#riallan lavellan

[himluv]

Reunion

Just a little (incomplete) exercise in what I think Solas and Riallan's reunion in Veilguard might look like...

If you like this, read their entire story Inevitable on AO3.

“Solas.”

He flinched at her voice, even though he knew she would come. He knew the moment she entered the Crossroads, felt the echo of her footsteps the instant she set foot in the Lighthouse. And still, he could not bring himself to face her.

“Inquisit–”

Trembling arms wrapped around his torso, Riallan’s face pressed between his shoulder blades. A shuddering breath and then, “you’re safe?”

Solas gripped her wrist, not to remove her arm from his chest, but to anchor himself in her familiar warmth. He’d been such a fool, in so, so many respects.

“I am safe,” he promised, and it was the truth. While he might be frustratingly trapped in a prison of his own design, he was safe in this corner of the Beyond. Of course, as real as their shared dreams always were, Riallan was not there physically with him now.

She was safe with this Rook and their companions in the Lighthouse. The lancet of pain at the thought of Riallan in his home, perusing his books, eating at his once lonesome table brought a sting to his eyes.

“I am so sorry,” he said.

She heaved another sob, her ribcage expanding against his back, but she nodded. “Me too.”

They stood like that for a long moment, Riallan crying against him and Solas holding her hand firm to his chest. Slowly, her breaths evened out and that familiar determination steeled her voice. “We’re going to get you out of here.”

Solas turned to face her. “Vhenan–”

He had not looked upon her face in so long. Too long. Long enough that the creases at the corners of her eyes startled him. He stood dumbstruck by the evidence of their years apart etched on her face. The creases yes, but also the laugh lines around her mouth had deepened, promising years of smiles and laughter he would never know. But the most stunning change were the threads of silver in her hair, now long and curling, tamed in a thick braid down her back.

His hand shook as he cupped her cheek. “Ria.”

Fresh tears pooled in those emerald eyes and she gave him the softest little smile. “You haven’t changed,” she said.

He brushed a thumb under her eye, tracing her cheekbone to reacquaint his fingers with the feel of her skin. Still soft, but not as smooth as the last time he’d been permitted to touch her this way. He blinked, surprised by the wetness that spilled onto his cheek.

She shushed him, wiping away his tears. But somehow that only made it worse. Even after more than a decade in this world he could not comprehend the passing of time. He’d misjudged the weight of years on mortal bodies and with every reunion he felt the cost of his failures more acutely. First Varric, and now her? His heart?

“I’ve wasted so much time,” he whispered.

Riallan shook her head, though he knew she didn’t disagree with him. “That doesn’t matter now,” she said. “All that matters is that you’re safe and that we find a way to get you out of here.”

Solas’s stomach dropped, his jaw clenched, and it was enough for her to notice. Those emerald eyes bored into him, demanding answers once more. “Ria…”

“You can be released,” she said, as if simply claiming so would make it true. “If you can enter this cage then you can be released from it.”

“Yes,” he said, but there was no hope in his voice.

“Then, what?”

He swallowed against a fresh wave of emotion that swelled up from his chest. “The only way to release me back into the physical world–” he took a deep breath and looked her in the eye “–would be to destroy the Veil. Completely.”

[himluv]

*raises hand*

My fic "Inevitable" is a series of canon-compliant oneshots posing as a longfic. It starts with Lavellan closing that first rift and goes all the way to post-Tevinter Nights. It's complete, I'm just procrastinating posting the last few chapters because of *feelings* about it being done.

Hey are there any good Solas x anyone, fanfics out there you want me to read? (please submit yours) I’ll comment on them all, every chapter. 

[himluv]

I'm just sitting here imagining Riallan, nine years older, and all the things Solas would notice. How the lines around her eyes are clearer now, without her vallaslin to hide them. How her cheeks are a little thinner, the last of her youth having wicked away to leave a maturity clinging to her jaw. How there are a few threads of gray in her dark hair, now long and braided as a reminder of the last time she was bare-faced.

How a life without constant travel and threat to life and limb has softened her, let her hips carry a little more weight than when he last placed his hands upon them.

How she is at once familiar and new and how much that kills him.

[himluv]

Since I'm posting spoilers now, here is Riallan in all her glory. I love her so much 😭😭😭😍.

[himluv]

Indulge me, for I am in my feelings:

Riallan's favorite flowers are crystal grace. Which symbolize parting (I did not know this at the time).

My Rook's name is Embria, because I wanted a flower name based In-World. And, well, Embrium... soothes a sorrowful heart (which I just learned on my read through of DA Day stories).

Which means Embria Aldwir is getting Ria and Solas back together if it's the last thing she does!

[himluv]

Because I don't have enough prompts already...

* hurt prompts

‘ are you bleeding? ’

‘ take it easy. you hit your head. ’

‘ where does it hurt? ’ 

‘ sit still and let me take a look! ’

‘ how did you get that black eye? ’ 

‘ you should see the other guy. ’ 

‘ did i say you could get out of bed? ’

‘ that’s going to leave a bruise. ’

‘ i’ll get some ice. ’ 

‘ that’s what you get for picking fights. ’

‘ are you trying to give me a heart attack? ’

‘ what’s wrong with you? ’

‘ you can barely stand. ’

‘ did you throw the first punch? ’

‘ that’s a nasty bump. ’

‘ get in the car. you’re going to the hospital. ’

‘ at least bandage it. ’ 

‘ no, you’ll get an infection. ’ 

‘ wet floor signs are there for a reason, you know. ’

‘ you’re lucky. that icicle could’ve killed you. ’

‘ where’s your gratitude? i rescued you! ’

‘ i’m calling the nurse. ’

‘ was that stupid dare worth it? ’

‘ what happened to you? ’

‘ sit down. i’ll make some hot chocolate and fix you right up. ’

‘ are those bandages? ’

‘ you need stitches. ’

‘ look out for that tree branch. ’

‘ i’ve got you. just stay awake. can you do that for me? ’

‘ lean on me. ’

‘ you got two choices: let me carry you, or die out here. take your pick. ’

‘ shit, you’re burning up. ’  

‘ you’re not dying. it’s only a sprained ankle. ’

‘ lie down. ’

‘ i’m sorry. i know it hurts. here, hold my hand. ’

‘ you’re in no condition to be walking around. ’

‘ wake up! wake up! ’

‘ i don’t feel sorry for you. ’

‘ look at your face! ’

[himluv]

Okay okay okay. While I've been drooling over Lucanis, my brain has been percolating about Riallan in Veilguard.

(this is mostly for me to dump out of my brain so I can put it in fic later 😂)

Obligatory Spoiler Barrier

My biggest question mark was always going to be, what has she been up to for the last decade? She disbanded the Inquisition, her Clan is gone, she's bare-faced and alone after everyone clears out of Skyhold.

So what's she been doing? Veilguard gave me some clues.

1. Her Elvhen in Veilguard is WAY better than it was in Inquisition. She always spoke such halting and broken Elvhen. She spoke the fragmented language of the Dalish. But by the end of Veilguard, she speaks beautiful, lyrical Elvhen. She speaks like Solas. How did she learn ancient Elvhen?

2. She and Morrigan seem MUCH closer than I would have expected from where their relationship left off in Inquisition. They aren't just friendly or civil, they are... Conspiratorial? There's a sense of complete trust between them, which to me means there's complete HONESTY between them. Something has occurred between them in the past decade.

3. When Rook mentions the gods have escaped, Strife and Irelin immediately know that Elgar'nan and Ghilan'nain are bad news. That they're worse than Solas. How do they know that? What's changed in the past 10 years among the Dalish?

4. We also know that, in Trespasser, Varric gave Lavellan a house in Kirkwall (to Bran's dismay). So that's been her home base since operations at Skyhold ended.

So. My little brain has been processing all that in the background and produced this headcanon this morning and I am RABID for it:

After Trespasser, Riallan goes to Kirkwall, where she meets and becomes bffs with Merrill. Meanwhile, Varric and Dorian sort of take point with Inquisition stuff because they think Ria's connection and love for Solas is a weak link he can exploit. She doesn't disagree and steps back from any major leadership responsibilities (such as they are after the Exalted Council).

So, she's got a lot of free time. She starts working on her ability to manipulate the Fade in her dreams. She'll never be a Dreamer, but if Solas visits her in her sleep she wants to be good enough to notice it. No more surprises.

Then, the issue of elves becoming Agents of Fen'Harel starts. And Riallan realizes that, if elves are joining Solas, it's because he's told them something they liked to hear. But she knows him, and knows he would only tell the bare minimum to get people to his side. They don't know the whole truth.

She knows the truth as he told it to her in Trespasser, and she does believe him. But to get others to believe her, she needs a better source of information. That's when Morrigan pays her a visit, reveals that she now carries Mythal, and that she thinks Ria might be the only one who can stop Solas.

So, they team up with Merrill to get her Eluvian working and connected to the Vir Dirthara (c'mon, if anyone can, it's these three). And they spend YEARS learning. Ria learns Elvhen and they piece together memories like archaeologists recovering a shattered pot. They fortify sections to keep it from crumbling further, and they confirm the truth of what Solas told Ria in Trespasser.

My girl got receipts!

So THEN, she starts going to the Clans. She's famous among the Dalish — a Dalish woman who rose to one of the highest stations in Thedas, saved the world, AND fell in love with the Dread Wolf? Come on, she's a huge elven celebrity 😂 — and they listen to her as she shares what she's learned.

The whole truth about the Evanuris, the vallaslin, and the Dread Wolf. About who the People were, what they've lost, and what that means for who they can become.

And it works. The Dalish start calling her Dirth'hahren (her maela called her Dirtha'len 😭), they spread the word, and some Keepers are even brought to the Vir Dirthara. Riallan never got to become Keeper of Clan Lavellan, but she basically becomes Keeper to all Dalish — she gives them knowledge and guides them away from the Dread Wolf. (This makes me so fucking happy I could cry, it's all she ever wanted).

And that's what she's been doing up until Rook disrupts Solas's ritual.

I will be writing all of this in a fic I'm tentatively calling "In Between" (already got to Trespasser so it's actually happening), so I hope you'll read it when it's done!

[himluv]

Well hello there Riallan. The past decade has been kind to you... Other than the whole boyfriend-stole-your-arm-and-is-intent-on-destroying-the-world thing. That's rough, buddy. But you look great!

It took me FOREVER to feel like I made her even somewhat correctly, but having now seen her in action, I'm very happy with how she turned out.

This conversation was one of the first moments I genuinely felt a little weepy. (To be clear, I've felt A LOT of things in game so far, just not sad yet.)

I can't wait to see her again, and replay this game and take ALL the screenshots.l!

[himluv]

MINOR VEILGUARD SPOILERS BELOW!!!

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*whispers* did anyone else cry during the IGN video when Lavellan (Alix Wilton Regan) said, "It's good to see you again." ??? Anyone????

Because I sure as fuck did.

[himluv]

I spent a lot of today thinking about Riallan's look in DA4... The only thing I know for sure is that she's grown her hair out, and it's curlier than anyone would expect 😂. She's a braid girlie now.

[himluv]

I'm obsessing with my Dragon Age OCs right now, thinking about them in 9:52 Dragon. I'm just gonna take a minute to gush about them, ok???

There's Cerine Tabris (41F), City Elf Rogue and tough as nails Warden Commander. She and Zevran have been roaming Thedas in search of a cure for The Calling. And she's running out of time.

Then there's Marian Hawke (45F), Human Mage and Champion of Kirkwall. She keeps busy traveling and pestering her friends across Thedas, so she doesn't have time to worry too much about Fenris while he's off hunting magisters.

And of course, there's Riallan Lavellan (35F), Dalish Elf Mage and former Inquisitor. She's been living in Kirkwall in the house Varric gave her and becoming besties with Merrill. But still, it's never felt quite like home. She doubts anywhere ever will, without Solas by her side.

And lastly, my Rook, Dahlia (28F). She's a Veil Jumper Rogue, and while she's high energy and very optimistic, she's tougher than she looks. And very protective of bff Bellara. She won't hesitate to get her hands dirty if it means protecting the people she cares about. I can't wait to see what kinds of trouble she gets into!

[himluv]

Inevitable update. Chapter 68: Ruin.

This is the second to last chapter. I have a lot of feelings about that. The last chapter will probably go up next week. I have even more feelings about that.

[himluv]

I am dead.

You've made me want to go back and re-read my stories! I am so thrilled that you found them so inspirational. I adore these collages. They are amazing and I'm going to use them as my backgrounds on my phone. Have I said thank you? Because seriously, thank you. You're the best sprint buddy and an even better secret admirer. Happy Valentine's Day!

“The truth is never precise - regardless of where you are” - Solas

—

Happy Valentine’s Day part 2 of 2 to the wonderful @himluv!! This collage was inspired by all of your incredible stories featuring Solas and Riallan Lavellan, who is absolutely terrific. I was so intrigued by the way dreams and waking mixed in your stories featuring them, so I decided to have that be a predominant theme in this collage.

Solas’s in-game quote about the truth being precise was my theme and your fanfic my inspiration. What is real and what is dream? What version of Solas is true? Is he the wise apostate who paints murals and dreams in the Fade? Or is he the Dread Wolf of fearful legend? Are those fleeting dreams of him just idle fancies or is he closer than Riallan can imagine? I wanted to include little references to your fanfic, like the tree where Riallan dreams they shared a private moment alone together. Although I regret I couldn’t find a model with better hair for that green cloak picture, haha.

My dear, it has been an absolute pleasure to be your secret admirer! I have had a wonderful time getting to know you, your characters, and your writing. Thank you for being you, you’re absolutely wonderful. Lots of love from me to you. :)

[himluv]

And All That Could Have Been

The final chapter of Inevitable is up now. A little suggestion? Listen to this song while you read. And maybe this one?

I have a lot of feelings about the end of this fic. I put most of them into the Author's Notes. The rest I'll keep for now, but let me just say an enormous "THANK YOU" to everyone who read, shared, commented, and left kudos.

In every possible world, they meant everything to me.

[himluv]

Inevitable Update

I told y'all I was back on my bullshit. It's been a hot minute since I've updated my Solavellan fic, mainly because I've been avoiding saying goodbye to it. There's only three chapters left to post...

But here you go, a new chapter.

Or, you can read it from the beginning.

Enjoy!

[himluv]

Since the fandom is lurching up and out of its coffin, here is my contribution to Solavellan Hell.

Inevitable is a complete collection of linked oneshots, mostly canon compliant following Riallan Lavellan and Solas from the start of Inquisition to Tevinter Nights.

Read from the beginning here!