Doom Upon All The World

Chapter 41: The Feelings In Question

       The day passed in a flash. Varric, Bianca, Hawke, and Fenris had gone. It was not an easy departure. It included many tears on Maeve's part and Anthony's. He'd grown quite attached to the dwarf. He stood in his mother's arms trying futilely to hold back the tears. Nicolynn clung to his side offering her gentle comforting and he held her hand as they watched the four leave. Maeve wondered if they would ever see each other again. Maybe. One day. If they came away from this predicament with Gilderoy unscathed, surely they would. If.

      Maeve sat in the rotunda with Cassandra. The Seeker was leaning over the desk, parchment and schemes on the surface, as her eyes screened it. When she found her, the Elf had been pacing the room, her hand skimming the walls of the round room. She'd been admiring Solas' paintings, each of them offering a tale of the Inquisition with every transition. She loved how detailed and beautiful they were, the texture of the organic paints and hand crafted shades, the depth of the image they conveyed. He was a true artist though he was so humble about it. They made her think about the many pieces that adorn their home in Halamshiral. He'd drawn a perfect portrait of Nicolynn and Mythalus a few years prior. It took all day and the two of them were terrors to get to sit still. He'd painted their home in the beginnings of fall, reds, yellows, greens, and browns falling around the scene. He painted the mark upon her hand, his own cradling it. He'd done so many pieces of his discoveries in the Fade. They were all intricate, mesmerizing scenes of beautiful color and charismatic intensity. 

      Maeve could recall one time, late at night, she woke to find him poised across the room behind an easel. Solas would peer around the large canvas every now and then and gaze at her considerably. It took her a few moments before she realized he was indeed painting her. She was concerned as she was but wrapped in a sheet, donning no clothing beneath it. He assured her that the painting was meant in no way to be perverse, only to capture her as he saw her. It was a truly beautiful portrait. He kept it put away as she did not want unfamiliar eyes to land on it. But now, it was not the paintings in the rotunda that kept their attention. Cassandra had decided that, with the growing number of infants, they needed a space just for them. What better place than the rotunda?

      Cassandra looked over the plans she'd drawn up carefully and looked to Maeve. "We will only need the five bassinets, yes?" The Seeker questioned with a sly, estimating smile. Maeve nodded with a confused look. "Yes. There are only five of them after all." She stated, responding quickly, without catching what Cassandra was trying to ask. She tilted her head and corked an eyebrow at the Elf. Maeve caught on after a moment of thought. "Oh." Her face stretched in realization and her cheeks and ears grew into a bright red. "Can we expect anymore little Elves wandering the halls, Inquisitor?" Cass teased playfully as Maeve tried to hide her embarrassment. She was not used to being so outwardly interrogated about her reproductive expectations. "Oh no. Not any time soon anyhow. I think Solas and I are quite content with our two little ones." She smiled widely as she pictured them running about in Skyhold. She never thought they'd be living here like this but she had to admit seeing them enjoying their time here made her happy.

      Cullen passed by the door, peeking his head in a little. He shot Cassandra a glance, looking at her with a certain prowess in his eyes. Maeve found it slightly alarming. Not only was she seeing Cullen in a light she did not want to but the obvious sexual tension being projected there made her feel awkward. When he finally was out of earshot she looked to Cassandra with a chastising gaze. "That was quite a suggestive look he gave you." Maeve remarked with a smug grin. Cassandra chuckled slightly. "Yes, well. I must keep him entertained, lest he lose interest and get bored with me." She said jokingly but Maeve didn't fully understand. She just looked at the other woman curiously. Cassandra realized her confusion. "Oh. You and Solas never," She motioned with her hands uncomfortably. "mix it up?" The Seeker's tone was lower now, quieter as if innocent ears might be near by.