Pride, Wolf and Rebellion

Consolidation

They found their room at the inn, Solas led the Inquisitor in, closing the door behind him.

A breeze wafted in from Lake Calenhad and the sun set the room aglow in dusky hues of purple and pink.

"I never want to hear you say you're a coward again," Solas said, facing her. He wrapped his arms around her waist.

She nodded, watching his gleaming eyes.

"Rarely have I met such a remarkable spirit," he said. "You are brave, compassionate, wise beyond your years, my heart."

Fen'Asha nodded. She didn't see what he saw.

"Do you want to talk about your father?" he said.

She sighed, leaving his embrace to sit on the edge of the bed. "I wanted to tell you..."

"So tell me," Solas said.

"The clan loved him so much," she said. "Everyone did...it was all my fault..."

Solas sat next to her on the bed, placing a hand on her knee.

"I wasn't like him," she continued. "I never fit in. I always did better in the wild, with the wolves. After the pelt, after caring for those pups...I didn't want to give it up. No matter where we went, I found the wolves."

Solas nodded.

"I would leave the clan for weeks at a time, gaining the trust of the pack," she said. "I scared the clan's hunters. Me in my wolf pelt, in my costume. Hiding."

Solas ran his fingers through her hair.

"There were rumours," she said with a slight grin. "Comparisons."

Solas nodded. "Did you resent it? The comparisons to...Fen'Harel."

She nodded tentatively. "It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't true."

Solas looked at her, cocking his head.

"Nothing's changed," she said. She toyed with her necklace. "I still prefer the company of wolves. My father defended me..."

"What happened?" Solas said, his hand returning to her knee.

"A pack made its home in an old elven ruin," she said. "There was a statue inside, remains, ancient Elvhen artifacts. I told the clan. They didn't care. It was the Dread Wolf. Who cares about the Dread Wolf?"

"They mocked you," Solas said bitterly.