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[ thranduil just... stops. ]

Who? [ and then: ] We must move you from the Gallows. South, into Ferelden if we can.

I am not being threatened.

[ Solas frowns, clearly on edge and not content, but crosses his arms behind his back. ]

They wish to... Aid me.

Unrestrained tongues are as dangerous as unsheathed knives.

[ which is to say: yes, you are being threatened. thranduil shakes his head, and beckons solas back to his bedroom. if the inquisition isn't about to collapse, then they can pack and talk. ]

So Galadriel and I are to have comrades in your service.

I have spoken to her of this.

[ Solas follows without pause, immediately moving to try and assist in moving, folding, packing, whatever might need done. ]

Adalia.

Edited 2018-08-28 21:03 (UTC)

[ thranduil hands him a short stack of plain linen shirts, gwenaelle's embroidery at the cuffs and neckline, for folding, and busies himself with tucking his trousers into a small rucksack. ]

Her? How? Mellon-nin, she is only a child, and that is your life- the life of the Elvhen- in her hands.

[ Solas begins to fold, the distraction enough when his mind is already a tangle, despite the warm respite of dreaming with Galadriel at his side. ]

She overheard whispers in the Temple of Falon'Din. A spirit coloured as Mythal called me 'rebel'. She and I have spoken often of the nature of supposed Gods, too, and her mind is quicker than you might imagine.

She is quick, but quick like a fire. She will burn herself out with that quickness.

[ bitter, and spit out. regret and longing, but he holds the rest back. ]

We Rifters will see the gaps faster than those who are natives here, I fear. We are more willing to see stories as just that, and not bone-deep facts. Do you trust her as you trust me? Do you know what price she puts upon this secret that she has?

I had considered it.

[ His eyes flick over Thranduil for a moment, drinking him in, but he bites his own tongue. ]

She is from a world where the Gods walk among people without pause. She called me much the same. [ And it's obvious just how much he hates that idea, please do not label him as any kind of God. ] I have already considered my options. My faith in her is strong, but she does not have the trust I have in you.

[ A sigh. ]

She asks for nothing but to help. To serve.

Will you take her service, knowing how she sees you?

[ solas isn't a god any more than thranduil is. he is tired in ways thranduil recognizes all too well, sees in galadriel moreso than himself. he is a scholar. he can be coaxed into submission with cake and careful application of some luxuries. he is his friend, his companion, and thranduil swore an oath for his sake. ]

I would not take her service, but I fear that I have little in the way of choice. She is determined, God or otherwise.

[ Solas frowns, hesitating with his hands in a shirt, eyes downcast. ]

I have considered her removal. It would be... Problematic.

She has the power in this.

[ secrets versus swords. thranduil is both amused by the predicament they find themselves in and as bothered by it as he has the right to be, which is a good deal.

well done, adalia. it is, in its own way, a triumph. ]

She is but a child. Galadriel might have once been able to make her forget, but this is too tangled a web to remove but one thread and expect her to be unable to put the pieces together once more.

I had been planning for her use, but I was caught off guard.

[ It's said wryly, at least; many people had been doing this to him over the last few months. Catching him unawares, leaving him baffled and confused, discontent in secrets being revealed. Adalia knows some, Thranduil knows some, Galadriel knows more.

He dislikes it. ]

Perhaps she will still be of use, if carefully monitored.

Monitor as you like; I am at your disposal if you are in need of my efforts as well. I feel I am moreso the stick than the carrot with that girl.

[ he leans in, shoulder brushing against shoulder, and lifts the shirt from solas' hands, to tuck into the bag. ]

Do you have a plan for if she chooses to spill your secret to the whole of the Inquisition?

I fear I am the carrot more than the stick. [ Are they parents? Solas feels disquieted at the notion. ] We are both in a position to watch her, as much as is needed. I believe she goes to Tevinter with you, so she is little threat to me for at least some days.

[ Solas lets the shirt go, breathing a sigh. ]

I will have to kill her. No one will believe the rambles of a Rifter claiming to have met a Dalish God. None would believe that I could embody the Dread Wolf.

I will look after her as much as I am able,[ he says, turning his back on solas and going to his chest of drawers, digging for something among small bundles of fabric. ] but I fear I will be preoccupied. There is talk of speaking with the Archon. It may just be talk, but...

[ he finds what he was looking for, stands, and turns back. he reaches for solas' hand, and presses a ring into his hand. ]

Mind this for me, while I am away?

You are not her minder, and I think she will not speak to you if this. I imagine she thinks herself the only one to know. [ Which is not necessarily a bad thing. It is isolating and makes her easier to watch over. ] You will be busy, as will she. This is no time for idleness - and I am certain Adalia will find much to distract herself with in Tevinter.

[ He watches Thranduil move, pauses, then accepts the ring, head tilted. ]

To be worn, or to be locked away? [ There is power in rings, after all. ]

Allow her that, [ thranduil says. ] If you please. Let us layer secrets on secrets.

[ he shuffles through the clothes in the bag and, satisfied, pulls the drawstring closed, before leaving it on the surface nearest to the door. there it can be grabbed in the early dawn when they depart. ]

It is only a bauble. Mithril, worked well, but no Power within it. I would have you with something finer while you visit the Dalish, and who knows- perhaps someone will recognize it. I have made friends with them where I can. Perhaps it will buy you some goodwill.

[ a glance back, with a wicked curve to his smile. ]

And you must have fine things to court your lady in.

It is the most that can be allowed. I will be on guard until she returns.

[ Solas watches his friend prepare, his gaze dropping down to the ring. There’s hesitance there - it’s not as though his friendships are any secret, but few have been so content to have him declared so obviously. All in the Inquisition will know Solas did not get the ring himself for himself.

It is a good thing all the same. ]

I will wear it well and hope it brings fortune. The Dalish will not welcome me truly, but I may be afforded some kindness.

[ But, hm. He frowns, sly eyes drinking in Thranduil properly. ]

I do not know what you mean.

[ Yes he does. He slips on the ring, on the middle finger of his right hand. ]

[ thranduil's pleased expression turns innocent enough, he looks away, crosses the room, pretends to fuss with one of the orchids by a window, makes watering it an intricate ordeal. ]

Shall I explain quendi courting to you, or will you have her do so?

[ which he is sure galadriel will manage with grace, somehow, such is her damnable nature. ]

[ This is not what Solas had come to speak of, and even with his anxieties comforted he still wishes to make sure he is set on a plan for Adalia, but this is well laid bait he cannot help but take advantage of. ]

Is it so different from traditional courting?

[ Sometimes, Solas thinks he ought to bite his own tongue. ]

Galadriel is a law unto herself. I needn't say more than that, but that she has you so close means she cares for you a great deal.

[ he settles the orchid a bit closer to the window. ]

Her husband was my cousin. He made a great deal of mistakes with her, namely that he wandered. Do not be a fool as he was.

[ thranduil doesn't bother to realize that solas might hear that as 'slept around' or 'looked at other hot elf chicks', or anything other than 'literally went far away'.

considering that settled: ]

Is there anything more of Adalia?

And I care for her. I would not have shared as I did were or not so.

[ They had kissed once, before she had learned, and Solas had fled. He had not wished to lie to her. He had not wished to betray the trust she gave him. Now she knows more than anyone; Solas welcomes her into his life and his heart.

The mention of her husband has him souring a little however. ]

She spoke of him, once. It was enough for me to hear.

[ But that’s not relevant at all, is it. ]

No. We are all watching. It is all that can be done.

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