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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
- 52
- 53
- 54
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.
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:
Aravals: Elven landships. Used for sleeping and storing their belongings.
Mi bella: Antivan. "My beauty." Endearment Zevran uses for Riel.
Dareth shiral: Elvhen. "Stay safe/safe journey."
Mi amiga bella: Antivan. "My beautiful friend."

Leliana paced back and forth outside of the elven landship that the Dalish called "aravals". Already it had been close to half an hour that Wynne and the clan's healer had been working on Alistair, and Leliana was growing more impatient with each minute that passed.
Part of her wanted to be angry with Riel for what happened to him. When Riel's magic had sent him flying, Leliana felt her heart fall into her stomach, and it has stayed there ever since. Lying in a heap at the base of several trees, Alistair had looked near death and was barely breathing when Leliana got to him. Wynne had immediately began weaving her healing magic on him, yet still Alistair remained unconscious.
Then suddenly there were Dalish everywhere, arrows and swords pointed directly at them. A woman with a staff came forward and told a couple of hunters to fashion together a field bed that they could place Alistair on and carry him back to their camp. Leliana's mind raced with questions, however the woman walked away before she could ask any. And the hunters who had their weapons still trained on Wynne and her didn't seem to be open to answering any of her questions. Instead their heated glares as they carefully watched the women's every movement told Leliana that if she wanted any of her questions answered, she would have to wait until later.
Leliana stopped in front of the araval's door, trying to listen for any sounds of conversation that was happening inside. However, all she got was silence, which she didn't know whether to take as a good thing or bad one. Sighing, she resumed her pacing, studiously ignoring the Dalish elves who lingered nearby, their weapons out yet not readied. Although Leliana had no doubt that given any small signal or notice, she would find quite a few arrows piercing her before she could even think to react.
"Please be okay, Alistair…" Leliana whispered to herself.
Leliana shook her head and cursed as she remembered the argument that had placed him in such a dire state. As much as she wanted to hate Riel for what happened, Leliana knew deep down that it wasn't her fault for what happened. Springing up from a misunderstanding, pride and extreme emotions on both of their sides had led them to where they now were. And Alistair…. Acted unfortunately like himself. Which caused Riel to react exactly the way she did, which considering what was said, Leliana really couldn't find it within herself to blame their leader for.
"Leliana?"
Leliana turned around at the soft sound of her name. Standing just in front of the araval's door was Wynne, the group's main healer. The old woman's face showed obvious signs of worry and fatigue, and her wrinkled hands were clasped tightly together in front of her.
"Is he-?" she asked, unable to form the words she dreaded so much.
"He's alive, thank the Maker. The bolt of electricity that had sent him flying travelled through his armor, burning his skin until it became attached to the metal that covered it. However, if it wasn't for his armor protecting him, he most likely would have broken his back beyond repair from crashing into those trees. Varela and I both did the best we could, now it is only a matter of time."
"Thank the Maker!" Leliana exclaimed, reaching forward and embracing the older mage. "And thank you as well Wynne! I wouldn't know what I would do if we lost him!"
Wynne returned her embrace, patting the woman lightly on the back. "It was close for a while, but he should recover. Although what comes after his recovery, that will be the true test."
Leliana pulled back and looked on Wynne sadly. "He doesn't mean what he says! I know him! He just gets flustered and says the wrongs things and-"
"Winds up crashing into a group of trees. Or inciting our resident assassin into a duel where it is miracle that Alistair didn't become paralysed because of it. And from what I hear, those aren't the only times that Alistair has ended up wounded because of his becoming 'flustered'…."
"He really is a sweet, charming man. Alistair really isn't a bad man. He just…." Leliana stated with a heavy sigh.
"Oh I've known a few men like Alistair in my years. And not all of them Templars. In the Circle, we are forbidden from 'intimate encounters', even with the other mages. That doesn't stop them from happening however, and it certainly doesn't prevent people from having feelings for each other. And whenever there are feelings involved, people are bound to get hurt. Some more than others…"
"I should have stopped him… When they started arguing, I should have spoken up sooner," Leliana said sadly, her eyes misting.
"Now, there is no point in worrying about 'what ifs' and 'should have's'. What happened is over, and the only thing we can do is look to how heal the damage that was caused. And not just the physical wounds, either. I suspect Alistair isn't the only one in need of some healing right now."
"Riel…."
"Have you seen her since what happened?"
Leliana nodded her head, her eyes fixed to the ground. "I saw her and Zevran being led into the center of the camp a little while ago. She looked… awful…"
"And how are you?" Wynne asked carefully.
Leliana met the mage's gaze, surprise on her face. "I'm…. I'm fine," she replied, placing a smile on her lips. "I mean, I'm worried about Alistair, but we all are. And worried about Riel, too."
"You've become close to him over these past few days, haven't you?"
At that Leliana blushed, her eyes once more going to the ground. "We're… We're friends. We sometimes talk at night or when we camp somewhere for the day. We have both spent time within the Chantry, so I understand him a bit more than the others, I think."
A small moment of silence passed between the women, each measuring their words carefully. "Alistair reminds me of some of the Templars that I once knew," Wynne finally said, breaking the silence. "Good men, shaped by their environment during certain times in their lives, can either become even better than what they were, or they can become far worse than they ever imagined. And I think Alistair is in one of those times that will end up shaping the man who he becomes later in life. The only question now is, who will that be? Turning to anger and resentment is by far the easier choice. It is much harder to turn away from such negative emotions, and trust in the goodness that is not only within ourselves, but in others as well."
"I just feel as if I am betraying my friend by standing by him," admitted Leliana in a rush of words. "And yet it's what my heart says to do. Must I really choose between a woman who like my sister, and a man that I care for?"
"Anyone that asks you to make such a choice, doesn't deserve to be chosen, Leliana. And I think you know that."
"I know… And neither has said anything like that. I just…. Both of them are hurting right now, and I don't know where I should be."
"The paths the Maker chooses for us are never easy, child. However, the more difficult path that we travel, the greater reward that we will receive. We must simply trust in the Maker, and follow what our heart tells us."
"And what if our heart is being torn in two different directions?" Leliana asked as she wiped at the tears forming in her eyes.
"That child, is one of the mysteries that even in my old age, I haven't figured out yet," Wynne replied with a soft giggle. Sobering, she placed a hand on Leliana's shoulder. "Go see him. Sit by his side and hold his hand. Right now, Riel has things she must do as the leader of this group. And she isn't alone either. Zevran is with her, and won't leave her alone. Later, when Riel has finished her business with the Keeper, you can go see her. Just remember what you told me - she is hurting right now. Just as you are. And words said when we hurt, often cut the deepest."
Leliana smiled at the older woman, tears falling down her cheeks even as she wiped them away. "Thank you Wynne!" she exclaimed, hugging the woman briefly before approaching the door to the araval. She stopped before entering however, turning back towards Wynne. "If she comes looking for me,-"
"I will tell her what I told you. That the Maker has plans for us all, even the stubborn, foolhardy, and verbally inept of us. However, I think I will have a much harder time with her elven suitor than I will have with her. I think that it would probably be best if we were to keep the young Alistair away from not just Riel for the time being, but also some distance away from the elven assassin as well."
"That is probably a very good idea…" Leliana replied with a sigh. "By the Maker…. What are we going to do about them?"
"Pray, child. For I think at this point, the only thing that is going to save our dear ex-Templar from a pair of poisoned blades would be divine intervention itself."
Leliana nodded grimly as a thick knot of worry settled in her chest. After all, if it had been anyone other than Alistair saying the words he did to Riel, would she react any differently than Zevran? As it was, a large part of her was still incredibly angry with Alistair. To say the words he did to Riel…. It was inexcusable. However, she also understood Alistair in a way that the others did not. And while his words couldn't be excused, they could be understood. Something Leliana hoped she could explain to Riel before Zevran made good on whatever dire plans he had for Alistair.
Maybe if they just understood him a bit better, and he understood Riel and her troubles….
Leliana sighed and pushed open the small wooden door that led inside the araval.
Maker, guide me. And please help me make them all understand…. And alive.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"As you can see, we are in no position to lend you our aid, Warden," Zathrian stated as he guided them through the small Dalish camp. "Many of our people are wounded, and time will tell if we lose them to the curse as well. Even if they do survive the wounds and do not turn, we must still with the ones who did this to us. I believe you that the Blight is upon us, however the people of my clan come first. I hope you can understand."
Riel looked over at the wounded elves lying on the cots nearby, her heart aching for them. Several of them were women, and at least one boy barely old enough to hold a bow laid writhing in pain as others tended to them. Deep gashes showed on their skin, even with the healing herbs and magic that was being applied to them. The curse the Keeper Zathrian spoke of apparently prevented the wounds from healing properly, causing either death after prolonged pain or transformation into the very cursed beasts that did this to them.
"Werewolves did this, you said?" she asked, her heart heavy with grief for those who suffered.
"As you may know, demons can possess a great many living things. Where the Veil between this world and the Beyond is thin, these demons can cross over and possess both animals and sentient species alike. In this case, one has found refuge in the body of wolf, and it is from him that all others come from."
"However, if we were to kill this wolf, your people would be saved. No?" Zevran asked from beside Riel.
He hadn't left her side since what happened earlier, and with each minute that ticked by he witnessed his precious Warden's careful control erode away. What this Keeper wanted from them was obvious, and the longer Zathrian drew out his condition for aid, the more Riel had to suffer under the stares and whispers of the Dalish around them. Which of course reduced Zevran's own patience and self control as well.
"It is not a trivial task. If it were, my people would have done so years ago. We call the beast Witherfang, and it hides deep within the Brecilian forests, protected it seems by the very forest itself. Long have my people hunted it, yet still it lives to cause havoc and death to us."
"If you've known about the beast and other werewolves for so long, how did so many of your people get injured?" asked Riel.
"As unlikely as this seems, we were ambushed," Zathrian replied contritely. "A cunning trap was laid that we were not expecting, which is why so many of us were injured. You see, werewolves are typically not so different from the normal wolves that you see in the wild. Mindless, acting purely on instinct and savagery. So too are the werewolves spawned by Witherfang. Which is why this new development troubles me so. As I said, this is no trivial matter."
"As it turns out, my Warden and her companions are exceptionally good at non trivial things, my friend," Zevran replied with a charming smile. "We will hunt this Witherfang down for you, and this curse shall end. Then you will lend her your aid against the Blight?"
"I'm afraid killing the beast would not be enough. I would need its heart, intact, in order to cast the spell that would reverse its curse upon my people," explained Zathrian.
"We'll get you this Witherfang's heart, Zathrian," Riel stated firmly.
"You sound so confident, Grey Warden. My people have hunted this beast for years, yet you are so certain you can find it and bring me its heart when we have failed? How can you be so certain that you will even find the beast, let alone kill it?"
"Because I have to. There is no other option," Riel flatly replied.
"Do not worry, my friend. The lovely Grey Warden here is a woman of her word. You shall have the heart of this beast. I promise you."
Zathrian scoffed at Zevran's exaggerated bow, a brow raised in incredulity both at his boasting and Riel's promise to bring him the beast. "We shall see. Until then, you may use our camp at your leisure. Varathorn has some supplies if you need them, and Sarel our storyteller will be able to inform you of our history, if you are so interested."
"I remember Keeper Marethari speaking warmly of craftsman Varathorn. She once told me that he and our own craftsman Master Ilen were cousins through their mothers. Although she would never say so within earshot of Master Ilen, Keeper Marethari was always overly fond of the pieces that Varathorn made."
"You know Keeper Marethari? That must mean you are… Ah, I see. Well, if you will excuse me, I have duties that I must attend to. Dareth shiral Warden," Zathrian stated quickly before walking away.
"What was that about?" Riel wondered as she watched the Keeper walk away.
"Forgive him. Our Keeper is old, and takes his job to his people very seriously."
Riel looked over to see the mage who first greeted them standing a few feet away. She was pretty, with long blonde hair done up in a tight chignon at the base of her head. She had blue eyes and a warm smile, and when she looked at Riel, there flowed a connection between the two of them that went beyond mere words. This woman held a dark past, one that resonated with Riel's own dark experiences.
"It's okay. Keeper Marethari was the same way. Sometimes she would begin scolding someone for something, then half way through forget why she was scolding them to begin with!" laughed Riel.
"You know Keeper Marethari?" she asked. "Oh forgive me, where are my manners! I am Lanaya, First to Keeper Zathrian."
Curiously, the woman didn't stick out her hand in greeting as most people did when they introduced themselves. "I am Riel of the Grey Wardens. But I suppose you knew that much already. And yes, I know Keeper Marethari. I was taken in by her clan several years ago, and it was there that the Grey Wardens recruited me from."
"I knew your name sounded familiar! We passed by a messenger a year or so ago, bringing news of other clans. He told us how the Sabrae clan had rescued a young girl that they found in the forest close to where their camp was."
"A messenger? Wha-what else did he say?" stammered Riel, a lick of fear rising up her spine. It was bad enough having so many people know what she went through years ago. Riel still wasn't exactly recovered from her revelation from just a little while ago, even. However to have strangers, possibly even whole other clans know what she went through…. That was too much to bare.
"Nothing much, honestly. Just that Keeper Marethari had taken in a young girl that they had found, and they were working to bring her fully into the clan. I didn't know you had decided to join the Grey Wardens."
"I didn't exactly decide…" Riel admitted truthfully.
"That sounds like a story I am sure many enjoy hearing. It's not often that one of The People decide to join the Wardens."
"Forgive me, mi amiga bella, but may we continue this later? I am sure our lovely Warden here would be most pleased to tell you of the many stories we have encountered in our travels. However, it is getting rather late in the day and there are matters to which she and I must attend to," Zevran purred to Lanaya.
"My, aren't you a charming one," Lanaya giggled quietly, causing Riel's blush to go deeper.
"Zevran Arainai, at your service," replied with a deep bow. "Former assassin, now current companion of the lovely Warden Riel, as well as her ever devoted follower," Zevran gently took Riel's hand and placed a soft kiss on the back of her knuckles, making sure to keep his honeyed gaze on her own. His stare was hot and seductive, carrying with it a clear mark of his desire and intention towards the woman before him. "And hopefully one day a man lucky enough to call her his wife."
"A pleasure meeting you, Zevran. You as well, Riel. I won't keep you. However, it would honor me greatly if you were to come by our fire later and speak with me. Would you? Maybe not tonight, but before you journey out into the forest?"
"That will be wonderful. Thank you, Lanaya," Riel replied with a bow of her head.
"Good," Lanaya stated with a warm smile. "I am sure you are wondering about your companions. Your fellow Grey Warden is being attended to by our healer Varela, as well as your own shemlen healer over in her araval near where the halla are kept. The red haired woman is with them as well. When I last spoke with Varela, she said that human male was recovering well."
"Thank you, Lanaya. I will go see them soon."
"Dareth shiral, Warden," Lanaya said with a bow of her head before walking away.
"By the Creators… Leliana must be beside herself with worry…." whispered Riel sadly.
Zevran pulled Riel into his arms, holding her gently in his embrace. "I am more worried about you, mi bella. We can see to the others later. First I wish to see you well."
"I can't go slinking off to camp without checking in on her though, Zevran! What if Leliana is angry at me now? You saw how close she and Alistair were becoming over these past few days! Creators, what if she blames me?" she cried, tears beginning to fall down her cheeks despite the way she tried to fight against them.
"Shh…. She will not be angry with you. Worried over the fool, perhaps. However, she is your friend, and knows how badly his careless words hurt you. She will understand," Zevran crooned, reaching up to dry some of her tears with the back of his fingers. "Besides, I promise you that she will hate me far more when I finally kill the fool for his actions."
"Zevran…" she groaned, rolling her eyes.
"I cannot abide by his carelessness any more. Not when it causes you such pain. I thought that perhaps he had learned his lesson that day in the meadow when we faced each other, yet it seems that is not the case. I simply cannot have him continue to hurt you as he has, mi bella. My honor as a man and as your lover demands that I see to it that he never again utters such cruel and heartless words to you."
"I can't have you kill him though, Zevran!" Riel exclaimed in a loud whisper. She was trying desperately to keep her voice down as they were among strangers, yet she knew from the occasional glances that she got from the other elves that she was failing miserably. "Look, can we please talk about this later? I just… I just can't. Not right now…" Riel groaned sadly.
Zevran leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Forgive me, mi bella. You are right, as always," he stated with a sigh. Gently he lifted Riel's chin up so her eyes met his. "Let us go find Leliana. You need to speak to your friend, and know that all is well between you two. Afterwards, I will take you back to our camp, where I will hold you for the rest of the night in my arms, if you will allow me."
Riel smiled up at him, her first genuine smile in hours. "That sounds absolutely wonderful."
"Good. Now let us quickly find that red headed woman. I have much cuddling and gentle caresses to make up for, after being so rudely interrupted by these Dalish. After all, cuddling and gentle caresses are a large part of my duties, you see. You should know by now that I take my duties as your devoted follower very seriously. It truly shameful that I have let them slip so long."
Riel giggled lightly, once again feeling amazed by how easily he always seemed to make her feel better despite whatever horrible mood she was currently in.
Together they walked through the camp, passing by the glares and looks of distrust that the other elves gave to them. The Dalish were by nature cautious of outsiders, having had their homeland destroyed not just once but twice by the humans lords and their Chantry. And the elves who willingly chose to live with the humans were often thought of as no better than the humans themselves. So any outsider was looked upon with hatred and distrust, and if not treated with outright hostility, were still preferably kept at a far distance.
Riel had grown accustomed to the glares those in her own camp had given to her at first. Their pity at her circumstance had long worn away under her abrasive and hard demeanor, most people in her clan were probably thankful that she had left with Duncan when she did. However, the way Zevran walked beside her - with his arm protectively around her waist and his free hand twitching idly by his side - it was clear that he didn't approve of the way the others in the clan looked at his Riel.
"There you are! Thank the Maker!" Wynne stated warmly in greeting as soon as Riel and Zevran got close. "Leliana just went inside the araval not too long ago. I'll go fetch her. You probably wish to speak with her."
"Wait, you don't need to disturb her," Riel stated quickly, placing a light hand on Wynne's arm to stop her. "How is he, though?"
"He is alive,-"
"For now..." Zevran added coldly.
"Zevran…" Riel scolded in a quiet hiss to him.
"It's alright dear," Wynne kindly smiled. "I am worried about you though. There was talks of a demon when that woman Lanaya came to check in on us."
Riel took comfort from the slight squeeze that she felt from Zevran, and answered the older woman as best as she could. "I heard… voices. Stronger than ever before. But they're gone now." Riel looked up to Zevran and smiled. "Zevran brought me back. If it wasn't for him…."
"It was your own strength, mi bella. Do not doubt that," he crooned in her ear.
"You have been struggling even more lately, haven't you? Ever since the attack on the camp by the Darkspawn."
Riel looked down to her fidgeting fingers, unsure of what to say. "My magic," she still had trouble acknowledging her powers, especially with someone from the Circle itself. "It's getting harder to control. Spikes in emotion, whether good or bad, brings it out."
"Even when she sleeps. If a nightmare comes upon her, the power inside of her flares. So far I have managed to calm her in time, so no damage has been done," Zevran added, giving Riel another slight squeeze.
"It's almost as if…," Wynne started, but then shook her head. "But no, that couldn't be…"
"What? Do you know something?" Riel questioned.
Wynne smiled at the two of them, waving her hand as if to dismiss their worries. "It is nothing, child. The Maker has his plan for all of us, and the best we can do is trust in his guidance when he chooses to give it."
"I don't understand," Riel responded wearily.
"No one can claim to know the mind of the Maker or why he does the things that he does. All we can do is try our best each day to do good, in whatever way that we can."
"You like being cryptic, don't you old woman?" teased Riel, rolling her eyes.
"Call it a purview of the old," Wynne giggled.
The way Wynne said that though called out to barely remembered dream in Riel's mind. Of lying on her back in the middle of a forest, and visited by someone - or something - that liked to speak in riddles as well. However as quickly as the feelings came, they vanished, slipping right through Riel's fingers when she tried to hold on to it.
Sighing, Riel decided that it was best to just drop the subject. Instead she looked over to the wooden door of the araval, thinking of the woman behind it. And to the man that the woman was no doubt kneeling beside, praying to her Maker that he lives through this. Did Riel wish for the same? It was clear where Zevran stood on the fate of her fellow Grey Warden. And it was no secret how much Riel had grown to dislike the human. Yet Riel had hoped that things might have begun to change between the two of them.
In fact, things had been better since they regrouped at Southmere. Aside from today, Alistair had actually been really kind to her these past few days. It had also helped a lot that most of the ex-Templar's attention had been directed at Leliana instead of herself. But then today, it was as if nothing had really changed between the two of them. He was just as clueless as he always was, provoking her and saying the absolute cruelest things that he could.
"Maybe I'll come back later to check up on her. I promised Lanaya that I would be back later, so I'll come by then. You'll tell her though that I came, won't you?"
"Of course dear," Wynne replied with her typical motherly smile. "Now you go get some rest. Rest is very important for women with burdens such as ours."
"What burdens?" asked Riel, confused.
"Why, magic, of course! It can drain us so terribly, especially when we don't expect it. No go on. Get some rest. And don't you worry about a thing. I will tell Leliana that you came by, and that you will see her later this evening."
Wynne practically shooed the young couple away, drawing strange looks from both her and Zevran. Yet she ignored their looks and Riel's small protests about waiting for Leliana to come out. Wynne insisted on them returning to their camp, and eventually both she and Zevran had managed to convince Riel to finally give up and return to their tent back at camp.
After the two elves had gone, Wynne's mind began working at all the possibilities, the corners of her lips turning up in a sly smile as she thought.
"Well. I suppose not all of the rumors about the Grey Wardens are true…" she quietly mused to herself.
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Vhenan'ara