#Hanna Lavellan

[iblazitastic]

"...And so the dreadwolf was finally in peace." I had to color that sketch 🥺💖 They are everything to me!

[primedayart]

Solavellan Tarot for my beautiful beloved baby boy's birthday, my perfect @iblazitastic who makes me waste EVEN MORE of my precious life drawing that shitstain eggy bald bitch Solas. :')

(I love him really, he's an incredibly nuanced and amazingly-written character with a spectacular arc...but I don't forgive and I don't forget, Solas, I DON'T FORGIVE AND I DON'T FORGET-!)

I've never done anything like this before, it's a very different style to my usual stuff, but I like it! And Blazi LOVES IT, so that's what matters. ♥ And I got to draw his pretty Hanna Lavellan. ♥

Happy early birthday my looveeee, I hope you like your tarot. ;-;

It's seven of swords because he's a traitorous backstabbing bitch-!

[cakevaljean]

While I’m here freaking out about dav maybe I should introduce my canon dragon age ocs (to no one) using one of my favorite picrews of all time

1)Marielle Surana- DW arcane warrior, lightning mage. Was romancing Alistair and had to publicly break-up with him at the landsmeet

2)Hanna Hawke- archer, diplomatic Andersmancer

3)Rhea Lavellan- was cursed by the “white-haired Solasmancer” stereotype and she’s fine with it. DW assassin rogue

I haven’t been on tumblr web for years so I’m not sure if I still have my ocs page up, but these three are my mains and I love talking about them

[phannamime]

WARNING MAD LONG POST In which I ramble about my inquisitor- Mava Lavellan's backstory

Just so I can get it out of my head. TW (Emotional Abuse- Severe Burns)

TL;DR How does one person deal with shouldering the responsibility of a world saving semi-cult? Parentification

Dragon: Mava was first born to Hanina Lavallen and Ethlam Lavallen, in the year 9:09 dragon. Hanina was sister to Keeper Deshanna Istimaethoriel Lavellan and as such when Mava first showed signs of magic at 5 she was favored and chosen to be Deshanna’s First. Hanina was incredibly proud of that fact and made sure that her daughter knew her responsibility at a young age.

Cylus, her brother was born 9:11 Dragon. The two were inseparable and she adored him. In 9:14 Clan Lavellan was attacked by a group of humans, this almost resulted in the death of Cylus, and Hanina who was pregnant at the time, went into labor prematurely. Vela was born small and weak, and the event scarred Hanina. She grew protective of her children and kept a strong presence in their raising, atypical of the more communal raising of the Dalish.

Mava spent most of this time with Deshanna learning magic, or with her mother. She had little time with others her age besides her siblings. Her mage training and her mother’s expectations took all of her time. Mava didn’t mind, she loved learning about her clan and the gods. Still she wasn’t the quickest to pick up magic, and often struggled to do more than just the most basic of actions.

Hanina’s protectiveness developed into paranoia, worsened by Ethlam often being gone hunting. She placed her fears onto Mava, and told her that she was responsible for her siblings safety. If anything ever happened to Cylus or Vela it was Mava’s fault for failing to look after them.

The lectures didn’t happen often at first, Cylus was a chatty, and sweet child. He learned to placate his mother and soothe her worries. No the lectures grew much more frequent as Vela grew older. She was always a bit of a spit fire but she was her mother’s favorite. She was allowed much more freedoms then the older two. Her mother was even more proud of her when she showed magic at the age of 3. She was made second under her sister and quickly excelled in her studies. Magic came easily to her and as she was allowed to interact with others more, she also was much more comfortable with those her age.

Mava was happy her sister was doing well at first. When Vela did well her mother was happier, so it was a win-win. But as Vela hit her preteen years she began to pass her sister in magical abilities and chafe against her mother’s grasp. Hanina began to pit her daughter against each other. Often telling Mava that she should be more like her younger sister. Mava internalized this, but still saw her primary job to be protecting her siblings. It was only to make her better for her clan and family that yelled at her, Mava often said to herself. Hanna started fighting with Deshanna at this time, who could see how her sister was spiraling. This only made Hanina worse and harder to speak with rationally.

The two sisters got into a lot of fights usually over Vela’s tendency to wander from the clan, and not pay attention in studies. Even so Mava would never tell her mother about it, a part of her fearing the response. Cylus often got stuck in the middle of these fights, eternally the mediator. He studied under the Head Storyteller and thrived, weaving tales with songs. He was mostly forgot by his mother as he had no magic. The only time the three siblings got along and had fun were during clan dances. Mava and Vela were stand outs and in sync when dancing and Cylus loved singing and playing music.

In 9:30 during the blight, clan Lavellan was traveling past the border of Ferelden and was recruited into helping the Warden fight Darkspawn. Mava’s father Ethlam was killed helping in the battle. This was the breaking point for Hanina and her health deteriorated for the next several years. Mava stayed by her mother’s side the whole time and tried her best to keep the family together as her mother became more erratic.

In 9:35 she died. It was a mix of emotions for the siblings, but mostly guilt. She was supposed to protect her family, and why did it feel easier to breathe? She didn’t want to be keeper and now that her mother was dead she could almost admit that to herself. Vela and her stopped fighting for a few months, trying to process her passing. Mava came to one conclusion Vela another.

The eldest talked to her Keeper about making her sister the First over her. Vela was great at magic, charismatic, and comfortable taking charge. Her mother knew she was a better fit, she said so all the time, she was just too traditional to actually propose it! Deshanna tried to dissuade her student from the idea but Mava was determined. So she said if Vela agreed to it, she would allow it. So the two sisters met up outside camp to talk. It went about as well as the Keeper expected.

Horribly. Vela revealed that she was thinking of going to another clan, to get a fresh start. She had already talked to Cylus and Deshanna about it. That was fine, Mava argued, she could just become a First here if she wanted to be First. Vela refused, she didn’t want to stay. Mava argued that she should just stay and train to be First for a few more months to see it she liked it.

Vela shut it down, and blurted out that she wanted to leave the Dalish all together. This freaked Mava out completely, she became desperate, this was her mother’s worst fears come true. The escalated a conversation into a full blown fight, Mava terrified to go back into the role she was forced to be in all her life, and Vela wanting to have freedom in her life and choices. It got heated, literally. When Mava grabbed her sister’s arm, Vela let a burst of fire burning her.

Her left side was burnt badly, and Vela rushed her back to the clan. When asked about it Vela said human mages attacked them. This caused the clan to immediately start packing up to move while the Keeper stabilized Mava. When they started to move, Vela was gone.

Mava woke a month later, her burns still bad but better. She was nonverbal for the first week, her mind still in shock. Cylus was by her side as soon as she woke up. It. Was like when they were little, but reversed. Cylus would tell her everything happening in the clan. Stories, gossip, and all the interesting things in his life.

The clan settled for a while, Mava’s recovery meant that she couldn���t be far from the healers. And with them settled they welcomed more and more city elves into the clan. Mava refused to leave her tent for long, grappling with what she saw as her failure marked on her. She told no one the truth about how it happened, though she was sure her aunt suspected something.

One city elf that later joined the clan was Diya. She became a talented crafter and friends with Cylus. After much convincing he introduced the two, hoping that meeting others outside of the family would help her. He was right Diya was direct, honest, but still kind to Mava and the two got along super well. Mava got to passionately explain and educate the lore of the clan to Diya and Diya would bring gifts in return. She was a scholar of her craft in her own right, and the two enjoyed the other’s passion.

A year after the incident Mava began to return to some of her regular duties. Most of them were unrelated to magic. She was relieved, as after the argument Mava found she had trouble doing any kind of magic at all. It was the first time that Mava connected to many in her own clan. Her mother’s protective grasp prevented her from making more relationships. She had in her own time listened in when she could, an unquestionable eavesdrop. It made gauging how much she should know quite hard. She found that many of the clan saw her in a totally different light then she saw herself. Her own image warped by her mother’s parenting and harsh words.

In the years that followed she slowly gained confidence and tried to reconcile what exactly happened to her. She looked for her sister but no trace of her was ever found. No clan had seen her and no city elves had ever had a glance of her. In the meantime it turns out that Cylus and Diya had hit it off. Two years after they met, they were married, and Mava was thrilled for them. Soon after her niece Elgaris (Ellie) was born, and Mava was instantly smitten. She loved her and often took turns in taking care of her with her clan.

It was healing to see how the clan all gathered around the family and she couldn’t help but contrast it with how she was raised. At the age of 3 Ellie is discovered to have magic abilities. Mava pushes hard for her to remain with the other children her age, and only teaches her to control her power allowing her to learn on her own time.

In 9:41 Dragon Deshanna talks of giving Mava more serious duties, the first being attending the Exhalted Council in secret. She isn’t thrilled to leave her clan for so long, and still ill fit as a First but her Keeper assures her it will be a simple, but important task. And who is she to argue? It is her duty.

Then Inquisition happened.

[garaviel]

@leviiackrman tagged me in this picrew! Ty!!

Hanna (fallout: nv) / Mhaire (fallout 3)

Rae Lavellan (dragon age inquisition) / Saija (misc)

Surion (destiny) / Elaniel (star wars/misc)

Callie (terminator/misc) / Eisa (destiny)

Tagging anyone who sees this bc its a cute picrew and i love everyones ocs!

[shivunin]

11 for the music meme for your ocs :3

Oooh thank you so much! :D This is an interesting one to think through.

(Music Meme)

A song that reminds each of their family:

Arianwen: Mama Werewolf by Brandi Carlile (I think she definitely feels connected to her mom most when she is fighting; the idea that they both had this sort of unbendable, fierce soul is something she clings to when she's struggling)

Maria: Good Grief by Dessa ("Night falls, day breaks; time/ has a funny kind of violence and I'm/ trying to keep it mind it can't leave you the way it finds you" sums up how she feels about her family once she comes to terms with Leandra's death).

Elowen: Passerine by The Oh Hellos ("You were the song that I'd always sing/ You were the light that the fire would bring/ but I can't shake this feeling that I/ was only pushing the spear into your side again;" With Elowen's family, there is a definite tension between knowing that she is loved and wanted and still feeling like she is a burden or a problem. It's a weight that she doesn't know how to balance.)

Emmaera: In the Kitchen by Mree ("With caroling laughter, heart of the home/ A banquet sweeter than my own/ I'm barreling after all I had known/ Why did I have to go?" Emma misses home and her clan the most of my Lavellans, and I think whenever she makes a Dalish meal or sees her old clothes she misses her family keenly)

Salshira: Dandelion by Gabbie Hanna ("When I was a little girl, my mama said to me/ 'What's your favorite flower, darling? I'll get you the seed.'/ I said 'Dandelion, dandelion, that one's so pretty.'/ She said 'child that one's not a flower that one's just a weed.'" Rather like a weed, Salshira often felt out of place and unwanted by her family growing up. No matter what she did, it always seemed like the wrong thing and she often had no idea why. Even once she's the Inquisitor, a large part of her still wants them to understand and see her as she is.)

[sims4dragonage]

Hanna Lavellan (Yevra and Thena’s cousin) and her parents, Isaiah and Saeris! 

[valentinesparda]

🌙🌙🌙!!! (three moons, so three hcs if u want!)

i tried my hardest to think of headcanons thank u anon >~<

--------------------

🌙 - prince (gtav) has four different houses across los santos; a house on vespucci beach, an apartment near downtown, one hideout somewhere in an undisclosed location in blaine county, and a penthouse in the diamond casino. they also pass out in the dressing room of the vanilla unicorn sometimes when they don't want to go home

🌙 - oraveryth (da:i) was friends with lavellan inquisitor before the events of inquisition but in the same way that jowan was friends with circle mage warden, in that they grew up together and took two supposedly different life paths but mage lavellan in particular is surprised to see them coming into their latent magic abilities

🌙 - the first time that hanna (uncharted) met rafe it was at an auction where an original faberge egg was being sold (hanna's family is russian), and he outbid them for it

[abelas]

comfort character tag ♡

was tagged by @lavellane thank u angel!!! i basically have to list my top ten comfort characters so here we go babey. this was honestly a stretch for me bc im such a video game nerd i rly had to think outside the box!! im tagging anyone who wants 2 do this whaddup and also @laylaisthename @amadarav

1. josephine montilyet - da:i 

2. kaidan alenko - mass effect trilogy 

3. zevran arainai - da:o

4. nadine ross/chloe frazer - uc: tll

5. evelyn - the mummy 

6. alistair theirin - da:o 

7. novalee - where the heart is

8. hanna marin & emily fields  - pll

9. i know this is cheating but the fo4 companions (namely hancock, maccready, preston, piper, curie, cait, nick) - fo4

10. roxana - ac: odyssey 

[fade-and-loathing-in-thedas]

Favourite OCs

Okay, so I’m obsessing over the dragon age franchise (like always) and feeling like sharing my favourite OCs with everyone. I’ve played the games multiple times but the below OCs hold a special place in my heart (and each have their own playlist and aesthetic)

Warden Arianni Tabris - A city elf, with a tongue as sharp as her blade, who was drafted into the Wardens under unfortunate circumstance. She despised humans, with a particular distrust of their men. When asked her reasons she would just say, a lesson learned the hard way. She had little time or patience for people, not many who knew her after she joined the wardens could say they were a friend. To her, the mission was what mattered. Yet, a fond smile can always be found on a former Antivan Crow when her name comes up. Despite her short tenure as a warden, her name will forever be remember for her sacrifice at the Battle of Denerim.

Oh Bondage! Up Yours! // X-Ray Spex

Bad Reputation // Joan Jett

Boys Who Rape (Should All Be Destroyed) // Raveonettes

You Are The Problem Here // First Aid Kit

Bitch Theme // Bratmobile

Bad Ass Bitch // Lunachicks

Shitlist // L7

Men Explain Things To Me // Tacocat

All Men Are Pigs // Studio Killer

Dead Men Don’t Rape // 7 Year Bitch

Warden Commander Strix Brosca - Born among the Casteless she had always had hopes above hers station, but with nothing but her blades and a knack for picking locks she saw little option but the Carta. When the Warden’s arrived in Ozrammar, looking for recruits from among the Warrior Caste, her recruitment caused great scandal and much embarrassment. Very little is known of the details. Nothing appeared in the memories until her return Orzammar, when she created another scandal by installing a King rumored to have killed his own father for the crown. Shockingly, he was also her brother-in-law. After the Battle Of Denerim, in another case of coincidence, her friend and rumored lover Alistair Theirin took the Fereldan throne. Despite the scandal surrounding her, she was named a Paragon and the Commander of the Fereldan Grey Wardens. For a nobody she certainly did well.

Kick Me // Sleeping With Sirens

Face Everything And Rise // Papa Roach

Anthem For The Underdog // 12 Stones

Fat Lip // Sum 41

Survive // Sick Puppies

Middle Finger // Bohnes

In The End // Linkin Park

Middle Fingers // MISSIO

Gangsta’s Paradise // Falling In Reverse

Master Of The Universe // Sick Puppies

Aeryn Hawke - She arrived in Kirkwall a refugee, with nothing but her daggers and a razor wit, yet ascended to become a legend. She suffered insurmountable loss, losing her family to tragedy one by one, but found the strength to endure. She took everything thrown at her and made the best out of it. In fact she did it all with a smile, a smile that those who knew her would say spelled trouble. She always embraced an opportunity to laugh and was fiercely protective of her friends. It wasn’t until the moment she saw the Chantry burning that she realised she couldn’t protect Anders from himself. She executed him herself, hoping to spare her home a war with Starkhaven. She joined the Inquisition at the behest of her closest confident, Varric Tethras, and once again shocked the world with her resilience when she survived the battle at Adamant.

Deal With It // GIRLI

Break the Rules // Charli XCX

We’ll Be Okay // With Confidence

Kiss the Misfits // Felix Hagan & the Family

Street Fight // Smallpools

The Reckless and the Brave // All Time Low

Can’t Kick Up The Roots // Neck Deep

Rock N Roll // Avril Lavigne

Raise Your Glass // P!nk

My Best Friend’s Hot // The Dollyrots

Garrett Hawke - A man with the personality to match his legend. An apostate mage who managed to thrive in a town that feared and oppressed others like him. He was a force to be reckoned with. Yet, while he always wore a smile, he carried the weight of everything that happened in Kirkwall. The loss of his family. The responsibility of being the Champion and a high profile mage in the face of a rebellion.The heaviest however, was loving a man who committed an unspeakable act of terrorism. A man he could not kill, despite the consequences. He did all he could, yet the city and Mage/Templar relationships fell in ruins around him. In the end, he survived Kirkwall only to lose his life at Adamant. 

The Good, the Bad and the Dirty // Panic! At The Disco

Pretender (feat Lil Yachty & AJR) // Steve Aoki, Lil Yachty, AJR

False Confidence // Noah Kahan

Trouble // Cage The Elephant

Superhero // Falling In Reverse

Mess // Real Friends

F**kin’ Perfect // P!nk

Type // Todrick Hall

human // Christina Perri

Let You Down // NF

Inquisitor Shale Cadash - An ex-Carta mercenary with a flexible understanding of morality. That is who lead the Inquisition. She is ruthless and believes everything and everyone has a price, some just need to be reminded of the consequences should they not find one. Her greataxe and spies were always happy to help. She gained political power through coercion and shows of force. Diplomacy has played no part in her world, power is only given to those who take it. It shocked the world when she chose to disband her forces, but rumors exist of an underground movement still in operation.

One Woman Army // Porcelain Black

Emperor’s New Clothes // Panic! At The Disco

Hustler // Zayde Wolf

Indestructible // Disturbed

We Appreciate Power // Grimes, HANNA

Gladiator // Zayde Wolf

Wreck Havoc // Skylar Grey

Bury Me Face Down // grandson

Gangsta’s Paradise // Falling In Reverse

Royals // Otep

Inquisitor Eretria Lavellan - Dalish through and through. Her pride in her people and culture is only surpassed by her commitment to the Inquisition. She took the mantle of Inquisitor to represent her people and create a better future for those who look like her. Though she was forever wary of humans desires to silence and blame her people. When challenged on this stance, she was never afraid to cite the former Inquisitor as shining example of the humans willingness to rewrite history to erase hers. She persisted, despite the bigotry she faced, and managed to scrape together the power needed to face the threat of Corypheus. She won, but only barely. Despite the service she did a world that had only subjugated and abused her people, it did not trust her with keeping this power. When the Exalted Council was called she disbanded her forces without so much as a word. Many speculate that the loss of her hand and the disappearance of her love, the apostate Solas, lead to the Inquisitor’s broken spirit.

The Wolf // PHILDEL

I’m Not Afraid (feat Wondra) // Tommee Profit, Svrcina

We Remain // Christina Aguilera

Hole In The Sky // M83, HAIM

Claim Your Weapons (feat Atrel) // Christina Reindl, Atrel

Radioactive // Imagine Dragons

Tomorrow We Fight // Tommee Profit, Svrcina

Game of Survival // Ruelle

Survivor // 2WEI

All the King’s Horses // Karmina

[iblazitastic]

The love of my life is a sad bald man ❤

The solavellan hell is real and i'm right back at it, and we won so much we are so fucking back!

[gizkasparadise]

new year’s fic resolutions!

complete: cut out in little stars (jyn/cassian, partisan!jyn + fake marriage au) i loved rome more (revan/malak, revan knew all along au)

make a dent: satellites (reylo, no order 66 au-- politician!ben, jedi!rey)

revisit? a thousand cuts (reyes vidal/sara ryder) the visit (zutara, modern day / political au)

new constellations (satellites side stories): -what happens in hanna city (finn + rose w/ some finnrose) -kyp and tionne teach jedi sex ed -rey is grounded

post-DAI anders/marian fic that’s been half-finished forever 

new? han & cassian are stuck in an ice cave (rebelcaptain) great british bake off AU: DA2 edition briala / f!lavellan 

[stuckinsolavellanhell]

OH SWEET MAKER. This song has destroyed me. I can 100% see my poor Lavellan waking up from her millionth fade dream of Solas after the events of Trespasser, and just sobbing and screaming at the walls in desperation and frustration. By now the servants would be used to her night terrors, so they barely flinch as her unrestrained cries echo across the tallest tower of Skyhold. Vivienne and Leliana no longer question why she takes the back stairway to avoid the rotunda when she comes to see them. Dorian regularly casts sound-muting spells over the upstairs rooms so that the others can sleep, though he often sneaks up to her quarters with a bottle of brandy afterwards to help soothe her back to a calm state. And somewhere far away, a familiar pair of eyes open with a start, a whisper of “at least tell me just to move on!” slipping through his mind. A deep breath, a wave of centuries of regret. The grief she carries is so heavy, and it’s all his fault. “Ir abelas. You really did deserve better.”

https://youtu.be/WNZTec6BbOU

[gugle1980]

As you know I have a bunch of Travelyans and 1 Lavellan. Hanna Trevelyan is a mage, she was romancing Cullen, but I never finished her play through, something felt wrong, do I deleted most of her savings, and decided to romance someone else, but I don't know who? 😷

[salexectrian-heir]

Savior of the Damned (4)

Lavellan finds Fen’Harel wounded and dying in the woods, and has to make a life altering decision.

Superstition and Fear whispered for her to run. Resentment and Anger commanded her stay, watch him suffer and die. Reason told her to send word to the Inquisition and turn him over to their jurisdiction. Mercy pleaded with her to put him out of his misery and end his life on the spot. But Intuition asked her to save him, and it was Intuition that won her over in the end. 

First // Previous // AO3

Anise’s mind was reeling. Someone had moved Fen’Harel’s armor.

Tah’riel would have mentioned if he saw more than just the sash… wouldn’t he?

Worrying her lip between her teeth, she barreled through the entrance to Var’Haminan. She would have to find time at some point to sneak away and investigate the remains of her abandoned camp for clues. Which would mean venturing into the woods—an excursion she did not feel as confidently about undertaking now since having had that nightmare…She was so distracted with thoughts of returning to her camp, the Wolf’s missing armor, and Tah’riel’s suspicions that she didn’t even notice Deshanna standing over Fen’Harel until she nearly ran directly into her.

“Deshanna, what are you doing here?” Anise exclaimed, taking a startled step back.

“Oh you’ve returned!” Deshanna greeted mildly, turning to face her, “Just when I thought you’d never leave his side... Where did you run off to?”

“I went and spoke with Tah’ri,” Anise explained quickly, reclaiming her spot by Fen’Harel’s head and eyeing the fresh clothes Deshanna was now offering her.

“Ah.”

“Ah what,” Anise said pointedly, depositing her belongs on under the Wolf’s cot before accepting the garments. She inspected them with perhaps more scrutiny than was necessary to avoid making eye contact with Deshanna. She did not want to see the Keeper’s coy, mocking smile.

“Let him down easy, Ani.”

Anise scoffed and rolled her eyes, setting aside the fresh tunic and leggings on the bedside table.

“Tah’riel cares for you, it’s sweet,” Deshanna continued, returning her attention to Fen’Harel.

“It’s nonsense,” Anise countered, resting her hand on his forehead.

Still fevered, damn.

Deshanna quirked a brow and gestured brashly to the sleeping Wolf, “And what’s going on between you and him isn’t?”

Anise retracted her hand from the Wolf’s heated skin, slowly curling her fingers into her palm. She stared at Fen’Harel for a moment longer than necessary, studying the sharp angle of his jaw as she felt Deshanna studying her.

“It’s different, he’s… different,” she finished lamely, busing herself with inspecting his bandages.

They all need to be changed.

Deshanna’s voice pitched up, “Different how?”

“Please not right now,” Anise heard herself quietly whine, “You told me I could come to you when I was ready.”

“Well I changed my mind, yes now,” Deshanna prodded, sneaking around his cot to slide up against Anise’s side, following Anise’s gaze which had returned again to the Wolf’s face, “I might not get another chance to speak freely with you, as just the two of us. When else are you going to tell me? After he wakes up?”

Anise’s stomach dropped. She knew Fen’Harel would eventually have to wake up, but the reality of him waking up and what that would entail hadn’t really sunk in until that moment. She had not schemed that far ahead yet.

“We haven’t really discussed it—us, we haven’t really discussed us. What we are. Exactly,” she scrambled to answer, avoiding Deshanna’s penetrative eyes.

“So, you’re telling me it is just casual sex with a flat ear in the woods.”

Anise choked, “No! Hanna! It’s… much more complicated than that.”

What an understatement. If the Keeper only knew the truth…

“Okay fine,” Deshanna chuckled, “I will wait until after he wakes and you had a chance to talk before stealing you away and grilling you about future children.” Anise blanched. “Oh! That reminds me,” the Keeper suddenly announced with a snap of her fingers, “Atiha went into labor this morning!”

Anise’s head snapped up at the news. “Really?!”

“I have Iseranni monitoring and assisting with the delivery. I would have asked you but,” Deshanna glanced down at Fen’Harel, and the damned smirk reappeared, “you’re a bit preoccupied with the possibility creating of your own.”

“Hanna!”

The Keeper’s deep laugh echoed throughout the wing as she sauntered over to the supply wall. Anise huffed and crossed her arms. She had been eagerly waiting to assist in this delivery since she first found out about her oldest brother’s bondmate’s pregnancy, and had a hunch Deshanna was using this to test how serious her level of commitment was to the strange man she dragged out of the woods.

Was it fair? No.

Did she want to go? Absolutely.

But she couldn’t risk leaving Fen’Harel for that much time.

“You will need to get out of this infirmary and rest eventually,” Deshanna spoke, as if reading Anise’s mind out loud, “so stop by Atiha on the way to our aravel. You’ll get to meet the new babe,” Deshanna taunted, grabbing fresh bandages and salve before crossing over once more and handing Anise the materials, “He will need to be washed and redressed… I can do it if you’d rather be with your Atiha.”

“No, I’ve got him, ma serannas.”

Anise wanted to grab Deshanna by the shoulders and shake her until that sly smile was wiped off her face.

“Then I’ll leave you to bath him in peace,” the Keeper insinuated with a wink, and Anise groaned loudly enough to make sure Deshanna heard it over her cackling as she exited the wing.

Hanna could be such a loveable pain.

She purified her hands with a cleansing spell and prepped her healing station; organizing the salves, potions, fresh wrappings, as well as a disinfectant solution to wash his wounds with. Peeling back the cloth covering his lower body, she forced herself to not linger on certain parts of his anatomy as she set to work. Starting with the bandages at his thigh, she gently unwrapped the blood soaked cloth and discarded it in the trash basin behind her. Anise frowned, the swelling had decreased but only marginally. At least it was a sign her salve was potent enough to begin to reduce the inflammation. He would still need to take the oral remedy once he woke up.

If he woke up.

“You know,” she announced to the sleeping Wolf, summoning her mana and casting it over the first bottle of disinfectant, “now would be the best time to wake,” the liquid inside lit up as she pulling it up out of its container and guided it through the air with her will, “this is probably the most privacy we will get, given that everyone who might bother us is otherwise occupied at the moment.” She paused, letting the liquid hover above his thigh and waited for a sign of response.

When she got none, she sighed heavily and manipulated the liquid around his wound, cleansing the site until the disinfectant was stained red. She released her spell and let the used disinfectant fall into the trash basin. After cleansing came protecting. She opened the salve jar with more force than was necessary, tossing the lid off to the side with a loud clatter.

Gently, Anise reminded herself as she spread the salve over his wound, creating a healing barrier that would help seal his flesh with the least amount of scaring.

“I honestly can’t figure out why I am so worried about you,” she murmured, setting aside the salve in favor of the fresh bandages, “It’d be so much easier to not care, or to hate you… but… how can I do that when I don’t even know you.”

Anise wasn’t the type to hate without reason, though his rumored reputation as Fen’Harel should have given her reason enough. She couldn’t quite believe all the speculations flying around about the Dread Wolf. She just couldn’t quite believe her brother so blindly. Being a skeptic at heart she had always been driven by the need to learn and form her own opinions independently, priding herself on making fair judgements after investigating situations on her own. ‘Keeping the peace’ as it was a Keeper’s duty to do.

That was her predetermined destiny after all, when Deshanna stepped down. Anise would make a terrible Keeper if she didn’t practice what she preached, even to the Dread Wolf. And besides, she could use this opportunity to gain his trust, learn of his intentions, perhaps find a way to prevent ‘impending doom’… as her brother had phrased it.

Ghilas’an had changed much over the years, so much in fact it was startling. Her brother had once been a man full of life, the center of attention with a bright and magnetic personality… but the last time she saw him she barely recognized him. He was carrying a weight she had never detected in him before, a sense of darkness haunting his very spirit, as well as many new physical scars.

Fen’Harel drew a ragged breath, causing Anise to sharply glance down, stilling her hand.

They had been close once, The Wolf and the Stag, as people in their clan had come to call Ghilas’an. Anise learned of their relationship by breaking into her eldest brother’s aravel while he was out hunting, and reading the reports Ghilas’an would send to him about his new life as the leader of a rebel peace faction, the Inquisition. She wasn’t supposed to read the letters Eltheran received from Ghilas’an, being deemed “too dangerous for a young woman to take party to” by Eltheran, but that did not stop her. She had grown accustomed to being treated this way by her brothers, and had developed strategies over the years to avoid their smothering protectiveness.

Anise resumed her cleansing, remembering how fondly she remembered reading the letters, recalling the rise of budding excitement in her gut as she would devour Ghilas’an’s adventures with his companions—both their successes and failures. What a life he was leading while she was stuck in the monotonous life of a First. Ghilas’an frequently mentioned the Wolf though he called him by some other name before he discovered who his ally truly was, Ghilas’an had trusted the Wolf, considered him kin, even called him brother. And then…when the truth was revealed, Ghilas’an shattered.

If her brother could befriend the Dread Wolf and gain his respect, then so could she.

But what if you fail?

After his thigh had been cleaned, treated, and wrapped, she grabbed the pants from the pile of fresh linens on the bedside. She quickly, but carefully, pulled them up his legs, mentally chiding herself to not stare as she drew them over his hips. She readjusted the blanket to cover his lower half before she moved on to this other puncture sites, repeating the process as she lost herself in thought about the morality of her actions in saving Fen’Harel, and what Ghilas’an would do if he knew. It took her past sunset to finish bathing, cleaning and rewrapping—she couldn’t help but be thorough and meticulous.

She dipped a clean towel into a basin of fresh, cool water and wiped away the dirt and grime from his upper body, using soft strokes when she neared his wounds. She couldn’t help but admire his figure as she pulled the rag across his skin, the light dusting of freckles on his forearms and ribs was… kind of attractive… in an endearing way. She found herself wanting to trace lines between the darker dots… but that would be entirely inappropriate. She shook her head, clearing away the temptation.

Focus, Ani.

It was truly a crime his face had freckles too, making it near impossible for her not to gaze as she wiped the sweat from his fevered brow. Her touch was tender as she caressed the side of his face, washing away the signs of sickness that plagued his resting expression. The last thing she expected was for him to react.

Gasping, he clutched at her, his eyes fluttering open as his fingers constricted themselves around her wrist when she reached the bottom of his chin.

The unexpected motion sent her, and the towel, flying backwards. Ripping herself out of his grasp she let loose a cry of surprise that echoed around the wing. Suddenly on the defense, she conjured a barrier between herself and the Wolf.

“Fen’Harel…?” she called to him once the shimmering wall was fully formed around her, recovered from her shock.

She didn’t move as she watched in suspended silence as his chest slowed in its heaving, and his hand fell limp off the side of his bed.

“No, no no no, you don’t you dare!” she exclaimed, eliminating the barrier she had just erected and rushed to his side. She braced herself on the edge of his cot, leaning over his face and studying the way his eyes fluttered beneath their lids.

Asleep again.

“Fenedhis,” she lamented, straightening up and rubbing her face. He had woken for a moment and she let the opportunity slip away with her cowardice.

This poison must be taking quite the toll on him, if he can barely stay awake even for a second.

She peered at him through her fingers, noting the way his breaths, though not were not deep, were still labored. Taking her hand off her face, she cautiously reached out towards his arm, recoiling after she made contact with his skin, afraid he might try and grab at her again. When he did not, she gently took his hand and placed it back on the cot.

She waited with baited breath.

When he made no other visible effort to move, she released a loud sigh. Bending down, she picked up the towel she had accidentally dropped in a wet heap on the floor and tossed it across the room into the dirty linen bin.

“Guess I deserved that,” Anise muttered out loud, standing and turning to her station to scoop up and shake out the fresh shirt Deshanna had brought.

“What you deserve is rest,” Deshanna’s voice echoed throughout the wing, causing Anise to flinch, “I’m ordering you off duty, as your Keeper, to go be with your kin and sleep. Preferably in the reverse order.”

“Deshanna,” She spun on her heel, clutching the shirt to her chest, “What—No—you’re supposed to—I can’t leave him— “

“Yes you can, for a few hours at least so you can finally rest,” Deshanna chided sharply, flicking her ear when she drew in close enough.

Anise grimaced and rubbed the tender spot as Deshanna snatched the shirt out of her grasp. She made to retort but silenced herself once she got a good look at the expression on Deshanna’s face. It was no use fighting her on this, not when the Keeper was sporting her “I mean business” glare.

“And besides, there is someone who is waiting to meet you,” Deshanna continued, lowering her tone and twisted her lips into a smile, albeit a small one.

Anise’s heart lightened. “The babe?”

“Born not too long ago. Iseranni is dressing her as we speak. Though you might be able to intercept, if you hurry.”

Anise hesitated, almost taking a step towards the exit.

This was her niece… but… Fen’Harel had just… sort of … woken up. She couldn’t possibly leave now, could she?

What if he truly woke up while she was away, the first person he met was Deshanna? Could she take that risk?

Her indecision must have shown plainly on her face, “Go Ani, he is still very sick but stable. I can almost guarantee his condition is not going to change over a few hours. Go.”

Anise bit down on her lip, hard. “You get me the moment you begin to notice anything different.”

A simple nod was all she got, before Deshanna chased her out of the infirmary, literally.  The cool evening breeze washed over her flushed face as she slowed down to a brisk walk. She turned her head towards the looming trees by the edge of their encampment, feeling the energy of the forest stirring just outside their settlement limits. It felt almost as if it was feeding off her aura, alleviating all of her nervous energy. It left her with excitement building in her chest that only swelled more with each step she took towards her bondsister’s aravel.

Deshanna smiled fondly after Anise, watching her First disappear out into the late evening. Anise had always been loyal, it was one of her redeeming qualities but sometimes, Anise would take that loyalty to fault. She was glad the girl gained some independence and sense of purpose—and that Anise finally had found comfort in someone else’s presence.

Deshanna turned to face the presence in question, and her smile faltered.

Though she was glad Anise had found companionship, she couldn’t fight the uneasy feeling churning in her stomach as she crossed the room to the sleeping man.

“I don’t particularly know why I don’t like this,” she announced to him, slipping one of his arms into the shirt, “perhaps this is what being an older sister truly feels like, but she doesn’t need another overprotective figure questioning her life choices.”

Deshanna finished pulling the loose tunic over the man’s head before finishing her thought aloud, “But for her sake, I’ll be watching you.”

Anise’s heart skipped a beat as she peered inside her bondsister’s aravel, holding the door open so Iseranni could slip past.

Atiha was reclining on her bed, looking utterly exhausted but overjoyed. In her arms was a small wriggling bundle of cloth to which she was singing. At the sound of the creaking door, Atiha glanced up and halted her song, a wide smile breaking across her flushed face when she saw Anise hovering in the entryway. Anise had to restrain from throwing her arms around her, instead falling in by Atiha’s bedside.

“Congratulations, you have a niece,” her bondsister said in greeting, with a smile that somehow continued growing larger.

“You have a daughter! You should be the one being congratulated, Atiha,” Anise responded, placing her hand on her bonded sister’s forehead, brushing away some of the strands that were clinging to the sweat on her brow, “What’s her name?”

“Enasali,” Atiha cooed, gently pulling the cloth down to stroke the stroking the small child’s head, “would you like to hold her?”

Anise nodded, and let Atiha place Enasali in her arms. The baby was fragile, so soft. Tiny fingers latched onto Anise’s thumb as she adjusted the bundle to set comfortably in her arms. The baby’s big eyes blinked open as Anise snuggled her close to her chest. They didn’t stay open long before a large yawn overtook Enasali, and she emitted a contented gurgle. How peaceful the little one rested in Anise’s arms, warm, loved, safe…

Anise swallowed thickly.

If what Ghilas’an said was true… how much longer would this infant remain that way after the Dread Wolf woke from his slumber and destroyed everything?

Anise’s eyes stung as she looked fondly upon the small life that lay nestled in her arms, drooling lightly on her tunic... it wasn’t fair. It was cruel that this innocent child wouldn’t get the chance to thrive before even given the chance to live.

She had to find a way to stop the Wolf. She needed to act like a Keeper now more than ever. For Enasali.

“She’s beautiful,” Anise whispered, her voice cracking as she rocked the baby gently. Her heart aching dully in her chest as Enasali yawned again.

“She reminds me of you.”

“What?” Anise looked up at Atiha in surprise.

“She’s quiet and curious.”

“How you can you tell? She’s only a few hours old!” Anise chuckled, looking back at the infant curled up in her arms.

“You were the same way when you were born.”

“How so? And how can you possibly remember that?”

“I had celebrated my eleventh name day the month prior! I have an excellent memory, I’ll have you know,” Atiha protested light heartedly, “You barely cried. You were so alert and aware, so inquisitive. I can already tell she is going to be just like you,” her bondsister smiled, “I can’t wait for your mother to meet her. When does she return?”

Anise kissed the little one’s head and extended her back to her bondsister, placing her daintily in Atiha’s awaiting arms, “She should be returning with the rest of the political escort in a day or so.”

“Your father too?”

“Yes, the last city council meeting for the summer season concluded this evening, so I think all his duties as liaison have been fulfilled. They should be arriving tomorrow, sometime.”

“You must be so excited to see them again! I’m sure your Mother will be eager to hear about that man waiting in the infirmary for you,” Atiha teased, repositioning Enasali on her chest so the babe could sprawl out comfortably.

“Mmm,” Anise groaned, “Deshanna told you.”

Atiha laughed earnestly, “Yes she did. I’m excited for you Ani.”

“Thank you, but please don’t get too excited. It’s not as a big of a deal Deshanna is making it out to be. I think she’s more invested in it than I am truthfully,” Anise explained, tucking a stray piece of fallen hair behind her ear.

“I don’t believe that for a second,” Atiha looked at her knowingly, trying to curb her smile from blossoming wider on her face, “and neither will your mother. I’m sure she’ll want to hear everything.”

“I’m sure she will too,” Anise agreed flatly.

Atiha laughed again, this time it was a gentle clear chime that warmed Anise’s heart. She let her lips curve into a small smile in return, squeezing Atiha’s hand.  Atiha was always so positive, so uplifting, it was a mystery to Anise how she was compatible with eldest brother.

“What do you think Ghilas’an and my Eltheran will think of your mystery man?” Atiha asked after a moment.

The pleasant feeling that had begun to spread through Anise suddenly turned cold.

“I don’t think anyone will ever meet the expectations of either of my brothers,” she said, to humor Atiha.

“Oh don’t say that, they haven’t even met him yet!”

Anise chose not to comment on that.

“Has the Ghilas’an sent word that the Inquisition will be returning for the Equinox festival?” Atiha quickly asked, changing the subject after sensing Anise’s discomfort, “I’d very much like for Eltheran to meet his daughter.”

“Last I heard from Inquisitor Ghilas’an,” Anise let his title come out as a sarcastic drawl on her tongue, making Atiha snort, “a majority of his Inquisition’s forces are stationed in the Western Approach. So even they left today, I doubt they would make it back in time. The journey home from Approach is quite the trek.”

“Damn,” her bondsister cursed quietly with a twinge of a frown.

This must have been so hard for Atiha, Anise thought to herself, to bear through a pregnancy and to birth a child alone. Letters travel slow in the desert, and there was a high chance that Eltheran hadn’t received the news Atiha was nearing the end of her pregnancy. It seemed like an impossible feat to do alone, but that was the cost of being bonded to a warrior—they might not always be around.

“I will let you know the moment I hear any news from the Approach, Atiha. I’ll let you rest, I can only imagine how tired you must be.”

Atiha chuckled softly and rested her head back against her pillow, “It was worth it.”

Anise quietly left the aravel, stealing one last glance at Atiha holding Enasali before shutting the door behind her. Meandering through the encampment, she made her way to the aravel she shared with Deshanna, thoughts swirling around about her eldest brother’s child. Eltheran would be proud, although he wouldn’t show it. Emotional expression was not in his nature. He was naturally more reserved, save for when his temper got the best of him. Being one of the strongest warriors and expert military strategists Clan Lavellan had to offer, Anise assumed he fully embraced the “stoic solider” role. It was no wonder Ghilas’an wanted him to serve as one of his Inquisition’s advisors in the fight against Fen’Harel. It was just unfortunate he was called away before the birth of his child.

Well, at least the new baby will distract Mother from Fen’Harel, for the most part.

Her stomach twisted uncomfortably. Now without Atiha to keep her mind off her sleeping Wolf, the uneasy panic had begun to settle in. Being away from him only amped up her nerves.

What if he wakes and—

She raked her fingers through her hair and down her face, shaking her head to stop that thought from fully forming. She could not let herself dwell on the what ifs, or she would never be able to rest.

Pushing the door to her aravel open, she slipped inside and lit the small lanterns hung along the walls with a snap of her fingers. The fires illuminated the space as she made her way to the bed settled against the far wall, leaving a trail of clothes in her wake. She snatched her night tunic off one of the pillows, enjoying the way the silken fabric caressed her skin as she pulled it over her head and down her body. The fatigue from her near constant casting over the past two days finally overpowering the nervous tension budding in her mind as she crawled beneath her sheets…

She hit the earth, hard.

Groaning as the spinning in her head finally began to stop, she mustered enough strength to push herself up out of the dirt. Almost immediately she was overwhelmed by a putrid, overpowering stench and began to choke, the coppery taste of blood staining her tongue with each cough. Wiping the back of her hand along her mouth, she rid herself of the warm liquid pooling on her lips and attempted to quell her rolling stomach. Taking a deep breath through her mouth, she attempted to center herself enough to discern just where she had landed. It took a few beats and couple blinks to let her eyes adjust to the dimness of her surroundings, and a moment for her head to clear from its disorientation before she realized, with a sudden sinking feeling in her gut, that she had not fallen out of bed.

No, no no no… another dream…

The splatter of water droplets smacking the ground echoed eerily in the dim cavern, a rhythm both taunting and foreboding.

What is this place?

Pulling herself to her knees, she summoned a small wisp. The tiny ball of light bounced in her palm, illuminating the strange cave around her. The cavern walls arched high above her, a seemingly endless pit of darkness. She could just barely make out the perimeter of the room, noticing a darker patch to her left, the entrance to a tunnel.

The only way out.

Shakily, she stood. Before setting off, she tested her balance by shifting her weight from foot to foot, making sure she hadn’t twisted anything. Anise couldn’t recall spotting any caves on her excursions in the woods… perhaps she had landed in a different part of the Fade than the last time?

When she reached the menacing entryway, she placed one hand on the—what she soon discovered to be slimy—wall, stifling a gag as she held out the light with her other and tentatively took a step forward. The light cascaded down the narrow passage to reveal a curve that veered off to the right.

Just pretend you’re exploring, and everything will be fine.

Anise was used to travelling alone, frequently venturing off into the woods on hunting trips by herself when she needed to break away from Clan life. But there was no guiding presence to be found here, no sense of vitality that she normally felt while running through the trees—it was disconcerting. Hunting in a forest was much different than exploring a cave, alone.

Her unease skyrocketed tenfold when a sickening scraping noise emanated from behind, shattering her illusion of solitude.

She cried out, spinning around to shine the light back down the passageway she had traversed, heart pounding against her ribs wildly as she scanned the dim shadows for any sign of motion. The only thing she was able to detect was the vague remnants of her frightened gasp, and the pounding of her frantic heart.

You’re hearing things. Keep moving.

It took every ounce of courage to turn away from the direction the sound had resonated but mustered it somehow, and did so cautiously. Keeping her back and left hand pressed to the moist wall, she held out the light so she could easily see in front and behind her, hesitantly checking both directions after every few steps.

Better to be safe, then sorry.

The tunnel emptied out into a larger cavern, devoid of anything remotely welcoming. Anise shivered involuntarily. Several more openings, or perhaps if luck was on her side, exits, lined its walls. Anise could faintly count seven gaping crevices illuminated by her mage light. Paranoia sunk in as she realized she could perpetually pick the wrong exit, propelling herself deeper into the maze of the underground cavern. She would need to evaluate each opening attentively for signs of light or any other indications that it could lead to a way out this nightmare.

A blood curdling screech rang out, filling the cavern with such a deafening cry it elicited a scream of her own from her lips. She tried to muffle the noise with her hand but the sound of her terror still escaped.

No time, pick one and run.

She chose the second tunnel, and took off at a sprint towards the entry way of the confined space, not daring to look back. The eerie scraping noise could be heard once more as it followed her through the winding labyrinth of a passageway, but this time the pulse of its scrapes came in much faster bursts. She loped out from the end of the tunnel and let out an infuriated cry. She was back in the large, central chamber again, only this time she had come out of different opening than that of the one she entered. The clashing and scraping of the creature in pursuit grew steadily louder as she deliberated on which tunnel to try next, dancing anxiously in place. She had to take a strategic approach.

There are seven tunnels, two of which are linked. Operating under this logic, there might be a pattern, which would leave one odd, unconnected tunnel. But which one was it? They all couldn’t lead back to this same place… right?

She had entered the second tunnel, and exited the fourth. She quickly deduced that if there was indeed a pattern, then the first and third tunnels would be linked. Which would assume that tunnels five and seven were connected, leaving only the sixth tunnel.

She bolted.

Once through the entry, Anise noticed that this tunnel was much larger than the previous one she had taken, and that it veered off into a curve about three meters ahead. The creature giving chase let out another hallowed shriek, signifying it had reached the main chamber. Anise sprinted until her legs burned, willing herself faster to close the distance around the curve. Perhaps the creature would pick the wrong tunnel, if she could just get out of sight.

Skidding around the curve, she extinguished the wisp of light. She slammed herself against the wall, and counted to ten, syncing her racing breaths with each number she mentally tallied. She could hear the monster slithering around in the main chamber, the scraping of its body against the stone floor ricocheting down the long passage way. Anise suppressed a whimper with the back of her hand.

You have to be quiet, any noise will echo.

She began to creep along the edge of the wall, tip toeing as quietly as she possibly could so as not to alert whatever was lurking around hunting for her. She could feel the earth begin to rise on a slight incline, and she took it as a good omen that she was going in the right direction. After she put some distance between her and the tunnel entrance, the monster’s noises slowly subsided.

Perhaps it chose the wrong tunnel, you would hear it if it chose to search this one.

Anise picked up her pace, treading with a light foot to avoid any bumps that might cause her to trip. She wanted so desperately to run, but the fear of being discovered kept her feet at a brisk walk. It seemed like the tunnel was never going to end, there was always another slight curve in the passageway, leading to a long, straight stretch of path before turning into another bend. Anise could feel her agitation and desperation coiling tighter with each turn she took. The only sign she had that she was going in the right direction was that steady inclination of the path. It was rising at a sharper and sharper level with each bend, until a small ray of light could be seen washing over the dirt floor around the last curve.

The tunnel is getting lighter, there must be an exit!

She broke into a run as she rounded the final turn. Beautiful beams of light streamed in from the open mouth of the cave as she raced towards it. She could feel the tears welling, she was so close.

A guttural cry gave out behind her… no, she realized with dawning horror… above her.

She glanced up while dashed towards the light, tears falling down face as she saw a set of glowing amethyst eyes following her, racing along the passageway’s ceiling.

It had trailed her the whole time.

Anise kicked herself in overdrive, muscles screaming in protest. She had to make it out of the cave. A dark shadow appeared at the entrance, blocking out the only source of light. Her heart seized as six crimson eyes twinkled into existence. The shadow coalescing into the shape of a giant wolf. She skidded to a halt, or she tried to as she came face to face… or chest… with Fen’Harel.

“Grab on!” he commanded.

She had no other choice but to listen, after she felt the ground vibrate beneath her feet as the creature detached itself from the ceiling, dropping onto the cave floor. Without a second thought, Anise swung herself up onto the Wolf’s back, clutching onto the thick fur on his neck. The moment she had secured herself, the Wolf lurched into the bright sunlight. They tore through a barren, rocky mountainside, leaping from lock to rock as they scaled down landscape.

Another terrible shriek sent a tremor down Anise’s spine, causing her to tighten her grasp around Fen’Harel’s neck. She peered over her shoulder, and wished she hadn’t. The creature was vile, with dead, malting flesh hung from its sickly snake-like skeletal frame, slithering down after them at an alarming speed.

“Faster!” Anise bellowed, whipping her head around to see something just as equally alarming.

The world was crumbling apart beneath his feet, a sizeable gap separated them from the next patch of rock. Anise quickly shut her eyes, burrowing her face into the fur of his neck, not wanting to watch what she full well knew was going to happen. Within the next moment she was weightless, stomach rolling as the Wolf pushed off from the stone, flipping violently when they reconnected with the ground once more. She lost track of how many leaps and bounds he made, choosing to focus on more important things instead such as trying to breathe, before the Wolf made one last jolting drop and finally slowed to a trot.

“We should be safe, at least for the moment.” Anise felt the rumble of the Wolf’s voice through his fur wrapped around him, her posture rigid and eyes shut tight.

When she made no effort to move when the Wolf came to a stop, he turned to bump her thigh with his snout. She peeked out from the tuft of fur she was buried behind and saw they had arrived at a small clearing, a little glen of sorts situated by shores of a bright lake. The lapping of the waves against the sandstones eased her anxiety, and she slowly peeled herself off him. Sliding down his side and taking a few staggering steps away from his massive form.

The first thing she noticed was that her hands had been stained with soot from handling his fur. It had gathered lightly on her leather armor as well, and she set to brushing herself off, watching the ash flake away into thin wisps smoke that dissipated into the air.

Slowly, she lifted her head to look at the Wolf.

His tail was idly rippling, like his fur in the gentle breeze. His once obsidian coat had lightened, taking on a more charcoal gray coloring that pitch black. Like the ashes that fell from her clothes, small flakes were also falling from his body. Staring up into his six eyes, she noted they did not glow as menacingly as she remembered… and they changed color?  Were they not red back in the cave instead of the crystal blue that gazed back at her? Or perhaps the Fade was playing tricks on her…

She found her voice after a moment gaping at him, “You… saved me again…?”

The Wolf cocked his head to the side, and she would have thought the mannerism cute if he were not analyzing her.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“That is a question with a complicated answer, a question that I could just as easily ask the same of you.”

She drew her lips into a thin line.

“Are you not the one who rescued me, despite obviously knowing my identity? Why, might I ask, would you do that?”

How could she explain to the Fen’Harel she made an impulse decision, listened to the overwhelming intuitive feeling that asked her to not let him die? This feeling stronger than any rational thought she ever had. How could she explain that without sounding like a complete babbling fool to the alleged ‘God’ before her?

“I… don’t know,” she replied slowly, gauging his reaction.

“Then we are at an impasse.” The Wolf’s fur bristled as he lowered himself into a reclining position in front of her. “Perhaps we should start with simpler questions.”

“Such as?”

“Your name, I would like to know it.”

Anise crossed her arms and imitated his inquiry, “And for what reason, might I ask, would you like to know that?”

“So I can properly thank the woman that is keeping me alive.”

“How do you know I’m not just slowly killing you?” Her words came out braver than she felt.

The Wolf contemplated her remark for a beat, “Because I can feel my strength returning in waves, stronger each time I see you. I recognize your aura.”

“That… is a bit creepy.”

“It is useful, in the Fade— “

“Alright, so I’m keeping you alive,” she made a silencing gesture with her hand and his jaws snapped shut with an audible click, “I have a simple question for you.”

“Alright,” he replied, a hint of annoyance in his tone.

“What was that thing? What does it want from me? Why do I keep getting drawn here?”

Her questions came tumbling out, one right after the other without pause, interrupting Fen’Harel before he could answer.

“That, is three questions.”

She groaned, “Would you please just tell me what in the Void is going on?”

He tensed, staying quiet for half a second to long.

“Is it because I’m healing you,” Anise hedged a guess.

“One question at a time,” he said, collecting his thoughts, “As to your first, the creature is a spirit, obviously,” Fen’Harel emphasized with a flare of snarkiness, “though your people would commonly mistake it as a Demon.”

“Obviously it’s a demon,” she rolled her eyes, “What I meant was what kind of demon.”

“That, is different question.”

Was he… teasing her?

She stared at him in disbelief.

He was.

“It seems this particular corrupted spirit— “

“—Demon— “

“—Spirit,” Fen’Harel corrected before continuing, “has gotten quite attached to you.”

Anise felt herself blanch, “…attached?”

“Do not panic, but I believe it has imprinted on you.”

“That’s not supposed to make me panic!?” Anise exclaimed, voice cracking as her knees gave out and she sunk onto the soft grass in front of him. This was too much.

“Knowledge is power. As to its motivations, my hunch would be that the Spirit is in need of something from you.”

“A physical form.” She gulped, clenching her fists in her lap to stop them from shaking.

“I believe it is much more complicated than that.”

“How can it possibly be more complicated?”

“You appeal to it on some level, it wants more than just your body. It wants your essence,” The Wolf’s eyes took on a faraway expression, “You must be the cause of its awakening…”

An outraged screech pierced the air, sending both of their heads in different directions for its source. Fen’Harel was on his feet in a matter of seconds, his massive body looming over and immediately shielding her.

“You should wake.”

“Fen’Harel, what? You can’t just— “

“Whatever you do, do not let it touch you,” he interrupted as she jumped to her feet, his eyes scanning the horizon with a renewed alertness. She could feel the tension rolling off him in waves.

“Why. You’ve barely explained anything! Why must I not let it touch me? What kind of spirit is this thing?!”

“Until I can figure out a way to disguise you, you are at risk by simply being in the Fade. If it can sense your aura as strongly as I can, and track you as easily as I am able…just—I do not have—we do not have time. You need to wake up.”

“And what am I supposed to until you figure that out? Avoid sleeping?”

His head sharply turned towards the lake. “That is not what I said. Stay awake as long as you can. When you must sleep, I will find you here, first.”

A large ripple formed in the center of the lake, causing Fen’Harel to start to growl.

“And why would I let you stay with me while I dream?”

“You stay by my side when awake do you not?” he countered almost immediately, darting his eyes to the side to glare at her before refocusing his attention on the disrupted glassy surface.

“Good point.”

“We are out of time. You must wake,” he shifted to block her view from the lake.

“And what about you?”

“I have unfinished business here.”

“If you do not become conscious soon, the poison in your body will kill you! You need to take the antidote—there is a limit on how much salves and magic can do!”

When he did not respond, she cried out, “You need to wake in order to purge the toxin from your system!”

He rapidly spun around to face her.

“Promise me you will try!”

“Wake up.”

The exact moment his muzzle nudged her chest, the foul decayed demon erupted from the lake. Anise could feel herself being drawn out of the fade by his magic, helpless but to watch as the demon lashed out at Fen’Harel, its slender form coiling around his body, constricting him before submerging him into the lake.

Anise woke up screaming.

[britttlebonezz]

Chapters: 30/? Fandom: Dragon Age: Inquisition, Dragon Age (Video Games) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Original Female Character/Cullen Rutherford, Alistair/Female Warden/Original Female Character(s), Male Lavellan/Dorian Pavus Characters: Cassandra, Original Characters, Varric, Solas, Cullen, Blackwall, Iron Bull, Male Inquisitor (Dragon Age), Male Lavellan, Dorian Pavus Additional Tags: Original Character(s), Modern Girl in Thedas, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Work In Progress, Not totally sure where this is going, not necessarily cannon, Not Beta Read, Sorry Not Sorry, My First Fanfic, some smut, Undecided Relationship(s), Explicit Language, Slow Burn Summary:

Just what everyone needs another MGiT. I give you my very own Hanna Cooper. She is a wounded war veteran who is magicked away after an argument with her fiance two nights before the wedding. Her foundation is shaken as she realizes that she is not hallucinating the world around her. Can she learn to cope in a world gone mad? Will she fall in love or die in combat? Why not both?

The story starts just before the events of Inquisition and will go until it ends.