Solas made his way through the Great Hall once again, aware of the multitude of stares directed at him. He glanced down at his still-bloody clothing, berating himself. He should have changed, or at least covered up the stains with a cloak. There was no need for the residents and guests of Skyhold to see evidence of the severity of Ellana's injuries. He managed to keep his expression neutral even as he quickened his pace and entered the door leading to the Inquisitor's quarters.

As he climbed the stairs once again, staff tapping against the wood, he became aware of hushed voices. He turned a corner, spotting Dorian and Cassandra a couple flights above him at the last landing before the door to the Inquisitor's quarters. Dorian was sitting on a step, his staff leaning against the railing. A tome sat open in his lap, forgotten as he spoke with Cassandra and gestured widely. The Seeker, stance one of tension and hard angles, was frowning down at the mage.

" – and obviously not sleeping since," Dorian was saying. He held several fingers up, as if he had been counting off something.

"And you think it is all because of Solas?" Cassandra responded, doubtful.

Dorian caught sight of Solas from the corner of his eye. He jerked his head to look fully at the mage, frowning as he approached behind Cassandra. "Not all, but he certainly didn't help, did he?"

Cassandra turned to face Solas, her arms still crossed and features narrowed in a frown. "Solas. Between what Varric said earlier and what Dorian has just told me, I am guessing all is not well between you and the Inquisitor," she stated, referencing Varric's outburst about Solas metaphorically ripping out her heart.

Solas's lips set in a firm line. "It is a private matter, Seeker. I would rather not –"

Cassandra cut him off with a gesture. "Of course. I am not asking for details. I only ask that you be aware of the pressure she is under and the severity of the situation we are in."

Solas was slightly taken aback, having expected the strong -willed Seeker to demand answers. "Believe me, Seeker. I am very much aware," he responded evenly.

Dorian pushed himself up from the stair abruptly, the book falling from his lap to the floor with a thump. "Then I suggest you do something to help ease her burden, not add to it!" he hissed, his fury from earlier still very much alive.

"Are you suggesting I rekindle our relationship merely to 'ease her burden'? It would be superficial and untrue, and how would that aid her exactly?" Solas threw back angrily. "Such a thing would only be cruel to both of us."

Dorian made to retort, but stopped himself. A moment passed, as he looked down at the book he had dropped. He picked it up, turning his gaze back to Solas as he straightened. He was sneering slightly as he spoke. "I'm not saying bed her, elf. Though a good night's exertion can do wonders for stress," he said off-handedly. Cassandra made a noise of exasperation at this. "But surely you can manage being kind enough to be a friend to her." He shoved the open book into Solas's hands. "You are the elven expert, yes? Help her with that aspect, as we certainly can't."

Solas looked down at the open pages, wondering what this book had to do with Ellana. Or rather, the Inquisitor, he corrected himself. He had let his emotions carry him away earlier. He must again reinforce distance between them.

The first page displayed a rich illustration of a male elf firing an arrow straight into the sky. Other elves stood back from him, upturned eyes following the flight of the arrow. Solas skimmed the text on the right-hand page, recognizing the story of Fen'Harel and the Slow Arrow. He frowned, setting his staff aside so he could leaf through the book. He stopped on another illustration, this one showing an elven woman armed with bow and arrow fighting a monstrous serpent. The text spoke of Andruil's battle with the disguised Mythal. Solas paused at another illustration which depicted an elven woman, Mythal supposedly, emerging from the sea. He closed the book and read the title. Tales of the Elven Pantheon by Brother Genitivi.

Solas looked up, confused. "Why are you reading on the elven gods?"

Dorian shook his head. "Not my first choice for entertainment, I've had enough of old gods between Tevinter history and Corypheus. These books were here on the stairs, and they're all on elven this or elven that. Marna said the Inquisitor had requested them," he explained indicating the other three books on the step. "She must have some relevant question, hm? Perhaps something to do with the mysterious Well she drank from in that elven temple?"

"I will take them to her room, then," Solas said, still frowning. "I wish to check on her in the Fade. Cole mentioned she may need help."

Dorian's expression darkened as he scooped up the books from the step. "But with the sleeping draught she should not be able to…"

"My thoughts exactly," Solas said with a nod. "Perhaps the anchor has something to do with it."

"Elan and Marna are still with the Inquisitor. A moment," Cassandra said before quickly climbing the last of the stairs and entering Lavellan's quarters.

Dorian exhaled, turning back to Solas as Cassandra disappeared. "If you are going to be the mage guard for a while, I'll go change into something less… red, then," he said, picking at the dried blood on his clothing. Dorian handed the books to Solas then gathered his staff and set off downstairs.

"Oh," Dorian called, making Solas turn slightly to see him on the stairs below. "Since you're obviously not interested, I'll just have to ask Iron Bull about the whole 'bed the Inquisitor' thing. I'm sure he would be willing to give her a good de-stressing," he said, smirking.

Solas schooled his face to neutrality, answering in an uninterested tone. "That would be the Inquisitor's business, not mine."

"So you say," Dorian huffed, turning on his heel and descending the stairs.

Solas sighed, shuffling the books so he could balance them in one arm. He grabbed his staff in the other and climbed the stairs, reaching the door just as Cassandra reemerged.

"She seems to be sleeping peacefully," Cassandra said with a frown, standing in the open doorway. "You are certain something is amiss?"

"It is possible. It would ease our minds to find out for sure either way," Solas said.

Cassandra nodded and stepped aside. Before Solas could pass her though, she spoke again. "I do not know what happened between you and Ellana, Solas," she said quietly. "But I recall you addressing her by that endearment earlier. 'Vhenan' was it not?" She asked, eyebrows lifted in curiosity.

"I spoke without thinking, Seeker. I was shocked, as you can understand, seeing the Inquisitor in such a state," Solas replied evenly. "You will have to forgive my momentary lapse."

"Of course," Cassandra said, head tilted slightly. "I merely thought I would remind you of your thoughts when faced with her near death."

Solas sighed. He wondered briefly if telling Ellana the truth, instead of ending their relationship, would have been easier to handle than all these reactions and comments by the others. "Seeker…"

"Nevermind. Go, help her," Cassandra said with a wave of her hand. "I must meet with Cullen and Leliana. I will send soldiers to be sure she is well guarded."

Solas nodded once in acknowledgement then entered Lavellan's quarters. He heard Cassandra close the door behind him as he ascended the last of the stairs into the room proper.