Rain fell hard and cold, seeping under Jacob’s collar and through the material of his clothes. He and his men had been lucky enough to get horses for their journey, but even the beasts seemed to dismay at the weather. It felt as if they were riding out to the end of the world, the villages getting smaller and further apart until there were just farms and dirt track and endless muddy fields. To add insult to injury, the Inquisition in all its wisdom had decided to send a group of highly skilled warriors on a fetching mission. Jacob had his doubts as to whether the woman who had been seen was in fact the Hero of Ferelden, and he was loathe to risk his men to pneumonia. But Jacob was beginning to learn that being part of an organisation like the Inquisition meant respecting the hierarchy of authority, as much as he disliked it.The farm came up rapidly out of the fog, and Jacob was first off his horse and banging down the door. If this was some cheap trick, it was better to get it over with quickly. His men dismounted, their hands to the hilts of their swords. He had not met the Hero of Ferelden, but he had heard rumours. Even in the distant seas he had sailed, people spoke of her. But he knew how garbled stories became across continents. It was the reason none in the Inquisition had yet connected their mercenary leader to a Ferelden seat with a missing heir. “We come by order of the Inquisition! Open up!” Jacob roars, ready to splinter the door if necessary.
Nate is not entirely sure how he was convinced to allow the braiding of daisies into his hair. Not now as old as he was, at least. Elethea worked a brush and comb through his hair, and if those they served in Gwaren could see their Arlessa swearing at the boar brush in hand, then perhaps they would fear her less.
Nathaniel reconsiders, given he knows exactly how intimidating his wife is even with know exactly how endearing she can be.
“I don’t think you’ve done this since we were young... when I first started growing my hair out--” he notes with a calm canter to how he spoke as she pinned a finished braid in place so she could start the second. They so often lived with one foot in their childhood... it was easier and softer to recall it. Safer that way, even now.
Leaning back, Nate’s head gently rests against one of her knees as he tilts his gaze up to her. “I do like it when you’re gentler with my hair, I must admit.” he winces with a snort as she gives a sharp and short tug that draws a smile from him.
Dragon Age-esque Banter: @higheversworn
please be kind I am but a humble farmer and did my best on the characterization of the muse I don’t actually write fkjglsdf
let’s not worry about WHERE in the timeline these would go i’ll break into HIVES gsgfsdgkh
SEBASTIAN: It’s an honor to have a chance to meet the Hero of Ferelden, I never thought I would but the Maker it seems has blessed me with the opportunity. Thank you, for your service.
ELETHEA: Oh! Well, I-- Yes. I was doing my duty. I’m glad we were able to stop the blight so quickly, the Maker must have smiled on us.
SEBASTIAN: Surely he did, for the Hero of his children to be so breathtaking a figure his hand must have been involved.
ELETHEA, FLUSTERED: [CHUCKLES] well I don’t know about all that--
SEBASTIAN: you are a vision, Lady. A beacon of hope and strength to all of Thedas.
SEBASTIAN: Warden Commander Cousland
ELETHEA: Please Elethea, I’ve told you this before.
SEBASTIAN: --Apologies, Lady Elethea. I simply wanted to say that I am sorry for the loss of your family, I know that pain all too well. I know that even after years the hurt does not go away and I cannot imagine you have had much opportunity to grieve. If you ever wish to talk of it, I will listen.
ELETHEA, TOUCHED: Thank you Sebastian, that means a lot to me. And I am sorry too, for your family. Perhaps we can both listen and comfort each other. Pray for them all together.
SEBASTIAN, EMOTIONAL: I--Of course. Thank you very much Lady Elethea.
ELETHEA, GENTLY: Elethea, please.
SEBASTIAN, SOFTLY: Elethea.
ELETHEA: Sebastian, do you intend to reclaim your throne?
SEBASTIAN: I do, though I’ll admit at times I am not sure if it is what the Maker wishes. I have taken my vows, is it not wrong to throw aside vows given to the Maker?
ELETHEA: It is your duty to rule. Without a clear and strong claimant to the throne Starkhaven will fall into civil war, all its citizens will suffer and the effects will be felt through all of the Free Marches. You are smart, strong, a good man and the obvious next successor there is no one better suited. I understand your hesitation but we must all make sacrifices in the sake of duty, your vows may be yours.
SEBASTIAN: [SIGHS] Perhaps you are right.... thank you Elethea you have help soothe my mind about making this choice.
ELETHEA, PLEASED: I’m glad.
OR
ELETHEA: Sebastian, I’ve heard good things about your work as Prince so far.
SEBASTIAN, PLEASED: Oh? So news has reached Ferelden then? Well I’m glad it’s good. [LAUGHS]
ELETHEA: [CHUCKLES] Yes all good, though I have heard some rather odd rumors about your city along with it...
SEBASTIAN, AMUSED: [SHAKING HIS HEAD] Varric...
SEBASTIAN: I hope it was not too presumptuous of me but I lit candles and said prayers for your family in the chantry Elethea.
ELETHEA: oh, Sebastian thank you, you didn’t need to.
SEBASTIAN: it’s what they deserved. You as well.
ELETHEA, AWKWARDLY: Sebastian-- have you considered marriage yet?
SEBASTIAN, STARTLED: I--Marriage ah no, not yet. Why do you ask?
ELETHEA, AWKWARDLY AND STIFFLY: Well-- I-- I was simply wondering as well-- You are the Prince of Starkhaven and currently you lack heirs so I had wondered if that was something you had begun to put consideration into.
SEBASTIAN: Ah, you have a point. I had not put much thought into it yet but perhaps it’s time I did. Have you? Considered marriage I mean, I know you have children so you don’t need to for heirs but still...
ELETHEA: I-- No. No I have not. Well, I mean I have-- I would like to-- But I, ah, I seem to have a dearth of suitors as it were.
SEBASTIAN: Good.
ELETHEA, FREAKING OUT: [QUIET AND BREATHLESSLY] Oh Maker
@higheversworn SAID: “ you seem upset about something. ” DON’T HUG ME I’M SCARED ( 𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆. )
“ Upset? That’s silly, I’m never upset... on the outside. What’s to be upset about anyway? I’m not in the Circle, instead I took part in some messed up blood oath that allowed me to join a merry band of adventurers doomed to an early death. It’s all sunshine and rainbows really! “
@higheversworn asked “ you’ve got blood on your shirt.” from xx.
Out of habit, his fingers swipe his nose first, seeing if his nose is bleeding, but then he realizes, it isn’t his nose. He rolls up his shirt to see the cut and his mouth opens in an exasperated way. “He barely even swiped me.” But it was enough to make him bleed and he can feel the burn. “Do you have bandages? I used the last of mine when we were in Redcliffe.” He knows he asks her for a lot, but at this point, he doesn’t have much of a choice. “I’ll make sure to secure more for us next time we’re near a merchant.”
HOW DO YOU GREET A FABLED HERO? Her lip twitches as she gathers what to say, eyes leveled on the Warden from across the War Room. She always thought about how ridiculous people could get with overstated rumors, how they blew things out of proportion... So why did she expect some petrifying woman to walk through the doors? What did she expect an Archdemon slayer to look like?
The Hero of Ferelden had come in limping. There was not much to expect after spending well over a decade fighting. There was no glowing light emitting from her, and she looked nothing like the noble maiden those human bards would sing about. Neither was she some utterly fearsome warrior, looking ready to pull her blade out. She was just a woman, scarred and aged by war.
Ysenia wondered how battered and beat she would end up after hopefully defeating Corypheus—would she be blistered and lamed as the other woman? Still fighting after what needed to be done was done? The thought almost made Ysenia frown, but she gathered that someone like Elethea would continue doing it regardless, if done for the safety of Thedas.
She'd never fully understood the Wardens and their zeal, as much as she tried.
“I believe I’ve spoken to your brother a few months ago. Through letters, and Leliana specifically.” Ysenia belts out suddenly, breaking her silence. “We sent an envoy out to Highever for his vigil. I hear it’s beautiful there this time of year.”
