#leliana x briar amell

[seigephoenix]

F!Warden x Leliana & the scent of dried lavender?

Happy Friday! For @dadrunkwriting Here is Briar Amell x Leliana for dried lavender. I do like the smell of it myself so this was a fun prompt.

Content Warnings: wholesome, somewhat sad but it gets better Length: ~1k

The smell would forever remind her of her lover.  Leliana ran her fingers over the letter she’d received from Briar on her journey towards finding a cure.  She’d included a few sprigs of dried lavender and Leliana couldn’t help but remember their first conversation about the flower.

During the Blight

“How do I keep my clothes smelling so good?”  Leliana nodded at the Warden, she truly just wanted to keep talking to her and this seemed like a good conversation starter.  “I use dried lavender.”

“Lavender?” Leliana asked as Briar held up the small sprig of lavender towards her.

“We used it at the Circle when we were forced to share wardrobes.  I always got stuck sharing with one of the boys and it gets…”  Briar waved her hand towards Alistair and her mabari.  Leliana chuckled as she understood without words.  Briar grinned as they heard Alistair’s offended hey in the background as well.  “My mother was the one who showed me how to properly dry them.”

“Your mother?” Leliana asked quietly and Briar sighed.  She thought she’d blundered into a forbidden topic but instead, Briar pulled out a locket.  Inside Leliana saw a beautiful blonde woman who greatly resembled Briar.  Her eyes were alight with a soft emotion that made Leliana’s heart ache seeing it.

“Yes.  From what I gather she died when I was a child.  Outside of her teaching me about lavender, I barely remember the woman.  She came from some posh family in the Free Marches, around Kirkwall I believe.  At least, that’s what the Templar who remembered my coming to the Circle told me.  I could come from gutter trash and never know the difference.”  Leliana’s hands clasped in front of her as she heard Briar talking so nonchalantly about her family.  She didn’t know her mother for very long, but the memories she did have were cherished.  To not have any, Leliana couldn’t imagine that.

“What about your father?” Briar snorted and Leliana worried she brought up more bad memories.

“He’s the one who tossed me into the Circle.  To hear Knight Roland tell the story it was literal.  My father tossed me to the Kirkwall Circle first, but they were full up, so I was transferred to Ferelden’s.  Given everything that’s happened, I’m rather glad I got transferred here.”  She grinned at Leliana giving her a warm flutter in her chest.

Present Time

Since that conversation, Leliana always kept a sachet of dried lavender on her person.  To keep her close to Briar when circumstances forced them to be far apart.  She sorely missed her lover; it had been too many years since they’d last seen one another in person for more than a fleeting moment.  Leliana set the letter down on the table and looked up as the door opened.  “Inquisitor.”

“Leliana, I have a message to pass along for you.”  Leliana noted the amusement in Alissa’s eyes.  She wondered if it had anything to do with Hawke.

“Do you now?  Will this message have anything to do with Hawke?”  Alissa tilted her head as she crossed her arms.

“Now that I think about it, probably.  In a roundabout way it does.  Anyhow, I was told to request your presence at the Herald’s Rest this evening.”  Alissa grinned as Zephyr peeked out from behind her leg and that made Leliana smile.  The child was a bright spot at Skyhold, given he’d found his legs and knew no other speed except sprinting.

“Thank you for the invitation Lady Alissa, but.” Leliana was abruptly cut off by Alissa’s hand.

“You cannot refuse this.  I can make it into an order.”  Leliana laughed at the amusement on the Inquisitor’s face.  She would issue the order, but it would never be with a straight face.  Alissa rarely asked anything of them beyond their duties as her advisors, which infuriated Cullen at times when Alissa went off and did things on her own.  Leliana found it vastly amusing to watch the Commander and Hawke try and lay into Alissa about the consequences of her actions, and her promptly ignoring everything they’d just told her and doing it anyway.

“If you insist, then I shall be there for dinner.”  Alissa thanked her and headed back down to the library to visit with Dorian.  Leliana turned back to the letter and sighed as her heart ached once again.  To see others’ happiness knowing hers is always just beyond her fingertips was a pain she wished on no one.

That Evening at the Herald’s Rest

“Inquisitor?” Leliana asked as she stepped into the tavern.  Instantly her senses picked up on the fact the entire building was empty.  Not even Sera remained.  Leliana tensed on instinct.  Alissa would never ambush her with a trap, at least not in the way Leliana was used to things.  She’d known the woman too long and knew she would never resort to such trickery.  Her eyes scanned the room, but it was a certain scent she caught.  Shock stuttered through her system.  Dried lavender.

“Briar?”

“How did you know?” Leliana whirled at the question and spotted Briar behind her sliding the hood off her head.  “I told the Inquisitor to not say my name, I wanted to surprise you.”  Leliana slammed into the Warden, wrapping her arms tight as she buried her face in her shoulder.  Tears welled in her eyes as Briar’s arms came around her just as tightly.  “I’m home.”

“You.  Your letter said nothing about returning.” Leliana breathed in Briar’s scent, her essence, her.  Just everything.  Everything she’d thought about these last few years was right there in front of her.  Briar’s arms tightened as she turned to brush her lips over Leliana’s temple.

“I couldn’t tell you, then how in Thedas would I be able to surprise you?”  Briar grinned as Leliana stepped back.  “I will say, I’m honestly shocked you didn’t read any of Hawke’s correspondence.”

“Hawke’s?”  Briar laughed as Leliana stepped back.

“Remember I told you that my family came from Kirkwall?”

“I remember you said you thought you came from a posh family in Kirkwall, but Hawke isn’t…”  Leliana paused as she remembered.  “The Amell family.  How are you and Hawke related exactly?”

“Turns out distantly.  Our mothers are cousins.”  Leliana’s jaw dropped.  “So I got Hawke’s help with sneaking into Skyhold underneath the Spymaster’s nose.”  Briar grinned and Leliana had to laugh.

“I will be sure to read his correspondence again.”  Leliana pulled Briar against her once more, savoring that rich and sweet smell.

“Again?”

“I did read his letters until I opened the one written for the Inquisitor.  I decided it best to leave his letters alone for the time being.  I had no need to know that much about their relationship.”  Briar paused for only a second to let the words register before she burst out laughing.  Leliana cupped the side of her face and smiled.  “I have missed hearing that.”

Briar leaned in and touched her forehead to Leliana’s.  “And I have missed you.”

[seigephoenix]

Happy Friday!! For Briar Amell and Leliana: "You always look beautiful. Tonight, you look divine."

Happy Friday!! For @dadrunkwriting. Briar and Leliana will have a happy ending even if I have to invent the cure to the Calling myself Bioware. XD

Content Warning: cheesy jokes Length: ~600 words

Leliana looked down at her hands as she sat in front of the grand mirror in the Grand Cathedral in Val Royeux.  Never in her wildest dreams did she think she’d find herself sitting on the Sunburst Throne.  Her place always seemed to be in the shadows, reaching out where others could not.  Now there were no places to hide, no shadows to disguise her movements.  She was standing in the sunlight and she found it a bit too bright at times, but she would adapt as she always did over the years.  She yearned for the hand that would always be there for her, reaching into the shadows when it seemed they would consume her.  A brief respite from the world she lived in as the Left Hand of the Divine and the Spymaster of the Inquisition.

She knew her love was on a journey of her own.  One that could not be interrupted, it was too vital.  Leliana’s heart ached at the thought of losing Briar to the Calling.  She would not admit that she used the Inquisition’s resources to investigate it herself.  Leliana heard the voices rising up in song out in the cathedral and she sorely wished she were not alone during this critical time.  The Divine always had her left and right hands, but Leliana wanted to change how the Chantry was viewed.

A hand came into her vision, reaching over until their fingers were intertwined.  She spun to look up and tears blurred her vision as she saw those familiar blue eyes, the same shade as the sea in Antiva, and a smile she always saw in her dreams.  “Briar.”

“Leliana.  Or.”  She grinned as Leliana covered her lips with a hand.  Her eyes said enough with the mischief twinkling in them.

“Do not finish that sentence please.”  Briar reached up and wrapped her fingers around Leliana’s wrist, kissing her palm.  “I.”

“I know.”  Leliana’s smile dimmed just a bit as she thought of the lonely years ahead of her.  The Divine should not have a lover, they should devote all their love and their bodies to the Maker.  Instead, Briar merely smiled.  “But I’ve always been shit at sharing.”

Leliana couldn’t stop the laugh and let the tears flow when Briar’s lips covered hers.  The kiss was gentle and fragile, she thought it would shatter with a single wrong movement.  It had been years since she’d felt her touch and her heart yearned for so much more.  Briar lifted her head and brushed away the tears with her thumbs.

“I’m going to go into my ceremony with swollen eyes and then what will they say?” Leliana gave a weak laugh as Briar pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

“That you are beautiful.”

“Oh nonsense.  They won’t care about that, and you know it Briar,” Leliana argued as she wiped at the rest of her tears with a soft cloth.  Briar leaned back on her feet as she stared down at her love.  Leliana felt her gaze and wondered what she had to say.  Gone was the fumbling woman that flushed and stuttered with a simple compliment.

“True.  You always look beautiful, so that’s hardly something new.”  Leliana huffed at her as she reached for the vestments to put on.  Briar’s hands cradled the clothing carefully as she draped them around Leliana’s shoulders.  “But today?  Today you look divine.”  Leliana swatted at her as Briar hopped away laughing at her.

“Will.  Will you still come to see me?” Leliana asked quietly after she finished getting ready.  The servants were calling for her and she knew she had to go.

“I think you will.”  Leliana wondered at those cryptic words as she let the staff lead her towards the cathedral and the ceremony that awaited her.

[seigephoenix]

Hi!!! For a prompt, maybe you could adjust “Person A fixes Person B’s tie” for f!warden/Leliana? Fixing robes or armor or that silly Divine hat, maybe?

Thank you for the prompt! For @dadrunkwriting. I used my Briar Amell and Leliana for this as they have such a sweet romance that endures through so many years. Including sneaking a Warden Commander into Skyhold and getting caught in the rookery.

Content Warning: smooches and tender feelings Length: ~900 words

The mirror showed all the nerves on her face, the only time she let down her guard.  Her position didn’t allow for any slip ups, no weaknesses.  She’d seen how the mantle wore Justinia down, and now it seemed it was her turn.  Her reforms were going over as well as she thought they would.  Badly.  Leliana knew she’d win them over eventually, they would see it as she did.  Her hands smoothed the stray hairs down before she turned towards her headpiece.  Her eyes widened as she didn’t see it anywhere.  Leliana looked under the table but didn’t see it there.  She stood in front of the mirror with pursed lips as she tried to remember what she could have done with it.  Movement caught her eye and she looked into the mirror.

Into very familiar blue eyes crinkled in amusement at still being able to sneak up on her so many years later.  In her hands sat the cream colored headpiece all Divines were required to wear.  Blonde hair still pulled back into a ponytail, though much longer now, still swept down over the finely carved staff.  A staff that still carried a charm she’d given the woman not even a few weeks after knowing each other.

“Briar.”

Briar Amell grinned as she stepped close to Leliana and lifted the hat, placing it gently upon her head.  Her hand cupped her cheek with a quick brush of her thumb across her bottom lip.  A warm smile curved on her lips and Leliana felt a sense of longing fill her chest.  These moments were so precious to her.  A quiet respite against the chaos that life threw at them around every corner.  She’d hoped the spend the rest of her days living with Briar, but duty pulled them apart yet again.

“Divine Justinia.” Briar’s voice was still the same, smooth as finely aged whiskey.  Her voice had captivated Leliana at that very first meeting in Lothering.  “Your senses are going soft being in such a position I see.”  Leliana laughed at the amused quip.

“Hardly, you know you have always been the one who could sneak up on me.”  Briar’s smile widened as she stepped back and she looked towards the door.  “I have to go soon.”

“I know.  I’m here for a moment before I, too, am pulled away.”  Leliana knew Briar had wanted to retire as Warden-Commander of Ferelden.  She’d worn the mantle for a decade, and she was growing weary of it.  “I wanted to speak with you before I go to where I’m needed.”

“I am glad of it.  I sorely miss you.”  Briar leaned forward and rested her forehead against Leliana’s.  Leliana felt the sharp ache in her heart, knowing this would be all she could see of Briar.  Until the next time they could find a few moments of stolen time together.  Bittersweet was how their story ended.

“I will always come find you, my nightingale.”  Leliana laughed at the nickname.  Briar had once told her she could turn it into a name that could be feared but between them it would always mean something softer, intimate.  Briar once teased her that she could make her sing as no one else and just the thought was enough to make Leliana’s ears grow warm.

“What thoughts pass through your mind my lovely Divine?”  Briar’s amused tone broke through Leliana’s thoughts and she simply smiled.  “Ah, a Divine must have their secrets then?”  There was no malice in her words and Leliana knew Briar accepted her as she was and everything that came with it.

“I will miss you.”

“And I you.  But don’t fret.  I won’t be too far away, I promise.”  Briar winked before she leaned down.  Her lips covered Leliana’s in a gentle kiss, her hands gently cupping her elbows as Leliana leaned into the kiss.  Briar grinned as she lifted her head.  “Make sure you don’t forget your speech now my beautiful rose.”  Briar laughed as Leliana’s eyes narrowed at her.  She slipped away after one more kiss, full of longing and the decade of feelings they’d had together.  Bittersweet lingered on her tongue as she watched her go.

Leliana arrived at the grand cathedral and was surprised to see Wardens kneeling as she approached.  There were others that seemed apprehensive but Leliana knew not to be.  These Wardens followed a much more level headed leader than Clarel was.  She passed by and each Warden rose as she made it to the next, closing ranks behind her so no one could bother her.  The sight did give her a moment of pause as it was usually Templars that escorted the Divine.

“Divine Victoria!”  The herald’s voice rang out in the cavernous room, so large it once made Leliana think she could get lost in it.  She climbed the steps to the Divine’s seat and her step faltered for just a moment as she spied the person standing next to the grand seat.

“The Divine always has a right and left hand.  You bucked this tradition but the sisters and I believed this one tradition was needed.  If not for balance then for your safety.”  The Grand Cleric of the Val Royeux Chantry explained as she walked with Leliana part way up the stairs.  “When the Warden Commander approached me with her proposition, I couldn’t turn it down.  You traveled together during the Blight correct?” Leliana looked over and nodded briefly.  “Wonderful.  We put our faith in these Wardens, perhaps they can make up for their brethren’s sins.”

“Under this Commander, I have no doubt they will Grand Cleric.”  She bowed and took her seat as Leliana continued to climb the steps to herself.  She situated herself in the seat and Briar took up her spot on the right side.  She kept the smile off her face as she spoke quietly to Leliana.

“I told you I wouldn’t be very far.”

[seigephoenix]

Happy Friday!! For Brian &/ Leliana, "“You’re being far too adorable.” “Is that a complaint?” “No. By all means, continue.”" (from the Dragon Age Inspired prompts)

Happy Friday!! Briar and Leliana are such a sweet couple. They have plenty of hurdles to climb over but they'll find each other at the finish line. This is a look into their early days. When Briar was still trying to get her footing when it came to pretty girls.

Content Warning: wholesome Length: ~300 words

Briar was staring, she knew she was but couldn’t help herself.  Everyone else in camp was asleep except for her and Leliana, and Shayle but Shayle left them alone.  Briar was still slightly flustered from earlier in the day when Leliana complimented her hair.  Flirting never came that easily to Briar, at least not when it came to someone flirting back.  She was still picturing the image of that Orlesian lady with the live birds in her hair.  She just couldn’t imagine it honestly, but then again it was Orlais…

“A copper for your thoughts.”  Briar was startled out of her thoughts as Leliana joined her side.  Her heart thudded in her chest but she swallowed the nerves down.  She’d faced down a darkspawn genlock with less nerves than facing Leliana.  Briar knew that her words held weight when it came to Leliana, and she wanted her words to matter.  Pretty words were aplenty among the nobles and the bards alike.  The words she wanted to say were often tangled on her tongue, leaving Leliana amused and Briar flustered.

“I’m still trying to picture the live birds in a hairdo.”  Leliana’s laugh was a balm to the frayed nerves in Briar’s soul.  She smiled and stared at the campfire.

“You’re being far too adorable,” Leliana said to her.  Briar felt the heat rising in her face but she knew what she wanted to say.

“Is that a complaint Leliana?”  Briar grinned at her.  “I thought you liked my conversation.”

“I do.  By all means, please continue.  I like hearing you talk Briar,” she answered causing a blush to appear on Briar’s cheeks.  She covered her lips with her hand and turned her head.  “Have I offended you?”

“No.  I’m just flustered,” she answered and it was Leliana’s turn to laugh.  “I enjoy talking to you, it’s just hard to not trip over my own tongue.”  Leliana’s eyes widened at the admission and her lips turned up in a warm smile.  She shifted until her shoulder brushed Briar’s.

“I enjoy watching you blush.  It’s quite cute.”  She leaned over and kissed Briar’s cheek before she rose and went to her own tent while Briar was still trying to produce a reply.