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Vhenan'ara	By : Arcanis_Born Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 6576 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Age, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from this.

Chapter List
- 23
- 24
- 25
Dragon Age: Origins is owned by Bioware, as with all its characters, the story as it deviates from canon is mine, however, as with the personalities of characters as they deviate from those in the game.
Thank you all so much for your continued readership! It means so much! And a BIG thank you to everyone who leaves a review!
Translations:
Mi amor: Antivan. "My love."
Mi bella: Antivan. "My beauty." Endearment Zevran uses for Riel.
Tal Saarath: Qunlat. The word "true" combined with the Qunari word for a title or rank among those known as Saarebas.
Saarebas: Qunlat. "Dangerous thing." What the Qunari call their mages.
Bas: Qunlat. Literally, "thing;" foreign to the Qun; purposeless. Often used as a neutral term to describe non-Qunari people.
Basalit-an: Qunlat. A non-Qunari worthy of respect.
Basvaarad: Qunlat. Literally, a keeper for a mage who is a "bas." A non-Qunari who assumes the role of an arvaarad.
Arvaarad: Qunlat. "One who holds back evil." A Qunari who watches over the saarebas.

Riel looked over the common area that rested just outside of Orzammar's giant doors. She and Zevran had arrived to the area early that morning, however Riel wasn't sure she was ready to approach the throng of merchants, travellers, and mercenaries that populated the large area. Somewhere in amongst all those talking and bargaining bodies were her companions. At least, that's what she had hoped. It had been roughly two weeks since the events at the Circle Tower. Two weeks of just her, Zevran, and Riel's faithful mabari, where Riel could finally feel free to be herself without fear.
And as much as she missed her friends, Riel couldn't help but feel a wave of trepidation wash over her. They knew about her. About what she kept hidden. Not her scars or her past before the Dalish. While Riel didn't feel like talking about those things, they were not what caused a cold sweat to appear on her skin at just the thought of someone ever finding out. Her greatest fear. And they all knew.
Even Alistair. A Templar.
"Mi bella, are you alright?"
Riel smiled over to Zevran, trying to hide her fear and anxiety. "I'm fine, Zevran."
Zevran gently pulled her against him, his arms wrapping around her waist. "I happen to know that when a woman says that she is 'fine', it usually means anything but that. Talk to me, mi amor," he whispered in her ear.
"They know about me, Zevran…" she finally uttered after a few moments.
"And yet you will be safe. Remember that, mi bella," Zevran lifted her face to meet his. "Although I have to admit that I will miss being able to be alone with you," he smiled before lowering his head down her ear and purring "of being able to make love to you all day and night."
Riel felt her cheeks blush, the image of the two of them together quickly erasing her remaining fear and anxiety. Smiling, Riel pressed herself closer to him, feeling his desire press against her hip. Zevran hands then glided down her back to her rear, where they squeezed gently before pulling her hips hard against his own. Riel couldn't help but moan, her very blood starting to warm as she felt him pressed solidly against her.
"Perhaps if we're quick, we can avoid the others and set up a camp nearby. Then you could have me all you want…" Riel whispered back as she slowly ground her hips against his. Zevran let out a hiss before he latched his lips onto her neck.
"Riel! Maker, you're here!"
"Too late, mi bella…" Zevran laughed with far too much pleasure for Riel's liking. Riel herself groaned in disappointment even though a part of her was happy to hear the familiar bardic voice calling out to her. Slowly she turned her body inside of Zevran's tight embrace so that he was at her back, yet his hands were still latched around her middle.
"Riel!" Leliana exclaimed excitedly again as she all but bowled over the two elves. At the last moment Leliana seemed to remember herself and pulled herself up just a foot in front of Riel and Zevran. An awkwardness came between them, with both women seeming unsure of how to proceed.
"It's good to see you, Leliana," Riel finally said, breaking the silence. Taking a breath to steady herself, Riel reached out her arms and stiffy embraced the other woman. Shocked at the contact, Leliana raised her eyes first to Zevran, silently question him. Zevran only shrugged, his eyes full of joyful mischief as always.
"Riel… I…" Leliana tried to speak but found herself speechless at her friend's action. Still unsure, Leliana lifted her arms and gently patted Riel's back in stiff movements.
Riel pulled away from her friend and smiled shyly up at her. It was the first time Riel had willingly touched anyone beside Zevran, and she was unsure how the bard would greet her. Yet when she raised her eyes to meet Leliana, Riel felt relief at seeing the woman's warm smile and misty eyes looking back at her.
"Umm.. yeah…" Riel muttered, too lost in a strange uncomfortable stillness between the two of them. "So, where are the others?" she finally managed to say after what seemed like an eternity of quiet.
"Oh! Right!" Leliana laughed as she looked around behind her. "They said they would be here soon, I came ahead to check things-"
Down by their side, Fen'harel started barking happily before taking off in a heated run.
"Fen!" Riel yelled after him, yet within a blink he was gone in the throng of people gathered in the square.
Riel was about to go after him, when she heard another familiar voice, squealing with delight coming from somewhere in the crowd. "Puppy!" the young voice cried out, followed by more by more happy barks.
All three of them laughed as they heard Sandal and Fen'harel bark and growl at each other in the distance. In front of them, the thickly populated crowd began to quickly part to reveal the familiar faces that Riel had become so used to. With Sten and Alistair out front, followed by the two mages, Morrigan and Wynne. Behind them rolled Bodahn's wagon, with the two dwarves pulling it from the front. Last was Shale, its big body causing quite the stir of looks and excited murmurs from the crowd around them. While not all of the approaching travellers were her friends, they were all her companions, and Riel found it surprising how much she had missed all of them.
"'Tis good to see you, my friend. It pleases me that the male elf didn't decide to whisk you away during your sojourn," Morrigan said with a sly grin before pinning Riel with a glare. "I'll have you know, however, that I shan't be forgiving you for abandoning me and Leliana to withstand that fool's Alistair's baleful moaning without you. The past two weeks have been absolutely dreadful, so I do hope that you have plans to make restitution for our suffering."
"It's good to see you too, Morrigan," Riel laughed before embracing the witch. Surprised but recovering quicker than Leliana did, Morrigan returned her hug before gently pushing her away.
"Yes well, I shall take payment in a new staff, if you please. And just for good measure, something sparkly as well. Something that best matches the crystal in my new staff."
"Ohhh! Does this mean that I get pressies too?" Leliana hopped and clapped her hands as if she were a little girl.
"Whatever you like, Leliana. A new bow?" asked Riel, her lips wide in a grin.
"And new arrows! Fresh, unbroken arrows that I don't have to make myself!"
"I think our Warden can do that for you two lovely ladies. Don't you agree, mi bella?" Zevran laughed, joining in the banter.
"Is someone giving away gifts?" Alistair chimed in as he approached.
"Leliana and I were just discussing our payment with Riel here," Morrigan replied her lips turned up in a wicked smile.
"Payment for what?"
"For my precious time babysitting a rather annoying Templar, that is what! For weeks now I have had to listen to you whine," Morrigan sneered at Alistair. "'Twas only because of how our dear Riel would be put off to be the only Warden left to fight this ghastly Blight that kept you breathing as you are." Morrigan then turned to Riel, her next words said through gritted teeth. "You have absolutely no idea how it strained me to keep from poisoning his morning meal everyday..."
"Right… You're scary," Alistair replied dryly. "Next time we are surrounded by Templars and Circle mages, remind me to not cover for you."
"Were they always like this?" Zevran asked Leliana with a chuckle.
"Oh you have no idea," she groaned, rolling her eyes. "At one point I even had to drug his ale just so he would quit arguing with her and go to bed."
"You..? Wait, you did what?" Alistair shot at Leliana.
"Oh it was fine! Just a bit of sylvan bark! And you could hardly notice the color the next day."
"What color?" Alistair asked, his eyes going wide in fear. "What did you do?" Both Leliana and Morrigan laughed evilly as Alistair looked upon them, horrified.
"Don't worry yourself, Alistair. You're fine, I promise you," Wynne replied, trying to sound reassuring. However she too was hiding a laugh behind her gracious smile. "Now perhaps you gentlemen would be so kind as to escort an old woman around the shops here? It's been so long since I left the Tower for anything other than warfare, and I would like to look around some before we head inside."
Zevran passed a look to Leliana, who nodded at whatever unspoken thing that passed between them before turning his smiling gaze upon the older woman. "It would be my pleasure, Wynne," Zevran then said with a deep bow before offering his arm to her.
"Actually, I was hoping to speak to Riel. Alone," stated Alistair, his face going serious.
Immediately Zevran narrowed his eyes on the ex-Templar, his jovial smile disappearing behind a look of suspicion and distrust. However, before he could say anything, Wynne's voice cut him off.
"Oh would you please, Alistair? All that walking has worn out these tired bones. And this isn't really a place for an old woman to be unescorted, especially one not used to the bustle of shopkeepers and travellers."
Alistair looked between Riel and Wynne, his mind obviously torn between whatever he wanted to talk about, and his nature to help those who asked it of him.
"We'll talk later, Alistair. I am sure it can wait until we get inside Orzammar," Riel stated flatly, not really caring for whatever was on his mind.
Alistair seemed shocked at her response for a moment before smiling at Wynne and offering her his arm. "I suppose it couldn't hurt to look around for a bit," he replied, a fake smile on his face.
"Good. Now with two fine young men protecting me, my old heart feels better. Let's head first over to the fabric merchant. I heard rumors of a Orlesian shipment being brought in by the dwarves of Orzammar while we were in Redcliff. And after all that dreadfulness at the Tower, I find that I am need of new curtains."
The three of them didn't wander far, surely just out of earshot of most humans. However Riel noticed that Zevran never took his eyes off her for long. With his better hearing than humans, Riel knew that he still watched over her, and she felt herself relax a bit more. Smiling she looked over to the two women beside her.
"I saw the way you two were standing earlier. You have to tell us details, Riel! You cannot think of keeping this yourself!" Leliana giggled, looking as if she were child about to hear her favorite story.
"She does not have to say a word, you meddlesome woman!" Morrigan huffed. "Except for one thing…" Riel met the eerie yellow eyes of the witch beside her and felt her skin prickle under her knowing gaze. Morrigan was silent for a minute as she studied her friend, her eyes sweeping from Riel's head, down to her toes and back up again. "Did he hurt you?"
"Morrigan!" Leliana gasped, however Morrigan ignored her and continued to stare at Riel.
The question was hard and sharp, yet Riel could tell the woman meant no offence by it. In fact, beyond the woman's usual harsh way of speaking, Riel could almost hear a level of true concern in her voice.
"Not at all," she answered truthfully, her eyes finding Zevran on their own. Smiling, she continued. "He was - very kind."
"Good," Morrigan replied, her shoulders easing a tiny fraction. Something barely noticeable unless you knew the woman well. "Now, let us see about that staff you owe me, shall we?"
"Hey! I have questions too!" moaned Leliana, causing Riel to laugh.
"Wait, I have to ask you guys something first…" Riel quickly stated before she lost her nerve. Still, it was hard forcing the words out beyond her lips. "What happened back there… at the Inn…" she finally muttered, watching their reactions closely.
"You were far too kind to the vile bastards in my opinion," replied Morrigan dismissively.
"What Morrigan means to say," Leliana rushed in, trying to stifle her laughter. "Is that no matter what, you are still Riel to us. Our friend. Your other talents do not change who you are."
Riel felt tears prickling her eyes as she looked upon the the two women before her. So completely different from each other, yet both her closest friends. Overcome with emotion and relief, Riel wrapped an arm around each woman and pulled them against her in a tight embrace.
"Are we going to be doing this a lot then, are we? This… hugging…?" groaned Morrigan as she awkwardly patted Riel's shoulder. Riel and Leliana laughed as they pulled apart. Quickly Riel wiped under her eyes before smiling at the two of them.
"I don't know. I'm still getting used to it, myself," she answered truthfully.
"Yes well… Perhaps it would do well to give me fair warning next time. Agreed?"
Even though the witch scowled and her eyes looked cold, Riel felt connected to her friends on a level that seemed to go beyond outward appearances. And while Morrigan looked harsh in her scowl and her narrowed yellow eyes, Riel could almost feel the other woman's happiness and relief at being reunited with her. Something Riel herself was feeling despite her earlier anxiety over seeing them again.
"I promise."
"Now! Back to the juicy gossip! You absolutely must tell us everything, Riel!"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"You there. Elf. You will come with me."
Zevran looked up from the counter of wares before him to see Sten walking briskly over to him.
"Uh oh… What now…" Alistair muttered beside him.
"Is there something that I can assist you with, my friend?" Zevran asked, keeping his voice light despite how little he cared for the Qunari.
Ever since what happened several weeks ago between him and Riel at Lake Calenhad, Zevran had taken a dislike to giant. He had met many cold and unfeeling people during his life as a Crow, and Zevran knew they were only useful as long as they served their purpose and you served theirs. However, this giant seemed strange in his coldness. His stone features and remorseless eyes hiding a hidden and damaged part of him that prevented him from reacting properly.
"I do not wish to speak of it here," he replied, eyeing Wynne with careful appraisal.
"Me and Alistair will be fine dear. You go on now," Wynne assured, ignoring the looks of the three men.
Zevran looked over his shoulder to where his Riel still stood close by to the other two women. He didn't like being away from her, however he knew that she would need time to speak with her female friends without the pressures of men interrupting them. It was after all, something that women of any culture did, he found. And while Zevran was more than willing to give his Warden the space she needed with the women, he wasn't about to go off and leave her completely alone, however. Despite the unspoken understanding he had reached with the redheaded bard.
"We will not go far, elf. Tal Saarath will be not far from us," Sten replied, his voice now holding a bit of impatience.
Zevran looked up at the giant, weighing his options. Taking one last look over at Riel, he shrugged his shoulders. If the Qunari wanted to fight, he would give him one. If he wanted advice - although what possibly for Zevran couldn't guess - then he would do his best to offer it. Either way, he saw no reason to deny the Qunari.
"Very well, Sten," Zevran replied with a broad smile. "Lead the way."
Sten nodded his head briefly before turning on his heel walking towards a small alcove near the stone walkway that led to path leading down the mountain. Once standing in it's shadow, he stopped and waited for Zevran to catch up.
Zevran stopped short of the alcove, eyeing the giant. Behind the large stone pillars and hidden under the stone walkway, not many eyes would be able to see them. In fact, it was only because that he recognized the redheaded woman standing close to two other nearly hidden woman far in the distance that Zevran was able to find his Riel at all. Down where Sten now stood in the shadows, there would be no way for him to catch even that much of a glimpse of her.
"What is your purpose, my rather large friend?" Zevran stated, his eyes narrowed and his fingers twitching.
"Very well," Sten grumbled before folding his arms over his chest and leveling a glare at Zevran. "The dwarf who talks too much. He told me that there is a merchant here who has my sword."
"Well, that is good news for you. However, I don't see how that would lead to whispered words amongst shadows…"
"When I attempted to approach the merchant myself, he saw me and ran. He now looks for me, and any time he sees me, he disappears into the crowd."
"Ahh… I see," Zevran said with a slick smile. "You need someone to hold the little bastard down while you inquire after your missing blade, do you not?"
Sten shifted his weight and looked around, clearly uncomfortable with this whole situation. After clearing his throat, he leveled his cold glare on Zevran once more. "I do not dare involve Tal Saarath with this trivial matter. Too many of of the bas call her attention away from the Blight as it is."
"And by Tal Saarath, I assume you mean our lady Warden?"
Sten nodded sharply. "She is…." he paused, clearly uncomfortable with the words he was using. "She is not what the Qun describes," he finally said.
"You know, I have heard tales of the Qunari. And what they do with their mages. It cannot be easy for you to now be travelling with those who wield magic," Zevran carefully stated, watching Sten's reactions closely.
"The Warden…" Sten began but shook his head as if arguing mentally with himself. "The Qun is clear," he stated coldly. Yet he seemed to pause in thought before he spoke again. "However, perhaps if - when - I return to my people, I will not be required to give a completely detailed account of my travels with the Warden and her allies."
"And your opinion of Riel and her talents?"
"She is Basalit-an and you are her basvaarad. As we all are."
Zevran didn't know much of the Qunari language, however he knew enough of their terms to guess at the giant's meanings. Although he detested the terms the Qunari used for mages, and especially how they treated them, as long this particular Qunari didn't try to enforce his Riel to submit to his barbaric way, they would have an accord.
After all, the skills of Riel's allies were not such that Zevran could afford to simply just remove the giant. Not yet anyway. Two mages, a bow caster, and two small bladed fighters, that left only the damnable Templar and this giant to hold the strength of their group's warriors. True, there was that rock creature, however that was more unpredictable than the Qunari and Templar were. And his Riel would need all the help she could get against this blasted Blight.
"Do not refer to anyone other than the lovely Wynne and Morrigan as your saarebas, and I shall help you. Is it a deal?"
If Sten was shocked or upset by Zevran's terms, he didn't show it. "Agreed, elf."
"Good," Zevran smiled again. "Show me this merchant."
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Vhenan'ara