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Blood Bond	By : Hikari86 Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 4278 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Bioware owns everything Dragon Age. I claim no ownership and make no money/profit.

Chapter List
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The Burning

The tunnel lead them into a musty room that smelled strongly of wet fur. Werewolf was written all over it. They became very confidant that they were in the right place.
Arawin lead everyone cautiously through the rooms, watching every corner and every shadow. They did not want to be surprised by another werewolf attack if they could help it. And as they made their way through, nothing came at them. It wasn’t until they entered a circular room that they came across the beasts.
They all stopped short when they saw them, but the werewolves did not attack. One stood in front, the same one that they had seen flee from them at the entrance to the ruins. Standing behind him, the other werewolves stood calm and collected.
“So it is true,” said the werewolf. “You have found entrance into our sanctum.”
“Yeah, so that should tell you something,” said Arawin.
The werewolves behind the first began growling, losing their ease. “Stop! Brothers and sisters, be at ease!” the werewolf said to them. They all stopped and regained themselves. He then turned back to Arawin. “We do not wish any more of our people hurt. I ask you this now, outsider: are you willing to parley?”
“Parley?” Arawin asked with a raised eyebrow. “Like you parleyed with the Dalish?”
“Hrrr, that was different,” the werewolf growled. “The Lady believes that the Dalish have not told you everything, so she has asked that you be brought to her. She means you no harm, provided your willingness to parley in peace is an honest one.”
“Not told us everything?” Lisha asked as she made her way to Arawin’s side. “What do you mean?”
“I am only the Gatekeeper. It is the Lady who will tell you the truth.”
Lisha looked as if she would agree and parley, but Arawin was still suspicious. She wanted answers first. “How do we know we won’t be walking into another ambush?”
“What would be the point?” said Gatekeeper. “You have already proven your strength. We have no wish to anger you further.”
“Really? So why doesn’t this Lady come and speak to us herself?”
“We would not let her,” he growled, acting very protective. “We will protect our Lady to our last breath. It may yet come to pass that you will kill the rest of us, but until then we will not chance her coming to harm.”
“So then tell me,” said Arawin. “If you’re willing to talk now, why didn’t you earlier when I wasn’t pissed off?”
Gatekeeper narrowed his eyes at her. “Swiftrunner did not think it would matter. The Lady disagrees, and since you have forced your way this far, we must acquiesce to her wishes.”
“Acquiesce to her wishes? Parley? What, are we amongst werewolf pirates?” said Zevran.
Arawin ignored his comment. She wasn’t sure if she should trust these werewolves or not. She looked at Lisha and saw the confusion in her face. If there was something they were missing it might be best for them to parley with the werewolves and learn what it was, but she also didn’t want to be attacked under an agreement of peace. She wasn’t sure what to do. Lisha apparently saw the confusion in Arawin’s face as well. She nodded at her, and Arawin knew what to do. She faced back to Gatekeeper.
“We will parley,” she said. “Take us to this Lady.”
“Follow me. But I warn you, if you break your promise and harm her, I will come back from the Fade itself to see you pay.”
Gatekeeper turned his back on them and they followed him through the room. The other werewolves surrounded them on all sides as they walked, going down another long hall and through a large set of doors before entering an even larger room full of werewolves.
As they entered, the werewolves growled and barred their teeth. None of them made to attack, but their posture was threatening and ruthless. Arawin wondered how long it would be before they would attack. Would they wait until they came to the center of the room, completely surrounded and far from any exits? It was then that Arawin saw Swiftrunner standing in the center of the room on a raised platform with many other werewolves. All growling, all acting as if they wanted to do nothing but rip the group limb from limb, Swiftrunner included. It wasn’t until Gatekeeper came to the edge of the platform and bowed that they saw her. A lady standing amongst the werewolves. She was beautiful in a strange sort of way. Her skin was green, the color of leaves, hair as dark as night with eyes to match. She stood before them, completely naked save for her long hair covering her bosom, and what looked like brown vines growing from her legs and arms. As she made her way to the front, she gently touched the werewolves, and with it, they calmed, going to their knees and bowing to her. One could see the respect and admiration that they gave to her.
“I bid you welcome, mortal,” she said once all the werewolves were calmed. Her voice was dream-like, echoing within itself. “I am the Lady of the Forest.”
Arawin was dazzled by her just as the werewolves were. “I must admit,” she nearly stuttered. “I was expecting another werewolf.”
“No, that I am not. If I could have revealed myself sooner, I would have.”
Swiftrunner, who was knelt next to her then stood as straight as he could. He flashed his teeth, growling. “Do not listen to her, Lady!” he barked. “She will betray you! We must attack her now!”
“Hush, Swiftrunner,” the Lady said placing up her hands and calming him again. “Your urge for battle has only seen the death of the very ones you have been trying to save. Is that what you want?”
Again, Swiftrunner knelt to her and bowed his head. “No, my lady. Anything but that.”
“Then the time has come to speak with this outsider, to set our rage aside. I apologize on Swiftrunner’s behalf. He struggles with his nature.”
“As do we all, Lady,” Lisha said coming beside Arawin.
“Truer words were never spoken,” said the Lady hanging her head. “But few could claim the same as these creatures: that their very nature is a curse forced upon them. No doubt you have questions, mortal. There are things that Zathrian has not told you.”
“I am most curious to know what these things might be,” spoke Lisha.
“As am I,” Arawin echoed. “But how do you know what he has or has not told us?”
“Because there are things that he would not tell. Things that you should decide for yourself whether you need to know.” The Lady made her way to the edge of the platform and looked down at Arawin and Lisha. Zevran, Morrigan, and Sten came closer so they could hear better. “It was Zathrian who created the curse that these creatures suffer, the same curse that Zathrian’s own people now suffer. Centuries ago, when the Dalish first came to this land, a tribe of humans lived close to this forest. They sought to drive the Dalish away. Zathrian was a young man then. He had a son and daughter he loved greatly, and while out hunting the human tribe captured them both.”
Arawin felt something stir within her. When ever humans and elves clashed, it was never good.
Swiftrunner then walked up next to the Lady and continued the story. “Hrrrr. The humans... tortured the boy, killed him. The girl they raped and left for dead. The Dalish found her, but she learned later she was... with child. She... killed herself.”
Now a familiar pain began running through Arawin. Raped? Left for dead? She tried not to think about it, but it was no use. She began spinning the ring on her finger.
Lisha on the other hand stayed neutral. If anything was going through her head, it didn’t show on her face. “So Zathrian cursed them, I take it?”
“Zathrian came to this ruin and summoned a terrible spirit,” Swiftrunner continued. “Binding it to the body of a great wolf. So Witherfang came to be. Witherfang hunted the humans of the tribe. Many were killed, but others were cursed by his blood, becoming twisted and savage creatures...”
“Twisted and savage just as Witherfang himself is,” said the Lady looking away from them.
“Deceit is the nature of men,” whispered Sten.
The Lady nodded. “They were then driven into the forest. When the human tribe finally left for good, their cursed brethren remained, pitiful and mindless animals.”
“Until I found you, my lady. You gave me peace.” Swiftrunner knelt next to her again, and the Lady placed her hand on his shoulder.
“I showed Swiftrunner that there was another side to his bestial nature. I soothed his rage, and his humanity emerged. And he brought others to me.”
“Why should I care about any of this?” Arawin blurted out. Her anger was starting to get to her. “The humans deserved it!”
“No doubt that they did,” said the Lady taking Arawin somewhat by surprise. “But that was long ago. We seek to end the curse. The crimes committed against Zathrian’s children were grave, but they were committed centuries ago by those who are long dead. Word was sent to Zathrian every time the landships passed this way, asking him to come, but he has always ignored us. We will no longer be denied.”
Swiftrunner growled. “Hrrr! We spread the curse to his people, so he must end the curse to save them!”
“That is why you attacked us,” Lisha whispered. “To get Zathrian to end the curse?”
“Yes,” the Lady nodded.
“But what about the deaths you caused? My daughter wasn’t just bitten or clawed, she was... brutalized.”
“And I give you my sympathy,” said the Lady. “That was not our intent. The death of a young one is always grave.”
“Are you sure you can sympathize?” Lisha said narrowing her eyes. “You are a spirit. You know nothing of what it is like to carry a child, to watch her grow, then to watch as she is killed and there is nothing you can do about it. If anyone can truly sympathize with me, then it would be Zathrian.”
“And me,” said Arawin. “I’ve seen situations similar to this. I know what it’s like.”
The Lady shook her head, her face sad. “Again, I am sorry. You are right, I cannot truly sympathize, but please listen at least to what we wish to accomplish.” Arawin growled, ready to say no and attack at that very moment, but Lisha stopped her. She slowly shook her head at Arawin, the look in her eyes clear.
“Speak what you need,” she said to the Lady. “Then we will decide.”
“We need you to go to Zathrian,” said the Lady. “Bring him here. If he sees these creatures, hears their plight... surely he will agree to end the curse!”
“I think he wishes to cure his own people, nothing else,” Arawin said crossing her arms.
“He will never break the curse, my lady!” cried Swiftrunner. “He will never allow it! You know this!”
“We... cannot know that,” the Lady said softly. “Surely his rage does not run so deep he would endanger his own clan!” She turned her attention to Arawin and Lisha. “If Zathrian comes, I shall summon Witherfang. I possess that power. I also have the power to ensure Witherfang is never found. Tell Zathrian this. If he does not come, if he does not break the curse, he will never find Witherfang, and he will never cure his people.”
“And what if there is no way to break the curse?” asked Lisha.
“I believe there is. There must be.”
“If there is no way, then he dies. Hrrr! Then they all die!” Swiftrunner growled.
“That’s not really helping your cause,” Arawin said ready to strike again.
“Da’len, you are not making it any better, either,” Lisha said placing her hands on the younger elf’s shoulder. “Very well,” she said to the Lady. “We will go to Zathrian and tell him this.”
“Then we shall await your return,” said the Lady. “I will allow for the passage leading back to the surface to be opened for you. Return with Zathrian as soon as you can.” The Lady pointed in the direction that the door was in. Lisha began making her way over, with the others following except for Arawin who stood where she was.
Lisha looked back. “Come, Da’len. We need to do this.”
Arawin had her eyes closed, the ring on her finger spinning madly. Thoughts and images flooded her mind. Things that had happened. Things that could be happening now. Things she did not want to think about but seemed to be coming to the surface of her mind no matter how hard she fought. Lisha’s gentle hand on her shoulder brought her out and she stared into the older elf’s eyes. She couldn’t believe how calm Lisha looked. How could she not be ridden with anger and rage? How could she stand here and not want to kill every single werewolf for what they did to her daughter?
“We need to get Zathrian,” said Lisha. “I want answers first.”
Maybe Lisha was anger, but all those long years, age and experience were helping to keep her emotions under control, unlike Arawin. Her body showed all over her fight with the bloodlust that was building in her. Arawin tried to calm down. Yes, getting answers from Zathrian would be a good idea. Get his side of the story. Arawin could do that.
“Right,” she said taking a step and walking with Lisha to the door. The others watched them as they both walked past. Sten was neutral while Morrigan seemed to be annoyed. Zevran seemed concerned, but for who, Arawin couldn’t be for sure. He knew nothing of what happened to her before becoming a Grey Warden, none of them did. Yet, something in his eyes told her that maybe he did know, or at least understood.
***
Arawin groaned as they made their way up the long flight of stairs. She groaned even more when they opened the door to find even more stairs. She had forgotten about the depths when she had chased the werewolves down them. None of them realized how tired and sore they were as they made their way up, but there was more on Arawin’s mind as they did. She wondered if going and retrieving Zathrian was a good idea. After all, they had been going through the forest for some time now. It would take some time to get back, as well as convince Zathrian to come and then head back to the ruin. Would it take too long? Would by the time everything got settled, would the Dalish elves suffering be dead or turned? More than likely dead, as Zathrian had stated he would slay them if they became werewolves.
Arawin didn’t want to think of it. She didn’t want to think of all those elves dying. Of Lisha losing her husband. She had already lost so much. Arawin understood how she felt. She could sympathize with her on some level. Shianni may not have been her daughter, or died, but her situation was similar. Arawin still couldn’t understand why Lisha didn’t want revenge. She almost wanted to stop as she stared at the hunter, and tell her to go back. Tell the Lady to forget it. Give them Witherfang or die. It seemed Dayno would have more of a chance than making their way through the forest again. But it seemed they wouldn’t have to as the group came up the last flight of stairs and into the main entrance. Lisha went first and a surprised look crossed her face. It wasn’t until Arawin came up from behind her did she see what it was.
She saw Zathrian on the far side staring at a stature. In a way, Arawin felt that she already knew he would be here. They walked over to him, and when he turned to great them, a small smile was on his face. Lisha snorted. Arawin could see as well what was behind it.
“Ah. And here you are already,” Zathrian said.
“I knew you would be here, Zathrian,” Lisha said before Arawin could.
“As I knew you would.” Zathrian’s answer was cold.
“You don’t seem surprised to see me.”
“Ever since you joined this clan you have done nothing but defy me, Lisha. I am somewhat used to it by now, although that does not excuse you from disobeying a direct order.”
“I was not going to sit there and just watch him suffer.”
“Dayno is not as far advanced as the others. You could've just let the Grey Warden go and do her job while you stayed and did yours.”
“Speaking of the Grey Warden,” Arawin said cutting in. “I would like to know why you’re here, Zathrian. Did you not trust me to get the heart?”
Zathrian faced her, eyes gleaming. “No, I didn’t trust you. Despite the fact you are elven and a Grey Warden does not mean I can trust you. You are still an outsider.”
“So what,” Arawin said becoming irritated. This was not how she expected to be treated. Outsider, elven, human. She was a Grey Warden and that should have been enough to earn her some trust. “If you didn’t trust me then why did you agree to let me bring back the heart?”
“Because I couldn’t do it myself, as my clan needed me to stay and take care of the sick. Otherwise I would have gone and collected the heart way before you showed up at our camp. And as for the heart, did you get it?”
“No, I didn’t.” Arawin’s stare challenged him.
“You didn’t? May I ask, then, why are you leaving the ruin?”
“I would like to know how you knew about these ruins,” said Lisha. “And how you got through the barrier.”
Arawin hadn’t considered it. “As would I.”
Zathrian looked at both of them in turn. “There are many things I know about this forest. When it comes to magic, I do know my fair share of spells to get by such primitive barricades.” This comment made Morrigan growl. “And as for the ruins there was no need to tell you of them. I knew you would find it, and I did not care to give you a history lesson about things that have no bearing on your purpose here. So again, I will ask: Why are you leaving the ruins if you do not have the heart?”
“We talked to the spirit of the forest,” answered Lisha. “She asked us to come and retrieve you. She told us some very interesting things.”
Zathrian sighed and shook his head. “So the spirit convinced you to act on her behalf? What is it that she wants? What is it that she's told you?”
“She said that it was you who actually created the curse that now plagues my husband,” said Lisha, her eyes hard.
“The Lady wishes for you to break the curse,” Arawin put in. “Otherwise, she won’t summon Witherfang.”
Zathrian laughed, mostly at Arawin’s comment than at Lisha’s. “You do understand that she actually is Witherfang?”
“Yes, I thought as much,” said Lisha.
“What?” Arawin was surprised. “She is Witherfang? I don’t understand.”
“She is the powerful spirit of this ancient forest that I summoned long ago and bound in the body of the wolf. Her nature is that of the forest itself. Beautiful and terrible, serene and savage, maiden and beast. She is the Lady and Witherfang both, two sides of a single being. The curse came first from her. Those she afflicted with it mirrored her own nature, becoming savage beast as well as human.”
“The curse came first from you,” Lisha echoed.
Zathrian narrowed his eyes. “Do not start with me, Lisha. Those humans attacked my clan and they were the same savages then that they have ever been. They deserve to be wiped out and not defended.”
“But that was so long ago. Must you seek revenge on all of them? Must you place your current clan in danger because you refuse to let go?”
“You’re one to talk about putting the clan in danger,” Zathrian spat. “I believe it was your own intolerance of me that put Dayno in the place he is now. Yet again you disobeyed me to seek revenge for your daughter’s death.”
“What is he talking about?” asked Arawin. She wasn’t sure she was hearing Zathrian right. Had Lisha already tried to avenge her daughter?
“So you haven’t told her?” Zathrian questioned. “Are you so full of yourself, so confident in your skills that the one time you made a mistake, you hide it? Pathetic.”
“Hey, don’t talk to her like that!” Zevran nearly screamed. He took a step forward, but Lisha stopped him.
“And who are you to talk to me in such a way, flat-ear?” Zathrian said staring at Zevran with vile.
“He is my nephew, Zathrian,” Lisha explained. “Long lost but now found.” She sighed, and turned to both of them. “But I do owe you an explanation, especially to you, Da’len.”
“You don’t owe us anything,” said Zevran.
Arawin didn’t agree with him. She wanted to know why Lisha had told her revenge was wrong, yet here she was, finding out that the woman she idolized had sought it herself.
“After the ambush, Dayno and I defied Zathrian’s word and decided to go into the forest ourselves. We were distraught at the loss of Ariel, and decided we didn’t care what the Keeper said. We would go and make sure the werewolves paid for her death.” Lisha closed her eyes and hung her head. “That is how I knew where the barrier was. When Dayno and I reached it, we went through only to discover that after only a few steps, we were back at the beginning. That’s when they attacked. When the werewolves came out of the forest. But we were ready for them. We knew they would come eventually. It was only a matter of time.
“We fought them hard, killing all that came to us. I was so caught up in the death of every single werewolf that I didn’t notice the one behind me. Dayno did, however, and just before it could leap on me, he pushed me out of the way. The werewolf landed on him instead, and began ripping him apart. I thought I was going to lose him as well, but I was able to act quickly and kill the werewolf with a clean shot to the head. Yet, I wasn’t fast enough. Dayno was bleeding profusely, and I could already tell he would suffer from the curse. As fast as I could, I carried him back to the camp, where Zathrian was waiting for us.”
“I can’t believe it,” Arawin whispered.
“You remember me telling you that revenge is like a double-edged sword? Well, as you can see... I cut myself on it, as well as Dayno, who got the worst of it.”
Arawin turned away from her, but she found herself not completely mad. Lisha had been through a lot, and she was only trying to teach Arawin something important. Still... The events of that day, when she had seen Shianni’s face. Vaughan’s face. It had felt so good to take out all her anger on him.
“Come,” Zathrian said, bringing Arawin back. “I will accompany you back to their lair. Let us go and speak to the spirit and I will force her into Witherfangs’s form. He may then be slain and the heart taken.”
Arawin was ready to agree. She knew killing the werewolves would bring that feeling back.
“Do you still have so much hatred after all this time?” Lisha protested. Arawin could tell her calm demeanor was beginning to fade. “You should end the curse, Zathrian. That is the only logical solution.”
Zathrian spun on her. “You were not there,” he said getting in her face. She did not budge. “You did not see what... what they did to my son. To my daughter. And so many others. You are elven and Dalish. You know what it is like to have injustice thrown in your face. Their crimes could not go unanswered! Not after holding my daughter in my arms as she drew in her last breaths.”
“At least you got to hold your daughter!” Lisha screamed. A rage Arawin didn’t think her capable of radiated from her entire body. Her calm and collectiveness gone. She stood tense, fist clenched and eyes full of vigor. Zathrian backed away from her, but only slightly. “I stood helpless as I was forced to watch as those monsters tore her apart.” Her voice was soft, low, but so full of pain and malice, Arawin thought she was listening to someone else. “I could do nothing but see and listen as she cried for me to save her.” Lisha paused, biting her lower lip as she tried to keep tears back. “I... I wasn’t even able to bury her entire body. So don’t you dare...” Lisha turned away, walking toward the back. Arawin watched her go. She did not realize how much she still hurt from the event. Lisha was so good at hiding her emotions.
Arawin wasn’t though, and it showed all over her. Her anger, which had been smoldering inside her for some time now grew at the sight of the strong older elf breaking down. There was no question what she planned on doing now. With Zathrian, it would be easy.
She turned to him. “Will killing Witherfang and taking his heart break the curse?”
“No,” Zathrian answered. “It will not break the curse. It will only kill the spirit’s mortal body. He will eventually find another one, though.”
“But you will be able to make a cure with the heart?”
“Yes.”
Arawin smirked. “Good. Then let us go and kill this Witherfang and take his heart.”
“Da’len,” she heard Lisha say softly to her. When Arawin turned to look at her, she saw tears in her red eyes, but Arawin was already too far into her own anger to let it change her mind. “Please, rethink what you are doing. I beg you, end it. Do not stall it.”
“No,” Arawin said hard. “Those bastards in there deserve that curse. What they did to Zathrian’s children, and what they did to yours... They actually deserve more.”
“Da’len.” Lisha closed her eyes and sighed. “There is pain in your heart. Whatever happened to you in the past, I can see there is nothing I can say to change your mind.”
“No, but I would like to know that you’re still with me.”
Lisha sighed again. “Even though I don’t agree, I will follow you to what ever you decide.”
That was all Arawin wanted to hear. She turned back to Zathrian. “Are we ready?”
He nodded. “They are awaiting our arrival, are they not? So this should not be a difficult approach. I am eager to have this over with.”
So am I.
“An interesting plan,” said Morrigan. “Though truly we could have gotten this over with by attacking the Lady when we had the chance, no?”
Arawin laughed. “True, but I think we will have a better chance with Zathrian. After all, she is a spirit.”
“And you don’t think I could've handled her?”
“Of course you could've. But I wasn’t the one that agreed to go get Zathrian.” Arawin looked back toward Lisha. The older elf was not staring back at her, but at the stature that stood before them.
“Si na veth bâden im derel,” she spoke through her tears. “Vi dúath dofn tummen. Atham meraid velig a tynd. Athan eryd bain beraidh.” She faced Arawin and recaptured her composure. “If you are ready, then let us go, Da’len.”
“Right,” Arawin nodded and lead them back down the stairs.
***
“So here you are, spirit,” said Zathrian as they came into the room. The werewolves and the Lady of the Forest still stood on the platform they had been on when Arawin and her companions had left. They didn’t seem surprised at how fast the group had returned. Arawin wondered if the Lady already knew that Zathrian was close, which was why she asked them to bring him.
Zathrian walked up to the platform and stared at her. Swiftrunner growled before making his way swiftly to the Keeper. Their eyes met and they both stared for a time. The hate between them evident.
“Hrrr! She is the Lady of the Forest! You will address her properly!”
Zathrian was the first to move away, wrinkling his nose from Swiftrunner’s breath. He made his way to face the Lady. “You’ve taken a name, spirit? And you’ve given names to your pets? These... beasts who follow you?”
“It was they who gave me a name, Zathrian,” the Lady explained. “And the names they take are their own. They follow me because I help them to find who they are.”
“Who they are has not changed from whom their ancestors were. Wild savages! Worthless dogs! Their twisted shape only mirrors their monstrous hearts!” Zathrian’s eyes flashed as he spoke. A crackle of magic surrounded him. None of the werewolves, nor the Lady seemed to be intimidated by him.
“He will not help us, Lady!” Swiftrunner said as he made his way back to her side. “It is as I warned you! He is not here to talk!”
“That is true. I am not here to talk,” said Zathrian, which made the Lady look surprised. “I am here for Witherfang’s heart, and that is all.”
Swiftrunner flashed his teeth. “Hrrr! He has come to kill you, Lady!”
The Lady looked saddened. She searched the faces of everyone standing behind Zathrian. All of them seemed to be facing away. Only Arawin stared, and the Lady locked on to her. “And what of you, mortal?” she pleaded. “Do you support Zathrian in this? Even after all that you have heard?”
Arawin snorted. She had heard plenty. “What do you expect? Pity? Don’t make me laugh. I heard what happened to his children as well as what happened to Lisha’s daughter. If you think that shouldn’t go unpunished, then you deserve what is about to happen!”
The Lady searched them for Lisha, and found her standing in the very back. Her eyes were closed and she breathed in and out slowly. “I had hoped for compassion,” the Lady spoke. “Must it come to this?”
“It is long overdue, spirit,” said Zathrian. “Your place here is done.”
The werewolves began to stir, growling and barking. “Be wary!” cried Swiftrunner. “The Lady must be protected!”
“Let us end this, then,” said Morrigan. “And quickly.”
The Lady shook her head. “And will you not change your mind after all this time, Zathrian? I beg you to see what you have wrought here!” Her plea was genuine, but it did nothing to touch either Zathrian or Arawin’s hearts.
“As my daughter begged for mercy, perhaps?” spat Zathrian. “I see only beasts, and a spirit who has misled them into thinking they are more than what they are. Come, Grey Warden. Let’s end this.” He grabbed his staff and immediately the air began to stir with the pulse of his magic. The Lady looked frightened, but her demeanor quickly changed once she realized there was no turning back now. The werewolves beside and behind her prepared themselves, and so did she. The Lady went on all fours and her shape shifted, resembling that of the white wolf who had attacked Arawin earlier.
Arawin left her for Zathrian, who quickly focused his magic on the white wolf. She saw Swiftrunner go for him, knowing the protective beast would not let Zathrian get very far with his spells. Instantly, Arawin leaped, blocking Swiftrunner and cutting him off from his goal. The werewolf did not like it and growled at Arawin. He went to attack her, to get her out of the way, but Arawin was ready and had her two blades in hand.
Arawin focused on the fire that had been burning inside her ever since she had heard the story of Zathrian’s children. A story that sounded all too familiar. Memories bubbled up in her mind as the fire blazed in her heart. Then something began to happen. Swiftrunner began to change his form before her eyes. No longer was she facing the great beast. He was now Vaughan. It made her smile to see him again.
The fire inside fueled her as she ran for him. She now had better weapons, and she was faster, stronger. This time she would give him the death he deserved. This time she would not hold anything back. Vaughan was bigger now, maybe a little faster, but this time he didn’t have his sword. He fought her instead with his claws and teeth. A humorous sight that made her laugh as she stabbed at him, puncturing his side and bringing him to his knees. The familiar thrill of the bloodlust only made the fire in her grow hotter. She was enjoying herself, seeing the once proud noble down on his knees, brought there by her yet again. Then another change began to happen. Yet again the form in front of her began to change into something from her past.
Another man came after her now. All too familiar and brought with him a rage that brought the fire to it’s burning peak. When she saw him, when she saw the lustful look in his eyes, that was when she lost control. The fire too hot. The rage too explosive.
She leaped on him, sticking both Fang and Dar’Misaan in his hairy chest. The man howled from the sudden pain. He fell to his back with Arawin still clinging to her sword hilts. She ripped Fang out and began an assault to his face. A primal cry escaping her throat as she hacked away. Blood and bone flew into the air, coating her face and arms. It wasn’t long before the thing that she was attacking became an unidentifiable mass of blood, bone, and gore.
The burning was so intense now, so hot, that she could no longer feel anything else.
Something strong and warm wrapped itself around her and yanked her off. At first, she protested, but the warmth from the hold brought her back to her senses. She dropped Fang and stood before the gore, now turned back into a werewolf before her eyes.
“It’s all right,” Lisha whispered into her ear. “You’re safe now. Nothing is going to hurt you.” Her voice was soothing, calm, but full of tears.
Arawin breathed in deeply, allowing her heart to settle, the fire inside it to dwindle. Lisha held her with a mother’s embrace. It was relaxing, and helped to bring her down. Arawin missed this. She missed the warmth and comfort that came with a mother’s hug. Her own mother used to hug her in the same way. She remembered as a little girl, whenever she would wake up from a bad dream, her mother coming in and holding her. It’s all right. You’re safe now. Nothing is going to hurt you. Wasn’t that the same thing Lisha had just said? What her mother told her so many times before?
Tears began to swell in her eyes, but Arawin held them back. There was no reason to cry. Her long, hard life in the alienage had taught Arawin that crying got you no where. Anger was the only thing that mattered.
Once she was calmed and had her emotions under control, Arawin gently took Lisha’s arms and unwrapped them from her shoulders. The older elf looked at her with a tear streaked face, her concern showing plainly. Arawin nodded, reassuring Lisha that she was fine now. It was mostly true, as the fire had died in her heart, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t still there. Feeling a mother’s touch helped her to bring back control, but it wasn’t enough to fully put it out.
Lisha nodded back, but the concern was still on her face. Her mother’s instinct telling her that Arawin was still hiding something, but she wasn’t going to push her.
Arawin looked around and noticed that the battle was over. She hadn’t even noticed anything else going on around her. She saw Zathrian knelt down next to the carcase of Witherfang, cutting into the white wolf’s chest.
“The dread beast is dead. And the heart is now mine,” he whispered to himself. Arawin walked over to him and he stood, bleeding heart in hand. “Well done, Grey Warden,” he said without looking at her. “You have succeeded in your task.”
“It’s done with and that’s all that really matters,” Arawin said softly as she stared down at the carcase.
“True enough. We’d best leave this mess and get back to the camp, then. Lanaya will be eager to get the cure started. Shall we go together?”
Arawin didn’t speak, only looked over at the others. They all stood behind her. None of them, besides Lisha, looked concerned about her recent loss of control. Perhaps they did care, perhaps they didn’t. She couldn’t be for sure from their faces, but if they did, she was glad they weren’t showing it now. She was not prepared or in the mood to explain anything to them. Not now at least.
“Yes, let’s go,” she said facing back to Zathrian. “I’m tired of this place.”

Paraphrasing from Dragon Age: Origins
All Sindarin belongs to JRR Tolkien
Here is the translation for the phrases Lisha is saying. It is the second to last stanza of the same poem "Vi Dýr Ennui", written and translated by Tolkien, himself.
Sí na veth bâden im derel: Here at my path's end I am lingering
Vi dúath dofn tummen.: In deep darkness buried.
Atham meraid velig a tynd: Beyond towers strong and high
Athan eryd bain beraidh: Beyond all mountains steep
Again, I got it from istad(dot)org.
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Blood Bond