Chapter Text
“Look out!” Mahariel shouted as a crossbow bolt pierced through the air, nearly grazing a nearby elven agent’s ear. Fortunately, it had only found its way into the side of an empty crate.
“I’m so sorry!” Lavellan called, watching the agent scurry away in anger. She looked down at the miniature crossbow attachment strapped to what remained of her left forearm and grimaced. “This is hopeless. If I can’t hit a stationary target at this distance, I have no business being in the field again.” She reached into a pouch on her side and retrieved another bolt. She had nearly secured it into place when she fumbled and dropped it. “Fuck!”
Mahariel picked it up then yanked Lavellan’s crossbow-endowed arm over and loaded it herself. “Fuck’s right. You need to get it together.” She gave the weapon a pat then stepped away, grabbing a bow of her own. She pulled the string back and released the arrow flying into the air. It missed the target and instead hit a stone wall. “I’ve never been able to get the hang of that,” she grunted, throwing it to the ground. “I’d much rather make traps, poison, and get a little stabby.” Mahariel stabbed a dagger of air Lavellan’s direction.
“I’m going to do this,” Lavellan breathed. She pushed the heavily-tattooed elf out of her way and loaded her crossbow once more, raising it to her eye level. She took a deep breath and closed one eye then pressed the button with her right hand, releasing the bolt. This time it made contact with the target—though only on the outer ring.
“Not bad, Quizzy! You’re getting it!” Mahariel shouted, slapping the other elf on the back.
“You’re a pain in the ass,” Lavellan sighed. She detached the weapon from her arm, setting it in the holster on her hip. She wiped beads of sweat from her forehead. “I really do appreciate the work you put into it though. Thank you again.”
“Eh, it wasn’t just me. Dagna and Harritt the blacksmith helped with the design a lot.” Mahariel took a swig of water from the skin at her side then shoved it toward Lavellan. “So how has fucking your wife been minus the arm?”
Lavellan gagged on the water. “And how exactly is that any of your concern?!”
Mahariel touched Lavellan’s cheek with two fingers. “There’s no reason to pretend. We’ve already fucked each other, and I know you’d be up for it again.”
Lavellan thrust the water skin back to Mahariel then retrieved a throwing knife from her boot. She sent it flying right into the target, nearly hitting the center.
“Okay…touchy subject?” Mahariel put her hands up in surrender though still bearing a grin.
“We haven’t tried anything since I’ve lost it,” Lavellan grumbled.
“Seriously? You lost an arm not your tongue. Poor Josephine. Maybe Leliana and I need to invite her over so she doesn’t dry up.”
“Shut your mouth,” Lavellan growled.
Mahariel stepped forward. “And what if I don’t? You’re not the Inquisitor anymore. Officially, that’s all done, so you don’t have shit over me. The Hero of Ferelden!” She reached to ruffle Lavellan’s short black hair, but her hand was batted away. A moment later, she felt herself knocked to the ground with a swift kick to the back of the knee.
“The Hero of Ferelden? That was almost fourteen years ago, Mahariel. Grow up. I am not in the mood. Go play this game with Sera instead.” Lavellan stormed away.
Mahariel shook her head then stood, brushing off her trousers. “Go play this game with Sera instead,” she mocked. She headed toward the tavern. “Fucking Dalish. I will. I was only trying to help.” Once inside, she went up the stairs to Sera’s room and pushed open the door. “Hey Sera, do you have anything to smoke? I’m stressed as fuck and need to—”
“Can’t you see we’re fuckin busy?” Sera interjected. She and Dagna hid naked underneath a blanket as they lay on her couch.
“Damn.” Mahariel raised an eyebrow, staring at the pair. “By the way, thanks for the help with the crossbow, Dagna. Lavellan and I were just trying it out.”
Dagna’s face burned in embarrassment and she held the blanket to her chin. “Oh, that’s good. I’m always happy to help.”
“What’re you staring for?” Sera asked. “We can get high later if you want. But right now, get the fuck out. We’re busy. I’m busy.” She held up two fingers and stuck her tongue between them. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” Mahariel sighed. “You guys have fun. Sorry for barging in.” She left the room and closed the door then went down to the bar. “Maybe this is what I get for leaving the Wardens.” She ordered an ale then gulped it down. “Ah well.”
Lavellan stood in front of the mirror in her quarters completely nude after a bath. Her tan skin bore many raised scars earned in the heat of battle—blades, arrows, teeth—all had been endured. She touched the thick scarring at the end of what remained of her left arm. “This is how things are now…” she sighed. She flinched as she heard the door open then the light tapping of Josephine climbing the stairs.
“Lavellan,” Josephine said, touching her back. “My, am I overdressed.”
The elf walked to the side of her bed and sat, looking away from her lover. “Do you still find me attractive?”
“Do I?” Josephine touched the elf’s cheek then kissed the top of her head. “Of course I do. You are so beautiful. And I miss…I miss feeling you. If you wouldn’t mind, I would love to…” She began to take off her jewelry and undress, smiling as Lavellan brought her hand to the back of her neck and kissed her.
“I love you, Josephine,” Lavellan whispered, sliding her hand under the sash of her skirt, assisting her in undressing. “I’m sorry I’ve been so short-tempered lately.”
“Shh…” Josephine breathed. Once she was completely undressed, she touched the end of Lavellan’s left forearm. “This is nothing to be ashamed of, my love. You are a hero. And I,” Josephine moved her hand down the elf’s lightly muscled stomach then to her inner thigh, “would very much like to reward you like the hero you are.”
Lavellan kissed the crook of Josephine’s neck then put her hand over Josephine’s as it crept down toward her center. “Could you grab the cock first?” she choked.
Josephine licked her lips and retrieved it from its place in the drawer then handed it to the elf.
“Thank you.” Lavellan gripped the purple glass object and held her breath as she inserted the short end into herself, watching it glow slightly and come to life between her legs. “Feel free to…”
Josephine immediately wrapped her lips around the head and sucked then ran her tongue eagerly along the length. “I’ve missed this so much,” she whispered. “I do hope you’re willing to share with me. I’m quite…” She gasped as Lavellan pulled her face back up to meet her own in a messy kiss then moved her cock between her legs.
“I can’t wait, ma vhenan. You know how hard it is for me to wait once I’m like this. Remember our wedding night?” Lavellan whispered. She bucked her hips underneath, pushing herself deeper then closed her eyes and took in the tight warmth gripping her cock.
“How could I ever forget those hours and hours of lovemaking, my love? I was sore for weeks!” Josephine said, moving her body in rhythm with her lover’s thrusting. “But now, let me bring you pleasure. You have earned it.”
Leliana crouched over Mahariel as she lay on the bed, the two playing the game they had perfected in their many years together. Both were naked except for the leather collar around Mahariel’s neck.
“Fuck Leliana! Fuck!” cried Mahariel as Leliana’s fingers pounded and curved inside her.
“Excuse me?” Leliana growled, withdrawing her fingers and slapping Mahariel against the face. She pulled her forward by the collar. “You are just my little plaything. What do you call me?”
“Mistress,” the elf panted, “please help me out. You know I’m an idiot sometimes and forget.”
Leliana sucked Mahariel’s tangy juices from her fingers, making a show as she popped each into her mouth. “If you wanted a generous lover, you should have asked Josephine to join. Or even Lavellan. Both would be far more generous than I.”
“Please,” Mahariel begged. “I’m so fucking—” She gulped and smiled slightly, anticipating the next swipe at her cheek.
With brows furrowed, Leliana obliged, leaving a red handprint on the elf’s cheek. “There is that word again: I. Such a greedy word for such a pathetic sight in front of me. I have half a mind to tie you up and leave you dripping on my bed…and yet…” She gripped a fistful of Mahariel’s long mess of hair then moved to straddle her face. “I have needs too. And I can use that big mouth of yours.”
“I will do anything, mistress,” Mahariel whispered before thighs surrounded either side of her head, and she was pinned down by the weight of Leliana’s entire body writhing against her tongue.
Mahariel rested her head on Leliana’s shoulder as they both lay under the covers of their bed. In times like this, the years that had passed together felt heavy—faint scars painting skin, creases at the corners of eyes and mouth, muscles weak and sore. Rough love-making sessions were no longer as easy on their bodies, but they also could easily put the other over the edge in minutes. “I love you,” Mahariel sighed.
Leliana traced the tattoos decorating her arm and kissed the shaved tattooed side of her head. “And I love you. It has been so incredible having you back by my side. And thanks to Fiona, we don’t have to worry about the Calling ever tearing us apart.”
“Yeah, that’ll be good,” Mahariel sighed. “That part of me is gone forever.” She stared at the expensive Orlesian painting of a field of flowers hanging on the wall in front of the bed. “I should be happy, but I’m not. I was a Warden for almost fifteen years of my life, but now I just feel so fucking lost. I know I’ll be helping you all stop that dick Solas…but it’s different. Everything is so quiet in my head now.”
Leliana touched the Warden-Commander insignia tattoo that was spread across her lover’s chest. “You are more than welcome to go out and find your own path if you need to,” she whispered.
“No, it’s fine. I have a purpose here. And honestly, it’s good to talk to Lavellan even if we irritate the fuck out of each other at times. She’s going through some of this crazy head shit too with the Inquisition ending and her arm missing.” Mahariel cracked her knuckles and closed her eyes.
“I will always be with you to support any decision you make,” Leliana said before stifling a yawn. “But we should get to sleep soon. Hawke is supposed to be arriving tomorrow, and Josie is going to make a big deal of it.”
“Is Merrill coming?” Mahariel subconsciously touched the vallaslin she had received the same day as Merrill shortly after they had each turned eighteen. “And Isabela?” her fingers trailed down to the heart Isabela had tattooed on her hip many years ago at the start of her journey as a Warden.
Leliana twisted a braid into Mahariel’s hair. “The three of them will all be coming here, yes. To help strategize of course.” A smirk spread across her face. “Was something else on your mind? You know their relationship is closed, right?”
Mahariel laughed and put her hands behind her head. “I wouldn’t put money on that. Lots of things are changing lately.”