Chapter Text
Amalthea Lavellan, who was simply known as “Winter” or “Wint” was an efficient scout and spy.
Winter was intimidating, though she did her best to hide it. She was solemn and quiet, and her eyes held many secrets. Unnaturally tall for her species, but still slender like elves tended to be. Her white blond hair was long on top, with one braid down the left side of her face, the rest swept over to the right, with the sides and back of her head shaved. Her skin was as pale as her hair. She was often assigned the missions in the colder regions, because in her silver and white scout armor she blended seamlessly in with the snow.
She knew the others whispered she was as cold as winter as well; and she didn’t try to discourage the belief that she was frigid and liked solitude. It was best if she stayed away from others. She had a secret, and it better suited her to be unapproachable rather than risk someone finding out. Winter was a Seer.
Sometimes she was just going about her day to day life and would be blinded by a vision so captivating and realistic she would freeze, to stare wide-eyed at nothing until it released her from it’s grasp. Sometimes she would just get a vague feeling something was going to happen before it did. Other times the immediate future would superimpose itself onto the current one, and she would react as something was happening. Often she would catch things as people were dropping them, or counter an argument before the person made it, effectively making her disagreements short-lived.
She always knew her opponents next move, so fighting was rarely a challenge. She was beyond being deadly with her knives and bow, and a proficient assassin when she needed to be. And sometimes she went to sleep, and saw the future play out in her dreams. She avoided touching other people when she could, that usually triggered visions of their future. She could hold them back, but the mental strain took it’s toll and wasn’t worth it after a time. She usually limited it to when she absolutely had to be around people for a long stretch of time.
She also got glimpses of the past, and they were just as confusing because she never knew it was the past or the future. And she frustrating enough, she could rarely see her own past, more specifically how she came to be. She had been a foundling in the woods, and as a child had always been curious about her parents.
The worst of it were the things she couldn’t change. The future was constantly in motion anyway, but some things seemed to be set in stone no matter how hard she tried. Oh, there were little things she could avoid. Like bumps and bruises. Some missteps. Certain situations. Upon meeting people she sometimes got a flash of their future. When her clan approached others they hid her, she had a tendency as a child to tell adults their fates, and her pale coloring combined with her unnaturally solemn matter-of-factness was unnerving. The first time as a teenager she met a boy not of her clan, she saw their first kiss. She was charmed, swept up in the romance unfolding in her mind, until she saw his inevitable betrayal with another, after she would have given herself to him. She spurred his advances, wanting to protect her own heart. That was when she started to get her reputation of being cold, the first time someone had called her Winter, intended as an insult. Instead she picked up the name as a shield, using it to avoid others, not wanting to be burdened with knowing who next would let her down. It strained things with her clan even more.
She was able to avoid that first heartache; but there were many things she couldn’t, and didn’t, see. She didn’t see herself being banished from her clan. They didn’t listen to her, found her spooky, and dismissed what she had to say. One day she revealed too much, and fearful of her power, what she knew, and how she came by the knowledge, they cast her out. They claimed it was because she refused to get a Vallaslin, and she rejected their way of life. They didn’t want to listen when she insisted the markings were slave markings, and cast her out.
She spent many years on her own after that. Her clans betrayal further setting her convictions to avoid others. Her lack of Vallaslin making other Dalish wary of her. Humans were convinced it was because she was trying to be like them, and just the general hatred of elves they seemed to harbor. She didn’t care, solitude suited her better than the alternative. When she felt lonely she would sit and let the visions of possible futures flood her mind, seeing wonders yet to come and some that would never be. Besides she wasn’t truly alone, she had a cat, Commander Zelda. A little black and orange bobtail that was her constant companion. She had stumbled on the kitten abandoned in the woods, and couldn't bring herself to just leave the poor thing there. And she did have a few vendors she was on speaking terms with, if only professionally. She had to sell her wares somewhere, and get items she couldn’t make on her own. Sometimes local guardsmen would spare with her. However, once she beat them her welcome was worn thin.
But when she saw the sky being ripped open and demons spill forth, she had to help, even though she felt in her heart she couldn’t stop it. She wasn’t doing anything with her life besides wandering; and the vision had the metallic tang of finality, so she knew it was unavoidable. It tasted of lead, which always meant death. She saw the formation of the Inquisition, and the rise of the Herald. The irony that they were of the same clan wasn’t lost on her, even if she was 7 years senior to the elf and didn’t know her personally. She felt her future with the Inquisition. She also saw what would happen should the Inquisition fail. She may have had little use for the world, but she didn’t want it to end up like that.
So she had made her way to Haven and joined after the Breach opened. She slipped in with the first recruits. She didn’t exactly pledge and fully join, just started showing up for meetings and acting like she belonged. After her first few successful assignments, they were just grateful to have her. In the chaos after the blast, no one seemed to notice. She was good at blending in when she put her mind to it.
But what came after, after the dragon, after the fall of Haven, left her truly scared for the first time in her life. The widespread carnage was terrible, she knew she would have nightmares for years to come. But it was a premonition that had left her shaken. She saw grey eyes, staring at her intently. The face around them was handsome, a slight dimple in his pointed chin and strong jaw. He had a proud nose and a generous mouth. But it was his eyes that captivated her, they had a quiet intensity that threatened to crack her ice; they seemed to see through her. The vision, like all her inevitable ones, left the taste of metal in her mouth, so she knew it was set in stone. But instead of lead, she tasted antimony. And it left her with the certainty that it would happen at Skyhold, their next destination. Somehow their futures were intertwined.
Wint had taken an injury in the dragon blasts while helping some villagers escape. The retreat hadn’t helped her leg. She was wary of magic users, afraid they would sense her otherness, so she limited her visits to the tents when it was just the regular healers.
It made her road to recovery long, and Harding had wanted to keep her at Skyhold, not wanting to risk losing her permanently. Healing potions helped some, but for whatever reason weren’t speeding things along like they normally did. She just figured she had worked up a tolerance to them.
Winter was nervous, being around the keep always made her that way. She kept her eyes down and her helmet low. She stayed to herself more than usual, and today was was no different. It had been two weeks and she was losing her mind. She hadn’t even been able to do her normal weapon exercises. She could only limp around, so regular labor was out of the question. She sometimes helped with scout reports, but that grew dull after a time. She had taken to spying on the inner workings of the keep, learning much about the people that ran it. Especially the Inquisitors inner circle. They were a fascinating bunch, a ragtag group of individuals that shouldn’t work but somehow did, balancing each other out. She avoided the elves though. Neither sported a Vallaslin either, but after being so harshly rejected by her people, she wasn’t willing to trust any of them. She made sure to stay far enough away from both to not trigger any visions. Sometimes that helped.
She remembered the day she saw the male, Solas, for the first time. It had been at Haven, she had come out of the Alchemist hut after trading in some elf root she had picked in exchanged for healing potions. He had been standing in the light, his back to her. He was tall for an elf, but with the sun behind him when he turned slightly at the noise she made she couldn’t make out his features. Something about him had set her warning bells off, so before he could get a good look at her, or she at him, she had fled, head down.
Wint pushed these thoughts from her mind. She had stuff to do before her daily rounds. It was a cold, after a fresh snow. She had grabbed her morning rations and wearing her Vir Banal’ras armor, she went and hid behind a half-wall in a lesser travelled part of the keep, back against a wall, facing away from the main hub. She sat in the snow, eating, before laying down and putting her helmet over her face, willing her leg to get better so she could again go out into the field. She sighed as she let the visions take her. She had been keeping them at bay for awhile now, and the strain was wearing on her. She had kept them back because she had not wanted to risk getting trapped in one and waking up and making eye contact with the wrong person. But the effort was giving her a headache, and combined with her leg she couldn’t handle it anymore. She figured her hiding spot was out of the way enough that no one would bother her.
Plus sometimes they gave her insight into the locations the other scouts were heading to, and she could subtly pass along the info to ensure mission success.
As preoccupied as she was, she didn’t realize she hadn’t seen Zelda for any long stretch of time in a few days. Normally the little cat came and went as she pleased, but she would typically hang around her elf, warning her if someone approached. But the cat had been curiously absent for most of that time for awhile now.
~~~~~~~~~~~
The first time Solas saw the cat three days before, he was in his study, contemplating the next part of the mural. He had gotten up early after a disappointing night in the Fade. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t get the Inquisitor out of his mind. She had been on a mission for several weeks with Vivienne, Cole, and Cassandra. Her absence helped; he knew anything more than friendship with her wasn’t possible. And she favored the Commander. But he didn’t harbor any anger; had no right to. And he had only himself to blame, he had warned her of their friendship that could have easily blossomed into more and that it was a bad idea. There was no future with him; she deserved better. She had heeded him, saying she had no interest in convincing someone to spend time with her. And as the Anchor…he knew what would happen down that road. He sighed and turned away from the walls, all he wanted to paint today were her features. A foolish endeavor. He was supposed to be above such things, normally keeping his emotions locked away, but somehow she had awoken them.
When he turned he saw the most curious cat he had ever seen. It was sitting on his desk, watching him. It was black, but with orange and hints of white muddled throughout it’s fur. It’s eyes were a dark golden brown that had a curious intelligence to them. After regarding him for a few moments, it gave him a look of disdain and stood up, yawning and stretching it’s back to let him know it was unimpressed. He was mildly surprised to see that it didn’t have a tail. It sat back down, looked him right in the eyes, as it pushed a book off his desk. The book hitting the ground jarred Solas out of his trance, and he yelled and waved his arms, the cat took off. Solas grumbled and picked up the book.
The next time he saw it was a few hours later. He was up on some scaffolding, painting, when he heard a noise. It sounded like the screech of a dragonling, but when he looked down at the floor, it was the same damn cat from before. It was sitting next to one of his open paint dishes, with a deep color he didn’t have room for up above with him. Knowing what was coming, he started down, yelling at the vile animal to scat. But it merely gave him the scornful look, dipped it’s paws in the paint, and then took off running, leaving a trail out the door into the throne room that he had to explain to a laughing Varric, who had seen the cat take off. The trail ran out at the front door.
Solas was not amused and decided to take measures to try and keep the damn thing out of his area. He put up wards, confident the nuisance would be taken care of. So he was miffed and surprised the next morning to see the cat curled up smugly on his chair. It yawned and stretched, opened one eye to give him a glare, before curling back into a ball. Solas took a deep breath to calm himself, “alright, you can stay Harel, but if you cause more trouble, you’re gone”. The cat ignored him.
An hour later he was lost in thought, reading a text as he paced back and forth, when the cat ran out of nowhere, jumped up, sunk it’s claws into him, bit him, then ran off. He startled at the onset, and let out an expletive, but the cat was long gone. It wisely didn’t come back the rest of the day. Solas was glad, it’s animal tauntings were stirring the animal in him. Later that night, when he was on his way to a taller tower to observe the stars, it did it again. Ran out of the night, with it’s dark fur he never even saw it coming, attacked, and then disappeared. It soured his mood and he turned back, just wanting to read in the safety of his room before going to sleep. He found his mind was pondering the mystery of the animal. Where did it come from? Who did it belong to? Was it even natural? When he got to his sleeping quarters, he was annoyed to find a dead mouse next to his bed. He tossed it out the window. He grumbled to himself as he got ready for bed by the light of his veilfire. He knew what the cat was insinuating when it gave him the dead mouse, and he didn’t appreciate it.
The third morning it was curiously absent. Solas had walked into his tower with the expectation of seeing it on his desk, daring him to react to it’s actions. But when it wasn’t there, he shrugged and contemplated the walls. But his mind kept returning to the little beast and what it would do next. It escaped his notice that he was so concerned about what the cat would do next, he hadn’t thought about the Inquisitor in days.
When it appeared around noon it was almost a relief. It waited until his lunch was brought to him, the staff had figured out that if he was preoccupied he wouldn’t eat, and the Inquisitor had requested they keep an eye on him while she was gone. He heard the servant leave the tray and turned to thank her back, when he saw the cat stalking towards his desk. He watched it with narrowed eyes, and when it grabbed an apple by the stem off his lunch tray, he raised his eyebrows. With one last scornful look, it turned, neatly jumped down, and stalked out.
Curiosity finally winning over, Solas found himself following the little brute. It wound it’s way through the keep, avoiding crowds. No one seemed to notice the odd thing, carrying an apple, which puzzled him. Were they used to a cat carrying apples or did they truly not notice? Eventually it ended up into a mostly deserted corner of the garden, and hopped up on the half wall. It seemed to be regarding something on the ground the other side, before dropping the apple. Solas heard the unmistakable clang of said apple hitting metal, and a yelp of surprise. He was startled to feel his lips quirk up in an almost smile. At least he wasn’t the only being the strange creature liked to torture.
When he heard a female voice swear and reprimand the small cat, he found himself making his way over, curious about the companion of such an insufferable beast. As he started to close the distance he saw someone sit up, she was still cursing. Her scout hat was still over her face, but the long pointed ears told him she was Elvhen. She pushed the hat on the top of her head, but still kept it low over her eyes. Not that he could see her face anyway, as she was facing away from him.
She was muttering to herself when the cat suddenly yowled and pounced on her, knocking the hat from her head. She yelped again and fell backwards, before springing back up and rubbing her hands over her face. “You terrible beast! You’re on your own for dinner tonight!” She looked around for her hat, before scooping it up, so angry she set it back on her head so it no longer covered any part of her face. After a moment he saw her pick up the apple, toss it in the air, and then slipped it into her pocket, “But thanks for the apple! I’m still going to skin you alive, you hateful thing!” The terrible beast in question stalked by him, it’s movements radiating smugness. He could have sworn it gave him a look like ‘your turn’ as it proudly walked by him.
He found that his curiosity was growing by the minute. The scout was slowly getting to her feet, and he could tell she was favoring one leg. He felt a stab of sympathy, he could tell it was really hurting her, her violent oath further confirming it. He decided it was time to step forward. He noted with interest her pale coloring by the back of her neck, as if she had never been in the sun. Her hair was a lovely silver blonde. He stopped on the other side of the wall, behind her.
“Excuse me miss, do you require aid?” Winter was so startled by the voice and someone, somehow sneaking up on she turned around, forgetting to avoid eye contact. Solas sucked in a breathe when he saw her face. She was beyond lovely. Her nose was small, delicate, and slightly upturned at the tip. Her lips generous and a pale pink. They had a solemn set to them. Her cheekbones high and prominent, with just a touch of rose in them. Her chin was slightly pointed and there was a stubborn set to her jaw. She was also very tall for an Elf maid, but he still had an inch or two on her.
The only true color to her were her eyes; and they were her best feature. They were large and almond shaped, but it was the color that mesmerized. Her outer irises were dark purple, the inner a lighter variant of the shade. As she shifted on her feet they appeared almost pink in the early afternoon light. Her lashes were long and silver. She had some white shadow over her lids, with the bottom of her eyes lined in black, accenting their shape and making the color stand out more dramatically.
He also noticed she didn’t have the vile Vallaslin, but dismissed it as she probably grew up in an alienage, something almost equally unappealing.
Winter, for her part, was staring at him in shock. She felt the blood drain from her face, probably making her look even more like a corpse. She knew that face. Had seen it after the Fall of Haven. It had plagued her for weeks. And now she knew who it belonged to, Solas, the Inquisitor’s friend, and at one point it was rumored they were more. He was also a mage who specialized in the Fade. Winter gulped.
None of this helped her now, because they were still just standing there, both staring wide-eyed at the other. Well she was. He looked cool and collected. Winter braced herself for an onslaught of visions, and when they didn’t come her expression changed from shocked to confusion. He spoke first.
Solas realized he was being incredibly rude, and when her face drained of more color he thought it was due to her realizing who he was. He sensed she had no magic, so she was probably wary of who he was. Apostate mages were often met with distrust. Still, he was nothing if not well-mannered, so he tried for an informal greeting, “Aneth ara”. All it did was make her tense more and now she was staring at him in confusion. He pursed his lips, never having expected this outcome when he followed that cat. Maybe she didn’t understand their language? It made sense if she grew up in a city. He tried for common “Hello, I’m Solas” And in a human gesture, he held out his hand.
Winter was still eyeing Solas curiously, but realized she didn’t have a good excuse to not take his hand. Even if it was a stupid human way to greet people. She gripped his, glad to be wearing gloves at least, and said the formal greeting, “Andaran atish’an. I’m Winter”.
Winter braced herself when she took his hand, still wary of visions, but nothing happened. She finally let herself relax a fraction mentally. But she was on guard with him. Solas didn’t miss the formal greeting, but quirked a brow at her name. “Winter?” He found he was reluctant to let go of her hand. Winter felt her face heating up. But it was as good a name as any to give. Amalthea was an unwanted pariah among Elvhen with a dangerous secret. Winter was a regular, run-of-the-mill scout within the Inquisition. Once the world was saved, Winter could disappear, and Amalthea could go back to surviving in the wilds alone.
She withdrew her hand, and Solas regretted the distance and his rudeness at questioning her name; even as her cheeks were tinged with a very becoming blush. “It’s a Scout thing.” “Do you have a formal name?” Winter pressed her lips together and shook her head. “It’s of no significance.” Solas’s felt his lips twitch. He loved a good mystery. The cat took that moment to twine around her legs and jump up on the half-wall between them. Solas focused his gaze on the animal, welcoming the distraction when he was clearly making her uncomfortable. Perhaps he could visit her in the Fade, and she would be more forthcoming in a dream.
“So this….creature….it belongs to you?” He glanced back up at her face. She was looking down at the small cat as well, and her eyes had softened, and her lips had turned up slightly. Solas felt a curious longing. But then his words registered and her brow furrowed, “I wouldn’t say she belongs to me, if anything I belong to her. But she’s my companion, if that’s what you are asking.”
“Well she has terrible manners.” That startled a bark of a laugh out of Winter. It sounded weird to her ears, it wasn’t something she did regularly. Solas’s lips curved slightly at the sound. “That she does, and she also has a name. This is Commander Zelda.” Solas raised a brow, “Commander?” Winter blushed again. “She’s so pushy, I started calling her that as a joke and it stuck. Plus she’s really good at getting what she wants.” Solas nodded and in a dry tone “Yes she is” Winter risked a glance up again. “So what did she do to you?”
Solas looked at her face, once again getting caught in her eyes. Too soon they darted away from his. He swallowed, “Well, she has been knocking items off my desk….she walked through paint and left a trail to be cleaned….randomly attacks….she left a dead mouse in my room…and stole an apple” He had ticked each offense off one of his fingers. He noticed with interest her face got pinker and pinker with each one, and when got to the apple she had grabbed her pocket protectively. She looked into his eyes again. “Oh…well…I’m sorry about that. I can try and keep more of an eye on her but she sort of has a mind of her own. Does what she wants.” She gestured down at her leg, and looked away shame faced “And I’m not exactly in the best shape to chase her down.”
Solas leaned against the half-wall, “How did you hurt your leg?” He found himself more and more intrigued by the unusual elf. Her eyes darted to his again, quizzically, and away again. Since standing was painful, she sat on the half-wall as well, despite how it put her closer to him. “In the fall of Haven. The trek to Skyhold exacerbated the injury.”
“And you haven’t been to see the healers…?”
Winter shrugged, “There’s people with worse injuries than mine. I’d hate to take up resources from someone else who really needed it” Solas regarded her thoughtfully, not sure if he was getting the whole truth or not, and still not sure why he cared. He heard himself offering, to his own surprise. “Well, then do you mind if I take a look? My healing magic isn’t enough that I would be an asset in the the tents, but I still might be able to help.”
The scared look flitted over her face again, but it was gone so fast he wasn’t sure if he had really seen it. Winter shook her head, “No, it’s okay, I’ve taken up too much of your time already” She glanced at the sky, “I really should get started on my duties” She made a move to get going, but her leg chose that moment to collapse and she fell back down on the half-wall, hard.
Solas just watched her with a brow raised. Slowly Winter nodded, defeated, not looking at him. “Alright, if you insist. But I’m not sure why you would be helping me after my cat terrorized you for days” Solas shrugged, not that she could see, “She has only been terrorizing me for three days. You’ve had her much longer, thus you have my sympathy” Winter gave another startled bark of laughter, “Fair enough” She turned toward him and gestured toward her leg. “If you must” She shot him a quick, slight smile. Solas climbed over the half-wall, and crouched before her. He looked up into her face “Winter, look at me” Winter met his gaze, coloring slightly again. “I’m going to gently touch your leg, and use some slight magic, if you feel any weird sensations, that’s what it is. Do not be alarmed”.
Winter tilted her head to the side and nodded. He started up by her hip, and slowly ran his hands down her limb. He was focused intently on what he was doing, so she felt safe enough to openly stare at him. She noticed he had the cutest freckles on his nose. His hands buzzed slightly, and left a trail of heat down her leg wherever he touched her, even through her armor. She found the situation strangely titillating. And when his magic eased some of the ache and hurt in her leg, she couldn’t keep herself from gasping, then moaning in relief and closing her eyes. It was the first time in weeks the pain was gone.
Solas glanced up when Winter sucked in a breath, and when she closed her eyes and moaned, he felt a shot of heat hit his groin. He swallowed and got back to the task at hand. After her moan he was finding it very hard to concentrate. He realized she had very shapely legs, and they were very firm under his ministrations. He slowed his movements, enjoying the feel of her. However, when he got to her ankle he frowned. There was a shadow there, something that was making the healing go much slower than it should. He figured the pain in the joint was causing her to walk wrong, causing the muscles to twist and spasm. He had just fixed her upper leg, he didn't want it to just get messed up again from a bad ankle. He gently probed it with his magic; not wanting to just blast it with power and risk blowing her leg off.
He withdrew his magic and sat back on his heels, thoughtfully regarding the appendage. He was frankly glad for something to take his mind off running his hands over her body, as it was causing some wildly inappropriate thoughts. She had opened her eyes when he stopped and was staring at him, her eyes dark with…something. When she saw the slight frown on his face, her own eyes cleared and her brows furrowed. “What is it? Am I going to lose the leg?” She tried hedging a joke, his serious expression was making her nervous. Solas didn’t lose the thoughtful look on his face. “I’m not sure, but something’s wrong. Have you, by chance, run afoul of any mages? Someone who would curse you?”
Winter thought hard, but nothing came to mind. She avoided the others, she couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to curse her when she left them all alone. “Not that I remember. I don’t really have much to do with other people…”
Solas sighed, “Well someone has cast…something. This will require research. Would you care to accompany me up to library?” Winter swallowed, there were always lots of people in the library, but this was important. Until her leg healed she was stuck here, and if being around others for awhile would get her out of her faster, she would just have to suck it up. “I suppose if it will get me up and about quicker, I can’t exactly say no can I?” Solas offered a slight smile, “Well you could, but it would be unwise.” he stood up and gallantly offered her his hand, not sure if she would be able to make the trek on her bum leg, and not trusting her to actually show up if he didn’t accompany her. The mystery of her had just deepened and he wanted to get to the bottom of it.
Winter debated taking his offer or not, but common sense won out. She needed help if she was going to make it to the library in any reasonable amount of time. And if she didn’t go with him, she might chicken out and just take her chances on her own. She tentatively reached out and grasped his hand. He gently helped pull her to her feet. She was still a bit unsteady and pitched forward into him, surprised to find he was very solid under his knit tunic. She felt another blush stain her cheeks. She pushed back and felt his hands on her shoulders steadying her. Once she had regained her balance, Solas picked her up. Winter squeaked in surprise and clung to him. “Are you sure I’m not too heavy? I can walk!” Solas cast her an amused look, “It’s fine, and we will be much quicker this way.” Zelda had disappeared again in the meantime. He headed toward the Keep.
Winter reached up and put her hat back low over her eyes, and kept her eyes on the ground. She could feel the eyes of keep inhabitants on them, curious about who Solas, whom was known for his solitary nature, was carrying.
Solas too noticed people staring, and noticed Winter’s reaction, “Why do you hide your face?” Winter peeked up at him, “I don’t like to be noticed. When they see my face, people tend to come up with excuses to talk to me, and I want to avoid that. Between the human males who view me as a conquest, the elves who are only interested in trying to ferret out what clan I came from, so they can judge if I’m worthy of their time or not, to the human women who just want to sharpen their tongues on me; no situation is appealing” Solas felt his lips quirk again, she was mordant, and he liked it. “I’ve just got them used to seeing me limp around her and stop noticing me, seeing me with you while carrying me up to the keep is likely to start the tongues wagging again, and I’ll have to work harder to stay out of sight.”
“Well, if I can cure your leg, you’ll at least be able to move a lot quicker to get away from them.” He was gratified to hear her chuckle, “Hopefully. Once my leg is healed, I won’t be stuck around here, I can be out in the field where I belong” Solas was silent a moment, found himself wanting to know more about her, “Why did you join the Inquisition?” He felt her shrug her shoulders, “Why does anyone join any cause? Saving the world seemed as good as reason as any.” She suddenly stopped him, stiffened and looked around, right as something flew by them and hit the wall. Another step and it would have hit her in the head. The Iron Bull came ran up, puffing, “Ah Ha! Sorry about that, got away during training!” He bent and picked up a helmet, turned and shouted “Tell the recruit I got his helmet! Well, when he wakes up!” He hurled the helmet back down to where the Chargers and a few others had been practicing, but were now watching them with interest.
Bull turned and looked for the first time at who was almost taken out by the helmet in question. “Solas! Didn’t expect to see you out of your tower! And with a lady!” A lewd grin spread across his face. Winter kept her head down. Solas scowled at Bull, who wasn’t focused on him. “I’m aiding this young woman.” Bull looked the scout over, his eye missing nothing, including her injured leg, “To the healing tents?” Solas smoothed his expression, “Not exactly. Her injury is a little more complicated than that and we were on our way to the library.” Bull turned and surveyed the stairs, then swung back around to eye the Scout again. “Never gonna happen, let me help.” Winter shrank into Solas’s side, gripping his arm tightly, not wanting to touch Bull and see his future. She had managed to stay out of sight for weeks, and within a day had somehow attracted the attention of two of the Inquisitor’s inner circle. “I think we can manage.”
“Oh come on, we all know that’s not true. From the looks of it you’ve had that injury for awhile now, meaning your muscles are going to be slightly atrophied. And its going to hurt like hell like whole way up if you try and walk it. And you’re too long for him to easily maneuver up all those stairs and hallways. A friend of Solas is a friend of mine!” Bull didn’t want to admit outright he was intrigued by the little Elf, the only things Solas had taken to were the Inquisitor, whom he pretended not to, and Cole, the odd Spirit/human hybrid. He wanted to know what made this Elf maid so special.
“Just let me carry you up and it’ll be over before you know it, it’s the least I can do after almost creaming you with the helmet. Nice reflexes by the way.” He saw the tips of her ears redden slightly. Solas interjected smoothly “Bull you are making her uncomfortable, we can manage just fine on our own.” Solas realized he didn’t like the thought of Winter in Bull’s arms, and he did like her warmth pressed into his chest. Bull had made his way through many of the women and men around the keep, and hated to think of Winter as being another causality under his spell. But with her being so tall and in armor, he didn’t want to risk falling down the stairs carrying her himself. He was loathe to admit he didn’t want to risk it.
“If you don’t want to let her go, I understand Solas. And if you want, I can just carry you both up.”
Winter tried to think of another way around this, but saw no other options. She slithered out of Solas’s arms and sighed, already missing his warmth. Bull wasn’t going to relent, and she wanted at least the illusion of control of the situation. “Fine, I will allow you to help me up the stairs.” Bull’s face split into a wide grin and without preamble he scooped up Winter and headed off, “Spar amongst yourself until I get back Chargers!” He yelled as he started up the long staircase.
Solas followed close behind, on Bull’s blindside, working to keep his expression calm and composed. For her part, Winter saw only one small vision, and it was of The Iron Bull and Dorian, another of the Inquisitor’s inner circle, sharing a passionate embrace. It caused her blush to deepen, to see him in such an intimate moment with a lover. Bull misread her flush, “I know, it’s not every day you get to be carried around in the arms of a Dashing Qunari. So what’s your name anyway?” Winter, relaxed now that the vision part of meeting him was over, pushed her hat back and looked up into his face. Bull raised a brow when they locked eyes but didn’t comment. Maybe Solas was more flesh and blood than he liked to admit, the Scout was beautiful.
“I’m Winter.”
“And who are you Winter?”
She tilted her head, “No one of consequence”
“I find that hard to believe; I must know”
“Get used to disappointment”
Bull threw back his head and laughed. She may have appeared meek, but she had some fire hidden under her shy exterior.
“An enigma eh? No matter, sooner or later I’ll figure it out. How do you and Solas know each other?”
She gave him her most mysterious smile, “A cat introduced us” Bull laughed again. “You’re almost as bad as he is, never says straight what he can say sideways. Is it a mage thing?” Winter rolled her eyes, aware he was prying, “Unlikely, seeing as how I’m no mage”
“Ah, so it’s an Elf thing”
Winter crossed her arms, “This may surprise you, but not everyone wants to spill their life story to the first person who asks.”
“That is surprising, most people I can’t get to stop talking about themselves.” He switched topics “So how did you hurt your leg?”
Winter huffed, “In the Fall of Haven” Bull gave her a curious look, “But that was weeks ago, surely it should be better by now?” Winter gave him a miserable look, “Hence why we are going to the library. Something is not right apparently.”
“Well what did the healers say?” Winter squirmed a bit, “Nothing really, as I haven’t exactly …been to see them.”
Bull gave her a look, “Any particular reason you didn’t want to get better?”
“The body is designed to heal, I figured it would work itself out in the end!”
“Oh I get it…you don’t trust mages. You’re falling in with the wrong crowd if that’s the case.”
“You think I don’t know that?” Winter hissed, “I’m not even supposed to be here, and I can’t exactly run away” She gestured to her leg. She got a sudden flash of Bull telling her Solas wasn’t the bad sort, he seemed harmless enough as far as mages went. And how trusted he was with the Inquisitor. In the whirlwind of the day, she forgot to be cautious, “I know all that!” She continued in a low voice, “If the Inquisitor trusts him that should be all the voucher I need. But I can’t help how I feel.”
Bull was giving her a strange look, “I didn’t say anything.”
Winter once more felt her blood rush to her face. Thankfully they had reached the top of the stairs. She studiously avoided Bull’s eye, pretending to be interested in her surroundings.
Even with his Elf hearing, Solas couldn’t really make out what was being said in front of him. But every time Bull threw back his head and laughed he grit his teeth. He didn’t want him to be charmed by Winter. He recognized he was feeling jealous, but couldn’t seem to snap out of it. Or figure out why it bothered him that she would get along with the big brute.
When they passed by Varric on the way to the library, he whistled, not seeing Solas behind Bull, “Who’s the lucky lady Bull? And why did you bring her all the way up here? Finally run out of spots down below?” Bull grinned, “Actually, this one belongs to Solas.”
“Chuckles?! Where did he meet a woman?”
“Apparently a cat introduced them.”
Varric started laughing loudly. “So she’s who that cute little kitten that’s been plaguing him belongs to?”
Bull’s grin grew, “So a cat did introduce them!” He laughed again. “This day keeps getting better and better” Winter put her face in one hand. There was no way now she was ever going to sink back into anonymity again. With her luck Varric would have an entire 20 verse song composed about the whole thing.
Bull continued up the stairs, and made his way over to a table, his aim to deposit Winter on the bench by it. Before setting her down, he couldn’t resist teasing her one last time, and by extension, Solas. “Well Winter, this is where we part ways. Unless you enjoyed it so throughly in my arms you wish a repeat.” He wagged his eyebrows suggestively.
Winter laughed in spite of herself. She found herself liking the Bull, and couldn’t resist teasing him a bit back. She didn’t get the opportunity often. She leaned in close to his ear, “Soft pass. Besides, I’m not who you really want in your bed,” her gaze flicked to the side, where Dorian was pretending to not notice them. She leaned in closer and whispered, “He wants you too.” Then pulled back and winked. Bull’s eye widened a fraction, before giving Winter an appraising look as he put her down. He turned into Solas’s carefully blank face, but could see the tension he was holding around his eyes thanks to his Ben-Hassrath training. Oh yea, Solas was definitely interested in the Scout. And not just as a magic project like he was pretending.
Winter ignored the men shooting various looks all over, instead gazing around the library. So far, actual interactions with people hadn’t been so bad. Maybe she didn’t have to be so guarded with everyone after all. But then again, maybe she had just happened upon the rare few people who she could tolerate. The visions had even been to a minimum, she would have to be more careful in conversations, but she didn’t see anything crushing happening to her. Yet.
While she had been examining her surroundings, Bull turned to go, before turning back once more, “Hey Wint, if you get tired of these stuffy old book-types trying to cure you, you’re welcome to join us in the Tavern for a pint. And if you need assistance getting down there” He gave her a mock bow, “I will be happy to offer my services again. My arms will wait for the chance to gently cup your body again” Winter rolled her eyes and offered him a half smile, “Thank you for the invite, but I think I may be here awhile. You’re arms will just have to keep waiting.” Bull laughed again and left, calling a greeting to Dorian, who's eyes had followed him out. Winter felt her lip curl into a slight smirk. She hoped she had helped set that along.
She finally turned to Solas, who’s face was cool indifference. She smoothed her face into the same expression. The silence stretched on and Winter found herself actually hoping for a vision, to gain some insight into what he was thinking. She was debating reaching out and grabbing him to see if she could jar one, when she heard a voice. “Where do we start?” Solas’s eyes shifted back into focus, giving himself a mental shake. He was bristling at Bull’s offer of companionship, and the sub offer of being more. He didn’t know what she had whispered to the big Qunari, but it had to be something for him to make such a suggestion. He turned towards Dorian, who had been the one to speak.
“WE are not starting anything. This Scout has an unusual problem that I will be helping her with. We didn’t mean to interrupt you.” Dorian gave him a cheerful smile, “Nonsense Solas! I wasn’t doing anything of importance, and would be glad to lend my vast expertise to the issue at hand! Now, what exactly are we dealing with?”
The two stood there, debating how to get rid of the other, when Winter cut in. “It seems I may have run afoul of a mage, and they’ve cursed my leg into not healing properly”
“Ah! She speaks! Wonderful, let me take a look” And without waiting for an invitation he came over and began running his hands down her leg. “My name is Dorian by the way.” Winter gave him a scathing look, “Wrong leg. And I’m Winter”
Dorian gave her a winsome smile, “Of course it is and of course you are, but whoever cast this may have put a latent curse in your other as well, we should do a whole scan to see where the source of this is” Winter raised her brows, “So you are more than just a pretty face”
“Of course my dear, the pretty face is just a perk.” He made quick work of scanning her with his magic, with Solas off to the side, his face unreadable. Winter grit her teeth against Dorian’s hands, they did nothing for her and she kept getting glimpses of his past, and she was sure they were not things he would want anyone to know. For the first time she felt maybe she was better off not knowing her parents.
Finally Dorian was done, and was just holding her hurt ankle, probing the shadow hidden there. “Well it seems to be just the one leg, so thank the Maker for that. Whoever it was the did curse you, they didn’t want you to die, just be out of commission for awhile.” Winter gave him a sarcastic smile, “Ah yes, I am so very thankful whoever cursed me only wanted me to suffer, not die.”
“There’s that Elf wit I’ve heard so much about. Hard to imagine anyone wanting to hurt you, with your overabundance of charm.”
“Can you fix it, or do you intend to sass it away?”
Solas felt his lips twitch, clearly Winter’s shy nature didn’t mean she was a pushover.
But Dorian was frowning into her ankle, “I am not sure, this is curious and will require a bit of research.” Winter groaned, “That’s the general consensus.”
Winter felt the stirring of fear in her belly. If it was so serious that the sarcastic Vint couldn’t be bothered with a retort, something must seriously be wrong.
Solas finally spoke up, “What were your impressions on the curse?”
And then the two of them began discussing magic, and walked away from Winter, she was glad. All the mumbo jumbo was giving her a headache. Soon they were on separate sides of the library, calling out suggestions to the other.
And Winter was bored. She debated hopping over to a bookshelf to get something to read, but when she had stood up, Solas had appeared at her side, and told her she needed to rest so not to mess up her leg further. “I am not a child..”
“Exactly, you are an adult so you understand that you need to sit still and not risk further injury until we know the nature of the curse” Winter had no choice but to sit back down with a sigh. Not when he was going to use reason and logic on her.
She pulled out her daggers and started doing tricks with them. She started off easy with some rolling inverts, going to trigger flips, to eventually spinning the dagger on her hand. She didn’t notice that Solas kept glancing over at her. The other patrons of the library also kept shooting her quizzical looks. When she was spinning a dagger on her finger she heard a disapproving cough. She palmed the blade and looked over at a Chantry Sister shaking her head at her. Feeling like a scolded child, she put her blades away, and slumped against the wall. Maybe she could get lost in the future for the time being. No one was paying her any attention anyway. She was about to zone out when she heard Solas speak.
“Maybe this is a result of Blood Magic. I am surprised you do not practice blood magic, Dorian. Is it not popular in Tevinter?”Dorian’s voice was dry, “While we’re sharing surprises, you’ve done a lot less dancing naked in the moonlight than expected”
“Tevinter lore about elves remains accurate as always”
Dorian sighed dreamily, “I wanted to see you make flowers bloom with your song, just once.”
Solas just grunted at him.
“And besides, I don’t think the answer to our problem lies with blood magic”
Winter giggled, “Who among us hasn’t danced naked in the moonlight?” Dorian laughed “Fair point from a Fair Maiden.” Winter stuck our her tongue at him.
Solas gave her an appraising eye. Winter willed her cheeks not to flush, and then in a bold moment, winked at him. She closed her eyes and leaned back against the wall again, wondering what had gotten into her. Most assumed she had no personality because she was so solitary, but she figured since she was in it, she might as well let her quirks out before she went back to her self-imposed exile to the wilds. Plenty time to be lonely and solemn later.
Eventually it was dinnertime, and Winter was bored to tears. She pulled the apple out of her pocket and began cutting the peel off in one long, thin strip. She didn’t notice when Dorian came and sat down across from her, watching her hands. Solas had disappeared, and the other library patrons were on the other side of the tower or had cleared out for the night, unnerved by the magical discussion and barbs thrown about by the two mages.
“You’re very skilled with those” Winter paused a moment, glanced up at Dorian with a slight smile, then continued to peel the apple. “Thank you, I’ve worked hard to become so.” He lifted a brow, and Winter glanced at him again. “Oh don’t raise a brow at me. Modesty is a human construct the Chantry tries to force on people to keep them easily malleable. I’ve put a lot of effort into being an excellent rogue. Why would I not be proud of that? Why try and diminish my accomplishments? So other people’s are more comfortable with their mediocrity?”
“I am the last person you will ever hear preaching the virtues of modesty. It was just nice to hear someone else who wasn’t taken in by this humble nonsense.”
Winter snorted, “I’m sure between all you higher ups, there isn’t much ‘humble nonsense’, as you put it.”
“Higher ups?”
Winter rolled her eyes, “Don’t play coy, we both know you’re bad at it. You people are leading the Inquisition. Sure the Inquisitor is at the helm, with her three advisors right behind her, but after them, all of you companions are who hold the most influence. You are her closet friends, and have her ear. And not one of you is modest.” She paused, considering, “Well except maybe the strange one, Cole. But that could be more because he doesn’t understand boasting. But you’re right, I shouldn’t have defended my lack of modesty to you.”
Dorian cocked his head and considered the pale elf. “So Winter, who are you?” Winter gave the mage a glare. “It hasn’t been a day and that is the third time I have been asked that question. I’m sick of it.”
“Well Solas is a solitary elf, and besides you, there are only two other beings anyone has ever seen him willingly spend time with. Like it or not, you are going to be a source of gossip and intrigue. And now you’ve been seen with me! The loathsome Vint Mage! Not to mention The Iron Bull carried you up here in his arms, with a very petulant Solas following behind. No dear, I’m afraid you’re infamous now. People are going to wonder who you are, and what it is about you that have captured the attention of so many of the Inquisitor’s allies.”
Winter groaned and set down her apple and dagger, so she could put her face in her hands. From under them she said, “I’m just a Scout. No one important. I joined because I was just wandering aimlessly through the wilds. I was bored! I wasn’t doing anything.” She put her hands down, looked up, and met his eyes, and he had to blink against the intensity of her gaze, he didn’t realize she had violet orbs and it was slightly unsettling, “I’m a good Scout; one of the best. I’m happiest out in the field causing mayhem. I avoid others, I have no idea why anyone would even want to curse me, nor why any of you would even want to help me out.”
“Well as for myself, I enjoy a good mystery, I’m bored, and it’s too early to drink, so here we are”
“Why is it too early to drink? I know I could go for one” Dorian smiled, “Perhaps after we unravel your mystery.”
Neither noticed Solas come up, and when he cleared his throat Dorian gave a theatrical jump, “Ah, Solas. You startled me. You’re always so …nondescript.”
Without skipping a beat Solas said, “Please speak up! I cannot hear you over your outfit!”
Winter burst out laughing. Dorian looked between her and Solas, noticing how Solas’s face softened a fraction and Winter’s face relaxed as she grinned up at him. He mumbled, “No one important indeed.” Before he went off in search of dinner himself. He noted the pail Solas had brought and decided he would give them some privacy.
Solas made a gesture towards the table, and Winter moved her legs and nodded, indicating that he was welcome to sit next to her. “I thought you might be hungry, and could use a break”
Winter pulled a face, “A break from sitting here doing nothing? I would love to step outside and….” She trailed off at the look of his face. “How long is this going to take? What are we going to do when I have to break water? Bathe? Will I get married and live my life at this table? Have children here? Am I to die here?” Winter realized she may be a bit hysterical, but she had had a very trying day. She wasn’t used to so many people badgering her. Playing with others was not her strongest, most developed suit, “What if, I chop off my leg, and just give it to you? Can I go then?” She picked up her knife, stabbed it into the peeled apple, and took a big bite, glaring at him.
“Winter, don’t be ridiculous, you’ll never meet someone to marry and procreate with at this table. You lack the equipment Dorian prefers and the rest of the library patrons are women.”
Winter laughed in spite of herself, almost spitting apple all over him but managing to keep it in her mouth. She swallowed, “Alright, I know I’m being a little crazy. I just am sick of being cooped up. And interrogated. Even when I was hobbling along on a bad leg, I could do it where I wanted. People ignore you when you’re crippled. Makes them feel bad about having two working legs or something.”
“You’ll be able to hobble along anywhere you want again as soon as we figure out who cursed you with what and how to get rid of it.” He couldn’t resist asking, “Where would you go?”
Winter took the apple off the end of the dagger, wiped the blade on her tunic, before shoving it back into her the top of her boot.
“Fine, I’ll be civilized and communicate. If you are going to be completely rational against my madness, it makes it no fun.”
“I disagree, I was having fun”
Winter grinned, then considered his question, “I would go….anywhere I want, imagine the possibilities.” She shot him a look, “after the Inquisition of course.” She sighed, “You know I miss running. Just…running until I can’t anymore. Pushing myself to the limit until I collapse with exhaustion. And fighting. Kicking the shit out of someone. Testing my mettle against another being. Putting my body through the paces until every muscle is sore and just so gloriously alive.” She grew thoughtful, “And swimming. I discovered some hot springs hidden deep in a cave in Emprise du Lion. Just, the thought of stripping down and soaking while the gentle heat relaxes all your nerves, reducing you to a puddle. Then rolling in the snow for the shock of it. The contrast. Now I’m happy if I shift in my bedroll without crying out in pain” She blinked, and then looked embarrassed.
“Ugh I made a speech. I hate speeches.”
Solas was regarding her curiously, “But a very illuminating speech it was. You value your freedom very highly. And have some unusual bathing habits.”
She took another bite of apple, cursing herself for revealing so much. She cocked her head, “Doesn’t everyone value freedom? Who likes to be trapped?”
“You’d be surprised. Some people like the comfort of not having any choices.”
Winter shook her head, “I don’t get it. I think if I was ever truly trapped into something, or captured as a slave, I’d kill myself.”
Solas raised a brow, and Winter relented, “Well, after trying to kill whoever was fool enough to try and enslave me, and running away failed.”
“You think it would be so easy? To break the bonds of slavery?”
“Of course it wouldn’t, but I’d rather die fighting then living on my knees.”
“You wouldn’t wait for the situation to change? Someone to help?”
Winter snorted, “Who’s going to help me? A Elf with no Vallaslin? I’d be more than invisible. I might as well be a chair that could sometimes talk for all that people would pay me any attention. And that’s if I was a lucky slave. There would be no help.”
“No one to miss you?”
Winter gave him a look, “Oh, you are very sneaky. Get me talking, about seemingly random things, hoping I’ll let something slip. That’s enough prying into my mind for one day, thanks.” She thought about what she had said and colored slightly, she had let a lot slip.
Solas’s lips twitched. She had revealed much, but now she was onto his tricks.
Winter leaned toward him, “Let’s talk about you now. Why do you wear a wolf jaw?”
He gave her a blank look, and before he could stop her, Winter leaned forward further and touched it. Her eyes opened wide when she saw a glimpse of…something. Solas, with some other Elvhen. He was removing their Vallaslins with a spell, telling them they were no longer slaves.
She blinked it and it was gone, but she couldn’t get the wide eyed look off her face. She yanked her hand back as if burned, and the momentum of the movement pressed her up against the wall.
Solas looked from her to his necklace and back, trying to make sense of what just occurred. “Are you okay?” Given the expression on her face, he thought it best not to touch her. Winter shook her head, hard, “It’s nothing.” She had no idea if what she saw was past or future, but something about the scene was ominous, it left the taste of sorrow on her tongue. It was a stark reminder as to why she avoided people. It was increasingly hard to pretend to be normal. And he definitely noticed. She would think about the implications of it later. He knew the Vallaslin were slave markings too, but how? And he could remove them?? She forced the thoughts from her mind.
“So…bum leg. Now that dinner is over, more research? To get me up and going? I should be going. Oh look, Dorian’s back, Hi Dorian!” Winter knew she was rambling, but she had to do something. Solas was looking at her too intently. She could practically see the questions he was getting ready to ask. She was going to have to be doubly careful now. She had somehow started this day anonymous, and ended up the item of too much curiosity for her liking.
“Finally, someone is expressing the proper reaction to my entering a room. I was beginning to think all you people really did have bad taste all around, instead of just in clothes.”
When he got a good look at them, he reconsidered if he should have come back up here with this plan. But Winter was looking at him like he was a lifeline and Solas was looking at him like he was intruding. Winter won out, she seemed sweet and if she didn’t want to be alone with the intense Elf, she probably had good reason.
“I just came back up to say that we’ve been in this library for hours. It’s late, and I think we could all use some relaxing time. Winter, would you like to accompany me to the Tavern? Solas, you are welcome to join as well if you wish.”
Solas cleared his throat and glanced at Winter, “Actually I was thinking of doing more research while there aren’t so many distractions around.”
Winter got slowly to her foot, keeping the cursed one off the ground. “I count myself as one of those distractions, so I would love to go to the Tavern with you Dorian.”
Solas gave a slight frown, “And how do you plan on getting all the way down there without walking?”
Dorian smiled toothily, “I brought reinforcements!” He turned and called down the stairs, “She’s on board Bull! Come up and get her.”
The Iron Bull appeared shortly at the top of the stairs. He gave Winter a huge smile, “I knew it was only a matter of time until you were in my arms again.”
Winter rolled her eyes, “Yes, yes you are a very sexy male. This whole thing is a clever ruse just to be close to you once more. It was all this whole thing was ever about. Giving me an in so that I could share your bed”
“Yes, because we all know how ineffective the word ‘Hi’ is when said to you” Solas may or may not have been sulking. Something had happened with Winter and he wanted to get to know what. Her decision to flee just made him that much more determined. He allowed himself to pretend it was to try and figure out why someone would curse her.
When Bull scooped up Winter again she cast him one last unreadable look over his shoulder, Solas just pressed his lips and put his hands behind his back. He really did want to do some research while the library was deserted, he was just hoping it would be deserted with her. As the trio left, he heard Varric join them on the way down. The three men were talking excitedly, trying to bring her more out of her shell.
Solas turned and surveyed the empty room. He took a deep breath and started toward the nearest shelf. He didn’t notice Lelianna leaning over the railing on the next level until she spoke up, “Your girl is very interesting.” Solas glanced her way, “She’s not ‘my’ anything.” But Lelianna gave him a slight smile. “Perhaps I am mistaken. Who is she?” Solas turned and gave her a slight confused look, “She simply goes by Winter. She’s a scout. Currently out of commission due to her leg injury.” Lelianna shook her head, “She looks familiar, but I think I would remember a colorless, Vallaslin-less, Elf Scout. But with the rate the Inquisition has grow, knowing them all personally is impossible.”
Solas was giving her an unreadable look. He didn’t bring up that Winter had said she was among the first to join, and that Lelianna should have known exactly who she was. Instead he found himself impressed that she had slipped one over on the Spymaster. The mystery of Winter just continued to deepen.
And it was a mystery he intended to solve.