Chapter Text
Ellana was bored...again. Haven was a small town, but it felt suffocating, especially since everyone always seemed to be staring at her. It was quite bothersome and made it nearly impossible to find anything fun to do.
"You should get used to it, Violet." Varric chuckled. She frowned at his nickname for her. Really, couldn't he think of something more creative than just the color of her eyes? It was disappointing. "Unless you know an invisibility spell, I doubt you can even take a pee break without everyone knowing. "
She smirked at the crude dwarf. "I Imagine the report to Leliana about that would be rather interesting," she said, and changed her voice into a mocking emulation of Leliana's lead scout. "The Herald was spotted relieving herself in a bush.... yes Ma'am, we did gather the moist leaves. Per your instruction, they have been sent to Adan who is currently testing the residue for special properties. I will inform you of the results by nightfall."
Varric burst out laughing. She smiled, grateful that at least one member of the Inquisition had a sense of humor. "If I write a book about you, I will be sure to include someone actually doing that!" he teased.
Silence fell between them and she sighed. She really needed something to do. Waiting around for their leaders to decide their next move was infuriating. She had half a mind to barge into the war room and take control herself. At least their reactions would be entertaining, if nothing else.
"Don't look now, but a certain cranky elf is headed in your direction, and by the veins popping out of his head, I don't think he is pleased," Varric said teasingly. I may find some entertainment today after all, she thought, forcing her mouth into an annoyed scowl.
The angry mage halted a few paces from her. She noticed a book in his hand and fought to contain a chuckle. So that is what this is about. Oh this will be fun.
Solas opened his mouth, obviously about to yell, but he quickly closed it when he noticed how many onlookers had gathered. Instead he took a heavy breath, calming himself. "A word, if you please, Herald." It was clearly a demand, not a request.
"Of course, Solas, how can I be of assistance to you?" she asked in a syrupy voice which caused his eye twitch slightly. Excellent.
He looked up and people jumped, quickly pretending to be going about their regular business while maintaining a close enough proximity to eavesdrop. "In private," he said and strode toward his small cabin, not even bothering to see if she followed. Better and better, she thought, making a show of looking bewildered as she made to follow him.
The door to his cabin was left open and she walked in, closing it casually behind her. The older mage caught her eye and she almost laughed out loud at the pure fury radiating from him. This is too easy. It almost isn't fair.
Despite his obvious rage, he spoke in the same controlled tone that was his norm...it was irritating, and oh so boring. She would have to do something about that.
"When I lent you this book, I meant to expose you to perspectives about the fade that are not limited by the feeble misconceptions of this age," he said and she waited for him to continue with a bored expression.
His nose wrinkled in disgust and she knew she was close to pushing him beyond composure. Riling up the stoic elf was becoming one of her favorite pastimes. She loved watching the way his control dissipated little by little with each of her well placed remarks. The way he went from an unreadable, observant wallflower to something dangerous and wild was...fascinating.
Realizing that he was waiting for her to respond she replied, careful to keep her voice sounding as bored as possible. "They are not misconceptions. Every good mage knows that the best kind of demon is a dead one. I don't see why you get so hung up on irrelevant details like which emotion those things embody. " Ellana waived her hand dismissively at the book and continued, "The author of that tripe was obviously inexperienced with such matters."
Solas slammed the book down onto his nightstand and strode towards her, stopping only inches away, effectively blocking the doorway. "While you are entitled to your own opinions, however misguided they may be, I did NOT give you permission to write said opinions in the margins OR to cross out passages with your ill-begotten corrections!" His voice was still calm, but she could hear the venom edging its way into his tone. Just a bit more.
"The book needed correcting," she said patiently, as if she were lecturing a petulant child. "Imagine how much damage it could do if it fell into the hands of some young, naive mage. Why, they would run to the fade, thinking it nothing but a fun playground and wind up an abomination or worse. You should be grateful that I even allow you to keep it."
"Allow?" he said in disbelief. "You do not allow me to anything, Herald!" His voiced turned to a growl as he spat out her title. The heat of his quiet rage was pouring off from him and she was delighted to see the tips of his ears were turning pink. Lovely.
She rolled her eyes giving a small "hmm," in response, a little disappointed that she did not break his composure completely. Still, it was more entertainment than she thought she would have today."Well Solas, as much as I enjoy our little chats. I have other duties I must attend to. Please be mindful not to leave any dangerous books lying about."
She moved her hand to his chest, meaning to push him aside so she could exit, but he grabbed her wrist, forcefully pushing her down into a nearby wooden chair, holding her there. Unconcerned violet eyes met his raging stormy blue and she sighed, feigning exasperation. "Yes?" she asked raising her eyebrows expectantly.
Finally, she thought, taking note of how powerful his arms felt. He rarely touched her and she was actually surprised when her stomach flipped as his hot breath hit the side of her cheek. Well that was...unexpected.
"I am not one of your silly little clan-mates whom you can order about, da'len. You would do well to remember that while your people play dress up and pretend at having wisdom they will never possess, I have seen the truth of it in the fade. Your ignorance is shameful and I shudder to think that the fate of the world rests in the hands of someone such as you!"
His strong hands were still pressing her to the chair. He probably doesn't even realize he is holding me down. She smirked inwardly. This could be fun.
Allowing annoyance to seep into her voice she said, "Tell me, Hahren," making sure to spit the title out in disgust. There was a brief flicker of shock in his eyes, probably because she rarely allowed emotions to lace her tone. Good, she thought and continued."Why do you find it necessary to belittle my people at every opportunity? The Dalish are the best hope for the People to recover what has been lost. The knowledge we have gathered is far better than whatever lies the demons have fed you in the fade!"
His hands tightened on her wrists and she was sure they would leave marks. "The Dalish are cowardly children who hide in the forest, praying to gods they know nothing about while ignoring the plight of their people. They have recovered nothing!" he growled, keeping his eyes trained to hers.
Her wrists were beginning to ache. Time to end this."At least we Dalish in our ignorant savagery, have enough manners to know that forcefully holding a lady down in such a fashion is barbaric!" she spat back, curious as to how he would respond.
Solas immediately looked at his hands as if realizing them for the first time, shock clearly visible in his eyes. He jerked his hands off her and backed away, startled. He looks like a scared puppy. She almost felt bad, but it served him right for grabbing her in the first place.
Ellana casually rose from the chair and walked out of his cabin, not even sparing a glance in his direction. She felt his eyes following her until she rounded a corner and was out of his sight. Quickly, she made her way to her own cabin, locking the door behind her and began to laugh furiously. He is just too much fun.
She knew he would find out about her deception sooner or later, and she was actually dreading his reaction. Still, how angry could he really be when he found out that she is a dreamer who regularly enters the fade and converses with spirits? She glanced at the angry red marks circling her wrists. Well, shit.