The Silver Queen [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran smiles down at her, his own honest but not dispelling the sadness in his eyes. "Always, ma'bela," he whispers. "Silence, can you give this to Carver?" he asks, pulling out a scrap of paper and quickly jotting down 'all staying. get sleep, talk morning' on it. The mabari groans at having to get up but takes the paper amicably enough.

[Isabela]

As the mabari gets up, Isabela stretches her legs out a little more, leaning her head against his shoulder. "Do you ever worry that the best of us left at Mori?" she asks, quietly.

[Tethras Clan]

"...sometimes," he admits. "Merrill's innocence, Aveline's devotion, Ha- Marian's loving soul, Varric's grumpy protectiveness.... Even Wynne and her quiet talks over tea." His smile dims and his eyes close. "But there's Carver's loyalty, Helene's earnest questions and eager answers, the steadfast mabari... and you. Ma'bela, my hope in despair. There were so many times, before- when I was... before, that just the thought that this young woman was still out there, alive and free, was all that keep me going. That... that there was a reason to stay a person. That I deserved to be a person."

[Isabela]

"I know what you mean," she says. "I never stopped looking for you. That was my big regret, not getting you to come with me. I had to live long enough to see you freed. Some days that's all I had."

[Tethras Clan]

"All you coming with me or I with you would have-" Zevran stops, shaking his head slightly. "Sorry. Logic and reason have little to do with it. Nor does safety or..." He sighs. "How can I help bring back your smile, my love?"

[Isabela]

"I'm tired of running," she says quietly. "Let's find some way to help these people, together."

[Tethras Clan]

"Together," Zevran echoes, smiling as he looks up at the stars. "That's a wonder too."

[Isabela]

She slips her hand into his, squeezing tightly, and looks back up at the stars -- the same stars as Zevran, with him by her side, together. A family.


In the morning, they gather around the kitchen table, comparing notes, sharing plans. Coquette's plea to run refugees and supplies in and out of Glaley is repeated; Isabela nods, slowly. "Perhaps we can help break the stalemate," she begins, wishing she had a map of the city handy. "Take out the leaders of the nobility?"

[Carver Amell]

"We?" grumbles Carver, looking down at Hunter sullenly. 

[Tethras Clan]

"...perhaps we should secure the homefront first, now, before helping Glaley?" Zevran says gently. "Instead of evading the issue or making broody cutting remarks?"

[Isabela]

Isabela rakes a hand through her hair -- a gesture she doesn't reach for often, but one a certain someone favored when at her wits end. "Carver?"

[Carver Amell]

"No, no, it's fine," he snaps. "It's just that you were going to throw me away like garbage. But that's what family does, isn't it? Leaves me alone to pick up the pieces."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Th-this one is certain that is inaccurate," mumble Helene, to their porridge. 

[Carver Amell]

"You're the expert, huh?" 

[Isabela]

"Carver!" snaps Isabela.