With Me Always: A Dragon Age Tale (Dragon Age Inquisition)

Chapter 12

Things at Skyhold had become tense, Haylie couldn't sleep, Cullen posted guards near her quarters, but he feared it wouldn't be enough. It definitely wasn't enough to ease the tension Lavellan was feeling for her child's safety and the overall fate of the world that was hanging in the balance. "Nothing is helping, I lie awake at night and all I can think of is every little thing that could go wrong..." Haylie sighed. She was resting with Vivienne in her little nook of Skyhold. It was lovely, the large glass balcony doors were opened, letting in a fresh cool breeze and just enough sun to be pleasant. It would've been the perfect day, they were enjoying tea and cakes and fruit and the weather was beautiful. But it wasn't. Haylie was wrought with fear and fatigue and every moment of sleep she did get was rife with horrid nightmares. "Dear, you simply need to relax. Of course the situation is far from ideal, but you've got to realize it's out of your hands." Vivienne answered. "That's the whole problem, it's out of my hands, there is nothing I can do. That's scarier than all this put together. At least with Corypheus I had a cause, a way of fighting. With this...it's tricky. I can't fight Solas, I would be a fool to try. And besides, I don't think I could even if there was a chance of success. And it's not just about me now, I can't be risky or take chances like I used to...I can't afford to fail." Haylie whimpered. "Well, I say focus on things you can control. Find a project, work towards strengthening your guard, helping your people and preparing for this baby. The world may be in grave danger, but there's nothing you can do about that now. So in the meantime, focus on nursery, feeding the homeless, whatever it is you fancy." Vivienne replied. "Thank you Vivienne. You're a grand help." Haylie smiled slightly. She remembered the blueprints for the nursery, it was coming along great. A large yet cozy suite adjacent hers, with a fireplace and a window seat lined with bookshelves. Haylie had ordered baby supplies from Orlais and had Blackwall making a crib rich with Dalish carvings of grand trees and little halla. It was going to be lovely. Josephine really was going out of her way in preparation for the baby. She even ordered weekly appointments with a Mage healer who specialized in pregnancy and childbirth. Haylie felt better having these little things within her control, yet her mind kept wandering to him. She'd lied to herself and Sera when she said she no longer grieved the loss of Solas. Suddenly her thoughts were interrupted by a sound that made the hairs on her neck stand up, a second pair of footsteps behind her.
Chills ran down her spine as the figure hissed the icy words, his breath hot against her neck "Don't scream, it'll only make it worse."