A/N: Some mild swearing up ahead... but, then again, this shouldn't be too much of a shock considering the game I'm writing about... just saying.

Disclaimer: I was trying to come up with something clever to put here... I got nothing instead. I don't own anything you're familiar with!

Definitions
(Love is...)

"Well now I'm back at home, and/I'm looking forward to this life I live -
You know it's gonna haunt me/So hesitation to this life I give.
You think you might cross over/You're caught between the devil and the deep blue sea -
You'd better look it over/Before you make that leap."

"And you know I'm fine/But I hear those voices at night sometimes/They justify my claim.
And the public don't dwell on my transmission/'Cause it wasn't televised -
But it was a turning point/Oh, what a lonely night."
- The Killers, 'Spaceman' Lyrics

-Consideration-

As he stood at the bottom of the gilded marble staircase waiting patiently, Solas smiled wryly when he heard the sound of laughter echoing down the hall.

It had been a month since Coryphaeus's defeat and the celebrations hadn't shown any sign of stopping any time soon. There had been parades and speeches, more formal processions during the day and countless parties that went on well into the night, each more grand than the next.

As it was, the banquet that night was particularly extravagant - arranged by the Empress of Orlais herself, everything in the palace seemed to give off a mirror-like sheen and glittered in the lowlight.

Hearing a soft clack of heeled shoes on the staircase, when he turned he saw Josephine make her way down the stairs. Once she reached the bottom step, he gave the Antivan a polite nod. "Lady Ambassador."

Wearing her hair down for once and dressed in an elegant purple dress, there was an excited, almost mischievous glint in Josephine's dark eyes the elf hadn't seen before. "Ser Solas," she acknowledged with a slight curtsy in return, "I hope we didn't keep you waiting too long?"

He smiled slightly. "Not at all, but it seems we've missed the first part of the evening's festivities."

Instead of fussing or fretting like he anticipated, a broad, cat-like grin spread over the Ambassador's face. "Oh, believe me, seeing the looks on everyone's faces when the Inquisitor finally does arrive will be well worth any lateness on our account."

Solas arched a curious brow until he heard another pair of footsteps from the steps behind him - he was struck speechless when he turned around.

Moving with a regal grace, back straight, shoulders straight, and her head held high, his love held herself like a queen. The strapless gown she wore wrapped around Levellan like a flower - made with pink silk and sheer lace, silver thread adorned a vine-like pattern on the bottom hem on the floor-length skirt, while pale curls were swept back in an elegant knot at the back of her head as she wore a silver circlet with a single colourless jewel hanging between her brows.

He must have been staring, as the moment their eyes met, petal pink lips curved into a smile.

Solas managed to regain enough of his common sense, and when she reached the bottom step, he graciously held out his hand for her to take, which she did. "You are breathtaking."

Her eyes softened when he raised her hand and kissed the tips of her fingers. "Thank you, but the credit should go to our Ambassador here - she is as cunning as she is lovely." She said before giving the other woman a pointed look.

Josephine preened but didn't rise to the bait. "No one will be looking at me tonight with you in the room, your worship, I promise you that much." She said matter-of-factly. "Now! If you'll both just follow me."

The Inquisitor sighed and linked her arm with Solas's before they followed the Ambassador to the grand ballroom. She inclined her head towards his when they reached the doors.

"After we're done here," she said in a voice just above a whisper, "I want you to take me back to our room, lay me down and take this dress off with your teeth."

It took a moment for the words to resister, but once they did, Solas gave his lover a measured look, unsure at first if she was being serious or not.

"That wasn't a request, mage."

It really wasn't. And when he caught the heated stare she gave him in return, he cleared his throat but couldn't quite keep the smirk off his face.

Well... he could hardly disobey a direct order like that now, could he?

"As you wish." He said simply as the doors opened and they heard their arrival being announced.

If the radiant smile that spread out over her face was any indication, the Inquisitor approved.

It turned out to be very, very longnight.

After their grand entrance, Josephine had apparently made it her mission to introduce them to every noble in Orlais... well, the ones that where there, anyway.

At one point the masked faces all started looking the same and blur from one to the next, and Levellan's cheeks started hurting from smiling through her teeth as much as she did.

Luckily, Solas (bless his soul), stayed by her side throughout most of the evening and did his part to ward off anyone who would have otherwise asked her to dance. Whenever she wasn't making nice with a duke or a marquis, she entertained herself thinking up particularly creative ways she could 'show her appreciation' later.

At some point during the evening, the Inquisitor received word that she was to meet the Empress herself, alone. Once the Ambassador gave her the once over and made sure she was still outwardly immaculate, Levellan was ushered away from the noisy ballroom and into a more secluded wing of the palace.

Josephine walked with her until they reached a pair of double doors.

"Do you want me to wait for you, your worship?" the Antivan asked when she was barred from going in by the Empress's personal guard.

Levellan smiled and reached out to squeeze her hands briefly. "It's alright, Josie. Go, enjoy the rest of the night. I'm sure this won't take long."

The Ambassador looked hesitant for a moment, but eventually nodded and took her leave.

When she was finally permitted inside and the doors closed behind her, she took a moment to look around the opulent study until she heard someone clear their throat delicately behind her and turned to see the Empress of Orlais standing in front of a large window overlooking the gardens.

She did as Josephine had taught her and curtsied. "Your Majesty."

Celene smiled at her pleasantly. "Inquisitor Levellan. I trust you are well?"

Levellan smiled back prettily but blandly and nodded. "Well enough. Thank you for asking."

"That is good to hear - Marquis Briala sends her regards as well as her congratulations. She wishes me to convey her deepest apologies for not joining us tonight, but her duties keep her busy, as you can imagine." She said before turning towards her more fully.

"You wanted to see me?"

"I did, but you must be eager to return to your companions, I will not take too much of your time."

"I don't mind." She said cordially. "It's always a pleasure, Empress Celene."

"Likewise, Inquisitor. However, to get to the heart of the matter... Recently I received a letter from the Queen of Fereldan. She inquired about my personal thoughts regarding the Inquisition, whether I had any concerns, fears."

Levellan kept her face a blank mask. "I see. Then, if I may, what is your opinion exactly, Your Majesty?"

"I will not lie to you, your worship, there is just cause for concern. You have built an army strong enough to challenge and perhaps even overcome a nation in little under a year - you charmed my entire court in your first visit to the Winter Palace on guile alone, and it has become only natural to wonder, to speculate, who among us is watching, listening for whom." She said casually like they were discussing the weather.

"With that said, however," Celene allowed, smiling at the elven woman indulgently. "When I wrote back to Anora, I reassured her, as I have before, that I feel your organization's intent is a noble and well-meaning one. I believe I have done my part to allay some fear... for the time being, at least."

Levellan regarded her carefully. "Forgive me for being blunt, but why would you...?"

"Consideration, Inquisitor." She said, walking up to her. "I am grateful for everything you have done for my empire in the past, but by all account, it is my hope that we may be able help each other in the future."

Levellan's jaw clenched as she curtsied politely. "I thank you on behalf of the Inquisition for what you have done, Your Majesty, and I will be sure to share your sentiment with my advisors."

"Of course." Celene said placidly, just as the doors opened again. "I have taken more than enough of your time - do enjoy the rest of your evening, Inquisitor. I look forward to what happens next."

She left without another word, frustrated but dazed - Levellan hardly paid attention to where she was going until she heard her name being called out and turned around to see Sera walk up to her.

"There you are!" the other elf said, smirking. "Heard you've been summoned by the Celene. Josephine's been pacing all over the place."

When the Inquisitor didn't respond, the smile on Sera's face faded. "Hey, what's wrong?"

Levellan sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "I'm sorry, I was... distracted."

Sera's eyebrows knitted together. "Talks didn't go well?"

She made a face. "They went fine enough, I just really don't like politics."

"You'd be off your rocker if you did, Lady Inquisitor." Sera joked. "But, so... what? Are you just gonna stand there the whole night being 'distracted', or are you coming with me and have some fun for once? No matter what any of these tits say, this is still your party."

Levellan blinked several times before the tension left her shoulders.

"You know what?" She said as she then kicked off her shoes. "Fuck it."

Sera let out a cackling laugh loud enough to draw attention. "Well there you go!"

In a move that further scandalized any onlookers, the Inquisitor retrieved her shoes, undid the clasp in her hair and linked her arm with Sera's. When they came across a servant serving wine, Levellan took the bottle with her in the passing as they made way to the main ballroom.

Solas was standing on one of the balconies when he heard a commotion coming from the ballroom.

Curious, when he went back inside he found Dorian, Cassandra and the rest of the Inner Circle standing at the edge of the dance floor.

Catching sight of the elf, Dorian waved him over.

"What's going on?" Solas asked once he was close enough.

The Tevinter stifled a laugh and shook his head. "See for yourself."

Solas went over to stand next to the other mage and blinked when he looked out and saw the Inquisitor and Sera dancing together.

Pink-faced and barefoot, Levellan lead the Jenny in some kind of elaborate, fast-paced waltz, completely out of step with the music, both elves just barely keeping a straight face as they wove and twirled their way among the other dancers with ease.

Once the music came to a halt, Levellan dipped Sera with a flourish while Sera stuck out her tongue and gave everyone else in the room the two fingers.

Those who weren't offended, along with Varric, Bull, Blackwall and Dorian burst out laughing and cheered openly, whereas those who were, were spluttering, glared or shook their fist indignantly. Vivienne's lips had thinned into a dangerous line and Josephine looked like she would have loved nothing better than sink through the floor and was blushing fiercely, while Cullen, Cassandra and Leliana hid their amusement with coughs and polite applause.

Solas, for his part, just shook his head and clapped along with them, watching on as his love then straightened up and waved at the onlookers.

When she spotted him, Levellan blew a kiss in his direction just as the orchestra started up again and Sera tugged at her hand, pulling her into another dance.

Her laughter rang over the music.

"Easy does it, Cole," Levellan encouraged, adjusting her latest partner's hand over her waist. "Don't look at your feet, just go along with the music."

The spirit boy's brows knitted together as he looked up again. "I'm trying, but my feet won't listen to me."

"You'll get it. You're doing very well, lethallin." She reassured. "Now, like I showed you - one, two, three. One, two, three..."

"Like this?" he asked just as he stumbled. When Levellan caught and steadied him, he looked almost sheepish. "Sorry..."

She smiled and waved off his apology. "You just need to keep practicing."

Cole didn't look all too convinced, but before anyone could say anything else, they heard someone clear his throat behind them, and when they turned, they found Solas standing there.

Despite the perfectly bland expression on his face, the only thing that gave away his amusement was the wry perk at the corner of his lips and the twinkle in his blue eyes. "May I cut in?" he asked, extending his hand towards Levellan.

Perhaps a little too quickly, Cole nodded and stepped away as the Inquisitor then took her mage's hand - when he turned to leave, both elves watched as he disappeared among the crowd completely unnoticed.

They didn't linger long on his departure once the music started playing again and Solas lead her out into the centre of the dance floor. The lights had been dimmed and the music was slow, and since time was getting on, there were less people dancing.

He brought her closer by the waist as she put her arms around his neck, uncaring if they were standing closer and more intimately than Orlesian decorum demanded.

"So here we are again..." She murmured as they fell into step together.

"So here we are," he agreed, tracing patterns on her back with his thumb. "And I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

Levellan smiled mischievously as she ran her hand from his shoulder down his chest, resting over his heart. "Well, I could think of a few other places I'd rather be right now..." she admitted, brushing her lips over his briefly. "But I suppose we should get in another dance for appearance's sake."

Solas chuckled under his breath. "I agree, we wouldn't want to offend."

She hummed and allowed him to dip her languidly. "No more than I probably have already."

"As long as you enjoyed yourself."

"I did, surprisingly... of course, compared to the first time we came here, it was rather dull, all things considered - at least back then, we had an assassin to liven things up a bit."

"Disappointed at the evening's turn of events, my love?"

"Not terribly, but I could have done without being coveted by a monarch, again... The wine was good though."

"I'll take your word for it." He said dryly. "But we'll be returning to Skyhold after this - one more night and we can go home."

Levellan's eyes softened. "I like it when you say that... Home."

"I'm glad you do, though truthfully, I never thought I would be able to call anywhere that again." He admitted.

"You know it's the truth, Solas."

He tucked a stray curl behind her ear. "I do now."

-Regret-

It took twice the normal amount of effort to wake up that next morning and, in Levellan's case, not without a fair amount of agony if her splitting headache she was experiencing was anything to go by.

Much to her dismay, Solas only laughed at her when she curled up on her side and threw a pillow over her head in an attempt to block out the damned early morning sunlight.

"With actions come consequences, ma vhenan." Her mage smirked, snaking his arms around her waist.

Levellan huffed cut couldn't quite find it in herself to really care when he started pressing barely-there kisses against her neck and tugged playfully at the bottom hem of the shirt she slept in.

She let out an audible groan when they both heard a loud knock against the door that resonated with her pounding head.

"Sweet merciful creators." she moaned, curling up in on herself more when the knocking continued. "Why?"

Solas let out an amused sound before sitting up in bed and pulled on a pair of tights. When he got up, he walked over and answered the door and found Sera and Dorian standing there.

Dorian took one look at Solas's shirtless torso and arched a brow when he looked up at the elf again. "...I didn't know you had abs." He said, genuinely sounding surprised.

Solas gave the other mage a deadpan expression. "Good morning, Dorian."

"Yes, yes, hello," he said, waving him down as both he and Sera stepped inside without an invitation. "Everyone's decent, I hope?"

The elf crossed his arms over his chest. "What do you want?"

"Don't get your knickers in a bunch, baldy." Sera quipped. "We were just gonna go down and get some breakfast and we wanted to know if you lot wanted to come with us."

When the two of them noticed the mass of sheets that was the Inquisitor, a look passed between Sera and Dorian and nearly identical smirks crossed over their faces.

"We really shouldn't..." the Tevinter said.

"Exactly why we should." She reasoned, grinning impishly.

Dorian bit his bottom lip. "Well, I suppose if you put it like that..." he said before both of them moved to each side of the bed. "On three - one... two..."

The next moment, Solas watched on as mage and rogue jumped, and, in a blur of commotion and flailing arms, Levellan let out a yelp in surprise and sat up, wide-eyed and bewildered until Sera threw her arms around her neck.

"Get your arse out of bed, I'm hungry." The other elf ordered in manner of an explanation.

Blinking several times, she looked at them, confused. "Sera, what-" she began.

Dorian laughed. "We want you join us for breakfast - I dare say, after the night you had, you need the stamina."

Levellan let out another groan and fell backwards, pulling the covers back over her head... only to have it yanked back down again.

"For pity's sake, I'm not even wearing pants." The Inquisitor whined.

Without batting an eyelash, "Then pull on a pair, brush that mane of yours and come on." Dorian said primly.

Levellan shot him an bleary-eyed look. "You're mean."

"And yet so very charming - now, up! And unless you want me to dress you myself - which, let me tell you, if pressed I will - I suggest you go wash your face... now." And then, almost as an afterthought. "I suppose you can always come along, Solas."

"A gracious offer, but I'll pass." He said dryly, turning his back on them briefly and went over to retrieve a fresh shirt.

Levellan managed to sit up again and watched as he dressed. "Aren't you going to join us?"

He walked back to her. "No, but I will, later." He reassured, taking her hand when she held it out for him and kissed her fingertips.

She surprised him by grabbing him around the wrist and pulled him down to her, kissing him for all he was worth in front of the others.

Sera made a loud gagging sound as Dorian huffed. "The two of you are disgusting - no really, it's all so nauseatingly sweet, I can barely stand the sight of you." He said, cringing his nose.

"Then leave." Solas said mildly between the butterfly kisses Levellan peppered over his face.

"Do either of you ever come up for air?" Sera asked, shaking her head.

"To be fair to them, they do have a year's worth of foreplay to make up for." Dorian joked. "And before you deny anything, you forget that I witnessed your little 'talks' at Haven. I'm just surprised you managed to keep your hands to yourself as long as you did."

Levellan let out an amused snort. "You make it sound like I would have taken him against that hut if I had half a chance."

Dorian smirked. "You mean you didn't have any dirty thoughts about our favourite ragged apostate back then?"

The elven woman shut her mouth and turned her face away when she caught the look Solas gave her. "...Shut up."

He grinned triumphantly. "Ha!"

Solas rolled his eyes at him before he pressed a parting kiss to Levellan's cheek and straightened up. "Until later, my love." He spared the others a look and curt nod. "Dorian, Sera."

Dorian made a casual wave in dismissal while Sera stuck her tongue out at him when he turned his back and left.

Solas found Cole in one of the palace's gardens, but aside from a nod in acknowledgement shared between the two of them, the spirit boy was otherwise preoccupied.

"What are you doing?" the mage asked, walking up next to him.

"Waiting." Cole said simply, keeping an eye at the end of the garden path.

Solas followed his stare, and when he did, he saw a young man enter from the right - a scholar, if the clothes he wore were any indication - carrying a heap of books in his arms, while a young woman, a noble this time, came from the other direction.

Though he couldn't be quite sure, thanks to the masks both of them wore, Solas noticed how their eyes met across the distance, recognition flashing - they stopped walking just then, but otherwise, neither made an attempt to walk towards the other.

Cole caught his eye, his intent clear, and with a subtle nod and a slight smile, Solas turned his attention towards the couple just as the spirit at his side vanished into thin air.

An unnaturally strong breeze seemed to pitch up just then and happened to blow in the man's direction - the pages of the topmost book on the pile opened and scattered, and, distracted by this, he lost his grip. Books tumbles to the ground and the man knelt down to retrieve them, muttering under his breath as he did.

The woman saw this and went over to help him, a fact the man hadn't noticed until he felt around on the ground and accidently brushed his hand over hers. Eyes widened behind their masks as both of their heads snapped up abruptly - for a moment the man looked like he was about to pull away until something seemed to stop him, and instead of letting go, he smiled.

He got a smile back for the effort.

When Cole reappeared next to him, Solas turned back to him. "Well done."

"She watches him read in the library sometimes," Cole said mildly. "He pretends not to stare back when she does - he likes the way her hair catches in the sunlight, like it is right now."

"Will they be happy?"

"It won't be easy... but they can be." He said and looked at the mage directly for the first time. "...I'm glad you decided to stay."

"I had a very good reason not to go."

"She's happy too, you know."

Solas's eyes softened. "I do... so am I."

Both of them happened to look up when they saw a pair of elven servants pass them by - but while Cole didn't let them see him, they shot a look at Solas for a minute, the heat in their stare betraying their otherwise impassive expressions.

At the sight of this, Solas's smile faded and his brows knitted together. Cole noticed.

Then, very quietly, "...You feel regret sometimes - not about the choice and never about the reason, but the consequences weigh on you."

"As they should - I failed them... again."

"You were trying to do the right thing. And you did, both times."

He looked haunted. "At what cost?"

The spirit boy frowned but didn't say anything.

Solas sighed. "May I ask your opinion, Cole?"

Cole blinked owlishly but nodded nonetheless. "Yes."

"Did I make a mistake? Staying."

"I think you deserve to be happy."

Solas looked at him pointedly. "That's not what I asked."

All he got back was a casual shrug. "It's what you needed to hear."

-Familiar-

The two elves stared at the impressive mountain fortress that lay in front of them in awe.

The mage let out a low whistle as he leaned forward with his staff. "I'm going to take an educated guess and say that this is the place."

The older archer let out an amused snort. "What gave it away? The soldiers we saw on the way here, or the general feeling of smallness and amazement?"

"Actually, I was going to say the giant black and white eyeball tapestries against the walls, but I suppose any of those will do, too." The younger man said with an exaggerated sigh. "Think she's here?"

"I hope so." He said just as the dapple grey wolf at the older elf's side nudged at his hand until he reached over and scratched it behind its ears.

The mage cocked his head to the side. "Think we should have written first?"

"Probably." He said, smiling at the wolf before looking out in front of them again. "But that wouldn't make it a surprise now, would it?"

Solas stood in the rotunda with his arms crossed over his chest in front of the final blank space of his mural. There were lines, the beginning of something, but little else in way of a picture.

He had started working on it before their fight with Corypheus, but once they returned from Orlais and he tried to go on with it, something stopped him. Whenever Levellan asked him about it, he would put his love's mind at ease - but the truth was, however, he was unsure how to proceed.

Frustrated, Solas didn't notice the newcomer until he felt someone tap him on his shoulder.

"So sorry for bothering you." He heard, and when he turned around, Solas saw an elf dressed in the light green armour typical of Dalish mages standing there.

Slightly shorter than he was, the mage's face was shrouded by a green hood, while a single cyan blue line ran over a full lower lip down his chin and throat.

"May I help you?" he asked, turning towards the elf more fully.

"Ah, yes, definitely... I think." He began before grinning sheepishly. "I appear to be lost, which, let me tell you, is a feat in on itself since I just got here a few minutes ago. Goodness... But I'm babbling... Right, sorry about that. Long story short, I'm looking for someone, and if you could point me in the right directions, I'd be grateful."

"Who are you looking for?"

"My sister actually, I-" he stopped himself midsentence as he let his eyes wander. "Creators above, look at all this. I've seen murals like these in ruins before, but none of them compare. It's truly remarkable - if you didn't know any better, you'd think this was original."

The sudden change in the direction of his thoughts surprised Solas.

"Do you?" he asked before he could stop himself.

"Mm?"

"Know better."

"Oh, well, yes. At least, I'd like to think so." When Solas cocked an eyebrow the other mage took this as a sign to explain. "Even if these murals were authentic and have stayed at they are for the last, oh... few hundred years or so by the look of this place, the wall underneath would have been indicative of its age. Walls crack and paint fade over time." He then thought about it. "Of course, there is always the possibility of magic as means of preservation, but then again, the scenes depicted don't match events in the known history of the area."

Solas smiled a little. "That's perceptive of you."

There was something familiar in the way he smiled. "Ma serannas." He said politely before turning back to Solas. "But where are my manners? Here I am, talking your ear off, and I haven't even asked your name yet."

He extended his hand. "Solas."

The other mage perked up immediately. "Wait, you can't... You are? Mythal have mercy on me." He said before taking Solas's hand with both of his and shook it vigorously. "It's a great, great pleasure to finally meet you in person. My sister's told me much."

The elf's enthusiasm took him by surprise, but before he could do or say anything, Levellan happened to walk into the rotunda.

When she saw this, the Inquisitor stopped walking.

"Solas?"

Both elves looked up, but when the newcomer saw her, he turned away from Solas.

"Lana?"

Levellan blinked at the familiarity in his voice until recognition lit in her eyes. "...Han?"

A broad grin spread over the mage's face as he reached up and pulled his hood down, revealing a head of pale, flyaway hair and bright, hunter's green eyes identical to Levellan's.

Levellan's smile was a mirror of the elf's, and when he held out his arms, she met him halfway and threw her arms around his neck.

She let out a peal of laughter when he then picked her up around the waist and spun her around. "Han!" she laughed once he stopped spinning. "What are you doing here?"

"What's the matter, sister-dear, aren't you happy to see me?" he teased, setting her down.

She rolled her eyes. "Of course I am, brother-mine, but if I had bit more of a warning, I would have prepared a better welcome." She said, squeezing his upper arm.

"I thought so too, but here we are."

Levellan pulled back a little. "We?"

He chuckled and shook his head. "That's a long story." He said good-humouredly until he seemed to notice her face for the first time.

At this, Levellan's entire posture stiffened, but not before he took her face in his hands and examined it thoroughly, even tilting it to the side and brushed her hair away to have a better look at her forehead.

When he was done, he looked at her questioningly.

Levellan laid her hands over his and lowered them from her face. "I..." she began, suddenly uncertain. "I know what you're going to say, but before you do, hear me out first."

His eyebrows knitted together. "What happened to your face, Ellana?"

"That's a long story." She said, echoing his words. "But I'll explain everything later, I promise."

He sighed but relented. "I'm keeping you to that."

Levellan nodded and squeezed his hands.

"I will, but I need to introduce you first." She said before turning back to Solas when he caught her eye. "Ma'arlath, this is my brother, Mahanon, First of my clan and pain in my arse since we were children."

He snorted. "We love each other, really, despite outward appearances." He said wryly before smiling at the other elf. "Don't worry, we've met, and like I said, I've heard much, Solas."

Solas smiled back. "I wish I could say the same, lethallin."

Mahanon looked at Levellan and made a face. "I'm hurt."

"We'll put that right shortly." She promised. "But now, what did you mean 'we'?"

Her brother looked amused. "You don't really think I made the trip all by myself, do you?"

It took a moment, but when the realization struck, Levellan's eyes widened.

"You didn't..."

He grinned impishly. "But I did."

"No."

"Oh yes."

"Han!"

"C'mon, Lana, he missed you!"

She narrowed her eyes, stepping back. "Where is he?" she demanded with a voice like steel.

"We separated - we thought we could find your faster if we split up."

Solas stared when Levellan suddenly broke away from the other elf and swore loudly before turning on her heels and marched out.

"Dare I ask what that was about?" he asked as he watched her leave.

Mahanon burst out laughing, shaking his head before he clasped the other elf's shoulder in a friendly way. "You'll have to wait and see, my friend, but if I'm right about what's coming next, you'd do well to brace yourself."

As Levellan stalked into the main hall, she happened to pass the door to Josephine's office when she heard a feminine giggle.

Stopping dead in her tracks, she shut her eyes and prayed for strength.

Steeling herself against whatever was waiting for her on the other side, when Levellan opened the door, she found Josephine standing in front of her desk with an older, dark-haired elf with an impressive longbow on his back and a wolf sitting at his feet.

Much to the Inquisitor's dismay, there was a subtle blush on her Ambassador's cheeks which only deepened when the elf reached up and casually brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. She grimaced when he then said something under his breath and Josephine giggled.

However, before anything else could happen, the wolf happened to look up and let out a happy yip and bark.

This made both of them look at her, but while Josephine's eyes widened in surprise, a broad grin spread over the older elf's face.

"Pup!" he said happily, and his enthusiasm managed to thaw her out.

Her taut shoulders slacked as she let out a soft, exasperated sigh. "Hello, Da."

-Tension-

Talk around the dinner table was in full swing that night as the remainder of the Inner Circle discussed the latest turn of events.

Looking over towards the Inquisitor's door, Bull let out a snort when his stare lingered on the wolf curled up in front of it before he gave Solas a sympathetic look.

"What?" the mage asked irritably.

The qunari was unaffected by his mood and patted his shoulder. "Tough break, buddy."

Blackwall seemed to share his sentiment and shook his head. "Poor sod..."

Solas raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

The knowing look Dorian and Varric exchanged with one another didn't sit well with him - at all.

"Well, it's obvious, isn't it?" Dorian said matter-of-factly, and when all he got was a blank stare back, he groaned as if pained. "Maker's breath, for a smart man you're slow."

Varric snorted. "You're about to meet the Inquisitor's family, Chuckles."

"I already met her brother, Varric." Solas said with a sigh.

"By accident. That hardly counts." Dorian scoffed. "What we're talking about is when a girl actually takes the time and introduces you to her loved ones in an official capacity... Or, I assume the same rules apply, of course, regardless whether any of it was planned or not."

"In most cultures, meeting someone's parents is considered the first step in a formal courtship, Solas." Cassandra explained when she saw the bewildered look on the elf's face.

"But, wait," Bull said before he could respond. "Since we're bringing up the C-word, and all, Solas and the Boss already skipped to the fun parts - doesn't that mean they're kinda... you know..."

"What? Hitched?" Varric said before he suddenly went quiet, like the very same idea occurred to him as well. "...Well, if we're being reasonable, I guess in some parts of the world... Maybe... Probably."

Solas's face paled as the table suddenly started casually debating amongst themselves whether he and the Inquisitor were in fact married.

"They'd need a priest for it to be official." Cassandra said over the chatter.

"Maybe if they were human, but I think the Inquisitor's clan might have other rules about these kinds of things." Blackwall admitted and the Seeker considered this with pursed lips.

"I could always write to Merril and find out for sure." Varric offered.

"It'll be quicker just asking Dalish." Bull suggested.

"All that's good and well of course, but if, hypothetically speaking, they are... does that mean there isn't going to be a ceremony now? No reception?" Dorian asked with a slight pout, sounding put out.

"Damn, I didn't think about that." Bull said as the conversation started up again with fervour.

"It would be a ruddy shame if it didn't happen." Blackwall agreed. "I'd imagine the celebration and the fanfare would be... well, something rather spectacular."

"Not just that - think of the food! The wine!" Dorian said. "And dear sweet, merciful Andraste - think of the clothes!"

When all he got were blank stares back, he huffed and turned his face away.

"Oh, why am I even talking to any of you?" he sulked. "I miss our Enchanter sometimes - she would have understood..."

Varric just shook his head before looking back at Solas and raised an eyebrow when he saw the mage with his hands over his face, the tips of his ears the faintest tinge of pink.

Their attention was suddenly on the wolf in front of the Inquisitor's door - it was on its feet, its tail wagging as it let out a low whine.

The door opened and when the Inquisitor stepped out, she had a look on her face that had Solas on his feet. He was about go over to her when the wolf suddenly reared up on its hind legs and, in a very, almost human-like gesture, placed its large paws against her shoulders.

Green eyes met golden yellow ones as it stood almost as tall as she did, and for a moment, all either wolf or elf did was stare at one another. Once this passed, the wolf nosed her cheek affectionately and Levellan let out a giggle.

When it got back down on its own four paws, the elven woman knelt down in front of it and scratched it underneath its chin until its eyes drooped.

Her brother and father stepped out not too long after that, and when Mahanon laid a hand over her shoulder, she reached up and covered it with her own before she stood up and smiled at him weakly.

Her father then walked up next to her and put his arm around her shoulder. Levellan leaned into him and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

She squeezed their hands and lead them as she then turned towards her Inner Circle and walked towards their table.

"Everyone, I'd like to introduce you to my family. I think some of you may have met my brother already." She said, and Mahanon waved cheerfully. "The same, however, might not be true for my da since he was otherwise... occupied."

Her father caught the pointed look she gave him and grinned back charmingly. Despite his darker hair and tanned skin, he had the same green eyes, the same slanted nose and the same full lips as the Inquisitor and her brother.

"Your lady ambassador and I were merely talking - the poor woman nearly had a fit when she saw old Duke here, and I had to convince her of his good heart." He said matter-of-factly, patting the wolf on its head.

"Of course you were." Mahanon said wryly as a look passed between him and his sister.

The older elf waved off his children. "Fine, don't believe your own father. But never mind that right now. First things first - where's this man of yours I've heard so much about, Lana?"

At this, all eyes at the table suddenly turned on Solas who was still standing there.

"That would be me." He said evenly and those sharp eyes turned onto him.

No one said a word as both men seized each other up, the tension hanging thick between them until Levellan stepped away and looked at Solas, holding out her hand.

Solas broke eye contact and moved around the table, taking her hand with his. She held it like a lifeline and gave him a grateful look before she turned back to her father.

"Da..." she said quietly.

Her father shared a brief look of his own with Mahanon, and once his son nodded, he stepped up to Solas and extended his hand.

After a split second's hesitation, the mage returned the gesture but had to stop himself from wincing when the man's grip became a steel trap.

"The name's Ramshael." He very nearly growled. "My friends call me Hal... but you can call me 'ser'."

The colour drained from Levellan's face as something rebellious within Solas kicked against the elf's outright command. A reply was at the tip of his tongue, but when he caught the pleading look his love gave him, he clenched his jaw and swallowed his pride as he shook his hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, ser." He may or may not have emphasised the last word with a slight electric pulse coursing through his hand and fingers.

To his credit, Ramshael - Hal - hardly seemed phased by this and nodded curtly when he let go perhaps a little too abruptly.

Mahanon, sensibly, stepped in before anything else could have been said and put his arm over his father's shoulders, nudging him none-too-subtly with his hip. "You know what, it's been a long... long day. I think it would be a good idea if we turned in early for once. Don't you agree, Da?"

"That's a great idea, Han. I can show you to your rooms." Levellan said quickly and the two of them practically dragged Hal out of the hall before he could say or do anything else, the wolf trotting behind them dutifully.

All Solas could do was stare after as the others looked at him.

Varric let out a low whistle as Bull just shook his head.

"Poor sod." Blackwall said again.

Solas, for his part, was inclined to agree.

~TO BE CONTINUED~

A/N: Right, so I'm ending here since I didn't want to make this chapter too long (if 15 pages on MSW could be considered 'not too long').

I've looked at my planning, and I'm rather happy to announce that this story is going to be a tad longer than the four or five chapters I originally had in mind (I do have to squeeze in a plot in here somewhere, don't I?). The next chapter is a little Levellan-centric, but hopefully it'll make up for it by being, well, funny - meeting the In-Laws is always good for a giggle, after all, and I can promise you all, Papa Levellan is not going to make it easy for our dear Dread Wolf.

Fun, fun, fun.

I love hearing from you! If you have a comment, a question or a suggestion (of if you want to point out a typo *cringe*), leave a review or drop me a message - I love hearing from my readers :)

Until next time,
GoddessofDawn out.