The dew only took a few minutes to gather on the leaves to the point that Leliana could see it. It was truly remarkable, and something she had never known.

Until tonight. Tonight, she couldn't sleep.

Her world was always quiet. At night the blood slowed, her limbs grew heavy, and the world grew dark. But her world was just as silent as it had been throughout the day, her only companion the subtle pressure of blood as her heart pressed it through the vessels in her ears. Anything more she could not hear. And she was not even convinced it was that she heard it, more just that she felt it.

Because of this persistent silence, she had difficulty sleeping. She could not trust her ears to alert her to the presence of someone who should not be there, and it took away the peace of mind that allowed her to relax enough to fall asleep. In the palace this had not been a problem, but now, on their second night away from Denerim, she again could not sleep, despite how exhausted she was after two full days riding and only fitful dozing the night before. Even Max's constant vigilance, at the expense of his own sleep, did not do much to comfort her. She ended up keeping watch with him unofficially from her bedroll, occasionally dozing, but that was it.

Turning over once again, Leliana's eyes fell on Solona. The mage was in a simple shirt, the blanket of her bedroll having fallen down to her hip. They slept before the fire, the coals doing wonders to keep them warm in the crisp spring air. The Warden-Commander's mouth lay partly open, and by the looks of things, she snored slightly, though Leliana could of course not hear it. Reaching out with her hand, the bard gently laid it on Solona's shoulder. Waiting only a few seconds confirmed that Solona was indeed snoring, a slight vibration reverberating through her chest and into Leliana's fingers.

The mage shifted slightly in her sleep, really just the odd move of her arm, but it caused the muscles in her shoulders to bunch under Leliana's hand. The bard couldn't help but to glide her hand further, feeling the definition of her lover under the coarse woolen shirt. They had not made love since before the archdemon. The idea of Solona touching her, pushing inside of her, terrified the bard. She was robbed of the most important sense after touch for lovemaking, and she worried it would make her feel isolated from her lover. She could not bear feeling that way.

Oddly, any cause for self-consciousness over her body was gone. Her skin… was whole. Alistair had told her that her body had been charred beyond recognition. The fire had burned the scarring away, and when Wynne had healed her, she had regenerated new skin that was unblemished.

Now she just had an unseen scar.

But she could not bring herself to bare this newly-whole skin to Solona. Not yet.

Poor Solona… She must be nearly aching with need, as it had been weeks since they had made love.

The guilt returned. Most days Leliana was very good at just being grateful to be alive. But other days she wished Wynne had not chosen to give her life for Leliana's. Wynne had so much more to offer the world, especially with Leliana deaf as she was. On top of that guilt – the guilt for being responsible for Wynne's death – she also felt guilty for denying her lover. It was not that Solona had even attempted to do more than kiss Leliana intimately, but still Leliana felt guilty. She knew the mage's libido was strong and steady, and that a likely celebration for everyone else was a passionate night with their chosen partner. But Solona had not pushed for it, and Leliana was too awkward to find her feet in the once-familiar dance of love and seduction.

It simply would not be the same, and that frightened her and frustrated her by turns.

And yet her hand remained splayed upon Solona, having traveled down her back and coming to rest on the mage's waist. Almost without thought her fingers dug in, and when she looked back to Solona's face she found the mage's eyes were open, bright in the gloom. A hand stole up to Leliana's cheek, softly caressing it, those slate-grey eyes intense for one who had been asleep but a moment before.

They just held each other's gaze for a timeless moment. Leliana took in Solona's scent, tea and honey and the somewhat sour smell of sleep, in awe at how strongly she detected it now more than ever. She could feel the heat of her love through the woolen shirt. She only needed to taste her to see if that sense, as well, was heightened…

The moment ended abruptly, their lips crashing together under the moon and the stars. Solona's mouth tasted warm and wet, her scent wrapping around Leliana in a warm, familiar embrace. Or perhaps that was Solona's arms?

The sensations were like nothing she'd ever felt before. How in all Thedas did I think being unable to hear would separate me from her? Their clothes were gone before the bard knew it, her mind trying desperately to focus on one sensation while being gloriously distracted by another. Solona's eyes rarely left hers, and while Leliana did not have the presence of mind to read the mage's lips, she knew in her heart, without even the shadow of a doubt, that it was whispers of love that fell from her lover's lips.

Leliana's skin was on fire, her center pounding with blood, and when Solona pulled her up to straddle her lap and pressed inside of her, an arm wrapped around the bard's waist to steady her, it was all Leliana could do not to scream her pleasure. It was joyous and desperate and wonderful and familiar and how in the Maker's name did she think that this would be anything but glorious?!

She came with her lips locked with Solona's, their bodies moving in tandem, drenching her lover's hand in her own fluids. But neither of them cared. Let them be a mess when they met their guide the next morning. Let all know what had occurred here, between these two women. They had stopped – and survived – the Blight to be with each other. If they had done that, then nothing could pull them apart ever again.

Some time later, both lovers now thoroughly sated, Solona pulled a very naked Leliana to lie on her shoulder, arm wrapped around the bard and holding her close. This was wonderful. The redhead might even be able to get to sleep.

Looking down at her, the mage smiled sloppily at her. "I love you, Leliana."

Leliana's smile matched the Warden-Commander's as she answered in kind. "Je t'aime aussi, Solona." Always will I love you, my warden.

A/N: Holy fuck. It's done. Wow.

Thank you for reading and staying with me. Yesterday and today are the anniversary of my mother's death. I withdrew from school and a whole lot of shit has gone down since then. But. I finished this. It's just fanfiction, but I finished this monstrously epic work, and I am damn proud of myself for it. I hope you enjoyed it half as much as I enjoyed playing with these characters. :)

On to the next!