As the Dust Settles (DA Sapphic Week Day 4: Reunion)
(Art by @/ghostofntiva (springinhieron) on AO3
Only on thing remained on Leliana's mind as the dust settled and the Darkspawn began scrambling away. Find her warden.
My contribution for @dragonagesapphicweek Day 4: Reunion
Fandoms: Dragon Age
Pairings: Female Tabris/Leliana
Warnings: None
Just like that, the Darkspaw. began scrambling away like cockroaches exposed in the light of a candle. They flee Denerim, pushing past the remaining soldiers and fighters, a couple of them being slaughtered like vermin as they try to flee the city.
Leliana's eyes were not focused on the Darkspawn anymore, even as some of them ran into her, nearly causing to fall over. Instead, they were fixed to the top of Fort Drakon, where a shining beam of light shot to the sky before the Darkspawn began to flee. As she fired arrow after arrow at each darkspawn, she had caught a glimpse of the Archdemon landing on the top of the fort. Whatever that shining light was, it may have something to do with the warden.
Mara had gone after the Archdemon along with Alistair, Zevran, Morrigan and her trusty Mabari Bonesly, tasking Leliana with taking command of the remaining group to keep the darkspawn out of Denerim and help the civilians
“Win this war for us, my love, and... come home.”
Leliana had begged Mara before planting a quick kiss to her lover’s lips. Before Mara ran deeper into Denerim to face the Archdemon, as well as whatever creature of the blight she may come across.
Mara had promised that she would return. That no creature of the Blight would be enough to bring her down. And for the longest time, Leliana believed it. She always believed no matter the threat that her strong, brave beloved will survive whatever life threw at her, whether through grace and elegance or grit and blood.
But the bard could not help but think of the close calls they had. When Darkspawn suddenly attacked their camp. When Mara barely survived the Slavers who were taking away her people. The darkspawn that invaded Redcliffe. All three of these events caught everyone by surprise. The Archdemon was unlike anything Leliana had seen in her travels. Not like Flemeth, nor the dragon they fought by the Temple of Sacred Ashes. What if the Archdemon proves too much for the brave heroine? What if their allies they had weren’t enough to fight it off? What if…?
A hand on Leliana’s shoulders breaks her spiraling thoughts, and she turned to see Wynne looking at her with an expression of understanding and encouragement.
“Go, if you must,” The older woman urged. “The rest of us will deal with whatever darkspawn remains.”
Leliana was about to speak. About how their leader would be expecting her to remain with them, but Wynne spoke before the bard could get a word in.
“She needs you.”
Mara needs me.
With haste, Leliana immediately sprinted, moving her way through crowds of soldiers before entering the gates of Denerim. She vaguely remembers different pathways that had to be taken to get to different areas. She could take a shortcut through the market district and Alienage to the Palace district, which was the closest to Fort Denerim. But the city was large, even if it did not scale to Val Royeaux. What if she doesn’t make it in time? Her beloved could be dead already-
By the time Leliana had reached the entrance to the Alienage, she saw elves gathering. Cheering even.
What was going on?
Leliana entered the Alienage and followed the people to where they were gathered. Right in the center. There was chatter, praises and the occasional cheer crying out. Leliana maneuvered her way through the elves, some of them giving her a stink eye as she crossed, distrusting her as a human most likely. It reminded her much of how Mara would look at Leliana when the two first met. The distrust and suspicion in her dark brown eyes slowly changed to warmth, admiration and love.
Maker, how she longed to see those eyes again.
In the center, once Leliana finally pushed through, she saw a group of people standing by the large tree in the center, the Venedhal if her memory serves her correctly. Alistair talking with an elderly man- Mara’s father. And two other elves, Mara’s cousins, assisted Zevran as he let go of a smaller elf hanging onto him to allow her to hang on to them.
Mara.
Her armour, representative of the Grey Wardens, was a little roughed up. Her gambeson torn, her breastplate slightly dented. A long cut alongside her left brow. And her face looked dazed, her eyes darting around. She appeared to be saying something, but was quickly hushed by her cousins.
Until Leliana stepped closer, and Mara’s eyes met hers.
“Lillypad?"
Mara’s voice was weak, her tone almost in disbelief. Leliana felt the tears prickling in her eyes at the nickname her beloved had given her.
Leliana walked slowly over to Mara, her lover pushing away from her cousins and walking slowly. Her knees suddenly trembled, and Leliana broke into a sprint, catching Mara before she could fall face first onto the ground.
“I’m here, Mara,” Leliana helped Mara onto her knees, before pulling her beloved into her amrs. “I’m here.”
Save for Mara’s quick, heavy breathing there was almost a dead silence between the two of them. Leliana brought a hand to stroke Mara’s black hair. Mara curled herself into Leliana’s embrace, nuzzling and curling closer like a child seeking warmth in a blanket.
“The Archdemon,” Mara began, voice shaking slightly. “It took down so many soldiers. I didn’t think it would be so strong. When I took the blade and struck it in its neck, there was an overwhelming energy coming out of it, I…” Her breathing quickened. “I thought I was going to-”
“Shhh, Mara,” Leliana hushed, tightening her embrace around her beloved. “It’s over. You did it, my love. You saved us all.”
Mara looked up at Leliana with a glisten in her eyes. A tear ran down her cheek, and Leliana reached a hand to wipe it away.
“I wouldn’t have been able to have done it alone. Our allies, our companions. Everyone who died so we could get this far.” Mara buried her face into Leliana’s shoulder. “They are the reason why we’re all still standing here.”
Leliana gave a soft smile. It was true. When the two had first met, Mara only had two or three allies to her name. All because of her efforts, everyone in Ferelden- from the mages of the circle to the dwarven dwellers of Orzammar. From a disgraced Qunari soldier, to a drunken dwarf warrior and even the witch of the wilds.
Speaking of which, as Leliana looked around her, she had found that Morrigan was nowhere to be seen. It wasn’t unusual for the witch to keep to herself, but Leliana couldn’t find her anywhere. She looked up at Alistair to ask, but as if he knew the question that were to come out of her lips, he frowned. Perhaps now was not the time to ask about Morrigan.
“Our hero could use some rest,” Alistair turned once again to Mara’s father. “It might be best if we leave her among her people until she has fully recovered.”
“Only if…” Mara interjected, placing a hand on Leliana's shoulder. “Only if she stays.”
Leliana smiled and planted a kiss on top of Mara’s head.
“I won’t be going anywhere,” Leliana responded as she stood up, scooping Mara in her arms.
“I keep telling everyone I can walk,” Mara said with a sigh. “I don’t need people carrying me. Why-”
Zevran interrupted. “You were stumbling like a confused infant when Alistair and I found you, I don’t think there is much room for you complaining, my dear warden.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, I give up.” Mara crossed her arms, pouting.
Leliana chuckled, waiting for Mara’s family to guide them back to their home with surprisingly warm smiles on their faces.
“Rest, love,” Leliana said in a hush voice. “We can discuss how to spread tales of your heroism once you regain your energy.”
"Do you even know how much I miss you?" For Mara x Leliana?
Reunions is one of my favourite topics to explore with my girls! Thank you so much.
Canon divergence where Mara Tabris briefly puts her mission on hold to help the Inquisition. Leliana can't complain about that, not one bit.
Content warning: No explicit smut, but it is very clear that these two have been busy and are going to be busy for the rest of the day.
@thedasweekend
“Do you even know how much I missed you?” Leliana's sultry voice was barely above a whisper, in between a spew of quick pecks on Mara’s face.
“Well, let me think…” Mara raised an eyebrow. “You pounced on me to the ground the moment you saw me arrive at Skyhold, you haven't been able to keep your lips off of me-” she was interrupted by a kiss.
“Point proven,” Mara chuckled when Leliana pulled away. “And today, once you finished your work, you immediately went to me in the training yard and dragged me away to your quarters for some ‘girly fun’. So, I'm guessing you hardly missed me at all.”
Mara broke out into laughter as she saw Leliana's offended look, hand placed dramatically on her chest.
"Alouette," Leliana sulked, pouting.
Mara reached a hand out to wipe a strand of red hair away from her beloved’s face. “Aww, Lillypad…” She soothed, still chuckling as she pecked Leliana’s soft lips. “I know how much you would have missed me.”
Leliana stroked Mara’s cheek. “No matter how many times I slept in this bed at night, it never felt quite warm when you’re not laying by my side.”
Mara sat up from the bed, and Leliana shifted to allow Mara the space. Mara placed a hand on Leliana’s shoulder, stroking up and down her beloved’s arm.
“I often saw you in my nightmares,” Mara’s voice went soft, her face turning glum. “You were often in danger, being swallowed whole by hordes of darkspawn… and most of the time I failed to save you.”
Leliana furrowed her eyebrows in sympathy, but also a sense of grief. She thought about the Inquisitor’s words about the future where the Alexios and the Venatori one. Mara had apparently given her life to try and save her.
It was no wonder her future self fought so hard for the world back.
Leliana gave a peck on Mara’s cheek, smiling softly once more. “Come, enough of those thoughts. We are here now. Back in each other’s arms. No nightmare is too great for you to conquer. And, if they are, I’ll be there to fight them with you.”
Mara’s shoulders tensed a little less, smiling in reassurance.
“Well I’m not sure I’ll have to deal with them tonight, because I don’t really feel all that sleepy yet,” Mara’s hands slid up Leliana’s arms until she could wrap her own arms around Leliana’s shoulders. “How many rounds do you think we can still last for? Four? Maybe five.”
Leliana giggled sultry, her hands beginning to wander Mara’s sleek body.
Another character intro post for @cityelfweek. Perhaps I might have the time to sit down and write something proper, but for now here is the Hero of Ferelden herself.
General
Name: Mara Tabris
Race: City Elf (Ferelden)
Gender and Pronouns: Cisgender Woman (She/her)
Class: Rogue (Dual weilding, duelist/scrapper)
Sexuality: Lesbian
Romance: Leliana
Best friends: Morrigan, Alistair, Sten
(Art by @/jeythewarden)
Art by @/ghostofantiva(springinheiron) on AO3
Backstory
Trigger warning for kidnapping and implied sexual assault (City elf origins, amirite?)
Mara Tabris was born in the impoverished Alienage of Denerim to Cyrion and Adaia Tabris in 9:11 Dragon. While her life had never been easy, she found comfort in her community and family. Mara was especially close with her mother Adaia.
When Mara was 9, a human attempted to start a purge of the alienage, and targeted her. She defended herself, resulting in the death of the human after pulling the trigger of a crossbow. Adaia was the only witness, and when the guards came to the village to interrogate, she took the blame for Mara. Adaia was taken away by the humans, presumably to be executed, and Mara never saw her mother again.
Over time, Mara did a couple of odd jobs to support her family and alienage- many of them required her to be crafty, from jewelry making to shoe making. She also found herself having to get out of trouble numerous times, often conflicts with humans.
When Mara was short of turning 20 she was engaged to Nelaros, an elf from Highever. She was horrified with the arrangement, but deciding it would be best for her community, she eventually agreed to go through with it, though she still voiced her feelings about the arrangement. Human nobility disrupted the wedding however, and Mara, as well as a couple of other elves, were taken hostage. She found herself on a mission to survive, save the fellow elven women including her cousin Shianni and free herself with the help of her cousin Soris. This resulted in the death of the Arl of Denerim’s son, Vaughn. Mara turned herself in to save Soris and her Alienage, but Duncan intervened by invoking the Right of Conscription, officially recruiting her as a Grey Warden. While Mara was initially hesitant about joining the Grey Wardens, it would surely be better than to face whatever horrors would have awaited for her at Fort Draken, right?
Personality
The Tabris family had always had a reputation of being troublemaking, headstrong individuals, and with Mara it’s not much less different. Mara has a bold streak, is generally self assured, which can sometimes lead to cockiness and pride, and tends to react quickly to various situations. Deep down, Mara has a desire for freedom- she wishes to see the world, not to be tied down to a life she does not want to live, and certainly is not ready to settle down. While she is someone who values community, she is also someone who is usually not afraid to speak her mind when the situation calls for it. She is known for furiously defending her family and the people of the Alienage from outsiders, either verbally or through combat when the situation calls for it. Around people she likes, she can have a more easygoing, laidback and humorous side to her, though she is often already sarcastic around most people. She is blunt and hostile towards anyone she considers a threat, and when meeting most strangers, she will act with caution.
Mara generally feels uneasy around humans, due to many traumatic encounters with them throughout her childhood and teenage years. She holds resentment towards them for taking away her mother and for the treatment of her people. Mara is someone who does not take lightly to the mistreatment of people who are considered disadvantaged, whether her own people, mages or the casteless of Orzammar she would come to meet on her adventures to defeat the Fifth Blight. She is someone willing to take a stand for anyone facing mistreatment, and will do so rather harshly and bluntly under most circumstances.
Warnings: Nothing explicit, just a minor Makeout sesh and overall non-sexual intimacy
Mara is tired of hearing stories with sad endings, so Leliana tells her own story, based on past experiences.
Happy Pride y'all! This is my contribution not only to Pride Month, but also to #pridebiana by @lelianazine . Just a Bi Bard and her Lesbian Warden GF being gals
“Come on, Lilypad! Too many of your stories have sad endings!”
Laying next to each other in the bed of the room of the inn, Leliana could not help but giggle at Mara's exasperation of her most recent story.
“What about the knight Aveline?” Leliana responded, resting on her side to face het beloved. “She helped to change the laws of Orlais to allow women to become knighted, yes?”
Laying on her side, Mara gave Leliana a look. The same look she had given Leliana when she told Mara about her vision. Back when Mara was hesitant to trust her.
“She got killed because one of her opponents felt emasculated. And don't get me started on the two lovers! The story with the bridge of stars between them!” Mara groaned, turning so that she was laying on her back. “Couldn’t they just have been happy? In life? Together?”
Leliana knew the stories that Mara would hear often had bad endings. From Andrastian tales to Ferelden folklore. Mara had grown in an environment where happy endings were not as simple as many of Leliana's favourite stories growing up had.
An idea then came to her.
“Alright, I have another story to tell that may not have as sad of an ending. It’s the story of a Grey Warden.”
Mara turned her head, Curiosity in her eyes, brown as the earth that gives life to bushes of beautiful flowers.
“You know Grey Warden stories?” Mara asked as she laid back on her side, scooting closer to Leliana.
“A strong, brave and beautiful young woman who joined the Wardens because of her tenacious sense of survival,” Leliana began, scooting closer so that the two were face to face. “She was kind where it mattered, and always stood up for those who have been wronged. Because she herself knows the emotional scars it leaves behind.”
Mara smiled that oh-so beautiful smile. “Oh, I like her already.”
“I do too.” Leliana giggled, before continuing her story. “During her travels, a great evil threatens her world, and she could not sit idly by when everything she loves is in danger. So she sets off on a quest to vanquish this evil.”
Seeing the child-like wonder on Mara's face made Leliana's heart melt. The elven woman had a hard shell, but there was still the sweet gentleness underneath it, like a child that did not know the horrors the current Mara had faced.
“Along the way, another woman joins her,” Leliana strokes Mara's face, causing her eyes to flutter closed as Leliana paid special attention to the tattoos on her face. “Due to the Grey Warden’s scars, she hesitant to trust this woman. But eventually learns that she too has her own scars from the past.”
Mara began to relax that Leliana had thought that Mara had fallen asleep, until she spoke, opening her eyes.
“Well, go on!” Mara said with a slight pout.
“The two bonded, and eventually found comfort in each other’s presence.” As Leliana spoke, she wrapped her arms around Mara. “In each arms. In each other’s love.”
Leliana planted a flurry of kisses onto Mara's face, causing the warden to giggle, until the elf paused, looking at Leliana with furrowed eyes of confusion.
“You’re talking about us, aren't you?"
“Maybe, but please, amour, let me finished,” Leliana pleaded, smiling at how Mara's face became flushed at the term of endearment.
“Fine,” She said with a smile.
“Together, with other allies, they successfully vanquished the foes that threatened their home, and found they could be happy together. Unfortunately, duty forces them apart sometimes, but they always return to each other’s embrace."
There was a moment of silence between the two. For now, they could travel together since Divine Justinia had allowed for Mara to accompany Leliana. But who knows how long it could last until duty forces them apart again?
“And how does this story end? If you say something sad-”
Leliana interrupted Mara with a kiss, bringing a hand to stroke her black hair ad Mara pulled Leliana closer, calloused hands on the bard's face. She tasted of hearty stew that she enjoyed from the tavern below the inn. The kiss was slow, but loving and passionate as the two women took comfort in each other's love for the other, giggling and sighing in between.
Eventually, the two were forced to part for air. Leliana laid on her back, pulling Mara to her side as Mara laid her head on Leliana's chest.
“That’s the best part, my love," Leliana answered in a whisper, resting her forehead against Mara's. “We get to decide.”
Here's one for your warden: How did they feel about being put in a leading position? Do they resent Alistair for putting that on them or are they ok with it?
-asexualtabris 💜
Fellow Tabris lovers Rise Up!
How did they feel about being put in a leading position? Do they resent Alistair for putting that on them or are they ok with it?
Mara kind of put herself in the leadership role, if I'm making sense. From a young age she's been forced to make difficult decisions, and among the Tabris cousins she's been the one to take initiative, to speak out, etc. So she was completely fine with being the de-facto leader for the Merry Band of Blight Fighters.
She never resented Alistair for this. If anything, she was confused as to why he wasn't the one taking charge as the senior Wardens compared to the two. Until one day Mara got a nasty fever and Alistair was forced to temporarily lead the group to find a herbalist that can cure her fever.
Let's just say by the time they got back and Mara got out of her tent briefly for air (with Wynne and Leliana helping her), a Spider Morrigan was attempting to eat Schmooples with Bonesly trying to eat Spider Morrigan, Sten yeeted Oghren onto a nearby tree, Zevran somehow pinned Alistair against the same tree and Shale was covered in blood and feathers.
