#elaith surana

[an-egg-broke-my-heart]

I’ve been meaning to finally put all of my babies in one place, and here they are!

Template is by Marian Churchland, and she gets full credit for the additional icons I edited for each game as well:

Art Credit: WS1 by mochiibunns / WS2 by lillotte17 / WS3 by psylkii / WS4 by codenameyan / WS5 by badwolf626

[magicrobins]

Happy Valentine’s Day~

[jaynemerriweather]

So I finished my first playthrough of Dragon Age Origins today

.....because I definitely needed to feel more emotions on top of everything that’s been going on with Critical Role..... (/s)

Anyway RIP Elaith Surana, 2018-2018; rest in peace knowing that you saved the world, and in happy spite knowing that blood magic, the very thing they feared the most, was what saved them.

[an-egg-broke-my-heart]

Morrigan and Elaith bein softtt

[an-egg-broke-my-heart]

The final batch of artbreeder OCs! My baby Wardens ❤

Magdalena Cousland / Elaith Surana

Freya Brosca / Rille Tabris / Eloris Mahariel

[an-egg-broke-my-heart]

Commission by @lillotte17 from a few weeks ago! My second world state with Elaith Surana, Marigold Hawke, and Adelaide Trevelyan!

[an-egg-broke-my-heart]

Elaith Surana x Morrigan 

The Grey Wardens gave him his chance to seek the power needed to change the world and stop any other young elves and mages from facing the same life he faced, but he never expected to find himself so enchanted by those he traveled with.

As Morrigan’s mysterious history became less shrouded and she began to let him see bits of herself piece by piece, Elaith’s commitment to the Wardens changed. He was no longer there because he had to be, because he needed to prove something. Now, he was there because he wanted to be. The first time he heard her laugh, not with malice or judgement, but with a subtlety and shimmer in her eye, he knew he was hers. A war was coming, a war he knew he may not survive, but this wandering camp of misfits had become the first place he’d truly felt at home. He would do whatever he needed to do to protect them. To protect her. Although, the night before Elaith stood against the archdemon, Morrigan was the one who saved his life.

He did not want to pay the price that the witch’s ritual demanded, but agreeing to lay with her that night and create a new life, half hers and half his, would give him the chance to find her again. “Do not follow,” she warned him before disappearing into the world. He tried to respect her wishes, but this was not a promise he could keep. 

He saw after the Wardens, even serving as the Commander of the Grey for a time, but as his companions followed their lives elsewhere one by one and the darkspawn receded into The Deep Roads, he felt an emptiness clawing it’s way out of him. He had to find her. Had she had the child? His child? He had to find them. 

It was not easy, but every fight, every puzzle, every step was worth it when found her. She was not sure of his intentions at first, but as moments passed between them she stepped further away from the eluvian and closer to the man who held her heart. This was right, the two of them together. 

She led Elaith through the portal, and introduced him to their son, Kieran. Together, they all traveled through Thedas and learned to be family. The young, quiet elf who had been forced into the circle would never have predicted that this was how life would turn out, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

[an-egg-broke-my-heart]

Elaith Surana

Age: 26 when recruited Sexuality: Bi Origin: Dalish Elf, Circle Mage Three words to describe his personality: Protective, unforgiving, determined Theme song: Keeping Me Alive (Jonathan Roy)

Class: Mage Specialization: Blood mage + spirit healer   Mages or templars: Mages Reaction to made a warden: yeah okay just get me out of here

Romantic Interest: Morrigan Kids: Kieran Best Friend: Zevren Biggest Rival Companion: Wynne Go-to party members: Morrigan, Zevren, Sten

After Awakening: Once the wardens are finally settled and the darkspawn recede back into the Deep Roads, Elaith can't ignore the clawing in his chest any longer. He sets off to find Morrigan and accompanies her through the eluvian once their paths finally cross. They spend the next eight years together happily traveling as a family, until Elaith starts to hear the calling in the back of his mind. As his partner and son travel to Orlais he heads in the opposite direction, beginning experiments, in the name of Ghilan'nain, using blood magic to find a cure for the calling. 

5 random tidbits: -Elaith was raised in a Dalish clan until he was 16, when he was taken by the templars after revealing his magic when he went into a human town to get supplies. The templars in the circle would make fun of him for it, saying his clan had abandoned him on purpose. The worst part of the teasing was that Elaith would never know if they told the truth. -Didn't even bother to fake not knowing that Jowan was a blood mage, he was just like "you keep us in a cage what did you expect?" -If you think the fight Alistair initiates after dealing with the demon in Conner was bad, you should have heard the explosion that came from Morrigan when she found out Elaith had made a deal with the desire demon in the fade. -At bedtime Elaith would sit with Kieran's head on his lap and tell him old elven legends and short stories about growing up in a Dalish clan. This is how Morrigan started learning all of the information that she brings to the inquisition, although her studies clearly travel beyond a father's tales to his son. -Had a short fling with Nathanial during Awakening

[an-egg-broke-my-heart]

ok I know I SAID I was done posting artbreeder OCs but I saw other people adding their OC’s tattoos and I needed to do it toooo

WS1: Magdalena Cousland / Kai Hawke / Nolanni Lavellan

WS2: Elaith Surana / Marigold Hawke / Adelaide Trevelyan

WS3: Freya Brosca / Merrick Hawke / Nazal Adaar

WS4: Rille Tabris / Nika Hawke / Jutta Hellasdotten

WS5: Eloris Mahariel / Shyloh Hawke / Marsilia Valisti

[an-egg-broke-my-heart]

Hey! Random OCs question, if you don't mind it. If your character was a deity, what would they be a god/dess of?

I NEVER mind, I love when you send these!!! ❤ This took forever for me to answer because it was so good, I needed to do it for all of my babies.

Magdalena Cousland: Retribution and vindication. Justice.

Kai Hawke: Love and marriage. Family.

Nolanni Lavellan: Refuge, sanctuary, honest shelter, protection. Home.

Elaith Surana: Power and strength. Fire.

Marigold Hawke: Controversy. Strife. Emotion.

Adelaide Trevelyan: War and order, courage, battlelust.

Freya Brosca: Conversation, cheer, and humor. Language.

Merrick Hawke: Death and loss. The afterlife. Loneliness.

Nazal Adaar: Passion. Freedom and equality.

Rille Tabris: Art, music, dance, poetry, literature. Beauty and adoration.

Nika Hawke: Faith, dedication, forgiveness and condemnation.

Jutta Hellasdotten (Avaar inky): Survival, the hearth and the hunt. Agility.

Eloris Mahariel: Obidience and sacrifice.

Shyloh Hawke: Health and sickness, healing, fertility.

Marsilia Valisti (Antivan inky): Deception, persuasion, and trickery. Wisdom, knowledge, and secrets.

Taevin Pavus (Tevinter inky): Life, growth, and unity.

[an-egg-broke-my-heart]

Magdalena Cousland / Kai Hawke / Nolanni Lavellan

Elaith Surana / Marigold Hawke / Adelaide Trevelyan

Freya Brosca / Merrick Hawke / Nazal Adaar

Rille Tabris / Nika Hawke / Jutta Hellasdotten

Eloris Mahariel / Shyloh Hawke / Marsilia Valisti

It's been a while since I posted all of my children so may I present all five of my world states made with this picrew.

[magicrobins]

Dragon Age Dual AU Worldstate

Long post, all under the cut.

Edits may be made as details are added or changed.

(I typed this the best I could remember us discussing the details a while ago.)

Shared with: @bxtgrl (Nat), @jellyfishlovesloki

Dragon Age Origins

Heroes of Ferelden: Namera Cousland (sword/shield warrior, Alistair romance), and Piras Surana (mage, Zevran romance).

Companion OCs: Sylvas Mahariel (dual-wielding/archery rogue, Tamlen Rendlin romance), Sarabeth Tabris (archery rogue, Leliana romance), Christian Amell (mage, Morrigan romance), Rendlin Amell (sword/shield warrior, Sylvas romance), Paige Brosca (dual-wielding rogue, no romance), Atlen Mahariel (dual-wielding rogue, Jowan romance), and Noah Talbot (two-handed warrior, Anora romance).

All companions except for Loghain are recruited.

Companion decisions: Returned Sten’s sword, defeated Flemeth for her grimoire, sent Marjolaine away, and helped Alistair find Goldanna.

Namera has a mabari, Konroy, and Piras got a mabari after Ostagar, Sammy.

Broken Circle: Sided with the mages, gained some Templar supporters, and managed to save First Enchanter Irving.

The Arl of Redcliffe: Helped Redcliffe prepare and fight, Piras used lyrium and the help of Circle mages to fight the demon in the Fade, Connor alive, not possessed, and Piras and some companions helped Jowan escape at night (Sylvas directed him to Atlen for protection).

The Urn of Sacred Ashes: Urn wasn’t poisoned, and word about its discovery eventually got out.

Nature of the Beast: Sylvas helped Namera and Piras broker peace.

Paragon of Her Kind: Rendlin had a son with Mardy, restored Mardy’s son’s birthright, Dagna left to study, defeated Branka and destroyed the Anvil of the Void, Namera supported Harrowmont, Piras supported Bhelen, and the choice was ultimately left up to Rendlin who surprised everyone by choosing Bhelen.

Stone Prisoner DLC: Matthias and Amalia both alive, and neither are possessed.

Warden’s Keep DLC: Piras gained the Power of Blood, Sophia killed, and Avernus allowed to continue research under more ethical restraints.

Denerim: Helped Sarabeth figure out and stop the city elves from disappearing, rescued Anora, and Namera killed Howe in combat, avenging her family.

Landsmeet: Loghain killed by Alistair, Alistair became King of Ferelden, and later married Namera, making her Queen of Ferelden.

The Battle of Denerim: Alistair took part in the Dark Ritual with Morrigan, only Grey Warden to die was Riordan, and Namera and Piras killed the Archdemon together.

New Grey Wardens: Sylvas, Christian, Rendlin, Paige, Atlen, Noah, and Jowan joined the Grey Wardens after the Battle of Denerim. Sarabeth joined the Grey Wardens in the beginning of Awakening.

Namera and Sarabeth belong to @bxtgrl.

Piras, Sylvas, Christian, Rendlin, Paige, Atlen, and Noah belong to @magicrobins.

The Golems of Amgarrak DLC: Namera and Piras helped Jerrik, however they both vocally objected to the idea of bringing back the creation of golems.

Witch Hunt DLC: Christian follows Morrigan through the Eluvian.

Dragon Age Awakening DLC

New companion OCs: Halin Andras (mage, one-sided Nathaniel romance), Hannah Caron (two-handed warrior, Jaden romance), and Jaden Kader (archery rogue, Hannah romance). Companion OCs from Origins returned with Namera and Piras, as well as Jowan, a canon character.

Piras is named Arl of Amaranthine.

All companions recruited and joined the Grey Wardens.

Oghren and Felsi reunited.

Both the Keep and Amaranthine were successfully protected after hard battles.

The only casualty of the battles: Justice was “killed” when Kristoff’s head is chopped off while defending Vigil’s Keep.

Piras and Namera side with the Architect against the Broodmother and allow him to live.

Zevran eventually returns to Amaranthine, and he and Piras marry at Vigil’s Keep.

Majority of companions stay with the Grey Wardens, though Velanna eventually leaves after believing she saw her sister.

Halin Andras, Hannah Caron, and Jaden Kader belong to @magicrobins

Dragon Age II*

*The timeline of DA2 is being edited to better fit in with the timeline of Origins. We have it to where the Hawke family were younger when they fled Lothering, and the Hawke siblings were indentured for more than just a year in Kirkwall.

Champions of Kirkwall: Derek Hawke (mage, eldest sibling, Fenris romance), and Vera Hawke (mage, Anders romance).

Companion OCs: Kenrick Lolani (two-handed warrior, Merrill romance), Stella Montgomery (dual-wielding/archery rogue, Isabela romance), Talia Fredericks (dual-wielding rogue, Sebastian romance), and Jaxton Montgomery (dual-wielding/archery rogue, Tallis romance).

All companions recruited, and all relationships are friendship.

Companion decisions: Carver became a Grey Warden, Bethany became a Circle mage, Bartrand lived, convinced Varric not to keep the lyrium idol, Isabela returned with the Tome, didn’t turn Isabela over to the Qunari, didn’t convince Merrill to destroy the Eluvian, didn’t kill Merrill’s clan, and Aveline married Donnic.

Mages fully supported.

Prologue: Both Bethany and Carver live, Bethany is gravely injured from the ogre attack, Vera and Derek join the smugglers, and Stella and Jaxton join the mercenaries.

Act 1: Derek and Vera sometimes disagreed when it came to letting mages go or returning them to the Circle, Saemus saved and returned to the Viscount, Kelder killed, the slaver Danzig killed, Derek and Vera both own the Bone Pit, Feynriel sent to the Dalish, defended Ketojan, left Bethany in Kirkwall, and took Carver to the Deep Roads.

Act 2: Gascard killed, didn’t side with Varnell, didn’t side with Petrice, Javaris was alive and well, helped with the raiders on the cliffs, freed Feynriel and allowed him to leave for Tevinter, and Derek and Vera killed the Arishok together.

Legacy DLC: Sided with Larius, defeated Corypheus, and found Malcolm’s Will.

Mark of the Assassin DLC: didn’t make Tallis angry, and Jaxton kissed Tallis.

Act 3: Met and let Zevran go, later aided by Zevran in the battle against Meredith, rescued Nathaniel, reunited Charade and Gamlen, handed conspirators over to Orsino, Derek disapproved and Vera approved of Anders destroying the Chantry, Anders was spared, Sebastian and Talia left for Starkhaven, vowing revenge on Anders and the Hawkes, the Hawkes and companions had to flee Kirkwall and go into hiding; to protect Vera, Derek solely took on the Champion of Kirkwall title; and Derek and companions spread false information that there had only ever been one Champion.

Derek Hawke, Stella Montgomery, and Jaxton Montgomery belong to @magicrobins. Vera Hawke and Talia Fredericks belong to @bxtgrl. Kenrick Lolani belongs to @jellyfishlovesloki.

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Inquisitors: Aya Lavellan (dual-wielding rogue, Cullen romance), and Galen Lavellan (mage, Dorian romance).

Companion OCs: Elaith Lavellan (mage, Solas romance), Nova Adaar (two-handed warrior, Iron Bull romance), Lilya Avery (mage, Blackwall romance), Jacob Lombardi (archery rogue, Josephine romance), Ju-long “Striker” Trevelyan (archery rogue, Cassandra romance), Mordecai Bayley (dual-wielding rogue, Lace romance), Ricka Cadash (dual-wielding rogue, one-sided Varric romance), Ozera Herah (dual-wielding rogue, Sera romance), Rasha Andras (two-handed warrior, Arven romance), Arven Karaas (mage, Rasha romance), Ai Trevelyan (mage, Krem romance), Zhen Trevelyan (mage, Bailey romance), and Bailey Carrian (archery rogue, Zhen romance).

All companions are recruited.

Companion decisions: Dorian reconciled with his father, Blackwall left prison with his true identity revealed and eventually joined the Grey Wardens, Iron Bull saved the Chargers and became Tal-Vashoth, Cassandra discovered the Book of Secrets, Harmond was kept alive but forced to work for the Inquisition, Cole became more human, Solas freed his friend, Varric pursued the red lyrium source lead, Vivienne gained the snowy wyvern heart, Cullen was encouraged not to use lyrium, Aya and Galen did favors for the Du Paraquette family, and Leliana was inspired.

Exploring Thedas: Reached the inner sanctum of the Temple of Pride, helped the refugees, gained the allegiance of the cultists, closed the rift in the lake, claimed Griffon Wing Keep, investigated the dwarven ruins, rescued troops from the Avvar, kept Fairbanks’ nobility a secret and helped him defeat the Freemen, killed Imshael, and captured Suledin Keep.

Operations: Failed to save Clan Lavellan, Sutherland’s company was successful, Jecin and Celeste married for love, and both Johi and Charade were recruited.

The Wrath of Heaven: Aya and Galen claimed to not know whether they were chosen by Andraste or not.

Champions of the Just: Elaith sent to Therinfal Redoubt with a few companions under the disguise of an Inquisitor, offered the Templars a free alliance, and Ser Barris is alive and promoted to Knight-Commander.

In Hushed Whispers: Aya and Galen went to Redcliffe with a few companions, and offered the mages a free alliance.

Tension was high in Haven among the Templars and mages, many uneasy with the Inquisition allying with both groups.

In Your Heart Shall Burn: Cole arrived at Haven, and Aya and Galen both stayed behind to fight and distract Corypheus.

Here Lies the Abyss: Derek Hawke, Stella Montgomery, Kenrick Lolani, Jaxton Montgomery, and canon companions except for Sebastian and Anders arrived at Skyhold upon Varric’s request to aid in the trouble with the Grey Wardens; Derek, Stella, and Kenrick fell into the Fade with the Inquisitors, a few companions, and Stroud; Stroud chose to stay back in the Fade, telling Derek to find his cousin (Christian Amell) to lead the Grey Wardens because it’s common knowledge the Heroes of Ferelden and several of their companion Wardens have gone missing; Derek, Stella, and Kenrick had to pull Aya and Galen out of the Fade to get them to leave Stroud behind; the Grey Wardens are offered a free alliance to rebuild their strength and ranks; and Derek urges the Inquisitors and Leliana to find Christian Amell, who at that point was a high ranking Grey Warden.

Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts: Christian Amell was found attending the ball with Morrigan and joined her and Kieran at Skyhold, Empress Celene lived and Grand Duchess Florianne both lived, Celene continued to rule and reconciled with Briala.

What Pride had Wrought: Galen chose to respect the temple’s traditions, Aya chose to follow the quicker route through the temple’s underground, Galen managed to get the alliance and help of the guardians, Samson and Calpernia were the Inquisition’s nemesis, Aya destroyed Samson’s armor, Galen talked to Calpernia and convinced her that her loyalty was misdirected, and Aya and Galen decided to share the price and drank from the Well of Sorrows together.

Doom Upon the World: Aya and Galen made no formal support for either Cassandra, Leliana, or Vivienne for Divine, not wanting to choose between their friends; Aya and Galen defeated Corypheus together while their companions and Inquisition forces fought off the demon horde; and Leliana was chosen as Divine Victoria.

The Descent DLC: The earthquakes were stopped, and the secret origin of lyrium was discovered.

Jaws of Hakkon DLC: Discovered and met Ameridan, shared the truth about Ameridan, killed the dragon, and Aya and Galen both gained a legend-mark from the Avvar.

Trespasser DLC: Iron Bull remained loyal, the Inquisition was disbanded at Aya’s order, and Aya and Galen vowed to redeem Solas.

Aya Lavellan, Jacob Lombardi, and Lilya Avery belong to @bxtgrl. Nova Adaar, Mordecai Bayley, and Ricka Cadash belong to @jellyfishlovesloki. Galen Lavellan, Elaith Lavellan, Ju-long “Striker” Trevelyan, Ozera Herah, Rasha Andras, Arven Karaas, Ai Trevelyan, Zhen Treveylan, and Bailey Carrian belong to @magicrobins.

Anything post-Trespasser can be discovered through asks or fanfics! <3

[magicrobins]

TMI Tuesday!

Doing TMI Tuesday again! Ask me or my OCs anything you want to know! I'll keep it simple this time and just open up asks for my Dragon Age and Mass Effect ocs (though asks in general are always open for any ocs). DRAGON AGE OCS: Piras Surana, Christian Amell, Sylvas Mahariel, Paige Brosca, Rendlin Aeducan, Atlen Mahariel, Noah Talbot, Halin Andras, Hannah Caron, Jaden Kader, Derek Hawke, Stella Montgomery, Jaxton Montgomery, Galen Lavellan, Elaith Lavellan, Striker Trevelyan, Ozera Herah, Rasha Andras, Arven Kaaras, Ai Trevelyan, Zhen Trevelyan, and Bailey Carrian. MASS EFFECT OCS: Duncan Shepard, Maxwell Landon, Katherine Connors, Samantha Connors, Abraham Ward, Julian Ryder, Scott Ryder, Ana Schafer, and Ivory Barnes. ❤️

[magicrobins]

TMI Tuesday

Gonna try this for the first time lol

Send in any ask, on anon or not - doesn’t matter - and it’ll be answered! Asks are open for myself or my characters, it’s completely up to you! Below the cut is a list of characters open to asks. You can ask questions for characters not on the list below, though, don’t worry. <3

RPG OCs

* = character gifs can be made

Dragon Age: Origins - *Piras Surana [romance: Zevran], *Sylvas Mahariel [romance: Tamlen Rendlin], *Christian Amell [romance: Morrigan], Rendlin Aeducan [romance: Sylvas], Paige Brosca [romance: N/A], Atlen Mahariel [romance: Jowan], Noah Talbot [romance: Anora], Halin Andras [romance: Nathaniel], Hannah Caron [romance: Jaden], and Jaden Kader [romance: Hannah].

Dragon Age II - *Derek Hawke [romance: Fenris], *Stella Montgomery [romance: Isabela], and Jaxton Montgomery [romance: Tallis].

Dragon Age: Inquisition - *Galen Lavellan [romance: Dorian], *Elaith Lavellan [romance: Solas], *Striker Trevelyan [romance: Cassandra], *Ozera Herah [romance: Sera], *Rasha Andras [romance: Arven], *Arven Karaas [romance: Rasha], *Zhen Trevelyan [romance: Bailey], *Ai Trevelyan [romance: Krem], and *Bailey Carrian [romance: Zhen].

Mass Effect trilogy - *Duncan Shepard [romance: Ashley Steve], *Maxwell Landon [romance: Miranda], *Samantha Connors [romance: Jack], Katherine Connors [romance: Liara], and Abraham Ward [romance: Ashley].

Mass Effect: Andromeda - Julian Ryder [romance: Gil, Jaal, Reyes], Scott Ryder [romance: Cora], Ana Schafer [romance: Keri], and Ivory Barnes [romance: Suvi].

Fallout 4 - Apollo Kennedy [romance: MacCready, Preston], and Cisco Bishop [romance: Hancock].

Star Wars: The Old Republic - Godaey [romance: Theron], Kyle Hertz [romance: Koth], Adara Bray [romance: Lana], Benjamin Klein [romance: Cytharat], and Erika O’Clery [romance: Doc].

Dungeons & Dragons - Valas Telenna [drow rogue], Zintra Rastor [gnome paladin], Meiros Vanhorn [half-elf cleric], Elizira Vanhorn [half-elf gunslinger], Hai Li [human sorcerer], Dominic Crawford [human bard], Eve Crawford [human alchemist], Amelia Crawford [human bard innkeeper], Aldri Rastor [gnome antipaladin], and Sabrae Telenna [drow witch].

[magicrobins]

“Is there something wrong with me?”

Hope you don’t mind the Dragon Age, this just gave me a lot of muse for my main Inquisitor. (I promise majority of the prompts you send me will be DC or demigods xD)

Galen Lavellan & Elaith Lavellan. Dragon Age dual AU. 2,804 words. Most under the cut. AO3. Mentions @bxtgrl‘s Aya Lavellan & @jellyfishlovesloki‘s Nova Adaar.

She found him in his room. He hadn’t bothered to lock the doors like he usually did when he wanted to shut the world out or shut himself in. As she walked up the familiar steps to the Inquisitor’s quarters, she noticed small changes. There was a custom made Blades of Hessarian banner that greeted her as she got to the top of the stairs. She remembered it had been a gift from one of the Heroes of Ferelden – Surana, she believed, the one Leliana had said liked to sew. The design held a unique combination of a Dalish and Ferelden feel. It was a redesign by the Hero, meant to show a new age for the Blades.

A new age for Skyhold. The rest of Skyhold was still in the process of changing. She remembered suggesting to keep things to same, but he’d insisted on changing it. As someone who was known to dislike change, to be bad at handling it, she’d been surprised at how vigorously he’d wanted it. She thought he was forcing even more change on himself than the events of the Exalted Council had already done.

The Inquisition was gone, disbanded. She’d been one of the people to agree that it had been time to end the Inquisition. The threat of spies – Solas’ spies – was a risk they couldn’t take. The ache of betrayal was still there, but it was slowly turning to hardened steel. Whatever hope she’d had of convincing Solas to come back, of telling him about their son – whatever hope she’d had of raising Varras with his father, she had to push that back. Their goal, clearly stated by both Galen and Aya, was to convince Solas that he didn’t need to destroy the world. But she also knew there was a chance that one of them wouldn’t walk away from what was to come – perhaps none of them would walk away, Solas included.

She knew she realized that more than Galen did. So she changed like Skyhold did. She steeled herself to keep her heart from breaking again. She needed to be strong for her son, Varras, and for her lethallin, Galen. This strength, this burden was one she shared with the others that had remained at Skyhold. Rasha, Arven, and Nova had joined the Blades. Even Ai, Zhen, and Bailey had joined despite staying on as Grey Wardens. It had been decided that the three Wardens would act as “ambassadors” between the Wardens and the Blades. She didn’t think the titles were needed, but she could tell they wanted an excuse to stay.

Bailey was interested in joining the Clan Lavellan she and Galen had discussed rebuilding. The clan would stay at Skyhold. Under Galen’s order, she’d even started discussing with Commander Surana the possibility of naming Skyhold an official Grey Warden Keep which would be put under the watch of the three Wardens already there. It was a way that they thought would keep politicians from touching Skyhold, from someone trying to drive them out. Because of that, the decorations adorning the castle had been changed to a mixture of Dalish, Warden, and Blades of Hessarian.

Somehow the combination managed to look more beautiful than chaotic to her.

But there were some things that couldn’t be touched. Josephine’s desk, Cullen’s desk, Sera’s room, Dorian’s chair… Solas’ table. The places where their friends had favored, where they would group together. Vivienne’s balcony was so far untouched. Elaith thought that soon change would come to those spots, brushing its fingers over them. Perhaps it would be for the best to put the Inquisition fully behind them. Skyhold had dealt with many changes in the past, if Morrigan’s tales were to be believed. Surely it could deal with one more.

But could he?

Elaith found him on the floor, curled up tightly, his back pressed against the side of his bed. The décor was mostly Dalish, aside from the Orlesian bed. He’d requested the walls be repainted with Dalish murals in his room, however each time she tried to get a painter in the room, they’d been thrown out. He demanded change yet change tore him apart. She may have been a spirit healer, but she knew she couldn’t heal this. She couldn’t heal a broken heart or a broken mind.

Slowly, she lowered herself to the ground, coming to sit next to him. Her eyes passed over his left arm – what was left of it, at least. He’d lost his hand all the way up to his elbow. Dagna had crafted a replacement, a prosthetic arm and elbow. He wore it now, despite everyone cautioning him that he shouldn’t wear it all the time. He hated looking at the scarring, at what he no longer had.

She remained quiet, letting him feel her presence rather than disturbing him with words. His head was lowered, hidden against his knees. She let her eyes drift over his appearance, noticing the changes. His wavy chestnut hair was longer than it should have been by then. She remembered the trip he’d taken with Nova and Bull, to a place called the Black Emporium, apparently discovered by some of Cullen’s soldiers a few years ago, back when the Inquisition was young, near Kirkwall. They’d embarked on the trip shortly after the meeting in the ruins of Haven’s Chantry, where they’d made some plans to stop Solas.

She was certain that Galen had planned on going alone, but at the last minute both Bull and Nova had insisted on joining him. It hadn’t been a short trip. The three of them had barely gotten back in time to say goodbye to what was left of the Inquisition – the former advisors and inner circle to the Inquisitors. She knew without a doubt that Galen had wanted to miss saying goodbye to everyone. She’d watched each goodbye shatter him. So had Nova.

Watching him break from the moment Solas had revealed himself to the final goodbye at Skyhold was hard on everyone who stayed. It was the hardest on her and Nova. They hadn’t discussed it, but after the first few days and nights – after the first sleepless nights, after the first couple times that he broke down, crumbled and sobbing and visibly hating himself – she’d faltered and shattered a little herself. She remembered sobbing in Nova’s arms, apologizing furiously for being unable to help him more, for failing him. She remembered Nova trying to assure her that she was helping, that she was doing the best she could. She was pretty sure she also remembered the qunari crying too.

Elaith had asked how the trip to the Black Emporium had been. All Bull had told her was that it’d been quiet, and it had taken her a few moments to realize that he meant Galen had been quiet. Even when he’d returned to Skyhold, his hair longer, cascading down his shoulders, falling over his face in an attempt to hide that defeated, shattered look he had worn since the Exalted Council, he spoke barely any words. He kept to himself and his thoughts. Those very same thoughts that she knew devoured him.

“Shouldn’t you be with Varras?” Galen’s voice cut through her thoughts and her eyes fell back onto him. He hadn’t lifted his head up, but rather rested his cheek against his knees so he could look sideways at her.

“He’s with Auntie Nova and Uncle Bull,” she explained, putting on a smile. “They adore him, and I think Bull’s still amazed that he can hold Varras in one hand–”

“They’re leaving,” his voice held that same sadness to it. It was almost a month and a half since the Exalted Council, since the Inquisition had been disbanded. It was only a few weeks since the last members of the Inquisition had left – since Aya and Cullen had left.

She knew who he was talking about, though. The Chargers had stayed in Skyhold after the Inquisition’s disbandment. Galen hadn’t asked why, perhaps afraid that if he questioned it, they would decide they wanted to leave. Elaith had inquired, though. Bull had a few reasons to stay. One, of course, was Nova. He wanted to stay with his kadan and respected her choice to stay by Galen’s side for now. Galen was another reason. Everyone in the inner circle had grown close to both Inquisitors, it was hard not to. And they all held a sense of protection over the Inquisitors, even if they were no longer Inquisitors.

Like everyone else, Bull could see the way Galen shattered. Like everyone else, he’d been there when Aya, the advisors, and the inner circle had told Galen, as gently as they could, that they had, not easily, come to the unanimous decision that they needed to disband the Inquisition. He’d been there to see the hurt on Galen’s face, and perhaps he felt partly responsible like she did. Perhaps part of wanting to protect Galen, to stand by him while he tried to mend himself, was also to try to make up for being a part of the decision and the fact that that decision had been deliberately made in Galen’s absence.

Elaith knew she still felt guilty for that. It wasn’t her fault, though. It wasn’t anyone’s fault. They’d been backed into a corner and had done what they’d had to. The Exalted Council had been breathing down Josephine’s neck. Galen and Aya had been deadlocked, one against disbanding, the other one saddened but knowing disbanding was the best decision. And it had been clear that one of them had lacked some rational thinking, and it hadn’t been Aya. Perhaps, if they’d had more time, if Galen had had more time to process all that had happened, they could have come to a decision as one instead of lacking one.

She wanted to ask if he was still upset about that, if he felt like everyone was choosing to leave him, to abandon him. Every time those questions rose in her mind, she found she couldn’t speak them. She was too afraid of the answers.

And now there was talk of a job offer for the Chargers. She hadn’t had a chance to ask Bull if it was true, and if it were, would the Chargers be taking it. And if the Chargers took it and left, would Nova go with them? Neither she nor Galen would ask Nova to stay behind instead of joining her kadan. Neither of them would ever ask her to choose between her friends at Skyhold and the man she loved.

“We don’t know that for sure,” Elaith finally replied. She met Galen’s bright emerald eyes with her own bright blue. Where his hair had been grown out – magically, she guessed, which made her want to visit this mysterious Black Emporium – she had kept her own black hair cut short, the same style she’d adopted after the Inquisition had defeated Corypheus, after Solas had left.

“I can’t ask them to stay,” Galen said softly. He shut his eyes tightly and let out a breath. “I can’t hold them back.”

She frowned faintly at that. She thought she could guess why he felt that way, but she wasn’t Cole. She couldn’t see into Galen’s mind. A part of her wished Cole was there to help. Perhaps he would have been a better choice to heal Galen than she was.

“I’m staying,” she pointed out, “Do you think you’re holding me back?”

He opened his eyes and looked away, burying his face against his knees once again. His hands, one real, one prosthetic, reached up to his head and tightly knotted his fingers in his hair. It was as if he didn’t know what to do with his hands so he grounded them somewhere and hoped they would stay.

“Am I?” was all he said after a moment.

She didn’t hesitate. “Of course not! If I didn’t want to stay, I wouldn’t.” She scooted closer to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Skyhold is my home, you’re my family. I’m happy staying here.”

That prompted more silence. She could only guess what he was thinking, what thoughts plagued him that he wished he could make stop. She watched the grip he had on his hair tighten. She imagined he was trying to quiet those thoughts but it didn’t seem to be working. His shoulders shook, and she realized he was crying. She moved quickly, gently pulling him into her arms, and adjusting her position so they could sit together comfortably. He buried his face against her shoulder, his hands now clinging to the sleeves of her shirt.

She tried to sooth him, one hand running through his hair, the other rubbing his back. It wasn’t the first time he’d cried in her arms since returning to Skyhold. She knew every time afterwards from the look on his face that he despised himself for breaking down so easily, for crying so often. No matter how many times she assured him that this didn’t make him weak, she knew he didn’t fully believe her. He felt weak and being told he wasn’t didn’t make a difference.

“Is there something wrong with me?” his voice reached her ears, broken and cracked.

Elaith closed her eyes, forcing herself to stay strong – to stay strong for him.

“No,” she forced her voice out, making it sound as confident as she could muster. “No, there’s not.”

He pulled away to look at her, tears still streaking his face, his expression contorted with pain. “Then why can’t I get better?” The words came out as a soft, agonizing demand. “Why am I still hurting?” He didn’t seem upset at her, but rather himself. He always appeared more upset at himself, at his life, than anyone else.

“Everyone gets better at their own pace,” she assured him, reaching forward and taking his hand in hers – not the prosthetic one as she knew he didn’t like people touching that hand, not yet at least. “Everyone handles things differently. A lot happened. You shouldn’t compare how you feel to how you think everyone else feels.”

“But I’m not just one step behind everyone,” he persisted, tightly gripping her hand as if she were an anchor and he was terrified of drowning. She realized he was terrified and he was drowning. He was drowning in his own thoughts, his own emotions. “I feel like I’m ten steps behind everyone at the least. I feel like I’m stumbling to catch my footing, but all that happens is I fall flat on my face.”

“Then let me help you up,” she spoke gently, her tone soft, almost pleading. She could use her magic to help heal his arm – her spirit healer spells were better than any generic healing magic he knew – but she couldn’t heal his heart, not fully. All she could do was offer him a hand when she saw he needed one.

“I shouldn’t need help!” he spoke quickly as if he was afraid that if he didn’t get the words out in time, he never would. “I shouldn’t need to – I shouldn’t rely on people so much. I know that I can always rely on you, on Nova, on everyone else, but I – I shouldn’t have to. I should know how to pick myself up… But I don’t! I try so hard, I really do, but I keep failing. And I’m just so tired – I’m tired of everyone needing to pick me back up. I’m tired, and I just need everything to slow down so I can catch up… So I’m not dragging everyone down with me. And I know you don’t feel like I am, but I feel like I am, and I can’t make that feeling go away!”

He pulled his hand out of hers and balled both hands against his eyes. “I just want everything to stop! I just need time, but – but I can’t get that and I… I don’t know what to do.”

He fell into her arms again, quietly sobbing. It took all of her strength to try to hold back her own tears, and even then, a few slid down her face. She didn’t know what to say. She felt helpless and useless. What good was a spirit healer when she couldn’t even heal her best friend? All she could do was hold him in her arms until he calmed down and became quiet. And after that happened, she remained at his side, holding him in her arms. She couldn’t think of any words to say that would help, so she gave him her company, and she prayed to whoever was looking down on them that her company would be enough because she didn’t know what she’d do if it wasn’t.