Chapter Text
„Inquis... Ellana.“, Cassandra had entered the room silently.
“Lord Seeker Cassandra Allegra Portia Cal...”
“OH stop it. Not you too. Isn't it enough that all of Varrics letters are addressed to my full name.” Ellana couldn't suppress a giggle. Cassandras features softened when she saw it. “It's nice to see a smile on your face again.”, she said whispering and coughed slightly when Ellana looked up to her. “What I meant was: It's nice to see you Ellana.”, Cassandra smiled a bit sad.
“It has been quiet a while since I got the inquisition disbanded and we last saw each other, hasn't it?”, Ellana sighed and turned back to the new war table they had set up in the vault of this old temple. She had thought it rather funny they set up their new base in Solasan. Her mind wandered to Solas and she shook it. Fen'Harel she reminded herself and all amusement vanished from her face.
They had cleaned out the temple of any monsters and tried to make it as comfortable as possible, given the constant dripping water in the rooms further into the temple. But it didn't matter because all others never stayed a longer time, it would draw attention they couldn't afford, and she didn't care. Fen'Harel had spys everywhere and here they could see anyone coming miles before he or she would arrive. The only way up to the entrance of the temple was guarded by traps. Not that Ellana thought it would really stop him. But after all he would never come looking for her. She saw him often enough in her dreams. Always watching from afar newer showing any signs of interest in getting closer. It was frustrating. The way she chased him here and in the fade, always a few steps behind. Never getting close enough to be able to speak to him.
“Ellana..”, Cassandras voice brought her back to the present.
“I'm sorry Cass, my mind wandered.” She let her hand stroke her forehead and looked at the table before her. “I know you are short of time, rebuilding the seekers and helping to find him.”
“That's not what I wanted to talk about. He's playing a game of cat-and-mouse with you!”, Cassandra said outright and shut herself up. “I'm sorry it's not in my place to say sometime like that.” Still as tempered as ever Ellana thought and a little smile bloomed on her face again. “If not yours my friend whose then?”, she gave herself a little pause to get herself under control. “ I know pretty well he plays with me. He does so to keep me busy and from finding him.” She let out a sound between snort and cry. “It's like this since he kissed me that last time, took my freaking arm from me to keep it from killing me and then just left me in front of his fucking Eluvian crying out for him and weeping.” Her breathe was hitched now and her hand clenched at her side.
“You never told me what happened when you saw him the last time. Just told us matter of fact what he had done. I never knew...”
“Cass he kissed me. Like I really was his vhenan. How could I have told you how he did everything to break my heart, just to walk out on me after he finally succeeded.”
“I'm sorry.”, her head hang down and she nervously fiddled with the sword at her side. A bit like Cullen would when he was nervous, just missing massaging her neck like he would.
“There is nothing to be sorry about Cass. All we can do is catch him and let me try to talk some sense in this blockhead of his. Preferred not while being in pain and emotional turmoil.”
Ellena turned towards Cassandra fully and stepped in front of her hugging her on impulse. “I still love him. The trickster is mine, let him try to trick me as much as me wants. As long as I have the last word in the end.”, she whispered it into her friends ears. When she leaned back there were tears in her eyes but a smile in place. Cassandra returned the hug fullhearted and gave Ellanas hair a few strokes.
“We'll all get him to get his senses back and I'll as much as kick his ass back into your arms.” Cass said confidently. After that the others started to enter and the topic was dropped with a secret smile between the two of them.