Chapter Twenty-Five: Of Trinkets

AN: If you want these chapters, like, a full week earlier, come find me on AO3 under the same username lol. I'm really just cross-posting here now when I have the time since it requires more editing. As always, feedback is much appreciated! Xx

Word count: ~5k

xXx

Bevin woke with a groan, wondering what had stirred her. Whimpering started up at her feet and she saw Boudi pawing at the tent flaps and looking back at her. Puppy had to pee.

Rubbing at her eyes, Bevin reluctantly sat up and yawned. She dragged her cloak over herself and pushed out of the tent, the pup running out in front of her. She followed her several feet away to the spot of grass Bevin had been enforcing as the potty zone.

Boudica did her business, and Bevin looked around the camp. The sun was just rising and some were starting to crawl out of their tents sluggishly. There'd be no point in going back to bed now.

Her fingers rose to her lips starkly remembering what had been interrupted. She covertly peeked over to her mini camp and saw that Solas was just starting to stir from where he slept slumped against the tree by the fire.

Sighing, she looked to the puppy wagging her tail at her feet. "I don't know whether to hug you or strangle you," she mumbled, albeit cheerfully while ruffling the pup's lengthening dark fur.

She spent the day awkwardly avoiding him, again - confrontation wasn't her strong suit while her thoughts were in turmoil. She'd admit that it was cowardly. To his credit, he appeared to be giving her space, assisting the healers in mixing and restocking their supply of healing items. Though it wasn't like she expected him to push it or anything.

She'd never struggled this much in the past - either she wanted it or she didn't. She had never been shy about pursuit...at least when things were kept casual. Really, wasn't it only a few days ago that she'd practically put on a show for him while bathing? But this wasn't some random fling and likely wouldn't be just releasing tension with a friend. Would it? That was something she'd have to figure out with him, not simply make assumptions on his desires. The issue was that casual didn't seem right. Not with him. But she still didn't want to get involved with anything serious.

Acting as a crude autoclave for sterilizing their tools and utensils was, unfortunately, rather mindless work that did little to distract her from this train of thought.

"Distraction you want, dear? Hm…" Mythal's laugh was low and full of mischief as she went on, completely disregarding every other word of her train of thought and fanning the flames of the topic that Bevin was trying not to think about, "What kind of lover do you suppose he is? All hushed sighs and soft caresses of flesh? Though going by memories of your last training session, perhaps he may just throw you against a tree and have his way."

"No!" she protested futilely. "That's not helpful! Also, what the fuck?" Visages of him posing were flickering through her mind's eye. "You really think he's that well endowed?" She blanched realising what she had just asked. "I've never even seen him shirtless, where are you getting this from?" She was thoroughly ignored.

The spirit was enjoying her discomfort immensely and only continued. "I wonder if he has spent any time the voyeur of affairs within the Fade? A sweet couple, an illicit tryst. He is quite skilled with those hands of his...I am sure they would do wonders elsewhere."

"Oh, gods…" Bevin could feel her face heating. She probably looked like a steamed lobster combined with the hot steam surrounding her from her work. "This is so inappropriate," she hissed.

The elvhen spirit quieted amidst her tittering, but the damage was done and her mind was flooded with the imagery. His hands upon her, caressing, was something she had come to desire, the fleeting touches she had only a tease.

As much as some of the others just assumed and joked that it would happen and encouraged it, a relationship with him would no doubt ruffle some feathers and stir gossip. She was open-minded - a relationship with an elf not even a quality that would normally pass her mind as something to give thought to - but that kind of racism was very real and alive here. Other elves would potentially voice their offense, as well, given how not-elven she was. Though it wasn't like she hadn't done her fair share of rabble rousing in the past.

But Solas and Leliana and Vivienne and whoever else were right - she had an image to consider. Even if she'd scoff at the naysayers, she had to take potential fallout into consideration if she wanted any hope of cutting it off.

That was also ignoring the fact that he was still hiding something from her, potentially from everyone. She hadn't missed the late nights writing missives. The palmed notes and slight movements to hide parchment when she or others came too near. The treks to 'gather herbs' where he'd leave behind bundled missives thinking she hadn't seen. Ostensibly, that meant others were involved if he was in contact. Was he a spy? But if it was something nefarious, wouldn't being close to him be the best way to protect others? And if it turned out to be something for good, maybe she could help? He'd said that he didn't want to endanger her… He was always one of the first to help others, often without ever being asked. One of the first things she learned in life and was later reiterated in her undergrad studies was that you never knew just what someone could be capable of. Many upstanding people were convicted of crimes, some of them heinous.

This was becoming too real.

She chewed her lip and turned to watch a mixed grouping of soldiers and scouts going through training exercises. Though she'd only been there a couple days, she yearned to return to Skyhold. To lock herself away into the solitude of her room. Here, there were always eyes on her. Always people hunting her down asking for her opinion about x, y, z. People only left her alone right now as she was playing with fire - that was scary.

She and Solas needed to talk alone, face to face, and not within the Fade that was so easily influenced by one's emotions. At this rate, such a time was going to be horridly difficult to come by...

While it would be the best use of their time to continue north straight to the lake and on to Crestwood from there, she wouldn't be surprised if she found herself just returning to the stronghold. She and Nikki were already planning the next excursion. Not everyone would be needed for this one, so they were thinking of a 'changing of the guard' meeting at Redcliffe. Cassandra and Dorian would join while Blackwall and Iron Bull took their leave. Cole could stay or go as he pleased. They weren't yet sure if they wanted to ask Sera or Varric to tag along. Bevin personally preferred having a group large enough to safely split if needed. The trip was planned to only take them another week or so out of their way.

xXx

The first spirit that truly came to her within the Fade at night, not merely flitting along the outskirts spying, was one that Solas introduced as an old friend. Wisdom was a gentle - yet highly persistent - curiosity. The way Solas explained it was that knowledge was treated as an exchange, it sought only to know. Providing a tidbit would be treated with information in turn.

The visage was one of an elven woman, dress and hair flowing loosely. This close, it was difficult to focus on the figure as she was glowy and hazy - she seemed sharper in her periphery.

"I've heard much of you, Prophet," she spoke, her voice even and calm. Wisdom measured her within her gaze.

"I'm still learning all things spirit-y," Bevin replied with a laugh. "Honestly, haven't heard much of you. More often the, uh, demon counterpart." Pride. Spirits were an important topic, but Solas had mostly been preoccupied with teaching her about how to identify and deal with their evils. There wasn't as much to lecture on when she agreed readily enough that spirits and demons were two sides of the same coin. He explained that demons should more thought of as 'aggressive spirits.'

Wisdom smiled knowingly, glancing over at Solas. "One should never cease learning. Your mind brims with questions. I see why he is fond of you. However, it is much harder to learn if one does not pursue every avenue for answers." Much akin to Cole and Mythal, this spirit was clearly capable of seeing and reading memories given the multitude of meanings hidden within her words. Thankfully, Solas seemed to take it as just general advisement, nodding along sagely. He shortly left them to get better acquainted.

"Solas tells me you are quite the theorist, young one," Wisdom began. They opted to meander side by side through the peaceful glade created for them within the Fade. "You truly believe there to be further connection between our worlds beyond the singular Breach?"

"Undoubtedly. The main questions in my mind are the kind of relationship and the extent." As they spoke, Wisdom offered further evidence to support her theories and brought forth questions for consideration, such as the apparent differences in general timelines. She nor Nikki were exactly of any particular talents to be able to deduce even a general developmental timeline of this earth. Yet, Thedas seemed quite a ways off yet in terms of modernizing to the equivalent of her own earth.

However, many things took the path of least resistance, including ingenuity. If there were magical means to achieve something, would research still be given to non-magical means? Certain societies were better at incorporating both in order to produce the best results, but it seemed as though some, fearful of magical means, outright rejected the end result altogether: it was a product of magic, therefore, illogically, always a product of magic and not evolving technology.

"We share a common language, foods, animals, even pastimes. For something like chess to have developed in tandem in both worlds is astounding. Like, the odds are astronomical for those to have not been related. It's almost more likely that one influenced the other." She wasn't sure if her own words made any sense within her own mind, much less when spoken aloud to another. "Either through something like Dreamers via the Fade or Nikki and I being brought here isn't a one-off phenomena."

She had never really been certain just how good his hearing was but eavesdropping from all the way across the glade gave her a clue as she scoffed at his sudden interruption. "You believe this has happened before," Solas stated, gaze focused on the grass.

"Maybe." Bevin shrugged, tilting her head back to watch the Fade-painted sky. "Perhaps the opposite - someone from here going to my world. Given the skill of just a select few Mages I've met in my short time here, that doesn't seem totally farfetched to me. Though the power would have to be on par with what brought us here, I think, unless there's some specific way for the travelling to occur. It's obviously not impossible, just...improbable."

She sat and fell back against the grass, her two companions watching her with thinly veiled humor in their eyes. "How about I show you guys something actually interesting instead of this headache of a thought experiment?" That caught them. "Now, if I can get this to work…" Bevin really wanted to show him the Tolkien Elven cities, like Rivendell and Lothlórien - ones that sounded so similar to those that he described to the ancient Elven cities of Thedas. She didn't think she could yet do them justice here, though, so another time.

But a more familiar location… Solas always made this seem so easy. Slowly, pieces of the Fade molded to her Will. Walls formed, the ground became carpeted concrete. She focused on the smells to really give life to the memory.

Her nose scrunched and she sat up. Poorly washed carpet was a little too accurate. But butter-soaked popcorn, mmm… The other two looked around curiously, taking in the foyer of a location that was quite familiar to her. She always used the theater as an escape, trying to see a different movie at least once a week.

Bevin strode down one of the halls, excitement bubbling up within her. Pulling open one of the doors, she wondered what movie she could bring forth to play. Something she had seen more recently. Finding one of her favorite seats, she pulled the seat down and sat, propping her feet on the seat in front of her. Not like there was anyone to complain about the improperness. Maybe she should have chosen a fancier theater.

Solas stood next to her and stared at the blank screen, trying to make sense of it as she hadn't yet told them exactly what this was. "What d'ya wanna watch?"

"Watch? So this is...television?" She had to give it to him, that was almost right.

"Close. This is a movie theater. Feature length films on the big screen." She shrugged and explained further. "The only real differences are that TV is mostly within your own home and on a smaller screen. And you have to wait a few months before seeing new movies on your own TV."

He took the seat next to her. "What options do we have for viewing?" he asked, unsure of how to answer her previous question without any sort of catalogue.

"Uhm, I've seen a lot of movies. Like, hundreds. Probably can't remember them all well enough to show them, though. Comedy, action, adventure, romance, magic, horror, et cetera. What strikes your fancy?" She was thinking Thor or some other Marvel-universe movie. Maybe one of the Pirates movies.

His brow furrowed as he thought. "I remember you saying that your Wizarding books were made into movies."

Sly dog. Always trying to get more of that out of her. "One day your obsession with Harry Potter will almost mirror my own," she laughed. "It's cute." She grinned seeing his ears redden at the endearment. "Marathoning them, though, would probably take several nights. There's eight of them." She peaked around his shoulder and was surprised to see that Wisdom had vanished. He either pretended not to notice or didn't care.

"Okay, first up: Sorcerer's Stone!" The opening credits appeared on the screen and the lights dimmed in the theater. "Also, you still owe me a spell."

There was a pause before he answered. "How do you figure?"

She looked over to him, the screen light soft on his face as his focus was straight ahead. "I remember winning our wager."

"You were supposed to protect the token. Destroying it was the opposite of that goal." Bastard had the gall to grin, still not looking at her.

She settled further into her seat. "Not like you weren't playing dirty, either, hahren. Ah...first Dumbledore is best Dumbledore," Bevin sighed fondly.

His eyes narrowed and he finally looked away from the screen and towards her, the light glinting off his irises. "How was I playing dirty?"

Fuck. Right. He didn't know she could sense magic to the extent that she had detected him manipulating the Fade into signalling where she'd hidden the token. She felt her lips twist into a pout. Now she needed to very quickly come up with a cover. She swallowed thickly and looked down at her knees, wracking her mind.

"Oh." He faced forward again and let out a low laugh.

She balked, not expecting him to come to his own, very different, conclusion. Her own answer couldn't very well be given now without being certain of exactly what he was thinking she meant. So she chose to say nothing. Let him fill in the words.

He was silent then and it merely hung in the air between them. He wasn't entirely wrong. Though considering they had few rules, she wasn't certain she would even call that playing dirty. Through the end of the 'game' he had purposefully created tension and drove her to distraction by touch. When he had her pinned beneath him, she had finally panicked and threw lightening at the token in an effort to fling it away, not meaning at all to destroy it. While it potentially hadn't been intentional, he had totally meant to kiss her. If not for being pulled from the Fade...she would have let him.

The rest of the night was spent occasionally answering questions about the movie and staring at the hand laying freely upon the armrest between them, debating whether or not to touch him.

xXx

He blinked. When the Herald flung herself down on the log in front of him, he found that it rarely pertained to anything important. He brushed the roused dust from his work.

"Hey, buddy," she sang, her tone suspiciously saccharine. She wanted something.

"Inquisitor," he nodded in greeting. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

She shrugged, leaning forward to peer at his work. "Thought I'd come grace you with my company. I'm considerate like that."

"To where did Bevin wander off?" When not within their own camp, his charge was often found bound to the other woman.

"She's off racing turtles with Krem and the others."

The words were odd enough that he set down his quill and looked up at her, shifting his attention fully. "And you've no interest in such activities?"

She huffed. "Torticles lost in the first round, so he's out of the tournament. And I'm pretty sure Lace is cheating. Somehow." Her eyes narrowed slyly. "So...how are things going with Bev?"

He resisted the urge to roll his eyes, choosing instead to be purposely obtuse, "She is progressing quite well."

"I really hope that's not how you refer to your relationship with her," she sighed dramatically. "So, no progress there, then. Have you tried getting her a gift or something?"

"She likes food and shiny things. Kinda reminds me of a crow, in truth." The Chargers' lieutenant had sauntered over to join them. "Scout Harding is definitely cheating. Bevin is probably cheating at this point. The Boss still thinks he can outdo them," he updated the Herald as to the standing of their tortoise races. "Just rampant cheating at this point."

The Herald pulled a face. "How can you cheat that much with turtles?"

"Ain' got a clue," the lieutenant laughed. "Most likely why we lost, Herald. I vote we not teach her Wicked Grace."

"Dunno that one," the Herald admitted.

"Truly? We'll have to break out the cards tonight!" Cremisius cried. "You'll pick it up in no time."

"I'm all game! Anyway, you," Nichole looked at him pointedly. "Watching you two is, like, soul draining. It hurts me. You've no idea." He scoffed as Cremisius nodded emphatically to her words. "This didn't come from me," she whispered, "but Bev's got very real worries about just being yanked out of here again. Fairly certain that's it. She's avoiding getting in too deep. I don't think I'd be lucky enough to be whisked back home like that. Pretty sure it would have to be another event like the Breach."

Solas sighed. He had already deduced as much. It had become less a question of if she was interested and, instead, what could be done for her to act upon it. "I am not certain it is quite that simple..."

"Bah! Get her something nice, take her a little secluded spot. Make it all romantic- candles, roses. Tell her how you feel, assure her that no stupid gape in the sky will steal her away!

Solas shook his head, unable to keep himself from rolling his eyes this time. "This sounds more like your fantasy, Inquisitor."

"It's a start!" she defended. "And I don't hear you pitching your ideas." Nor would he.

"There are so many romantic, secluded locations in our travels," he drawled. "And privacy."

"What do ya mean you don't want an audience, Solas? You're expectations might be a little high." Cremisius doubled over in laughter, ribbing the Herald who looked as though she hadn't thought of that part.

Nichole crossed her arms with a huff, but a smile pulled at her lips. "Oh, c'mon! Can't do everything for you, Solas." She stared into the flames. "Other important topic: I actually came to talk to you about our plans once we pack up outta here." A serious tone befell the Inquisitor. "We're thinking of heading north to Redcliffe and hitching a ferry across to the Crestwood area. Bevin wanted to stop to pay respects to the families there and we've had reports of more rift activity in that vicinity. It's a smaller place - don't expect it should take us very far out of the way. Any objections?"

"None at all," he replied readily.

"We'll be meeting some of the others at Redcliffe and part of the group will be taking off back to Skyhold. Changing of the guard kinda dealio, so says Bev." She looked about quickly and leaned into him. "She's gonna be pissed when she finds out, but we're getting Bev an actual bodyguard." He frowned and made to object, but she interrupted him with what was supposed to be a placating wave of her hand. "It's nothing on you! In fact, it'll hopefully take some pressure off! So you can do other...Solas-y things. And not have to guard her so closely in battle."

The Lieutenant snorted. "I want to see the reaction when that comes to a head," he mumbled.

Solas couldn't very well voice what he was truly thinking of that arrangement. While it had its benefits, there were cons that immediately jumped to mind. "When will they be joining us?"

The Herald shrugged, uncertain. "Not until we're back at Skyhold. Leliana's sent for him - some acquaintance of hers she said owes her a favor. So she definitely trusts him - a kinda big shot."

He took a calming breath to keep from sneering. The Nightingale was inserting another one of her agents between them. There was little he could do or say that would not further raise suspicions, however, should he object.

"I think there's an overrun keep just outside of that town you're off to. Should be mindful of it," Cremisius advised the Herald. "You sure you don't want us to continue with you?"

Solas half listened to them discuss matters regarding that new development. His mind churned with the information of this bodyguard and how he'd deal with him. The last time the Nightingale had inserted one of her agents into their midst, it had resulted in him having to berate and threaten the man for trying to take advantage of his charge.

xXx

"There's been a slight change of plans." The Tevinter Mage approached him. "Your presence is requested back at Skyhold."

Solas blinked. "For what manner?"

Dorian shrugged, a twitch at his lips. "Didn't ask." That was all he was given as the other Mage sauntered down the market stalls, eyeing trinkets.

He did not trust the other man's words outright.

Seeking her out, Cassandra only confirmed the request citing that his expertise was needed regarding new intelligence and findings. She ensured him that she and the Magister would keep a close eye on Bevin.

Outwardly, he busied himself at a stall, yet half-heartedly searching for the right gift, growing more certain that he would not find anything worthy. Inwardly, he was unfolding the consequences of yet another new development.

The timing could not have been better to introduce Bevin to Wisdom. The spirit would have no qualms staying near her during sleep and her nightly trips to the Fade. There was enough guilt placed upon the shoulders of the Herald - no less that he had dug in again with a few choice utterances for it to be fresh in their minds - that one of them was going to be glued to his charge during their time at Crestwood.

If he made waves now, there was also the chance that he would use up what little social currency he presently had with the Inquisition. For now, it was best to heed the request and perhaps dig into this bodyguard the Nightingale had planned.

All things considered, this was not a bad place for them to be.

The next tent was one he would normally bypass, filled with overpriced Orlesian finery. Most was gaudy, meaningless trinkets of no use laid upon silks and lace. The thought passed that it seemed rather out of place here in Redcliffe. The owner watched silently with keen eyes from behind the porcelain and feathered mask that hid his face. Perhaps he was weary of pickpockets, though being an elven apostate most certainly roused further concerns.

He turned, startled by the sound of her laughter so close, though she was with some of the others on the upper landing. They looked to have procured sweet rolls from a baker.

A hum from the stall owner summoned his attention once more. Fingers to his chin, the man searched through the tabled wares, glancing up and beyond his shoulder occasionally. He finally stood back and gestured with finality to select pieces that varied wildly in type. What they did have in common, however, were stylings and colorings that would suit Bevin best.

His hand gripped tighter at his staff. He could not possibly have been that obvious.

A sigh left his lips, but he bent to better inspect them. Were they enchanted - even able to be - they could be of some use. Bevin already had jewelry, and what she did wear was largely decorative yet unobtrusive. Beautiful in their simplicity.

He shook his head at the rings and bangles. The dainty gold necklace felt too intimate a gift. The hair comb was on the right path. He nearly asked to inspect it closer, though his eyes lit on something just beyond it.

He asked instead to see the sticks that glinted just so in the sunlight. Granted silent permission, his fingers ran along the smooth golden finish, bare but for the slight twist at the very ends. Under his hand, he could tell that they had once carried an enchantment, but no longer. The brushed lines of minute scratches were of no consequence and he wondered at their story. He recalled that Bevin had complained of often losing and breaking the small pins used to keep her hair up. It would be a trifling thing to bespell these.

Decision made, he dispensed what was owed from his coin purse. Boxed and wrapped within parchment, he stowed the gift in his pack for the time being. Now, he merely had to find the best time to give them to her.

Deciding what to do from there was trickier. He did not want to make a show of it, nor did he want there to be no attached sentiment - for that would not do to further his cause.

As they were making parting words and preparing to board, he found that he was tarrying and would soon miss any chance. Eyeing her pack sitting with others, he shrugged his own from his shoulders and quickly scrawled on a torn slip of parchment, tucking it beneath the strings tied around the giftbox. He slipped it beneath the top flap, nestling it on top of her other items.

He quickly stood, pulling her bag up by its straps as he did so and turning to place it squarely into her surprised arms.

"Oh, thank-you!" she beamed, hauling it over her shoulder.

Bevin fussed over the pup as they were boarding. "Don't let her eat too much! She'll just throw it back up. But make sure she's eating! She's growing super fast but still needs to gain a bit of weight for her size. And don't let her sleep all muddy or her fur will get matted!" She was addressing him as much as everyone else who would ostensibly be watching over it. "Don't take your eye off her! She likes to wander. Now, she's teething, but don't let her nip..." His pack was summarily filled an extra blanket, spare bowls for water and food, and the favored sticks it had taken to gnawing. "Maybe find a little antler? I don't really like her chewing on sticks."

He saw them off with the rest of the group that would be returning to Skyhold. Bevin bid him safe travels with a quip about hoping he would not miss her too much.

The pup had already begun crying at his feet. Though it did not know what was occurring, it was aware that the one it had quickly come to see as a surrogate mother was now out of reach. While his presence was familiar and soothing to an extent, he was no replacement. Under Bevin's fastidious care, the pup had grown immensely in the short span, beginning to show distinctive features of its heritage.

Though there was a seedling of worry in his stomach - Bevin did have an uncanny tendency to find trouble - he was overall confidant in her ability to thrive. After all, if by now she was unable to fend for herself, he had failed her as a mentor. She would ideally come into her own independence as a Mage, reserving a sense of loyalty to him in her agency. This would work well as a test of where they currently stood. He could not forget his greater purpose for her.

The Charger's lieutenant scooped up the pup within his arms, making hushing coos. "You're fine, girly! Mama'll be back soon. And for now you can play with the fun people!" Solas shook his head at the good-natured jab as Cremisius walked back up the pier.

Solas followed suit without sparing another glance back.