The Wolf and the Halla

He Loves Me Not AU

An AU where Solas tells the actual truth, revealing his identity.

It wasn't what she had expected. She had thought when he said they were going somewhere that maybe he would propose or tell her something important, she supposed that it was important just not how she had thought.

"The veil is thin here" Solas said as they entered the hidden oasis where they had once killed a wyvern. Twin statues of halla sat on either side of a glittering pool. "Can you feel it, tingling on your skin?" He turned to her and offered his hand, to help her down the few rocky steps.

"Yes." She beamed. "It's amazing." He nodded as he lead her to the middle of the clearing.

"I love you very much." He had came here to tell her the truth, hoping the comfort of magic would grant him the strength he needed. He took in a trembling breath.

She blushed. "I love you too." She twirled around so she was facing him. He gave her a smile. He watched as the setting sun danced off of her amber skin. He watched her eyes glitter with promise. He felt his resolve weakening, she deserved better.

"I was trying to determine someway to show you what you mean to me." He said, running his fingers down her face.

"I already know, Solas. You're my.."

"That is the question, is it not?" He interrupted. "For now the best gift I can offer you.. the truth." Another shaky breath, but first he had to tell her everything else. "You are unique. In all of Thedas, I never expected to find someone that could draw my attention from the Fade." He smiled at her "You have become important to me. More important than I could have imagined."

She smiled brightly. "As you are to me."

"Then I must tell you.." He trailed. No, you shouldn't. "The truth.. I am.." He winced as he prepared to share the one truth he had not revealed to anyone. "Not who I said I was. I am afraid I lied."

She looked perplexed. "And who are you really?" She smiled coyly.

Instead of answering directly, he shifted the direction of the conversation. He cocked his head slightly and smiled. "In the Dalish tales of Fen'Harel, they say he is evil."

"Not all." She stated. "My Clan never taught him as an evil God. They always called him the Great Trickster. Or the Rebel God."

"Yes, but surely you've heard the stories?"

"Of course." She smiled. "Why?"

"Many of the stories the Dalish tell are untrue." He said.

"You've seen Fen'Harel in the Fade?" It was the first thing her mind jumped to, thinking that his journeys may have took him to places the Elven Gods had once tread.

He shook his head slightly, his smile falling from his face. He exhaled a shaky breath. "No." He looked into her eyes, begging her to understand before he told the truth. He licked his lips, swallowing hard against the lump in his throat. "Adani, I am Fen'Harel."

For another moment her smile held, but then it fell and confusion bloomed in her eyes. She backed away slowly. "What do you mean?"

"Vhenan please, let me explain." He begged, but she looked on in suspicion. He could feel her tugging at the Fade, preparing to fight rather than flight, in the event of an attack.

"I don't.." she started, "Why lie about who you were?" Then she laughed dryly, "Of course, you're the Dread Wolf. Of course. This was a trick? To gain what?"

"It was no trick, Adani." He stood rooted to the ground, his face grim. "I truly do love you. You mean everything to me. I have never lied about that." He watched her face soften a bit. She believed him?

"How did you? How.." she furrowed her brow, unsure of what she wished to ask him.

"I put up the veil to save the elves. I trapped the Gods, to save the people. After placing the veil, my power was drained. I slept for a millennia." He looked to the ancient statues, if only to give him something to look at. "When I awoke, things were so different. The world seemed to have died during my slumber." He thought of his intentions later on. "Then I met you, and my plans were changed forever."

She smiled. "Fen'Harel falling for a Dalish girl?" She blushed but it was gaurded, unsure. She still saw him as Solas, even now knowing his other identity.

"Yes." He moved in closer and she allowed it. "But, Adani, I have to remove the Veil. I have to undo what I have done."

"Okay, so then?"

His face held a grimace. "This world.. it will die."

"What?" She was unsure of the meaning. It didn't make sense.

"To bring back the Elves, this world must die." He looked into her eyes again, begging her to hear him out. She stood still where she was, her mouth going dry. "But I do not wish to lose you."

"Then I'll come with you." It came out before she could think, and the look on his face assured her that she could not.

"I am sorry. The path I walk, I must walk alone." He looked to his feet. "I cannot let you follow, it is too dangerous."

"So.. you are leaving me then?" She felt tears stinging her eyes. His eyes met hers and the sadness in them was raw.

"Yes." He came closer to her, pulling his hands up to her face. "But never in heart." He watched as a tear slipped down her cheek. He wiped it away swiftly. "No. Do not cry. Adani, whatever happens, wherever this takes us, what we have is real. Will always be real. Please understand."

His heart squeezed as she shook her head slowly. "No." She slapped his hand away as she backed away. "Ar lath ma. You are ma vhenan." Her eyes were fiery. "How could you lie to me? And now, you will leave me? For how long?"

His face was a reflection of his despair. "I don't know." He said quietly, almost as a whisper. It was the only answer he had for both questions. He didn't know why.

She laughed dryly. "Of course." She shook her head slightly. "What should I do then? Wait?"

"I will not ask that of-"

"I don't have an option!" She yelled. "There's no other choice."

He backed away sadly, "Adani, please."

"Solas, or should I call you Fen'Harel?" He shook his head and scowled at the idea of his heart calling him that horrid name. "I would wait forever, regardless of who you truly were, because I have seen what you truly are, and I love what you are." She moved to him and held his face between her hands. "But I am only mortal. I do not have forever."

He let out a distressed breath, as his heart fell to the pit of his stomach. It was true, and he didn't want to accept that truth. All the more reason to go through with his plan swiftly, so that they could have the time he longed for.

"I can change that, emma lath." He told her seriously, searching her wet, emerald eyes for a smidgen of belief. He found little.

"Maybe." She turned away from him. The sun had already fell away, leaving them surrounded in the dark. All she wanted to do was go. This was too much to manage. "I need to go."

"Vhenan please." He begged.

She turned her head slightly to the side as she walked away, halting her stride only a moment. "I will see you back at Skyhold." She started to walk away again, but then stopped one more time, "Don't follow me."