Chapter Text
Rook thought they had taken a wrong turn in the Crossroads. She had never heard so many voices - alive at least - in the Grand Necropolis and for once, she didn’t feel as though she was breaking the solemnity and peace with her footsteps. Turning into the main hall, the pair skirted around crowds holding travelling packs and cloaks, children clasping hands and toys. Nevarran citizens evacuating to take refuge beneath ground.
“Is it that bad out there?” She asked as Emmrich led the way through the crowd.
“I’m afraid so. The situation has all been rather grave since your disappearance. But thank goodness, the news appears to have travelled fast. Efficient work from the apprentices, no doubt.” They weaved between the crowds before silently slipping into a side chamber, a locked entrance to the lower levels. “Elgar’nan’s forces approach the Nevarra border. The Mourn Watch sealed the doors as a defense line from any darkspawn that could potentially infiltrate. We're less vulnerable than other nations to darkspawn. Hence the refuge in the upper levels.”
“Well, I guess you can’t blight what's already dead, right?”
Emmrich made a noise of agreement as the lock clicked open. Descending to the gardens, he beckoned Rook over with urgency to a smaller gated courtyard that had previously gone unnoticed on her part in their previous visits. As they entered, the torches surrounding their perimeter flickered into light, and the air became syrupy.
“What is this place? It feels so…”
She couldn’t find the word. Sensing her struggle, he completed her thought: “The magic is dense here, isn't it? I’m not surprised you picked up on it. The Grand Halls offer such areas for contemplation and reflection. Such emotion and heightened focus draws our spirit friends in.”
Emmrich seated Rook on the stone steps opposite the entrance. Sitting beside her, his hands immediately began to trace their graceful patterns, the glow from his palms highlighting the high points of his frown. The dark circles under his eyes were more profound. His hair was brushed back but not pomaded, and he wore a sharpness in his jaw that hadn't been there before, along with a hint of stubble. But as she was about to challenge him on this, the burn of tears threatening her eyes, Emmrich leaned back with a ghost of a smile appearing on his lips.
“There’s no sign of the magic Solas left on you. I believe any spell he had was broken. Perhaps once you had become truly aware of your unwanted connection.” He looked down at his hands, steadying in his relief: “Oh darling. I thought I had lost you forever in the Fade.” His voice wavered on the final syllable; he had been on the knife edge of his worst fears.
And so had she.
“When we spoke before the island, I told you I wasn't afraid of dying. But…I was terrified of wandering in that prison forever. And now I…don't…I’m sorry Em, I'm not even sure any of this is real.”
She chewed her lip. Because what if Solas was tricking her again? Was Emmrich even really sitting next to her? Were the changes in his usual appearance a reflection of their time apart, or was she simply misremembering him?
And even if he was real, was she being controlled? Was he even safe with her?
“I can't imagine how you must have felt. The Fade is capable of things we cannot even circumscribe. For you to have the presence of mind to power through in spite of your terror…if things had gone differently…I…”
Regret had been a complete stranger when she started this mission. Now, everything led back to it. He spent three weeks looking for her. Three weeks fearing that they would never have that hastily promised conversation. It had felt like hours to her…
“I wouldn't have let anything keep us apart, Volkarin.”
“You…” he exhaled loudly “... are the most remarkable person I've ever met. Truly. But please be honest with me, darling. How are you feeling?”
“Maker, don’t ask me that. I have to be fine for now. I’ll figure the rest out once Elgar’nan is done.” She sighed, reaching for his hand “But Em, please just tell me this is real.”
“It’s real, Adella. You made it through as you always do.”
She stood up, before pulling him to his feet: “Well, I did have somebody to come back to.” she murmured before reaching up to kiss him. A small, gentle kiss, tentative, as he brushed the hair away from her face.
“I have not forgiven myself for our fight. I don't expect you to-”
She hushed him, a finger to his lips. She finally found her smile as she leaned, her body flush with his, and gazed up at his deep brown eyes. The eyes that she always searched for across a room or battlefield. Eyes that sparkled with fascination, and darkened with both disapproval and desire. Eyes she felt she had known for millennia.
“I love you, Emmrich. And I know what you were trying to do, and I forgive you. But never do that to me again.”
“Never. I swear it. And I love you too. Beyond measure.”
His lips met hers. Rook’s hands reached upwards to unclip Emmrich’s cloak, as his own went to loosen the laces around her shoulders, his fingers catching on old, well reinforced knots. She laughed into another kiss, helping him undo the trickiest loop; her cloak fell to forgotten to the floor: “Say that again.”
“I love you, Adella. I am so completely in love with you. And I will tell you as many times as you want me to.”
Sweeping her off her feet, Emmrich brought her to the centre of the courtyard, placing Rook down carefully. In making sure she had a good balance, she realised the surface she was now sitting on was not flat, but dipped - an unoccupied place of rest.
“We won't be disturbed here” He promised softly in her ear, hands moving to undo the fabric of her belt “Though the number of knots and ties in your garments may hinder us. Do you ever undo anything, dear girl?”
She made a half hearted irritated noise and helped him, unravelling the fabric to reveal her bare torso before Emmrich pulled her close to him once more, kissing her neck and collarbone. Lilacs filled his senses, and consumed him.
“It was a bittersweet revelation at the time, but I finally solved the mystery. Your perfume…it’s lilac, of course.”
“Took you long enough. I've worn it for....Maker, years. Pure coincidence.” She kissed the top of his head, hands running through his now tousled hair. “But you don't believe in those.”
“Oh, I do not. Now more so than ever.”
Her hands moved to his collar, slowly removing the pin and unbuttoning his shirt. He broke contact for a moment, carefully removing his jewellery from his hands and wrists, but keeping his eyes locked on hers. Rook could feel her face redden, her breathing deepening.
“The way you look at me, amatus.” She whispered “If this isn't real…Fade, be kind and keep me here, would you?”
He cupped her face as he asserted: “Adella, this is real. We are real. Tomorrow, you are going to lead us to victory. And tonight” he climbed upon her “I will do everything in my power to prove this reality. As I said, all those months ago...you have me for as long as you want me.”
She closed her eyes as his wonderfully precise hands traced the curve of her waist and hips, his lips on her neck: “How does forever sound, Volkarin?”
“Like a symphony, my love.”
–
She awoke to him calling her name.
“What time is it?”
“Just before dawn. I've been awake for an hour.”
She raised an arm over her eyes: “This is early even by your standards. If it weren't for your stately good looks, we would have a serious problem.” She quickly sat up to get it over with, pulling the cloak around her as she swung her legs around “We have to leave soon, don't we?”
“Indeed.” he placed a kiss on top of her head “Are you hungry? I could fetch us breakfast before we depart.”
She was heavily judging herself for what she was about to say; she had spent years berating others for such behaviour. But then, none of those people had been moments away from standing in defiance of the end of the world. And they’d just found each other again. And what if…
“I sense you have a request. Do go on, Adella.”
“Could you just… hold me for a while, Em? I'm not ready to let this moment go just yet.”
Oh, but he revelled in it: “Of course, dearest.” He sat beside her, arms around her waist, pulling her in close and placing a gentle kiss on her shoulder. They sat together for a moment, watching the floating orbs of energy dancing in the air.
“It's so peaceful here. You could just pretend that nothing is wrong up top.” she murmured.
“When I'm with you, it feels as though there isn't.”
“Sweet of you.”
He turned her face towards his: “I do mean it. Whatever is in store for us. Together, my darling. That’s how we'll face it.”
“I know.”
She kissed him one last time before standing up to get dressed.
–
Everyone had made it in time for dawnbreak over Tevinter. It was nothing short of a miracle in Rook’s eyes - she had got them around one war table, allied. That seemed unimaginable a few months ago. And beneath her hands lay an impressively detailed map of Minrathous’s upper districts, retrieved from Neve’s office by Bellara; their friend was helping them even when she…well, she wasn’t there to fight with them.
Realising all eyes were upon her, Rook quickly sobered: “Thank you all for coming. If we don’t stop Elgar’nan today, our world is dead or blighted. You know the risk. It’s going to be hard and I can’t guarantee that we’ll all make it, but we’ll keep fighting until the job is done.”
“We’re with you, Rook.” Davrin asserted, nodding as familiar sentiments were murmured around the room.
Strife took the floor: “Scouts have confirmed that Elgar’nan is within the Archon’s palace. A giant tendril of blight is tethering it to the Divine’s manor in Hightown.”
“So that’s our goal. Get through the city walls, to that tendril.”
“The Jumpers have stood with you from the start, and we’ll be there to the end.” Strife confirmed before adding “I also have intel on Solas. The rumours your team collated from Magister Pavus were correct. He is helping the Dragons in the western part of Hightown.”
“Were we able to contact the Dragons?” Rook felt a flicker of concern cross her face but she quickly flattened her mouth into a thin line; she couldn’t be seen to be playing favourites, especially under the Crows’ discerning gaze.
“The opportunity presented itself, but the scouts decided against it, to avoid tipping off Solas of our arrival. He may expect us, but he will not expect you.”
“Good plan. Without his dagger, we can’t bring down Elgar’nan. So we’ll go through Hightown.” She slammed down a candlestick on the map, marking their entry point.
“But how? Minrathous was built to withstand assault even before Elgar’nan’s reinforcements.” Lucanis folded his arms and shook his head in warning “If you know every entrance, the Venatori know every single cobblestone.”
“We made it out when Elgar’nan first struck. We can get back in again.” Bellara countered.
“That was before the Venatori set up their damn warding crystals on each gate.” Strife glowered.
“But the Jumpers could take those out, right?” Rook asked.
“It’s a matter of time, not skill; Venatori magic is no problem for us.”
“They will likely outnumber you. You will need assistance, or someone to protect you whilst you unravel those wards, Strife.” Emmrich stood adjacent to Rook, hand poised on his staff. A hint to their leader, who looked at him hesitantly as he added: “The Veil Jumpers need someone who can step in if anything happens. It should be a mage, and it can’t be you.”
“So I’ll send Bellara.” she challenged, her hand clenching.
“We can’t afford to be selfish. Bellara may be needed to disable any technology blocking your path. It is your decision, but I would advise that she go with you.”
Their stare held and she bit her tongue; she hated when he was right.
“Okay. Emmrich, I’m sending you with the Veil Jumpers.” She placed down another token on the map.
“Of course.”
“Each gate will be guarded by a war mage.” Viago spoke up “Nasty pieces of work, as you know too well.”
“You got Anton with you? Sounds ideal for him.”
“Quite.” Viago said drily “He’s on the ground. But we’ll need someone more experienced to carve the path for us.”
“There’ll be guards between the mage and the Crows. We need someone who can go unnoticed.”
A heavy, resolute sigh across the table - Lucanis had already seen where the conversation was going, and placed his marker himself before Rook had even taken another breath.
“And one last obstacle - a huge construct is guarding the main gate.”
“A construct?” Rook’s eyes darted to Emmrich again, who quickly shook his head. Not the monstrosity they had confronted at the manor.
“Johanna’s is long destroyed, Rook. This sounds closer to a juggernaut. Built to withstand Antaam invasion tactics. The Mourn Watch would need additional support if they are to be on the ground whilst we make a path for you.”
“Wardens face ogres and archdemons. We can help.” Evka confirmed, sword raised.
“I can add to that.” Rook nodded to Taash “You’re with the Wardens.”
“Aight.” Taash seemed unfussed, more keen to get moving than to talk tactics any further. Rook could relate, but this was too important, and she frowned at the Qunari, who added hastily: “No, it's good. Can’t be too different from a dragon.”
“That leaves Davrin and Bellara with me to make the run. We’ll find Solas and the Dragons.” Rook slammed down the final token on the map. “The rest of you should head for the tendril as soon as the gate is down. Once we have the dagger, we’ll meet you there. Then we’ll take the fight to Elgar’nan.” She took a step back from the map “I believe in this mission. In all of us. One more day of this fucked up situation and we’re done. Hang in there, and we’ll go on my signal.”
The team all nodded and went to return to their factions. Rook took a final look over at Emmrich, a hand on his arm, all they could share in that moment.
“I’ll see you at the manor, amatus.”
“Stay safe, love.”
“As much as I ever do.”
A final smile and he moved away. She found herself taking a deep breath. Her efforts had finally brought something tangible, and whilst she wanted to just put her head down and see the end of the day, she felt the burden and elation of leadership in tandem. She finally got the respect of leadership that she had been chasing her entire life, and she would be happy to never have it again.
This all ended today.
This all ended with her.