The Dread Wolf took Her

Trespasser

Lavellan ran to the steps, hearing his voice for the first time in two years. She wove through the stone figures of the qunari warriors. Each warrior was standing, posed to fight.

    "Ebasit Kata. Itwa-ost."(It has ended, you have failed) His voice was calm, but resonated in the air with an ominous power and sadness. Lavellan made her way up the steps and up the overgrown path to reach him.  

     "Maraaas Kata."(It has not ended) The Viddasala threatened. Lavellan ran, desperate to save the man she loved. She ran up another set of stairs and found the Qunari leader facing Solas.

     "Your forces have failed. Leave now and trouble me no further." Solas said calmly facing the threatening qunari that stood ten yards from him. He turned from her and started walking to the massive eluvian. The Viddasala raised her spear to throw, to kill Solas.  Lavellan opened her mouth to scream at him, to warn him. Solas's eyes flashed a brilliant blue and the Viddasala turned to stone, just as her army had been. Solas continued walking toward the eluvian, entirely unaware of Lavellan. His gloved hands clasped behind his back, over the wolf pelt draped over his shoulder. His other shoulder was adorned in intricate silver plates.

     "Solas." Lavellan said softly. He could hear the pain in her voice, and his heart earned to comfort her, but he steeled himself. He would not hurt her anymore, he could not let her bear the pain he bore, for it was his to carry and his alone. Solas turned to Lavellan, letting his eyes linger on her beautiful face. Her dark red hair had grown long, and was pulled together in a braid that tumbled over her leather armor; her green eyes full of emotion.

     Lavellan looked at Solas, taking in the sight of him. His armor was worn, the fabric that hung down his back was ripped in places. He looked tired, but his eyes seemed to brighten when they rested upon her. Many thoughts raced through her mind, she wanted to run to him and hold him. But then she wanted to scream at him, for all the pain he had caused her. All the questions she had asked herself since he disappeared raced through her mind. She needed to know their answers. Before she could ask them, the anchor on her hand flared and the air around her hand sparked with green electricity. Pain shot up her arm causing her to cry out. Solas walked to her calmly, and focused his gaze on her hand. His eyes flashed that brilliant blue and the energy that the anchor was emitting ceased. Lavellan calmed, holding her arm as it ached.

     "That should give us more time, I suspect you have questions." Solas said quietly, his expression was relaxed.

     "The qunari were trying to kill you. I wanted to get here first." Lavellan said tensely. She was impossibly mad at him, yet all she wanted to do was hold onto the moment with him.

     "I know. They sought an agent of Fen'Harel. I am no ones agent but my own. I fear that the truth is much simpler, and much worse than the qunari believe." Solas admitted. He feared what her reaction would be, but she deserved the truth.

     "You're Fen'Harel?" She asked incredulously.

     "I was Solas first. Fen'Harel came later, and insult I took as a badge of Pride. The Dread Wolf inspired hope in my friends, and fear in my enemies. Not unlike 'Inquisitor' I suppose." His expression changed to that of regret, and he continued. "And now you know. What is the old Dalish curse, 'May the Dread Wolf take you'?" Solas looked at Lavellan sadly, he hated himself for everything that had happened, for all the pain he had caused.

     Lavellan stood quietly for a moment remembering all that she had been taught about Fen'Harel. How he had betrayed the gods and destroyed the elven world a thousand years ago. Every modern elf was taught of his betrayal, and cursed his name. This was Fen'Harel, the Dread Wolf, the man she had fallen in love with. Lavellan looked at Solas humbled by the realization.

     "And so he did." She spoke softly.

     "I did not. I would not lay with you under false pretenses." Solas spoke quickly, as though to reassure her, and himself.

     "You didn't have to. You already had all of me. I loved you, did you think I wouldn't have understood?" Solas heard the pain in her voice and his heart ached, he knew she was right.

     "It is not a matter of whether or not you would have understood, whether you would have or not. I would not let you carry any of the burden that I have carried all these years." Solas turned away from her and to the cliff to look at the elven ruins. "Nor could I let you bare any of the weight from trials I must endure."

     "Solas," Lavellan said hopelessly. She saw the pain he tried so hard to hide. She wanted to comfort him, help him anyway she could. All the anger that had festered over the years seeped away at the sight of him fighting an impossible battle. "Solas, let me help you, let me decide if it is to much to bare. Tell me what you must do, please." Lavellan reached out to him and rested her hand on his forearm.

     "You do not know what you ask." Solas said, still staring at the ruin. His face was pained, conflict shook his resolve. He was so close to giving her what she wanted.

     "Ma ghilana, Vhenan." (enlighten me, heart) Lavellan spoke softly, pleading. Solas looked at her after she spoke, amazed that she could still love him after all that had happened. He turned to her and looked into her eyes. All his resolve faded away and he knew he could fight himself no longer. Tentatively, he brought his hand up and cupped her face. Her pleading look she wore relaxed, and her eyes lit with hope. Lavellan refused to give up on him.

     "Vhenan." (heart) Solas said softly and he leaned in to her, and kissed her soft lips. He wrapped her arms around her and he focused, his eyes flashing once again. Lavellan fell limp in his arms, asleep. He breathed deeply, letting himself give in. Solas lifted her light body and carried her with him through the eluvian.