming up, she
shoed them away and made her way back to the Great Hall.
 
Bull, Dorian, and Varric were all waiting for her but she simply walked past
them and into the Rotunda. His desk was still in the middle of the first floor
of the round room. She pushed it against the murals she had painted, settled
right between them, and set the jawbone upon it and wrote a quick note on one
of his papers to accompany it. Once satisfied with what she wrote, Ayla turned
and met the eyes of her companions. They looked at her with curiosity,
wondering why she had moved the desk and left the note for him. But they didn't
dare ask as she walked passed them Instead they left the Rotunda, the Great
Hall, and made their way down to where the horses and Hart were waiting. They
mounted and were galloping out of the fortress that had been their home for a
year, now a prison to their elven leader, as they rode like the wind as if
escaping a hell that was hot on their heels.
 
Several of the army saw as well as the servants, among them elves watching with
confused and much too curious expressions. One of them quickly made their way
out through a secret entrance in the stables and made their way to the closest
Eluvian, not controlled by Morrigan.
 
It was located an hour away, and she entered it automatically. The fortress of
Fen’Harel appeared in sight and she quickly made her way to Solas’ study.
 
“My Lord, the Inquisitor is indeed alive.” The scout began. “She has finally
emerged from the castle but she and her companions Dorian, Bull, and Varric
have all fled Skyhold and none of us know where they are going.” She reported.
 
Solas frowned, not happy at this sudden turn of events. At first he had thought
she was dead when she came to him in spirit form. But this scout now confirming
that the Inquisitor was alive unsettled him. He didn't know what magic she used
to come to him as she had and he couldn't help wondering if she had found him?
Was she coming after him? But that didn’t make sense since the Eluvian she had
access to was within Skyhold. So where was she going?
 
“Stay at Skyhold and keep your ear to the ground. I want to know if they have
found us.” Solas ordered.
 
“Of course, Fen’Harel.” She bowed her head and left just as quickly as she had
come.
 
“She flees. Her heart can’t take the painful memories. Too fresh, her still not
healed. Her soul linked to yours, her spirit pulled to you because of your
infidelity. Now she flees, you being with another the last straw.” Cole said
from the window seat behind him. “She will not return. You are losing her.” He
grabbed ahold of Solas' shoulders and poofed them elsewhere. Solas tensed
having not expected to be transported by the spirit. He felt strange and looked
down at himself not yet aware of where he was. He startled when he say he was
in spirit form much like Ayla had been when he had seen her in his bedchamber.
"What did you do, Cole?" He demanded to know. "Brought you to Skyhold." "WHAT?"
Silas looked around panicked and noticed he was in the Rotunda. At first his
eyes moved around to fast trying to see if anyone saw him, hoping they wouldn't
try to detain him. "They can't see you. My power blocks you form their sight.
But you need to see." The boy pointed in front of Solas and he looked in that
direction and felt his breath freeze in his chest as he gasped.
The two murals she had painted took his breath away, so beautiful and in
exactly the same style as the ones he painted over the course of the year. He
saw that she had not erased the one he had been working on when he left, but
added to it her version of the final battle with him as a wolf in the distance
leaving. She portrayed herself as the Halla he had been referring her as in his
others but in this the Halla looked slightly different. He couldn't figure it
out.
His eyes moved to the second mural. It was heartbreaking. It showed the Halla
being stabbed in her rounded belly by a horned beast that wasn't a dragon
inside a maroon-haired woman grieving with a bald-headed figure inside of a
wolf with six eyes with his back to the scene.
Sweat beaded his forehead as he feared what it meant since the figure was
clearly him and the wolf clearly showing the wolf form of Fen'Harel. Did she
know? How did she find out? He looked down, scratching his head unaware that he
had moved to the desk, his desk that had been shoved against the murals. It was
then that he noticed the jawbone and note.
 
Solas,
This reminded me of a time when I thought I was more than just a passing fancy.
Clearly I was wrong and I am done waiting for you to return.
From here on out I am living my life as the promiscuous elf my people like to
be.
I give you back this jawbone and your castle.
I only associate them with the devastating memories and traumas they left me
with.
Inquisitor Ayla Lavellan
Chapter End Notes
     I'm sorry to break everyone's heart for this chapter. I broke my own
     heart as well writing it. Cried like a baby. I promise I have a
     reason for it and it will become known as the story progresses.
***** A New Beginning *****
Chapter Summary
     Ayla feeling not only trapped as the famed Herald and Inquisitor,
     still dealing with her grief and the betrayal she was forced to see
     in her spirit form has her now living in Denerim in a lavish estate
     that had been gifted to her, unable to stay in the castle that HE had
     led her to, where her children were taken from her.
     Seriously pissed off, Ayla gives in to her Dalish nature forsaking
     Solas. Over the past two months she renovated her new home to her
     liking and now (much to Josie's disapproval) she has turned her home
     into a salon like Lady Vivienne's though hers outshines it immensely
     since the Dalish always have more fun.
     Solas and Abelas are in Denerim to visit the Alienage, trying to
     recruit the elves living there. Abel's hears the rumors and both of
     them attend a gathering Ayla is holding. Solas sees a shocking
     performance that includes the King.
Chapter Notes
     Couple of things... I have been wanting to use this as part of this
     fan fiction since I started writing it. It's taken a long time to get
     it to this point. I don't know why I like to have my Inquisitors to
     be musically inclined and sing since they are super hard to write.
     But I love writing them. So I am a huge Britney Spears fan. My
     obsessions are Britney and Solas for the most part. So I decided to
     use Britney's Piece of Me live performance of Slave For You (Id
     didn't do the whole song but wanted the grand entrance for this
     chapter) and Freakshow. Freakshow was the inspiration and I decided
     to use it and twist it to how I needed it. The whole performance I
     twisted to fit Ayla's needs. I have also been wondering how they
     would implement music from this age that is mostly club bumping or
     such so this became a head cannon and I like the idea that some of
     the sounds and effects are results from Dorian and Ayla brainstorming
     together. I feel like this is something they would do as bff's
     especially Dorian who would be trying to help his friend take her
     mind off her pain that she is suffering and breaking from.
     So here is a video of the performance that you can go off of:
     https://youtu.be/urmY-K3F2ls
Two weeks later…
 
Solas was exploring the fade when the whole green of it flashed red for a
moment, a screeching coming from somewhere beyond. He knew who it was, could
feel it due to the power that was still his coursing through her veins coming
to her aid as she thrashed violently wherever she was sleeping. Another flash
and an agonized cry that had his blood pounding in his ears fear that perhaps
she was trapped by something haunting her sleep.
 
He moved before he could even think about it and came upon the huge dome-like
wall that kept him and everything else out. She wasn’t being attacked as he had
initially thought, but in the grips of a powerful nightmare. He couldn’t see
what the nightmare was but knew she hadn’t had one this powerful since the time
when they were in Haven. He pressed against the bubble hoping to get through to
at least calm her so that she would rest peacefully but he was zapped the
moment he touched it.
 
The Inquisitor somehow had learned to purposely keep him out and was doing so
at that moment. How that was possible was intriguing. He couldn’t help to be
surprised by her yet again. She was exceptionally strong for a mortal.
 
Another screech came from inside the strange dome-like barrier but it wasn’t of
fear. It was of agony, a pain so severe it had a lasting impact in her memory.
Then it changed to one of sorrow before the whole bubble disappeared with her
in it, signaling that she had awoken.
 
 
 
 
Ayla awoke and cried to herself for a while, the memories of losing her babies
a constant nightmare. She rose from her bed, and dressed for the day. Since she
gave birth her body pretty much went back to normal with her stomach, thanks to
the strenuous exercise from traveling, battling, and training keeping her fit.
Her chest was the only thing that was different. They stayed the size of
grapefruits and were lactating, ready to feed children that were non-existent.
This caused her to cry more, especially when her breasts got so sore she had to
pump herself. She did so now, tears of grief pouring down her cheeks.
 
She knew he tried to break through, whether to comfort or to yell at her for
the disturbance she was creating in the Fade she knew not. She had been keeping
her dreams and now nightmares well guarded after the last time they shared one.
After him accusing her of purposefully bringing him into her dreams. At first
it was just to prove that she wasn’t the one doing such things, but now it was
to forever keep him out not wanting him to see her recent sufferings. Her
secret that would remain just that now. No point in telling him of the children
he sired had died.
 
 
 
Two months later…
 
Solas stood overlooking his map in his study. He was supposed to be planning
his next moves but he was heavily distracted by the disappearance of the
Inquisitor.
 
After she had fled the castle he'd gifted to her, she and her companions
Dorian, Varric, and Bull hadn't returned. Her advisers followed her with only
Leliana staying behind. His scouts didn't even know that Josie and Cullen had
departed. Now two months have gone by with no news.
 
Solas growled in frustration, pushing away from his desk, his fingers running
in his shoulder length hair in desperation. 
 
He angrily walked from the study, making his way to the Eluvian. Trying to
distract himself he decided to pay a visit the hinterlands to absorb the powers
of all the wards. The closest Eluvian being in Denerim. He came out into a
warehouse of sorts where Abelas was currently waiting.
 
"How is the recruiting going?" Solas asked.
 
"It's not. They don't want anything to do with this. They are afraid things
will get worse for them if they join in this rebellion." Abelas explained.
 
"We shall visit them tomorrow then. Maybe seeing me will actually help with
matters." Solas told him. "Go get us both rooms."
 
"As you command." Abelas bowed his head respectively before walking off to do
as he was instructed.
 
Solas waited for an hour before his fellow Ancient Elf returned. He looked up
expectantly at the elf. He noticed a strange look upon his face. "What is it?"
He asked.
 
"Lodgings have been secured." He said, his mouth closed and opened again before
closing shut. 
 
"What else?" 
 
"There was talk about the Inquisitor living here. She apparently has a chateau
in the upper class of Denerim just on the outskirts. There is a gathering of
sorts there tonight." Abelas kept his gaze wandering around not wanting to tell
him anything else of what he heard, especially as to what this gathering was.
 
“What else?”
 
“To be honest, I’m not sure if it is a rumor or not but people say that the
Lady Inquisitor made her château as a well… um… I don’t know how to describe
it.”
 
“Then I shall put in an appearance at this event but stay hidden, of course.”
Solas said aloud to himself. He needed to see that she was okay. When his
scouts had reported that she had fled the castle, she had a panicked and
utterly distraught look on her face.
 
“As you wish, my lord. I shall find you some peasant attire and a travelling
cloak.” Abelas bowed once more before leaving him.
 
 
 
 
They entered the lavish estate several hours later and were ushered into a room
almost like a ballroom except that it had a stage at the other side of the room
that had a small catwalk into the center. Along the walls were tables and lush
lounges that could hold multiple people on. He and Abelas chose one in a corner
that was completely in the dark so that his cover wouldn’t be blown.
 
The room was strange in its creation but that wasn’t the weirdest part. The
oddest part was seeing several people making out hot and heavy some of them in
two’s or more. They had little to no clothing and reminded him not only of the
salon that they had met Lady Vivienne but also of the Dalish clan they had
visited in the Exalted Plains. Of the festive customs where her people had
often partook in orgies or random couplings.
 
Had she given in to her wild Dalish upbringing?
 
Before he could continue more on that thought the lights dimmed out and the
ones on the stage, magically enhanced. A piano sounded as the lights changed to
a multitude of colors of purple, red, and blues. It sounded both sinfully
sensual and mischievous in the sound, but also dark. Red smoke began filling
the room as well as on the magic screen that appeared in the background of the
stage. Three people entered, all Dalish and two of them he had met that night
they visited the Clan. Ladarvise, Aviselan, and another female with brown hair.
Ladarvise had on a fancy garment while the women were wearing nothing but
underclothes meant specifically for the bedroom. The piano made the dark music
again, but another form of music, something new he had never heard before. The
women all slithered up to Ladarvise, one of them biting her lip as he clasped
her cheek with his hand while he lightly licked her lip. His sister merely
grinded against him before walking off and down the small stairs that were part
of the stage. The other two followed right after as the music got darker and
heavy panting sounded loudly in the ballroom-like theater. His sister, once
down waited for her brother and slithered up against him sensually before he
pushed her away.
 
Solas knew it was a performance but he was slightly disgusted at the innuendo
of the two of them. In this she was merely just a woman who was interested in a
threesome. None of the crowd knew they were siblings. Moans and snapping now
entered into the room from various spots. He now noticed that some of the
people were part of the performance dressed exactly like the three onstage.
Aviselan did a move where she got on the floor and crawled in an a manner meant
to be ferocious, yet sensual as she rolled onto her butt, tipped her head back,
her arms holding up her torso invitingly as she spread her legs. Her brother
did a move that made it look like he was pleasuring her and then switched to
the other woman grabbing a hold and actually kissing her before pushing her
away too. They reached center stage with both women doing various acrobatic
dance move gave an impression as to the innuendo of the threesome that was in
play.
 
A deep voice mixed filtered through the room then singing, “I’ve got a plan we
can do it just when you want it baby, baby, baby. As long as you want it, come
with me we can do it baby, baby, baby.”
 
As the voice sang slow, deep, dark, and sensually the three walked down the
catwalk with Ladarvise lighting up a rolled up, from what Solas could smell of
it, elfroot and lavender joint. Another Dalish custom. The girls were crawling
behind him, Aviselan rolling around sexually on the floor. As he walked down he
smiled charmingly at all the women in the audience, many of them part of the
Orlesian court. Solas could now see that part the outfit was not a full fancy
getup but a tear-a-way costume made like the women’s outfits. It too was a
bedroom play garment.
 
The deep voice repeated the line once more before a familiar female voice
filtered in. Solas instantly knew it to be hers. His heart rate picked up at
the sound of it but he was beyond confused. Why was she doing such a raunchy
Dalish performance?
 
“Get naked, get naked, get naked, get naked,”Her voice sang repeatedly eight
times before it changed to. “Take it off, take it off, take it off, take it
off.” And then repeated again as the two female dancers danced provocatively on
the stage, like they were on top of a man or simply pleasuring themselves.
 
Then his eyes were drawn to the big screen that opened up, a secret doorway.
Her voice came out loud and clear from it. “I have feelings too. And I need to
do what I feel like doing, so let me go and just listen.”
 
Something big and wet came through with a lot of the red smoke around it as her
voice began its silky descent into her song.
 
“All you people look at me
Like I’m this Herald Woman.
Well did you ever think it’d be okay
If I stepped into this world.”
 
As she sang the last part of the verse she finally came into view, her long
maroon hair flowing behind her as she moved around a poll centered on a moving
clam-shaped lounge couch that had four other female dancers, all Dalish,
dressed in the same fashion as the first two who had come out with Ladarvise.
They were currently walking towards the giant.
 
But Solas eyes were focused on Ayla, who was bedroom attire like her dancers
but her hers was more elaborate. Red, black, and slightly sparkly. It was a
three-piece contraption from what he could tell, made up of the breast band
that connected to the corset and to the underwear that matched the breast band.
 
She stopped just behind the poll most of her within view.
 
“Always saying “Herald, don’t step into the club.”
Well I’m just trying to find out why,
Causing dancing’s what I love.”
 
She slid down the pole, her legs spreading open, and then closed again as a
normal light hit her face, her spotlight. She bent down and then up three times
singing, “Get It, get it, get it, get it,” going side ways and then down the
pole again, holding it as if it were her lifeline. She turned around until it
was to her back and slid down again slowly this time.
 
“I know I may come off quiet, I may come off shy
But I feel like talking, feel like dancing when I see this guy.
What's practical is logical, what the hell, who cares?
All I know is I'm so happy when you're dancing there.”
 
She rose again and twirled in front of it before shaking her delectable booty,
making him want to grab it. She turned slightly and caressed it, as if she knew
he was staring at it, wanting it. She twirled again and flipped her hair
slightly. “I’m a…” She began before spreading her legs wide and undulated
against the pole but not touching it, while standing. “Slave for you.” She
pointed at the crowd.
 
“I cannot hold it,
I cannot control it.
I’m a slave for you.”
 
She was behind it again, flipping her hair in a fierce and sexual move.
 
“I won’t deny it,
I’m not tryin’ to hide it.”
 
Ayla came down from the lounge clam with the pole with two of her dancers. She
lifted her hers up, one over her head, the other sticking straight out as her
whole torso moved in front of her. “Don’t you wanna, dance upon me.” Then she
undulated her stomach, arms now both above her head, and then moved into two
hip thrusts. “To another time and place. Oh baby, don’t you wanna? Dance upon
me?”
 
He watched her complete the number, wondering about the lyrics. Is that how she
felt? Like a slave to the world? But that didn’t explain why she had fled the
castle. He had hoped she’d stay there, hoping that it would protect her once
his plan to rectify his mistakes was in motion. The song ended with her back on
the clam lounge thing that sprouted up water.
 
She was smiling wickedly at her audience. “It’s so crazy. I get wet every time
I do that.” She said naughtily. The crowd gasped and laughed at her joke. The
Orlesians loved such raunchy gatherings as this and she had brought on
something new to the scandalous nobles. “So I have a special surprise for you
all. Tonight I am going to bring up a male member of the audience to help me
with this number.”
 
Excited rumbles went through the room, all the males perking up at the thought
of being up there with her. “Look at all you attractive fellas!” She squealed
in excitement. Her dancer came through the crowd looking for someone and landed
on none other than the King of Fereldan who apparently had a table to himself.
He had heard about her little salon and had felt too curious to not attend such
an event. “Oh my!” She said. “Well this is a special surprise. Hi!!!!” She
squealed. “I believe you shall do rather nicely.”
 
The dancers came up to him and bowed in respect before holding out their hands
in invitation. Alistair looked at them and then back up at her. He had that
admiration that Solas had seen about six months ago in his eyes. The King
smiled at Ayla before taking her dancer’s hands. They brought him on stage and
had him remove his regal cloak and just had him stand there to watch for the
moment. The music began, with a sound he had never heard before as she strutted
herself back up the catwalk stage. Her ass was a sight to behold in the
underwear she was wearing. Both of her butt cheeks were mostly visible to
everyone in the room, leaving nothing to the other men’s imaginations. Solas
hated that they knew what he did. He scanned the room and saw some faces he
recognized. Cullen, Varric, Josephine, and Blackwall were all in the crowd
around the room, all close to the stage. Cullen’s face was red from seeing her
in such attire. Josie’s was worried but also had acceptance in her gaze,
telling him that she and the Inquisitor had fought about whatever she was
doing. Ayla had probably said to hell with it and went with what she wanted or
needed to do. Blackwall had a lusty gaze on her ass and Solas found himself
contemplating murdering him for the thoughts he knew the man was having. Varric
was just grinning at her, not at all surprised by this display. Varric was one
of her closest friends and though he hadn’t been with them when they had
visited the Clan in the Plains, he had heard about it and had asked Ayla at
great lengths about the strange customs of her people. “So many of you don’t
know that during the course of the year I had found the man I thought would be
mine forever. Though Dalish love sex and promiscuity we also have something
that happens to where once we find the loves of our lives we become faithful to
that person for life. Well during that year I found mine but he left. I had
indeed stayed faithful to him up until I recently found that he in fact hadn’t
been, like I hoped. So since I moved into this beautiful home that was gifted
to me I have decided to give in to my wild side.” She explained. He gasped in
shock at this revelation. She had been faithful, even when he had left? A pang
in his heart caused it to lose its rhythm a moment as he realized that the
spirit of her had saw the woman he had in his bed. He wished he could tell her
that it meant nothing, just an itch to be scratched, a distraction from wanting
to be back with her the woman he actually loved. But he couldn’t. So he sat
there and watched, wondering if she had already taken lovers to fill her hurt
heart that had decided to get back at him.
 
“Ten PM, Ten to Four
And I came to hit the floor.
Thought you knew before,
But if you don’t, then now you know
Well tonight I’m about to mash
Make them other ladies so mad
I’m about to shake my ass
Snatch this man so fast
Make them other bitches mad”
 
Ayla began the next song as she continued her strut around her stage, though
some of it Solas couldn’t quite understand other than the fact that she was
enticing a man by dancing for him, and making the other women jealous, or so he
thought he understood. She was acting like she was talking and having a good
time to Aviselan, pretending to gossip about the man she caught as she sang her
lyrics. Then she started snapping her fingers and doing a series of small
enticing movements with her waist and hips.
 
“It’s all about me and you,
Doing how we do
Tear the floor up, up
Tell them to make room
If they wanna know
Tell them to mind their own.”
 
As she went through the lyrics she did little bits of sensual dancing that fit
with them. “But if they wanna look. We can give em a encore.” She sang as she
clapped her hands and then made a gesture to the audience. She, Aviselan, and
another woman came forward slightly as the caressed up their bodies. “Make it
a…” The caress led into a spreading of their legs and squatting in a slight
tease before they were back to being straight. “Freakshow, freakshow,” leading
them back into another light caress of their waist that turned into a spin and
a twirling of their hands.
 
“We can give em… a…peepshow, peepshow.” They bent forward and flipped their
hair before rising up with their torsos twisted to look to their left at the
king, their right hands stationed just above their eyebrows in the middle of
their foreheads. They pointed to Alistair who stood with the other females and
all male dancers including Dorian. He was watching her as she walked towards
him a little before turning back with another bend and flip of her hair. Her
back was to the crowd now as she did the move, making her butt stick out
enticingly, making the sexual arousal around the room get worse. He could feel
the tension all around, not just in the males but with the females too. The
couples that came together were already starting their foreplay, some inviting
others to join in to make it a threesome or an orgy of sorts. “Don’t stop it,
let it flow. Let your inhibitions go.” She did quite a bit of arm movements to
make the point of the song. He understood most of it now as he listened.
 
He realized that it was her hardening her heart, shutting everyone out but most
of all him. She was basically telling him in the only way she could that she
would never allow him or anyone to have her heart again.
 
“It’s a crazy night,
Let’s make it a Freakshow.
Freakshow, freakshow, freakshow.”
 
Her left arm was sticking straight out with her hand flapping up and down as
she thrusted her left hip up an down to the beat as two of the women dancers
rolled out a body used to help seamstresses to make dresses. It had a jeweled
harness of some sort on it. Ayla brought her hands in tapped the palm of her
hand as if clapping but was actually telling her dancer to put a whip in her
hand that they had brought out with the harness that was now being put on the
King. He had a confused look on his face but was also excited wondering what
was going to happen with it as was the audience.
 
“Make em clap when we perform
Wanna see crazy, we can show em
Dancin’ table top freaky, freaky
So outside the norm.”
 
Ayla twirled the whip in her hands with teasing intent before she shook and
wiggled her body, her boobs giggling in a mouthwatering display. Solas frowned
as he wondered if they seemed bigger than he remembered. The breast brand
pushed them up and showed just enough to be enticing but covered up the most
important parts. After wiggling she again did a hair flip with both hands on
the whip, one on the handle the other and the part that struck flesh. This whip
was not one used on slaves intending to be cruel but meant for those interested
in such things in. It fit her song and it was clear she didn’t mind using such
a device and he found himself wanting to find out just what she would’ve done
to him with it and he to her. She came back up her arm raised high with the
whip in hand, her other hand in her hair as she sashayed side to side with her
hips to the next set of lyrics.
 
“On some Hero ish
Pushin’ hot leather whips
While strutting new stylish fits
We can do it, if you with it.”
 
Alistair was fully wearing the harness now with Dorian and Ladarvise holding up
his arms wide in the air with a space in between. Several of the females were
dancing teasingly in front of him while Ayla strutted around to stand behind
him for a moment before she moved with a sensual half squat underneath where
Dorian held Alistair’s arm up as she repeated the verse from earlier. “It’s all
about me and you,
Doing how we do. Tear the floor up, up. Tell them to make room. If they wanna
know. Tell them to mind their own.”
 
She smiled wickedly at the crowd as Dorian and Ladarvise manhandled him lightly
to make him get on the floor a few spaces off to right of Ayla. “They wanna
look,” she sang as he was made to be on his hands and knees on the floor and
handing her a long leash that was attached to the collar of the harness. As
they handed it to her Ayla looked at the audience, her sense of humor coming
out as she pretended to be scandalized. The crowd all gasped and laughed as she
bit her lip in anticipation continuing on with the lyric, “we can give em a
Encore.”
 
Alistair was grinning but still confused as to what she was doing until
Aviselan got right in front of him and began wiggling her fingers for him to
begin to crawl forward. He was still confused until on the word “Encore.” She
walked to the side of him leash in her right hand, whip in her left. She
smacked lightly on his ass propelling him forward, crawling across the stage as
she whipped his behind in time to the chorus. “Make it a Freakshow, freakshow.
We can give em a Peepshow, peepshow.”
 
Ayla let go on the second “Peepshow” and skipped, twirling the whip again,
across the stage in front of Alistair. His eyes immediately went to her
jiggling ass with the best view in the room make most of the men, Solas
included, and some of the girls envious. She was still singing as she did.
“Don’t stop it, let it flow. Let your inhibitions go. It’s a crazy night, let’s
make it a Freakshow.”
 
She walked back towards him whip striking the air before it finally reached
him. He was standing again, his back to the crowd, arms up high again. She
slapped his ass with the whip again. “Me and my girls about to get it on. Grab
us a couple men to go.” She sang as she did so. “Said me and my girls about to
get it on, grab us a couple men to go.”
 
That deep voice from the other song that led to her grand entrance came from
out of nowhere not being any of the people on stage. The whole performance was
unique with new sounds that was made from magic.
 
Ayla bit her lip naughtily as she danced raunchily, swinging that whip fast in
the air as the deep voice sang. She then spun and walked to Dorian, handing him
the whip. Alistair was now facing her sitting on one of the other male elven
dancers. As the voice finished his few lines Ayla undulated her hips and ass,
caressing it with her hands. The audience had a clear view of her ass this time
and there were several groans of arousal at this display that turned into
envious moans as went down into squat that had her opening her legs to Alistair
in a teasing display before she closed them again and came back up as if it
hadn’t happened. Her hips were still undulating slightly as she placed her
hands on her hips and then made them thrust side to side. She blew Alistair a
kiss before turning with her mouth open in a shocked orgasmic face that turned
into a sensually secret smile as he was once again made to get on the floor.
 
She kept giving the audience and her dancers a scandalous shocked face as
Dorian once again handed her the leash. The drums and whatever other instrument
was used made itself known as she with perfect precision stuck her left hand
straight up in the air as if in a ballerina pose. Her dancers also had their
arms up in various poses, making them looking exactly as the song entailed,
like Freakshows.
 
They came down the catwalk with Alistair again crawling on his hands and knees
as she, with arm still in the air, walked behind him as his owner. “Make it a
Freakshow, freakshow. We can give em a Peepshow, peepshow. Don’t stop it, let
it flow. Let your inhibitions go. It’s a crazy night, let’s make it a
Freakshow.”
 
About halfway down it she let go of the leash and made her way to the side of
the stage on the right, dancing with a smug smile on her face as they helped
him back up and began dancing. Alistair danced a little, enjoying himself even
though there were not only women but males grinding up against him.
 
“Me and my girls about to get it, grab us a couple men to go.” She crooned as
her whole body wiggled. “Said me and my girls about to get it on. Grab us a
couple men to go.” As she sang about grabbing some men to go she put a hand on
her hip as her right hand came up over her head pointing at Alistair. Ayla
walked over to him after that and also added a small wiggle against him before
she flicked her head as if in a nod, biting her lip and fanning herself as the
song ended on the strange deep voice saying. “Freak… freak… Freakshow.”
 
“Phew!” She said to her crowd after the clapping calmed down slightly. “Give it
up to your King! I love your ass, it’s so…” Ayla made a slight moan at it as
her dancers had him walk back up the stage. “Hot! Let’s have an orgy!”
 
Dorian and Ladarvise turned around at this comment each had a shocked
expression though Dorian’s quickly turned into a beyond amused one directly
after. Ayla laughed before continuing. “Thank you all for coming out tonight.
For wanting to be entertained. I hope you find someone or somebody’s to your
liking. I welcome you to a world where you can be as naughty or as nice as you
like within healthy limits of course. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” She
said as she bowed and then exited the stage.
 
Though Solas had been listening to her he had been focused on what they were
doing to Alistair. They removed his harness but Dorian then escorted him
through a door behind the stage. He didn’t return to his seat after that.
 
“Well,” Abelas said, having been quiet this whole time. “She is quite a woman.
I can see why Alistair, Cullen, Blackwall, and yourself are so taken with her.”
 
“This woman isn’t at all the woman I know.” Solas said matter of factly. “She
is kind hearted, loving, loyal to those she cares for, and also an amazing
performer. She loves to dance and sing. I missed her voice though this
performance being way different then usual, except that time when we visited
one of her sister Clans.”
 
“And you hurt her. How?” Abelas asked.
 
“By leaving her and sleeping with another. I don’t know how but she somehow
flew to me in spirit form and saw me with one of the female scouts.” Solas
found himself telling the Ancient Elf.
 
“I heard a story from Mythal once that some of her Elvhen servants were a
different type of elf that once they found the person they loved their souls
would bond after the first kiss or pairing between the two. Their souls would
be forever connected.” Abelas said.
 
“I don’t believe it. I have seen no such thing in all my years.” Solas said as
he stood. “Come let us go to our rooms. We shall continue on with trying to
recruit the elves in Fereldan on the morrow.”
***** Promiscuous Ayla *****
Chapter Summary
     The night after Ayla performs again this time with a different
     surprise, one that has Solas not only fuming but beyond confused. Is
     Dorian into both men and women?
     This performance is the gateway to Ayla enjoying the company of many
     over the next several months, wanting to not only rub it in Solas'
     face but also to distract her from the loss of her children. Only
     time can heal her, though not completely.
Chapter Notes
     Again I used a performance by Britney Spears. I used her onyx hotel
     tour's "Breathe on Me" number.
     https://youtu.be/0OP38OzcIJs
See the end of the chapter for more notes
After her performance Ayla entered the room in which Dorian, followed by
Aviselan and Ladarvise, brought Alistair. The tanned skinned elves with raven
black hair removed the harness and leash from him before they all left the room
aside from Ayla and Dorian.
 
“To what do I owe for the honor of this visit, Your Majesty?” She asked, her
head tilted to the side with curiosity.
 
“I heard you were having a gathering and thought to come support my friend and
welcome her to Denerim.” Alistair said nervously. He kept looking at her body,
which was still clothed in the lingerie she wore for the performance that
obviously had him thinking of intimate thoughts, if his reddening face were any
indication.
 
Ayla smiled, her lips pulling up in a wickedly amused cheshire grin at his
flustered face, “So you thought to attend? Have you ever been to a salon
before?”
 
“I had no idea what type of gathering it would be,” he said.
 
“So…” Ayla bit her lip, a light grin still peaking through, and leaned forward.
“Did you enjoy yourself, your highness?”
 
Alistair gulped and then cleared his throat as his eyes zeroed in on her
teasing display of cleavage. “Y- yes,” he stammered, his blush turning almost a
shade of plum.
 
She laughed with delight but motioned to Dorian, who rose at her signal and
grabbed a black leaf-like velvet decal and olive green high collared, short
sleeve robe dress. It was a style she often wore, one that was specifically
made to represent that she was a Mage, Rogue, Elf, and the quality meaning she
was a person of power, the Inquisitor. It only had two buttons that, as she put
it on and did up the round pearl fastenings, leaving a little bit of the red
breast band and her attached black corset in view, and giving him a slight
tease of her beautiful thigh. The dress part reached down to the a little past
her ankle.
 
“Come with me, my friend. Let us retire to the actually respectable part of my
home.” She said as she left Dorian, motioning for the king to follow her. She
didn’t even need to look back, knowing full well that he was right behind her.
By the sound of Dorian’s laugh, she imagined him following her in helpless
abandon with an awed expression on his face. Once they were in her sitting
room, she sat down on her sofa, and invited him to sit on the other side.
 
He fidgeted nervously, not sure what to say. He was feeling a bit overwhelmed
at the performance, her beauty, his attraction to her, and the fact that she
had become a dear friend during his visit with her at Skyhold about a half a
year ago.
 
“Relax, Alistair. It is just me.” She said gently. He looked at her in the eyes
and she smiled with reassurance, hoping that this would set him at ease a
little.
 
He did relax a little and they began catching up, talking well into the night.
He told her how Anora was and she listened. He didn’t love his queen and wife,
the marriage having been arranged when he had inherited the throne. That story
wasn’t a happy one, and Ayla had hated him at first because he hadn’t fought
for the woman he had loved.
 
Lynx was a Dalish elf, who had an unfortunate fate, when the Fifth Blight came
to where her clan had been living. She and a treasured friend had found some
ruins with some Ancient Elven artifacts mixed with that of humans. They had
encountered one of the Eluvians, it being corrupted by evil. After the dark
energy trapped in the mirror enraptured Lynx’s friend she had blacked out and
awoken back in camp, having been saved by a Grey Warden. She, sick with the
taint, accompanied Duncan to where Wardens, mages, and the king with his army
were gathered to fight the coming Darkspawn. There she and Alistair met and set
out on a future to stop the Blight. During that time Lynx fell in love with
him, her soul recognizing him as her soul mate. Only Alistair became king of
Fereldan, marrying his half-brothers widow Queen Anora, breaking off any ties
to Lynx.
 
Alistair, a human who knew nothing of Dalish ways, utterly shattered her soul
and her heart. She closed herself off from him, not allowing him to see how
affected she was by this change of events, forged on the Blight the only thing
keeping her going. But a Dalish Elf with a shattered soul never lasted long in
the world. Usually if one mate died the other fallowed shortly after. But no
one had a human mate before and when he had broken it off, Lynx couldn’t bear
to see him married to another person, or love him from afar. Her faith in him
was shaken, for he had not fought for them with him being a bastard and she an
elf mage. So she suffered silently, eventually stopped crying with Leliana, and
planned her death. Not wanting to see him with another she made her decision
and sacrificed herself in the killing of the Archdemon, something Morrigan had
told her she had a way of stopping before Alistair had broken their
relationship.
 
Anora, the current queen, had loved Cailen, his half brother and the king her
own father Loghain had essentially murdered to seize the thrown. They were
friends and confidants, ruling Fereldan with a loving, gentle, but also firm
hand that healed most of the kingdom the years following the Fifth Blight.
Though the two were married, they slept in separate beds, the marriage more of
a business arrangement for the better for their kingdom.
 
“Her gardens are beyond amazing. You should come tour them. I think you’d
appreciate it. I remember how at home you were in the garden of Skyhold.” A
shadow passed over her at the mention of the castle that had been her home for
a year and eight months. Memories of her the fight that led to her and her
attacker to fall down the stairs, the giving birth to the twins she had lost,
the trauma that haunted her still. “What? What’s wrong?” he asked alarmed at
the utter pain on her face.
 
Ayla shook herself from her traumatic haunting and smiled sadly at him.
“Nothing, just bad memories.” She said.
 
“Would you like to talk about it?” Alistair asked.
 
“No. I just want leave it in the past.”
 
Alistair rose, his head nodding in understanding. “Well if you do, I will
listen. I should get to bed.” As they caught up, Ayla had offered him a guest
bed for the rest of the night since they had talked well into it, it being the
middle of the night and not a good time for the King to be wandering around
back to his castle until morning.
 
She walked with him to his room, hers further down the hall. “So what was the
point of this salon?” He asked as they reached his stop.
 
“Isn’t it obvious?” She asked, a sultry smirk that didn’t reach her eyes. Hey
eyes were sly, angry, and hurt. “Why I am making a loud statement to somebody.”
 
“But aren’t you with somebody? I thought you found your soul mate in that
apostate fellow?”
 
“I did,” she said. “He left me. Broke it off.”
 
Alistair’s eyes widened, “But you aren’t shattered?”
 
“I am much stronger than most of my people. I’ve had to be.” She told him
cryptically. There was still a lot he didn’t know about her and she wasn’t
about to tell him something only a few from the Inquisition knew. “But I am
chipped.”
 
“I’m sorry,” Alistair raised one of her hands up to his lips and kissed it, the
nervous man gone, but the confident and friendly king returned. “Goodnight,
Inquisitor.”
 
“Goodnight, your highness.” She bowed her head in respect before continuing to
her chambers.
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following morning, King Alistair returned to his castle. Solas, however,
had no luck with talking with the Alienage. They didn’t want anything to do
with joining a rebellion to put elves in power.
 
“Why can’t they see that I hope to elevate them?” Solas growled with fury in
his room at the tavern.
 
“They do see it but they don’t want to be a part of it, and can you blame them?
The King of Fereldan has been treating them well, as equals.” Abelas said, it
was one of the things the elves from the Alienage had said.
 
“No he isn’t!” Solas bellowed. “If he was, they wouldn’t be living in that hell
hole that the townspeople think of as garbage!”
 
“You can’t force them.”
 
“But I can. I am just not going to use that yet. Not until I have need of it.”
Solas said, his scrunched up forehead relaxing as he calmed down. “How goes the
search for the two remaining Old Gods?”
 
“Nothing as of yet. We have no idea of the hiding place for them. But we have a
theory that if we find Darkspawn hordes big enough to be an army we will find
them.” Abelas said.
 
Solas sighed. It was taking a lot longer to get his plan in action than he had
hoped. It didn’t help that his power was currently stuck within the
Inquisitor’s mortal body. “Keep searching.”
 
“As you command, my lord. Will you be staying another night? Word is she is
having another performance tonight.”
 
“Yes,” he said. “I want one more night of being close to her.”
 
Abelas nodded before leaving to his liege lord’s bidding.
 
 
 
 
 
 
“Are you sure you and Bull are alright with what we plan to do for this
performance?” Ayla asked nervously. “I don’t want to come between you two. I
also don’t want you to feel weirded out by what we have planned.”
 
“Buttercup, I don’t mind in the least and neither does my husband,” Dorian
said, coming to stand right in front of her, and taking her arms in his hands
as if to steady her.
 
“But what about you? I know you don’t like women in that way.”
 
“I don’t, but it doesn’t bother me.” Dorian calmed her. “Now lets shock them
with this performance. Though, I don’t see how you will top yesterday’s.
Bringing up the king was an undeniably raunchy thing to do.”
 
Ayla laughed. Alistair’s experience was priceless for many reasons one of them
being his reaction and two being the crowds. “The look on his face when he was
crawling across the stage with me striking his ass with a whip. I’ll never
forget it.”
 
Dorian laughed with her, enjoying the troublesome side to her. “I want you to
know I understand why you chose me over the Ladarvise and his brother. Both of
them have feelings for you and you want someone whom you trust that won’t
expect anything from it.”
 
“Thank you, Dorian. Though I do admit part of me is curious,” she winked at him
and he smiled back at her.
 
“Well I aim to please, Amatus.” He winked at her.
 
“Come. I believe our intro in is nearly done.”
 
“So are you going to choose someone from the audience?”
 
“I might. We will see.”
 
 
 
 
 
Solas entered just as her intro in ended. He took his seat at the same table
from the night before and waited impatiently for her to come out. Tonight was
different as he took in the stage. This time there was a bed in the center
along with a pole directly behind it that was attached to a platform above. The
sheets and pillowcases were all velveteen red, looking silky to the touch.
 
The lights went out for a moment before they came back on in a blue and reddish
setting, trained on Dorian who was in nothing but a pair of raunchy male
underpants. He relaxed on the bed, rubbing his body as if he was taking care of
himself in an intimate way. Dorian’s legs were spread and it was easy to tell
he was semi-aroused as he touched his upper torso. He looked shiny from sweat
and Solas wondered if he was using an oil to achieve it or if it really was
sweat. Solas looked over and saw his lover Bull watching intently, a lustful
look in his eyes.
 
“Just put your lips together…” her voice, full of sultry intent, came through
the room. “And blow.” The blue tinted lights went out, leaving only the red.
Then a musical sound came through, like it was the wind, followed by the sound
of Dalish drums and other instruments to make a never before heard sound. It
was the style of sound from the numbers from the day before, unique and clearly
something she, Dorian, and her clan mates had made. She appeared on the
platform above the bed a few moments later. She was attired in much the same
fashion as yesterday but in this she was wearing just the pink breast band, a
pair of equally pink undershorts. Both were lined with lace; her top with just
a teasing of it on her breasts that were pushed up; and her bottoms had the
lace as a belt that attached to the black sheer stockings that accompanied the
ensemble. Her torso was completely bare this time showing off her well-toned
abs, something she earned during battle and from the dances she learned growing
up, with no corset attached. She wore a pair of really high-heeled shoes that
were black and white.
 
She looked left and right as she stood there, her eyes, face, and body showing
off her vixen side. In this moment she was the seductress, a look only he had
seen before but now the world was viewing. It made him mad, hurt that she would
do such a thing.
 
Her maroon hair was a wild, wavy, sex-head mess. She added bangs he noted with
approval. Her hair had been held back last night to keep the hair out of her
eyes as she flipped it all over the place. Tonight, however, was different. She
was making sure she looked like she was about to have or have had sex. She
walked to the pole, grabbed a hold of it, and slid down in just the lingerie
she was wearing for this number.
 
“It’s so hot in here…” she crooned, while strutting around the back of the bed,
that had metal cage-like bars as the headboard, before stepping up on the bed
where Dorian was writhing around as if in the throes. She took a stand just
behind him, her legs spread open slightly. “Oh, it’s so hot and I need some
air…” she whispered in a breathy and sensual voice as she lightly caressed
Dorian before stepping over him with him between her legs, bending like she was
about to ride him. She put one hand on his shoulder, the other on top of his
head, moving it to the side, back, side, and then front before rolling it
around. She stepped the rest of the way over him and posed with her hands over
her head, her torso rolled into an arch as Dorian licked up it. “and boy, don’t
stop cause I’m halfway there.” She brought her hands down, taking a hold of one
of his and yanking him toward and off to the side of her, his stomach on the
bed. She stepped over him again, this time, bending down to touch the bed and
then laid on top of him for a moment before rolling off him and onto the bed,
her back on the bed posed with it arched slightly, arms again above her head.
“It’s not complicated, we’re just syncopated, we can read each other’s minds.”
Dorian rolled into her, spooning up behind her.
 
He grabbed onto her thigh, then switched to the left side of her torso, pulling
on her abdomen and rolling her into him with her front facing him until she was
on him, in a position that looked as if they were making gentle but passionate
love. Ayla rose from him slowly, their hands nearly entwined together. “One
love united. Two bodies synchronizing.” At the word synchronizing they both did
a type of arching of their torsos; hers a double undulation. She was on her
knees in the bed, while Dorian was lying on the bed. Her head moved with her
arch, throwing it back in pleasure. “Don't even need to touch me,” She crooned
as she pushed him away, and then rolled until she was at the edge of the bed.
“Baby, just…”
 
She maneuvered herself to where her legs were hanging off the bed and she was
leaning back on her hands. Dorian came around the bed until he was directly in
front of her, falling to one knee as if her body mesmerized him. “Breathe… on…
me. Oh baby just…”Dorian placed a kissed on the inside of her thigh, lifting
her foot up with his left hand, then caressed the whole leg with his right hand
going from her hip all the way down until he reached her foot again and arched
his back. She relaxed her head back enjoying the sensual touch, “Breathe… on…
me. We don’t need to touch just… breathe.”
 
Ayla kicked him away, rising to stand on the bed. She walked to the top of the
bed and used the polls of the headboard, gripping them both in her hands, and
standing with a space between her and the headboard. She rolled her head, a
quick but precise move that flipped her hair around her head as she sang the
next line. “Oh, this is way beyond the physical.”She undulated her belly as
Dorian crawled up to her. Her hips started to roll over and over as his head
came up near her crotch.
 
“Tonight, my senses don’t make sense at all.” The rolling got more insistent
the closer he got until he was right at her crotch. The crowd gasped in shock
at the intimate gesture. Solas’ blood drained from his face. To him and the
audience it looked like he was pleasuring her satin pink covered sex. But in
reality Dorian’s lips never even touched her. This made both Ayla and him grin
wickedly, she biting her lip to make it look like she was enjoying his
ministrations. Dorian rotated his head, giving up the deception. He lay down
and she moved around him, walking to the side of him, then over his ass to the
opposite side of him, and finally in between his legs. “Our imaginations,
taking us to places. We have never been before.”
 
She posed one leg in between his legs the other over his right. There she moved
with a small undulation and a sway of her hips. “Take me in…” She lowered
herself to her knees, his right leg now just an inch away from her covered sex.
“Let it out…”She rolled her belly, essentially riding his leg for a moment
before moving off him completely until she was again sitting at the edge of the
bed. Her bangs were right in her eyes, giving her a very sexed up feel, the
emerald green just barely visible. “Don’t even need to touch me, baby just…”
Ayla caressed her body going from her breasts all the way down her thighs.
“Breathe… on… me.”
 
She rolled her rib cage, her muscles in her torso making Solas feel mighty hot
as he remembered her using such moved on him during one of their intimate
moments. Solas couldn’t stop the memories and found himself achingly hard as he
watched her sensual dance, remembered his time with her, and felt the arousal
that was in the room from everyone else who watched. Then her arms were moving
as if in a wave, “Oh, baby just…” She flipped her hair around her head again
until it was all down her back with the long strands creating a train on the
bed behind her as her head was facing up to the ceiling, her chest pushed up
and out. “Breathe… on… me. We don’t need to touch, just…”
 
Dorian crawled back towards her, rising to his feet standing tall above her as
she too stood. He was much taller than her while standing on the bed, her on
the stage, putting his crotch right behind her head. In sync they had their
right arms wave out followed by their left. Ayla moved her body along with it,
swaying her hips side to side in a half bent movement that punctuated the
sliding of her hips to one side and then the other. “Breathe… on… me.” Dorian
knelt slightly, caressing the tops of her breasts in a lovingly sexual way that
turned into him grabbing a hold of her left hand and spinning her to the right.
“Oh, baby just…”He stepped off the bed and once again caressed the swell of her
right breast this time trailing his fingers down as arched into his touch.
“Breathe… on… me.” They ground towards each other’s pelvis, only a space
keeping the apart followed by Dorian sinking to his knees slowly, pretending to
use his breath to stimulate her body as he did.
 
“We don’t need to touch…” She fake kicked him and walked to the center of the
stage, away from the bed. “Just breathe…” Ladarvise came up to her then. Ayla’s
eyes flashed a moment, making Solas’ eyes narrow knowing immediately that it
wasn’t part of the act. Ayla held herself well, keeping it in with her
performance. She made a few panting noises at him before turning away from him
completely, to Dorian, who had come to her rescue. So Ladarvise was still
hoping to obtain the Inquisitor? Solas observed. She wasn’t having any of it.
 
After taking the snub, Ladarvise wandered off to continue his dancing with the
other dancers as Ayla whispered in a slightly breathy and seductive tone.
“Monogamy’s the way to go. Just put your lips together…” Dorian strutted up to
her, slowly, taking in her exquisite form. “and blow.”
 
They came together then, his hand on her right hip, their lips’ meeting the
other’s in a passionate and steamy kiss. Tongues intertwined in a fiery dance,
his hand now going up to her stomach of it’s own accord as she lifted both her
arms up in the air, not touching him at all. Solas’ blood drained from his body
at the sight of Dorian and her sharing such a kiss before surging up in anger.
He thought the Magister had only been interested in men, not women as that kiss
suggested otherwise. Had there been something between the two friends all
along?
 
Solas looked over to Bull, who was catcalling out to the two as the kiss
finished and she began to sing again. The chorus was sung again on the bed,
with them doing magic that most people didn’t know about, a moving of energies
within the bodies, pushing out the negative vibes, but also used in this moment
as a way to interpret two lover’s being on the same tether as the other.
 
Ayla finished the chorus with doing a version of what Dorian did to her body
before straddling him, then standing up over him, and undulating her torso into
an arch of her back and posing like that as Dorian reached up as if to caress
her again as she sang the final line, “We don’t need to touch, just.”
 
They stayed like that a moment before she turned to her audience and bowed, a
gigantic grin on her face. She reached out to Dorian and took his hand and
bowed again with him. Then they came closer to the crowd, she looking around
for something. Solas saw this as his moment to leave and making sure he was
completely covered, slipped out into the night and headed straight for the
Eluvian.
 
Ayla, meanwhile, chose her first paramour since Solas. Tonight, she decided
would be the start of a long line of one night-stands. She chose a human man, a
noble, with brown hair, brown eyes, and a well toned body from what she could
see with him being covered in clothing.
 
Aviselan and Dorian escorted him to her chambers where he was to await her
while she said her thanks and farewells to her crowd.
 
That night and many more in the next several months, Ayla slept with many
people some female but most males. Her promiscuous activities spread like wild
fire throughout Thedas, it being an exciting piece of gossip to all the nobles
of both Fereldan and Orlais as was the intention. Ayla wanted to make sure that
Solas knew that she was sleeping with other people, just as she had seen him do
over and over those first three weeks after losing her babies.
 
Solas indeed knew of her activities, knew it every time Abelas returned that
the world was constantly talking about her never ending parade of lovers. He
couldn’t even sleep with anyone else, his heart hurting and wanting nothing
more than to go to her estate, show her and those other men, that she was his.
But he couldn’t and so he continued on with his plans, knowing there was
nothing he could do.
Chapter End Notes
     So, I wanted to also have Dorian be her leading man when it came to
     making her performance especially naughty. He is her best friend
     after all and would do anything for her when it came to keeping
     Ladarvise and the other male elves of the Dalish from trying to get
     her to be theirs. She don't want them. Not to mention Dorian loves
     shocking people and if he had known Solas was there he would've
     laughed gleefully at his face. Bull of course had no problem with
     this kiss, knowing it was just a performance and the fact he would be
     okay with a threesome if his hubby was also into women.
***** A Year Since His Kiss *****
Chapter Summary
     It's been a year since the Fade kiss they shared and Ayla decides to
     perform a song in remembrance to that happy time. But other things
     are happening in the world, things she as both Inquisitor and
     Mistress of the Elements must keep an eye on.
Chapter Notes
     So I have been addicted to Starving by Hailee Steinfeld ft Zedd.
     Some interesting things are a brewing. Can't wait for you to see
     it!!!!
Two months later...
 
Ayla was just coming down the stairs leading from her chambers to the dining
hall when her two white haired Dalish clan mates appeared before her, their
faces not showing they had good news.
 
"What is it?" She asked.
 
Adhlean met her eyes. "Our scouts have reported that the Darkspawn are getting
close to finding one of the last two Old Gods resting place."
 
Ayla drew in a breath to calm her rising panic. The world wasn't ready for
another Blight. The Wardens didn't trust themselves anymore than the world did.
Not since Corypheus had used his Darkspawn blood to fake the calling. 
 
"What else?" There was something other than that. Their faces showed their
worry. 
 
"The scouts also have been reporting that other elves have been seen near the
entrances to deep roads. Elves with no markings on their faces. They are well
equipped and vigilant in the Darkspawn's findings." His brother added. "We have
discovered that they are agents of Fen'Harel. Apparently they are wanting to
find the Old Gods as well."
 
Ayla's eyes widened at the mention of the Dread Wolf, understanding of who had
killed Flemmeth/Mythal just a week or so after Corypheus' defeat. He was after
power, for what she didn't know, but Mythal's hadn't been enough. 
 
"Keep an eye on them and if they get close kill the agents and make it look
like the Darkspawn killed them." Ayla ordered. "Send a group down there as well
to be ready to move them deeper into the Deep Roads. If any Darkspawn or
Fen'Harel's agents get close we will move them. I need time to find a place to
move them out of the Deep Roads entirely. Somewhere nobody will look for a
while." 
 
"As you wish, Mistress." They bowed to her just as Cullen and Josephine entered
into the hall. They exchanged looks of confusion, knowing something was going
on regarding Ayla's people that wasn't part of her Inquisition duties. The men
then departed with a nod at her advisors leaving them all to begin their
breakfast.
 
“What was that about?” her Commander asked.
 
“Nothing to concern the Inquisition. Just Dalish business is all.” She replied
smoothly. This was a secret only her people knew of, a secret passed down since
their beginnings, and something they protected at all costs. Nothing was to
know what the Dalish were really up to and their history in the world. It was
why the world believed the Elvhen were the lost history, a partial truth to
protect something far older, to keep it from falling into the wrong hands.
 
Ayla sat down and began filling her plate with whatever was set out on the
table scrambled eggs, bacon, and banana bread. The others followed her lead
letting the subject drop since they knew she wouldn’t talk about it further.
Dorian and Bull came in as the silence fell awkwardly around the three.
 
“Good morning, Dorian.” Ayla greeted with a warm smile the moment of
awkwardness gone, as if the visit from her brethren hadn’t even happened.
“Bull.”
 
Dorian’s face split into a gigantic grin as he came and sat beside his best
friend. “Amatus, you look quite lovely today. Are you looking forward to the
performance tonight? Another night of scandalous fun?”
 
Bull nodded at her in greeting, a tender smile among his own as he sat on the
other side of Dorian. “No, I think I am going to do something different
tonight. It’s been a year since Solas and I first kissed and though I am still
angry with him for a multitude of things, I feel like I should honor it since
he is my soul mate.” She explained. “Tonight I will not take any lovers.”
 
Dorian nodded in understanding, his smile diminishing slightly as he felt the
loneliness and heartache within his friend. Though she was slowly getting on
with her life, she missed the apostate desperately. “As you wish, Buttercup.”
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solas was in his room, having just finished scratching his itch with the scout
he allowed in his bed for some time now. He kept his distance from her, only
using her body to fill a need.
 
He rose from the bed, leaving the elf still breathing heavily from the
exertion. He had pulled out before he orgasmed and came in his hand rather than
inside his scout. For some reason he felt that it was not right, only wanting
it to be inside the one he loved.
 
He cleaned himself off, dressing himself in just a pair of breeches and his
wolf fur cloak. With a disgruntled sigh he walked to his study and sat at his
desk where Abelas found him a few hours later.
 
“You are missing her, aren’t you?”
 
“Yes.” Solas said as he ran his head through his chest length hair. He was now
back to his look from before he put up the Veil splitting the two worlds.
 
“She is doing well. Still performing, though she has made it once a week now.
According to one of the scouts you sent to be her servant she is having another
performance tonight. The scout said he overheard her and the Magister talking
about it. Tonight she isn’t taking on a lover like normal. Tonight there is to
be a different type of performance.” Abelas said, a smile on his face. “The
scout said that she told Master Dorian that it is in remembrance of when you
two first kissed.”
 
Solas gasped as he realized it had been a year since their Fade kiss. She was
going to perform a song in honor of that? She still loved him? “Well then, I
shall not miss this event.” He said as he rose from his chair. He quickly went
back to his room and dressed himself fully into his apostate gear and his
cloak. The scout was gone thankfully.
 
As soon as he was dressed he headed to the Eluvian that connected to the one
near Denerim. He pulled the head of his cloak up so that he could move through
the city without being noticed or recognized by any of his former companions,
like Varric who had declined staying in Ayla’s estate. He preferred the taverns
because of all the interesting gossip he could use for his stories. Though
Ayla’s was pretty interesting with the gatherings she held.
 
A gathering such as the one he was headed to. He entered her estate unnoticed
and sat in his usual corner waiting for the performance to start wondering what
to expect.
 
The lights dimmed ten minutes later, again, all magically done. One light
focused on the middle of the stage where Ayla sat with Aviselan, a different
looking version of the lute and an elven drum. Ayla held the lute in her hand
while the raven-haired elf waited to play the Dalish drum.
 
“Good evening everyone.” Ayla greeted with a smile. She was a breathtaking
sight in a mid-length dress, a light baby blue that started at the bottom hem
and went all the way up until it reached her chest. The baby blue split and
spread over most of the left breast while the other was done up in a teal that
had a two finger width of the material woven into the top of the right breast,
bathing all of the left in the silky, and also connected to a thin strap that
hung around her neck to hold the dress to her. Her feet were completely bare.
Her maroon red hair now long enough to just caress the top of her butt. Her
hair was in its naturally wavy style but also had a few braids, a ribbon woven
in, and little silver Dalish style hair jewelry decorating her lustrous locks
in various places. “Tonight I will take no new lover. Many of you don’t know
much about my life other than what you’ve heard of the previous two years as
Inquisitor or what I choose for you to see as my guests here.” She told them.
“During my time with the Inquisition I met the love of my life and found just a
small bout of true happiness amidst the what was at the time a battle in which
I was sure I would die. Through that year that was the only thing I fought for,
to keep going when all I wanted to do was give in to my fear. Sadly that love
didn’t last wasn’t meant to be I guess. He ended it before the final battle and
I was ready to run, not even sure what I was fighting for anymore. But this
song that I am about to perform isn’t about that. It’s about the new
flutterings of love, the first realization of my feelings for him, and how I
felt when we kissed for the first time. That feeling of myself changing, giving
in even though I was in denial for a while before that, and that first meeting
of lips… well it made me grow wiser, fight harder, fight with everything I was
because I now had something I wanted to protect at all costs aside from the
whole world.”
 
Solas gasped at this admission from her and his heart beat like a log battering
against a castle’s doors under siege. To hear her say of how much she loved him
had him almost threw his anonymity to the wind, to throw himself at her feet,
and tell her how he felt for her. But he didn’t. He gripped the table as if to
hold himself there.
 
“This song is called “Starving.” She announced as she got into position with
the strange lute. She began plucking the strings with her left hand and
changing chords with her right. About ten seconds in she added her voice her
eyes glowing with warmth, a secret smirk on her face, teeth showing.
 
You know just what to say
Things, that scares me
I should just walk away but
I can’t move my feet
 
The more that I know you,
The more I want to
Something inside me’s changed
I was so much younger yesterday, oh,
 
She stopped playing a moment, smiling at the audience then at her friend
sitting next to her and nodded. Ayla began playing again with Aviselan joining
her as she sang the chorus. Her nose crinkled in an adorable way as the smile
lit up her whole face showing the emotions the song caused within her at the
memories of him. Solas watched completely mesmerized and surprised since she
never showed this much of what she was feeling during the long year of trying
to stop the would be god. His line of “I’m sorry, I distracted you from your
duties. It shall never happen again”came back then and he cringed knowing now
the difference. She had held herself back, not wanting to make a vital mistake,
because she had something she didn’t want to lose. Him.
 
I didn’t know that I was starving
‘Til I tasted you
Don’t need no butterflies
When you give me the whole damn zoo
By the way, by the way,
You do things to my body
I didn’t know that I was starving
‘Til I tasted you
 
Solas’ eyes rose as he listened to her lyrics. She was talking about their
first kiss in the Fade. He affected her that much? She had been so calm,
collected. He shook his head in wonder, not understanding how she even felt
that way for him. Because she doesn’t know the real you! His brain countered.
 
You know just how to make
My heart beat faster
Emotional earthquake,
Bring on disaster
 
You hit me head on,
Got me weak in my knees
Something inside me’s changed
 
That round of lyrics he could tell had been written after the kiss in the woods
near Aviselan’s clan. He smiled at the memory of him unable to bear seeing her
with Ladarvise, stealing her in the dance the male elf had tried to use to
court her with. She had forgotten all about the other elf, eyes and her body
grinding only with him. Then the fight afterwards that brought him to kiss her
in desperation, rather foolishly, he recalled.
 
I was so much younger yesterday, oh
Yesterday, mmhmm.
 
I didn’t know that I was starving
‘Til I tasted you
Don’t need no butterflies
When you give me the whole damn zoo
By the way, by the way,
You do things to my body
I didn’t know that I was starving
‘Til I tasted you
 
She used her voice to sing random notes for several moments, her eyes close and
whole body engrossed in the song, before singing through the chorus once more
ending the song on. “Something inside me’s changed.”
 
The audience clapped but Solas noticed several of the men have disappointed
faces, not liking that she wasn’t going to choose anyone to be with that night,
making Solas grin happily. This was clearly a moment she would hold closely.
 
With that happy thought, he left, heading back to the Eluvian. He didn’t notice
Alistair was also in attendance that night, dressed as a peasant rather than in
his Kingly attire. Ayla had though, and jerked her head inviting him back to
the room he had been brought once before as the crowd dispersed to go find
other entertainment most likely at the brothel.
 
“Back for more, your majesty?” Ayla asked in a slightly teasing and slightly
naughty tone.
 
“Yes, though I am here for something important.”
 
“Sex isn’t important?” Not that I chose anyone tonight for personal reasons,
she thought. “What can I help you with, my friend?”
 
“I have a meeting with some foreigners from a country past Antiva. A land
nobody’s heard of but apparently exists.” Alistair began, ignoring Ayla’s
uncomfortable question.
 
“And what has that to do with me?” Ayla asked, the promiscuous side of her
leaving her making way to the Inquisitor. Alistair watched with amazement at
the instant change. Gone from her face was the sultry, light-hearted seductress
replaced was the hardened mask of the Inquisitor with her observant and fierce
green eyes. Her back straightened, her head rose high as if she were a queen.
 
“I am here to ask you to accompany me.” He said.
 
“Why?”
 
“You have keen senses and are an important person in all of Thedas not just
Fereldan. I have done corresponding with many people in Antiva asking if they
had any acquaintances among these people.” Alistair explained, a worried frown
on his face. “The people who answered warned me to beware of these people. They
are strange and deadly. Rumored to have powers we like the werewolves Lynx and
I fought during our time trying to recruit one of the sister Dalish clans for
our cause. I would appreciate having your might joined with mine in case this
is a trap.”
 
“You know my might is in part because of the people I chose to take with me on
my journeys. If I do this I want to bring my own people.” Ayla said.
 
“I don’t want to alert the world of their existence yet so I ask that you don’t
tell your advisors or anyone with status with their nations.” Alistair informed
her. Ayla frowned not liking this. She had planned on taking Dorian and Bull
but that wasn’t going to happen. Dorian was in line to be an important Magister
in his lands once his father passed. Bull, though he was now a Tal Vashoth,
couldn’t go either since he was still in touch with some of the people he once
worked with when he joined. She didn’t really know why and hoped he wasn’t
going to betray her, not to mention his own husband.
 
“Then we shall take some of my people. Adhlean and Iveanis with us.” Ayla said.
 
“Who are they?” Alistair asked.
 
“Dalish, of course, and are from one of the sister clans that are native to
Fereldan.” Ayla explained. “My people would keep this to themselves and are
more trustworthy than most. They will be perfect for this mission especially
since you wont be having a battalion joining us to guard your Royal self, am I
correct?”
 
“Ah.” Alistair nodded. “Great. How fast can they get here? I would like to
leave within the next two days.”
 
“I will have them meet me here in two days time. That will give me enough time
to prepare for the journey and to come up with an excuse as to why my
companions can’t come with me on this mission.” Ayla wasn’t looking forward to
that conversation. Dorian almost always insisted on joining her on any
expeditions. “Do you want me to come to the castle or do you want to meet
here?”
 
“Ah, actually I would like you to meet me at the shipping docks. We will be
taking a ship to the Anderfels and will continue on foot from there.”
 
“As you wish, Your Grace.” Ayla bowed her head. “If you’ll excuse me I have
preparations to make.”
 
“Of course, Inquisitor. I shall see myself out.” Alistair bowed his own head in
respect to her and then turned, heading into the great hall of her estate.
 
Ayla watched him walk out admiring his confident regal stride, wondering if he
always walked like this. Her eyes looked him up and down, noticing the muscles
that were clearly noticeable underneath his fine attire. His clothes fit him
perfectly, clinging in certain places like his chest, back, and firm butt.
 
Dorian cleared his throat startling her out of her admiration for the king. She
blushed and looked sheepishly up at her best friend. Her had a knowing and
teasing grin on his face. “I saw that.” He said gloatingly to her.
 
“Saw what?” Ayla asked, trying to hide her not so hidden admiration to her
friend.
 
“You can’t fool me, Buttercup. You were looking at him like you wanted to
devour him.” Dorian’s grin got wider. “You want to have your way with him.”
 
“I don’t think so.” Ayla denied, her face getting redder.
 
“Oh, but you do.”
 
Ayla continued to deny it until she became frustrated enough and changed the
subject. “So I have been asked to go on a journey with him. Something only he
and I are to go on.” She said.
 
“For what?”
 
“I don’t know. He said he just wanted to spend time with me and not to bring my
group along.” Ayla said, using the conversation a moment ago to ease into
telling him about her journey. As expected he beamed at her smugly.
 
“You know he has a thing for you too, right?” he told her.
 
Ayla snorted in disbelief. “He is married to the Queen and also still deeply in
love with his Hero who sacrificed herself. I am only a friend to him. Besides,
I was only admiring his body. I wouldn’t say no to a tumble with him but that
is all I want.”
 
They talked some more about the upcoming journey, him helping her pack. He got
slightly suspicious of her packing all of her weapons and several of the
clothing she chose to wear during battles. She told him it was in case she
needed it, giant spiders, bears, and bandits being her excuse. He took it with
narrowed eyes but let it go.
 
The next morning she met with Cullen and Josephine in what was her large study
and told them that she was indeed going on a journey at the request of the king
and that she had been told to not bring anyone since it was a social gathering
for the two. Her advisors exchanged looks, Cullen’s one of bitter jealousy and
Josie’s a smirk.
 
After the meeting concluded they left her to her thoughts. A knock sounded on
the door an hour later. “Come in.” she called.
 
Aviselan entered a second later and came to stand in front of her desk. “You
wanted to see me?”
 
“Yes. I need you to ride out and catch Adhlean and Iveanis before they leave
the city. Give them this missive from me and then I want you and your brother
to go in their stead to Tarasyl’ettln and notify them about my wishes on what
to do with the two remaining Old Gods in the Deep Roads. Tell them to watch the
agents of Fen’Harel, kill them if they get close and protect the two Gods from
being corrupted or their powers stolen at all costs even if it means moving
them deeper into the tunnels.”
 
“As you wish, Mistress.” Aviselan said taking the missive and leaving the room.
 
Dorian bounded in a second later. “I don’t know what you are up to but I know
this isn’t a normal outing. Where are you going and why are you going without
us?” he demanded.
 
Ayla sighed. She knew she couldn’t fool him. He was too close to her, knew her
better than anyone else did, even Solas. “A group of people messaged the king
asking him to come and visit them.” She said.
 
“But why does he want you to go?”
 
“Because these… people, are not in Thedas. They are from the lands beyond the
borders of Tevinter and the Anderfels. We don’t know what to expect and so he
has asked me to go with him. He asked that I not bring anyone with any status
in the world, not wanting to let Thedas know of these people yet until he knows
if they are anything we all need to worry about.” She explained. “I am having
Adhlean and Iveanis accompany us as a guard since this mission is a secret from
even his kingdom. Only the Queen and him know.”
 
“I see.” Dorian murmured thoughtfully. “Well, you are taking me with you. You
know I will keep it secret, Amatus.”
 
Ayla smiled. Of course he would. He had since the moment they had come back
from that horrifying future that she and him had been thrusted into by a
Magister named Alexius. He was an old mentor of Dorian’s who had given his
services willingly to Corypheus in the hopes his son could be saved from the
taint that had infected him.
“Of course, Lethal'len. I wouldn’t expect anything else.” She hugged him. “Go
prepare for the journey. Pack everything you can for I don’t know how long
we’ll be gone but don’t tell Bull.”
 
Dorian frowned but nodded. “I will just tell him I am returning to Tevinter for
a visit.” He said and left. Ayla was already packed and so she wrote a letter
to Leliana, telling her of the mission, knowing she would also keep it secret.
She told her that if she didn’t hear from her in two months then she was to
send the Inquisition after them.
 
She sent the letter off with one of the ravens, sending it towards Skyhold
where her Spymaster was still residing for the time being. She then left her
study and retired for the evening wanting to be well rested for the journey on
the morrow. Alistair had sent word saying he wanted to leave early the next
morning. Dorian was to meet her in the stables so he wouldn't alert her
advisors. She fell asleep quickly exhausted after all the preparations and
dreamed of nothing for once in several months.
***** Journey Into Uncharted Lands. *****
Chapter Summary
     King Alistair, the Inquisitor Ayla, her two elven clan-mates, and
     Dorian begin the trek across the sea, heading to the Anderfels to
     save them time on the journey. Along the way they run into storms
     that rocks the ship, leaving all three elves incapacitated with
     seasickness. Alistair takes care of Ayla an exhausting effort since
     she is a most stubborn woman.
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Ayla and Dorian mounted their horses in the stables, having already said their
farewells to her household. Seranni, her faithful mare, nickered happily at the
prospect of getting to go on a journey with her owner and friend once more. The
feeling was mutual for Ayla as she hugged the horse’s neck in loving excitement
before she lightly kicked her sides to signal the horse to begin to go.
 
The two-elven men were waiting in the front of the estate. They smiled at her
and Dorian and all nodded their heads in greetings before beginning the small
trek to the docks of Denerim.
 
Alistair was waiting just outside a large ship. He smiled at her as they
approached but frowned when he saw Dorian beside her and the two elves. “I
thought you weren’t going to bring anyone else aside from your clan mates?”
 
“I insisted on accompanying her. She is my best and most dearest friend.”
Dorian said.
 
“I trust him more than anyone else in this world. He has kept many of my hidden
secrets since I met him. He will be coming with us whether you like it or not,
Your Majesty.” Ayla told him with automatic command, she completely in her
Inquisitor role despite not being dressed as such. She was wearing a blue,
gold, and coppery colored dress clearly elven made with light tan boots knee-
high boots. She had her long maroon red hair mostly down, but pulled back and
out of her face with three braids going down her back.
 
“As you say, Inquisitor.” He said in a clipped tone that signaled he was
immensely irritated but didn’t want to incur her ire lest she decide to not go
on this mission with him. He needed her. “Let’s get onboard.
 
“Adhlean and Iveanis this is King Alistair of Fereldan, former Grey Warden and
was the mate of Lynx, your aunt.” Ayla introduced. “Alistair these are Lynx’s
nephews. She was part of their clan before she was taken by Templars to the
Circle where she was imprisoned until she became a Grey Warden.”
 
Ayla and Dorian watched in amusement as Alistair gulped and became slightly
flustered at this information. The two men regarded the king a moment before
Adhlean extended his hand. Alistair accepted the handshake in hopes that this
was a sign of goodwill.
 
“We get that humans don’t understand how our people find their mates. We don’t
blame you for being human. She was clearly meant to be with you for a reason
which was clearly to help end the Fifth Blight.” The long white haired elf
said. They both had white blonde hair and both were long but one of the twins
only had it to his shoulders. “Or has yet to be determined.”
 
“Ah. Yes, I regret a lot of what happened between she and I. I only hope she
found peace with her sacrifice.” Alistair responded nervously. “I love her
still even after all this time.”
 
“We know. Ayla has kept us well informed of what you two have discussed on this
subject to give her sister, our mother, the closure she needed.” Iveanis said.
 
“Shall we get this journey started?” Ayla asked, saving Alistair from more
awkward conversation on this touchy subject. “I have to say I’m not really
looking forward to being on a huge wooden object in the middle of the sea
heading to lands unknown.”
 
Alistair nodded and began guiding his own horse up the blank aboard the ship
named Eclipse. As they walked up the ramp Ayla and the elves looked at the ship
nervously, none of them having been on such a vessel before. To them this
wasn’t something they ever aspired to do, crossing the sea in a wooden
deathtrap that could sink from being caught in a bad storm. A small ship to
Kirkwall or Antiva was one thing but the ship they were now boarding was
another.
 
“Are you three alright?” Dorian asked seeing there anxious expressions.
 
Ayla explained in a slightly breathy tone that told him she was indeed afraid.
He looked between all three of them. “Think of it as a new adventure, something
you can go home to tell your clans about.”
 
“If we make it to and from Anderfels alive.” Adhlean said.
 
They continued onto the ship but were still rather nervous so they handed over
their horses to the man who was to stable them and made their way to their
rooms. Ayla grasped onto Dorian’s arm, not letting go until she was in the
room. It was big and spacious, clearly meant for the nobles when they were on
such voyages. There was one large bed against the wall with the window and a
cot on the other side. A small screen to change clothes behind stood in a small
alcove a few spaces away from the foot of the bed and next to it was the
washbasin.
 
“Ah. I see you found our room.” Alistair said from behind them.
 
“O-o-our room?” Ayla stuttered, jolted out of her anxiety for a moment.
 
“Yeah, we have to share a room. I didn’t give them enough time to hold a third
room so we will be rooming together and those three will be sharing a room.”
Alistair explained.
 
“Are you serious?” Ayla fumed, angry with him for not telling her. “Why am I
not given a say with whom I am to room with?”
 
“I… uh... just thought you may want a more comfortable room and since this once
is automatically given to me I thought I have you room with me.” Alistair told
her.
 
“But you didn’t ask me if I wanted that. You just said I was to room with you
with no choice.”
 
“I am sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it. Where would you like to room? And
with whom?” Alistair asked nervously. Secretly he hoped she would room with
him. He wanted to spend some time alone with her.
 
Ayla looked at her four companions. She would rather room with Dorian since she
was familiar with him and he could calm her frazzled nerves about being on a
floating deathtrap. Her clan mates were fine with rooming with one another
since they had been doing it all their lives.
 
“What do their rooms look like?” She asked, knowing it was as fancy as this
room since this was meant for nobility.
 
“The rooms they have are comfortable and are for middle class so there are two
twin beds on either side of the room with a cot brought in for a third.”
Alistair explained.
 
“Where would you like to room Dorian? I will go wherever you do.” Ayla looked
at her best friend.
 
Dorian’s face was deep in thought. He knew she wanted him with her but a wicked
idea came to his mind. He would make sure these two were rooming together in
the hopes that they would succumb to the attraction to each other. He grinned
mischievously at Ayla and said, “I am fine rooming with Adhlean and Iveanis.”
 
Ayla’s face was utterly priceless. Her eyes widened in surprise, then changed
to anxious due to being on this ship, and then to a narrowed glare as she saw
the sparkle in his eyes. “But how will you be comfortable on a cot, Mr. I-
Whine-About-Sleeping-On-The-Ground?” She arched an eyebrow in challenge.
 
“I can make do, Amatus.” He said stubbornly.
 
“Fine. Looks as if I have no choice.” She looked at Alistair. “Looks like I
will be sharing a room with you, Your Majesty.” She huffed and then walked out
of the room to go find her two clan mates to make sure they were settling in
all right. They were both in their room as far away from the window as possible
and had actually chosen spots on the ground where they felt more comfortable.
Hmm, seems Dorian will be getting one of the beds after all.
 
“Why must we sail to this unknown land?” Adhlean complained when he noticed her
standing in their doorframe.
 
“I don’t like it anymore than you do,” Ayla grumbled. “But it is faster than by
land. We should be there in a month and a half providing the weather is on our
side. It would be three months by horse.”
 
The two-elves mumbled their ire but didn’t dispute her since what she said made
sense. Dorian came up behind her. “We are about to set sail. Alistair would
like you up on deck to meet our Captain. She will be with us our whole journey
apparently. They want to discuss with you on what the plan is.” Dorian informed
her.
 
Ayla sighed but walked out of his and her clan mates’ rooms and up on deck
where Alistair and a mocha skinned, black-haired woman stood. She wore a blue
gypsy scarf in her hair and an all white dress. Great. Ayla thought. This woman
is a pirate.
 
“Ah, Inquisitor,” Alistair’s eyes lit up when he spotted her on the deck
walking towards him. “Allow me to introduce Isabella. She is the captain of
this vessel and the other ship we will take once we arrive in Antiva.”
 
“You’re a pirate.” Ayla said.
 
“Yes. But I promise I won’t be like most of the others. The King is paying me
well and I never go back on deals unless it involves slaves being transported
on my ship.” The woman said. “You certainly said she was outspoken with no fear
of other’s reactions. She reminds me of Hawke.”
 
“You know Hawke?” Ayla asked.
 
“Indeed. I traveled with him and we helped one another for a time. He was an
excellent lover and an even better friend. How do you know him?” Isabella
asked.
 
“He helped me find out the mystery regarding the disappearances of the Grey
Wardens while we were trying to battle Corypheus. He and I talked a lot,
understanding each other’s burdens.” Ayla said. “So what’s the plan? Dorian
said something about going to Antiva?”
 
“Yes. I have several ships all over Thedas. As we sale to Antiva, one of my
other ships will be going around to Rivain to be waiting for us in the
Venefication Sea. This way we’ll have a fresh ship awaiting us once we cross
Antiva.” Isabella explained as she handed Ayla the map. This made sense seeing
as she didn’t really know all that much about sailing other than you needed a
crew of experienced sailors, a captain, and a healthy ship to voyage anywhere
on the ocean.
 
“I hope you won’t be needing much help in regards to maintaining this vessel?
If so I’m afraid me and my companions have no knowledge of such things being as
we have never even been on a ship before.” Ayla stated, a worried expression on
her face.
Isabella laughed, an enchanting laugh that had Ayla admiring it. “No,
Inquisitor. I will not need you. You are a paying guest who I am helping to
cross a multitude of lands fast and as safely as possible so that you may get
to wherever your business in the Anderfels is.”
 
Ayla nodded and looked at Alistair. “Is this the course you wish to take? This
is your mission.”
 
“Yes but I wanted your opinion on it since you are an equal partner.”
 
“I understand. But I know nothing of sailing so that part I will leave to you
two. Once we get to land I will then take over since we are in fact heading
towards what is left of the forest that was once a part of Arlathan. I don’t
think we should enter it since we have no idea what is within those lands. I
suggest we dock at this little tendril of land inside Riato Bay and go straight
to the Venefication Sea.” Ayla pointed out on the map the course she wanted to
take from the land, seeing it as the safest way to go. Her eyes, however,
stayed on the Arlathan Forests feeling the powers from the Well beginning to
tingle in her system. She was to go there at some point but not for this
journey.
 
“Alright, then we begin now.” Alistair said.
 
Isabella started issuing commands then, the course set. Her crew snapped to
work pulling up the ramp, hoisting the sales, and everything else that was
needed to set sail. Once finished they all turned to Isabella, waiting for her
command to bring up the anchor. “Are you planning to stay on deck while we move
or would you prefer to be in your cabin, Inquisitor?”
 
Ayla looked over the side of the boat and felt her nerves flutter in her
stomach making her a little nauseous. “I think I will retire to my cabin.” She
said and then left the deck as if an army were chasing her.
 
Once below deck and in hers and Alistair’s shared room, Ayla laid on the cot at
the opposite side of where the window wasn’t. She grabbed her waterskin and
ruffled through her bag to find the herbs that would put her to sleep. Once
found she stuffed a little in her mouth just as Alistair came into the cabin.
 
“What is that?” he asked.
 
She chewed on it a moment before drinking it down with her water before
answering, “a sleeping herb to put me out while we make way.”
 
“You’ve really never sailed before?”
 
“No.”
 
“It’s not that bad, I swear.” He said.
 
“I’m I will get used to it in time but for the moment this will help calm my
nerves.”
 
“As you wish.”
 
It was another twenty minutes before the herbs took affect and sent her off
into a heavy sleep. Alistair watched over her until he was sure she was
sleeping, waiting for the rhythmic rise and fall of her torso as her breath
moved into that of a person sleeping. He rose from the bed and walked over to
the cot. He picked her up gently and then made his way back to the big bed,
placing her in it. He then watched her sleep for what felt like several hours
but was in reality only ten minutes before exiting the cabin and going out on
deck to enjoy the fresh air.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Several hours later Ayla woke to feeling comfortable and well rested. She
looked around a little disoriented. Then she remembered where she was and sat
upright and gasped as she looked through the window and saw a dolphin swimming
just outside it. She gasped at how breathtaking the creature was.
 
As if it heard her it swam closer until it’s light blue eye was peeking inside
the window, meeting Ayla’s emerald green ones. It made a sound, not that she
could hear as it swam away and did some little tricks as if it was happy to see
her.
 
Ayla smiled enjoying the creature’s show. But soon the creature swam off to
join its pod. Sighing in slight disappointment, she got up from the bed she
knew she hadn’t been sleeping on when she took her herbs. Instantly she knew
the king had picked her up and put her there.
 
She didn’t know whether to be happy or angry with him for doing such a thing
but chose to be angry. She walked over to her pack and rummaged for more
appropriate attire. It was time to put on her armor. She chose a light set that
would still protect her should she need it but was still nice enough to be a
considered as a casual outfit.
 
She dressed quickly in a dark green silk and cotton breeches that fitted her
tightly. The matching tunic was more of a long, fitted corset that clasped
around her bosom not actually showing much skin but accentuated the fact that
she was indeed a woman. It also attached to a dark brown leather corset that
formed under her breasts as an added layer of protection that went all the way
up her back to make shoulder pads that connected to the other part of her
shirt. Though her upper chest minus her peach-sized bosom showed little hints
of skin, a few leather straps caged the skin and held the part that covered her
neck, shoulders, and half of her arms. On her waist was and equally dark brown
leather belt that made a type of fringe material that hung down between her
legs. On the side of her hips were the holsters for her daggers that joined
with the belt. Her feet to half of her upper thighs she wore matching leather
boots with a slight heel that was all to help with her fighting rather than to
make her walk uncomfortably. On her wrists were two bands that also held little
sheaths for some of her throwing knives.
 
She equipped herself with her daggers and four throwing knives two in her
wrists bands, one in her boot, and the last hidden in between her breasts. Once
equipped she took in her hair and grimaced. It was completely an untamed,
tangled mess that she took care of immediately by brushing it out, but leaving
it untamed. Waves fell in disarray everywhere down her back.
 
Satisfied with her attire, Ayla left the cabin and made her way up to the deck.
It was now mid-afternoon and they were not in sight of Denerim, which meant
that they were well on their way to Antiva.
 
Up on the deck Dorian, Alistair, Isabella, and her two-clan mates were sitting
at a table playing a hand of Wicked Grace. She studied them all for a moment,
noticing that Alistair was loosing rather badly. Dorian was holding his own but
Adhlean and Iveanis had already given up.
 
Alistair noticed her first and looked up. Amber eyes met emerald greens and for
a second something sizzled in between them. She felt the pull in her belly,
that first tease of arousal starting to pulse to life within her. He was a
handsome, fit man and she wanted him. She had admired him in Skyhold when her
had come to visit but didn’t feel anything beyond that he was just an
attractive man. But now her body wanted to feel those muscles and body upon
hers.
 
For a moment she forgot she was supposed to be angry with him for putting her
in the bed but snapped back to it a moment later, the fury filling her face
more from her body’s reaction to him then anything else. She used it and
stomped purposefully up to him.
 
“Why did you put me in that bed?” She hissed. “I chose the cot for a reason.”
 
Alistair blushed scarlet and looked down sheepishly at the ground, not wanting
to feel those burning eyes setting his own ablaze. But then he felt his own
push of anger at being courteous to her.
 
“I thought you would be more comfortable in the bed than the cot. I had planned
on claiming the cot myself, giving you the bed so you would be more comfortable
on the journey.” He said. “It seems though that was wrong and only made you be
seemingly rude to me instead of a “Thank You.” Don’t worry I won’t do it
again.” He snapped.
 
Ayla’s eyes narrowed at him and she was about to tell him off but realized he
had a point. He had only been trying to be a gentlemen. But she didn’t want to
apologize, didn’t want to give in to his anger, though righteous. So instead,
she said. “I didn’t want to sleep near that window. Haven’t you heard a word
between my companions and I about how we have never even been on a ship before?
I was feeling uneasy and you put me on the bed next to the window that shows
that I was in fact under water. It’s jolting and it makes me think we are
sinking.”
 
Alistair grimaced. “I apologize, Inquisitor. It won’t happen again. At least
without asking you first.”
 
“I am sorry as well for snapping.”
 
“Phew, you two should just go to your room and rut it out.” Isabella said,
fanning herself from the tension between the two. She could feel the attraction
between the two.
 
Dorian grinned at her. He rather liked this woman. She said what she wanted
with no filter. Overly flirtatious and charming like he himself was.
 
“Rut it out?” Alistair asked in confusion. His eyebrows were scrunched downward
as he thought about what the pirate captain meant. She wiggled her eyebrows at
him and then it dawned on him. “What? No. She is my friend and I am married.”
He scoffed.
 
Ayla rolled her eyes. “Married in name only. He is right though. Both of us are
friends nothing more.”
 
“If you say so.” Isabella shook her head making Dorian grin.
 
 
 
 
 
About week before they were to dock, the ship was bombarded by fierce storms
that went on every night. On the first night it came out of nowhere making the
three elves’ stomach lurch, their faces turning green as the tremendous storm
jerked the ship to and fro.
 
All three of them retired to their rooms with Dorian keeping an eye on his two
roommates. Ayla, however, was alone in the room for hours unable to even get up
from the cot. After many hours of heaving up her food, water, and whatever else
her stomach decided to upchuck into the buckets she had beside the cot she was
beyond weak, achy, and ghostly pale.
 
Alistair walked in on this with a tray of food for her, delivering her dinner
not aware of her seasickness. He stopped in his tracks wondering if she had
expired for a moment until the smell of the food hit her and she groaned
weakly.
 
“How long have you been like this?” He asked, his voice showing the irritation
that burst up into him. “Why did you send for anyone to help you?”
 
“Couldn’t.” She whispered hoarsely, her voice roughed up from the excessive
vomiting it had been forced to endure. “That would require me to be able to
even get up but moving makes it worse. The room spins, the boat rocks and out
comes everything making me… me.” Ayla opened her eyes, the only thing keeping
the room from spinning. She had been about to say vomit or another word in
association to it before the very thought made her turnover into the pot and
attempt to retch out her guts once more, unfortunately not succeeding as she
had nothing left to heave.
 
Alistair cursed himself for not checking on her sooner, not wanting to anger
her. She seemed to be edgy of late and was often snapping at him for random
things. Most of the time it had to do with him sharing the same room with her
and how when he came to bed he always moved her from the cot to the bed so she
would be more comfortable. It was a gentlemanly move, one she didn’t want, but
one he couldn’t ignore. It was ingrained in him to treat all women as such and
not just her.
 
He walked up to the bed and set the tray on the small table beside it before
walking over to where the cot was stationed. He stared down at the elf woman
for a moment studying her. The normally fierce and spirited woman was an ashen
pale with a sheen of sweat covering her forehead. Her eyes were shut again as
she had lain back in the position she had been in when he had come into their
room.
 
Alistair bent down and lifted her up into her arms making her eyes open wide,
startled but then she groaned. She clutched him tightly as the feeling of
weightlessness and the spinning room took over her body. He quickly walked back
to the bed and set her down, retrieving the bucket and setting it on the side
where she could access it.
 
He left the room then for a moment, and went in search for another bucket in
which to fill up with water. He asked one of the kitchen lady’s who happily
retrieved and filled it for him. Once done her returned to the room, pulled up
a chair, and sat down with the bucked on the other side of the small table
beside the bed. He rung out the rag and placed it upon her head, using it to
help with the fever her anxious stomach had caused when the storm hit.
 
He soothed her the best he could with one hand patting her forehead and the
other holding her hand, which she subconsciously clutched for dear life. He sat
there for several hours with Dorian peeking in once to check on her and to tell
him her clan-mates were in the same boat as she was, no pun intended he had
said as he realized what he had spouted out.
Alistair stayed up all night with the kitchen lady’s bringing broth to the
fallen elves. He helped her drink it down, much to her dissatisfaction. She, he
figured out, did not like to feel like an invalid to anyone.
 
Sometime during the night after the storm had mostly passed, Ayla finally fell
into an exhausted sleep, allowing Alistair to finally move to the cot and
escape into his own exhausted sleep.
 
This went on for the whole week and all of the group was beyond exhausted from
the weeklong nights of storms. Several times, even Isabella wasn’t sure if they
were going to make it as the ship nearly flipped, or crashed into nearly
unforeseeable rocks. But at the end of it, the elves’ perked up at the sight of
land unable to contain their excitement over the fact that they would be on
something solid beneath their feet and reconnected with the Earth.
 
As they packed up their belongings, Ayla glanced over at Alistair. She studied
him as he shoved things into his packs and saddlebags.
 
“Alistair.” She called softly. He looked up at her, eyes meeting hers with a
brow arched in question. “Thank you for this past week. I am sorry you were
made to take care of me.” She said.
 
“Think nothing of it, Inquisitor. I would do it for any friend.” He said.
 
“But it isn’t nothing. As the one who was most difficult, I feel the need to be
grateful, though begrudgingly,” she smiled cheekily at him at that and he found
himself grinning back at her. “And to apologize for any trouble I did cause. I
am normally not so indisposed and when I am, I become exceedingly difficult.”
 
“I accept your apology and thanks. You are welcome and I hope you won’t be as
difficult on the return voyage once our business with these new people has been
concluded.” He said with a smirk.
 
“One can hope there won’t be storms like that again.” She laughed.
 
They finished packing after that and exited their room and to the stable the
horses had been stored the whole trip. Seranni nickered happily as she saw her
owner and friend come into the room. Ayla felt bad she hadn’t been by the past
week but it couldn’t be helped. They saddled the horses and led them to the
deck where they met Dorian, Adhlean, and Iveanis. All of them were packed and
ready to go.
 
“I will stay here until your return. Please notify me when you are on your way
back so that I can prepare for our return to Fereldan.” Isabella said as they
said their goodbyes and paid the woman. Alistair had made a deal with the
honorable pirate paying her half now and half after they returned to Fereldan.
“Good luck in whatever it is your doing out here.” She said as they descended
down the plank and into town.
Chapter End Notes
     Sorry it took so long, Dearies. I have been having health issues as
     well as been busy at work. I also had a need to take a step back to
     recharge. I know where this story is going but had to take a
     breather. Sometimes you just need to revamp your energies.
***** Journey, Boars, and an Idea *****
Chapter Summary
     Ayla, Alistair, Dorian, Adhlean, and Iveanis are joined and guided by
     Morrigan after receiving a missive from Ayla asking about the lands
     beyond the Anderfels. Only the Witch and her mother (Mythal) have
     survived these lands and so Morrigan decides to join them much to
     Alistairs dismay.
     They prepare for the journey into the lands using a few days to rest
     up before going into the pass and beyond. The elves go hunting and
     encounter boars larger than any they have seen in any of the lands
     they have traveled to. They hunt them and Dorian gives Ayla an
     interesting idea to think about.
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Ayla, Alistair and their three companions spent the next three days preparing
to venture into the Anderfels wilds and from they’re into the unknown forests
that, from what the locals had said, most people never returned from. Only two
people came back, the two witches of the wilds in Fereldan, Morrigan and her
mother Flemmeth. Or Mythal as Ayla knew.
 
Interesting, Ayla thought as she wrote a missive to both Leliana and Morrigan.
The one to Leliana, letting her know that they had arrived safely in the
Anderfels and were about to embark into the unknown, and the other to Morrigan
asking her for any information in regards to where they were heading. She hoped
she would get some answers before entering the strange undiscovered lands so
they would know at least something about where they were going and how to be
weary against new creatures or foes they would be going up against.
 
The next day, after making sure they were ready they all mounted their horses
and sat side by side. “According to the locals the lands we are wanting to go
to is beyond the Weathered Pass, a particularly tricky and deadly trench. I got
lots of warnings about journeying into it and beyond however. They gave me
quite a few frightened looks before telling me where we needed to go.” Ayla
said pointing at a spot that the owner of the tavern they had stayed at the
last few days marked for her. “They also said only two people have come back
alive the most recent of course being Morrigan.”
 
“Great. I can never get away from that witch.” Alistair huffed.
 
“No, it seems you can’t.” A sultry deep and familiar voice said in front of
them. The raven-haired woman in question sauntered up to them.
 
“Andraste’s Knickers!” Alistair cried in annoyance. “What are you doing here?”
 
“I have come to guide you during this quest of course. Ayla’s message reached
me yesterday with Leliana’s very fast raven. I flew here immediately.” Morrigan
explained. “Why are you going there anyway?”
 
“I was sent a message requesting that I come to meet with a new people that
apparently inhabit the cursed land.” Alistair said.
 
“Have you encountered these people before?” Ayla asked Morrigan.
 
“Indeed. I will guide you but I am under oath not to tell anyone about them so
don’t ask me any questions. They will be answered when we arrive. They keep to
themselves for a reason, one in which the Dalish understand when it comes to
the people of Thedas. Particularly with the Chantry and Templars.” She said as
she mounted a horse that a stable hand procured for her. They were still
outside the tavern, the only one that had a stable for horses. How she came by
the horse, Ayla didn’t ask, though she was wondering if the woman bought it.
 
“What kind of creatures or foes will we be going up against?” Adhlean asked
from beside Dorian.
 
“The spiders are bigger more deadly, crocodiles half as long and as thick as
the smallest trees in the Emerald Graves, but those aren’t what we need to
worry about. What we really have to beware of are the snakes that are bigger.
Where we are going is a gigantic rainforest, humid, and the perfect home to
these beasts.” Morrigan told them. “There other creatures but the snakes are
the ones we have to worry about. They are huge, the biggest one I saw at
thirty-eight feet. As big as a dragon, if not bigger.”
 
Alistair scoffed in disbelief. “Yeah, right. You are just saying that to scare
us.”
 
“No, she isn’t Alistair. What she says is true.” Ayla said, seeing the woman
shiver from her past dealings with beasts. “Remember, the locals said that
nobody came back from beyond the Weathered Pass. How were you able to defeat
them?”
 
“I can’t say. Luck and being in the right place at the right time to have the
natives of the land find me in a battle against one.” Morrigan admitted and
then added. “I hope you all brought appropriate clothing because none of you
are going to want to be in long sleeves. You will melt in such attire.”
 
Alistair glared at Ayla, clearly not liking that the witch was now coming along
on this quest. But he didn’t say anything as she and Morrigan took the lead. He
had asked her on this trip and she had done what he’d asked in getting them
information into the land they were now headed.
 
None of them spoke as they began the journey, wanting to get this meeting done
as fast as possible. They traveled for eight hours stopping only a few times
for small breaks to cook their lunch, which they chose to eat on the road.
 
Ayla and Morrigan talked freely, catching up with one another, the last time
they saw one another was when the witch had to induce the Inquisitor into labor
to birth her children that were killed by a Qunari intruder sent to kill Solas,
who they believed was an agent of Fen’Harel.
 
However, the conversation diminished quickly since all Ayla had to talk about
was her world-renowned reputation of taking on a new lover or two every week.
What she and Morrigan really wanted to talk about was what Ayla was doing in
secret that not even her advisors, especially Leliana, knew of. The stuff that
only Dorian, Morrigan, and all of the Dalish were in on, the fact that Ayla was
in an integral battle with more than just corrupt monarchs, would be Darkspawn
Gods, or Elvhen who may or may not be asleep.
 
But they couldn’t since Alistair was with them. Though Ayla trusted him, she
didn’t trust him enough to reveal this to him. It was her destiny, one she must
protect fiercely. If her secrets got into the wrong hands the worlds, all their
strange lives, would be in deep trouble. Already the balance between Light and
Dark were on a thin thread from Corypheus’ attempt at Godhood.
That night they slept completely out in the open in their bedrolls and were
well on their way early the next morning, wanting to make good time and get to
the pass by midweek.
 
They traveled like that for several days waking up, packing up, eating a quick
breakfast, and then riding for several hours before stopping for a couple hours
to rest their mounts and to eat lunch. By the end of the third day, the huge
wall like mountain with an eerily foggy deep trench that served as the entrance
to the unnamed lands.
 
 
They set up camp quickly deciding to rest there for a couple days to make sure
they were in top condition to battle any trouble they were bound to walk into
once they began the trek into the pass and the strange lands beyond it. Their
tents were set up and the horses were grazing in a grassy field several yards
away from the pass.
 
“I think we should leave our mounts here. They have more than enough grass to
eat and water to drink.” Ayla said staring at her mare. She had a bad feeling
about taking them through the pass and she refused to lose Seranni. “We can put
a perimeter around them so nobody will harm them and to keep them from going
into the trench.”
 
“I agree.” Adhlean and Iveanis said together, both nodding their heads as the
others noticed all three of them staring at the foggy passage with a sense of
foreboding. They all felt it. Something was not right in there.
 
“Alright.” Alistair said, not wanting to argue with them, knowing that they
were sensing something.
 
“You, Dorian, and Morrigan stay here. Us three are going to go hunting for our
food. We shall be back soon.” Ayla said as the three elves equipped themselves
in sync a bow and their daggers to themselves.
 
Alistair opened his mouth to protest but Ayla’s gaze narrowed at him, telling
him to save his breath.
 
“We are far superior when it comes to hunting and though we are in unfamiliar
territory we will fare better than you when it comes to nabbing a few animals
for food.” Ayla said with command.
 
His mouth shut and though his eyes flared with irritation, he wisely let it go.
She nodded at her elven clan mates and all walked silently into the trees that
surrounded them on all sides.
 
“They are beyond fascinating to watch when hunting. The way they move is
graceful and deadly all in one with how silent they are. They are masters at
camouflaging with their surroundings, the forests their greatest weapon.”
Dorian said as they lost sight of the three.
 
“Indeed.” Morrigan agreed. “Not even I or my mother could master them in this
skill even though we lived in the wilds of Fereldan.”
 
Alistair sighed. He wasn’t normally against not hunting but he found himself
inadequate against the two male elves, like he had to compete with them over
the Inquisitor. There was no denying it, he liked Ayla but she didn’t seem to
notice him as anything more than the King of Fereldan, her friend, and fellow
grieving partner for the loss of their soul mate. He didn’t know when it
happened but he felt the stirrings of attraction to Ayla, finding himself
having erotic dreams of her of late making it hard to talk to her when awake.
 
The three tracked through the woods, silent and all stealth as they lithely
searched for signs of deer, rabbits, or whatever else they would find in the
way of prey. Adhlean picked up a rustling up ahead of him a few yards and made
a small whistle signal to the other two. Ayla heard it and pulled her daggers
out, moving quickly ahead of him to corner the prey so it couldn’t run away.
She vaguely saw Iveanis doing the same thing but in the opposite direction from
her.
 
She sneaked up carefully and the prey came into her view. There were two large
boars, much bigger than the ones in Orlais or Fereldan. Ayla resheathed her
daggers, and instead took out her bow. Boars were the kind of prey you wanted
to attack from afar. They were aggressive beasts and would fight back. She
notched her arrow and aimed. She saw her fellow hunters doing the same and they
all nodded at each other with Ayla signaling that they would shoot one right
after the other. Ayla shot first her arrow hitting right into the shoulder of
one of them while the other two arrows struck the other one. Ayla quickly
notched another arrow as the beasts squealed in surprise that quickly turned to
rage. The one she shot came running in her direction while the other collapsed
on the ground. Ayla let her second arrow fly hitting the one coming after her
in dead center of its forehead, killing it instantly.
 
Another squeal came from a short distance away, notifying them that there was a
third boar, the mother, nearby. She was now coming to the aid of her babies and
the three elves quickly looked around for somewhere to hide from her. Mother
boars were the hardest to kill and none of them wanted to be in her way when
she charged them. They all had just a few seconds to find a place before she
came after them. Ayla looked around and immediately settled on the tree to the
right. Time to climb she thought and ran for it. But she didn’t make it since
the boar decided to come after her. It was faster and much bigger sounding as
it rampaged through the area. Sighing, she let go of her bow pulled her daggers
out, preparing to fight her approaching opponent.
 
Her eye widened in fear as she saw how big this boar was. She was way bigger
than any pig she had ever seen. How was she gonna survive this? Fendhis! She
took a deep breath and activated her magic, using it to empower her daggers,
infusing them with fire and lightning magic. Just as the beast reached her, the
mother’s tusks about to strike her Ayla jumped and flipped over the creature,
swiping her left dagger at the back of it. The blade sliced but not deep enough
to cause a fatal wound. The creature shrieked in pain but this only further
enraged it and Ayla barely had enough time to land on her feet and then jump
again. The boars tusk ripped her leggings, nicking her leg.
 
Ayla hissed but landed a small distance away, turning to meet the creature head
on. She twirled towards the boar, daggers slicing the air a moment before
meeting flesh and forcing a pained squeal to come from her. Ayla jumped up and
over the creature again, landing on the boar’s back briefly amazed that she
hadn’t gotten tusked by the beast. Having the advantage now Ayla flipped her
dagger and jabbed the creature in the head, ending the mother boar’s life in a
matter of seconds, with it collapsing to the ground. Ayla heaved air in and out
of her lungs, her heart pounding in her ears from the battle for her life.
Adhlean and Iveanis reached her a moment later eyes wide and grins on their
faces.
 
They lifted her up, holding her up since the adrenaline had left her body,
leaving her to feel boneless. “Close call, Lethallan.”
 
“Don’t I know it?” She laughed shakily. They all sat down, resting and
chatting. They told a few stories about other close calls they all had hunting
in their clans. Once she was calm enough, she rose to her feet and picked up
their kills. They tied all three to a makeshift liter and all helped carry the
load back to camp.
 
When they broke through the trees, two astonished faces stared at the three
elves’ load. Both men rose to help them, scrambling to the elves. They set the
liter down on the floor near the fire and untied the meat. Morrigan came around
then and took one while Alistair took another. The elves took the mother boar,
leaving Ayla free to rest.
 
The two male elves recanted the story of their hunt to the other three while
Ayla attended to her cut. It was a lot deeper than she thought but not entirely
too bad. It was an easy fix though and she let lose with her Earth magic.
Alistair watched with fascination, this being the first time seeing her use any
of her magic aside from what she and Dorian used while performing at her
estate. This was her true magic, a small portion of it he could sense.
 
Vines grew up out of the ground, wrapping around her injured ankle and then a
glowing ebbed and grew as the vine gripped. A couple minutes later they let go
and went back into the ground, leaving her ankle as good as new.
 
Ayla looked up to see him watching with curiosity and felt a strange sense of
Déjà vu. It was much like the way Solas used to watch her though with her elven
soulmate she often wondered if he had been studying her so he would know her
abilities for his liege lord in the future, if what that assassin who had taken
her babies from her said was true in regards to him being an agent of
Fen’Harel.
 
Feeling sad, angry, and uncomfortable with him staring at her in that way, Ayla
growled. “Would you stop your stalkery staring?” Her voice was sharp, to the
point, and held a threat within it that had Alistair raise his eyes up to hers
in surprise and then glare as he processed her rude attitude.
 
“As you wish Inquisitor.” He said before getting up to walk off his irritation
with her before saying something in anger.
 
As soon as he was out of earshot, Dorian came up to sit beside her. “He likes
you, Amatus. Why were you so rude with him?” He asked.
 
“He looked at me, studying me the way Solas did and I guess it hit a note of
discord in me.” Ayla sighed. “Besides Alistair is my friend and nothing more.
We both are in love with someone else, not to mention he has a wife.”
 
“But I see the way you look at each other. He looks at you with the same heated
gaze with which you look upon him.” Dorian pointed out. “Why not just make a
physical relationship? It’s not like he and Queen Anora are intimate in any way
whatsoever. Why not get it out of both of your systems.”
 
“Because I don’t see him that way.” Ayla huffed. She didn’t! “He is my friend
and nothing more. Please stop trying to encourage something that isn’t there.”
 
Ayla got up and stomped off to the small lake in the opposite direction of
where Alistair had taken his stroll. She plopped down on a rock bristling at
the thought of being attracted to the king. It wasn’t that she found him
handsome, exceedingly so, but it was the fact that she really hadn’t felt
desire for any man since Solas. All of her lovers were really just for show, a
way for her to let her Elvhen soulmate know that she was moving on even if she
really wasn’t.
 
Ayla sat upon the rock for a while thinking about how much her life had changed
but after awhile her stomach growled and got up to see if the boars were done
cooking. They were and she grabbed some and sat down to eat beside Dorian.
 
“I’m sorry I snapped at you, my friend. I just don’t want anyone else in my
life to become more since I would wrong in pursuing such a thing. I don’t want
to sleep with him only to have him form any attachment to me since I can’t give
the affection he may want back. I already tried that with Cullen, allowed him
to kiss me to see if I could move on from Solas but I can’t.” She explained. “I
can have meaningless sex like I have been because that is the only way in which
I can make sure He knows.”
 
“I understand, Amatus.” Dorian gazed at her with an expression of sorrow for
her. She had been through so much and the person she needed most to help her
heal was long gone, either dead or deep in hiding to where nobody would find
him. Solas had left her without so much as an explanation, which she rightly
deserved since she had been carrying his young within her womb at the time. He
had promised her he would stay to talk with her after the battle but he broke
that promise never giving her the chance to tell him about his impending
fatherhood.
 
Dorian wondered if their fate would’ve been changed if Solas had stayed to
witness the birth of his young. Would they have been able to stop the assassin
that had attacked her that night? Save her from falling down those stairs with
the assassin falling on top of her? He knew some part of her needed closure
with her soulmate, so she could either fully lay the blame at the apostate’s
feet in regards to the deaths of her unborn children or to learn why he even
left, perhaps both depending on what the explanation was.
 
“But what about sleeping with the Alistair as you do the others? What better
way for Solas to know than to sleep with the King?” He asked with a devilish
smirk.
 
Ayla looked at him in surprise but then she thought about it for a moment,
weighing the idea. “That idea has some merit and I shall consider it. Luckily I
have this whole trip to do so.” She grinned at him.
 
“What are you two whispering about over there?” Alistair asked from across the
fire as he finished his dinner. He had been watching them for the past several
minutes, noticing that the discussion between the two was deep. He, for a
moment, wished he was a part of it, a part of their unit. He wanted to be
friends with Ayla in the way she was with Dorian and found himself jealous of
their relationship. He knew it was because he was attracted to the female elf
but didn’t know how else to get close to her. She kept everyone except Dorian
and Morrigan at a distance. Yes, she was friends with him and the two male
elves sitting off to his left but she treated them more like her soldiers and
them her as their leader of sorts. Almost like she was their queen, if elves
had such hierarchy amongst them. As far as he knew and from what he had
observed with the clan Lynx had brought him to when they were recruiting during
the Fifth Blight, there was a Keeper per clan and their chosen Seconds that led
their tribes but not a Keeper for all clans as they treated Ayla.
 
Ayla looked at him with narrowed eyes, clearly annoyed at his nosiness, but
didn’t say a word. She held her tongue, not wanting to be rude but not wanting
to let him in on the conversation between the two.
 
It was Dorian who answered him. “Nothing you need ton concern yourself with,
Your Majesty. Ayla and I were just talking about my husband. I was remarking on
how much I miss him.” He covered. It was clear that the Iron Bull wasn’t what
they were talking about but Alistair let it drop sensing he wasn’t wanted for
the conversation they were having.
 
Alistair looked away feeling gloomy when Adhlean leaned over and whispered.
“Don’t take it personally. Those two are thick as thieves and often have
conversations only with each other. If the Tevinter didn’t only go for males,
them two would’ve been soulmates.”
 
“But I thought her soulmate is this Solas fellow?” Alistair asked confused.
 
“He is, but Dorian is also another half of her in a way that Solas isn’t. When
we Dalish, and in my opinion, all elves find our soulmate they are our lover,
yes, but also our best friend, our match in every way. But with Ayla, she has
an interesting past and future, her destiny. The Goddess has given her many
forms of support for she is an important person. When our lover spurns us as
you did with Lynx or Solas did with Ayla or if our lover dies our souls
shatter.”
 
“Yes, I know. She told me.” Alistair nodded.
 
“When our soulmate dies we follow shortly after for our souls can’t take being
separated from our other half.” Adhlean explained. “When we are spurned we
again want to die, which is why Lynx sacrificed herself.”
 
“Ayla explained that as well.”
 
“Well when Solas broke it off with her Ayla came back to us for a few weeks. By
all accounts her soul should’ve shattered but she had a duty to the world and
still does. So only a piece of her chipped, a ripple in the pond. She was ready
to sacrifice herself as well, but something else happened to change her mind.”
 
“What?”
 
“That is for her to tell you if she wants to.” Adhlean said as he got up from
the fire to go to his saddlebags.
 
Curiosity was overflowing inside Alistair, wanting to know more about Ayla,
about what happened between her and her elven mate. But he sighed as he
realized she probably would’ve told him if she had wanted him to know. Feeling
saddened by her lack of trust in him, he stared into the fire for a few moments
until the sound a tribal flute sounded from where Adhlean had been searching in
his bags.
 
Everyone looked up Dorian, Morrigan, and himself staring at him in surprise
while Iveanis and Ayla smiled at Adhlean.
 
“I thought we could do with a little music tonight. What say you brother?” He
grinned as he walked back and sat down once more.
 
Iveanis returned his grin and went to go search his bags too and then coming
back with a small hand drum.
 
“And Ayla would you honor us with a Dalish dance?” He added.
 
Ayla nodded, got up and walked into hers and Dorian’s tent. She came out a few
moments later wearing silk black front skirt and back skirt with her legs free
except for the silver chains dangling along her hips to mid upper thigh. She
also had a lower leg trinket that had a black onyx in the center just below her
knee that also had a few dangling chains. A belt of silver that the hip chains
were attached to held the garment up but had feathered tassels hanging down the
center of the front skirt.
 
Her torso was mostly bare, showing her well-toned stomach except for the
matching dangling chains that connected from the side of her brown-feathered
breast band that also was attached to a feathery tassel in the center of her
ribs, dangling over her belly button. Chained circlets were in various places
along her arms, one at the top just below her shoulders, another with matching
dangling feathers just above her elbows, one just below her elbows, and finally
tribal styled bracelets some with fur, and the last connected to chains that
laid loosely against the backs of her hands and attached to her fingers. On her
neck she had a tribal styled jeweled and beaded necklace that touched the long
matching dream catcher earrings decorating her ears.
 
Her maroon-red hair was down with a slight wavy from having it up in a bun for
the better part of the day. Upon her head was a brown tree branch circlet with
a forest green jewel resting in the center of her forehead, dangling.
 
Alistair had never seen the Dalish dress like this before, had never had the
opportunity to witness the dances the elves like to do in celebration or to
bring merriment to their clan mates. Lynx hoped to show him but never got the
chance since they were needed elsewhere to stop the Blight.
 
The flute started with its wind-like music followed by the small hand drum. He
couldn’t take his eyes off of Ayla; she was a beautiful sight to behold, her
body mostly open for his gaze to look longingly at. His mouth watered at the
curves of her toned stomach, the width of her hips as she thrusted it to the
beat of the drum.
 
She performed a dance that was equally sensual, that had his loins tightening
with arousal at the sight of her body twisting this way and that, her hips
bouncing and thrusting to the beat of the drum, her stomach doing rolls, ticks,
and other types of undulations that had his blood pumping with lust and awe.
 
He noticed how carefree she was in this moment and knew that this was as
natural to her being a king was for him. Though he had begrudgingly taken up
the mantel of being the king, the people loved him because he was a fair ruler.
 
She ended on a pose that had her arms out in a V towards the sky, her head
tipped back slightly as if soaking in the full moon’s light, and one left
straight while the other was bent with her bare foot pointed at the ground,
just barely touching it.
 
After she finished with the pose, Alistair cleared his throat and excused
himself, claiming to be tired though in all honesty he really wasn’t. He was
aroused and decided to go to bed before he did something stupid. She was taken
and technically so was he. He was still in love with Lynx but also married to
his Queen, whom he didn’t love.
 
 
 
 
 
As soon as he was out of earshot Dorian and the two elves teased her.
 
“That man wants you badly.” Adhlean smirked at her.
 
Ayla flushed. “He does not!” She scoffed.
 
“Oh but he does.” Iveanis added. “He was beyond jealous that you and Dorian
were having a personal discussion that he wasn’t included in. He wants to be
close to you like Dorian is but also closer. He wants to be your lover.”
 
Troubled about this Ayla made her goodnights and retired to her tent. She laid
awake for a few hours, well after Dorian made his way inside and fell asleep
beside her. She was thinking of Solas, missing him. She wished she knew if he
was thinking of her too or if he was busy with another in bed as her spirit
often made her witness. She hoped she wouldn’t tonight, not able to handle it
since she was longing for him badly and to see him in the arms of another hurt.
 
She finally fell into a troubled sleep, dreaming about Solas and the months
leading up to her losing her children. Her subconscious was trying to tell her
something but what she didn’t know. Couldn’t figure it out. She knew it had to
do with Solas and the assassin but she couldn’t comprehend what it was her
brain was trying to decipher.
 
 
 
 
 
Meanwhile in the castle that rested in between the worlds, Solas sat at his
desk beyond frustrated. His scouts had failed and missed Ayla leaving. She’d
been gone a month so far and nobody knew her whereabouts, not even her advisors
which meant that she didn’t want to be found. He guessed that she was with her
people but normally she would take Bull, Varric, and Dorian along but for
whatever she was doing she had only taken Dorian. Where was she? He wondered
frantically as he looked over his map. He was worried for she still had his
magic within her and he knew at some point he would need it back. He was also
worried about her in general. She was his heart and not knowing if she was dead
because the woman was stubborn and wouldn’t let her advisors know where she
was. What if she was mortally injured and Dorian couldn’t heal her like when
that dragon had impaled her, when he had to race to meet Dorian along the path.
That had been one of the most frightening moments of his life, fearing she
would parish before he could reach her. She had nearly perished come to think
of it.
 
“She is safe. She is with the Bastard King, the Witch, Sir Dorian, and two of
her elven clansmen. They are doing something for the King.” Cole’s soft spirit
voice said from beside him, making him jump slightly. He wasn’t paying
attention or he would’ve sensed the boy’s essence.
 
“Where is she?” He asked.
 
“I know not where she is but I can feel her in the Fade.” Cole told him. “She
is missing you tonight.”
 
Solas’ heart both lurched with pain and warmth at the thought that she still
loved him, longed for him. He desperately wanted to be with her.
 
“You can be, you know. She can help you achieve your goals.” Cole said.
 
“No, I can’t put this burden on her.”
 
“You already have. Her destiny and yours is set in stone. If you chose wrong,
though, you will lose her forever and so will the worlds.” Cole told him and
then disappeared leaving him to scratch his head in utter confusion at the
spirit’s advice. Solas sighed and pushed his hand through his now shoulder
length hair, gripping it as if to tear it out.
 
A knock sounded at his door. “Enter.” He called out.
 
The dark skinned elven scout came in then, a look of lust in her eyes telling
him that she wanted to be with him this night. But he couldn’t, not after
Cole’s revelation about the Inquisitor missing and wanting him. He didn’t know
how or why it happened, was in denial about it or so Abelas kept telling him,
but every time he slept with the scout Ayla was always there in spirit form
during, just as they finished, or right afterwards her face a mask of cold
anger but deep inside, her eyes telling him how hurt she was. He suspected it
was the reason she had been taken many lovers over the past six or so months
and making sure the world knew so that it would get back to him. She was
basically telling him that she two could hurt him and hurt him she did, but not
as much as he had hurt her.
 
Sighing, he rose from his desk. “Not tonight.” He said curtly. The scout
flinched at his tone. He knew, she too, had feelings for him but he couldn’t
care less. The only woman he loved and wished to be with was Ayla. And so he
ended the arrangement with his next several words. “And not ever again either.
I am sorry if I made you think I wanted more. You have to understand that I am
whole-heartedly in love with another and there will be nobody else for me. I
just needed someone to help me lessen the longing but it was only that in a
physical sense.”
 
“Oh. Of course.”
 
“I want you to go to King Alistair’s castle in Denerim and become an employee
there and to keep an ear out for any news about the King’s and the Inquisitor’s
whereabouts. Don’t report back to me until he is home.” He ordered. “If she
reappears I want you to keep an eye on her, follow her everywhere.”
 
“As you wish, My Lord.” She said. “If you don’t mind me asking… if you love her
as you say you do, then why do you not go to her?”
 
“Because my mission I can’t burden her with. This is something that will force
her to choose between the only world she knows, which will die when my plans
come to fruition causing her to lose everyone she has made a connection with,
or me in which I will most likely have to kill her anyways because she won’t be
able to stand what I have to do.” He explained.
 
“That doesn’t make sense. If you love her and everything she represents in this
world you feel is wrong then why do you not let her help you see the world in
how she sees it, her truths?”
 
“Because I must right my wrongs that I made in the past. I must set free those
I’ve trapped and in doing so this world will end, bringing her and everyone
else but those under my protection down with it.”
 
“Why isn’t she under your protection?”
 
“Because she has her own mission. She is the Inquisitor and this world needs
her for the time it has left.”
 
“Isn’t there a way to achieve what you need and still save this world too?”
 
“No.”
 
“Yes, there is but he won’t involve her in it even though she is the key.”
Cole’s voice whispered from nowhere. The scout looked around with wide eyes and
backed out of the room with a little alarm.
 
“Because there is only death on my journey. I will not have her watch me die or
be enslaved by those that I trapped and have to set free.”
 
“She is already tied to this as much as you are. You will learn soon enough.”
Chapter End Notes
     Hey guys just wanted to let you know I'm still working on the next
     few chapters but have been sick of late. Currently in the hospital
     and dealing with health issues but I promise to finish current
     chapter when I get better.
***** Giant Rainforest and Snakes? *****
Chapter Summary
     Ayla, Alistair, and their companions journey further into the unknown
     lands, a giant Rainforest with equally giant creatures. One of those
     creatures attacks causing them all to split up for a chance at
     surviving.
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
The next morning Ayla rose early and exited her tent to go about her usual
morning business. Morrigan was already awake, her gear already packed up along
with her tent.
 
“Good morning, Inquisitor.” She greeted. Normally this was not in character for
the witch but since it was Ayla, she smiled warmly. To most of the world,
Alistair included, Morrigan was a rather cold and distant woman but she and
Ayla were great friends much to Alistair’s distaste. He couldn’t understand why
anyone would be a friend with the raven-haired woman, who was not naturally a
nice person to anyone.
 
“Good morning.” Ayla returned before going off to wash in the river close by
and to pass her morning water. She washed with her rose, jasmine, and elfroot
soaps that she had made before embarking on this trip. The water was cool,
refreshing, and definitely a god way to wake up.
 
Once done, she attired herself in the armor she had set on a rock on the
embankment. It was Dalish made, native to the clan that specialized in the sky
magics. It was a deep blue somewhere between the colors of royal and indigo
blue. It was a type of once piece body armor that clasped around her neck in a
halter styled attire. The breast band portion was an armored corset that
covered all of her chest and stomach with laces that crisscrossed all down the
middle of her torso, her sides were left mostly free with only a few thick-
leathered straps, that went across her back to connect the outfit and making
sure it was secure, as well as her hips giving her room to move with agility
when under attack. Her lower section was covered by a small scrap of the same
material as the upper portion of the body armor that attached to the straps
connected to her hips and holding a matching blue belt where her daggers would
be sheathed. Feathers decorated the front and back of the lower portion to give
her more cover in her private areas. On her left leg she had a strap of
crisscrossing leather, another set of sheaths for her throwing knives. This
connected with one of the onyx boots that adorned her feet. Her arms were
encased in matching onyx-armored shoulder to wrist armbands, protecting the
areas that were sensitive like her veins from enemy blades.
 
She left her hair down but added in a few braids to keep the waves of the
strands that would get in her face later if the wind or a battle ensued. She
didn’t want her hair to be the cause of her possibly losing her life.
 
Just as she finished the last braid, Alistair approached with the intent on
completing his own morning ritual. He stopped short, the breath held up in his
throat as he took in her beauty. Her moonlit skin and maroon hair vibrant and
glowing against the water that glittered from the sun behind her. When she
stood up his eyes nearly bugged out of his head as he took in her attire. There
was little there and he felt his blood pounding in appreciation of it, bringing
his body to a quick and rock hard arousal.
 
She was unaware of him at the moment, and not wanting to get caught gawking,
Alistair cleared his throat after making sure his own change of clothes was
hiding his erection.
 
“Good morning, Inquisitor.” He said, his voice sounding like he had been
drinking a honeyed-mead.
 
Her head shot up, a angry response on the tip of her tongue. She glared at him
a moment, not liking that her solitude had been interrupted but she kept her
mouth shut, knowing they were all to leave shortly.
 
“Good morning, Your Majesty.” Ayla said curtly as she gathered up her dirty
clothes and began walking towards him and back to camp.
 
“How’s the water?” He asked motioning with his head to the small lake.
 
“A little chilly but good if you are still sleepy.” She replied before leaving
him to bathe.
 
 
 
 
While he bathed Ayla with the help of Dorian and Morrigan set up an illusionary
perimeter that hid the horses and river from view to keep the horses from being
stolen. They would set up a restriction once they entered the pass to keep the
horses from entering it themselves.
 
Next she helped Adhlean with packing the boar meat, the source of all their
food over the next several days. None of them planned to gather anything or to
hunt much in whatever lands were beyond the pass. They were unfamiliar with the
territory and didn’t trust not running into trouble if they separated to hunt.
 
Alistair returned from the river twenty minutes later and they all finished
packing up their tents and bedrolls, weapons, and whatever else they would need
to bring. All the others had already bathed either the night before or earlier
than Ayla had.
 
They stood side by side, all looking at the foggy looking pass. It looked
completely unwelcoming and they all felt rather uneasy about going through it.
 
“Well come along,” Morrigan said. “I don’t want to be in there longer than
necessary. We need a buddy system. There are six of us so groups of two in a
line.” Morrigan nodded. “I will go first with Adhlean, then Ayla and Alistair
will make the middle, and Iveanis and Dorian take up the rear. Tie yourselves
to your buddy.”
 
None of them disputed this knowing that she had already been through the pass
once before. However, Ayla wondered how they would fight tied to each other and
their movements restricted. “Instead of having rope tying us to our buddy, us
mages should tether an invisible rope to our partners so that we can feel the
other’s presence in case we get separated. It will have a beacon so that you
can find the other.”
 
“A sound idea.” Morrigan nodded. All three mages tethered themselves to their
non-mage buddy and then they all began the trek into the passage with Dorian
and Ayla both putting up a double barrier to keep the horses out.
 
The trench was eerie and the elves all felt like they were being watched. Ayla
and Adhlean glanced at each other and Iveanis, all wondering if they were
feeling the same as the other. They nodded once confirming that it wasn’t just
them. Whatever it was didn’t attack and they went on like that for several
hours.
 
Only once did they stop for a few moments to quench their thirst before
continuing on. As the day wore on and the farther they ventured into the pass,
the more uneasy Ayla and her fellow elves got. They knew that whatever was
watching them was going to attack soon when the pass got harder to see. It was
getting dark but none of them had any intention to stop to sleep. If they did
they would die, of that, they were all sure. Especially after the elves all
warned the others of the presences that observed them. Morrigan agreed with
them and had told them to keep going no matter what.
 
The attack came once the sun wasn’t anywhere insight, making the pass dark,
misty, and treacherous. The elves could see more than Alistair or Dorian,
Morrigan had her own way of seeing, and Ayla caught the movement in just the
nick of time. A cry came for her lips and she unsheathed one of her matching
duel wielding swords and blocked the attack. Alistair’s eyes widened at her
speed and the utter concentration on her face as her ears twitched listening
for sounds, her eyes roving everywhere.
 
“Be ready.” She said as she spun, surprising the attacker. An unearthly squeal
came from where she sliced at the darkness. It fell dead at her feet as she
already unsheathed her other sword. “To your left Alistair!”
 
Alistair, who stood beside her with a sword he had just barely drawn along with
his shield, blocked the attack she just warned him of. He didn’t even have time
to blink in surprise. He slashed at the darkness, hoping to catch the attacker
since he couldn’t really see a thing.
 
Ayla annoyed and cursing human’s eyesight threw a ball of magic in the air that
lit up everything so that they could see and get an advantage in defending
themselves and succeeding in this skirmish.
 
The creatures were strange, like nothing she had ever seen. None of the demons
she had ever seen looked like this. These creatures from what she could observe
were a mixture of demons and the living creatures of the Earth. They bled a
black oozy substance but only if you caught them in solid form and not their
wraith like shadow form.
 
“Morrigan! Any insight on how to survive these?” Ayla yelled out as she
narrowly missed the claws of one of them striking at her torso. Something told
her not to get scratched, to not even get their blood in any of her cuts.
 
“I don’t know. These were not here the last time I came here.” She said
worriedly.
 
“They are Halflings. Half Demon half human or other beasts. Demons have learned
how to mate with the living, raping them and creating new beings.
Deadly.”Whispers from inside her told her. “You must cut off their heads while
they are solid to vanquish them.”
 
Going off what the voices said, Ayla tried out the theory by sending her blade
through the neck of one of them just as it solidified to slice her with it’s
claws. The creature shrieked the minute her blade reached its neck before the
sound was changed to that of a gurgle and then a thump as it fell to the
ground.
 
“You have to behead them!” She shouted to the others.
 
None of them asked how she figured it out the four who knew she received
whispers from the Well, but Alistair looked at her with curiosity. She ignored
him for the moment, focusing on her current attackers. In a matter of minutes
the battle was over with two of the creatures scurrying off into the shadows,
afraid to end up the same way his brothers or sisters had.
Huffing from the exertion, Ayla looked at the others. “Let’s get the hell out
of here before we find something worse.” She said as she sheathed her swords
and released her staff. She wouldn’t be caught unaware again. She had just
barely been able to block the first attack; surprised she hadn’t even been cut.
She had plenty of its black blood on her armor, face, and any piece of her not
covered. She desperately wanted a bath not liking the way it felt on her.
 
They all looked the same as she and didn’t linger. They all formed up again and
walked as fast as possible while still being extremely wary of their
surroundings. Ayla kept the light ball of magic up so they could see, though
she or the two elves didn’t need to. It felt better having the light because it
helped them from being taken by surprise again.
 
They fought a few other creatures but none as strange or deadly as the ones
that had attacked them first. A light shined from a clearing ahead and all
breathed a little sigh of relief, not wanting to be in that dreary, haunted,
and creepy pass. It was dawn early morning when they finally reached the other
end of the pass and entrance into the unknown land.
 
At the first sight of the land everyone but Morrigan gasped in awe. She had
said it was huge rainforest but they all had been imagining something else.
Trees the size of mountains both tall and wide, their leaves big enough to be
adequate shelter from storms. Hell, Ayla thought, they would make fine drapes
and blankets for summer if one had a mind to use it as such.
 
Ayla’s sense of adventure piqued, she wanting to explore every nook and cranny
of this massive forest. But it was unfamiliar in a million ways, its size a
danger due to the creatures that were indeed big enough to live within this
forest. It wasn’t only the creatures they had to watch out for but the forest
itself. There were most likely plants that could swallow them in one gulp,
poisonous gas swamps that could kill them immediately if going off the smaller
rainforests Ayla herself had seen. Then they was of course the large swamps of
water themselves as big and as deep as the some of the small oceans.
 
The air was hot, humid, and stifling in its entirety. Hotter than the
Wastelands and more humid than the Storm Coast. She already wanted to peel her
clothes away and leave only a breast band and undershorts to help with the wet
heat of the swampy land.
 
“We will make camp now and take watches. Three per watch and we will only pitch
up one tent. No fires.” Morrigan said already removing Ayla’s tent, the biggest
and able to have four people to sleep in. “Who wants first watch?”
 
Adhlean, Dorian, and Morrigan decided to take the first watch while Ayla,
Alistair, and Iveanis made their way into the tent to sleep. Since their was no
fire, the three taking watch ate the meat they had saved the night before they
entered the pass. They had turned it into jerky to save it for the times like
this when fire was dangerous. So the three ate their meal while the other three
slept.
 
They agreed six hours with three hours each was a reasonable time for everyone
to get the amount of sleep to rejuvenate before moving on, not wanting to
linger near the pass but also not wanting to journey further into the
rainforest not at full coherence. All of them were tired of the entire day and
night of travel through the pass, their battle with the wraith-human creatures.
None of them wanted to deal with a giant crocodile or the huge snakes Morrigan
had told them about.
 
Ayla removed the corseted part of her armor leaving her torso, back, and hips
free. Only a pair of undershorts was left along with her breast band. Alistair
found his gaze riveted to her butt since her back was facing him and Iveanis.
He blushed but also felt his blood hum with appreciation at the feminine form
in front of him. He sneaked a glance at the male elf beside him and saw he too
had a hard time keeping his gaze off her. Then Ayla turned and smiled
mischievously at them both knowing that they had peaked. She had heard both of
their intakes of breath the moment she had removed the armor. Both had been
caught unaware and though it wasn’t a big deal with the Dalish what with there
promiscuous pursuits they engaged in until their mate was found.
 
“Do you handsome men like what you see?” She teased as she sat upon her
bedroll.
 
Her front was now within view and Alistair was quickly becoming aroused and by
the hidden cough from the elf beside him he suspected Iveanis was too. She
laughed before lying down and pulling a thin sheet over her for cover to help
get rid of the enticing view. The sheet was lightly wet from the humidity,
which kept her cool and within minutes she fell asleep.
 
“So you are attracted to her too?” Alistair asked.
 
“What male wouldn’t be? She is and amazing woman both on the outside and in.”
Iveanis grinned and shrugged.
 
“Yeah.” Alistair sighed looking at her sleeping form as he removed his own
armor and laid on his own bedroll followed by Iveanis. At first he thought he
wouldn’t be getting any sleep since he was now aroused and thinking of what
he’d like to do with Ayla, but his exhaustion got to him and he was out fifteen
minutes later along with his equally aroused companion.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Morrigan awoke them three hours later for their turn at keeping watch. The men
rose and dressed first not wanting to watch Ayla dress in front of them. 
 
Ayla found this to be amusing but though her eyes showed her mirth she kept
from teasing them. Today she decided to wear a Dalish midriff top of brown
canine leather and a matching skirt that only displayed her hips and thighs but
left her undershorts hidden other then the brief glimpses if she moved a
certain way. It was a light armor that her people often wore during a
particularly warm summer that helped them move with ease when hunting or
fighting.
 
Her hair she did something different by braiding it in several places and then
twisted it up into a crown braid to keep most of it off her neck in the
humidity that kept it moist and sticky.
 
Once satisfied with it she equipped her weapons and exited the tent. She
immediately sat down on a stump that was big enough to be a table. Iveanis and
Alistair were sitting on similar trunks as the other three went to rest.
 
Throughout the next three hours they each took turns getting up and making a
small circle of the camp scanning the terrain for possible threats. They also
ate some of their rations of boar meat to make sure they were prepared for the
rest of the journey.
 
Ayla was doing her last turn, as the others were packing up the tent. She
scanned the forest, a sense of unease nestling in her gut. Her eyes looked out
into the shaded swamp forest detecting no movement but knowing something was
out there. It was waiting for them to make a move. She backed away slowly not
taking her eyes off of the forest to the sides and in front of her and had her
hands glowing with magic, ready to defend herself if needed.
 
When Ayla entered back into the camp everyone glanced up at the way she moved.
 
"What's wrong, Inquisitor?" Alistair asked feeling alarmed at how she was
scanning the trees, vines, bushes, and ground in front of her.
 
"She senses something out there." Morrigan said, her own eyes watching for
signs of movement taking Ayla's wariness seriously. "The question is...” the
woman said as she brought her staff into her hands ready to fight. "Is how she
can sense it. Because if it is what I think it is she shouldn't be able to
since it's sneakiness is beyond us to sense if you haven't encountered it
before."
 
"And what, prey tell, is it you think the creature is?" Dorian asked, also
readying for a fight.
 
His answer came within seconds as Ayla cried out and swiveled to her right as
her eyes caught sight of the creature. It was huge, bigger than even the many
dragons they'd all faced at a certain time in their lives. It attacked, coming
after them but missed as both Morrigan and Ayla flung magic up creating a
protective shield over them all causing it to bounce off of it. 
 
It was a snake, a constrictor of massive size and length, and the biggest snake
they'd ever seen. 
 
All of their eyes but Morrigan's widened in shock and horror. If it got any of
it's body wrapped around them they were dead instantly. It wouldn't even have
to squeeze hard to crush them unlike the snakes that were in Thedas.
 
It was, from what Ayla estimated, at least thirty-eight feet long and as round
as some of the branches from the trees of this forest. 
 
How it was even moving on the ground she didn't know. She guessed it didn't
move often out of the swamps using the depths of it to sneak attack crocodiles
and other prey that happened to wander by the edge.
 
It strikes again and Dorian added in his magic to help strengthen the dome of
protection that she and Morrigan constructed. It kept the giant snake out and
gave them a moment to decide on how they might survive this encounter.
 
"Morrigan! Which direction must we travel in to get to the people who have
called us here?" Ayla asked grunting from the effort of keeping the dome up and
the snake from crushing them all in one wrap around. The snake was super strong
and if Dorian hadn't added his magic she and Morrigan wouldn't have been able
to hold it.
 
"We must head west." She answered with an urgency of her own. 
 
Ayla looked at the others, her eyes meeting Alistair's. "You three pick up all
of our packs. As soon as you do we leave the tent and run. We can't hold up
this protective dome forever. We have to run."
 
They nodded and did as asked two packs per person leaving the three mages free
to begin running as they connected their magic to keep the dome up as they ran
from their camp and into the forest. 
 
The snake came at them, easily keeping up with them using its massive body to
stay ahead of them. Every time they caught up with it, the massive constrictor
would strike at the dome, desperate to get at the easy meal that were protected
inside it.
 
They ran for awhile but Ayla, Morrigan, and Dorian’s magic was nearly depleted,
their energy almost gone. “We need to split up and confuse it cause we can’t
hold this dome much longer. We have just enough time to pair up two per split,
a mage with each pairing. It can’t choose to go after all of us.” Ayla called
out to the others.
 
“Put a tether on all of us so we can find each other later on. Just make sure
you head west.” Morrigan added with a nod. The mages all nodded and began the
spell that linked everyone.
 
“The only problem with this tether is that if one of us gets injured the mages
holding this spell will all feel it.” Ayla explained to them as she sliced her
palm open, followed by Morrigan and Dorian.
 
“Is this blood magic?” Alistair asked.
 
“Yes.” Ayla nodded.
 
He grimaced. “We can’t use that. It is a vile magic.”
 
“No. Blood magic is just a means to an end, another form of magic. It is the
mage’s choice on how they use it that determines whether it is used for good or
bad. Don’t talk about something you don’t really know much about other than
what you have heard or seen others who use it for personal gain. We are not all
like them.” Dorian gritted his teeth barely holding back his anger as he
ranted.
 
“What was this ritual used for?” Alistair asked.
 
Ayla blanched knowing he wasn’t going to like the answer. “It is used for
tethering slaves to their masters. The masters use it in battle as a way to
keep themselves alive and super powerful. They would use it to drain the mana
or life force from the slaves depending on what he needed.” She explained.
 
“That’s horrible!” Alistair cried his distaste.
 
“Yes, well,” Dorian pompously began. “We’re not all like that. Most are and it
needs to change but it will work for what we need. You do want us all to get
out of here alive, don’t you?”
 
“Fine.” Alistair grumbled as he held out his hands for to Ayla. She took them
and sliced his palms causing him to hiss from the sting of the blade. She then
put her hand to his and he to Dorian and so forth until all of them formed a
circle.
 
The mages nodded and began the spell saying the incantation at the same time
for several minutes, saying it six times since there was six people. Alistair,
Iveanis, and Adhlean all gasped as they felt the effects of the magic. They
could feel the vitality of every person within the group but more strongly to
their mage who was going to be with them when they separated.
 
They did this ritual all while maintaining the dome of protection that the
giant snake was repeatedly smashing into trying to get to the food within.
Alistair found this amazing since it showed that even though their powers to
keep it maintained were diminishing, they were still able to perform another
set of magic showing just how strong mages could be. He had witnessed it with
Lynx but only small hints as she wasn’t a master as Ayla, Morrigan, and Dorian
were. Morrigan of course had always seemed a master though her power had grown
from the last time he had seen her.
 
“On the count of three.” Morrigan said as they all let go except for Ayla who
kept a hold of his hand.
 
“One.” Ayla whispered the power of the dome faltering.
 
“Two.” Morrigan said.
 
“Three! Go!” Dorian yelled. They all broke off, the dome disintegrating
immediately making the titan snake crash into the ground giving them some time
to run.
 
Ayla didn’t stop for a second, not letting go of Alistair as they dashed to the
left. The snake roared, and by roared, it hissed as it came after them. They
ran, both desperately wanting to stop and take in mouthfuls of air but didn’t
dare or else loose their lives to the titan. They kept going hearing it
slithering behind them. Though it was a thousand time larger than they were it
couldn’t keep up too much, gravity hindering much of its movement and they were
faster in escaping the beast. If they had been near the giant swamp parts it
would’ve had the upper hand, able to slither in it with ease and blindside them
as they ran along the edge.
 
Ayla spotted thin and close together trees, a strange sight to see in the
forests this massive. Her eyes gleamed at the sight and with determination sped
forward all but dragging Alistair along with her. The beast was nearly on them,
but she saw safety was only a short few moments away and it spurred her on.
 
Alistair looked at her in confusion as she accelerated in speed but then he
spotted the forest too and wanting to stay alive as much as she matched her
until together they dove through the trees as the snake attempted to strike.
They crashed through, the snake breaking through a small section of the trees
but missed them. They both landed on the floor and scurried as far away from
the beast until they were too deep into the woods that it couldn’t follow.
 
Both of them collapsed onto floor, chests heaving, hearts thundering, and
muscles quivering from the adrenaline. They stayed their for a while none of
them able to say anything, chests still heaving as they dragged air into their
lungs. At some point Ayla unclasped the large sheepskin water jug and took long
gulps before handing it off to Alistair who gulped as noisily as she had,
replenishing their need to survive on water.
 
 
 
 
 
 
As the too rested, in another part of the world Solas awoke feeling like he had
run miles, the type one would when running into battle or escaping something.
His heart was thundering within his chest. He thought for a moment he had been
poisoned but then for some reason he knew without a doubt that it had to deal
his Vhenan.
 
She was in danger, something she shouldn’t be in. She should be at home in
Skyhold or the estate she had been living in most of the year where he could
keep her safe and out of trouble. Where she wouldn’t be in his way while he
accomplished what he had to do.
 
But she had vanished and it had been almost a week since any of his scouts had
seen her. None of her advisors knew where she was, though he suspected that
wasn’t entirely the truth. Leliana always knew but his scouts hadn’t been able
to get any of her missives away from her like they normally did. She was
clearly hiding the Inquisitor’s whereabouts but what or where he couldn’t
figure out.
“Abelas!” He called out. The elf came a moment later, his face blank. He kept
his emotions behind a mask, sharing nothing .
 
“Yes, my lord?”
 
“Has there been any news regarding the Inquisitor?” He asked.
 
“Yes. She was last seen in Redcliffe boarding a ship with Dorian, two of her
elven men, and the King of Fereldan. After that nobody has seen her.” Abelas
answered.
 
“Where the hell did she go that she needed a ship?” Solas wondered aloud, his
frustration evident in his voice. She had left, but why?
Knowing he wasn’t going to find the answer unless she wanted it, he sighed and
looked at Abelas with a steely determination, once again under the façade of
the Dread Wolf.
 
“Any closer to finding what we need for the bringing down of the Veil?” He
asked the man.
 
“Well it’s the strangest thing. Several of our agents went into the room where
the clues pointed but there was nothing there, like it had been moved.” Abelas
said, his
forehead scrunching up in confusion.
 
“That is strange. Keep looking. Maybe we missed something. Send another group
for the other one.”
 
“As you wish.” Abelas bowed and left the room leaving Solas to his worry over
whether or not Ayla was trying to find him and over her being in danger.
Unhappy with this anxiety he decided to drink some tea, something he detested
but used when he was especially unsettled and couldn’t escape back into the
Fade.
He grinned briefly as he remembered her teasing him over the tea, how she would
go out of her way to find ways to make it less detestable. With the memories a
forefront of his thoughts Solas made the tea.
 
 
 
 
Leliana was worried. It had been some days since Ayla’s last missive saying
they had arrived at the pass, getting ready to go threw it in order to get to
the lands beyond where nobody really ventured without a death wish. She knew
her duty was to wait a month and a half for them to send word if not before but
she didn’t like waiting.
 
She paced back and forth in Rotunda’s third floor where her base of operations
was located, where her birds were kept. She was wondering if she should let
Cullen and Josephine know about what mission the Inquisitor was truly on. She
was grateful she wasn’t alone and that Morrigan was with her despite her
dislike of the witch.
 
A scuffle came from behind one of the many boxes of stuff of on the other side
of the room, a elf with no markings was watching her she knew. She also
suspected that this scout was sent from a certain bald-headed apostate that had
left a year ago after the defeat of Corypheus. This had been happening a lot
lately and the only way she knew was because her papers had been searched and
moved. Leliana was good with observing details such as this, knowing when
things had been moved and when she was being watched or followed.
 
But the question was why she was being watched by one of Solas’ scouts and why
did he have them? It explained why she couldn’t find him, how he had vanished
without a trace. Who was he really? She wondered for the thousandth time since
he had left. Clearly he was important if he felt the need to have his own
scouts and agents to spy on them. But if so why hadn’t he come back when Ayla
needed him?
 
“I know you’re there.” She said to the elf. “I don’t know what your master
wants but know this, if he wants to bring down the Inquisition he will fail.”
 
She heard a faint gasp before a blonde-haired elf came out from hiding. “I
don’t know what you’re talking about, My Lady. I was back here reading when you
came in.”
 
“I’m not an idiot, elf. I am rather deadly and if you don’t want to die you
will tell me why Solas has sent you.” Leliana said, the threat clear in her
voice.
 
“Who?” The elf asked in confusion. “I know nobody by that name.”
 
Leliana studied her and noticed the elf wasn’t lying. She didn’t know who she
was talking about.
 
“Then whom do you work for? I know you’ve been spying on me.”
 
“You are really good. He said you were but I didn’t believe him.” The scout
said.
 
“Him who?” Leliana asked. “You might as well tell me. You’ll be dead
otherwise.”
 
“Why the Dread Wolf.”
 
“What?”
 
“Fen’Harel told me to watch over Skyhold, hoping to keep tabs on you all. You
are a formidable group and doesn’t want you interfering in his plans.” She
said.
 
“What plans?”
 
“I don’t really know. I was not given that information.”
 
“Fine. Leave and don’t come back or I will kill you.” Leliana said.
 
The scout scurried out of the Rotunda, out of the castle through the Eluvian
with her secret code. The Dread Wolf was not going to be happy about her being
caught. He would have to be more careful in sending other scouts.
 
 
 
Back at the camp Ayla and Alistair decided to stay put and set up camp. Ayla
checked the tether several times and knew the others lived even though one of
them was injured. Ayla hoped it wasn’t too serious but put it out of her mind
and focused at job at hand, which was skinning a rather large water pig, a
rodent that was native to the jungle. It was about the size of a normal sized
log from Fereldan. It happened to cross their path getting away from something
else Ayla assumed giving both Alistair and Ayla luck with food.
 
Alistair also found several types of berries, bringing all of them to her to
ask her opinion on what kinds were edible. Only three of the five were edible
but the other two had medicinal purposes and she packed them for another time.
 
They had a fine meal of the beaver, as that is what Ayla thought of the rodent
that had webbed feet, the only difference was its tail, and there wasn’t much
of one unlike an actual beaver, and an edible mushroom stew with the berries as
their supper.
 
Sometime during their meal, one of the split groups made it to their camp. They
had followed the thread that tethered them all and hoped to find them. They
were beyond relieved when they found her and Alistair. Ayla and Alistair both
had their weapons out and ready to attack but smiled when her two friends
Dorian and Iveanis came into the tiny clearing that was a tent and a fire,
nothing else.
 
Ayla sighed in relief glad to know Dorian was safe. She scooped them each a
bowlful of the stew and shared their berries.
 
“How did you escape so fast?” Dorian asked. “I saw it come after you guys. We
were able to rest easy since it didn’t come after us but…”
 
“I think a lot of our escape had to do with the fact that it wasn’t in the
swamp coming after us. It’s weight is its weakness on land since the thing is
obviously way over one thousand pounds.” Ayla told them. “We simply ran like
hell and were lucky enough to see these woods and literally dived in. We
crashed through several of them along with it but we scurried away farther in
so it couldn’t follow.”
 
Dorian whistled with obvious surprise and awe at how lucky his friend and the
king had been.
 
“How did you guys fair?” Alistair asked in between mouthfuls of the stew. “You
look unharmed but Ayla said she felt one of you get injured.”
 
“It wasn’t us,” the Tevinter replied. “Which means it had to be Morrigan or
Adhlean.”
 
“I do hope they make it out safely, particularly your brother, Iveanis.”
Alistair commented. “Morrigan can take care of herself but she might leave your
brother to fend for himself.”
 
“I don’t think she will to be honest.” Ayla said.
 
“Why?” All three men asked at once, their eyebrows raised in expectation.
 
“Because she has tender feelings for him.” She shrugged.
 
“What?” Alistair’s mouth dropped open. “You mean that woman cares for someone
other than herself?”
 
This caused him and Dorian to laugh but Ayla glared at them. “Yes, and he her.
How haven’t you noticed?”
 
“I can barely tolerate the woman. How can he?” Alistair scoffed in disbelief.
 
“Despite how guarded she is, Morrigan does feel things.” Ayla pointed out
before going back to her food.
 
Alistair scoffed again but didn’t say anything. Their hunger took over and they
all but shoved down the meal before they set up watch two per watch. Ayla and
Alistair took the first watch allowing the elf and Dorian to use the tent
first.
 
Four hours later the two came out of the tent to take their watch as Ayla and
Alistair took their sleep turn. Ayla was out in an instant her dreams
transporting her to Solas automatically. She knew by the way she was pulled
that he called her and so her soul journeyed through hidden Eluvians, one
within the land she and her companions were in currently. She was brought to
Skyhold and Ayla sucked in a sharp breath as pain stabbed through her as she
saw the garden that was vastly different then the one she had built.
 
Ayla just stood in front of the doorway that led to the room with the Eluvian,
staring off in the direction where her children were buried despite it not
looking like it. A sob escaped her and a couple tears fell down her cheeks.
 
“Why are you so sad, Inquisitor? I thought bringing you here would be a happy
moment.” Solas’ voice came from the shadows on her right. He had been observing
her for a minute. He felt her tears like a punch in the gut. Had he ruined the
castle forever for her, is that why she left? He wondered.
 
“Why am I here Solas?” She asked, her tears drying up instantly as she pulled
her emotions behind her impenetrable walls.
 
“I was worried for you. You left Skyhold.” He wouldn’t let her know that he
knew she resided in Denerim. “I felt your fear.”
 
“You have nothing to be concerned about Solas. Not anymore. You proved that
over the last year time and again when you left and in the dreams we were
forced to endure.” She said, her eyes hardened and tone cold. “Now kindly let
me sleep. I have had a rather exhausting day and I have to be awake in four
hours.”
 
“Where are you?” He asked, making her seethe. He had no right to ask that!
 
“None of your damn business!” She snapped at him.
 
“Are you searching for me? If so you won’t find me.”
 
Ayla busted out with a laugh that made him jerk from being slightly startled.
“I gave up finding you a long time ago, Solas. I have my own life to deal with,
one I had hoped you would’ve been apart of but you ruined it. If you’ll excuse
me I hate being here and would appreciate it if you didn’t bring me here again.
Goodbye Solas.” And with a pop she poofed herself away from him, leaving him to
his beyond hurt expression at her obvious disdain for Skyhold. He had thought
she had at least loved the castle, his castle he gifted her. But clearly she
having left and moved to her estate on the outskirts of Denerim said it all
along with her announcement of her hate just a moment ago.
 
Sighing with self-loathing at having somehow hurting her so badly she had
literally lashed out at him. He, not happy with his Fade exploration, made
himself wake up to continue his preparations.
 
Chapter End Notes
     This isn't quite how I wanted the chapter to go but it wrote itself I
     guess. lol. Anyways, I will try to have the next chapter up soon but
     like I said in the last chapter I have been dealing with health
     problems that required me to go to the hospital. I am just now
     starting to get my strength back with a final check up to make sure
     the infection is gone and I can return to work. So it may take a lot
     longer for it to come since I now have medical bills to worry about.
***** Anchor Explosion *****
Chapter Summary
     The four companions continue the journey, hoping to find the people
     they came to meet and the the two companions they lost. A battle
     ensues with Ayla and the snake making her anchor which has been
     dormant for nearly a year come to her aid as she fights for her life.
     Solas' plans are foiled again with trying to find the Old Gods
     causing him to question if they were even in the right location.
Chapter Notes
     Okay, so I wasn't happy with the previous chapter 11 so I rewrote it
     to what I felt was a better fit for future chapters. Hope you like
     it.
The next morning the four set out after breakfast of the same berries from the
night before with more quantity of them. The elven men had gathered more while
Ayla and Alistair packed up the tent and bedrolls the four had shared last
night. 
 
They continued heading west all silent not completely sure where they were
going without their guide. Ayla, Dorian, and Iveanis looked at each other
often, all worried for their friends, wondering if they had survived. Sometime
during the night Ayla and Dorian had jolted, Dorian being on watch and Ayla
having had been dead asleep after her Fade dream with Solas screaming with pain
as the tether to Morrigan and Adhlean’s life force snapped.
 
This had awakened Alistair who barely felt it, him not really having any
magical talent to feel it but Iveanis had turned whiter then his already pale
complexion mirroring Ayla as she came out of the tent to sit beside him. All
three felt the pain like a knife to the ribs.
 
With a sense of urgency they pushed on in the hopes they would find the two
missing companions later on or that the people they were to meet would come to
the two’s aid. They had no way of knowing if they were truly going west, since
everything in these strange woods looked the same. Ayla at some point began
marking the trees so that if they somehow got turned around and wound up going
in circles they would know. All hoped they wouldn’t end up back near the swamps
where the snake or snakes, nobody knew if there was more than one but it was
safe to assume as such. Only question that Ayla had been wondering since the
beast attacked was if that was a male or female because if it was a male then
that meant there was an even bigger female around since the male had to mate
and procreate somehow.
 
Eventually the end of the thin-treed forest came and the large rainforest trees
were back along with the gigantic swamps. The swamps were vastly bigger than
the ones they saw when entering the lands and Ayla felt uneasy wondering if the
snake would be waiting for them in its depths to strike as they attempted to
get around it. There were only thin strips of land, mossy from the vegetation
that was overgrown over it.
 
They all looked at one another horrified at having to travel through it.
Sighing, Ayla took lead followed by Alistair, Dorian, and Iveanis. They kept
their weapons out and Ayla took the first wary step. They decided one of them
would step first to figure out where to step first and the others would follow
suit.
 
Ayla volunteered immediately since she was the lightest of the group. She
stepped several times, sometimes meeting wet muddy marsh. Well these boots are
ruined, she thought as she slowly crossed the large swamp. She was on edge
knowing that if another of those huge snakes attacked it was likely they were
screwed since she assumed it would be the immensely larger female that she knew
was probably lurking in the swamp. The water was their strongest way of
attacking. But the snakes weren’t the only problem; there were crocodiles that
were twice the size of the ones in Thedas. A food source the snake would try to
go after when it wanted a bigger meal if her knowledge of constrictors was
correct. The snakes would prefer the smaller prey since it was easier to
digest.
 
Luckily they made it across without incident and made sure to be well away from
the swamps as they continued what they hoped was west. Though it was light in
the forest the trees were so tall, thick, and lush that one couldn’t even get a
look at the sky to see which direction the sun was setting.
 
They traveled like this for several hours before it became too dark for them to
continue safely. Ayla and Dorian had made light with their staves so that they
could find cover away from the swamps and out of sight of other creatures that
may want to try to eat them whilst they slept. They found an easy to climb tree
with a large smooth platform like trunk. The two mages cooked the last of the
boar they’d had from their hunt before entering these lands with their magic,
not wanting to set fire to the big beautiful tree and ate in the mostly dark
forest. Only Iveanis’ light, one he made from a little magic of his own kept
them from complete darkness. That night they decided to sleep with only their
bedrolls, leaving the tents packed.
 
Within minutes they were out, all of them too exhausted to stay awake. Ayla and
Dorian set several wards at the base of the tree and all throughout the small
camp to alert them of any danger.
 
But sometime during the night Ayla came awake with a start, heart lurching in
her chest, and a sob escaping her throat as the nightmares of losing her
children plagued her as it so often did. She tried to cry to herself softly,
not wanting to wake anyone especially the body that laid only a few feet to her
left.
 
But apparently someone had awoken to her soft cry of anguish because in the
next moment a warm body settled down behind her and pulled her into his chest.
“What’s the matter, Inquisitor?” Alistair asked, rubbing her back in soothing
circles.
 
Ayla sniffled. “I’m fine, Alistair. I’m sorry I woke you. Please go back to
sleep.”
 
“Why are you crying?” He asked stubbornly refusing to go back to his bedroll.
 
“Just a nightmare of a past memory that still haunts me.” She replied without
elaborating about it. She wasn’t ready to tell him about the two babies she had
lost. They were good friends but he hadn’t been a part of her original circle
like most of her friends and advisors were.
 
“Was it about Solas? Sometimes I dream of Lynx, of the moment she sacrificed
herself. It still haunts me to this day. Even more so after you told me about
how she did it because she couldn’t stand being alive and watching me with
another.” Alistair spoke softly. “I used to dream about that moment a lot at
first and of when I broke it off with her. But it went away as time moved.”
 
Ayla sighed, “Solas is alive though and unfortunately I am occasionally brought
out of my body and flown as a spirit to him. I witnessed his unfaithfulness to
me as our Soulbond made me do. He doesn’t believe in soul mates so he doesn’t
know about the magic. I by all rights should’ve already shattered as Lynx did
but something else maintained my focus for a while.”
 
“What was it?”
 
“Nothing I’m ready to talk about. Only that it too was taken from me and
another piece of my soul shattered. I feel myself fracturing piece by piece.”
She said. “Tonight was a nightmare about that and it will plague me for a while
yet. It has lessened some but not completely and never will.”
 
“Well, if you ever want to talk about it know that I am here and willing to
listen when you’re ready.” He offered.
 
“Thank you.” She replied in a whisper. He made to get up but she grabbed his
arm, pulling him back down. “Would you stay with me a while? Enjoy the quiet?”
 
“Of course.” He settled back beside her and to his surprise she snuggled into
him, dousing him with her rose and jasmine scent that clinged to her hair. He
felt her breath in deeply and then out, relaxing as she took the silent comfort
she asked for. At some point he felt her shaking and knew that she was crying
again. There was so much pain and heartache in the tears she shed.
 
She sobbed harder into him, letting the emotions she held back out in full
force. He didn’t ask what he was so curious to know, what had made her so hurt.
At some point both Dorian and Iveanis sat up in concern having being woken up
by her sobs. Both of them frowned with concern for their friend and Dorian made
to come over to offer comfort to his friend, his face changing to one of
sadness for her. He clearly knew what she was grieving about.
 
Alistair shook his head telling them both to leave her to him. He could handle
it. Dorian nodded reluctantly but then lay back down with Iveanis following
him. None of them fell asleep, just staying silent as she grieved. At some
point her sobs finally stopped and her breathing grew heavy, a sign that she
had fallen back to sleep. Soon the other two men’s breath became heavy as they
too fell back into their dreams, leaving only Alistair awake.
 
He smiled to himself as he pulled her closer, not caring that he was on the
hard floor beside her bedroll and inhaled her scent as he too fell back to a
deep sleep.
 
 
 
Back in Fereldan, Solas got tired of the reports of the Old Ones not being
where it was said they were and so he, Abelas, and a group of his agents were
camped out near a tunnel that led into the Deep Roads. He wasn’t sure if the
men he’d sent down there were idiots or if they genuinely couldn’t find the Old
Ones.
 
But there he was in his tent, scratching his own head as he went through
several of the books he had discovered over the last year. His men were right;
none of the Gods were there. What was worse was he couldn’t figure out if the
texts he was reading was a purposefully misleading clue or if they had never
been there to begin with. Much of the elven history and that of Tevinter were
strange and very much misleading or even wrong in some cases.
 
He sighed with frustration and leaned back in his chair, his thoughts a
confused whirl until it focused on the one thing it always reverted back to
when he wanted nothing more than to forget about her. He wondered if she was at
least safe wherever she was. He missed her terribly; his heart ached
irrevocably inside him.
 
“It is of your own doing.” Cole whispered from his bedroll. The spirit boy was
sitting on it as if it were his own.
 
“I know.”
 
“Why not return to her? She could help you. She would understand.” The boy
said.
 
“No she wouldn’t. Not truly and I can’t involve her in this. It is my burden
not hers. She has already been through too much already.” Solas replied sadly
but just as stubborn as when he left.
 
The boy shook his head and then disappeared leaving Solas to his depressed
thoughts.
 
 
 
 
Ayla awoke warm, comfortable, and safe. A feeling she hadn’t felt in a long
time. She stretched out and was suddenly squeezed by the arms she hadn’t
realized were around her. Startled, she assessed where she was and then behind
her as she felt the warm body against her back. Alistair was peacefully asleep,
a slight smile upon his handsome face.
 
Ayla smiled for a second but it changed to a pang as this brought the memory of
the time she had accidently woken up cuddling Solas during their first journey
when they’d had to share a tent. She smiled sadly at the sweet, awkward, and
happy memory. Even then they’d had chemistry, and it had been the first time
she had been unafraid of being touched by a man since her clan had been
murdered and she and her Keeper had been raped.
 
She shook the memory away and observed the sleeping king. He looked peaceful
and she had no wish to wake him. No wish to leave this position either for that
matter. It had been so long since a man other than Dorian had cuddled her and
clung to her in sleep. She missed it and if she were honest with herself she
was rather fond of the handsome man.
 
“Well don’t you two look cozy.” Dorian’s teasing voice spoke from her left. She
looked up to see him sitting up on his bedroll, his hair disheveled and eyes
still slightly sleepy from having just woken up.
 
Ayla glared at him causing him to smirk at her smugly. He yawned and rubbed the
sleep from his eyes before getting up to go his morning pampering, leaving her
there glaring at his back and wondering why she hadn’t moved yet. Alistair
roused then and when he opened his eyes he stared at her in embarrassed horror.
 
“I am so sorry, Inquisitor.” He pulled away immediately.
 
“It’s alright, Alistair. I asked you to stay by me while I was distraught last
night. You were tired as well and I can understand how feeling a warm body
beside one is a comfort and helps lull one to sleep. Think nothing of it.” Ayla
smiled at him before removing the blankets and rising from her own bedroll. She
grabbed her own toiletries and followed Dorian to the small pond that the big
tree seemed to have on its big form. It was fresh with all the rain and great
to bathe and drink. It had been a while since they’d all bathed and she
wondered if she had smelled horribly to him as Alistair had held her.
 
“Come to join me, did you? I am surprised you don’t want to bathe with the
king.” He teased causing her to blush slightly. They were so friendly with one
another that they often bathed with each other. She had no reason to shield her
body from him, what with him being in love with a man and not being attracted
to her form other than seeing it as a beautiful creation.
 
“You know you are the only man for me, Dorian.” She shot back with a smirk.
 
“I don’t doubt it. I am me, after all.” Dorian said with a hearty laugh being
true to his charming, arrogant, and light flirty self. “How could I not be?”
 
He came over to her in all his magnificent glory that Ayla often admired. He
was a handsome man, indeed. He knew it and often times she wished he had been
alright with both men and women as lovers but it wasn’t meant to be.
 
As the last of her clothing was removed she stepped into the surprisingly cool
pond, a happy moment since it had been beyond humid and hot since they arrived
in this huge world. Ayla sighed in contentment with Dorian mirroring her once
he too stepped in. They bathed together with him helping her wash her beautiful
long hair. It was now past her breasts. It had grown since defeating Corypheus.
She had kept it at her chest during that year so it would be easy to care for
and mostly out of the way during battles. But since then she had allowed it to
grow.
 
“You have such delightful hair, Buttercup. It is even better long.” He
complimented as he scrubbed her scents she preferred to wash her hair with.
 
“I wonder what Solas would think?” She said.
 
“He hasn’t seen it in the Fade or whatever happens with your spirit?” He asked.
 
“No, when he is in the Fade he only sees what he remembers me as. He doesn’t
see the changed parts of my body. As for the spirit version of me, I only
appear with my face but the rest of me is like a wisp.” She explained.
 
“Ah. I see. How odd.” He frowned.
 
They finished up ten minutes later, refreshed and dressed in clean clothes.
Ayla decided to tie her hair up not wanting it making her itchy later when the
humidity caused it do so. She wore another mostly revealing tribal attire that
was functional as a part of armor as well. She was already fully equipped with
her daggers and staff by the time she returned to the camp.
 
Her bedroll was already rolled up thanks to Alistair who had packed up all of
the camp aside from the food, which Iveanis was currently preparing. He had
apparently found some edible fruit on the tree that they had made their camp
for the night. Alistair gathered his things and headed to the pond the moment
Dorian returned. At that point breakfast was done cooking and the three ate in
silence as they stuffed their faces. Alistair came back, grabbed his meal, and
proceeded to fill his own stomach while the last party member did his bathing.
 
After that they climbed down the tree carefully, keeping an eye out for danger
as they did. The swamp wasn’t too far away which meant the snake could come
upon them at any moment.
 
Luckily they traveled the whole day without incident. They made camp again when
it was too dark for them to see but this time there was no tree to climb up to
make camp in. The trees that were around were spread out as if to give the
large animals a wide berth when they moved through the forest.
 
The camp was silent, everyone asleep but Ayla awoke with alarm. Something
wasn’t right. Instantly alert, she quickly threw on her armor and equipped her
weapons. She eased out of her tent as quietly as possible, looking all about
the dark woods around her. She quickly made her way to Dorian’s tent where
Iveanis and him were asleep.
 
She shook Iveanis awake, his eyes snapping open. He calmed slightly until he
saw her expression. She put her fingers to her lips before pointing at Dorian,
their weapons, and then the exit.
 
He nodded, understanding what she was telling him. As soon as that was
established, Ayla exited his tent and made it to Alistair’s all the way across
the camp. She cursed him for him distancing himself.
 
As soon as she was inside she scrambled over to Alistair. She shook him hard
and startled him out of sleep. He tried to speak but she put a hand over his
mouth. Once he calmed she moved in close.
 
“Something is not right.” She whispered. “Quickly grab your gear and let’s go.”
 
He nodded and rose, quickly donning his armor and grabbing his weapons, and
pack. Once outside they met up with the other two and they all quietly left the
camp. They didn’t get far before a loud crash came through the trees. Ayla
looked behind them and her eyes went wide. It was another snake; this one was
four feet bigger than the first.
 
“Fendhis! Run!” She screamed out to them. She sped up, not wanting this
creature to catch her. It continued to crash through, nearly catching them
several times. It roared above behind them, making their adrenaline pump hard
into their veins.
 
At some point they all split up hoping to make it choose and again it went
after Ayla. She didn’t know why the snakes seemed interested in her but she
didn’t bother to think on it, concentrating only on surviving. So focused in
fact that she forgot about the others for the moment. She blasted out of the
trees and stopped short at the swamp-like lake. Dead end.
 
Ayla only had one moment to think before she heard it slither up behind her.
Taking a deep breath, she turned to face it. She knew she had very little
chance to survive but she wasn’t going down without a fight. She took another
breath, closing her eyes to center herself but still listening for it waiting
for it to draw closer. Silently she called forth the earth, making vines shoot
up out of the swamp and slithered all around her in a protective cocoon.
 
The snake bashed into it, giving Ayla a moment to gather her magic to fight.
Once ready she opened her eyes as the vines came down, going back into the
earth, and blasted it with a powerful Mindblast. It barely affected the snake,
only momentarily stunning the creature. Cursing to herself, she sent out a fire
bolt at it as it came towards her. The snake maneuvered around her flames, it’s
eyes gleaming at her. She gasped in amazement, this creature was immensely
intelligent, and Ayla could see it just by meeting its threatening gaze.
 
Changing tactics, Ayla flung out a ring of ice one so powerful it froze all of
the ground around her and half of the snake’s body. It didn’t last long however
and broke free a moment later. Unfortunately, that had taken up almost all of
her reserves and she was beginning to feel faint.
 
The giant snake was nearly upon her, about to wrap itself around her small body
and drag her into the swamp that was lightly frozen behind her. Ayla gathered
the last of her magical energy and gathered the elements to her before sending
out a massive blast. Fire, water, wind, earth, and spirit all came to her aid
and engulfed the snake. The snake screeched in agony, this attack hurting it.
She felt a slight moment of relief but the snake was still coming at her. She
didn’t know but something told her to keep fighting. That she needed to keep
fighting.
 
But how? The snake was just too powerful and she had no reserves of magic left
within her. Suddenly her mark flared, surprising her since it hadn’t even
glowed in months, not since she closed the last rift.
 
Then somewhere deep inside her something bloomed and came to the surface,
making her cry out in pain as the mark and the magic of spirit connected with
each other. An explosion of green came out of her and annihilated the snake,
stripping it of its flesh and bones until it was nothing but ashes and a ghost
of what the creature once was. And then she collapsed onto the bank in utter
exhaustion not even able to move away to where she wouldn’t be eaten by
whatever else lurked in those dark waters.
 
 
 
 
The others had all separated, each wandering the forest alone and hoping the
creature hadn’t followed them. Alistair had already stopped in a clearing chest
heaving as he realized nothing had followed him. If there was he would of heard
the crashes behind him.
 
Just as he came to that conclusion a movement caught his attention but it was
too late and in the next second he was on the ground with a person on top of
him.
 
The person moaned, his voice clearly male. The man rose off of Alistair and
looked at who he ran into.
 
“Well what an interesting way to run into one another, your majesty.” Dorian
grinned as he brushed himself off. “If I wasn’t married I would of used this
moment to take advantage of me tripping into you and gotten a nice feel of
you.”
 
Alistair rolled his eyes and rose of the ground. “Do you flirt with everyone?”
 
“Just about. I can’t seem to help it really and Ayla has only encouraged it I’m
afraid. She rather likes bantering back with me.” He laughed before his eyes
narrowed. “Where is the Inquisitor?”
 
“I don’t know. Last I saw of her was just before the creature attacked.”
Alistair answered. “Haven’t seen her clan mate either come to think of it.”
 
“We got separated a while back. We had tried to stick to each other but the
snake wasn’t the only thing that attacked. We somehow ended up having a mother
jaguar running after us after we accidently invaded her territory where she had
her cubs.” Dorian said.
 
“Great. Morrigan and Adhlean, now Iveanis. No sign of the Inquisitor. I am
deeply regretting even bringing us all here.” Alistair grumbled with worry and
frustration. “I got us all killed.”
 
“Don’t be to sure about that. Look.” Dorian pointed to the sky to Alistair’s
right. The king looked and saw a great big green blast.
 
“What is that?” He asked.
 
“That, King Alistair, is the Inquisitor’s anchor. She’s fighting the creature
and the mark came to her aid.” Dorian smiled as he pulled the man fully to his
feet. “Now come, lets go find her. We now know which direction she is in and
can find her.”
 
Not saying another word the two set off to find the Inquisitor, bumping into
Iveanis along the way. All of them were quite happy to see one another, glad
that no one had perished.
 
“Once we find Ayla, you must tell me how you escaped the jaguar, my friend.”
Dorian said as they all headed to where Ayla was.
 
It took them about twenty minutes to get to the swamp. They stopped short when
they got to it. There were people surrounding the Inquisitor, their weapons
drawn but none of them actually harming her. Two of them were in fact checking
for signs of life from the fallen elf. Alistair and Iveanis drew their swords,
and Dorian had his staff keeping them at the ready as they cautiously came
forward. The people shouted as they were sighted.
 
“She is our companion. We mean no harm unless you mean us harm.” Dorian voiced
calmly.
 
The group looked at one another before signaling to each other. “Bring them
with us. We can have the other two verify.”
 
Several of them came forward, grabbing a hold of the three men, disarming them,
and then gently dragging them along. Some others had made a litter, which they
placed Ayla upon and then carried that a little bit in front of the three men.
 
Where they were headed they knew not but they all hoped it wouldn’t be to their
death. All of them were worried about the obviously unconscious Inquisitor, not
knowing what had happened to her. All they could hope for was that she was okay
and that these were the people they came to meet.
***** Lost Heritage *****
Chapter Summary
     Ayla learns a bit of a missing heritage from beyond the Veil and
     Alistair comes to an agreement with the leader of the people they
     were invited to meet with. Ayla embarks on a quest and gets a warning
     regarding her future.
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
The Fade was silent, peaceful. Nothing was out of ordinary, which left Solas
happy as he walked through, searching for clues to where the Old Ones were. But
all the memories of that time were not to be found, annihilated by the creation
of the Veil, the havoc it caused keeping where the Ancient Gods were a secret
from even him.
 
This befuddled him seeing as how he was the only who could access such
memories, especially from when he had put the Veil in place. It was like these
events were purposely hidden from him. But who would’ve had such power? Nobody
did. He had locked all the Evanuris behind… except Mythal. Could she have had a
hand in it? He wondered. She had been murdered then as was most certainly dead
now. How she was even spared was still a mystery to him. Come to think of it,
that event was hidden from him as well. Were the two events connected?
 
A blast ricocheted through the Fade in a trembling wave breaking him out of his
intensely confused thoughts, the peace shattered in mere seconds, her agonized
cry flickering through as the Anchor activated. For a moment he saw her, making
his blood run cold. She was fighting for her life, her magic all but depleted,
about to die, and then suddenly the Anchor comes to her aid, blasting from her
arm at her foe, something he couldn’t see as her war cry erupts from her, a
sound he was immensely familiar with filling his ears. Another pulse comes
through as if the Fade itself is helping her. Whatever has her defending
herself is disintegrated in a matter of seconds. He didn’t need to see her foe
to know he or she had been annihilated. He knew the magic of the anchor.
 
Then the pulses died, the vision gone, and he pushed out of the very Fade he
controls back into the waking world. Solas sits up with a cry, anger and
confusion running through him. Fear, too trickled through as he realized that
his magic had been used for the first time in a while and wondering if she had
survived.
 
Cole appeared in front of him then. “She is alive. Depleted but alive. She is
in safe hands.”
 
Just as he appeared, he was gone a second later. Solas stared at the spot in
confusion as to what he was saying but the important part processed through
him, making him sag in relief that she hadn’t met her end.
 
 
 
 
 
The voices were the first things Ayla heard. The room was dark, pitch black and
for a moment she wondered if she’d been blinded. Wouldn’t be surprised, she
mused as she felt the pain from the massive headache currently making her
temple throb. Understanding dawned, as she had her eyes closed.
 
The voices were still whispering frantically off to one of her sides. Gently,
Ayla opened her eyes, a crack preparing herself to be blinded by the sun or
other bright lights. However, the room was pretty much dark except for the one
candle that was on her bedside table.
 
Ayla opened her eyes the rest of the way and looked around the room, not
knowing where she was. The last thing she remembered was fighting the giant
snake and her mark coming to her aid with her spirit magic. Frowning, Ayla rose
from the bed, more like a hammock then a bed. It was tied to several branches
just under the roof of the little roofed hut, if one could call it that. The
branches were connected to one of those gigantic trees they had been seeing
since they arrived in this land of death. The floor and hut were clearly all
made of wood and obviously built into a tree.
 
She looked down at herself, noticing she was currently only wearing her breast
band and undershorts she favored over the leggings.  She surveyed the room once
again; searching for her things, before remembering that their belongings they
had come withhad been abandoned back at camp since they had needed to flee with
no time to pack. All she’d had was the armor she had been wearing and her
weapons. Her weapons she found near the entrance to the hut. Her daggers were
on a small table, her staff beside them but leaning against the wall that was
beside the table. Clothes were sitting right next to her daggers.
 
She made to stand but fell back over instantly, her vision spinning and her
head beyond feeling light.
 
“Ayla, you need to rest.” Morrigan’s familiar voice said from somewhere to her
right, or was it left? Ayla couldn’t quite tell with the room still spinning.
“You have depleted all of your mana and hit your head when you collapsed.”
 
“Where are we?” Ayla asked weakly as her vision finally started to clear.
 
“We are with the people you journeyed here to meet with.” Morrigan said.
 
“How?”
 
“We saw the explosion from your mark blast through the forest. They sent out
warriors to aid you in your battle. You had already killed the snake, but you
were completely unconscious after it.” Morrigan explained.
 
“Where’s Adhlean? Iveanis, Alistair, and Dorian?” Ayla’s brow frowned with
worry hoping to the Goddess they had gotten away.
 
“They are all fine, Inquisitor. They all came running to your aid when the
blast alerted them to where you were. The natives were already there attending
to you when they showed up. The natives brought you all back here where I
confirmed whom they were. They are currently all resting with the exception of
Adhlean who arrived with me a couple days ago.” Morrigan said as she felt
Ayla’s head, making sure there was no fever. She handed Ayla an elfroot and a
stamina potion to help Ayla gain back some of the strength she had lost, and to
heal the rest of the concussion that kept her dizzy. Her magical energy,
however, was a whole utter matter since she was allergic to lyrium.
 
Ayla took one and then the other. Instantly, the headache vanished along with
dizziness. Her strength returned a moment after that, making her feel able to
get up. Though Morrigan urged her to stay in bed, Ayla disregarded that and
walked slowly over to where the clothes had been set on the table next to her
knives.
 
The clothes were simple, nothing fancy. They were a light cotton material two-
piece; one a skirt that was mostly white aside from the soft nug skin dyed a
light brown. The top matched the belt through used light and a darker shade of
brown. It left her belly open and only covered her breasts. Ayla dressed not
caring for how much skin she was revealing since she was used to such attire
being a Dalish elf.
 
She left her maroon hair down and wavy, its natural state in the humid climate
of the rainforest. Once finished she left her hut, if one could call it that,
to check on the others with Morrigan showing her where they were.
 
Upon meeting up with Adhlean again, the two hugged but Ayla saw he only had
eyes for the raven-haired witch he had been separated with for about week.
There was definitely something there and even Morrigan’s, who was beyond
careful when it came to showing emotions, gaze softened and a slight smile
tweaked at the corners of her mouth when their eyes met.
 
Ayla smiled at the two, knowing the beginnings of love. The two were already
ensnared in the webs of it and she was happy for them.
 
After leaving them, she found her own way to Dorian and Iveanis’ hut. Iveanis
was asleep but Dorian was awake and pacing. That is, until Ayla walked in. His
eyes were frantic, his brow creased with worry, and his hands were clenched.
But as soon as he saw her he completely relaxed as relief flowed through him.
 
“I’m alright, Dorian.” She assured him. “Still depleted of magic but am in
perfect health or nearly there thanks to elfroot and stamina potions.”
 
“I was so worried. You were pale as death when we came upon you after your
battle.” He said.
 
They talked for a few more minutes before stopping outside her hut. Dorian
entered with her where they spent time together along with Morrigan. An hour or
so later her two elven brethren came in and joined, all of them laughing,
telling the stories of what happened when they were separated, and playing
games all while eating supper. It was them casting off the worry for their
lives. They were for the moment safe and could breathe a little.
 
Alistair watched all of this from just outside, feeling left out and knowing it
was because these four had been with her during and after her battle against
Corypheus. He had asked her on this trip both for his protection and to enjoy
time with his friend. He had been annoyed when she had brought Dorian along. It
was clear the two were thick as thieves and it was the same with all of the
people in that hut.
 
Preparing to go back to his own hut, Ayla chose that moment to look up at him.
She smiled and got up, walking over to him.
 
“What are you doing out here by your lonesome, Your Majesty?” She asked with a
slight teasing hint to her voice. She often mocked his status, knowing how he
hated to be called by his title unless it was necessary so she had turned to
teasing him when she called him such.
 
“I didn’t want to intrude.” His voice edgy betraying his nerves.
 
“It wouldn’t be an intrusion, Alistair. You are as much a friend to me as any
of them. You have gotten close to them over the weeks we’ve been on this
journey, come and join us.” She pulled him into her hut after grabbing his hand
smiling at him.
 
They all spent the evening relieved that their searching was done and using
that time to catch up on their travels. Ayla described the battle with the
titan snake, and Iveanis and Dorian shared their encounter with the massive
jaguar mother. All of them cringed at Ayla’s battle but were glad she was safe,
Dorian being proud of the magic she produced. He was also relieved that the
Anchor had come to her aid, knowing it hadn’t activated for nearly a year.
 
They all retired to their huts once they had eaten and drank their fill of the
food provided to them by their hosts. Ayla was out like a light instantly, not
even dreaming of anything this time giving her an amazing night of rest, one
she hadn’t had in such a long time.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The next morning, Ayla awoke rested and rose happy to start her day and soon
the meeting with the leader of these people to find out why they’d all
journeyed here. A woman came in by the name Jema. She prepared a hot bath for
her before leaving her to bathe in peace. Not saying no, Ayla gratefully
stepped into the warmed water and proceeded to enjoy her usual morning ritual
back in her home at her estate.
 
Afterwards she took her time making herself look presentable, well as
presentable as she could with the humidity doing no good for her hair. She
dressed in much the same clothes as the night before, pulling her hair up into
a bun. She equipped herself with only her daggers, leaving her staff behind.
She didn’t truly need it since she could perform the same spells, plus others
most mages didn’t know better without it.
 
Satisfied she exited her hut, running straight into Alistair who had his hand
raised to knock on her door. She smacked into him with a “humph” and then
caught herself as she almost fell over.
 
“Oh, sorry Inquisitor.” He stepped back to give her room to steady herself,
though he reached out ready to grab her in the event she fell over.
 
She looked at him puzzled for a moment before chuckling. “It’s alright,
Alistair.” She replied. “Did you sleep well?”
 
“Like the dead. I feel ready to get this meeting over with. I don’t know about
you but I’m ready to leave this land.”
 
“Agreed.” She nodded with a smile. “Shall we go get the rest of our group and
go find the leader?”
 
Alistair nodded and held out his arm. Ayla grabbed the inner flesh of his elbow
and together they went from room to room, until all the companions were heading
towards the main hut, the biggest out of all of them, guided there by Jema.
 
Inside the atmosphere was a little tense both sides not sure what to expect.
They walked forward untill they were at the back of the hall where a woman with
grey hair and equally grey eyes was sitting with a tribal style headdress made
of different feathers, mostly from ravens and eagles. She was easily
distinguished as the leader as nobody else was wearing such and the throne she
was sitting upon.
 
The chair reminded her of the throne the Avvar leader she had met when she had
gone up against Zazikel, who a small occult sect of Avvarians believed to be
their God Hakkon.
 
“Greetings Alistair Theirin, King of Fereldan.” The leader began addressing
Alistair first as was custom since he was the one she sent the message to
before turning to Ayla. “An'daran Atish'an, Inquisitor Lavellan. I am glad you
have all made it here. Welcome and thank you for making the journey to these
dangerous lands.”
 
“I am Sheera, leader of Ainmhithe’avain-ro.” The woman introduced herself.
(Animal-Spirit-Walkers)
 
Ayla gasped, clearly able to understand the name of this woman’s people. It was
partly in Elvhen of course and a part of the world before the Veil had been
created. The Dalish had all thought they had been wiped out when the curtain
was placed but here they were clearly alive.
 
“What?” Alistair asked his left eyebrow quirked up in question at her surprise.
 
“These people are as the world calls them today wereshifters.” She explained.
Alistair looked at her in confusion as dawning spread across Iveanis’ face.
Adhlean already knew after having been here for at least a few days before
them. Dorian and Alistair’s faces only held the same looks of confusion.
“Alistair, do you remember going up against Witherfang and the werewolves?”
 
Alistair nodded then looked at the all of the people gathered in the hall. “So
they’re werewolves?”
 
“Yes and no.” She shook her head. “When Zathrian cursed those people he put a
version of what these people truly are upon them but they weren’t real weres.
These people are. They aren’t cursed and they don’t only change into
Werewolves, but all sorts of beasts. But how that is accomplished I have not
the knowledge, I’m afraid.”
 
“I didn’t think any of the knowledge from before would be beyond you, Ayla
Tyr’ala'sylis’ettln, Ir tolo’o Gyssa Lavellan, Gyssa’o Onna’Alas’ettln.” She
said her sharp grey eyes meeting Ayla’s in a knowing way that had Alistair
again confused. The two elves straightened and instantly flanked her sides, a
obvious moment that said ‘we are her guards’ to everyone but Alistair. Even
Dorian, who didn’t know what Ayla’s entire secret was, moved towards her, magic
at the ready. Only Morrigan stayed neutral, knowing that this wasn’t a moment
to protect her friend, she being in no danger from these people.
 
“How do you know who I am?” Ayla asked her body straightening as she pinned her
with an equally challenging stare, a leader’s stare. Head raised as if she was
a queen, or so Alistair was thinking.
 
“The same way you have the knowledge of what we are.” Sheera said. “Though now
that I see you, I notice you don’t have all the other memories from the past
which I guess is understandable.”
 
“What are you guys speaking of?” Alistair asked, impatient and annoyed at not
understanding what was happening.
 
“Nothing, Good King.” Sheera replied, rising from her chair. “Come we will
speak more as we sit around the grand table for the feast. We will explain more
of what we are and how we differ from Zathrian's wolves.” She stepped down off
the platform and went to the chair at the head of the table. The six followed
until she directed them to sit with Alistair on one side of her and Ayla on the
other. The other four followed suit with Dorian and Iveanis on the same side as
Ayla. Dorian of course sat next to Ayla. Morrigan and Adhlean sat next to
Alistair.
 
They for a while before Sheera began her explanation. “When Zathrian cursed
those men he dived into our magic which is natural to us but he tainted it by
summoning a spirit from the Fade and bound it into the body of a wolf, what
became known as Witherfang or the Great Lady as the wolves called her.”
 
Alistair looked at Ayla and Morrigan as if having trouble with believing it but
seeing them nodding with their own knowledge he continued to listen. “Our way
is different. An animal spirit connects with us when the time is right and
blends until we shift shape into that animal, not just wolves. We believe they
are spirit totems and we hold a ritual at reaching young adulthood to help find
it, but some of us have more than one and are able to change into more than one
animal like Morrigan. She can go from a bear, a spider, or a raven.” Sheera
looked at Ayla then, knowingly. “You too have the ability, child. You have our
blood coursing through you since we all came from ancient elves once upon a
time ago.”
 
Ayla’s eyes rose in surprise. This was what was hidden from her memories. She
had vague recollections from lives from the past and having dealings with them
before the Veil but she didn’t know she had the blood within her. “How?”
 
“We were all one people Dalish and Shifters once upon a time. That changed when
the Evanuris wars started. I don’t remember much of the history aside from that
I’m afraid.” Sheera frowned sadly. Like all the elves much of the history was
lost for the Shifters as well, other than what they carried over from the Veil.
Most of the Dalish remembered their histories regarding the Evanuris but even
some lost their way and refused to believe them to be the villains that anyone
of Ayla’s sister clans knew. Those clans were nothing more than bandits or
closed-minded fools that the real clans allowed to spread the rumors about the
fake gods to keep their secrets hidden.
 
“How do I get in touch with this part of me?” Ayla asked.
 
“You need a guide I suppose. I can help you while you are here, if you’d like?”
Ayla nodded instantly. Any heritage was a welcome boon to her.
 
“Why have you stayed so hidden all these years?” She asked.
 
“Because we feared being hunted by the humans, enslaved as much of the city
elves are now in their Alienages. Or Tevinter’s obsession with slaves. Even the
Qunari find slavery appealing in their own way. We wished to avoid that,
especially after the fall of Halamshiral.”
 
“So why did you contact us now?” Alistair asked. Ayla had nearly forgotten he
was there so interested in the fact that she had a missing part of her here
with them.
 
“We wish to be come part of your kingdom. We have watched you over the ten
years of you assuming the throne. You are a wise, kind, and fair king. We wish
to be given the land that Zathrian’s clan and his wolves held to be ours. That
forest is already enchanted to a point and it would be much safer than these
lands. We are tired of trying to defend ourselves against these beasts. A lot
of us are dying out and we need somewhere we can thrive once more.” Sheera told
them.
 
Ayla sat back thinking about this. This was an excellent opportunity for
Alistair to help these people and also would give her a reason to recruit them
for her purposes. She needed more allies not for the Inquisition, but for the
battle to keep the Old Ones from being taken by the Darkspawn, and becoming a
pawn for Darkness to try and snuff out Life.
 
Sheera was still talking at Alistair but Ayla had tuned out having heard the
important part of this meeting. Adhlean and Iveanis were looking at her,
knowing her well enough that they knew she was figuring out how to approach
them about what she needed of them. They were of her blood as it was so maybe
she could ask that the forest they were requesting for would be open to the
Dalish clans and maybe combining the two peoples to help the Dalish connect
with their shifter sides and have it hidden from the world, nobody would be
able to enter unless given permission.
 
The hall was silent distracting Ayla from her thoughts. She looked up and
flushed as she realized all of them were staring at her. “Did you ask
something?”
 
“I asked what you thought about this proposal, Inquisitor.” Alistair said. “By
all rights, I should bequeath the land to the Dalish since they were there
first for many years before Lynx and I came upon it.”
 
“Why can’t both have it?” She suggested. “As you said, a lot of the elves have
shifter blood laying dormant within them. We could combine specific clans of
Dalish with yours and live in that forest together. You would help each other.
They know the land more than you so would be able to help with that.”
 
“An interesting suggestion. One I would definitely accept if the King agrees to
it.” Sheera nodded with a smile.
 
“So long as you promised to not try to threaten others unless they are a danger
to your people or to themselves by entering that forest, I don’t see why not. I
know it won’t be easy at first and the Dalish would have to agree to this as
well. If they don’t I will still welcome you into Fereldan.” Alistair replied
with a nod of his own.
 
“How long for the arrangements to be made?”
 
“It’ll take us about a month to return to Fereldan and probably another month
after that to get the deed and announcements ready. Two and a half months being
the longest.” Alistair said. “Once we arrive safely back to Fereldan we will
send a raven to you to signal for you to travel to us, giving you plenty of
time to pack up and journey the pass out of here. Expect our raven there.”
 
“Rest up for a week.” Sheera said. “Then a small band of weres will accompany
you to through the pass. Take two of them with you back to Fereldan so they can
be witness to these changes and send us reports. We will not move until we are
satisfied that we aren’t leading everyone into a hostile environment.”
 
Alistair glared for a moment but conceded since he knew a good portion of the
nobles in his court would object to this. Anyone different than human tended to
make others that weren’t of their species be treated as outcasts, but since
they were asking for the mysterious forest that was fickle with letting people
in anyway it shouldn’t be a problem.
 
“Agreed. We thank you for the hospitality” He bowed his head in respect before
turning back to his meal. The food was delicious and all of them were grateful
since they had been eating dried meat for several weeks since they’d entered
the pass.
 
“So how do I go about finding my animal totem?” Ayla asked.
 
“Come to my ritual hut tomorrow with Morrigan and I will explain more then. For
now eat, relax, and enjoy resting up from your journey especially since your
magic is still replenishing from your fight with the snake.” Sheera told her.
 
Ayla nodded though she was slightly disappointed. She desperately wanted to
learn how to change her shape. It would come in handy later on.
 
 
 
 
 
The next morning, Ayla felt her magic was nearly replenished and her body
healed from the fight. Feeling refreshed and excited she quickly dressed and
was out of her room a moment later.
 
Morrigan was already waiting, knowing her friend and how impatient she was when
it came to wanting to learn something that pertained to her history she was a
dog with a bone.
 
“Good morning, Inquisitor.” The witch greeted her.
 
“Good morning, Morrigan.” She flashed a smile.
 
“You are looking almost back to normal. I am guessing you are forgoing
breakfast for learning?” Ayla nodded eagerly.
 
“Tis’ a good thing I have already had one of the weres bring breakfast to the
ritual hut so that we may eat there. You will need your strength if she begins
it all today.”
 
“Let’s go.” Too impatient, Ayla began walking in the direction of the hall
they’d had dinner in the previous evening.
 
“It’s this way, Inquisitor.” Morrigan said from behind her. Ayla looked back
and saw the witch pointing to the opposite side before beginning the walk. Ayla
followed behind until they reached the hut.
 
They both ate a quick breakfast as they waited for Sheera, who wasn’t there
yet. She showed up shortly after them and sat down onto the floor.
 
“Last night you asked me how you would go about finding your totem. What we do
once you become a woman or man you are made to sit in this hut with no food and
just water for several days by yourself until you have a vision of your animal
or animals speak to you. You will eat a full meal the night before and then
meet here in the morning with us cleansing you before leaving you completely
alone. But not everyone finds his or her animal this way. Some of them find it
when they are in danger and the spirit comes to their aid or through something
extremely traumatic.” Sheera explained.
 
“Can we do it tomorrow?” She asked. She would do everything in order to find
it. She only hoped it would come to her in this quest. She’d heard of vision
quests before but had never done one. None of her people had needed to for
their Vallaslin. It simply appeared once puberty hit except with hers. She had
received hers fairly early what with her destiny and who she was. At the age of
eight,  both had appeared one right after the other as a storm of memories from
her recent past life had bombarded her. She remembered others as well but not
as clearly as the most recent. It was why she didn’t really know much about the
weres. She only knew bits and pieces since the lore had been hidden or lost at
that point since the weres had apparently gone into hiding before the Veil was
placed.
 
“Of course, Inquisitor.” Sheera nodded. “I will prepare it. Go enjoy your day
and a good meal. Come back tomorrow and everything will be set.”
 
Ayla and Morrigan left, off to find everyone else. They were all gathered
around the hall playing a game of Wicked Grace. By the looks of it Alistair was
just as bad as Cullen, losing badly to Dorian.
 
“Ah, Inquisitor. I find myself having quite an amusing time of annihilating
Alistair here. It’s a good thing we aren’t play strip Wicked Grace or he would
be doing a walk of shame like Cullen.” Dorian bragged with a twinkle in his
eyes.
 
“That was a good night. Though nobody can beat Josie except maybe Leliana but
she hadn’t played that night.” Ayla grinned.
 
“I learned something from Cullen that night. Never agree to play with losing
clothing unless with someone you want to see you naked.” Alistair grinned.
 
“Same.” She agreed as they laughed.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The next morning, Ayla was brought into the hut where the female attendants
assisting with the cleansing disrobed her. After the women left, Morrigan came
forward and painted her with several marks in specific spots all over her body
while Sheera went around the room, waving an eagle feather all over but
especially over, around, and under Ayla encasing her in the sage and lavender
smudging smoke.
 
None of them talked as they worked, and within ten minutes Ayla began to feel
the magic around causing her to close her eyes after lying down on the floor.
When she opened her eyes she was alone with nothing but water, a chamber pot,
and the sage inside the hut. Nobody was to enter until her journey was complete
whether she found her spirit animal or not.
 
For three days nothing happened, but on the fourth day as her body grew weaker
without food she began seeing visions. Spirits unlike she had never seen, began
swirling around her. They weren’t like the ones in the Fade. They were a
natural part of the world, the ones that couldn’t be tainted and one of them
the greatest of them all. Tremendous power flowed through it and she got the
feeling this was the Great Spirit of the Earth in all her divinity. She was the
ruler of all life, the earth and her Goddess.
 
“Hello Daughter.” She said as catlike eyes stared directly at her with a sharp
intelligence. She was neither of the animals but all of them at the same time,
having traits of each including wings of those that have long since been dead.
“You are doing well at keeping the Darkness behind the barrier. Know that your
fight isn’t over and you are not ready to bond with what you seek today.
Whatever one chooses you, it will come to you when you are ready or need it
most. Take care child and don’t let Darkness win.”
 
“What do you mean? I would never let it win.” Ayla was confused.
 
“There will come a time when you will doubt that.” The Great Sprit told her. “I
know you don’t understand now but you will. When that time comes know that only
one will be able to bring you back.”
 
“Bring me back?” Ayla asked, her face holding a look of utter bewilderment.
“Bring me back from what?”
 
“You will know then but not now. Good luck, Daughter. Fight well. Beware of the
Dread Wolf, he whom you know. He seeks the remaining Old Spirits whom protect
me and the life I create. He mustn’t get their magic or the worlds are doomed.”
 
“He whom I know? What is that? Are you saying I know the Dread Wolf?” Ayla was
beyond baffled. She didn’t understand any of this. Why were all spirits so
cryptic? Cole, the whispers in the Well, and even the mother of them all.
 
“You will, child. Just give it time. Now go back to yourself and journey home.”
With that the vision ended and Ayla was pulled out of her deep meditation. She
opened her eyes, a frown marring her face from forehead to mouth. She didn’t
understand spirits and she hated that they deigned to warn anyone at all since
nobody understood their warnings. Even Solas, who loved spirits, had a hard
time interpreting all of them. Cole had often tried to reveal her secrets to
the elf confusing him but hadn’t meant to. He was just doing what he was
created for. There were several times he had tried to help her too but some of
them were strange.
 
Ayla grumbled as she pulled the water to her lips and drank down the water
after centering herself. She was lightheaded from not eating for who knew how
many days. She had barely drank anything either, being so deep in that she
hadn’t been able to move to drink or relieve herself. She did so now before
signaling to whomever was outside guarding the hut.
 
Morrigan came in and saw Ayla’s look. “No luck?”
 
“Yes and no. I have not found my spirit animal but I saw the world of spirits
including that of the Goddess. As always they are so cryptic about their
warnings and I am at a loss.” She told her friend.
 
“Ah.” Morrigan nodded in understanding before offering. “What was the message?
Maybe I can offer assistance?”
 
Ayla told her all of it but the witch was just as much at a loss as she.
Nothing made sense to her either which meant understanding would only come when
whatever the message was about would be upon the Inquisitor.
 
“Put it into the bag of your mind for now and come back to later. We need to
cleanse you again by washing off the ritual paint, and smudging you again to
make sure the spirits from the Fade didn’t catch a ride with you to late
possess you. Though they don’t live in the area they do roam through there.
They like to try to catch you as you come back since then is when your body is
the weakest.” Morrigan explained as Sheera walked in.
 
The two did what they had at the beginning of the ritual only this time the
attendants brought in a basin of water. They smudged the room and Ayla, before
bathing her. Once finished she dressed into a ritual dress of pure white that
covered her cleavage completely but left her arms bare and though it was long
her legs were bared. A thin white strip went down the middle showing off her
long legs when she walked. She wore gold bracelets around her along with a
matching belt some of it dangling down the thin skirt piece. The top to had
some gold holding the dress up almost like a large necklace. She wore a smaller
golden necklace. Her hair was left down other than the gold thread wrapped into
two strands of her hair on both sides that laid twisted upon her shoulders,
breasts, and stopping at the belt.
 
After she was dressed they exited the tent with the two women in front and her
following behind. Everyone awaited it lines outside almost like an isle but as
soon as they passed they all began following behind her. Her two-elven men
first started behind her followed by Dorian and Alistair before the weres did
as well. It was apparently custom that her guards, and friends or family would
follow behind her as she followed the Shawomen to the hall where a feast was
prepared for her to re-strengthen her body.
 
There they all ate and would normally hand her a totem of her chosen animal or
animals. She was slightly disappointed that she didn’t find her animal at this
time but she didn’t let it show. Instead she enjoyed the evening including
dancing with several men, Alistair being the last. The night was lively but on
the morrow they’d be heading back to Fereldan.
 
Finding a moment of peace, Ayla went outside for air feeling an aching
loneliness filling her once again. She was heading home, back to her duties
always pining for Solas their lost children. This journey had distracted her
from the pain even keeping her from being spirited to wherever the hell Solas
was and witnessing him with another, though that hadn’t happened in a while.
 
“Not happy to be going home?” Dorian asked, knowing his friend too well. She
had thrived on this journey, almost being her old self before Solas had
happened.
 
“I am but am also not. I felt free the last month and a half. Nobody was
requiring me to be involved with disputes or anything political for that
matter. I had only a few dreams regarding Solas and though I still dream of the
night I lost my babies it helped that I was able to distract myself with this
journey. I am afraid the nightmares will come back once we return.” Ayla said,
a forlorn expression on her face. “I don’t want those nightmares anymore. Going
through them kills me each time when I have nothing to distract me from them.
Even the lovers I’ve had can’t distract me.”
 
“I’m sure you could find another way to distract from the dreams. Besides don’t
you usually take sleeping draughts to keep those dreams away?”
 
“They don’t always work. But enough about my woes. I bet you’re excited to see
Bull again.” Ayla changed the subject.
 
Dorian sighed dreamily. “Yeah, he will not be escaping our bedroom for at least
a week maybe two.” He grinned.
 
Ayla laughed and they talked for a long while until the rest of their party
found them. They discussed what they needed for the journey home and going off
to make the preparations. They were to leave in two days with a group of the
Weres who would escort them out of the giant lands. As to stay just outside the
pass where the six companions had stayed before they had wandered into the big
muggy swamps. There the Weres would wait until they received words from the
king about allowing these people to become part of his kingdom.
 
As Ayla lay in bed that night, she thought back to the spirit’s words regarding
the Dread Wolf. She would need to speak to the clans when she returned and come
up with a way to keep the remaining powers safe and away from not only
Darkspawn, but now the Dread Wolf and his agents. This was the last thing on
her mind as her eyes began the battle of staying open or closed as she
succumbed to her exhaustion.
Chapter End Notes
     Hello Lovely Ones!
     So just to let everyone know that almost a year and a half has passed
     since Corypheus was defeated and since Solas left. Its been about six
     months since she lost her babies.
     Chapter 13 is coming! It's a longer chapter this time. Just need to
     finish editing it. Will hopefully have it out in the next few days.
     Happy 2018 guys!
***** A Secret Revealed *****
Chapter Summary
     Ayla, Alistair, and their companions journey home on Isabella's ship
     making the three elves seasick before even boarding. Alistair and
     Ayla fight over him taking care of her while she's sick which brings
     out pent up frustrations.
     They return home with important news for Ayla and a Dalish secret is
     revealed to Leliana, Morrigan, and Dorian.
Chapter Notes
     There is smut at in this chapter.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Two weeks later the six companions arrived back at the coast of the Anderfels
where Isabella waited. They had sent a raven to her as well as to Leliana the
moment they had left the treacherous pass with the small group of Weres that
had journeyed with them. Their mounts had been happy to see them all but Ayla’s
Seranni was the most exuberant.
 
The ravens had been sitting on the mares back with notes from Leliana; they
weren’t anything too important aside from her Spymaster’s worry. They rested
that night, leaving the next morning riding until they made it back. All were
eager to make it home, the only thing blocking that eagerness was the sailing
back.
 
Ayla looked at the ship, her face that ashen color it was when she had been
seasick the first time, clearly remembering the journey to the Anderfels. Her
two male elven companions shared her anxiety and ashen faces neither looking
forward to being sick aboard the rocking ship most of the ways back to
Fereldan.
 
Once again, she would be sharing a cabin with Alistair much to her dismay since
she felt it would be better to be with her fellow seasick elves, wanting their
comfort since they both understood the sickness that would plague all three of
them. But as the week progressed, Ayla found the journey back not as bad as the
one home. There wasn’t a raging storm outside this time and she found she was
able to concentrate on other things rather than her queasy stomach.
 
Still being on the rocking boat made her patience thin. Alistair constantly was
bringing her food, water, a basin in case she needed to puke since she had
chosen to remain in the cabin for most of the trip. For some reason it grated
on her nerves to the point she finally snapped at him. There was a storm on the
horizon, the only one about to plague them on the return and it had her stomach
in fits the closer they got to it.
 
“Enough!” She shouted making him startle and drop the tray of food he had just
brought in.
 
“What? I haven’t done anything, Inquisitor.” He said nervously, his eyes wide
in surprise.
 
“Haven’t done anything? What do you call this?” Ayla gestured at the spilt
food. “Stop bringing me food! Stop making sure I am settled so that if I get
sick I will be taken care of! You aren’t responsible for that!”
 
Taken aback, Alistair processed for a moment before his own anger rose to the
surface. “Then who is supposed to take care of you when you aren’t at your
best? I don’t see anyone else in here.” He replied back.
 
“I told you I would’ve been fine rooming with my elven brethren with Dorian
keeping an eye on us.” Ayla fought back. She hated being taken care of, feeling
vulnerable to another. After Solas, Ayla was even more adamant about not taking
help from others with the exception of Dorian or Morrigan. Everyone knew that
she hated feeling helpless and unable to function enough to do her duty; even
Solas had treaded lightly at first before she allowed him to dote on her. Then
he broke it off and she lost that support system, no longer trusting anyone
with that honor of caring for her as a husband or lover would. Only Dorian or
Morrigan.
 
“Why is it so hard for you to allow me to care for you while you are in the
midst of seasickness? Why are you so rude when someone is helping you?”
Alistair demanded.
 
“Because I can take care of myself!” She cried. “You aren’t my husband and I
don’t need you to act as though you were one!”
 
“Look at you! You can’t take care of yourself right now! Admit it, Inquisitor.
You have a weakness with ships. You don’t like having this weakness and that is
what irritates you more than me taking care of you while you unfortunately go
through this weakness.” Alistair said his arms folded across his chest with
angry tension. “And what is worse is that we are about to head through a storm,
which will inevitably make you more seasick.”
 
“I don’t want your help, Alistair. I will survive this just as I did the first
time through.” She said stubbornly as she inwardly cringed at the thought of
the storm. Great! Just what she needed. More reason for him to hover over her
like she was an invalid.
 
“Do you remember I had come in to when you were beyond dehydrated from puking
over and over, unable to move? If I hadn’t you might have passed out in your
vomit and died.” Alistair pointed out. “You are getting my help whether you
want it or not.”
 
Alistair approached her intending to make her sit down as the storm began
rocking the ship harder. Suddenly, she hit him making him step back for a
moment. She was giving him a glare that warned him to stay away. He ignored it
and proceeded to come towards her. She hit him again, kept hitting him as he
came at her like an angry lion defending it territory.
 
She slapped him hard across the face, changing tactics hoping this would offend
him enough to leave her alone. But it seemed to only aggravate him and he
reacted fast grabbing her by the shoulders and slamming her hard into the wall
of the cabin behind her. She screeched trying to smack him again until he
grabbed both wrists in each hand and shoving them against the wall on both
sides of her.
 
Without thinking he crashed his lips down upon hers. At first, she was stunned,
her body going slack in his as the fight left it but then the vitality within
her resurged as he let go of her hands to grab her head, putting all of his
anger into the kiss. She slapped at him for a bit causing him to pull his head
back. He looked at her as she began calling him all sorts of vile names that
had him kissing her again, if only to shut her up. Her mouth was open slightly
what with her stringing curses at him causing him to tease her lips with his
tongue, asking with a hint of demand despite his anger and annoyance with her.
 
Ayla’s breath rushed in with a slight gasp before a moan escaped her and she
grabbed a hold of him, pulling him into her as she responded to his kiss by
crashing her tongue into his accepting him into her mouth. The kiss was
passionate, slightly rough, and had her completely distracted as he dominated
her small frame with his much larger one. He had her pressed up against the
wall, her arms around his neck clinging to him as they kissed. His hands left
her face, caressing up the sides of her torso, gently rubbing against the swell
of her breasts.
 
Alistair hummed in approval causing Ayla to groan with need. Without even
thinking he began looking for the ties on the back of her tribal midriff baring
corseted top that served as her light armor. A second later it was gone, the
cold air hitting her breasts, and hardening her nipples. His fingers crawled up
from her belly until they came into contact with the peach-sized mounds. He
circled her nipples with both of his thumbs never breaking the kiss, catching
her excited gasp in his mouth.
 
She panted as he began to unlace her leggings that attached to a tribal styled
skirt matching the top that lay forgotten on the floor. Once unlaced he allowed
her bottoms to fall to the floor with undershorts included. He broke the kiss
from her mouth, trailing it down her chin to her neck and on until his mouth
was at one of her breasts, the other already down south exploring her pelvis.
He gasped in surprise, she had a little line of hair in the middle of her
pelvic mound that just barely touched her jewel. Elves were strange creatures
in that their anatomies were a slight different than that of humans. The only
places they grew hair other than their heads was in their nether regions. None
on their arms, legs, armpits, or face aside from eyebrows. Ayla, he learned,
was different from Lynx. She’d had more hair that covered her mound and he
wondered if all females were different or if they shaved much in the same way a
man did.
 
He played with it a bit before exploring her folds and then rolling her
clitoris in circles, making her mew and pant as she spread her legs to the best
of her ability against the wall. He continued with his exploration groaning in
excitement at how wet she was already for him.
 
Unable to stand it any longer, it being months since she’d last had sex, she
pulled him up kissing his lips in an impatient whimper as she wrestled his own
trousers off, his linen shirt already gone, having already removed it before he
had gone to get her a tray of food. His erection bounced up the moment he was
released from his trousers. She gripped his throbbing shaft, stroking it for a
few seconds moaning with her own approval.
 
He groaned at the feel of her hands stroking him but he was just as desperate
as she, the lust and sexual tension riding them hard. He positioned himself at
her entrance and then with one swift and deep thrust he was embedded within her
causing them both to cry out with pleasure. Unable to even think about giving
her a moment to adjust to his size he pulled out and thrust back in over and
over but he needn’t have worried. Ayla was right there with him, matching him
the best she could against the cabin wall.
 
This wasn’t a tender loving but one of spontaneity and anger brought on by
their argument, her worry over the storm, and the tension from the journey that
nearly ended their lives several times as they traveled to uncharted lands. To
Ayla, this was simply her brain shutting down and her body releasing all of her
worries through the demanding man who had kissed her out of nowhere, igniting
her lust.
 
Alistair felt her insides begin to coil, readying to climax making her tighter
and tighter around him as he pounded into her silken sheath. Little pants came
from her as she approached the precipice. And then she was there clenching and
trying to keep him within her body driving him over the edge as he thrusted
deeply within her and orgasmed as she rode hers.
 
 
 
 
 
 
They rested for what felt like forever, their brains still buzzing from the
high of their climaxes. But as they came down from it reality began creeping
back in and Ayla was filled with horror. She didn’t know how it happened,
everything had escalated so fast she didn’t even know what to think other than
this was beyond awkward.
 
Alistair was still inside her, his chest still pressed to hers heaving in air
as his own brain clicked back into the now. He looked at where he was still
joined with her and his eyes widened.
 
“Oh… I am sorry. I don’t know what… how could I do this?” Alistair stuttered
out an ashamed and extremely nervous apology. “I had only… I only wanted to
kiss you, distract you… I had no intention of… taking advantage of you.” He
pulled out of her and stepped away so fast that she was left feeling the chill
of the cabin.
 
“You didn’t take advantage of me.” Ayla tried to assure him but he cut her off.
 
“Yes, I did. I all but assaulted you! You must hate me! What have I done?”
 
“Alistair!” She shouted out, getting his attention. “Do you honestly think I
would allow you to assault me? I am a deadly woman with the power to kill you
instantly if I thought my wellbeing was in danger. Yes, you kissed me and at
first I was mad at you for doing it without asking since we are friends. But I
responded and used you as much as you used me. You helped distract me from the
storm and released the pent-up anxiety within me. This was nothing more than us
helping each other out by scratching an itch.”
 
“Wait… what? You don’t harbor any feelings for me? Not one other than
friendship?” Alistair asked, slightly hurt by her cold demeanor after the
passion they both just showed the other.
 
“Alistair, I don’t have those feelings to give. I find your appearance
attractive and have often wondered what it would be like in your bed but that
is all. You are my friend but that is all. My heart and soul belong to my
soulmate. All I could offer is no strings attached sex, nothing more. I am
sorry if I hurt you but I didn’t intend to. Don’t forget that you kissed me.”
Ayla explained as she found her top on the floor. She put it back on using her
magic to lace up the back so she didn’t have to ask him for help.
 
“I’m sorry. Forgive me. Sometimes I forget you are a Dalish elf and though you
seem human enough to experience love, joy, and all the emotions humans can feel
you are of a different species that has different things like soulmates.” He
said, calming down as he realized she had no intention of hurting him. It
wasn’t her fault he saw her as more than a friend.
 
“It’s alright… and thank you.”
 
“For what?”
 
“For distracting me from my seasickness. I am not feeling anything of the sort
and I believe the storm has passed.” She pulled on her undershorts and then re-
attired herself with the leggings and skirt just as someone knocked on the
door. Alistair had already dawned his trousers but their hair was extremely
disheveled and this is what Dorian came into as he entered the cabin.
 
He stopped short at seeing their appearance and couldn’t help but smirk as he
said, “Well don’t you two look a little informal. What is that musky scent I
detect?”
 
“Nothing, what is it you came in here for?” Ayla asked, glaring at him.
 
He shut his mouth but kept his cocky grin that showed he knew something
happened between them. “I just thought you’d want to know that we are to be
docking within a few hours. Isabella said to start packing any belongings.” He
gave Ayla a pointed stare that said he expected details later before he turned
and left the room.
 
“Well that is going to be an embarrassing conversation later.” She said as she
stared at the now closed door.
 
Alistair laughed nervously before brushing his hand through his hair. “So… Uh…
I don’t know what to do with what transpired between us.”
 
“We go on as friends. Let’s not mention it again. It happened, can’t change it
now. It was a very pleasurable experience that I rather enjoyed but don’t want
to complicate it. You are the King of Fereldan and have a wife. I am the
Inquisitor, a Dalish elf mage who is already in love with somebody else.” Ayla
said. “Once the ship docks we will part ways and continue on as we always
have.”
 
“As you wish, Inquisitor.” Alistair said. He turned and began to pack. She
joined him; both quiet something now broken between the two. Ayla knew she hurt
him but it couldn’t be helped. She only saw him as an attractive man whom she
had been curious about. Her heart and soul belonged to Solas. This felt
familiar, reminding her of when she had turned down Cullen.
 
Sighing, she turned grabbing his hands halting his packing. “I cherish our
friendship more than you’ll know. I am affectionate towards you and am
attracted to you but that is all. I don’t mean to hurt your feelings something
you shouldn’t have since you have a wife, one whom you gave up Lynx for,
remember?”
 
“You’re right. I am sorry for making you feel guilty for hurting me. I also
cherish our friendship. You are an admirable woman and its hard not to have an
inkling of feelings that surpass friendship. I won’t let it get in the way of
our friendship.” They smiled at one another and finished their packing.
 
Once finished they joined the others on the deck and watched the last of the
distance disappear as the dock to Denerim approached. Once they came ashore
their mounts were brought around as they descended from the gangplank where a
small contingent of guards awaited with the Queen.
 
“Inquisitor, we meet again.” Anora bowed her head respectfully. Ayla herself
curtsied as Alistair walked around her. He hugged his wife before placing
Anora’s hand in the crook of his elbow.
 
“Greetings your majesty.” She replied as she came out of curtsy. A raven landed
upon her shoulder then with a message upon its foot “I’m sorry that I can’t
stay or accompany you to the castle to tell you of our journeys but I’m afraid
I have a rather urgent matter to attend to.” Ayla looked at her elven comrades
with a slightly worried expression, handing them the note before turning back
to Alistair. “if you’ll excuse me.”
 
“Of course, Inquisitor.” Anora said. “Once you have gotten the matter in hand
would you do me the honor of visiting me at the castle?”
 
“I’d be delighted.” Ayla mounted Seranni and was immediately copied by her five
friends. “Safe travels back to the castle, Your Majesties.”
 
With that Ayla clicked her tongue signaling her mare to gallop and was riding
away with her companions behind her.
 
 
 
They made it back to the estate an hour later barging in on Cullen and
Josephine discussing a political drama going on in Orlais.
 
“Inquisitor!” They both shouted in surprise. She had left with little word to
them and they hadn’t heard from her in months. “You’re here!”
 
“Yes. I was on mission requested by the King.” Ayla informed them. “You will
hear about it all I promise but first allow us to rest since we have not been
home in a long while. I want nothing more right now than a bath.”
 
“Of course, Inquisitor. We look forward to your report.” Cullen said with
Josephine echoing him.
 
She left the room stopping to look at Adhlean and Iveanis. “Join me in my
quarters as soon as you have bathed. We have a guest.”
 
The two bowed and retired to their rooms while Dorian and Morrigan stared after
them.
 
“You are free to do as you wish. If I need you I will tell you so.” Ayla walked
off towards her rooms. She entered a few moments later and proceeded to bathe.
 
She washed off the last several months’ worth of grime even though she had
bathed regularly throughout the journey whenever they could. The humidity
however didn’t help much, making her sweaty and unclean within moments of
bathing. She sighed in joy, her body relaxing into the rose smelling water.
 
 
 
 
 
 
As the Inquisitor bathed, the scout spying in Ayla’s estate as an employed
attendant left, going outside as if to brush the horses. Instead she traveled
to the Eluvian hidden in a secret room in the tavern of Denerim and went
through. She walked with purpose to her commander’s chambers, knocking twice
before entering.
 
“The Inquisitor has returned.”
 
“Finally. Is she alright?” Solas asked pushing away from his desk. Already
beyond frustrated with the reports of still not finding the hidden Old Gods
that hadn’t been corrupted by Darkspawn, who were also searching for them in
the Deep Roads.
 
“She appears quite healthy. She will be talking to her two advisors soon about
where she went. Do you want me to listen in?”
 
“Yes, I would.” Solas sighed with relief hearing that she was fine. “Did you
happen to notice if her anchor was bothering her?”
 
“I didn’t know, sorry. With all the commotion, well she kind of barged in like
a demon was on her heels followed by those who’d accompanied her I wasn’t
really able to. She was in and out of that room so fast one couldn’t get a
sense of her other than she was clearly in a hurry for some reason.” The scout
said causing Solas to frown. What had made her enter her own estate like that?
He was curious what she was up to wondering what could possibly be keeping her
busy that didn’t have to do with Thedas being put back together.
 
“Keep on her. See if you can learn anything of importance especially in regards
to finding us.” Solas ordered
 
The scout left leaving Solas to his reports. He grumbled in annoyance, the darn
things not making sense. Scouts were missing, dead, along with Darkspawn, and
the Old Gods weren’t where the old ancient texts from Tevinter and several of
the ruins he had visited had said. Even the memories were saying that they had
been hidden in the chambers but nothing, not one text or memory showed that
they had been moved.
 
“So frustrated. The answer eludes you because you are not with her. She can
help, she knows. You love her and she loves you. She misses you. Tell her the
truth before it is too late. She will help you, she has a different way.” Cole
said from the bookshelf to his right. “None of these will help because they
move.”
 
“No Cole. I can’t involve her in this. For the last time, you aren’t helping.
You can’t heal this hurt.” Solas growled stubbornly. The spirit disappeared
again shaking his head at the thickheaded elf.
 
 
 
 
 
Ayla felt refreshed after her bath and finished dressing, choosing to wear a
long-sleeved tunic of black and grey with silver leggings and a long cloak of
black and silver matching the whole ensemble. She braided her hair first
starting where her hair met her forehead, making a simple crown braid before
meeting it with the rest of her hair and having it form a beautiful side braid
down her right breast.
 
As she finished with her hair, a knock sounded at the door. Already knowing
whom it is she bade them enter. Iveanis and Adhlean entered closing the door
behind them, warding it so nobody would come in.
 
A secret door next to her wardrobe opened then revealing Ladarvise and
Aviselan, her guests she had been expecting. This was normal since she had
moved into the estate. She’d explored every inch of it before settling within
it, making sure she knew where all the secret passages were in the event she
needed them, which she did since she had to keep her Dalish meetings mostly
secret.
 
“An'daran Atish'anmy friends.” She greeted with a smile. They responded with
formal greetings of their own before hugging their friend. “As happy as I am to
see you what is going on that is so urgent?”
 
“We have been in contact with all the clans. They have been going into hiding
in every city in Thedas including Tevinter and Nevarra. There are rumors of the
three daggers, The Thorn of the Dead Gods.” Aviselan said. “In the letters from
the spies within those cities, the rumors lead to two locations. One is
supposedly at Hunter Fell where the battle was won. It is said that a man
became obsessed, needing to bury a strange red dagger in the catacombs beneath
the castle in the hopes nobody else would hear the whispers from the thing.”
Ayla, Adhlean, and Iveanis looked at one another in confusion.
 
“So?”
 
“Don’t you remember the legend of Toth’s fall to the Warden during the Third
Blight?” Aviselan asked excitedly. The three thought for a moment before Ayla
responded.
 
“Legend says that when the Warden slaughtered him his sword shattered into
three before the dragon and the Warden succumbed to their deaths.” She said her
mind still thinking.
 
“And after that some woman found the fragmented pieces. It is said she brought
them to a blade smith where she sold the scrap metal. She didn’t know she
could’ve gotten more for it but the smith knew he had something when she told
him of energy within them, the metal vibrated as if alive. He paid her, her
being happy to be rid of them left none the wiser.” Adhlean added his own mind
turning trying to remember the legend.
 
“The smith excited with his good fortune crafted them into three daggers and
sold them once finished. He, too, was happy to be rid of them not liking the
whispers that came from them. The daggers were sold and resold over and over,
nobody wanting to keep them saying they were possessed by demons until they
were lost.” Aviselan finished for them.
 
Ayla thought about it and gasped. “Toth transferred his power into the sword.
That is why it shattered. The whispers are from the little bit of his soul he
left to seal it until they found their rightful owner, whoever was to be the
powers protector. Find all three and protect it.”
 
“Is that where we are to look next?” Ladarvise asked making them all jump. He
had been quiet the whole time making them forget he was there.
 
“Yes, and I will be joining you.” Ayla said.
 
“That’s not all.” Aviselan said.
 
They turned back to her waiting for her to finish. “I have been deciphering
those Shards you found during your search for the First Inquisitor since they
didn’t go into the ones you had for the other doors in that temple. Deshanna
had several of our clan members go to the Oasis and we found another door
hidden. We think these go there and I’m wondering if another piece is there.
You said you heard whispering in the temple, yes? Nobody else heard it except
you?”
 
“Yes.” Ayla said. “The others all thought I was crazy.”
 
“I think you are more sensitive to them since you took the Well of Sorrows
power. You can sense them.” As if in agreement to this statement, the whispers
jumbled inside her brain not making any sense.
 
“That would explain it.” She nodded her in agreement. “Anything else?”
 
“Yes. Before we head off to these locations we need to find a temporary holding
place for the two Old Gods that haven’t been corrupted by Darkspawn. Agents of
Fen’Harel haven’t given up and keep looking where they were hidden during the
forming of the Veil. We have taken them as far in as we can go and killed both
Darkspawn and The Dread Wolf’s spies but they are both persistent. We need help
and a better place to hide them. It doesn’t help that there have been many
earthquakes of late that have been so bad they are causing tunnels to collapse.
Something else has been happening down there as well. A few of our own have
gone missing every time we go deeper to look for a new hiding place for the
Ancients.” Aviselan informed her.
 
Ayla glowered at her, not really at her but at the fact the agents wouldn’t
give up. She frowned more as she took in the information regarding the
earthquakes. “Does anyone know what’s causing these quakes?” She asked.
 
“No. But there are some dwarves who are planning a trip down deep, deep into
the dwarven tunnels to see if it’s possible to stop it. Apparently another one
of their Lyrium Mines collapsed from one of the quakes.” Ladarvise said.
 
“Alright, we need to find out why our people are going missing. I want to
inform Leliana, Dorian, and Morrigan about this. In the meantime, keep guarding
the Old Gods by thwarting both the Darkspawn and the Dread Wolf's Agents until
we can figure out how to keep them safe.” Ayla said, her gaze far away as a
small idea began to form in her head.
 
“Are you sure about letting them in on this?” Ladarvise asked aloud as all of
them frowned warily at her sudden move to bring in outsiders.
 
“Yes. I need them.” She replied. Though the elves were not too keen on it, they
all nodded their heads. Aviselan and Ladarvise left after bowing their heads
keeping their thoughts to themselves.
 
“What is it you are planning?” Iveanis asked.
 
“I want one of you to go find Warden Stroud. Tell him I may have need of the
Warden’s services.”
 
 
 
 
 
The next day Ayla sat in her large study that was considered her War Room in
which she had her meetings with her advisors. She waited in it now, having been
awake since the first rays of the sun rose into the sky signaling that it was
the start of a new day.
 
Cullen came in first startled to see her already sitting there. “Oh, I am sorry
Inquisitor. Are we late?” He asked.
 
“No, I have been up awhile now. I have quite a few things to think on since
I’ve been away for two months or so with no contact with anyone aside from
Leliana occasionally letting her know that I was still alive.” Ayla said. “Come
sit by the fire. I notice winter is already closing in.”
 
Ah. Thank you, Inquisitor.” Cullen said just as Josie and Leliana walked in.
They both greeted the Inquisitor with surprise same as Cullen had. It was rare
for Ayla to already be in the War Room since she defeated Corypheus.
 
As soon as pleasantries were out of the way Ayla told them of the mission she
and Alistair had been on. All of their eyes widened at all the perils the party
had faced and of the people that were there. She left out the part regarding
her blood ties to them. She did tell them of the bargain Alistair struck with
them in including them as part of his kingdom so long as they were given the
Bracelian Forests. Leliana was beyond surprised with this since she had been
with him and the Hero of Fereldan during the time the cursed Weres had taken
over the forests along with the clan of Dalish that guarded it due to Zathrian
having cursed them all.
 
She told them the difference between the two, letting them know that the curse
was exactly what it was but as a natural Were they had the will to change at
will into many different animals.
 
Once she had finished, a silence descended upon them as they all processed the
new information. Leliana was the first to accept it in her mind, keeping the
information stored for a later time if it became useful.
 
“I have some news as well.” She said causing everyone to look up. “I have been
named the new Divine.”
 
A smile brightened up Ayla’s face. “Well done. I am pleased for you; I know you
want to do so much more to help all of Thedas. Especially for the Mages. They
deserve freedom just like anybody else. When do they expect you in Orlais?”
 
“Not for a while yet. I informed them I needed to wrap things up with the
Inquisition before I could leave, meaning I need to find you a proxy
Spymaster.” She replied.
 
“A proxy Spymaster?”
 
“Yes. Though I’d still act as your main Spymaster I would have someone just as
good filling in for the things I can’t be there to help with.”
 
“Oh.” Ayla muttered.
 
They all talked about several other things before the meeting concluded.
Leliana stayed behind after the other two left. Ayla was glad for she had
already sent for Dorian and Morrigan.
 
“Inquisitor,” Leliana began as soon as everyone was out of earshot. “While you
were away I caught a spy in Skyhold. They had searched my desk interested in
anything you were up to. I believe her to be one of Solas’ spies.”
 
“What makes you think that?”
 
“She was an elf with no Vallaslin and when I had her room searched we found
this.” Leliana pulled out a black cloth, obviously torn from the clothing it
was supposed to be on. A strong magical seal was enchanting the material and
the moment Ayla took it her mark flared, activating it. A puff a smoke blasted
out in a cloud before forming into a black wolf with six red eyes sending
shivers down Ayla’s spine.
 
She gulped, staring at the cloth for moments even after the cloud dispersed. An
array of emotions bombarded her the most prominent being anger, fear, and a
strange sense that this magic was familiar which caused confusion.
 
“Inquisitor?” Leliana coaxed gently.
 
“It isn’t Solas’ spy. This belongs to an Agent of Fen’Harel.” She said. So, the
Dread Wolf was keeping an eye on the Inquisition’s plans? Too bad he is
watching the wrong group. “That… that night I was… attacked,” Ayla’s breathing
accelerated as pain stabbed into her heart. That misery swirled inside her eyes
and Leliana’s face turned sad knowing exactly what she was referring to. “The
assassin who I fought was looking for Solas. Said that Solas was an agent of
Fen’Harel. If he is keeping an eye on the Inquisition and what the assassin
said was true then he has been doing all of this in service to The Dread Wolf.”
 
“But why? What was this God’s reasoning to have his agent join us?” Leliana
asked.
 
“He, like any leader, would make sure that any organizations that can take him
down was kept a close watch over.” Ayla replied. “Not to mention using our
research we uncovered while fighting Corypheus. It would help him navigate this
world if he has recently awoken.”
 
A knock sounded at the door with both of them keeping quiet as it opened to
reveal an unfamiliar elf woman. She was obviously new to her household and Ayla
briefly gave an annoyed huff as she thought of Josephine hiring someone without
her consent.
 
“Lady Morrigan, Master Pavus, and your elven brethren are requesting an
audience, Your Worship.” She bowed as she announced those of whom she had been
expecting.
 
“What is your name, Dearie?” Ayla asked,
 
“Alyssa, Your Worship.” She squeaked out. Ayla regarded her, knowing something
was off about her. She appeared as a meek serving woman but there was something
in her grey eyes that said that it was a façade. A hint of recognition also
seemed to tease her causing her to wonder if they’d met before. She couldn’t
quite place her but she seemed familiar and Fendhis, did it annoy her.
 
“Thank you, Alyssa. Go ahead and send them in.” Alyssa bobbled herself in a
curtsy, a poor one at that, solidifying her suspicions about her. Could she be
one of the spies? She wondered as everyone filed into her large study.
 
The door closed behind them and Aviselan put up a few wards in case of anyone
listening in that they didn’t want to hear. As soon as they were set Ladarvise
spoke. “The Wardens are here as requested, they are staying in the Denerim
tavern until you are ready to meet.”
 
“Wardens?” Leliana frowned. “What is going on?”
 
“Are you sure you want to let them in?” Adhlean asked a worried frown creasing
his brow. It was hard to let in outsiders, Ayla knew, not knowing whom to trust
but she trusted these three. Dorian had more than proved himself since they had
shared that horrible Red Lyrium future together. He’d been her best friend
through thick and thin. He was, in fact, her one comfort left after Solas when
she was having a sleepless night due to all the horrors she had faced from her
rape, seeing that future, Solas breaking her heart, finding out she was
pregnant, and then losing them. He was her constant and she truly didn’t know
how to live without him. Morrigan, too, had proved that she was trustworthy
with this secret. She was the one who knew a good portion of it already due to
her own mother sharing a body with none other than Mythal. Dorian knew some of
her secrets what with her affinity for time magic and her relation to the First
Inquisitor. Nobody else knew that secret aside from those who had witnessed it.
Only her advisors and those companions who’d joined her were aware. Not even
Solas knew of it. And last Leliana was someone she could always count on to
have her back, keep her secrets, and have a backup plan waiting. They needed to
trust someone outside the Dalish these three were the perfect candidates.
 
They, of course, weren’t going to tell them everything right then but she would
need the Inquisition’s help to thwart Fen’Harel if he indeed had his spies
within their ranks.
 
“Please, pull up a chair. We have quite a story to tell. Mind you, we can’t
tell you all of it but enough so you understand what is happening in the world
that you do not see.” Ayla said gesturing to the chairs around the table. She,
herself, settled in after brewing a huge pot of tea. She’d had tea every time
they’d all met in Skyhold so this wasn’t something to be surprised of. She had
told them, when they had questioned her the first time, that she felt it
appropriate for such discussions letting them know that they should all be
relaxed, clearheaded, and able to breathe through the tense discussions they
all disagreed on.
 
Today, she used it as a relaxant but also to warm the body as winter had come
to Fereldan while they’d all been away in the large rainforests. She stirred in
the cream and honey, watching them do the same as she took a couple sips, and
then began. “A thousand years ago the elven kingdoms all fell. Their
immortality, their mystery, everything gone or so the legends go. But that
isn’t what happened completely. First there were two different types of Elvhen
since before the fall. The Evanuris and the Dalish.”
 
“The Evanuris were good at first. Heroes to the People but as always power and
fame corrupts. They rose from heroes that helped us protect magic to Kings and
Queens and eventually to Gods who stole it. We all had magic during that time
whether we were mages, rogues, or warriors. Magic came naturally to us as it
was supposed to for were created to help with nature but the Evanuris grew in
power, becoming corrupt from the glory they were entreated to, as they defeated
those that meant the elves and the world harm. As time went on the Dalish and
Evanuris went their separate ways, the Dalish wanting to do what they were
there for and protect nature, the magic, and all the creatures while the
Evanuris began stealing magic to make themselves nearly invincible for more
glory.
 
“So, the Evanuris were power-hungry?” Dorian asked.
 
“Yes, and as Abelas hinted they began to fight one another over the power they
had accumulated. The Dalish kept a close eye on them since some of the power
stolen was from them, magic in which the Evanuris didn’t fully understand what
it was nor did they care as they became bloated with it, keeping them up on
their pedestals. Something happened that resulted in Mythal’s murder that many
believed was Fen’Harel. It wasn’t he who killed her but that of her own
family.” Ayla paused, taking a few sips of her tea.
 
“So what Abelas said at the temple was completely true?” Morrigan asked. “She
was murdered but not by Fen’Harel.”
 
“Indeed. Dorian has already heard some of this during our mission to find the
First Inquisitor, who is in fact one of my ancestors. But now I am going to
elaborate on the Old Gods.” Ayla said looking at both Morrigan and Leliana to
see how they were taking it. “You all know the story of how the Magisters had
found the deep roads with the hidden Old Gods?” They all nodded. “Those stories
are true. What you don’t know is that the Fade and this world were united as
one, magic very pure and vibrant in all things. When Mythal was killed one of
the Evanuris who stole a magic they didn’t understand fully, created the Veil
sealing it away creating the Fade by locking the Evanuris behind it to punish
them. All the stolen power, their greed, and corruption was locked behind there
along with the spirits that used to be as free as every animal that roams the
world. Hence Demons were born. There are many areas of the Fade, some really
bad and some really good.”
 
“Didn’t you say the Dalish saved the Old Gods?” Dorian asked after she
explained more of how the Evanuris fell.
 
“Yes. We brought them over before the Veil was fully in place.” She nodded.
 
“Why would you bring them here? They are evil!” Leliana asked in fury.
 
“They are not evil, Leliana. They are ancient spirits meant to balance the
world. Believe it or not but there is a battle more important than any of the
battles that have happened over the thousand years since the Veil was created.
Light and Darkness.” Ayla said calmly, not affected by her anger. “These beings
were among the first life forms the Earth has created, giving them the most
important duty. They are each given a task to keep Darkness from consuming
everything.”
 
“Then why do they attack us as Archdemons and causing Blights?” She hissed out
not backing down even though the Inquisitor and her elven brethren sat there
calmly.
 
“Because they were corrupted by The Magisters. The ones that stumbled upon them
in the deep roads after breaching the Black City in the Fade, what was once the
heart of Elvhenan. I don’t know exactly what happened that turned them into the
first Darkspawn other than they made some sort of a deal with Darkness that
granted them immeasurable powers. Once they found the sleeping soul of Dumat
they began the corruption against his will. He was trapped inside himself as
Darkness took hold creating the first Archdemon and the first Blight was born.”
She explained as she poured herself more tea.
 
“Why not tell everyone about your battles against this Darkness?”
 
“Would you tell a world full of fearful, greedy, and power-hungry people about
sleeping Gods that are vulnerable to have their powers stolen, powers that
protect the Earth and all her creatures?” Ayla asked after snorting. She
understood this was all a lot to comprehend but Leliana, whom was normally well
respected for her abilities to figure out when to keep things to herself for
the Greater Good.
 
“Then why tell us?”
 
“Because you three have proven yourselves true friends, whom I can trust to
have my back. Two of you have seen many things I shouldn’t be able to do that
makes me more advanced with my mage magic then the mages of the world. Dorian
experienced it with me in the strange future we made sure didn’t come to pass
as well as what happened when we went up against what the Hakkonites believed
to be their God, and Morrigan with the Eluvians and Well of Sorrows.” She said.
“Leliana, you are also one of my dearest friends and as you’ve learned
throughout your journey with Lynx, there is more than meets the eye. Our world
is shrouded in too much legends and mystery. So many things hidden.”
 
“But why are you including us?”
 
“Because I need your help.” Ayla then told them all about how her clans have
been trying to protect the remaining two uncorrupted and still slumbering
Ancient Spirits. Informed them of the constant war trying to keep the Darkspawn
away and now the added intrusion of Fen’Harel wanting them.
 
“We don’t know what he wants with them but we know it has to do with stealing
their powers. If that happens the worlds won’t survive whatever he has planned
nor can it survive two more Blights.” She informed them, looking straight at
Leliana as she continued. “Solas, if that assassin that… attacked me… was
telling the truth, is an Agent of Fen’Harel. If so, he knows all of our moves,
how we think, battle, everything. Leliana recently caught one of them spying on
her at Skyhold, which means they are keeping an eye on the Inquisition
wondering if we might get in his way. What he doesn’t know is that the Dalish
have been continuing to thwart them but we need more help. Every time we try to
move the slumbering Ancients deeper some of my Dalish brethren have been
reported missing. Recently we have come into contact with a Shaperate and a
small battalion of the Legion of the Dead. They told us that there have been
some earthquakes down deep that have collapsed several of these Lyrium Mines. I
need to find out what is going on down there.”
 
“You’re going to use the Inquisition’s resources to help this Shaperate as well
as finding out what happened to your people.” Morrigan inputted making Ayla
smile.
 
“Exactly.”
 
“You also want me to ferret out as many spies as possible and keep our
movements secret, yes?” Leliana asked, knowing exactly what Ayla was doing.
 
“Yes.” Ayla said. She rose from her seat signaling everyone that the meeting
was concluded. “Leliana, you may inform Cullen and Josie a little bit of what I
have said in this meeting so he understands why we are being extremely careful
with our missions. Have Josie contact the Shaperate and ask if they’d like our
help. Helping them will conceal our true motives of why we are there. Do not
tell them of the Old Gods. We need that to stay between only us for now.”
 
“As you wish, Inquisitor. Why are you meeting with the Wardens?” Everyone
turned to look at her all just as curious as Leliana at her reasoning to meet
them, including her own clan-mates.
 
“I’m not exactly sure yet but I feel a change of destiny in the air, one that
involves the order.” She said, confusing them all. “Let me know when the
Shaperate responds.”
 
Ayla walked around the war table, all the way to the door, and making a
commanding exit that had them all staring after her in awe. She was a force to
reckon with and one they respected. Leliana’s mind was reeling with all the new
information she was just given. Her friend was much more than any of them had
believed, something she was just coming to realize was still very much a secret
that the elves guarded very closely.
 
All four of them turned, their faces screwed up in battle mode. “If any of you
betray her, know that it could cause a catastrophic event in which could kill
us all. She has entrusted you with a secret that needs to be protected at all
costs for if this world loses any more of its light to Darkness, we are all
doomed.” Adhlean said in a grave voice, giving them a warning.
 
With that they bowed and left the room with three shocked humans staring after
them.
Chapter End Notes
     Sorry it took so long guys. Christmas, New Years, and work got in the
     way. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter.
***** Preparing to Descend *****
Chapter Summary
     Ayla arrives back at her estate and gets a strange request by King
     Alistair. She performs once again before leaving on a secret mission.
     Solas keeps trying to find the Old Gods, not knowing Ayla is
     thwarting him.
Chapter Notes
     Sorry! It's been so long!!!! I needed a break (not to mention these
     chapters were being little devils). I hope you guys enjoy!
Later that evening, they all sat at the dinner table minus all the elven
people. It was just Bull, Cullen, Dorian, and Josie sitting there eating a
beautifully prepared meal by Ayla’s favorite cook whom had followed them from
Skyhold at her request. Leliana had left with the two raven haired elves
journeying with them until their paths separated with the Spymaster returning
to Skyhold to begin her mission given to her.
 
The conversation was light, friendly, and happy. All were enjoying each other’s
company. Ayla watched as she saw Bull and Dorian gaze at each other lovingly
caressing the other’s hand every so often, Josie joking to Cullen about Wicked
Grace something he would never live down, and Cullen talking about the progress
he’d made in helping a few former Templars through their withdrawals of their
Lyrium habit. She felt content for the moment at this normal evening, a rare
thing she hadn’t felt in so long. Not since before Solas had broke my heart,
she thought to herself.
 
“Ayla, do you plan to hold some more performances like what you were doing
before you left?” Josie asked making everybody’s eyes focus on her.
 
Ayla had been thinking about that. Since they had entered back into Fereldan
she had been having her out of body experiences with himagain. Solas had, on
the three occasions been taking a new woman to bed. Each time was a knife
further into her already shredded heart. But did she want to continue to keep
taking random men, women, or both to her bed to make her forget it?
 
Dorian and Bull both gave her a concerned questioning look as if sensing her
pain. No, she decided. She didn’t. At least, not as she had been after she had
moved into her estate. What she needed to do was move on, but how did one do
that when one’s soul was already tied to another? Would she ever love again?
 
Her thoughts drifted to her encounter with Alistair on the ship and she
instantly blushed. Josie and Cullen’s eyes widened at this for she did it
spontaneously but Dorian’s eyes glittered mischievously and his lips turned
upward into a smirk.
 
“And just what dirty thoughts are you thinking about, my dear?” He asked
teasingly, increasing her blush to not only reach up to her ears but also
turning darker in color.
 
She cleared her throat and smoothly said, “I am merely thinking about a new
idea for a performance.”
 
Dorian’s smile grew wider, eyes twinkling as his eyebrow rose in an ‘I know
you’ way.
 
“Like what?” Josie asked causing Ayla to launch into a vague description of
just that.
 
“When do you want to perform it?”
 
“Soon. Once I have it all set up.” She said and went back to her meal, closing
the subject.
 
 
 
 
She had it ready a week and half later while anxiously awaiting for word from
the Shaperate about her offer of help. She had used her restlessness and
created a couple costume pieces in which she wanted to wear. All were of course
Dalish made with a flare from Dorian’s insistence of importing his impeccable
tastes for fashion into it.
 
Nobody else had seen it aside from him and everyone who would be in the
performance with her. Dorian didn’t know what she had planned, not including
him in it this time choosing instead to use her elven male brethren and quite a
few female clan mates all of which arrived two days after the idea was
discussed.
 
He, Bull, Cullen, Josie, Leliana, and just about everyone from the Inquisition
came to watch that evening since it had been awhile since they’d all seen one
another. They sat in the very front with vibrant energy, not knowing what to
expect. The only ones not in attendance was Blackwall and Cole. Solas either or
so they all thought, not knowing that he sat in a dark corner in the back of
the room in his usual spot. He had been there for just about every performance
and tonight was no exception.
 
He waited with high anticipation, having been excited since Alyssa had come to
tell him of the upcoming performance. The King to had shown up with the Arl of
Redcliff.
 
The lights went out signaling that those performing were getting into place
before a pink colored light made entirely of her magic rose until it was bright
and the set came into view. White feathered fans covered everything from view
except Ladarvise who was playing the piano and Iveanis who was seen on his
drums from the clans. The fans were fluttering slightly as the music started
with unrecognizable instruments of the mouth playing variety.
 
The fans rose revealing Ayla laying upon the black piano in nothing but a
cloudy white and dangly pearl ensemble that had every straight man’s or non-
straight woman’s mouth watering in the room at the sight of her.
 
“A guy what takes his time, I’ll go for anytime.” She began as she rose slowly
into a sitting position upon the piano. “I’m a fast movin’ elf who likes them
slow.” She shook her hands and winked to the crowd before slowly pointing her
two index fingers down the sides of her body as she accentuated the word
“slow.”
 
She nodded to the crowd and changed positions again crossing her leg over her
other as she took the hat Ladarvise had been wearing off his head and tossing
it behind her as she went into the next lines. “Got no use for fancy finery,
wanna see a guy arriving in low.”She tapped two fingers on his head before
grabbing it and making it bow towards the keys.
 
Iveanis did a little beat with his drum to which she shimmied her chest in a
jerky movement to make the pearls rattle as she stood up on the bench. She did
a few dips towards Ladarvise’s head as one of her hands gripped her head
sensually as she gave the audience a sexy expression. Ladarvise himself looked
out with a smug smile as she did this, making Solas’ blood boil. He had never
liked him, not since that night they had visited his clan in the Exalted
Plains. He had tried to court the Inquisitor something she had even considered
since Solas had tried to keep their relationship from progressing any further
than friends. He hadn’t been able to watch him or her dance in an equally
raunchy song. Though this one was not in any way like that it still had him
seething especially when he heard her next lyric and seeing her bend all the
way down. “I’d be satisfied, electrified to know a guy what takes his time.” As
soon as she had knelt she grabbed a hold of something in his lap, looking
suspiciously like the elf having an erection but when it popped, with him
giving a fake “oh” face and her giving the audience a silly yet still sexy look
he relaxed. The audience laughed at the obvious innuendo, and he saw Dorian,
Varric, and Bull all laughing their heads off. Dorian’s laugh of delight the
loudest, which said he didn’t even know what she had planned for this.
 
Ayla sat back down on top of the piano beginning the next verse. “A hurry-up
affair, I always give the air.” She dramatically rolled her neck as if in the
throes as she got a good grip of the wine before she lifted it into the air
pouring it in the glass but missing it at first getting it all on top of the
piano before it splashed into the glass. “Wouldn’t give any rushing gent a
smile.” She winked after setting the bottle down and picking up her glass. She
once again stood up, placing her free hand in her hair, facing the audience,
and sashayed her hips in an exaggerated move before bending down provocatively
again. “I would go for any single who condescend to linger awhile.”She rose
back up thrusting her hip towards Ladarvise’s head, which he moved on time with
a ding of a little bell like sound.
 
“If Solas were here, I’d bet he be red with envy right now at seeing that elf
up there with her.” Bull commented to the those closest to her. Solas with his
good hearing heard this and glared at the man. “He was unable to contain
himself when we visited the clan and the man began to court her in a
traditional Dalish custom.”
 
“Really?” Varric reacted, his writer brain excited for this tidbit of
information on the two’s past relationship.
 
“Yup. After Aviselan asked about his feelings towards her, which he tried to
deny, she told him what the dance meant. It was a dance for the elves to find a
warm body or bodies for the night or a way for one to begin courting another to
become mates. She had accepted his suit but only in the way that she wanted a
night of passion and Solas couldn’t stand it. He interrupted and she totally
forgot about Ladarvise there.” Bull said, smiling as he recalled the memory and
what Ayla herself had told him later.
 
Dorian and Varric grinned wickedly at this as they kept their eyes on the
Inquisitor. Solas grumbled to himself unhappy that this story was told. But his
eyes were drawn back to Ayla as she handed her drink off to Adhlean taking the
cherry with her as she stepped off the bench, walking to Iveanis and then
behind him. “What a lullaby would be supplied to have a guy who take his time,
ooh.” She pulled Iveanis’ head up toward her, opening his mouth and sticking
the cherry in and closing it over it. It was clear he was tasting the cherry
before she pulled it out of his mouth and then put it in her own, eating it.
 
“A guy what takes his time, I’d go for any time.”She moved around to his side
flicked his head as if in rejection before she turned her back him touching him
slightly. He looked down at her barely covered ass, clearly distracted by her
missing a beat in the drum making everyone in the audience wonder if that was
on purpose or not. She walked away from him, his gaze staring longingly after
her as she strutted across the stage fluffing up her maroon hair that had been
done up in massive curls with a braid of some sort holding it in place to fall
on her shoulders as if she had recently got a hair cut. Once she had reached
center stage she turned towards her fellow performers a part of the act and,
grabbed hold of Ladarvise who dramatically showed an aroused expression on his
face as she bent her knees pretending to slightly go weak from need. “A hasty
job really spoils a master’s touch.” As soon as she accentuated the word
“touch” her pearled top flew off causing the crowd to gasp and laugh in
surprise. Everyone on the stage saw her breasts women and male elves alike.
Ladarvise had his eyes on them and a smug grin on his face.
 
Dorian laughed with glee again followed by a dirty comment from Bull. Cullen
and Alistair both blushed a deep tomato red. As she began the next line she
pulled one of the white-feathered fans from Aviselan’s hands. She was dressed
in a all pink and white lingerie set complete with stockings, something only
the noble ladies wore for their lovers be they husband or not. All the elven
women were dressed in such though theirs were all made in a unique Dalish style
that Leliana knew would become a fashion at the end of this night in Orlais for
future lingerie.
 
As soon as Ayla had the fan she swirled around with a cheeky grin as she sang,
“I don’t like a big commotion, I’m a demon for slow motion or such.”She grooved
her body, the fan still covering her chest as her eyes twinkled mischievously
with that cheeky grin still plastered on her face. She turned back towards the
elves and shook her chest, giving the audience her back only before facing the
audience again with fan back in place. She jiggled her fingers in time to
another type of bell like instrument as she strutted again this time to the
side of the stage heading towards Ladarvise and Aviselan’s brother, who was
playing a form of guitar, as she still faced the audience. “Why should I deny
that I would die to know a guy who takes his time?” She stopped until she was
just behind his head bent down. As soon as she had bent her matching underwear
went in the same fashion her top did with her reaction being one of shock as
she quickly moved the fan to cover her behind flashing the audience. The room
became heated, as all the hot-blooded males grew more aroused. Solas glared at
the stage, angry that she would so such a thing even though the small flash
they had gotten was only a slight outline since the light had been purposely
blinked off as she had covered her derriere. She looked down, her back to them,
and grabbed another one of the fans from another female elf.
 
Ayla turned back to the audience now with one fan covering her front, the other
her back end and she comically appeared annoyed making the crowd laugh again.
“There isn’t any fun in getting something done.” Her ladies came up with a new
set of fans as she faced fully towards the crowd taking the fan off her bum and
overlapping it in her front. The two women placed their fans over her as she
rose her own fans above and away from her body. The two elves had risen their
fans slightly giving a teasing sight of her thighs just before her nether
regions would come into view. “If you’re rushed when you have to make the
goal.” She and the two elves did some more teasing with the fans with her
covering herself while they opened theirs before going back behind her in the
background while jostled her movements behind the fans.
 
“I can spot an amateur, appreciate a connoisseur in trade.” She pulled one fan
out to the side, fluttering it as she kept the other firmly in place, twisting
her body behind it sensually. She rose the one she fluttered above her head
before covering her face as if by accident blowing it to get it out of her face
while her eyes showed it was on purpose. She had her audience laughing again.
She moved around covering her behind again as turned, walking back to Iveanis.
“Who would qualify, no alibi, to be the guy that takes his time? Ooh.” Ayla
hurried back to center stage with her ladies all blocking the middle with
several fans before unveiling her and leaving her there alone as she gave one
last “Ooh” as she too removed her fans from covering her revealing a strange
staff like item with two circles and a bell that covered her breasts and vagina
from view. All of her was revealed aside from those as the song ended.
 
Solas though as heated as everyone else and having enjoyed the comical aspect
she had created was beyond frustrated. He desperately wanted her but couldn’t
and wouldn’t do what he wanted which was growl to the whole room possessively
as he walked onto the stage and put her over his shoulder and take her from the
room to somewhere more private to claim her. He got up thinking the night was
over but stopped as she began talking.
 
“Stick around and have a drink, I got one more in me in about thirty minutes.”
She announced before the room went dark allowing her to get off the stage in
the buff without anyone seeing her all the way.
 
She hurried back into her changing room followed by all the elves and Dorian
who was clapping with utter delight. “My dear, you were absolutely amazing.
Both hilarious and naughty.” He said grinning from ear to ear. “The sexual
tension in that room was quite interesting to witness in the crowd for once but
you broke it repeatedly with your comical bits.”
 
Ayla smiled at Dorian as she quickly donned her second costume before sitting
down. “Thank you, falon. Now do help a girl with getting these curls out and
letting my curls that humidity in the jungle created in within thirty minutes.”
She said from the vanity.
 
“Your wish, my command.” He said as he used his magic to help get her ready
within those thirty minutes while she attended to her make up.
 
 
 
 
Solas stayed in his corner keeping himself out of sight from everyone. He
observed and listened to many of the conversations but the most interesting was
King Alistair talking to the Arl of Redcliff.
 
“So you are allowing these… these abominations to join the kingdom? What on
Earth were you thinking? This is the Inquisitor’s doing, isn’t it?” Teagan spat
out in close-minded disgust.
 
“These people are as worthy to be a part of our kingdom as anyone else. Both
them and the elves should be given status as equal civilians just as much as
the humans and dwarves, uncle. I have always agreed with the Inquisitor on this
point, which you already know what with my travels with the Hero of Fereldan. I
saw first hand what the elves in alienage are forced to endure to our species
prejudices against them. Same thing with the mages.” Alistair said with anger
tinting his voice. “She and I saw first hand the horrors of that strange land
they have resided in for decades.”
 
“But they could curse us. Make us into one of them.” Teagan worried.
 
“No, they aren’t cursed. These beings are natural not like what Zathrian did to
those people all those years ago.” Alistair explained but it fell on deaf and
disgusted ears if the look on the Arl’s face was any indication. Alistair chose
that moment to get distracted by Leliana, pulling her into a conversation.
 
Solas frowned, there were actual Weres out there? Not cursed? This information
may be of use, he thought as an idea of recruiting them formed in his mind.
 
 
 
 
Just as Dorian finished with Ayla’s hair making it wild with curls giving her a
fierce fiery look with her maroon red. She had on black corset with diamonds
decorating the bodice where her breasts were pushed up. The diamonds were
decorating just the edges where the bra met cleavage in a strange way to make
it look as if a pair of hands was holding them.
 
Her eyes were painted mostly dark with light dash of silver upon her lids and
winged corners on the outer eye making her eyelashes seem more fanned out, lips
painted the color of a deep red rose. Satisfied with her look she stood back
and allowed Dorian to look at her. He nodded at her his final approval before
leaving her there to go join the audience once more.
 
As she was about to go on stage, Josie walked into the room.
 
“The Shaperate has answered us. She has accepted the offer of the Inquisitions
help.” Josie said. Ayla could tell she was wondering why Ayla had offered to
help, knew that her friend and diplomat was aware that she had an ulterior
motive, one that she wasn’t privy too.
 
“Good. Tell them we will be there at the end of the week.” Ayla smiled but not
elaborating on what Josie hoped to learn.
 
“As you wish Inquisitor.”
 
Josie bowed and went back to join the audience as the lights on stage went out,
giving Ayla time to set herself up.
 
She sat down at the little vanity set she had created to light up with a touch
of magic, the lights spaced out framing the mirror as if it were an exquisite
painting.
 
The lights began to slowly rise giving the room a dim candle lit look. The
audience hushed seeing Ayla’s back to them with her looking in the mirror. She
pretended to be doing her makeup as she began the song. “It’s a cold and crazy
world that’s raging outside.” She sang as she and her fellow female elves moved
their shoulders in a light seductive roll as they sensually grabbed their upper
thighs, which were all decked out in fishnet stockings. “But darling, me and
all my ladies are bringing on the fire.”
 
She moved her hand down to just past her left knee, still looking in the
mirror. “Show a little leg, got to shimmy your chest.” She did just that as she
sang it. “It’s a life, it’s a style, it’s a need. It’s Burlesque.”
 
“What’s Burlesque?” Bull wondered aloud. Everyone could hear and all wondered
the same thing. A strange instrument nobody had ever heard before sounded as
the music rose in a more upbeat tempo. Female elves were popping out of nowhere
on stage, coming from inside the mirrors, from the sides of the stage, and even
over the mirrors.
 
“We’re about to find out I guess. Maybe it’s the music and dance since some of
it is Orlesian and some of it Dalish.” Dorian said with his keen eye for style
and fashion as he watched Aviselan, Ayla, and another elf rise slightly from
the chairs after the first Dalish drum boomed as they maneuvered their bodies
to be sitting sideways in a raunchy sort of way each positioned differently, as
they snapped their fingers.
 
They repeated the snapping eight times before they all moved, Ayla in the
middle stretching out her left leg making her foot touch the floor as she
lowered her hair suddenly and then flipped it back up and chanted, “E-X-P-R-E-
S-S. Love, sex, ladies no regrets.” The snapping continued but by her band
leaving all the ladies free to perform. As she chanted it she moved
provocatively around the chair along with her other two backup dancers who were
also chanting. On the word “love” she flung her arm, head, and curls our to the
right to caress her leg before rising in a bent over fashion, leg completely
straight and to the sides of her giving the audience a generous view of her
derriere that the costume also had a set of white hand prints.
 
She repeated the chant again twisting her figure to face the audience sitting
on the chair backwards and did another dramatic lowering of her head and
flipping it back up. She twisted once more and rose on the word “sex” giving a
very sultry look to her audience, who were all captivated by her.
 
She turned and used the chair one leg propped up as she leaned on it. “Been
holding back for quite some time.” She stood straight the one leg still on the
chair as she stuck her hands out to the sides gripping the air as if bringing
something to her before hand printed breasts before shuffling it through her
curls. “And finally the moments right.”
 
“I love to make you people stare.”She flung her arms out again before grabbing
a hold of the chair back with one hand while the other she placed behind her as
she rolled her upper torso, puffing out her chest, as she caressed herself from
back to front seductively. She then looked very heatedly at the audience as she
walked around the chair teasingly. “You all know I got that certain savoir-
faire.”
 
Suddenly, she and her four back ups swiveled the chair so that the seat was
facing the audience. They snapped down into a bent position, legs straight and
spread. “Fasten up, can you imagine what would happen,” The wiggled their
bottoms as the slapped the seat of the chair, as if spanking another person,
“if I let you close enough to touch.”
 
The four backups switched to lying upon the chair, in what Solas thought was a
most uncomfortable position, with their legs spread, bent, and held up in the
air as they smacked the ground. Ayla, however, stayed in the bent over move
still smacking it in time with her dancers and the music. “Step into the
fantasy, you’ll never wanna leave. Darling, that’s guaranteed, why?”
 
The dancers moved to where they were now kneeling in front of the chairs with
Ayla the only one standing up mostly straight, having moved to completely face
the crowd while she gripped the top of the chair, using it like she was going
to sit upon it. “It’s a passion, and emotion, it’s a fashion, Burlesque.” She
sang proud and confidently as she strutted herself forward a little in time to
the energy packed music. She spun around and knelt as her ladies swiveled their
chairs to resemble hers but using them to sit on them backwards with their legs
out to the side enticingly, even though their backs were to the audience. The
crowd gasped slightly at the light show her magic was doing to enhance the
entertainment.
 
She had gone all out with these two performances, Solas thought as he watched
from his corner.
 
Ayla stood back up, legs equally spread and back also to the crowd at the same
time as her girls. She looked back at the gathering of Fereldan and Orlais
nobility, who loved coming to her shows. She winked at Alistair the moment she
spotted him as she wiggled her ass as she sang. “It’ll move you,” she undulated
slightly, clearly a Dalish move, that quickly transitioned into her squatting
for just a second before shooting back to standing once again, still giving
teasing looks to the audience,“going through you, so do what I do, Burlesque.”
 
“Us ladies come to flaunt it, gentleman, throw it up if you want it.” They were
once again all in sync with each other, their right leg on the chair with their
right knees bent as they giggled a closed fist in the air, as if rolling a pair
dice. Then Ayla stepped onto the chair itself and undulated her body
proactively with one leg using the back of the top back of the chair as another
step for left leg which what clad in black see through leggings that only
reached her thighs but attached to her costume by a silk thread. She had on
killer heeled boots of some kind that had both Leliana and Josie drooling over.
 
She pushed her hand through her curls gripping them as she sang, “It’s
Burlesque.”
 
The dancers repeated after her creating an echo like effect as they each did an
acrobatic type move that was equally risqué as it was flexible. Several of the
audience members gasped and whispered to themselves about how they accomplished
that. The lights flickered strangely and each time it flickered dark the
dancers were in a new position. Ayla stayed standing on the chair thrusting her
hip back and forth as she rasped the ending of “Burlesque” several times before
she reached down, caressing her bent knee to her ankle as began the next
lyrics. “I tease them till they’re on the edge.” She stepped down and spun in
place popped her chest out and in using her arms to punctuate the move. “They
scream more for more and more they beg.”
 
She stepped away from the chair walking towards center stage with a slow
confident and sexy strut, holding her hair in one of her hands. “I know it’s me
they come to see.” The strut walk increased in pace with her fellow elves
following behind her. When she reached center stage, Ayla dipped and thrusted
her hip sideways. “My pleasure brings them to their knees.”
 
The women circled around her as she repeated the chorus bridge all dancing in a
unique style of their own while also being in sync with Ayla, doing two moves
at once. The audience got a lot of good ass views from the two dancers that
were facing Ayla in front of her and sashaying them from side to side in dips.
 
They let go the moment the chorus hit, all losing themselves in the song and
expressing themselves the way the lyrics were saying through passion, the
emotion, and how it moved through them. In this moment many of the nobles could
see the wildness in them but also the refined style Ayla had introduced to them
from what she learned of Orlesian Court.
 
She had indeed created a new trend, not just in dance but with the fashion she
and Dorian had created to get that across. She had, in fact, created a new way
of performing. They danced, strutted, flipped their hair, and posed sexily for
the audience showing the room the energy and passion within them, that for but
a moment they could command everyone’s attention.
 
A break in the lyrics came after the chorus, with them once again echoing the
“esque” part of burlesque as they moved back a bit and took their places. All
looked out at the audience, their arms bent slightly and hands pointing to the
sides in perfect sync. The magical lighting flickered a pinkish-red color on
them with one all white one focused on Ayla. They stepped forward slowly and
still together, as if they were under a spell and had become minions. She
repeated burlesque twice and on the next drum beats the two in front of her
began crawling forward as the rest squatted every other second as they lunged
forward towards the audience.
 
Once Ayla was front and center again they did quite a few Dalish moves using
their torsos to guide them, again all doing much the same dance move with their
own unique twists to them, all together but slightly different with head
whipping hair flips.
 
The energy and passion increased within the room as they through themselves
into the final dance sequence as they all sang the chorus, Ayla’s voice taking
lead as they all harmonized with her. The crowd gasped with excitement as they
all finished in perfect sync posing sexily as she sang the last burlesque and
the lights zeroed in on her ending the song instantly.
 
 
 
 
 
 
The applause was loud, thundering inside the room. Ayla looked out seeing her
inner circle grinning from ear to ear, especially Dorian who had a twinkle of
mischief in his eye, a mirror of the one she had. She had enthralled him as
much as the others and he was, she could see, happy to have gotten to watch the
show.
 
She bowed with all her elven performers, musicians and dancers alike. She
thanked them for coming before the lights blacked out and she left the stage
with everyone. All of them got changed except for Ayla, who sat on the lounge
chair still catching her breath as she waited for the adrenaline to calm down
in her veins. They all smiled at her as they left the room, going to go to the
local tavern to either celebrate or crash before leaving to go back to the
nearest clan, which was the Clan of Sky.
 
Josie peeked her head in ten minutes later seeing Ayla slipping a sleeveless
white silk and lace nightgown over her thin well toned body. Much had changed
in the Inquisitor’s form since she had helped fit her for her ball gown. Due to
the pregnancy she had endured six months ago, her breasts were fuller and hips
slightly wider.
 
Her breasts and the slight stretch marks that rested just above her underwear
line were the only indications she had been pregnant. Shaking her head of the
suddenly depressive thoughts she cleared her throat signaling that she was
entering the room.
 
“Yes Josie?” Ayla was facing her with an eyebrow raised.
 
“The King wishes to speak with you, Inquisitor. Should I tell him you are off
to bed?” Her ambassador asked as she looked pointedly at the thin nightwear.
Ayla looked down at herself. Her breasts were framed perfectly giving a little
tease with the slightly low cut triangle of skin that met with lacey fringe
attached to twin silky triangles that covered the peach sized globes. Her belly
minus her navel was in view as more lace was attached to the bralette pieces
creating a see through effect before it met with more silk covering her nether
regions. The nightgown was short only reaching a few inches past her left knee
but showing the skin of the other knee.
 
“No send him in.” Ayla instructed as she pulled on a matching silk robe that
once buttoned covered up her stomach leaving only a small portion of her chest
in view. The robe was long in the back and trailed behind her leaving the
bottom of the nightgown itself in plain view.
 
She heard the Alistair’s voice in the hallway that led to this room and her
heart sped up slightly at the sound of it. Weird, she thought with a irritated
frown marring her face. Only Solas’ voice had ever done that.
 
A knock sounded at the door a second later before Josie entered with the king.
Her breath caught slightly as she took him in.
 
He was handsome in a blood red velvet long sleeved coat with gold sun emblems
bordering the middle where the buttons would be if it clasped together.
Underneath was a silk shirt of the same color. He wore black breeches and black
boots. He was decked out in full royal regalia complete with the golden crown
of his station upon his head. She had only seen him dressed up like this once
before at the ball Orlais had held in celebration of Corypheus’ defeat but he
hadn’t affected her so until now. He was a sight to behold, slightly
intimidating with his arms clasped behind his back, and though he complained
about not liking being king and how he had been pressured into accepting the
throne of Fereldan, Ayla thought it suited him.
 
She stood there with her own posture in perfect command even though she was
more dressed down than he. His eyes took in the sight of her, maroon hair still
held in wild curls and in a thin robe and gown that accentuated her figure,
reminding him of their tryst on board Isabella’s ship almost two weeks earlier.
She watched him with smug amusement as his eyes slowly began their rise back
up.
 
“King Alistair, your worship.” Josie said before curtsying to him and leaving
them alone.
 
Her eyes met his and she smiled at him warmly, hiding her reaction to his
presence but showing him that she saw how he looked at her. “Good evening, Your
Majesty. I hoped you enjoyed the show.” She greeted him.
 
“Always a pleasure, Inquisitor.” He replied in kind. Silence fell for a moment
as the awkwardness of the last time they saw each other set in. His breathing
escalated a little and Ayla knew if she looked down she would see a bulge in
his breeches that signaled his immediate arousal at the memory. She didn’t
blame him; her own body was thrumming in time with her already thumping heart.
 
“What can I do for you, your grace?” She finally said as she motioned for him
to sit upon the chair as she sat down on her lounge sofa.
 
“Ah well… I, um…” he choked or cleared his throat. She couldn’t quite tell
which. “This is more awkward then I thought it’d be.”
 
“What’s awkward? Us meeting after our strange night of passion?” She teased him
slightly making him blush. She laughed at that, a light sound that had him
grinning like a fool from hearing the sound of it.
 
Alistair shook himself inwardly to focus. He’d come here for a reason and he
was beyond nervous. Ayla picked up on this and a frown of concern adorned her
face. “What’s wrong, Alistair?”
 
“Nothing,” he cleared his throat again and looked her straight in the eyes. “I
just… I want to ask you something… something that may offend you… which, which
I want you to know is not my intention.”
 
Ayla quirked a brow at him at the odd rambling coming from his mouth. “Why do
you think it’ll offend me?” She asked.
 
“Because you are a very self respecting woman despite what the rest of the
world sees from what show them when you put on these shows.” He said
confidently, the most unbabbly thing he’d said so far. “I’ve given it a lot of
thought… that this… after our encounter. I want you to know… I hold you… at the
highest amount of respect. I also know that… you are very much… engaged with
another… that is to say I know I will never hold… a place in your heart… the
way this Solas fellow has.”
 
What on earth? Ayla thought as he fumbled through. “Would you ask me, already?”
She blasted, interrupting him. His eyes got wide for a moment as he blushed but
then he relaxed.
 
“I would like you to become my mistress.” He said in a slightly fast jumble.
 
She stared at him a moment in shock. That wasn’t what she had expected from him
at all. Anger broke through the shock as his words were processed.
 
“How does one not become offended by such a statement?” She hissed out.
 
“No, please don’t take offense. Allow me to explain.” Alistair looked at her in
panic afraid he bungled it.
 
“Please do.”
 
“I know you are soul bonded to somebody else but you obviously are able to
sleep with others no strings attached since your heart and soul are fully
engaged elsewhere. I am in the same boat, though not as soul bonded since as a
human, I can’t.” He said seriously. She listened knowing what he had to say was
important to him. “As I reflected on our encounter over the past week and a
half, I came to a realization that I am lonely. Yes, I have a wife but there is
nothing there but a respectful relationship towards the other that allows us to
co-rule the realm in perfect sync. But neither of us love the other or feel any
attraction whatsoever. She has been completely devoted to her late husband and
my half-brother.”
 
“With you, I feel the attraction. We are friends, very close and as our
encounter proved attracted to one another. I thought we could enjoy a no
strings relationship where we can be content with one another as a partner.” He
explained. She looked at him with wary eyes.
 
“I’m only able to be with others because it is a form of revenge. He has
betrayed me with another and I’d hoped to do the same to him. That is why I
would always take a random lover.” She said. Alistair saw right through it
though.
 
“It may have started out that way for you but that changed, didn’t it?” He
asked already knowing the answer. “You could’ve slept with a few to get the
word out and hope it would lead back to him. But you chose many over the course
of four months. Why is that? What are you hoping for?”
 
Ayla sighed. Yes she had done it to get back at Solas several times over hoping
he’d be hurt that she was attempting to move on and come rushing back to claim
her as he did when they’d visited Ladarvise and Aviselan’s clan? He hadn’t come
back, hadn’t even shared a dream in which he asked about it. The only
interactions she’d had in the Fade were if her spirit was whisked from her body
to witness his infidelity. But there was also another reason for which she’d
taken all those men and even some women to her bed, sometimes two or three at
once. One she wouldn’t share with Alistair now, one she could barely think
about without having her entire body feel like it’d been run through repeatedly
with a sword, or the piercing pain that stabbed her heart.
 
She looked up at him, her pain laid bare to him though still very much a
secret. “An escape from my nightmares. I do it so I can sleep without dreams
and to get back at him every time he chooses to sleep with another. Apparently,
the Soulbond makes us be witness to our partner cheating. My soul is taken from
my body and am transported to wherever the hell he is in the world and see him
fornicate with the other.” She said.
 
 
“Does he see you?” Alistair asked.
 
“No, his soul has never once been made to travel to me. I don’t know how it
works with those that aren’t Dalish. I do know if you are their mate like you
were Lynx’s you were able to feel when she was in pain, trouble, or such. From
my own observations around Solas. He, for some reason always knew when I was in
trouble after I slept with him the first time. That is when my soul wound with
his.”
 
“Does he know that you are there?”
 
“At first he was as surprised as I was. Now he never sees me or pretends not
to, I guess.” She sighs sadly.
 
“When I initiated contact with you on the ship you fought back at first but
then you gave in, why?” She didn’t answer. Couldn’t, for she didn’t have the
answer. But he did. “It is because, like me, you are lonely in a role you never
wanted. Never to be with the one you love due to unforeseeable circumstances
that had them leave us. Granted, mine is dead but yours chose to leave.”
 
Ayla opened her mouth to deny it but wasn’t even able to get a word out as he
continued. “Aren’t you tired of being lonely?”
 
“I have my friends.” She interjected.
 
“I’m not talking about them, though I am one. I am asking you to become my
mistress, to be my friend and lover to take away some of the loneliness that we
both have. I promise that I won’t ask you to love me. This is a no strings
attached offer.” He said.
 
“I don’t know, Alistair. I don’t think this is a good idea. What if the world
turns on me for this?” She asked, a worried look marking her face.
 
“Ayla, you blemished your name that first performance. The word calls you the
“Lusty, Raunchy Inquisitor.” Orlais loves it since you are an entertaining
figurehead to the world who also happens to be their savior. They don’t even
call you the Herald anymore. Only those still within the Inquisition who know
you better do.” Alistair told her pointedly. “Who cares what the world thinks.
The question is what do you want to do with your life?”
 
Ayla thought for a moment. To be honest she didn’t know anymore. She hadn’t
wanted to fully plan for one that didn’t include her son and daughter in it.
Right now she was just trying to keep all the worlds safe from those who didn’t
understand the powers the stole or were trying to steal, as Fen’Harel seemed to
be trying to do.
 
“I have a mission coming up that will take me away for a few weeks.” She told
him as she looked into his face. “Would you mind if I thought about it during
this time and give you an answer when I return?”
 
“Of course not. Take all the time you need. The offer is standing even if it
takes a month or a year.” Alistair assured her. He smiled at her.
 
“Thank you. I will take your proposal under consideration and will give you an
answer when I return.” She rose, smiled at him in return as he got to his feet.
They hugged one another before they bowed respectfully to each other after she
pulled the bell pull signaling that she was in need of service. The attendant
entered along with the Arl Teagan and Josephine just as they were coming up
from their respectful bows.
 
“Allow me to introduce you to my uncle and current Arl of Redcliffe, the castle
and his home, to which you saved a year or so ago.” Alistair gestured to the
man. Ayla took him in and noticed he wore a turban of sorts on his head. A
ghastly piece of fashion in her opinion but she supposed he was embarrassed
about his balding head.
 
“A pleasure, my lord.” She said politely.
 
“Likewise, Inquisitor.” He bowed his head. She observed him as he spoke to
Josie and a eerie feeling came over her, a familiar sensation she knew was the
power of the Well.Two men, one trapped the other free. One bad, one good. Be
weary for they aren’t what they seem. Mythal’s raspy voice warned, as if she
was whispering in Ayla’s ear.
 
Ayla filed it away for later, knowing it was important even though she had no
idea what it meant or why it was of interest to the power of the Well.
 
“Alyssa,” she addressed the attendant, still feeling like she’d seen this woman
somewhere before. “Show these men to their rooms as they will be staying the
night.”
 
“Oh, that isn’t necessary Inquisitor.” Alistair tried to refuse.
 
“Nonsense. It is much too dark for his royal highness to be out at this hour.
Though I know you are quite capable to defend yourself, I insist you stay the
night to avoid any such problems that would require it.” She told them in her
demanding voice that said she wouldn’t take no for an answer.
 
“As you wish, Inquisitor.” Alyssa said as she curtsied to her employer and then
to the king and nobleman. She crossed the room to the second door in the room
that led out to the Great Hall of her estate and through that to the hallway
that led to the guest rooms.
 
All that remained in the room was Josie and Ayla. Ayla looked at her
ambassador. “Josephine, make preparations for the mission. We are to leave in
two days at sunrise. Dorian, Bull, Varric, and Stroud are to accompany me. Send
a message to the Denerim tavern, where he is awaiting for word as to when we
are to meet.” She commanded as they followed a discreet distance behind the
king before turning right and up a set of stairs, heading down a different set
of hallways where hers and everyone in her inner circle slept.
 
“Of course, Inquisitor.” She said. “May I say that your performance was quite
an entertaining sight? Much better than the Orlesian plays.”
 
“Thank you.” Ayla said before saying good night and walking into her rooms. She
sighed as she removed her robe. 
 
She brushed her hair, which was quite messy after all the hair flips and
dancing she’d done. After she finished with the brushing, she removed her
nightgown and pinned her wild curls up on her head, walking to where her marble
bath was located on the other side of the room behind a privacy screen. She
pulled on a rope that activated a mechanism that poured hot water into the
bath. Something someone Varric had met in his travels had invented and was
invited to her estate as well as to Skyhold to install it, much to everyone’s
satisfaction. Ayla didn’t know about anyone else but she personally hated to
ask or order anybody to get a bath ready for her.
 
Looking off to her right, Ayla grabbed a pouch of rose petals off the shelf
located there and poured them into the water letting them scent the bath for
several minutes. Next, she grabbed a second pouch filled with jasmine and herbs
that soaped up in the water, a combination she used to wash her body. She
placed it on the edge as she slowly climbed into the marble tub.
 
Ayla relaxed into it sighing in contentment, completely oblivious to another
presence in her room. Alyssa had snuck him in earlier before she had been
called to answer the Inquisitor’s summons.
 
Solas had to see her up close without every man in the room that was straight
panting for her. He’d wanted to see her as she truly was, not the façade she
created after Corypheus’ defeat. To be honest, he was surprised she didn’t
choose a new lover from the audience tonight but he was grateful. He didn’t
know if he could control himself seeing her being intimate with another. Yes,
he’d heard about the increasing amount of paramours she had slept, some two or
three at the same time. He knew it was in response to him sleeping with others,
something she was always there to witness in spirit form. Why that happened
every single time was still a mystery to him, something he was baffled as to
why he couldn’t find a reason for it.
 
Solas watched her from the shadows, inhaling the scent of the roses and now the
jasmine she was currently washing her body with. Ayla closed her eyes as she
trailed the sudsy substance over her breasts, after taking care of her arms. A
light breathy moan came from her lips, causing Solas’ breathing to escalate
with his heart and quickly becoming aroused cock.
 
He desperately wanted to come up behind her as he used to do and kiss her neck.
But he didn’t, he instead stayed there watching her like a stalker as she
stimulated her body and loved it as she so often did. Her fingers slipped
farther down until she reached the apex of her thighs. He barely silenced a
moan of his own, not wanting to alert her to his presence as he saw every move
she made in the water. She was currently circling her clit slowly, biting her
lip in reaction to the stimulation. Her breathing increased the quicker she
circled and Solas found himself massaging himself through his breaches. 
 
Ayla moved her free hand down to one of her breasts squeezing it a couple times
before tweaking her aroused nipple, sending a ripple of delight through her,
sending it straight to where her other finger was playing with her sex. Another
moan erupted from her and Solas wondered if she was thinking of him, hoping for
it as he was stroking himself, his hand now in his breeches palming himself as
he watched. Unable to help himself he lowered his pants to move more freely as
he began stroking himself in time with her. 
 
Quicker and quicker her finger circled her clit, eliciting both moans and
groans now as she approached her climax. Not quite there but on that precipice,
she growled with frustration but quickly turned to a low keening whine as she
plunged two of her fingers inside her throbbing hole, finally bringing her over
the edge.
 
He came with her imagining himself moving within her silken wet sheath, as his
hand jacked his cock in quick strokes. He almost couldn’t control it and nearly
gave out a loud growl of his own as he spent himself, long shots of his cum
blasting his hand, shirt, and on the stone of her room. A powerful orgasm that
would keep him satisfied for a long while as their intimate moments always had.
He braced a hand on the wall to hold himself up as he saw stars, not wanting to
give himself away as his orgasm continued until her moans grew quiet signaling
she was coming down from hers.
 
Alyssa had snuck him in earlier before she had been called to answer the
Inquisitor’s summons.
 
He had to see her up close without every man in the room that was straight
panting for her. He’d wanted to see her as she truly was, not the façade she
created after Corypheus’ defeat. To be honest, he was surprised she didn’t
choose a new lover from the audience tonight but he was grateful. He didn’t
know if he could control himself seeing her being intimate with another. Yes,
he’d heard about the increasing amount of paramours she had slept, some two or
three at the same time. He knew it was in response to him sleeping with others,
something she was always there to witness in spirit form. Why that happened
every single time was still a mystery to him, something he was baffled as to
why he couldn’t find a reason for it.
 
Solas watched her the rest of the night, watched her slip back into her
nightgown his eyes drawn to her delectable ass, not noticing the changes to her
front. She climbed into bed, grabbed a potion from her bedside table, drank its
contents, and settled down into the fluffy comfortable canopy bed. He frowned,
wondering why she wished to stay away from the Fade. It was obviously a
sleeping drought she’d taken. The last time he’d seen her take one was the
night before the ball.
 
He stayed there until she fell asleep and then left the room through the door
he’d that led to the hallway. It was dark and not a soul was awake aside from
him and Alyssa. She waited for him at the end of the hall.
 
“Why does she take sleeping draughts?” He asked his spy.
 
“She has night terrors so bad that she screams bloody murder most nights. I
don’t know what they’re about but everyone gets extremely sad and worried when
she has them. Only Dorian can calm her down and is often in there sleeping with
her when he isn’t with his husband in their chambers.” She told him. “That’s
all I know about it, I’m afraid. Nobody dares speak about it, whatever it is.”
 
“Dorian’s married?” Solas asked, quite surprised he hadn’t gotten word about
that.
 
“Yes, he is. To that huge horned man.” She said.
 
“Well that is a surprise.”
 
“Bull sometimes sleeps inside the Inquisitor’s rooms with them both when she
has night terrors.” She told him, making strange images of the three to bombard
his brain. He shook his head to rid himself of the thoughts, knowing that
nothing happened with the three, as they left the castle.
 
 
 
 
 
 
The next day, Ayla awoke to everybody preparing everything for the upcoming
mission. She dressed in an all white and gold-corseted top with beige colored
breeches and a long white coat with a gold Inquisition insignia decorating it.
The coat was made of stoat fur, a type of weasel that the elves loved to use to
produce warm clothing. When she had told Josie and Dorian what she wanted, they
had looked skeptical but as she came down the stairs they admired the coat.
 
“You are quite the site in white, my dear.” Dorian said as he offered his arm
out to her to escort her to the breakfast table where her guests were currently
awaiting her presence.
 
Alistair’s breath caught as she entered looking quite regal and for a moment he
saw an image of her as a queen before he quickly shook it from his mind.
 
“Good morning, Your Majesty, Arl Teagan.” She greeted, as Cullen pulled out her
seat in a gentlemanly gesture that had Alistair glaring wishing he had come up
with it first. She sat down and Cullen pushed her in before sitting back down
himself. Ayla pushed up her sleeves as to not get any of the food on her
outfit. “I trust both of you slept well?”
 
“Quite well.” Alistair beamed, his jealousy completely forgotten as a tray of
cheesy eggs with heaps of bacon was placed in front of him. Teagan mumbled his
own response and then all began to dig into their hearty and delicious
breakfast.
 
They talked about anything and everything that was of interest to everyone at
the table. It was light, happy, and fun. An amazing moment that Ayla would
treasure for some time, she hadn’t had a meal so bright since before Solas had
broken up with her. It had her wondering if becoming Alistair’s mistress would
be filled with more happy moments such as this.
 
Alyssa came in with a curtsy to her and Alistair. “I’m sorry for the intrusion,
my lady but the Warden Stroud is here.” She informed them.
 
“Ah, yes. I’ve been expecting him. Please tell him that I invite him to join
us.” She smiled.
 
“What is Warden doing here?” Teagan asked outraged.
 
“He is my guest. What is it to you?” Ayla asked, eyes flashing with fury at his
outburst.
 
“They were all banished to stay out of Fereldan three years ago due to them
taking advantage of our gratefulness with the Fifth Blight. One of them
attempted to seize several noble holdings saying that another Blight was
beginning.” He spat out.
 
“That wasn’t their fault.” A deep voice said from the entryway where the Warden
had was standing. “That is when Varric and Hawke had found Corypheus the first
time. Somehow he took control of the Wardens against their wills.”
 
“And what’s to say that you aren’t now? You got put under again causing the
death of the Divine.”
 
“Because I broke them out of Corypheus’ grasp, saving the order.” Ayla said her
tone deadly calm. Her circle all looked all of them keeping their mouths shut
but eagerly watching knowing her patience with the Arl’s utter disdain for the
order was wearing thin. “Don’t forget we will need them when another Blight
begins.”
 
“But they are a corrupt organiza—“
 
“Silence!” Ayla shouted, her fury blazing in her eyes, as she stood proud and
fearsome. “He is my guest and will be treated as such. If you have a problem
with that Alyssa and my guards will show you the door.”
 
Teagan fumed in his seat but kept silent. Alistair cleared his throat and rose
from the table. “I believe we should get going. I thank you for your
hospitality, Inquisitor. You were a delight last night in your performance and
but I have some duties I must attend to.”
 
“Of course, Your Majesty.” She rose too, walked around the table and waited for
the hateful man she was supremely irritated with offer his own polite goodbyes.
SHe then took a hold of Alistair’s arm, looked at the rest of them. “I’ll be
back shortly. Stroud please enjoy a bite of breakfast with everyone else.”
 
They walked out and headed to the stables where their horses were already
prepared.
 
“I’m sorry for my uncles disrespectful manners regarding the order. His
expecting wife was tortured so badly that she lost the child and then killed
herself.” He explained. “He respects me as a Warden but anyone else he sees as
red.
 
“I understand. I know what it is like to lose a child. To be tortured so badly
into miscarrying had to have been hard on her.” He looked at her in surprise
and waited for her to elaborate on it but she didn’t, not wanting to speak
anymore of it as the memories of what she went through attempted to engulf her
in unimaginable grief. “I will have an answer for you when I return, Alistair.”
 
“Be safe, Inquisitor.” He said, letting what she said about losing a child go
knowing she was a hard woman to get to open up.
 
 
 
 
Ayla watched the king and his uncle ride away, a knot in her throat. It bursted
out into an agonized cry as soon as she was sure Alistair was well out of
hearing range. She collapsed onto the ground and let the grief out, the
memories weakening her legs.
 
Solas’s spy watched from afar with wide eyes at the sudden grief in the
Inquisitor’s cry. She backed away discreetly and walked into the estate. She
was in the dining room a moment later, bending over and whispering into
Dorian’s ear.
 
Dorian rose from his chair instantly and left the room in a hurry. He ran
outside to his best friend’s side and pulled her into his arms. She wailed in
complete misery and he simply held her as he rocked back in forth, petting her
hair in comfort.
 
Bull, Cullen, Josie, Varric, Leliana, and Stroud all followed him out. Leliana
had filled Stroud in on the way and the Warden looked at the Inquisitor with so
much sadness and respect for continuing on as she has been. A strong yet
clearly pained woman, who kept fighting despite that pain. So much the world
didn’t see, most of them calling her a heathen whore or saw her as the Herald
they would never be able to treat as a person. Her friends gathered around her,
lowering themselves to the ground and hugging her with Dorian. It was one big
group hug of comfort that showed just how much they cared for their leader as
more than the Inquisitor.
 
They all sat there for a while until the Inquisitor had cried herself out and
that numb feeling settled in after such an overwhelming emotional explosion.
After awhile she became aware that Stroud was there witnessing all of this and
rose from the safety of her friends arms and came to stand in front of him.
 
“I’m guessing they told you?” She asked to which he nodded. She nodded in
return. “I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t go around telling anyone else.”
 
“I won’t, my lady.” He said. “I promise. Would you like for me to distract you
by asking you why I am here?”
 
“I will take that distraction and will indeed tell you but would like to go
freshen up a bit. I will meet you in my study in say ten minutes?” She asked.
 
“Of course, I only need to be led there.” Leliana came up to them and they all
walked back in with Ayla separating to go up to her rooms to compose herself.
 
Ten minutes exactly Ayla was entering her study looking as if she hadn’t just
had an emotional breakdown at all. She nodded to Leliana who closed the door
and stood guard making sure nobody was trying to overhear what was being said
despite the wards Ayla had placed.
 
Ayla quickly told him the same as she had Leliana, Morrigan, and Dorian. Stroud
was staring at her with wide eyes, shocked by what he’d just been told. Ayla
waited for several minutes, allowing him to process everything.
 
“Why are you telling me this?” He finally asked.
 
“Because I want you to join me on this mission. I have a way for you all to
redeem yourselves, to start anew. I can alter the ritual that allows you to see
when an Archdemon is awoken and make it new way to protect the world from any
further Blights.”
 
“How?” He asked skeptically.
 
“That all depends on this Deep Roads mission. I need to find out what’s killing
my fellow Dalish who are tasked with keeping the two remaining Old Gods out of
the hand of the Darkspawn and now the hands of Fen’Harel, too.” She said. “I
want you there with me so you can judge yourself if this is a worthy cause in
which you would bring the order into. They would all have to agree so I’d like
you and two other Wardens of high rank to come along with us. It’ll be
dangerous since we don’t know why there are earth quakes.”
 
Stroud frowned in deep thought considering all of what she said. He weighed the
options knowing he could say no and build the order back up a different way.
But it all depended on how she would change the ritual for them. What would
happen? Would they still go to the Deep Roads to die battling the horde of
Darkspawn? How did she have the power required to change it? All serious
questions to consider and he decided the only way to find out the answers was
to accompany her.
 
“I will go,” he finally said looking up at her. She smiled at him.
 
“I know this is a weighty decision that can’t be made with just you even though
you are the Warden Commander. You need to consult with everyone and give them a
choice which is why I want you and two other ranking Wardens to witness this
mission.”
 
“I understand, Inquisitor. I will bring the next highest rank after me and one
not high in ranking in the event the two of us die down there we will have a
trained Warden to assume Commander rank.” He said.
 
“I will respect that and will meet you on the road to the Storm Coast and
Crestwood. We are going to enter somewhere between the two. My people leave
tomorrow, you may meet up with us shortly after. Better for us anyhow what with
spies of Fen’Harel watching my movements.”
 
“He is having you watched? Is that why you offered to help the Shaperate that’s
trying to find out about the quakes?”
 
“Indeed. He doesn’t know that the Dalish are thwarting his agents.” She grinned
wickedly.
 
“You are quite the mastermind. You are much more than what you seem, aren’t
you?” He asked, getting that feeling again that she was much more than what the
world put her as.
 
“Yes. I am. You will learn that if you accept this new course for the Grey
Wardens for you will become an integral part of it.” She told him. A knock
sounded at the secret door panel and she frowned. She put a finger to her mouth
as she rose, her magic at the ready. Nobody was to come in here, not even her
fellow clan mates.
 
Stroud had his sword out and ready to defend himself as the Inquisitor slowly
approached the hidden door. She pressed on it, opening it. Nobody was there,
accelerating her heartbeat as felt the hair on the back of her neck and on her
arms rise. There was a presence there. She could feel it.
 
“Cole.” She simply said. Only he could be the one who would know the secret
passageways and not be there.
 
“Inquisitor.” He said from behind her. She turned with a smirk. He hadn’t been
able to properly sneak up on her since she’d drunk from the well. The powers
allowed her to be able to feel his spiritual signature, more so after he had
not taken revenge on the man who killed him in his previous life. This was the
closest he’d come to scaring her since.
 
“Long time no see Cole. Where have you been?” She asked.
 
“So stubborn he is, I’ve tried to bring him home. Still set upon his course not
knowing the help he needs is here.” He babbled in his weird cryptic shit as
Varric put it. “You thwart him every single time and he can’t figure it out. It
is amusing and frustrating.”
 
“Who is this, Inquisitor?” Stroud asked, his sword still out and ready to
strike if the situation were to escalate.
 
“This is Cole. He was one of my companions during the year against Corypheus.
He is a spirit of compassion. He helps those in pain.” She explained.
 
“About to change an order, keeping them safe. You will succeed and find the
Lyrium heart.” Cole said before disappearing once more.
 
“What… where’d he go?”
 
“He’s gone. He does that. Speaks in prophetic riddles and then disappears
leaving you confused. I always have to write them down because they tend to be
important eventually.” She explained as she did just that.
 
“You have strange friends, Inquisitor.”
 
Ayla laughed as she lifted the wards on the room and magicked the door open
where Leliana was directly outside still guarding. She poked her head in at the
sound of Ayla’s laugh. “What’s so funny, Inquisitor?” She asked.
 
“At Stroud’s comment about having strange friends.” She said still chuckling.
 
Leliana herself huffed out a laugh adding. “You’ve no idea.”
 
“If Cassandra was here she’d be giving a disgusted snort about now.” Ayla said
making Leliana and herself look at each other and chortle as they all walked
out to the Great Hall. “Speaking of the Seeker, what has she been up to? She
wasn’t here when I returned from that god off jungle.”
 
“She is out trying to find any survivors of her order, trying to fix what her
predecessor screwed up with allowing a demon to possess him and take over
everybody under Corypheus’ power.” Leliana explained.
 
“Good luck to her on that.” Ayla said, glad she didn’t have to do that as well.
She had too much other shit on her plate. They stopped at the main entrance
where Cullen and Josie were awaiting orders. “We’re all set with planning. Just
need to finish preparations and be on our way.”
 
That dismissed them to finish with everything, with Stroud, Leliana, and
Harding all riding off towards Skyhold, a diversion to the two scouts that
followed discreetly behind them. Stroud broke off on a separate path losing the
elven scout in the forest while Leliana and Harding continued in the direction
of Skyhold. They arrived within two hours just as the sun was setting. They
waited until it was pitch black, using the currently cloudy sky to slip away
whilst the castle was asleep with no mounts.
 
 
 
 
Ayla and her companions were ready and mounted on their steeds. Everybody save
for them were awake and the left at dawn with two extra mounts. They galloped
along the path for several hours when the sun rose to mid morning and they came
upon the first fork in the road. There they met up with Leliana and Harding
while they ate their breakfast and rested the horses.
 
An hour and a half later they were well on the way again, traveling until it
the sun was setting. They found a hidden spot in the forest of Fereldan close
to water and the road but not easily noticed by other travelers. That night
they all slept close to each other for warmth, since none of them had put up a
tent needing to have a quick pack up in the morning, nor did they have a fire.
 
They all knew that Fen’Harel’s spies were trying to find them, Leliana and
Harding in particular after giving them the slip at Skyhold. Ayla slept on the
left of Dorian with Bull on his right. Cullen was cuddled up to her left and
she was glad she was finally able to lay beside him without panicking, an
enormous relief since both had memories of the last time they’d shared a tent.
She’d still suffered from the posttraumatic stress of being near any male of
the Templar nature or that were bigger than Dorian or Solas after her rape and
her clans massacre. Only Bull had been the exception since to her he was like
her big brother and a Qunari couldn’t become a Templar.
 
The next morning they were on their way meeting up with Stroud and his two
fellow Wardens at the path that separated one going towards the Storm Coast and
the other towards Crestwood.
 
“Which direction, Harding?” Ayla asked.
 
“The entrance we are looking for is sort of in the middle of the two.” Harding
said.
 
“The lead the way.” Ayla replied. Harding eased her small pony through the path
to the Storm Coast for two hours before changing course and deviating off the
path into the forest. Another four hours passed with no incidents until they
felt the earth tremble slightly. They were getting close. “Lets dismount and
leave our steeds here. They have more than enough vegetation and water to live
on.”
 
They all got off their chosen ride each petting them before Ayla and Dorian set
wards to keep out predators so they were all protected. They ate a small late
lunch before continuing on until they reached the camp.
 
They stayed the night, this time pitching up tents all around. There were
Inquisition forces and Dalish alike staying within the camp.
 
 
 
The next morning she and those who had come with her approached Harding after
attending their morning routines; bathing, eating, and packing to make sure
they had the right gear and food to take down into the Deep Roads with them.
Not much food was down there aside from a few nugs now and again.
 
Harding heard them approaching and instantly began explaining about the huge
hole through a cave that was in the ground, something that apparently hadn’t
been there previously but had happened recently due to the quakes. “Inquisitor,
the workers are almost done building a lift to the Deep Roads.” She said as
Ayla took in the surroundings. Anxiety engulfed her as she took in the rickety
wooden platform the Inquisition had built. Harding shook her as she continued,
“no Darkspawn trouble yet. But the earthquakes have been brutal.”
 
“Where is this Shaper Valta?” Ayla asked her voice slightly breathy. Though she
held strength in her stance it was clear to those closest to her that she was
nervous.
 
“She’s waiting below. You won’t see an Orzammar dwarf on the surface. They have
rules about that.” Harding explained.
 
“More like superstitions.” Varric mumble behind her.
 
“Josephine’s reports mentioned several of the Lyrium mines were damaged by the
quakes.”
 
“You’ll see what’s left of this one on your way down.” Harding commented. “From
what I hear, the other mines are barely holding together.”
 
Her anxiety increased as she realized she and the two Dalish males were in for
a not so good trip down into the mines. Ayla and her people were all very much
allergic to Lyrium, something nobody knew the why of, not even the Dalish
themselves. Ayla knew it had something to with the past and even though she had
past memories of most of her lives, not all of it was revealed to her. She was
still regaining her past memories. The three looked at each other with deep
apprehension on their faces.
 
“What’s the matter, Inquisitor? You three look like frightened nugs.” Stroud
commented, noticing their discomfort. “Are you afraid of heights?”
 
“From this high and on a not very stable platform that is taking us down, yet.
But that isn’t the biggest worry. Dalish are allergic to Lyrium. We didn’t
think we’d be encountering much of it. We tend to stay away from these mines
when we are down here, preferring to use our own entrances.” She explained.
 
“About that.” Leliana chimed in. “Dagna has made you three an armor that
negates the effect of the Lyrium. She put her studying of Sampson Red Lyrium
armor to good use and not only studied it but the affects normal Lyrium has on
you elves.”
 
Leliana signaled to two of the scouts who brought forth a large chest. They
opened it and pulled out the armor for the elves, lightweight with their
abilities in mind and clearly Dalish made. Blue Lyrium was veined all within it
in branch-like embroidery.
 
All three elves hesitantly reached for it, sure that the minute they’d touch it
they would become deathly ill. But that didn’t happen much to their surprise.
 
“How?”
 
“You will have to ask Dagna at some point.” Leliana said just as skeptical as
them about how this was accomplished. “I do know that it involved pure Lyrium.”
 
Ayla fingered the black, gold, and brown, lightweight and skintight full body
armor. When she touched it the Lyrium flared to life stinging her lightly but
not making her feel too ill to fight.
 
Adhlean and Iveanis both had similar reactions before all three went into a
nearby tent to change. As they donned the armor, she noticed hers was the only
one that had the collarbone, neck, shoulder, and upper chest protected with a
gold metal with a matching gold-feathered skirt belt that connected to a brown
leather lower torso corset. Her most vital organs protected from blades. The
belt itself was useful in that it held her daggers and potions, hidden, but
easily accessible for her. Her boots also matched her shoulder padded
breastplate and the belt, the heaviest thing on her but still light enough for
her to move as she needed whether she was flinging magic with her staff, using
her duel-wielding daggers, or her duel-wielding swords. The males’ armor was
all black and made to protect their lean forms in much the same way though
theirs didn’t have any of the metal.
 
She quickly put her hair in a braid down her back and equipped her weapons.
Once done she and her elven guard emerged from the tent to suddenly have the
whole camp stare at them. She was used to it by now as anytime she stepped into
her role as what they had assumed was her leadership of the Inquisition but now
Leliana, Cullen, and her companions were beginning to see it as more, something
she had been trained with since her birth.
 
Cullen, who didn’t know what exactly was going on with this mission other than
to help find out why the Lyrium mines were being assaulted by massive
earthquakes got a peculiar feeling that there was more to it that Leliana and
Ayla wanted to tell him or Josie. Why, he didn’t know but hoped they would
eventually let him in on it. All he did know was that it involved the Dalish
seeing as there was at least one clan in camp. From what he’d overheard, they
were to stay topside with Harding, Leliana, and most of the small battalion he
had discreetly sent here earlier during the week as they awaited word from the
Shaperate they’d offered to help.
 
Cullen, Bull, Varric, Dorian, Adhlean, Iveanis, Stroud, and Ayla all gathered
on the platform. It shook as they each stepped onto it, making the three elves
queasy as the motion made them think of a rocking ship. Ayla looked down into
the black chasm that was the long descent into the Deep Roads. Like she told
Harding, she didn’t mind heights on a normal basis but not when it was a long
fall if the lift became unsteady.
 
“Try not to shift around— and keep back away from the edge. It’s a long way
down.” Harding advised with an amused grin on her face at their uneasy
expressions. She was all duty with her hands behind her back, hair so neatly
pinned up in an elegant bun.
 
All of them glared at her, not needing the dwarf to point out the obvious as
the platform jolted as it began to descend.
 
“This reminds me of a story.” Varric commented as they were lowered down
slowly.
 
“Shocking.”
 
“It’s about an impossibly handsome dwarf and his friend who got crowned King of
the Nugs.” Varric continued though grinned at her mocking look of shock.
 
“A nug king, really?”
 
“It’s not as good as it sounds. Nugs really just shit on the floor and roll in
it. Welcome to the Deep Roads.” He said sarcastically with a fake grin.
 
Silence fell on them as they all nervously shifted. Nobody liked the lift and
didn’t really know what to say to keep it light. They all jumped when Cole
suddenly appeared and said. “Palms calloused, clutching. Clawing when the dust
came.”
 
After assuring herself that she wasn’t having a heart attack Ayla answered,
“the miners.”
 
“The stones were angry. I didn’t stones got angry.” He said with confusion.
 
All of them frowned at this, confused with what he said. As quick as he
appeared he poofed off again leaving them to there confused thoughts. Cole did
that a lot now, going to who knew where. She’d often wondered if her did the
same thing to Solas but didn’t ask, not sure if she wanted to know or not.
 
A few more minutes passed and they weren’t even halfway down yet, making Ayla
anxious. Why did it have to take forever? Though the logical side of her knew
it was to make sure they all got down alive without going splat on the rocks
below, the uneasy side of her was beyond impatient wanting to get down there as
quickly as possible to feel rocks beneath her feet again.
 
“So.” Bull broke the silence. “The Deep Roads. Do you think there’ll be tight
spaces? Long hallways with low ceilings?”
 
“Possibly, why?” She asked.
 
“Just hoping my horns fit.”
 
“Let’s hope they do.”
 
“Is it me or is this the slowest lift ever constructed?” Dorian commented
exactly what she was feeling, so in tune with her it was always freaky to
everyone else.
 
“Though I feel the same, falon, I am also glad to not be climbing all the way
down.” She answered to which everyone nodded their heads in agreement.
 
“I could do with some music.” He said. “Something with a flute?”
 
Iveanis smiled and pulled something from his pack, a tiny wooden recorder of
Dalish origin. “Do you mean something like this?” He asked.
 
“Exactly like that.” Dorian grinned. Iveanis played a low and romantic tune,
one Ayla had heard so many times growing up that it had her smiling tenderly in
memory.
 
“Varric, do dwarves dream?” Cullen asked from his spot beside Ayla. He had been
quiet up until then letting the others chat to keep their nerves at bay, his
especially. He was afraid of heights particularly with cliffs and such though
he never let on about it.
 
“No. Why do you ask?”
 
“Just something a certain elf said to me once. He mentioned that your species
couldn’t dream but he was amazed at the mechanism that your people create. He
was fascinated by some of the inventions that Dagna was able to make.” Cullen
said, making Ayla’s heart clench painfully knowing exactly whom he was talking
about.
 
“Not all ideas come from his precious Fade.” Ayla snapped without realizing
making everyone look around everywhere but at her.
 
“True.” Dorian said. “But these designs must be inspired by something.”
 
“Why can’t they be as creative as any dreamer mage?” Ayla asked still snippy.
 
“I didn’t mean to imply anything, Inquisitor.” Dorian said. “I imagine the
dwarves have an interesting thinking process and I guess we have all wondered
about it a time or two.”
 
Awkward silence followed once again, this time brought on by Ayla’s obvious
annoyance at Cullen for having brought up Solas. Everyone’s expression
reflected their sorrow at her for the pain she was still feeling, made worse by
the children she had lost.
 
Finally, the end of the ride was in sight as a hidden cave-like forest came
into view with a beautiful waterfall. All of them gasped at the beauty, even
Varric who’d only seen the areas that weren’t so breathtaking. It explained how
the dwarves were able to survive down in the earth. Such a beautiful sight with
the lush earthy green, though it wasn’t as big as the forests on the surface.
Ayla wondered how it survived without sunlight but realized this was life at
it’s finest. Life would always find a way through the darkest corners of the
world, balanced, as it should be.
 
Five minutes or so later the platform jolted again, much harder than the first
sending Ayla into Cullen, who with wide eyes fell down onto his back as she
fell atop him. His arms came around her to keep her steady and he blushed with
the reaction his body had as her hair smacked him in the face, sending her
rosy-jasmine scent into his nose. The others had similar tumbles sending flying
Dorian into his husband, while Varric fell back on his ass and the other two
elves on top of him. Stroud was the only one who remained upright and Ayla had
all but forgotten he was there since he had kept completely quiet through the
entire ride down.
 
Ayla grumbled as she extricated herself from the Commander. She looked at him
and felt immediately guilty as she saw the expression as well as his blush on
his face not to mention the sudden lump in his breeches that was poking her in
the thigh.
 
“I am so sorry, Commander.” She apologized as a blush graced her own face at
the feel of his erection.
 
“It’s alright, Inquisitor.” He said as his eyes wandered everywhere but to her.
“It’s not your fault. I am sorry as well. I can’t seem to help it.”
 
“I understand and you have nothing to feel sorry for.” Ayla whispered as she
rose to get off him. Slowly as to not to hurt him or send her back into him she
got to her feet and off the platform. “I seriously hate this lift thing now.”
 
“I second that feeling.” Dorian said as he and Bull came to stand beside her as
Cullen and the others righted themselves. Stroud was helped Varric up after the
two elves dislodged themselves.
 
“Let’s get this over with.” Ayla said as she began heading to where a female
dwarf was taking the names down of the fallen Legion men.
 
“Are you Shaper Valta?” Ayla asked as they approached.
 
“Atrast Vala, Inquisitor.” She bowed slightly in respect. “The Shaperate
welcomes you to the Deep Roads.”
 
They exchanged a bit of small talk with Ayla asking a little bit of dwarven
customs and what a Shaperate was.
 
“How many men have you lost?” Ayla asked as she took in the dead behind Valta.
 
“More than we can count. The mining Castes have suffered greatly.” She said her
face mourning the losses. “Our situation has worsened since you contacted us
offering your aid.” As if to agree with her the whole area began to shake and
rumble. Ayla looked around as that familiar feeling embraced her as the power
from the Well activated. Ancient magic lives within these caves. Way down deep
where even the Darkspawn are afraid to go.
 
Ayla didn’t give away her reaction, keeping it to herself. Not that she
understood what she was being told. Her face simply held her concern and
confusion.
 
“The quakes collapsed this mine and shattered a seal keeping the Darkspawn at
bay.” Valta informed them. “The Legion of the Dead hasn’t been able to mend the
broken seal— and we can’t afford to lose anymore Lyrium.”
 
“We stand ready to aid Orzammar.” Ayla said. “Is there any other dangers down
here we should worry about?” She wondered about the Agents of Fen’Harel. She
hoped they had left the mines and ruins for the time being to protect
themselves from tunnel collapses.
 
“Not that we know of.” Valta answered. Another quake shook the mine and Valta
suddenly threw herself into Ayla as a large rock fell where the dwarf was just
at. “Apologies for pushing you. I fear the damage that tremor caused. Follow me
to the Legion camp so we can better assess how we are to seal the hole.”
***** The Descent *****
Ayla and her group followed the dwarf, running into a small group of Darkspawn
with a giant ogre. They fought hard, the group all exhausted after defeating
the ogre. Luckily they all had minor scrapes from the fight with him, despite
the creature grabbing a hold of several of them attempting to crush them. Ayla
refused to let anyone die on her watch and became enraged every time one of her
team was grabbed. She ran and sliced all around him like an unseen gust of air,
the only evidence that she had even been there. The ogre became confused and
agitated every time, dropping his intended victim trying to get a hold of
whatever attacked him.
 
Though all the others helped her, all of them were a bit surprised at her
anger. It seemed she was more ferocious than she once was when attacking the
mutated Red Lyrium Templars. She, had of course, hadn’t wanted to hurt them in
the hopes that they could save some of them but with the Darkspawn it was
different. Now she let out her full abilities in full force, using her mage and
rogue skills as one force not even using her staff as she casted her spells.
Instead she channeled it through her daggers, using it to harm her enemies
shocking Cullen more than once and having him wonder if she’d grown since
Corypheus or if she’d hidden the full force of her powers. But judging from
Dorian’s unsurprised reaction other than that of proud awe and the equally
ferocious style of her elven clan brothers it seemed she had indeed been
holding back her full range of abilities.
 
After the battle the Shaper expressed worry for the Legion due to the Darkspawn
being there and so they hurried until they reached the camp. “I will never get
used to the stench of Darkspawn. They corrupt everything, even the air.” Valta
commented as they continued to go deeper into the cavern.
 
“Minions of Darkness at its finest.” Ayla said in answer.
 
Though she saw the Shaper’s face of confusion the dwarf didn’t ask about what
she had meant. It, in a way, made sense. They were darkness upon the world.
Everything about them reminded her of the evil within the world. Cullen also
had the same expression on his face and wondered what Ayla had meant. He knew
it had to do with the real reason they’d come down here, whatever she had told
Leliana in secret. Though the Spymaster had told him a little of it, she hadn’t
given up the secret of what the Dalish were doing down here. Why were Ayla and
her people so interested in helping find out about the quakes?
 
They came upon the camp where the Legion was currently fighting a bunch of
Darkspawn who were adamant about keeping this new area for themselves. The
group hurried into the fight, giving a much-added boost to the numbers and
helping the Legion fight back the foul creatures. Once they had been
distinguished, she followed the Legion’s orders and ignited the explosives that
were near the seal. Once set a fire, Ayla and her team all ran to take cover
behind a rock about ten feet away along with the Legion.
 
The rocks tumbled into the arch, blocking the Darkspawn from ever getting
through again unless they worked together to remove the blockage. The Legion
all yelled in praise, grateful that they wouldn’t have to fight them any longer
in this area for the moment.
 
Afterwards Ayla and her team set up their own hear though nobody set up tents
aside from Cullen who would be staying with the Legion members that were
staying behind to coordinate the lifts they’d made. Ayla glowered at the one
nearby, knowing that they would be taking that one down at some point. As soon
as the Wart Table and things were set up Ayla approached the Shaperate who was
currently talking to the leader of the Legion.
 
“Inquisitor and Commander Cullen, meet Lieutenant Renn; a veteran of the Fifth
Blight and one of the Legion’s finest Commanders.” She introduced to the dwarf
cleaning and sharpening his axe.
 
He snorted. “Someone paid her to say that.” He said as he finished with his axe
and rose from his seat, which was a boulder. He fisted his hand over his heart
and bowed slightly. “Appreciate the help, Inquisitor. Collapsing the seal
bought us time. Blighters had a run of this tunnel for days. Now they have a
roadblock.”
 
“I get the impression you two have known each other a while.” Ayla observed.
 
“Yeah. The Shaperate sent her to dig up some old relics. Asked me to keep her
out of trouble.” He chuckled as he looked at her. Ayla wondered if there might
be something more intimate between the two. Though he teased her, he regarded
her with a tender look. “That was three years ago.”
 
“You can quit at anytime.” Valta said with amusement.
 
“Not when we still have things to fight about.” He commented.
 
Cullen asked how far the Deep Roads went. The dwarves explained about the
Dwarven cities that used to thrive before they were lost to the Darkspawn. Ayla
and the two elves looked at one another knowing exactly how far they were.
They, of course, had there own areas they kept a secret away from the surface
and even the dwarves. Dorian and Stroud made eye contact with them and raised
their eyebrows in question.
 
Nobody else caught this, however, as the Legion and Cullen were too busy
discussing the excavations they have been doing over the past three years. Ayla
already knew of this, her people having been watching it for quite awhile since
it was relatively close to the Ancient Gods to which they guarded.
 
“The Legion of the Dead has the Inquisition’s full support.” Ayla said after
the discussion was finished between the two Commanders.
 
“That’s the best news I’ve heard since the quakes began. Actually, the only
good news.” Renn said with a grateful smile. The rumbling started again and
Ayla looked around and up at the ceiling, moving when some of the rocks fell.
An Ancient Dwarven statue holding a hammer began to crack, releasing the
hammer, which tumbled to the ground right in the spot where Renn had just been
if he hadn’t fallen over a boulder after moving slightly.
 
“Take cover!” Ayla shouted as she moved under the sturdy archway that had just
been blocked off. The archway had just enough space for several of them to fit
under. Ayla’s magic flared within her in reaction to the tremors, this one
being slightly different. She looked around to see if anyone else noticed it
but nobody had except for Valta and her two-elven brethren.
 
“You heard that, yes?” She asked Ayla having observed the frown of confusion on
her face. “The rhythm in the tremors?” She looked at Renn then. “It’s clearer,
stronger. More insistent.”
 
“I hear it. It doesn’t prove a thing.” He said testily.
 
“These quakes aren’t a natural disaster, are they?” Ayla asked already knowing
the answer. Whatever it was, it was ancient if her magic was energized.
 
“No they aren’t. It feels like they’re deliberate. Like there’s an…” The
Shaperate scrunched her face up trying to think of the right word.
 
“Like there’s an intelligence behind them.” Ayla finished.
 
“Yes, exactly.”
 
“We get plenty of natural tremors down here. These are different.” Renn said as
he folded his arms across his chest. “She thinks she knows why.”
 
“I found an Ancient text during an expedition with Renn last year. At the time,
it was just a curiosity. But now...” She looked at Renn with a secretive glance
before elaborating. “The text describes giant creatures— called—“
 
“Titans?” Ayla interrupted with surprise.
 
“Yes.” The Shaper said expressing her own surprise that Ayla would know of
them. “How do you know of them?”
 
“Some of the legends my people have involve the Titans. It was said that the
Evanuris fought them long ago in several wars before they ascended to Godhood.”
Ayla said, keeping it as a story but not elaborating if it was true or not.
 
Valta nodded, excepting this bit of information. “Well the text said that they
were living deep, deep underground. That they “sing” in the stone. Shaping it.
When these quakes began. I believe we heard that rhythm. I believe a Titan is
causing all this destruction.”
 
The power of the Well once again tingled along her skin, giving her the
affirmative that what the dwarf said was, in fact, correct.
 
Ayla glanced at Dorian, Iveanis, and Adhlean a look of surprise on her face.
Dorian looked at her in confusion not really understanding what she was
thinking. But the two elves had equal looks of shock. None of them had even
thought any of them had survived the war with the Evanuris, not when all of
them had wanted to steal every bit of the untapped power the Titans had. None
of the Dalish knew exactly what the Evanuris took from the creatures that kept
the Earth alive through their singing but it was enough to essentially make
them extinct.
 
“What else did the text say?”
 
“It predates the First Blight. Its pages have mostly rotted away and there’s no
mention of the Titan’s in Orzammar’s memories.” Valta explained.
 
“Which tells you something.” Renn commented.
 
Ayla knew the reason for that, as did all the clans. She looked at the two
dwarves and thought about telling them. The elves nodded at her that it was
only right, since it was their heritage. But Ayla didn’t know these two well
yet. What if they wanted to kill it? She decided to wait and get to know them
better before saying anything. They would be together for Goddess knew how long
down here and it would be ample time to decide.
 
“The rhythm I sense in the quakes. They’re coming from far below. The stone
will lead us there.” Valta said.
 
“And if it comes to a fight… that’ll be our job.” Renn said making Ayla narrow
her eyes at him.
 
“If we can avoid killing it, I would be most grateful.” Ayla said.
 
“Yes but if it continues to cause this destruction we may have no choice.” Renn
said. “There’s a lift nearby. Ready when you are.”
 
The group all decided to set up two other tents and they split between it with
Ayla and Cullen in one, Varric, Iveanis, Stroud, and Adhlean in another, and
finally Dorian and Bull in the third. They prepped food in the cauldron the
dwarves already had on hand, preparing enough for this meal and for several
others until the next time they camped, whenever that would be.
 
They all ate and chatted but quickly retired for the evening. Everybody was
exhausted from the fighting and the constant edginess the tremors caused not
knowing when the whole cavern would come down upon them all.
 
Ayla and Cullen were the last to fall asleep. Cullen was too aware of her
presence beside him making him think of when she’d fallen atop him earlier. Her
scent again wafted to him making him hard as stone. He wanted nothing more than
to touch her at that moment but knew it wouldn’t do much good. She had already
rejected him once.
 
“Cullen?” Her voice broke through the silence bringing him out of his thoughts.
 
“Yes, Inquisitor?”
 
“Are you not tired?” She asked.
 
“I am but for some reason my body wont shut down.” He said.
 
“Is it cause of your reaction from earlier to me?”
 
“You are most perceptive, Inquisitor.” Cullen whispered. “How did you guess?”
 
“Your breathing. It quickened once they were asleep and you realized we were
both still awake.”
 
“Why do you ask?”
 
“I find myself wishing I could give you what you want.” Ayla said, feeling the
need to talk about her rejecting him several months ago.
 
“Do you… do you feel anything for the many lovers you pick after your
performances?” Cullen asked.
 
“No. They are merely a means to distract myself from the pain of losing him and
my children. He’s my soul mate, something I know you don’t understand.” She
said. “Dalish have one person to which they are supposed to be with for life.
He left me and has since then slept with a few others. Every time he does, my
soul leaves my body when I’m asleep and I am forced to watch it.”
 
“So it was also a means of revenge? Telling the world and in doing so telling
him that you have given into to your Dalish ways?”
 
“In a way. When we visited one of my sister clans in the Exalted Plains,
Ladarvise attempted to court me and Solas got very jealous. He came and
basically stole me away as is custom and staked his claim.” She explained. “So
doing it this way was something he would understand since it was a memory.”
 
“Have you tried to move on? Feel something for someone else?”
 
“I don’t think I will ever be able to do that. He is all I can think about. My
soul longs for him. Technically I should’ve killed myself, would’ve in the
battle against Corypheus if I hadn’t had a very important reason to want to
survive.”
 
“Your babies.” Cullen looked at her sadly. Tears gathered in her eyes but they
didn’t fall. He could tell she was forcing herself not to let them.
 
“Yes.” She whispered. “I had a small crush on you before he and I kissed but I
was also afraid of you what with my past. The pull to him was also way too
strong and I fell for him. A Dalish soul knows its mate even when we both are
in denial.”
 
“I understand, Inquisitor. I thank you for clarifying why you had rejected me.”
Cullen said as he relaxed more. “So what will you do next after this? I know
you performed your last show and didn’t take anyone back with you that night.”
 
“Actually, I was asked by the King to be his mistress. We had an encounter on
the ship home. I was seasick and very angry about that. I lashed out and next
thing I know we are rutting against the wall of the room we were sharing.”
 
“Do you have feelings for him?”
 
“He’s my friend and I do like his form, I will admit but that is all. But it
was pointed out to me that I am rather lonely since Solas left. It seems he
isn’t ever coming back and though I’ll never be able to love another as I do
him I don’t want to be alone. It’s something to consider anyways. I am not sure
I want to become his mistress. I feel it would ruin my reputation as
Inquisitor.”
 
“Don’t be afraid of what the world thinks now. You have already earned an
interesting reputation from those raunchy performances you’ve done.” He said
with an amused smile. “You didn’t seem to care then.”
 
“I was not really fully here at the time either. I was trying to find
something, anything to distract myself from my pain.”
 
“I know. We all do. It’s why we didn’t really say anything. That and watching
the world gasp and gossip was entertaining in itself.”
 
Silence descended upon them and finally after awhile the two fell asleep.
 
 
 
 
 
 
“Why have you pulled out of trying to locate the Old Gods?” Solas demanded of
his agents who had returned to the castle in the in between world.
 
“The quakes are too dangerous. We have lost several of our numbers from the
most recent one. We felt it best to let the dwarves that are down there trying
to figure it out to do so. Not to mention the Inquisition.” The agent told him.
Solas snapped his head around and scoured the agent.
 
“What?” He asked dumbfounded.
 
“The Inquisition? They are down there helping the Legion of the Dead. The
Inquisitor arrived yesterday to the camp on the surface and was lowered down
today.”
 
Fendhis! Why was she continually disappearing on him? His spies at Skyhold and
her estate had lost them, not even aware that she, two of her advisors, and a
select few had snuck out to go who knew where. Now it seemed she was too close
to his mission. He wouldn’t be able to do anything until they were done.
 
“You’re right. We can’t lose any more people. Go to the camp on the surface and
infiltrate it as an Inquisition scout. Keep me informed of what they find is
the cause of these tremors and when the Inquisitor leaves. Once she does we
will continue.”
 
“Why are you wanting to watch her every move?” One of them questioned.
 
“Because she is a threat to my plans.”
 
“The why not eliminate her?”
 
“You will not even think of such things. She is not to be harmed. Do you
understand?”
 
Fear coursed through the group at the flash in his eyes. It was very clear to
them all that the Inquisitor was off limits. Why? They didn’t know but often
wondered what happened when he had been with her for that whole year. They kept
their mouths shut, bowed in acceptance of his orders, and left him alone.
 
 
 
 
 
The next day or whatever time of day it was, Ayla wasn’t too sure down there,
the group had packed up the two tents leaving only Cullen’s. All were surprised
that the cavern hadn’t collapsed on them during the night much to their relief.
Waking up was a giant plus to the whole camp.
 
“Inquisitor,” he whispered to her as she finished packing up her gear making
sure she had everything she needed, hoping it would be enough. “May I have a
word with you?”
 
“Of course.” She said and handed off her things to Dorian before following the
Commander. “What’s going on?”
 
“That’s what I’m asking you.” He said. “I know you are down here for more than
just helping these elves with finding the source of the quakes to stop anymore
cave ins to keep the Lyrium minds running. What’s the real reason?”
 
Ayla studied him for a moment, a look of indecision on her face and wariness in
her eyes. Some secret was being held and judging by her reaction she wasn’t
sure she should tell him.
 
“You can trust me, Ayla.” He said strongly, his voice never wavering as so many
others with duplicitous plans did.
 
Her features shifted several times as she debated whether to tell him or not
but then settled on a firm, strong look as she came to her decision. “I don’t
have time to tell you the full story so I will only give you the gist of it.”
He nodded his head in understanding. “The Dalish are the protectors of the Old
Gods. The hidden caverns where the two remaining ones were resting have been
found. My people have been trying to keep the Darkspawn, as is their normal
reason to guard them, away from corrupting anymore of them. Recently though a
new group has found the hidden caverns and intends to steal the powers of the
Old Gods. We’ve been moving the last two, foiling their searches but in the
last few weeks some of my people have gone missing or have been found dead the
deeper in they go. We are here to find out why and to secretly get the Old Gods
out of here to find a new hiding place since it isn’t safe to keep them down
here anymore.”
 
Cullen’s eyebrows rose in shock at this sudden overload of information. He
asked a lot of the same questions Leliana did and she answered in much the same
way though more cryptically since the group was about to go down the lift.
Though most of it he understood, he didn’t have the full story like her
Spymaster did and so his brain was beyond confused considering the legends he,
like the rest of the world, had been told.
 
“Shouldn’t I come down with you then?” He asked.
 
“No. I need you up here to correspond with Leliana on the surface. You will be
the messenger once we find out what is going on. I also need your military
expertise to coordinate with the Legion staying up here the more we find.” She
told him.
 
“How am I to do that exactly?” Cullen asked. “I don’t plan on using that lift
more than necessary. I don’t think it’d be a good idea.”
 
“Your right on that account.” Ayla said thinking for a moment before Dorian
piped up with something.
 
“Use this.” He held up a purple crystal before placing it in Cullen’s hands.
Cullen looked at quizzically and then at Dorian. Ayla also had a similar
expression. Crystals and gemstones of many colors could be used for all sorts
of magical things, such as aiding with healing or helping with sleep, etcetera.
But she didn’t know what his intention was for this crystal and the other two
like it that he pulled out of his robes.
 
“What is it?” Cullen asked.
 
“It’s something I’ve been working on. A project of sorts.” Dorian said as he
handed the other to Cullen and the third to Ayla. “This is called a Sending
Crystal, a magical communication device I created with the sole intent of
communicating with one another from long distance. I have been wanting to test
them out and now would be a marvelous time to do so.”
 
Both the Inquisitor and the Commander looked at it doubtfully. “How do we make
it work?” Cullen asked. “If you need magic for it, I’m afraid I’m sadly lacking
in that aspect.”
 
“You need a pinprick drop of your blood and it will activate on it’s own. It
will automatically link up with the one of the other crystals so long as you
think of the person you are trying to reach.” Dorian explained.
 
“Blood magic?” Cullen spat with horrored disgust on his face.
 
“No,” Ayla spoke up from beside him. “This is natural. You are giving your
life’s blood, a simple drop to the crystal to give it life as the earth does
with it’s life blood, water, to keep us alive. Don’t think of the tarnished,
murderous version that the Imperium abuses for their own gain.”
 
Cullen looked at her warily but when she gestured for his hand, he hesitantly
gave it to her. He knew she and her people used magic differently, naturally.
His trust in that is what allowed her to take his hand and with the sharpest
point of her knife prick his finger before she turned it over and moved it to
his other hand where the purple crystal was laying. She guided his finger onto
the crystal gently, letting the blood spread a bit before taking his finger
away.
 
The crystal glowed a second later as the blood soaked dissolved into it. “See?
Not so bad.” She smiled and moved away to do the same with her own crystal.
Once they were both activated, Cullen brought one of his men forward allowing
Dorian to place it in his hands and ordering him to deliver it to Leliana with
the instructions.
 
On the second floor, if one could call it that, the whole group ran into
several small hordes of Darkspawn. These ones were a bit stronger than the ones
that appeared in the upper levels, which meant that these groups had been alive
for some time and were the workers of the mine, the ones in charge of looking
for the remaining Old God souls that were slumbering down in these caverns.
 
As they explored through a number of areas they came across doors that were
locked a special way. Valta instructed them to try the gears they’d found along
the way and once in place the crew kept an eye out for more. On the third floor
they finally found signs, not only of their missing clan mates, but also
several of Fen’Harel’s Agents that had met with misfortune. The signs of her
brethren were vague but it kept them pushing forward, all of them more
determined to find out what happened to them.
 
After that they eradicated all of the Darkspawn that had dominated the third
floor. Ayla had, since the first lift, been keeping track of how many lifts
they’d been using and devised a floor plan for them to call it since it was
hard keeping track otherwise. And so on the third floor they battled waves of
Darkspawn, destroying all that blocked them from their path until finally they
were free of the foul creatures.
 
After annihilating the minions of the Dark, they came upon an ancient lift, one
beyond older than the ones the dwarves had made for this excavation.
 
“That’s the last of those Darkspawn. The Legion’s in your debt, Inquisitor.”
Renn bowed his head in respect to her.
 
“Look at this, Renn. It’s… ancient.” Valta said, staring up at the lift in awe.
“Maybe a thousand years old.”
 
“Any idea who built it, or why?” Ayla asked, sparing a glance to her Adhlean
and Iveanis with a raised eyebrow. A secret message seemed to pass between
them. Their companions knew something was being communicated between the three
but the dwarves they had come to help were oblivious.
 
“This Thaig is on top of a Lyrium Mine. According to the memories, this mine
was destroyed by some unexplained disaster.” Valta explained. “The miners must
have used this lift to reach the lower levels.”
 
“But we’re not using it, right?” Varric grimaced.
 
“Sounds familiar.” Ayla smirked with witty amusement at not only Varric’s
obvious nervous joke but at her own thoughts. These dwarves had done the same
thing on this mission that whomever built the ancient lift did over a thousand
or so years ago. If her guess was right it was a little more than one thousand
years old, if Valta’s theory about the Titan was correct. “If there is a Titan
causing all these earthquakes, it’s down there.”
 
Ayla looked down the dark chasm, seeing nothing but black darkness. She felt
uneasy, knowing something was going to happen down there. She didn’t know what
but hoped it wasn’t her or those she was with times to die. Especially now that
she didn’t have an heir to pass her genes for future reincarnations to.
 
“I found this book with the Emissary. The pages are mostly ruined, but a few a
readable.” Valta opens the book going to a particularly legible page and
pointing where she wanted Ayla to look. “See this line? “I awoke to the singing
stone. Our kingdom trembled at Titans hymn.”
 
Ayla’s eyes widened as realization dawned on her. She put her thoughts aloud.
“That reference to singing stone… I’ve been told that raw lyrium has a sound.”
 
“A hum.” Valta nodded. “The mining caste follows it to find the lyrium veins.
They say it’s the stone calling to them.”
 
Ayla thought for a moment. If what she suspected was true then the quakes were
a random occurrence. “Perhaps it wasn’t chance that the quakes destroyed lyrium
mines.” She said, though keeping her suspicions vague about her realizations.
Instead she added. “Is it possible that the Darkspawn or their Emissary could
also hear the song?”
 
“The stone would never call to those vile things,” Valta shakes her head
vehemently, “but that doesn’t mean they can’t hear her.”
 
“Darkspawn live and die by the Blight. They don’t care for much else.” Renn
spoke up then.
 
“I didn’t realize you knew so much about Darkspawn motives.” Valta teased.
 
“Not everything is a mystery, Valta. Some things are exactly as they appear.”
Renn shot back.
 
“And some things are not.”
 
“You two both have a valid point,” Ayla said stopping them from bickering
further. “However, I know the Darkspawn’s motives for being down here far
better than you as do the Wardens.” She gestured at Stroud who had been a
silent witness to everything on their journey down there so far.
 
“What do you mean?” Renn asked.
 
“I know you noticed some of the dead weren’t all Legion. Several of them were
agents of a supposed Dalish God that seems to be awake and roaming free. They
were down here doing the same thing the Darkspawn are down here for. To find
the dormant and slumbering soul of an Old God. The Old Gods are under my
people’s protection and they have gone missing since trying to keep the two
remaining souls away from both parties.”
 
“So you offered your help to us for other motives?” Renn asked, slightly
annoyed at this.
 
“Yes and no. The earthquakes were not just a problem for your people but for
mine as well. I used the Inquisition as a cover to hide my true motives from
The Dread Wolf’s Agents. But with these quakes I fear my people may have been
trapped somewhere down here unable to free themselves. I am here to help you
find the reason why the quakes are happening and hopefully stop them while
finding my missing men.”
 
“I see.” Renn said grumpily. “Well, I will help however I can.”
 
“I will as well.” Valta agreed with a nod and a friendly grin.
 
“Maybe those who were down here before found a way to stop the quakes.” Dorian
suggests.
 
“I see no solution in the texts, but it’s practically dust. We’re lucky any
words survived.” Valta says as she flips though the book.
 
“Heh. Half a poem. Just what we needed.” Renn scoffs mockingly.
 
“Perhaps this will change your mind.” Valta retaliates with a cheeky grin,
amusement evident in her tone. “Look here. It’s the royal seal of Orseck
Garal.”
 
“King Orseck Garal? That book belonged to a Paragon? Maybe you are on to
something, Valta.”
 
“Of course you take a dead man’s word over mine.” Valta sighs as she shakes her
head. “Always the traditionalist.”
 
“Hey… challenging tradition lost you a cushy position in Orzammar.” Renn spat
back.
 
“Does a king’s book mean that much to you, Renn?” Ayla asked becoming annoyed
with their bickering. At first it was cute since they obviously had feelings
for one another but now the bickering had turned into a spat. He obviously
didn’t think much of her theories and Valta was hurt by this and lashing back
to retaliate. This kind of reminded her of when she and Solas hadn’t gotten
along very well at first despite their attraction to one another.
 
“Paragons are the best of our people. They don’t hand that title out to just
anyone—not even a king.” Renn explained. He turned to look at Valta. “Knowing
it was Garal’s book from the start would’ve saved us an argument.”
 
“As if you’d ever avoid an argument.” Valta replied sarcastically to him.
 
“Valta’s standing in the Shaperate is her business—not mine or yours, Renn.”
Ayla groused before walking off to talk with her companions but not before
announcing they would make camp there for the night.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The morning Renn came up to Valta and Ayla, both were making idle chit chat as
the camp was being put away.
 
“My apologies, Valta. I forgot my place.” Renn said staring at the female dwarf
with regret in his gaze.
 
“As did I.” Valta said with a tender smile. She then turned to look at Ayla.
“You deserve and explanation, Inquisitor.” She then proceeded to explain about
what happened to cause her to lose respect among her fellow shapers and how she
had declined to remove an official record from the memories. “I decided it
would be best if I served the Shaperate here, finding history instead of
recording it.”
 
Ayla asked about how striking the memories from the records worked wanting to
get a better idea on how the Dwarves functioned in their society. Valta
explained about a member of the Caste having found a secret heritage involving
them having ties to the Carta, a band of thieves, murderers, and the like.
After explaining a bit of how it worked, Ayla thought for a moment before
deciding to ask something she hoped the dwarves had decided not to erase.
 
“If the Shaperate is willing to erase memories, what could prevent them from
covering up the existence of Titans?”
 
“Why would they do that?” Renn asked, shocked and slightly annoyed at the
suspiciousness of the question.
 
“Because someone in power demanded it.” Valta supplied as a statement of fact,
telling Renn that some people had agendas.
 
“I would never have guessed that the Shaperate was so corrupt.” Ayla remarked
shaking her head in disappointment.
 
“Institutions aren’t corrupt, only people.” Valta replied with a shake of her
own head as she set Ayla’s statement to rights. “I wish abusing memories for
political gain was a rarity.”
 
“I remember Orzammar as an honorable kingdom.” Renn stated, trying to defend
his home.
 
“You’ve been gone a long time, Renn.” Valta told him. “Things change when power
does.”
 
“Sorry I brought it up.” Renn sighed with disappointment before moving on. “The
earthquakes are what matters. I don’t know where this lift leads…” He looks
down into the black chasm below, grimacing as he continued, “but we’re about to
find out the hard way. Get ready.”
 
 
 
 
 
 
Once the camp was packed up and everyone had eaten Ayla led the group upon the
lift looking at him warily. She hoped that it was still as sturdy as it was
whenever it had been built. She didn’t relish falling down to her death into a
hole of nothingness as the dark threatened to do.
 
Just as she ventured on it, she pulled out her crystal and contacted Cullen.
She told him of what had transpired since the last time they spoke and about
what they were embarking on. The lift jolted and began its descent just as she
finished up her report back to him.
 
“Good luck, Inquisitor.” Cullen said with a grim expression. “I hope this won’t
be the last I hear from you.”
 
“I, too, hope for that. I will contact you again once we find a safe place to
camp.” She said and then said her farewells.
 
They all stared up at the light, all not wishing to leave its safe presence.
All too soon it became pitch black. Ayla and Dorian brought light at once to
their staves, Ayla’s staying on her back as she unsheathed her daggers. She
would use the staff as a lantern while keeping her daggers at the ready. She
definitely had enough power to sustain herself in the event of a fight, not
having to worry now about Cullen or her other advisors seeing her immense
power, not having to hold back anything anymore.
 
As they continued to descend, Ayla had a very bad sense of foreboding knowing
someone within her group would die down here. She hoped it wasn’t any of her
friends, praying to the universe to keep them all safe.
 
They landed with a loud echo in the dark starry-like cavern. It was like it was
night but that only signaled that the cave they were about to explore was
filled with un-mined minerals of all kinds.
 
Ayla charged her daggers, readying them for whatever was down here. “Keep your
wits about you. I have a feeling we’re not alone down here. I feel like we’re
being watched.” She told them as she looked around at them all. Every one of
them had their weapons had the ready. She and her fellow elves pricked their
ears up listening to caverns as they also used their keen eyesight to help
detect anything abnormal. With that they all slowly began a wary pace into the
dark yet sparkly cave.
 
Ayla stopped suddenly, seeing some sort of shadow move just up ahead.
Apparently she wasn’t the only one.
 
“What was that?” Valta spoke suddenly.
 
“What was what?” Renn asked, having not heard or seen it. She, Valta, and the
other two elves were the only ones who knew something was with them inside the
cavern.
 
“Something moved… there! Light a torch!” She urged.
 
“So it can see us coming?” Renn scoffed and then added. “Just stay close.”
 
“There’s nothing stopping us from going back up.” Varric said with a hint. He
was as uneasy as the rest of them.
 
“We’re not going back up.” Ayla said, a commanding edge in her voice that
showed more confidence then she actually felt as they continued in deeper.
 
The pace was slow, all of the antsy. None of them liked the pitch blackness
they were forced to endure, the only light coming from Ayla’s daggers and both
hers and Dorian’s staves. The farther in they went Ayla tensed up more as she
began seeing strange green gemlike eyes, or so she assumed, watching them for a
moment and then disappear before reappearing directly in front of her several
spaces away and repeating this over and over.
 
“We have left the Deep Roads.” Valta said with haunting echo.
 
“How can you tell? It’s pitch black.” Dorian asked dumbfounded.
 
“She’s right.” Ayla said, with nods of agreement from the other two elves.
“How do you know?” Bull asked.
 
“I can feel it.” Both Valta and Ayla spoke in unison.
 
“I prefer fighting something I can see.” Bull stated grumpily but kept watch of
their backs.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As they continued their exploration into the deep darkness, Solas was rubbing
his temples in frustration. He hadn’t heard a peep in days about how the
Inquisitor was doing in the Deep Roads. Nothing for weeks, and he was not only
worried about her well being but if he would ever be able to continue with his
own plans of locating the two remaining Old Gods.
 
A light breeze touched him, signaling he was not alone in his chambers. His
window was closed and everybody had been told not to bother him, which meant
that it was none other than Cole who had popped into existence, as was his way.
 
“She’s afraid, the dark surrounds her but she keeps a level head. Too much is
at stake.” Cole says.
 
“What is she afraid of? Darkspawn?” Solas asked frantically, not listening to
anything that came after his first sentence.
 
“Darkspawn are no more, even they do not venture where she has gone. Up against
foes hiding in the dark, she and her party uneasy.” Cole informs him.
 
“What foes?”
 
“She knows not.” Cole’s expression shifts to anxious fear, his emotions coming
from her. He then frowns. “The dark is trembling. It is wrong here. Too many
whispers. The song is wrong. Chords cut to silence.”
 
“What is happening?”
 
“I know not, only she has ventured somewhere ancient.” Cole says and then
disappears leaving a very confused and frustrated Solas baffled.
 
 
 
 
Ayla didn’t know how long they were down there but it felt like hours since
then, coming up on dead ends, getting turned around once or twice before
finding the new path. They ventured into a more open part of the cave but her
sense of unease increased in intensity. That foreboding feeling getting
stronger the farther in they journeyed. Someone was going to die soon, of that,
she was sure.
 
This new area was cold, wet, and slimy. Squeaks came from all around them and
this set them all on edge. They knew they weren’t alone. The elves could hear
whomever had been watching them moving around. All of their eyes darted from to
and fro trying to determine if these beings were going to attack.
 
They stopped short, seeing several shadowed beings run stealthily in front of
them. Renn glared and shouted out, “show yourselves!”
 
He stood with his war hammer at the ready. A sudden pained grunt came from Renn
a moment later, a look of surprise on his face. He looked down to see a hole
blasted into his armor, something that hadn’t been there before. Valta had been
splattered by his blood, had covered her face thinking she had been attacked
herself. As she lowered her arms from her face, she looked at her hands and saw
the blood.
 
“Renn!” She cried out as he fell to one knee, using his hammer for support. She
ran to him but looked out warily as several glowing things began to appear
until they were beings. All of them were heavily armored and carried weapons
Ayla had never seen before. A type of crossbow, it looked like, that didn’t
have any types of bolts or arrows notched to shoot.
 
Ayla frowned with confusion as she stepped up just behind Renn but then raised
her eyes in surprise as one of those crossbows began to shoot, aiming for her.
Stroud’s shield came out of nowhere and blocked the first hit but both of them
were forced to move out of the way as several more being came forward shooting
them at the party. Both rolled out to the side, Ayla to the left and Stroud to
his right.
 
One of the blasts hit Ayla’s armor making it glow. Ayla looked down with
realization and knew what was being blasted at them. “They’re firing Lyrium at
us!” She yelled to the others. Oh, how she wished Dagna had made them all
Lyrium immune armor.
 
Still grunting with pain, Renn looked at Valta with sorrow. “Hm… sod it all.”
He said, looking back at the enemy with a fierce look of determination. He
couldn’t tell her how he felt about her but as his last act before his death he
would protect her with everything he had.
 
Valta saw it in his face, his eyes hardened to coal, expression though pained
showed his angry and righteous determination. “No!” She cried trying to get him
to not go.
 
But he was on his feet, hammer raised as a battle cry ripped from his throat.
He charged and fought his hardest battle yet. Not wanting him to go alone Ayla
used her stealth magic, cloaking her and ran into the battle followed by
everyone else except Stroud and Varric who stayed back to protect Valta. Renn
took out most of them by himself and the fight didn’t last long. Once done Renn
breathed heavily staring at nothing before falling to the ground, his vision
turning black.
 
He forced himself to remain awake as Valta came to him, kneeling over him. “I’m
sorry… I never told you. From the day… we first… met… too afraid to tell you.”
 
“Shh.” Valta said, placing a finger to his lips. “I know.”
 
Ayla watched this, a pang in her heart as she thought of Solas. She turned
giving them privacy, as did the rest of the group, instead keeping their eyes
focused around them in case of another attack.
 
“I love you, too.” She whispered to him, it being the last thing he heard
before letting out one final breath. She sobbed for several minutes but then
looked up at Ayla. “He deserved better.” She said. “Renn never wanted this. He
was a cobbler. A good one. He only joined the Legion to pay his father’s debts.
It kept his mother and brother from losing their Caste. The poor and desperate
here often sacrifice themselves for their family’s future.”
 
“Renn was a good man. We’ll honor his sacrifice.” Ayla knelt down to her.
 
“He always seemed… indestructible.” She whispered sadly, more to herself than
to the group. Then she looked at one of the fallen attackers. She frowned. “The
armor on these warriors… there’s Lyrium woven directly into the metal, and it’s
bonded to their skin. It’s impossible to remove and I know what we’d find
underneath. These are Dwarves. Renn was killed by his own kind.”
 
“Their weapons were also infused with Lyrium. It’s raw and completely
liquefied. Renn never stood a chance.” Iveanis said coming forward with one of
the strange weapons that had been dropped by the slain.
 
“It doesn’t make sense. We’ve done nothing to them.” She said with anger in her
tone. “I won’t leave him like this. We must return him to the stone.” She
placed her hands over his chest where his heart was and spoke in dwarven.
“Atrast tunsha, salroka.” And then closed his eyes. “I’ll see this through,
Renn. I promise.”
 
***** Titan *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
They continued on, forced to leave Renn there until after they finished the
mission. A few hours later they came upon markings on the slimy wet wall. They
were a warning of sorts. Valta looked at it excitedly. “This is like the Wall
of Memories in Orzammar, but ancient. Very Ancient.” She said her face glowing
with her barely contained excitement.
 
She studied it, pondering as she pointed at the scripture. “The words seem
based in Dwarven, but I barely recognize this dialect.”
 
“Can you translate any of it?” Ayla asked with a hidden smile. Valta reminded
her a bit of Solas when they’d find anything about the Fade or the Evanuris.
 
“Only fragments.” Valta told her, her tone sounding very distracted. “The
language is very different from what we speak today.” She studied for several
minutes as all of them waited warily, keeping their eyes peeled for more
visitors. “This word keeps appearing: “Sha-Brytol.” I believe in means “Revered
Defenders.”
 
“That’s quite a long stewardship.” Dorian commented.
 
“They attacked us because they’re protecting something…” Though Valta said this
aloud, she wasn’t really talking to them. Her mind was still focused on the
cave drawings. “Isatunoll… isatunoll… cut our tongues… entomb our bodies… watch
over the Titan until it stirs.”
 
“So the warriors who attacked us must be the Sha-Brytol.” Ayla said what
everyone was thinking.
 
“And they’re protecting the Titan.” Valta finished with an affirmative nod.
 
Ayla felt a sliver of hope. If the Sha-Brytol were watching over the Titan
maybe they took her protection detail for the two Old Gods under their control
and in doing so were protecting them too. Adhlean and Iveanis met her eyes with
the same question of hope flickering in their gazes that she had in her own.
 
Everyone but Valta saw the exchange between the elves, everyone’s eyes risen in
question at what the elves were thinking. Ayla, however, kept silent and
instead noticed Valta’s crestfallen face.
 
“What is it, Valta?” Ayla asked. She knew already that it was about Renn.
 
“I can hear Renn’s objections.” She said softly, voice filled with sadness for
a moment before a determined look became fixed upon her face. “Let’s keep
moving. If more of these memories exist, they may have the answers we need.”
 
 
 
 
 
 
They continued on for hours, going farther in none of them daring to stop to
rest in the event the Sha-Brytol found them, wanting to finish them off. Ayla
had to reach the Titan to find out what happened to her charges and Valta
wanted to see this finished for Renn as well as for herself. There wasn’t much
talking other than when they came upon different directions to go in;
deliberating which ones they should go in first.
 
At some point they came upon a bridge and all of them felt a change in the
atmosphere. Something was different and Ayla again was struck by a certain
theory but kept it to herself. She wasn’t sure if it was true or not and didn’t
want to bring it up until she was given more answers to support it.
 
Valta commented about it being on the other side to which Varric commented with
a predictable outcome, his voice laced with sarcasm. “My guess is another
earthquake—that hits when we’re halfway across the bridge.”
 
“Watch your step.” Ayla replied with a grim smirk.
 
Just as Valta was about to step foot upon the bridge Ayla’s enhanced hearing
came to their aid, giving her time to pull back the dwarf before she tumbled in
the never-ending pit below. The bridge sparked and like a domino effect it
crumbled into the abyss below. The Brytol had set explosives upon it, trying to
keep them from making their way towards wherever they were guarding the Titan.
 
The others grumbled about the perils this mission kept throwing at them, but
Ayla ignored them. She was busy looking for a way around or down. Her eyes lit
up when she found a ledge just below them. Valta, too, had been looking for
another way and their eyes met with a nod. Ayla hissed at the others, quieting
them as she began leading them down until they were safely on the ledge and
warily making their way into another cavern.
 
Along the way they found more carvings, these one talking about the Titan
itself. Valta translated making Ayla more sure of her theory. All of her
knowledge she had retained from her past life came to the forefront of her mind
as Valta read the inscription. “It shapes the stone. It is the stone. It
sculpts the world within and without.”
 
“Wouldn’t something that can “sculpt the world” have to be rather… enormous?”
Dorian questioned.
 
Ayla and Valta both chuckled. “It is called a Titan.” Ayla grinned cheekily at
him.
 
“So it’s a “Shaper of the Stone,” like you?” Dorian ignored Ayla’s remark, his
attention focused on Valta despite the small grin he was trying to hide.
 
“This implies that the Titans are actually sculptors—and our world is their
clay.” Valta answered.
 
“If Titans “shape the stone” could they have actually created it?” Stroud
asked. He had been quiet, watching the proceedings of everything that had been
going on and keeping his opinions to himself.
 
“No.” Ayla, the other two elves, and Valta all said at the same time before
Valta continued with a strange frown on her face at the other three of them
agreeing with her. “The Stone must have existed first.”
 
“Then that means the Titan’s were the first “Children of the Stone.” Stroud
continued.
 
Valta’s face scrunched up in slight pain at the thought. “That would have huge
implications for my people.”
 
“It Titans can purposely reshape the world, the earthquakes could be the way
they “sculpt the Stone.” Ayla said, giving a little of what she knew of the
Titans. Now that she had a bigger idea of what they were more memories from
other past lives were coming to the forefront of her mind.
 
But she kept it to herself for now, her brain muddled and not able to sort out
everything especially since she was getting memories that weren’t just her own.
Some of it was history that that came from the Well. Some of it came from
Mythal’s memories about the war that wiped them out.
 
“But the quakes are destructive. Titans would make the world, not smash it to
pieces.” Valta said shaking her head, trying to make sense of it.
 
“Depending on your perspective, change can be violent.” Ayla said, her voice
holding certainty that made it sound wise as something clicked in her head. She
knew now why she and all the Dalish were allergic to the Lyrium. Her suspicions
matched up with all the memories. All of her companions looked at her in
surprise, knowing something was evident in her expression. A piece of the
puzzle had been revealed, now all she had to do was reveal it to them when she
was ready.
 
“If this is true…” Valta turned around and looked at Ayla. She didn’t notice
the change in the female elf, still trying to figure out something. “How could
it be missing from the memories of Orzammar? Why would someone erase such an
integral part of our history?”
 
“I have idea about that.” Ayla said. “But I am not sure if I am ready say
anything yet. Not until I can be sure of it. We have to find the Titan and we
are going to have to fight our way there.”
 
As if in answer to her determination, the cavern quaked and rumbled making them
all unsteady on their feet. This was different from the other quakes and Ayla
knew then that they were on the right track. She knew where they were.
 
“The Rhythm is louder than ever before. We’re close.” Valta said with a smile.
 
They hurried out of the wet cavern, coming upon a completely pure Lyrium Mine.
Seeing it affirmed everything.
 
Varric let out loud laugh. “I just became the most popular dwarf in the
Merchant’s Guild.” He said.
 
“No. You’re not. We’re not here to take this.” Ayla said a clear command in her
voice. It shivered through them because it wasn’t the command of the Inquisitor
but of someone they still didn’t a lot about. This was the Mistress of the
Elements. The Commander of the Dalish.
 
“I meant as a joke, Inquisitor.” He said, a teasing tone to his voice even
though he too felt a shiver run down his spine at the power her command held.
 
“All these Lyrium Veins… and they’re all completely untapped.” Valta said in
major awe.
 
“The Sha-Brytol must mine the Lyrium somewhere—their weapons and armor are
laced with it.” Ayla said aloud, though not to anyone in particular.
 
“Speaking of all this Lyrium…” Dorian said looking at all three elves in
concern. “Your armor must be working if you are not being affected by this.”
 
“Actually, the armor isn’t needed.” Ayla said.
 
“How?”
 
“Because of the Titan.” Ayla answered cryptically.
 
“But I thought it was toxic to your people.”
 
“It is.” Iveanis chimed in. “But that’s so we don’t misuse it like all of the
rest of the world does. Right now we are protected by the armor but also by
something else.”
 
“By what?” Varric asked.
 
“All will be revealed soon.” Ayla smiled as she looked around for deciding to
head left first. All throughout they came across more of the gears, collecting
them.
 
As they continued on they battled more of the warriors who were set up in small
groups now to delay them, trying to get them to turn back.
 
“Stop!” Ayla cried countless times. “I don’t want to harm you or the Titan!”
 
She tried tirelessly to get them to stop but if fell on deaf ears making her
feel saddened every time they finished slaying them. This went on for days,
hours, who knew anymore. Eventually they came upon the group that were guarding
a weird wall that required a Lyrium device that somehow blew up the walls.
 
More and more skirmishes the further in they got. Finally, they found a spot
hidden from the Sha-Brytol with another cave scripture. They decided to make
camp there, all of them beyond exhausted from running who knew how many days.
They’d since lost contact with Cullen, her crystal being unable to function
this deep in the Lyrium Mine.
 
All of them sat around the campfire eating the last of their meat, which they
made into a stew. Valta, however, had taken her food up to the scripture on the
wall. All of them took turns sleeping Dorian and Bull taking the first rest
while Stroud, Ayla, and Varric kept watch. They switched what they hoped was
four hours later before waking up as refreshed as they could be. At that time
Valta came up with a sigh.
 
“The attacks are getting worse.” She didn’t specify about the Brytol or the
quakes but the observation could be said for both.
 
“We must be getting close to whatever they’re protecting.” Stroud voiced from
behind the two leading females.
 
“I’ve deciphered this scripture. It says, “Only the pure may pass. All other
will be punished.” Assuming the Sha-Brytol are the pure…”
 
“We’re the “others” who aren’t allowed to pass.” Ayla finished grimly. “They
should’ve thought about that before taking what doesn’t belong to them.”
 
“Meaning your people?” Valta asked.
 
“And the two remaining Old Gods. I have to see this through because I am tasked
with their protection. They cannot fall into the hands of Fen’Harel or the
Darkspawn.” Ayla answered vaguely.
 
“Could the earthquakes be the punishment?” Valta asked more to herself then to
the group.
 
Ayla grinned. Valta was almost there. Nearly had it figured out. Ayla wasn’t
about to reveal it though. Hinting was much more rewarding for the dwarf. “You
found Paragon Garal’s book by a damaged Lyrium Mine. And the new earthquakes
destroyed your mine.”
 
“But why would they want to destroy the Lyrium Mines?” Valta asked.
 
“I’m wondering what makes the Warriors, “pure.” Dorian thought aloud.
 
Varric entered his input then. “You spend long enough this far down, reason
might not be your strong suit.” It was made partially as a joke but hinted at
the dwarf’s businessmen ethic when it came to selling it all to the highest
bidder. He didn’t understand why these dwarves were trying to keep these mines
from being found.
 
“They do where sealed armor—to protect themselves from “Impurities”?
 
“Titans, the Sha-Brytol—this is much bigger than anything we expected.” Ayla
said with a weary sigh.
 
“For all the Shaperate’s knowledge, I know so little.” Valta said with a note
of hysteria in her voice before it became all-cryptic again as she looked back
at the scripture. “This reads like a final warning. We must be nearing the
source.”
 
 
 
 
Solas paced back and forth. He was beyond worried and frustrated. Nothing had
been heard back from Cullen to Leliana in days or so his spies reported. It had
been two weeks since she had last contacted her loyal Commander.
 
Just what the hell was going on down there? He wondered for the billionth time.
Many times he had even started to equip himself for battle a the journey down
there to find out if she needed him but each time Abelas had talked him out of
it, getting him to see reason. He couldn’t give himself away, not now. He was
so close to getting the power of the remaining Old Gods. With it, he’d have the
power to bring down the Veil and free those he’d trapped for their greedy
misdeeds.
 
He paced back and forth the fear for her life the more prominent of his
thoughts. If he hadn’t left her he could swoop in and save her. Not a day
didn’t go by he wish he could’ve stayed by her side. Oh, how he wished to see
her smile at him again, to feel her lips upon his, to hear her say she loved
him.
 
“You wish for her love. You had it, could’ve kept it. Why didn’t you?” Cole
asked from his chair where he’d suddenly appeared. He was sitting in it, his
feet propped up on the desk.
 
“Because I need to set things right for the elves first. I must release the
Evanuris so they can lead our people to greatness once again.” Solas said,
guilt etched on his face as he thought about how the elves were treated in this
world.
 
“She wished for you to stay, too. She thinks about you often though now she’s
filled with endless pain when she does.” Cole said. His face was blank as it
normally was but then it changed to a frown. “I wonder if her pain could’ve
been avoided had you stayed. You would’ve been there to save them all from
those who seek to find you.”
 
“What are you on about, Cole?” Solas asked. The boy didn’t answer however. “You
know, I used to understand your nonsensical babble but now I confess that even
I don’t understand you.”
 
Cole chuckles. “Because you hear but can’t see. All the answers you left behind
in the Fortress that once was in the Sky.”
 
“All the answers? Answers to what?”
 
“Everything you seek.” Cole answered. His face then changed again to one of
wonder. “She enters into the unknown, a place long since forgotten. A change of
fate is in the air, a destiny altered.”
 
 
 
 
They reached the end of the gloomy Lyrium Mine and entered into a floating
paradise. An echo of something long since forgotten. They all gasped at the
beauty and Ayla became bombarded with a mass of memories. The Evanuris had
gotten the idea of Elvhenan from here after they had all but wiped out all the
Titans.
 
They hadn’t seen light, vegetation, or any such thing in weeks. They’d been
down there for what seemed like years, Valta excluded of course since she’d
never been on the surface. Islands upon islands floated everywhere some up
high, some below them. Some of them were connecting.
 
One of the islands was different than the rest. The moment Ayla saw it, she
knew where they were and the reason for the quakes destroying the mines. At its
center was a blue glowing pulsing object attached to the vines of the Lyrium
that was spread throughout the whole paradise. This was the heart of the Titan,
which meant they were inside it.
 
It rested on a platform with columns with a dome like feel to them. This
attached to bridge which held a group of the Sha-Brytol who were guarding her
fellow elves. Two of the elves were holding the Foci containing the souls of
the two remaining Old Gods. Ayla, Adhlean, and Iveanis’ eyes met with worry as
they saw how heavily the six elves were guarded.
 
“Those orbs look similar to the one Corypheus had.” Dorian commented. “How is
that possible?”
 
“Because the foci, all of them, belong to the Dalish.” Adhlean answered.
 
“What?” Varric, Bull, Dorian, and Stroud all gasped.
 
“I’ll explain later. For now we must get down to that platform.” Ayla said.
 
Valta hadn’t been listening, her focus on the heart as she processed what that
meant. “Nothing should surprise me anymore, but this…” she shook her head in
amusement. “Wait. The rhythm we followed—we’ve found its source.” She sighed in
frustration. “But not the Titan.”
 
“You’re wrong. The Titan is here.” Ayla said finally coming forward. “Don’t you
feel it? Think Valta. Ever since we came down here, the Deep Roads felt
different. Organic. You’ve been looking for the Titan the wrong way. It isn’t
like us.”
 
“It’s huge. Big enough to change the world around it…” Valta said, the answer
still evading her. She kept thinking, trying to figure out the hint as she
paced back and forth.
 
The others were as confused as the female dwarf. Everyone except Ayla, Adhlean,
and Iveanis. Though they didn’t have the memories that Ayla did, they did have
what was left of the legends that their people had carried down through the
ages. Not to mention the reason for them being all allergic to the Lyrium.
 
“We can’t see the Titan…” Ayla smiled, amused that the dwarf still hadn’t
figured it out. “Because we’re insideit.
 
She started down the bridge to their right in the hopes that it would
eventually lead them down to the bridge where her people were being held
captive. As they made their way they came across a determined group of the Sha-
Brytol.
 
Valta halted and looked at Ayla and her group. “If I don’t survive, Orzammar
must know the truth.” She said with fear clear in her voice.
 
Ayla didn’t say anything, keeping her disagreement of that to herself. Dorian,
Adhlean, and Iveanis knew from her stone faced façade that she had no intention
of telling anyone else about this. She was going to protect that Titan.
 
The Brytol warriors came forward then, weapons drawn. Ayla kept her weapons
sheathed. “I don’t want to harm you! Please hear me! I mean you and the Titan
no harm. I just want my people and those I am charged to protect to be freed.”
She called out, hoping they would understand her.
 
But they attacked anyways and she was forced to use her arsenal. She only
released her staff from its spot on her back, choosing to keep her true power
hidden for now. As several of the warriors approached her she gritted her teeth
as she said. “I didn’t defeat Corypheus to die down here.”
 
Dorian, Varric, and Bull all laughed at this as they began the battle dance
they were so attuned to. All of them were a unit, one in which, knew each
other’s moves and weaknesses. Having Stroud and the two elven men helped
immensely as they fought their way through. Valta, too, was holding her own
despite not having much fighting experience.
 
They beat the first group, Ayla using a spell to knock them out. She didn’t
want to wipe them all out of existence. She left an ice wall to keep them
imprisoned until they were safely across the bridge that led to the heart.
 
As they progressed, Valta wondered aloud. “Those structures… could there be a
whole civilization in here?”
 
“A city in a Titan. Incredible.” Varric whistled.
 
“And the quakes haven’t damaged it.” Valta observed before they fell into
silence as they continued on their path.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A while later they came upon another scripture, the last of the bunch and the
earliest one ever recorded.
 
“Look… these are the only memories in this area.” Valta said in awe. “That
phrase is “The Path of Purity.” And there’s a reference to… “Titan’s Blood”? It
says the Sha-Brytol come here to… drink it.”
 
“Of course. I’m surprised you haven’t figured it out yet. That down there is
it’s heart, and the Lyrium is it’s life blood. That’s the reason for the quakes
destroying the mines, the reason the Darkspawn avoided coming down here, and
the reason the Sha-Brytol attacks anything that gets further down the Deep
Roads than the third floor.”
 
“It’s defending itself.” Valta said as everything finally dawned on her. “But
why are your people allergic?”
 
“Because they are our allies charged with protecting the Earth. Titans shape
it, creating new lands so that life can grow and live.” Ayla explained. “When
the Dalish drinks it or touches it we become ill. We used to be in line with
the Titans but then the Evanuris came, wanting the hearts of Titans, the raw
power of it.”
 
“Earlier I told you that the foci belonged to us but that isn’t true
completely. The foci were made from the hearts of Titans. The Evanuris
conquered the Titans, taking the hearts and fashioned them into these orbs to
collect power. Once done they entrapped the souls of the Titans, enslaving
them. With it they were able to steal any power they so desired, including
ours.”
 
“Your power?” Dorian asked.
 
“Who I am in this world is very important and I can’t explain all of it since I
don’t have all of the story myself. I only have vague memories from my past
lives and from the Well’s power.” She told them keeping it vague.
 
“Past lives?” Varric asked before shaking his head. “The shit that happens to
you is weird.” He remarked with a smirk, letting her know that he dropped the
subject. Grinning at him, she twitched her head signaling that they should keep
moving.
 
Soon enough they were making their way across the bridge to the heart where her
men had been held captive. They’d been moved while Ayla and her group fought
there way down to them. Ayla growled with frustration at being so close to
getting back her charges and her stolen brethren.
 
They got closer to the heart looking around in the hopes of finding the men.
Ayla sighed in relief seeing them on another bridge to the right. She stepped
beyond the strange stone dome like columns and before she could reach it a
strange pulse blasted out knocking Valta back out of the way, knocking her out.
 
As soon as the dwarf was out of the way a rock cage locked Ayla and her
companions inside it. Realization dawned then that the columns were there for a
purpose other than that of decoration. Ayla had a worried frown marring her
face wanting to rush to Valta’s aid but the rock wall kept her from doing so.
As she tried to look through the cracks to see if the dwarf was all right, a
shattering sound echoed loudly bringing her attention to the center of the cage
circle where the heart was still located.
 
The heart had pulled itself free from the veins it was pumping it’s blood
through, shattering the veins in a shower of Lyrium crystal. Ayla had never
been so happy to have an armor that protected her from it because had that
Lyrium touched her she’d be done for. She looked around at her companions and
saw that Adhlean and Iveanis had equally grateful reactions on their faces.
 
A rumbling sounded, the ground trembling slightly as rocks began rolling
towards the heart until suddenly a veined entity slammed itself onto the pile
creating an arm from the rocks. Ayla looked at the beast in amazement as it
finished creating a body for itself.
 
It was clear it was simply protecting itself from them but Ayla didn’t want to
harm it. She desperately wished it would understand that. Once its body was
complete it roared at them, slamming its strange rock and Lyrium arms on the
ground challenging them.
 
The others had already unsheathed their weapons but Ayla kept hers strapped to
her person. “I don’t want to hurt you.” She said. “I only want my people and
the two remaining Old Gods back.”
 
It ignored her, slamming its scorpion like arms down trying to stab her. She
quickly jumped and rolled away along with the others. They all scattered out of
the way. Ayla then unsheathed her daggers channeling her magic into them.
 
“Go for the legs.” She ordered the others. None of them needed to be told twice
and all of them charged towards the tentacle-like legs. It was clear the Titan
was rooted to the floor like that of a tree. They all went after them not
thinking of anything but survival as they defended themselves against the
creature. It was a hard battle one in which they all sustained injuries from
it. All of them were fearful of being impaled by the sharp pointed limbs of the
huge rock arms.
 
Ayla didn’t know how long this went on but she was aware that all of their
energy was nearly depleted. At some point Dorian passed out, his magic used up
completely. The tree had already smacked Varric, Adhlean, and Iveanis out
leaving Ayla, Bull, and Stroud. They battled harder and finally the battle
ended with Stroud and Ayla striking the final blows at the same time.
 
The heart exploded into a glowing orb of blue before disappearing. The three
stood in striking poses ready to continue on if the battle wasn’t over but
after a few minutes the rubble died down and filled the oasis with silence.
Bull immediately ran to his fallen husband while Stroud checked on Varric.
Adhlean and Iveanis were already awake but hadn’t moved from their spot. Ayla
seeing that the two were safe ran to Valta.
 
The dwarf’s eyes opened and she slowly got to her feet. “Valta, are you hurt?”
Ayla asked as the others came up behind her.
 
Valta groaned and then cried out clutching her head. “Too… loud… the song…”
 
All three of the elves eyebrows rose in equal surprised expressions. Ayla was
the first one to shake herself free and came to the dwarf’s aid. “Don’t fight
Valta. Embrace it.” She advised. She could hear it too though to her it was
unintelligible voices.
 
“No… it hurts… stop!” The dwarf shouted as she stuck her hand out, a glowing
blast coming out of it and nearly striking Ayla. Luckily Ayla had been ready
for it, knowing it was going to happen. She had set up a force field around
herself until the crisis passed. Valta breathed heavily for a moment staring at
her hands in amazement. Then she looked up at Ayla and smiled. Ayla grinned
back at her. “I am…” she tried to give voice to it but didn’t have the words,
so she settled on, “it’s all right.”
 
“I know.” Ayla said knowing the dwarf was trying to make sure she knew she
hadn’t meant to attack her.
 
“I don’t understand.” Valta said. “I was hit with raw Lyrium before the battle.
It should’ve been poisoned me, but I… feel fine. Good, even.”
 
Ayla’s smile grew wider. “Valta, the reason you weren’t poisoned is because the
Titan chose you.”
 
“What do you mean?” Valta asked in confusion.
 
Before Ayla could answer however, Varric inserted his own statement though it
was more of a question. “You said the song was too loud, that it was hurting
you.”
 
“It was… chaos. The rhythm I followed here, but magnified. It became
overwhelming but it is gone.” She said, trying to explain though she herself
didn’t fully understand what had happened.
 
“You almost killed Ayla. What happens the next time you lash out?” Varric asked
his eyes narrowed with suspicion.
 
“I am in control. I would never harm the Inquisitor, or any of you for that
matter.” She said.
 
“You cast some kind of spell.” Dorian said from Ayla’s left. “That shouldn’t be
possible.”
 
“It wasn’t a spell. It was an accident.” Valta shook her head, trying to still
makes sense of it.
 
“She’s right.” Ayla said, but nodded at Dorian. “But so is he in a way.”
 
“What are you on about, inquisitor?” Varric asked his and all of the other’s
faces holding equal expressions of utter befuddlement at a dwarf performing
magic.
 
“Tell us about the song, Valta. What you feel right now.” Ayla instructed with
an encouraging nod.
 
“The stone is silent. The rhythm has fades and so have the tremors, but the
song still echoes… it tells me things…” Valta said. She looked at Ayla with
knowledge clear in her gaze. She now knew what exactly Ayla was and why she was
here. Why she was so important to the world. She looked away and went on. “The
Breach—that’s what disturbed the Titan. It is calm now that it has a connection
with one of its children… with me.”
 
“We didn’t kill the Titan, did we?” Ayla asked with worry. She didn’t want to
harm it.
 
“The Titan lives. This was just an echo. A guardian. You silenced it.” Valta
explained. Ayla sighed with relief.
 
With that settled, Ayla turned away from Valta and headed to where the Sha-
Brytol were holding her brethren captive. “Why have you taken my men? I know
you are not with the Titan because otherwise it wouldn’t have led Valta down
here to become pure.”
 
The savage dwarves didn’t bother with explaining; instead they went on the
offensive. But Ayla’s eyes glowed with her power not even bothering with the
battle. Her magic blasted out of her sending them to the floor in an instant,
surprising everyone in her party but Adhlean and Iveanis.
 
“You will give me what I want.” She said with powered determination. The men
came at her again but this time Ayla she sent out a ferocious Mind Blast that
was combined with a little bit of her elemental magic sending them the floor
instantly, the element of Air holding them down.
 
She didn’t kill them but went to her captured men and found most of them
uninjured but severely malnourished. She was relieved to see them alive and
what they protected still within their grasp. They’d kept themselves in a
protective shield of magic, making sure the savage dwarves wouldn’t get a hold
of the last two Great Spirits.
 
Ayla lowered their shield with her own magic, instantly sweeping them up in a
healing bloom taking away any cuts, bruises, and restored their mana. As soon
as they were healed to the best she could do they finally sagged with relief.
 
“Tyr’ala'sylis’ettln!” they all called out in relief and happiness. She took
the foci’s from them and then looked to her party. They all watched her with
fascination except her two brethren. They came and began conversing with the
guardians of the orbs.
 
Ayla’s eyes met Stroud’s and motioned him forward. “I know you have only seen
them after being corrupted and I fully understand if you decide not to choose
this new course for you and your order. But before you decide, I’d like for you
to touch the orbs and feel the pure souls within in the hopes that you
understand just how important they are to the balance in this world. They need
to be protected at all costs so that their powers and lives aren’t taken by the
minions of Darkness or of the Agents of Fen’Harel, both of whom want use them
for their personal agendas whatever they may be.” She spoke with a gentle tone
with her wisdom coming through in spades.
 
Stroud’s face was unreadable but he came forward and stood directly in front of
her. She held foci’s out in front of her, one in each hand, waiting for him to
touch them, to see. Stroud reached out and hesitantly placed his hand on one of
the orbs. At first, nothing happened, but then he gasped.
 
Ayla knew what he felt and saw. He felt the pure souls that slept within and
saw the history of their power, lives, and battles from when the Earth all sang
the same. From before the Veil. If he saw it all, that meant he was chosen to
be so much more than a Blight defender. But he still had to decide to choose
this path as all of them had at some time or other.
 
 
 
 
 
Several hours later they all journeyed back through the caves to the lift, the
only one missing from their group was Valta. Now that she had connected with
the Titan, she would stay down within to guard it at all costs. A couple of the
elves that had been captured decided to stay behind and help Valta, wanting to
also keep the last Titan alive and away from Fen’Harel as much as they were
keeping the Olds Gods away.
 
Dorian and Valta improved the purple crystals, Dorian having had quite a few
more than what he’d given Cullen, Leliana, and her. They tweaked them so that
they all could remain in contact, adding the pure Lyrium to them and despite
all of the elves fear of dying from their allergic reactions, acquiesced to
having their blood taken for them. Strangely the Lyrium had no effect on them
and Ayla wondered if maybe the pure version was, in fact okay, for them to be
around. She knew none of them could ingest it, not that any of them wanted to.
Their abilities were more powerful without the use of Lyrium but since they
were allies with the Titan, had been since before she could remember, Ayla knew
that the pure Lyrium was fine to be around.
 
They camped in their other camp after coming off the Lift, and Ayla used her
crystal to contact Cullen. She told him that they were alive and the mission
was a success. After hearing that they were all safe aside from Renn and Valta,
whom she lied about having perished, not wanting to tell him of what really
happened since some of the Legion were still around.
 
Before they had left they had all decided to say Valta had perished with Renn,
both having died an honorable death. They brought back Renn’s body as proof and
if anyone else asked about Valta, they’d concocted a story regarding how Valta
had fallen down into the dark endless cavern after saving them from the
monstrous beings that dwelled within. Those tales would keep the dwarves and
anyone else save for Darkspawn away and that would be the end of that matter.
 
All through the journey back up to the surface Stroud kept silent, but Ayla
could tell he was deep in thought. She left him alone, knowing this was a life-
changing choice. A week later they finally made it to the Lift that would take
up to the base camp. They were quite glad to not have found many Darkspawn,
other than the few stragglers that had escaped the first time.
 
The minute they came up the Lift Ayla beamed at Cullen who was waiting for them
at the ledge. He hugged her in celebration before greeting the others with nods
of welcome.
 
After that they all packed up everything wanting to camp above the ground, all
of them beyond wishing to see the sky again. They said their farewells to the
remaining Legion, paying their respects to Renn before taking the last Lift up
in two groups, afraid that too much weight would cause it to collapse since
this one wasn’t as sturdy as the ancient ones.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Several hours after they surfaced, the spies within the Leliana’s camp scurried
away towards the closest Eluvian, and going through to report to Fen’Harel.
 
Solas was reading an ancient book he’d discovered at Skyhold, one he hadn’t
ever seen before. He’d snuck back while Leliana was gone, only going to the
underground library. In the book he found a text regarding the Legend of the
Daggers. He frowned with annoyance, not able to find whether the legend was
true or not.
 
He looked up as the scouts came in. “She has finished with her mission.”
 
“And?”
 
“Apparently it was only met with utter disaster. She told everyone that between
the massive horde of Darkspawn and some other creatures down there they lost
the two key people leading the expedition. Where they ventured has been sealed
up by Earthquakes and there is no way to get down there.” One of them reported.
 
“Hmm, it seems the location of the Old Gods was wrong or they’ve been moved.
Bring back everyone and wait for further orders for now. Until I can find more
we are to keep hidden. I fear someone in this world knows we are trying to gain
power and seem to want to involve the Inquisitor.” Solas said. They bowed
slightly before leaving him to his troubled thoughts.
Chapter End Notes
     WOO! The three chapters took forever!!!! So much to write. I have to
     tell you... I was having hissy fits with completing it since it was
     being so elusive through some of it. I also needed a break to
     recharge my batteries. Hope you all enjoyed these three chapters
     using The Descent DLC.
Please drop_by_the_archive_and_comment to let the author know if you enjoyed
their work!