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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
- 47
- 48
- 49
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.
Further Note at the bottom of the chapter. Placed there to avoid spoilers.
Please do tell me what you think so far of the story! I would love to know your opinions!
Thank you all so much for your continued readership! It means so much!
Translations:
Mi bella: Antivan. "My beauty." Endearment Zevran uses for Riel.
Ar lath ma: Elvhen. "I love you."
Ar lath ma'en, ma vhenan: Elvhen. "I love you too, my heart."
Fen'dirth: Elvhen. "Wolf speaks." A wolf's howl.
Asha'falon: Elvhen. "Female friend."
Dareth shiral: Elvhen. "Safe journey."
Lethallin: Elvhen. "Clansmen". A term of endearment used for close friends.
Mi amor: Antivan. "My love."
Theneras in'atisha, ma'arlath: Elvhen. "Rest in peace, my love."
Ma'lin na'mala: Elvhen. "My blood is yours." A statement/promise of protection.
Da'len: Elvhen. "Little child, or little one."

"How is she?" Alistair asked impatiently as soon as Leliana emerged from Riel's tent.
"She's fine. Just exhausted," Leliana explained, a tight smile across her lips. She then nodded her head off to the side, silently leading Alistair away from the tent. "Wynne said that her collapse was a result of her using so much energy all at once. Normally mages are cautioned about draining themselves so much, especially the untrained." Leliana stopped on the far side of the fire and looked up at the ex-Templar. "How are you?"
Alistair shrugged at her concern. "Nothing that a good rest and a good meal couldn't fix," he offered with a shy grin. "Although I don't think a good rest is the wisest choice in actions right now."
"You are worried about the Darkspawn."
Alistair sighed heavily, his gauntleted hand coming up to rub the back of his neck. "I don't understand how they got so close without either Riel or I noticing. We should have had more warning. The shrieks can cloak themselves well enough sometimes, but the others? Especially the ogre? Why didn't we sense them?"
"Could it be because of the Archdemon?"
"I don't know…" he grumbled. "I may have been a Grey Warden for longer than Riel, but we're talking only by a matter of months. Not years. Not like the others who died at Ostagar. And even for the most senior of Wardens, there is still so much that we don't understand about Darkspawn." Alistair narrowed his eyes past Leliana and into the darkness beyond her. "We're taking too long doing this. The Darkspawn shouldn't be this far north yet, at least not in those numbers. Scouts? Maybe. But that was no scouting party of Darkspawn. That was a raiding party that stumbled across us. And this close to Redcliff? This worries me."
"You do not wish to remain here, do you?"
"No. I don't. We should have already left, in fact." Alistair looked back towards Riel's tent and grimaced. "It's not… I don't blame her. I know what I said. Earlier, before Zevran and I-"
Leliana smiled softly and stepped closer to him. "I understand. You worried for her. And when you worry, sometimes your words do not come out as they should. Correct?"
Alistair focused back on Leliana, once again feeling the strange pull he had felt earlier that day. Did her eyes always look so green?
"Alistair?" Leliana questioned, bringing him sharply back to reality.
"Ahem… I ah… No, I guess I don't. They don't, I mean. My words. When I say them. Oh Maker, I'm doing it again, aren't I?"
Leliana giggled sweetly. "It is alright, Alistair. I understand you."
"Yes…. Uh… Let's see. Right. Darkspawn. Evil. Not staying here. That's where I was, I think…"
Leliana bit her lip in a near futile attempt to keep herself from giggling more. "I agree," she finally managed after a quick moment. Sobering, she coughed slightly and looked over at Riel's tent. "However, Wynne wasn't sure how long Riel would be out for. She has been taxing her body so much lately, what with the Deep Roads, and the the attack by the slavers. And now Darkspawn…"
"You never really got to finish your story about what happened down there. How bad was it for her?"
Leliana's features darkened sadly as her memory went back to the weeks underground. After a pause, she continued, her words sparse as she carefully chose them. "It was… difficult. Not just for Riel, although she dealt with the worst of it. When Zevran and I were poisoned…"
"Are you okay from that? I mean, you look okay. Physically. I mean-"
"I'm fine, Alistair," she replied with a short chuckle. "Riel went through a lot to save us, and not just from the spiders. Between the nightmares, the Broodmother, and her fight with Branka, I now know more than ever that the Maker chose Riel to lead us. No other could have survived what she has. And yet there is still so much more yet to come."
"All that is left is the Dalish, then to meet with the arl before finally calling a Landsmeet in Denerim."
"Even if the nobles do not join our cause, the Darkspawn are coming, Alistair. Loghain may think he can win this war against the Darkspawn and their Blight, but I saw what it was like down there in the Deep Roads. Riel may have leaded us around the majority of the Darkspawn, but there is an army waiting down there. And I think tonight was more than just accidental."
"You think the Archdemon sent those Darkspawn after us?" asked Alistair, stunned.
"Think of your own words. You and Riel should have sensed them earlier. Yet they somehow hid from you, while knowing exactly where we were. Their stronger fighters went straight for Morrigan and Wynne, while Sten, Oghren and Shale were kept busy by smaller rogues. And then there was that ogre! As soon as it appeared, it charged straight at Riel."
Alistair stood silent as he thought through her words. Darkspawn were not known for their overall intelligence, operating more as a collective force as bees from a hive would. However there was no denying their tactics that night. Busying their mages, distracting their fighters, then bringing forth their prized hitter to go straight for the leader of the group. It was unsettling to say the least.
"If we leave now and travel straight through, we could reach Redcliff within a day and half. Probably less than that if we could leave Bodahn's wagon behind and take the rougher paths through the brush."
"What of Riel? She cannot travel as she is."
"Then one of us will have to carry her. I do not like having any of us out here in the open like this. Not when they know where we are and Riel is unable to fight. Once we are in Redcliff, we can get the smithy to make her up some proper armor again."
"That will make her less vulnerable to attack, which I know will ease Zevran greatly."
Alistair couldn't help but still bristle at the assassin's name. "It might also keep her from resorting to her magic, which will keep her from draining herself again," Alistair replied with more harshness than he intended. Sighing he added, "there is also Templars in Redcliff. Probably left there from after curing Eamon, not to mention the arlessa also had her own retainer of knights on hand. Riel's casting magic… It is dangerous. Even though she is a Grey Warden. After what happened with Connor, they will be on alert for any signs of magic..."
"Perhaps it would be best that when we arrive in Redcliff, we do not make ourselves known to the arl and arlessa. If the Darkspawn are indeed moving faster, then we cannot afford to be detained by ceremony and prompt by visiting with the arl. Gaining the armor, restocking our supplies, and then moving on quickly before our presence is known would probably be best."
Alistair shook his head. "If it was found out that we avoided meeting with him, it wouldn't look good at the Landsmeet. Riel has already avoided meeting him once. Avoiding him a second time would make the banns question our loyalty to him, and in turn to all of Ferelden."
"Leave it to me," Leliana replied with a smile. "I still have some contacts left in Redcliff. With just a small number, I will be able to get Riel within the town and out again without anyone noticing. And if our more recognizable companions were to be seen traveling further south than here, making haste to meet with the Dalish, then any who saw them would also assume their Grey Warden leads would also be among them."
"You want to split up?"
"Not for long. Just a few days," she reassured him. "Shale, Sten, the dwarves, Wynne and yourself will take the southern paths from here. Zevran and I will take Riel to Redcliff, restock what we can, and then meet you at Southmere. It is west of Lothering, within the Hinterlands. There are plenty of hills to take refuge in if you come across Darkspawn while there, as well."
"I don't like the idea of leaving y-"*cough*"Riel, behind like that."
Leliana caught the slight change of words, yet she didn't say anything. "We will be fine, Alistair," Leliana stated, a gentle upturn on her lips as she spoke. "This way we do not need to abandon Bodahn's wagon, and Riel will still get her armor."
"I notice you left Morrigan out of your plans."
"Morrigan will… do as she always does," Leliana answered honestly. There was never telling the witch what to do, and in truth the only one she ever seemed to listen to at all was Riel. Whether she would go with Leliana and Zevran, or with Alistair and the others, there was no way of telling. As much as Leliana liked the other woman, there was still so very little she knew about her.
"And what of Zevran? Do you think he will agree to this?"
"If it means getting Riel somewhere safe quicker? Maker, I will have to make sure everything is ready to go before I even tell him of our plans. Or else he will likely leave without me," Leliana laughed.
"So it's settled then? The three of you will go to Redcliff as soon as you're ready, while the rest of us head to Southmere?"
Leliana looked up at Alistair and caught the worried glance in his eyes. Ever since he awoke from his injuries that morning, he seemed different with her. More open. With himself, and with how he acted with her. Taking a chance, Leliana placed her hand on his cheek and smiled up at him. "The Maker protects his chosen, Alistair. And there is little doubt that Riel is one of those he has marked as his own."
Alistair placed his hand overtop of her own, his eyes burning with something far deeper than worry while he focused on her. "It's not just her that I am worried about."
"I know," Leliana replied softly. She then raised up on her toes and left a light kiss against Alistair's cheek. "But thank you for saying so." Leliana then stepped away from him, silently enjoying the blush that she witnessed overtake Alistair's face. "I need to go speak with Morrigan about our plans and find out what she will do. Then I will gather what I can before speaking with Zevran. You should go speak to the others and explain what is happening. We shouldn't stay here any longer than we have to."
Leliana then turned and walked away, heading toward Morrigan's fire off in the distance. Alistair watched her leave, his breath still lodged firmly in his chest since she kissed him. Will she….? he thought, before being rewarded with the sight of Leliana turning her head back to him, a knowing smile on her lips, before quickly turning back and continuing her way to the witch's camp.
"Maker's breath…" Alistair gasped, finally remembering that he did indeed need air to breathe. Was she always like that? Alistair wondered to himself. With a hard shake of his head, Alistair forced his brain back to where it needed to be, and not on the swaying curves of a certain redheaded woman. "Right. The others. Need to bring them up to speed." Alistair ventured one last look in the direction where Leliana had went, saying a silent prayer to himself. Maker, keep her safe. Watch over her, and protect her. And if it is your will, guide her back to me. After a slight pause on his prayer, he added and keep Riel safe as well.

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Riel fought through the sludge of her senses to the calming scent of foreign spices and early morning sunshine. Even during their time in the Deep Roads, she hadn't ever felt this tired or lethargic. And with the comforting feel of strong arms wrapped her and the scent of the man she loved surrounding her, she felt in no hurry to get up and face whatever waited for her next.
Unwillingly, her mind went to vague images of an attack; of Darkspawn and watching her friends being swarmed by the evil creatures as she stood powerless to help them. And then the mass of rampaging purple skin, its evil eyes fixed on her alone as it charged her down with savage rage. The image became so vivid that Riel felt the swell of power come to her fingertips once more, the deep need to aid her allies and protect themselves biting at her barely awake consciousness.
"Shhh, mi bella… All is well…" the soft voice crooned to her. Her charged hands filled with his own, giving a slight squeeze of reassurance as he lifted them to a pair of soft lips. "You are safe. Feel me and know that you are safe," he whispered softly to her before placing soft kisses to her fingertips.
Riel slightly opened her eyes, lethargia weighing her down as surely as if she were being dragged underwater. "Z-Zevran…?" she managed to breathe out before shutting her eyes again. The room she was in was terribly bright, and the light assaulted her sensitive eyes.
"I am here, mi bella. You should however go back to resting. There is no need to worry, for I am here to watch over you." Zevran leaned his head down and lighting kissed her forehead.
"The Darkspawn?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Gone. And for now, beyond worrying about. You are safe here. Rest now."
As much as her body called out to do exactly that. still Riel refused to let herself succumb to the deep pull to rest. "The others?" she asked, her voice once more barely able to be heard.
"Safe. Now please, mi bella. Allow your body to heal itself, and allow me do my duty to watch over you while it does so."
The weight pulling Riel under finally won over her stubborn resistance, however not before she whispered out in a meek voice "ar lath ma" before finally falling back into the darkness.
Zevran gave her a small squeeze before whispering back to her, "ar lath ma'en, ma vhenan."
In truth, Zevran wished to be far away from where they currently were. Now alone in a room in Redcliff's Inn, it taken surprisingly little time for him to carry his Riel over the land. Once Leliana had explained her plan to him, it didn't take them long to gather what they needed and be on their way. Leliana had offered only once to take Riel from his arms, meaning to help him and share the burden of her weight. Yet Zevran dismissed her as politely as he could. Probably not as politely as he should have, but it was the best his strained mind could do at the time.
Even free from undead and demons, Redcliff was not an entirely safe place to be. Especially if one carried within them the blood of a mage. Blood that borne forth magics that were able to be sensed and followed by passing Templars or other mages. After all, Riel may be a Grey Warden, but Templars were not known to ask first before barging in with their mage smiting powers if they believed an apostate or gods forbid maleficar were thought be hiding somewhere.
Whatever Morrigan had brought forth in her lesson with Riel had combined with the attack on the camp, opening up a valve of magical power within her that lacked any control or conscious effort. It obeyed only her emotions, and sparked forth at the memories and nightmares that plagued her exhausted and healing mind.
Perhaps if Riel were awake and in control of her powers, things would be different. As it was, this was the third flare up of her latent abilities just since arriving in the town at the base of the castle where the arl lived with his wife. However, this was the first where she seemed to become mildly conscious for it, giving Zevran a small slice of hope. Already Riel had remained asleep for far longer than the mage Wynne had first guessed. The words the elder woman spoke to him that night after the battle still rung in Zevran's ears, echoing around his mind as he held his Riel to him.
"I have never seen an untrained mage call down so much power before," she had said to him then. "When a mage uses up her stored magic, they become weakened, unable to even stand. It is why Templars train to not just cancel out our magics, but resist them. To force a mage to use up her stored magics until they can cast no more, and so becoming easier to either capture or defeat. This…" Wynne had gasped, looking down at the sleeping Riel. "This is as if she used up far greater than she should have had access to, and now is paying the price for it."
Paying the price for it. That was the way of his Riel. Always paying the price for someone else's mistakes. Someone else's evil. And yet she always shouldered each task, taking the new burden onto herself and adding it the others that continued to weigh her down. Even his own, to Zevran's shame.
Before Morrigan had come to speak with Riel that night, Riel had broached the subject of his former comrade and Crow, Taliesen, and the letter that Zevran had received from him. Insisting that she go with him when they reached Denerim, Riel had tried every bit of reason she could to change his mind. Using sound arguments about how it would be safer to approach his old friend as a group, and how with careful planning they could all walk away without any blood being shed.
And they were sound arguments. If only for very two important things; one, Zevran knew Taliesen and his former clan of assassins quite well. There was no peaceful result to the meeting that didn't require the death or capture of his Riel. The Crows would continue to come, as they always did, until the contract was either canceled by their employer, or the elders back in Antiva judged the contract void for their own reasons.
Second, and most importantly, there was no way in all of the Fade and beyond that he would allow his Riel to place herself in further danger because of him. Her deep exhaustion now was just one symptom of the larger curse that she carried. And all the gods themselves could not force Zevran to endanger her for his own protection. Far too often had he been forced to watch her fall in battle when he could do little to protect her. And each time, Zevran could feel a slice of himself shrivel and die. Only when he could look into her beautiful silver eyes and know that she was safe would that piece inside of his chest begin to live again. Yet with each resurrection, it would harden and grow bitter, cutting deeper with each injustice and hardship he witnessed her go through.
He simply could not risk her. As one protects their chest with armor, so too would Zevran protect his heart, and the one who now bore it for him. Taking whatever hits he could for her. Shedding his own strength and blood to keep her well and safe. Whatever it took. Whoever he had to kill, he would protect her. And when they finally reached Denerim, Zevran would leave a message for the Crows that would declare to them all that he was willing to risk a war with each of them in order to keep the woman he loved he safe.
The message would be drawn in Taliesen's blood, and the back alleys of Denerim would be the paper upon which he would cast the ink. After all, Zevran had earned every right to his large ego and confident claim to his abilities.
The purchased son of the Grandmaster Talav Arainai, Zevran was one of the best the guild had seen in generations. Holding the promise of restoring the once great house to it's former glory as first among the Crows. He was handpicked and personally trained by the best they had to offer.
And while Taliesen trained next to Zevran in house, they both knew that Zevran held the better blade. Rivals. Brothers. Companions and compatriots. The two men were closer than some would even describe as decent, even in Antiva. Yet none of that mattered now. The blood of his former brother was a small price to pay to keep the woman in his arms alive and well.
A soft scratching at the door to the room drew Zevran's attention, causing his hand to move to the sharpened dagger that rested only an inch away. There was the sound of a shuffling of fabrics, then the scraping of parchment being forced against the wood of the floor.
Zevran eyes roamed over Riel's sleeping form, taking note of her slowed and relaxed breathing. She appeared deep in a dreamless sleep, yet appearances could change in an instant if a nightmare came upon her. And if he was not there to quell her fears, even while fast asleep, her awakened magics could rise to defend her against dreamed foes. Yet if he guessed the sender of the message correctly, then knowing of its contents would be of incredible importance to keeping his Riel safe.
"Stay resting, mi bella. I will not be far…" Zevran whispered to her softly. He then carefully extracted himself from her, moving slowly as to not waken her anymore than he had to.
Once standing, again Zevran reached out with his hearing, listening for any sounds of metal armor clanking or swords being made ready. He and Leliana risked much being in Redcliff so soon after what happened to the boy Connor. The mages may have returned to the Circle Tower to rebuild their order, yet the town and castle were not left without their Templars. Already skittish from seeing the dangers of magic, the townspeople would also probably not look too kindly on the sudden appearance of an apostate mage, even if that mage had so recently rescued them and their loved ones from demons and undead.
People were after all largely fickle with their loyalties. Especially scared humans who listened far too much to the frightening tales of magic gone wild preached by the Chantry, and who already had a distrust for elven folk.
Hearing no threatening sound, Zevran approached the door and bent down to retrieve the letter. It held no seal on it, and the paper was light and cheap. Something easily obtained and would probably burn easily if needed.
Opening up the folds, he read quickly the few words that were scratched across the surface.
I have what we discussed.
At fen'dirth, bring asha'falon to the where we first parted.
The raven awaits.
Dareth shiral, lethallin.
Zevran smiled as he read the words on the paper once more. Lethallin. Not what he ever expected to be called by someone. Especially by a human. But he would take his allies where he could get them.
Judging from the amount of light shining in through the small window by the bed, it would still be several hours yet until night fall. Hours that could bring Templars if his Warden's magic continued to flare up as it had been. Coin only stilled wagging tongues so far, and a cloaked elven traveller bringing in his 'distressed' elven female was enough to set tales spinning on the best of days. Let alone in a human town recovering so soon after tragedy and distrustful of strangers.
Zevran just hoped the coin that Leliana used to quiet the rumors would be enough. The owner of the Inn was a woman by the name of Bella, someone who owes her ownership entirely to the efforts of Riel. During the siege of undead that had assaulted Redcliff when they were last here, Riel had convinced the previous owner and professional lout Owen to join the militia that defended the town. While Owen survived the night, he decided that life in Redcliff was not to his liking and left for Denerim, leaving the Inn to his waitress Bella.
Her debt to Riel and her companions was helpful when Leliana had sought out the woman's aid, and now Zevran just hoped the woman's goodwill lasted.
A desperate whimper from the bed brought Zevran's attention quickly over to Riel. Magic had begun to gather around her hands as she rolled over on to her back. Zevran was at Riel's side in an instant, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her tightly against him.
"I am here, mi bella. You are safe…. Calm yourself," he pleaded to her in a hushed voice.
The air around them crackled with gathered energy, called forth by the magic that was again spiking within Riel even as she slept. A sheen of sweat broke upon her skin, and her beautiful face contorted into a mask of pain. The glow of magic at her palms intensified and Zevran could feel the sparks of electricity that leaped free from her skin and onto his. The swell of power that now built was stronger than the others had been, and Zevran struggled to keep his own panic in check as he tried desperately to comfort the woman in his arms.
"Listen to me, mi bella. Hear my voice. Know that whatever nightmare you face is not real. You are safe." Riel turned her body into his, his accented voice drawing her in as it always did. "That's it, Riel. Breathe. Know that I am here. Keeping you safe."
Quietly Zevran whispered to her in both Antivan and what he knew of Elvhen, speaking of anything he could, hoping that his voice would reach her through whatever darkness that held her. Riel moaned painfully against his chest, and Zevran wrapped his arms around her tighter in response. Slowly the charged air surrounding them released and dissipated, and the glow around her palms dimmed as the magic retreated back to where it came from.
"All is well, mi amor. Theneras in'atisha, ma'arlath. Ma'lin na'mala."

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The hurlock collapsed dead by her feet, its head still sizzling from her magic. Still though she waited at the ready, knowing that more waited for her. Waiting somewhere out in the darkness, hunting her. She knew because she could feel them. Acting as a beacon that called out to her over the distance, the beast's corrupted hearts beat in tune with her own.
"They will never stop coming for you."
She whipped her head around, her daggers swiping out at the feminine voice that spoke. Yet her blades met nothing but empty air. Stilling her breath, she tried to reach out with her senses. However not even the foul things that haunted her every step could now be felt. The echo they caused in her blood was now silent, and for a brief moment in time, she was actually alone in the darkened woods that surrounded her.
"You are growing stronger, da'len. However, you lack the ability to control that strength."
She again turned her body towards the voice, yet still her blades cut through nothing but empty air.
"Where are you?!" she screamed out in weary anger.
"I am where I have always been, da'len. Watching. Waiting. Weeping for you."
A spiral of bright energy appeared a few feet in front of her. The energy then spread out, taking on the vague shape of a female humanoid, featureless save for the curves that would denote it as a woman.
"I know you…." she said, her eyes coming to rest on the brightness that was the humanoid's blank face.
"As I know you, da'len."
"Who are you?" she asked cautiously. Even though the voice was familiar to her, the place she existed in was full of lies. The Beyond. The Fade. The place of dreams. Of demons. And of other foul creatures that were an echo of the corrupted Taint within herself. Together, they were everything that haunted and hunted her, both in dreams and in real life.
"Now is not the time for questions. Our time here is short. I only have time enough for a message, and a word of warning." The form of a woman took a step closer to her, not seeming to either notice or care about the blades still raised against it. "The message I carry is thus: The next step will be painful da'len, but not without purpose. You will tread in places that have been long forgotten for a reason, however there you will find a means to stem the flow that swells. A gift for a gift. Yet not without a price. A price paid in equal parts, yet in unequal measure. Of service and duty. Of sacrifice and burden. Of old blood spilled and new life given."
"You speak in riddles!" she spat out at the form in front of her.
"You would do well to listen carefully then. For here is the warning that I also give unto you: Enemies are not always those who strike at your heart. Allies are not always those who offer you aid when you are in need. And in order to be free, one must strengthen the ties that bind, even if doing so causes more pain than you ever thought possible. For only when you fall, do you find out if you can truly fly."
"I don't understand…."
"You will. In time. One can only hope that when that time comes, that it does not arrive too late. Alas, as long as the music plays, so we must dance." The voice sighed, shaking its luminescent head. "Go now, da'len. Take with you this one last promise…. The issue of burden that you carry will hold the blood of both silver and gold. I would not allow it otherwise. For what it is worth, you have my sympathy. And my blessing."
The female form then became a swirl of energy once more, before finally disappearing completely. Alone once more, she looked to the distorted sky above, filled with more questions than answers. "Riddles do not aid me, old woman. You really are an old hag who talks too much!" she vented bitterly to the sky above. Yet no further answers did she get, despite how desperately she longed for them.

Further authors note: Some dialogue taken from the game. Certain phrases uttered by the "feminine voice" in the Fade are quotes belonging to BioWare's character by the name of Flemeth. Riel's last dialogue sentence is also a quote taken from the game, slightly altered to suit my context.
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Vhenan'ara