#ellanis tabris

[eyeofmud]

Silent Shadows

Cicadas sing. Music in the not quite dawn spilling from the trees in the form of birdsong and insect buzzing. No light in the tent beyond the hint of sunrise, purple as deep and dark as a wound, outlining the horizon. Zevran prefers the shadows, the almost silence. 

In the city there is always noise. Horses neigh no matter the hour and servants hurry with hushed footfalls in the dark corridors and bedsheets rustle no matter how slight the movement beneath them. Not all his marks share these noises, not even most, but it does an assassin well to know what sounds death can take. The rush of air out of startled, ruined, lungs when a blade slips between ribs. In the surprised glance before a muffled shout. How quietly a mark can be kept when death catches them in their sleep. 

For all he is aware of death Zevran finds he enjoys the sounds of life far better. Cicadas and bird songs and snores drifting together. 

No bedsheets rustle, the thick fur Ellanis prefers to sleep in caresses his skin and Zevran has no need to move beneath them. Not yet, not for a while yet. Ellanis’ arm is sprawled out under him, his chest rising under Zevran’s cheek, gentle snores moving enough for the both of them. 

Shadows before dawn. Under the tent flap he can only make out the barest suggestion of purple, inside the dark blue hides them yet and his eyes tighten at the encroaching light. At the noise it will bring. Cheek resting against a slowly rising chest. Heartbeats.

So quiet Zevran almost cannot hear them. Even in the shadow, even in the almost silence. When did this sound replace all others? Why does the silence in between beats sound so cold?

Why did he start to listen for them at all?

Ellanis sleeps peacefully tonight.A quiet night between them is rare and perhaps the reason why Zevran counts heartbeats is simply because he is tired of counting sheep. There has been no nightmare, no screams, no soothing after. Just sleep. Quiet laughter. 

The sounds of life. Sounds unfamiliar. If Zevran has any familiarity with the sound of heartbeats it's in waiting for them to slow. And stop. But here he waits on the verge of sleep for another of Ellanis’ heartbeats to promise to continue. Never to cease. 

Cicadas mix with birdsong with snores. With the ever steady beat of his lover's heart. Almost silent and Zevran has never been more grateful for the noise. Dawn trails its fingers up over the horizon and his time is running out. A mark is never more dangerous than when they begin to leave their mark on you. 

Matching the light Zevran shifts to place a hand on Ellanis’ chest and the thin fabric of his shirt does nothing to hide the heat of his skin nor the rise and fall of his breathing. Fingertips brushing aside the low collar so his palm can rest over his chest. Feeling his pulse as he hears it. 

Not yet.

Zevran prefers the sound to the silence.

#dragon age #dragon age origins #zevran x warden #zevran arainai #ellanis tabris #sleepy boy hours #my writing #its 11 pm and u know me i never post at a conviniente time <3

[stylographic-blue-rhapsody]

zevraholics anonymous 2022 smoOChfest: Ellanis Tabris and Sarael Lavellan

for @musingmycelium, I love two (2) beautiful trans masc elves

..

Sarael kneels in front of the door and digs their fingers into their hair to retrieve the lockpicks woven into their braid crown. Deftly, they begin the delicate process of teasing the lock open, listening and feeling for the click of the correct tumblers.

“Leliana made it sound like you didn’t know how to do that,” Ellanis remarks quietly, with the barest hint of amusement.

“Just because one can commit theft doesn’t mean that it is always the answer to one’s problems. My spymaster and I disagree on a philosophical level.” Their voice is even more hushed than the mage’s, but they hear him chuckle in response. Two more careful points of pressure from the fine metal pins and the lock gives with a soft click.

“But it’s the answer to your problem now?” He steps past them into the room, the sound of his cane dampened by the wax cap acquired in preparation for this jaunt of casual breaking and entering. Sarael follows belatedly, pausing to listen down the corridor for any sign or sound of unexpected movement. Everything is still, the only noise muted chatter from the party in the main hall.

“In this instance, thievery is an asset in finding the answer to my problem, yes.” Sarael eases the door closed and turns the latch on the handle, locking it once more.

The study is small, sporting floor to ceiling bookshelves on opposite walls that flank an elegant oak desk overflowing with stacks of parchment. The glass and iron wall sconces house plentiful flickering candles, and Sarael is relieved to find that the thick embroidered curtains are drawn shut. Anyone in the courtyard won’t notice their intrusion to this wing.

They don’t say anything else as they head to the left hand side of the room to begin investigating the large collection of books, and Ellanis makes his way just as purposefully to the desk to sift through the paperwork. If there is proof of correspondence between Bann Iana and the Venatori sect in the Hinterlands, it will be here.

It doesn’t take the pair long. A few minutes into feeling over the spines for hidden compartments, Sarael finds a folded piece of parchment stuck between two books, not quite tucked far enough away to be hidden. Plucking it from the shelf and skimming it, they smile. They bring it to Ellanis, who is still filtering through the chaos on the desk.

“Here. This is a key to a Venatori cipher, one that we’ve already cracked. Have you seen anything with these two misspellings?”

Ellanis spends a few more moments rifling through the stacks, before handing three folded pages to Sarael. They take it from him with a quiet thank you before folding them further to slip into the secret pocket of their overcoat.

Quickly, the pair replace the disturbed paperwork as accurately as they can and slip back into the hall, set on returning to the party with Bann Iana none the wiser.

The stillness of the wing breaks with the sound of rapidly advancing footfalls.

“Fenedhis,” Sarael hisses under their breath. They had memorized the estate layout before arriving—the hall they are in is a deadend and the closest servants’ stair is around the corner in the direction of their approaching company. Their mind whirls, briefly, and then they grab Ellanis’ free elbow and pull him into the nearest unlocked, adjacent room.

It’s lavish, a guest room that aims to impress. A massive four poster dominates the space, with a thick scarlet quilt that complements the wine-colored rug. There is a beautifully carved open-front wardrobe, a storage trunk, and a matching pillowed settee and reading chair in front of a small stone hearth.

And nowhere to hide.

Sarael turns to face Ellanis. His brows are furrowed, gaze darting around the room as he also searches for a solution. They can’t be caught here—the Inquisitor and the Warden-Commander, breaking into the private wing of a Bann’s estate? At best, their political reputations would be ruined. At worst… well, Sarael thinks the two of them could fight their way out, but they absolutely do not want it to come to that.

They take a deep breath through their nose. There’s a way out of this, and it’s easy. Resolutely, they ask, “Do you trust me?”

Ellanis looks to them, amused despite the circumstances. His storm-grey eyes crinkle as his mouth quirks into a genuine smile. “In my experience, that question always leads to something foolish. But yes, I do trust you, Inquisitor.”

They swallow hard around a sudden, unexpected lump in their throat, arising from the most pedestrian of reasons—he’s kind. He’s made a choice to trust them after knowing them for less than a tenday. It’s more than anyone else has done for them in their entire tenure as Inquisitor; they have always had to cajole and barter and manipulate and squeeze and beg the trust out of those under their command. With no more than their acquaintance, he’s decided that they are worth trusting—that in and of itself is a gift.

It means something, even if it is unintentional.

They step into his space, hand coming to cup his cheek. Their thumb brushes over the thick scar tissue under his eye and they murmur, “You can call me Sarael.”

They kiss him gently once: a question. Ellanis makes a small noise of surprise, skin warming beneath Sarael fingers, but he relaxes into them. Faintly, they can hear doors being opened in rapid succession down the hall.

“Play along,” they breathe against his mouth.

They wrap their arms around his waist, pulling him flush to them to support his weight as they walk him backwards to the bed, mindful of his bad leg. He makes another sound, this time drawn out and low in his throat, and cradles their jaw with his strong, callused hands. His skin is cold in contrast to Sarael’s, but the deep blush blooming across his face begins to mitigate the chill lingering on his lips.

Upon contact with the bed, Ellanis sits down, letting his cane drop to the floor next to them. Sarael wastes no time following him to a reclined position, slotting a knee between his thighs. They make quick work of the buttons at the collar of his tunic before rucking the edge of it up and splaying their hands firmly on his stomach. His breath hitches and he bites their lower lip in response.

Sarael kisses his mouth once more and dips their head to his newly-exposed neck, scraping their teeth lightly along the sensitive line of muscle beneath his ear while sliding their hands to grip his waist. Ellanis gasps and his hands find tight purchase in their hair, causing their scalp to prickle pleasantly. Sarael continues to nip at his skin, and he arches up into them with heavy breaths.

Not for the first time since their introduction, Sarael is struck by his beauty, and a rare heat pools in their chest.

That thought is interrupted as the door slams open, someone yelling about stop right there and choking off with a sputter.

Sarael looks over their shoulder to see the captain of the Bann’s guard and two officers with him, all three in varying shades of red and looking aggressively at any point in the room other than the bed. They sit up from where they’ve been curled over Ellanis, turning to face the soldiers.

“Is our presence requested?” they ask coolly, giving the captain a polite, but clearly irritated, smile. Behind them, they hear Ellanis working to catch his breath and right his tunic.

“Ah, uh, yes, Inquisitor,” the captain stammers. “Bann Iana, she—she said—”

“We’ll be back shortly.” Sarael cuts him off with a nod, and the guards hastily exit the room.

They cross to the door after the soldiers, closing it loudly. Turning back to Ellanis, they see he has already fixed his clothing and is now combing through his hair with his fingers. His face is still flushed, rosy beneath his tan, and his mouth is kiss-swollen. They ask, “Are you alright?”

He’s quiet for a moment, then a smile curls at the corner of his mouth. “This isn’t the first time you’ve used that ruse to get out of trouble, is it?”

Sarael hums in acknowledgement and begins feeling along their braid crown for disturbed locks and tucking them back into place. “You are a much better actor than my partner from the previous occasion.” Internally, they grimace at the memory.

“Acting?” Sarael raises an eyebrow at that, and Ellanis chuckles as he continues, “You’re very good at that, I didn’t really need to put on.”

Sarael blinks, again caught off guard by his frank compliments. They feel unmoored for just a moment, before their Inquisitor mask settles back into place. “I’m pleased you enjoyed yourself, then.”

Ellanis does laugh outright at that, and it rings like a melody in Sarael’s head for the rest of the evening.

#dragon age #ellanis tabris #sarael lavellan #ockiss22 #can you tell this got Way Out Of Hand because I love heists and espionage #“let’s make out to save our political reputations” #my ocs #other people’s ocs

[october-rosehip]

Ellanis Tabris, who belongs to @apostatetabris, now with better colors. Watercolor, 6x8.

#Dragon age #Ellanis Tabris #Rosehiporiginal #watercolor #Warden Tabris #HEY EVERYBODY DID YOU KNOW YET THAT I GOT A SCANNER?!?!?!

[musingmycelium]

i... i, uh.... i gave dai era ellanis an undercut and grey temples........

#ellanis tabris #uh oh

[frecklef0x]

Ellanis Tabris for @apostatetabris

Two-tone sketch commissions: portrait ($20) half ($25) full body ($30)

#ellanis tabris #my art #not my oc #he is so sweet and good #very fond of this one #thank you for commissioning me! #dragon age #dragon age fanart #frecklef0x #bioware #bioware fanart #dragonage #dragon age origins #da:o #dao #tabris #warden tabris #city elf #frecklef0x commissions #art commissions #sketch commission #commissions open #commission example

[raymurata]

The wonderful (and crazy handsome) Ellanis Tabris for the equally wonderful @apostatetabris <3

#raydraws #ellanis tabris #raycomms #commissions #emotimeme #warden #hero of ferelden #absolute husband material #zev's so lucky i cant even #thank you so much fo commissioning me! #he was a joy to draw

[icylook]

Zevraholics Wintersend Gift Exchange - gift for @apostatetabris​ (ﾉ^ヮ^)ﾉ*:・ﾟ✧ Happy holidays and a lot of cheerful Ellanis&Zevran moments for you!

AO3

A welcome to Ferelden's winter time

On the edge of the awarness, Ellanis takes a deep breath, tasting the chill in the air. He can hear muted voices outside, unusually softened. He opens his eyes slowly, blinking out the pieces of the dream, sleepiness clinging to his mind. Tent's canvas is sagging slightly under the snow, the weight of it reducing the space and making it look cozier.

Not constricting, it's just snow,  Ellanis thinks as he glances to his side, lazily stretching his arms, mindful of the person sleeping next to him. There's a bit of blonde hair sticking out from the blankets and furs, Zevran burrowed under them. For a moment he's just watching, warmth blossoming in his chest, expanding with the feel of abysmal longing. His fingers itch to touch and run down on Zevran's skin, but he doesn't want to disturb him. Giving him the chance to get a little more of sleep, as he knows this day'll be long. Travelling in fresh snow will be a challenge. So he keeps looking, a small smile on his lips, gaze soft and after awhile of sleepy indulgenance, he slowly gets up, untangling himself from his own blankets and unhurriedly going through his morning routine of stretching, dressing up and making himself presentable.

Ellanis is out the tent for some time, cheeks pink thanks to the cold, when Zevran emerges, blinking at the expanse of white, eyes squinting in the blinding light. He's muttering something in Antivan, grip tight on the blanket around his shoulders, puffs of breath visible in the air. Ellanis smiles a small, private smile just before an idea strikes him, the line of his lips turning mischevious. He catches Leliana's eye just before he gestures with his finger in an universal motion of “Shh“ and calls in his magic, making himself a bit harder to spot, creeping slowly to the side and leaning down to scoop some of the snow. He's keeping eyes on his target, as the cold of the snow's seeping the warmth from his fingers, melting slightly, before he boosts it with magic. Then, he aims and grecefully throws it, the arc of the snowball nearly perfect. Years of practice seem to pay back, the memorable snowballs fights from before, when all of them were together, happy, when the days were simpler and not so gloomy.

There's a yelp when the snowball hits its target and very peculiar fumbling, as Zevran's gaze zeroes on Ellanis, reddened cheeks and blonde hair in dissaray, and the view is enough to make him burst out laughing, the sound carrying through the camp and Leliana’s stiffled chuckle answers him in his amusement. The face Zevran makes is like he can't decide, if he should be offended or amused himself, but in the end he mutters something more under his breath just before he sniffs dramatically and vanishes back into the tent, his motions jerky and shuddery, most likely trying to get rid of the melting snow under his collar. Ellanis straightens up from his hunched postion, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes and he follows Zevran into the tent, making his approach loud, giving the man a moment to collect himself, the chance to say “No”, if he'd like to avoid his presence.

He sees Zevran on the floor, shivering, as he changes the soaked shirt, and Ellanis steps closer with a friendly smile, hands open. Zevran glances back at him over his shoulder, visibly pouting, and the corners of Ellanis' eyes crinkle as he wiggles his fingers.

“I can warm you up, if you wish?”

Zevran's looking at him steadily until he huffs with another grumble and he shrughs “Close the tent please, it's a bloody void out there.”

Ellanis takes it as permission, waving his hand at the tent’s opening and he slowly lowers himself to his knees, mindful of his bad leg, then sits with his legs on Zevran's side, making himself comfortable at Zevran's back. He touches the warm skin and lets his magic do the work and Zevran sighs and sags into his hands. Ellanis brushes Zevran's hair away, leaning in to gently kiss his nape. “Welcome to Ferelden's winter,” he whispers and Zevran's amused snort and noticeable melting into his warm touch are the only answers for a while.

#apostatetabris #Ellanis Tabris #Zevran #Ellanis x Zevran #Warden #Dragon Age #icy is writing #fanfiction

[impossible-rat-babies]

Inktober Day 17 -- Ellanis Tabris

--

@apostatetabris I love you and Ellanis so much! You're such a spectacular person and have been such a wonderful friend and a light in this fandom. You’re writing is such a gift and I love Ellanis so very very much! <3 :D

#dragon age #da: origins #dragon age origins #warden tabris #oc tag #ellanis tabris #inktober #inktober 2019 #myart #drawing #him him him #i kept thinking it's boy time when drawing him :D #also i couldn't resist the earring

[allisondraste]

✓ for any of our ocs?

Niamh: “We may not have a lot in common personality-wise, as it seems Ellanis has a much more level head than myself; however, there is something attractive about someone whose life experience is similar to yours.  I haven’t met a lot of mages who were born in an alienage, especially not many who go on to do great things without being taken by the Circle.  It’s not an easy life, and I think it’s amazing that he has managed to stay true to himself and his heritage.”

#dragon age #ellanis tabris #niamh lavellan #my ocs #mutuals ocs #thanks viiii! #ellanis is just perfect #apostatetabris

[quizzikemen]

Ellanis Tabris for the sweet @apostatetabris !

#dragon age #ellanis tabris #quizzi commi #the warden #apostatetabris #thankyou so much for commissioning me ♥ #look at those eyebrows #quizzidraws

[partenopae]

i had the absolute pleasure to be commissioned by @apostatetabris again, this time to draw their amazing warden ellanis tabris ❣️❣️

#it's been great working with u again!!! thank u so much for commissioning me!! #dragon age #da:o #tabris #my commissions #my art #apostatetabris

[october-rosehip]

Super late birthday gift to @apostatetabris

Ellanis Tabris on a misty, cold day.

Watercolor on cold press, 6X8

#dragon age #Warden Tabris #Ellanis Tabris #Watercolor #It was a palette cleanser actually #you know when you have too much paint left? #And you don't want to waste it? #Well it was in his colors and he kindly agreed to pose #At least that's what it feels like sometimes

[sulevinblade]

get to know you meme 2.0

Tagged by @apostatetabris, but this version has a bunch more questions so we’re at it again c:

Relationship Status:.married!

Favourite Colour: blue, orange, bronze, yellow

Languages spoken: English, some Spanish

Skill few people know you have: I can drive stick o7

Top Ships: Man I don’t even remember what I said last time so time to give some love out: Ellinor Trevelyan ( @bitchesofostwick ) / Cullen Alexi Trevelyan ( @jawsandbones ) / Cullen Dimitri Enallasani ( @goblin-deity ) / Iron Bull Ellanis Tabris ( @apostatetabris ) / Zevran Alec Surana ( @raymurata ) / Zevran Sulevin Solomon Trevelyan ( @mocha-writes​ ) / Dorian Mahon Lavellan ( @rennybu ) / Dorian Padi Hawke ( @gremlinquisitor ) / Sebastian Cadence Tabris ( @talesfromthefade ) / Anders Halesta Lavellan ( @ladylike-foxes ) / Solas **not to be considered exhaustive by any means but I feel like I’m obnoxious tagging you all so I’m just gonna move on Lipstick or Chapstick: chapstick always

Something you’d like to buy/get: I really want a pearly white nail polish

Country you’d love to visit: Iceland!

Last 5 Songs: /opens spotify, what in the what hmm

ghost in the moon, avantasia kill the sun, xandria stand by me, ben e. king on the turning away, pink floyd sail away, ben hazelwood

Last movie: Still Endgame, currently watching SJ vs COL

Currently reading: keeping in mind my marked for later page is extensive: A World Alone, Ellinor Trevelyan/Cullen Tale of a Tabris, Ellanis Tabris/Zevran Recreate His Worldly Glory, Padi Hawke/Sebastian, no link bc I’m the only one allowed to read it yet 

#about me #i need to engage with more content with female LIs #but then again i do love them #just with each other like bela/merrill #or with other canon characters like carver/merrill or bethany/alistair or varric #i do love ephraim and morrigan #but i still need to do better

[impossible-rat-babies]

Inktober Day 17 - 24!

We’re almost there folks!

17. Ellanis Tabris -- @apostatetabris

18. Jupiter Flynn -- @schoute

19. Darva Lavellan -- @goblin-deity 

20. Lenya Mahariel -- @merilsell

21. Desideria Becker -- @curiousstrawberry

22. Ellana Lavellan -- @cassandra-pentughasst

23. Mahon Lavellan -- @rennybu

24. Aoife Fawcett -- @goblin-deity

The last of the days will be posted at the end of the month!

#inktober #inktober 2019 #art #myart #drawing #dragon age #pillars of eternity #fallen hero #we be getting them done and i s2g i will finish this year #i will!!!