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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
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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.
Mild Mature rating (18+) warning for some adult content. Also, have a box of tissues handy.
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.
Todo está bien: Antivan. "All is well."
Piel hermosa: Antivan. "Beautiful skin."

Riel stared unblinkingly at the walls of the araval. She had lost count of the long minutes that passed while she waited for Zevran to return. Too many. Her inner thoughts continued to circle and attack her without mercy, reminding her of every frightening possibility that awaited her. Human or elf. Tainted abomination born of evil. Cursed from the moment of birth, as she had been.
She wanted to believe otherwise. She prayed and pleaded with the old Elvhen gods to grant her a child not just born free of the Taint she carried, but also one of elven blood. With tears in her eyes and heavy sobs in her chest, Riel had begged that Zevran was the one who was the father of the young life. So desperately had she cried to any gods that would listen, so that she began to feel empty inside. Her tears now spent, all she could do was stare off into the darkness, barely aware of her own surroundings.
"My my…" tsked Morrigan, her biting voice slicing through the deep silence that hung around Riel like a noose. "Are you going to lie there all day, girl?"
Riel lifted her eyes up the witch briefly before returning to stare at the walls at the araval. As the silence stretched on and she continued to not address the other woman, Morrigan huffed out an irritated sigh before sitting down next to where Riel was laid. Awkwardly she shuffled her body before finding a comfortable place that still kept a small distance between their two bodies. Then with another sigh, Morrigan leaned her back against the araval wall and let silence once more take over.
"'Tis the most valuable lessons that are oft' the hardest," she finally said. Still Riel remained motionless, her eyes locked on a spot of the wall next to where Morrigan sat. "You worry ov'r the child that you bear, do you not?"
This time Riel's eyes flickered up briefly to meet Morrigan's, yet they returned again to the spot on the wall just as quickly.
"What is it then? What fear has you huddled up in here while your man walks as if he has met death?" Still Riel remained silent, causing Morrigan's irritation to rise. "Fine. If you will not speak of it, I shall. What those men did to you is of no consequence when it comes to the life you carry."
That got Riel's attention. With a horrified look on her face, Riel sat up and looked upon the witch while fresh tears built in her eyes."H-how… how…"
"How did I know that this is what plagues you? 'Tis not hard to assume. Or do you inquire as to how I would know such an event would not be of consequence?"
"T-that man… He…"
"What that fool did was wretched and if your man had not seen to his demise I certainly would have," Morrigan spat out angrily. "If you ask me, he received far too little punishment for his deeds, yet I suppose it shall do given the circumstance." Morrigan shifted uncomfortably as silence once again bit at the space between the two women. After a moment she continued, her fingers playing idly with the edges of the blanket that covered Riel. "Men can be the most foulest of creatures in all of the world. This I know full well. However, there are the rare few who do seem to make dallying with them worthwhile…"
"What if it's…" Riel started then paused, shaking her head. "I don't know if I can do this, Morrigan. Not if that man…"
"Tell me one thing, and think first before you answer. When that beast was on you, did he finish?"
"F-f-finish?" Riel stuttered, her features going white.
Morrigan rolled her eyes before once more shifting her position. "Did he orgasm?" she asked again, her voice more impatient this time.
"I-I d-don't know…"
"I heard tell that this beast of a man was one of the same who held you before you escaped to the Dalish. 'Tis true?"
Again Riel's face blanched, her eyes falling to her lap where her white knuckled fingers twisted around each other. Instead of answering however, she simply nodded her head, keeping her head bowed.
"And in all that time, you bore no child from them?"
Riel felt bile rise in her throat, thinking back to her time imprisoned by her former masters. Inside of her chest, her heart pounded so hard she felt as if it would escape from behind her ribs. Quickly Riel shook her head, too ashamed to answer verbally.
"Were you given tonics or herbs to keep a child from growing?"
Riel once more shook her head.
"Interesting…" Morrigan stated, her brow raising in surprise.
"I-it wasn't until the Dalish found me… That I learned anything about…" Riel paused to wipe away the tears that fell from her eyes. "By the Creators, I didn't know anything! It was only when a woman from my clan became pregnant that I found out that was even how it was done! I had no idea how children were born, or anything! I still don't understand it all!"
Morrigan waited through the fresh sobs that battered Riel and caused her to double over until her head was nearly in the witch's lap. On and on she cried, and through it all Morrigan waited patiently until finally the last sob broke free and Riel once more became silent.
"Here me when I say this… I know not what kept you barren during your ordeal at those monster's hands. Only that I suspect that whatever it was has continued to work during your most recent torment."
Riel sat up and pegged the woman with a questioning look of surprise.
"If you did not bear a child in all those years at their hands, than I doubt that the one you carry now would be so sired. 'Twould not be a surprise in fact for it to be born with the golden eyes of a certain male elf," Morrigan replied with soft smile. "Or perhaps fate shall be kinder and grant it the silver of yours?"
From deep inside Riel's mind came a fragmented memory. Of a wooded grove, and a woman whose face she couldn't remember. Kind words spoken, and a warning given that she couldn't remember. Yet still out of the fog that plagued her mind, two sentence stood out the most.
The issue of burden that you carry will hold the blood of both silver and gold.
I would not have allowed it otherwise.
"Morrigan, I-"
"Please, hold your tongue," Morrigan interrupted with a raise of her hand. "I came not to rally spirits or divulge any wisdom. Only to see how you fared after the events in the ruins. Your man looked bereft as he left these quarters, and I must admit that it did raise my concern for your well being."
"He thinks…" Riel began, but paused and shook her head. "Tell me, Morrigan, would you keep it?"
"'Tis not a question you should be asking one such as I," Morrigan stated with roll of her eyes. "Children are loathsome creatures, no matter who sires them. What with the whining and crying and foul smells… I endure enough of such nonsense from Alistair as it is!"
Riel couldn't hold back the laughter at the witch's remark, and with it came a strange sense of ease. As if a weight had been lifted off her chest, finally allowing her to breathe.
"Well, it seems that I wasn't alone in wondering how our fearless leader was doing."
Both women looked over to see Leliana entering the small araval. The landships were not overly large to begin with, and with the three of them now inside, the available space inside reduced even further. Riel backed up against the far wall of the araval, giving the bard room enough to sit down, and even then knees would touch if they were not mindful of their position.
"Speak for yourself, woman!" Morrigan griped, the smile she fought back betraying her serious tone. "I came not to 'check up' on her as some doting mother would. I merely came to see if Riel required anything from herb satchel."
"Uh huh… Of course…" Leliana replied with a wink. Ignoring the witch's angry glare, she then turned to Riel and her smile became more concerned than friendly. "How are you feeling?"
Riel paused as she thought over the answer. Truly, she was still a mess, both inside and out. As much as talking with Morrigan alleviated some of her inner turmoil, there was still so much that still needed to be dealt with. Things she didn't know the answer to, or even begin to know how to handle. With a sad smile and tears building in her eyes, she faced her friend and sighed. "I don't know."
"Oh sweetie…" Leliana stated, her hand squeezing Riel's knee gently. "We'll help you through this. You're not alone." Leliana paused and took a breath, as if steadying herself before continuing on. "So… Zevran came and spoke with me…"
"Mythal's grace! Does everyone know?" Riel cursed out, swiping at the tears in her eyes.
"Only a few of us," Leliana hurriedly replied. "Other than Zevran, Wynne and the Dalish healer Varela, Morrigan and myself."
"I can only imagine what Zevran told you…" Riel stated with a slight sniff.
Leliana paused, her features becoming sullen. "He told me… He said that you wished to end it. The pregnancy."
"Foolishness!" Morrigan spat out in a frustrated sigh.
"I already asked your opinion! You said to not ask you!"
"Aye! You asked what I would do if 'twas I in your place. Not what you should do!"
Riel rolled her eyes and leaned her head back against the wall behind her. "You're not helping…"
"Is that what you want, Riel?" Leliana asked tentatively.
Again the half remembered words from Riel's dream came back to her. Gold and silver… Dare I hope? But what if…
"There are many 'what if's' in life," Leliana stated, almost as if she heard the words that Riel had thought. "What matters is what we do, and what our heart tells us. What does your heart tell you, Riel?"
Riel thought about Leliana's words. Searching inside of herself, at first all Riel could feel was the fear that had crippled her. A deepening darkness of doubt and paranoia that threatened to once more take over and reduce her to tears that wracked through her whole body. However past that… Past the doubts and fear that assaulted her. Beyond the darkness that threatened to overwhelm her. There was a single light that continued to burn.
Hope. More than that, there was love. A deep, unending love swelling from a place buried under all the negative emotions that plagued her. Yet still it grew strong, it's light and warmth stretching up past the darkness and becoming a gentle caress that soothed away the fear that she had felt.
"Whoa! Riel!" Riel opened her eyes at Leliana's outburst, wondering what had worried her friend. "Look at yourself! You're on fire!"
Riel looked down at herself and burst out laughing. There along her skin was the calm fire that was her own. Little flame glided up her arms, taking over her upper body before spreading to the rest of her body until she was all but consumed by it's burning light. Riel lifted up her hand and turned it around, examining it as the fire danced along her skin.
"How are you doing that?" Leliana asked, her eyes wide in wonder.
"Interesting…" was all Morrigan said, her tone more calculating than questioning.
The flames that sprang forth from Riel then jumped to Leliana, causing her to shriek out in surprise. "Riel! What is happening?" she exclaimed as she watched with wide eyes as the flames spread up her own body. At first Leliana patted at them, trying to put them out. Yet still they continued, consuming her in their gentle light as they did to Riel.
A moment later, the flames covering Riel jumped to the other side of her, finding Morrigan's body. The spread of the flames on her body were slower, almost hesitant as they climbed up her body. Still they consumed her as they did to the other women. Morrigan lifted her own hand to her face, examining the flames more closely.
"Very interesting…" she remarked, a strange smile on her lips.
Suddenly the door to the araval opened, startling all three women. The flames that had been covering each of them vanished, retreating back into Riel as quickly as the rapid beat of her heart.
"My my… Am I interrupting?" Zevran stated with a small smile, his eyes finding Riel in the back of the araval and staying on her.
Riel felt her face flush, her gaze moving to the two other women before falling down to her lap. "N-no…" she managed to say, a curious shyness overtaking her.
Leliana looked between the two elves, seeing Zevran staring intently at Riel while she fidgeted with the edges of the blanket that covered her. "Perhaps Morrigan and I should go see how the midday meal is coming? While I am sure the other Dalish would be faring well enough, who knows what disasters the men in our own group have created… By the Maker, Oghren thinks that dirt is an ingredient!" she stated with a soft giggle. Leliana then nodded to Morrigan. "Come on Morrigan. Or else all of us will be needing the herbs in your satchel to calm our stomachs!"
Morrigan rolled her eyes and let out an exasperated sigh. "I do not see why you all must come to me at every bodily upset. I am sure Wynne's magic would do just as well as my tonics."
"Yes, but then we wouldn't get the delight pleasure of your company," laughed Leliana. "Todo está bien," she whispered to him as she walked past Zevran and out of the araval.
Zevran looked to her briefly, surprise in his eyes before returning his gaze to Riel. Following shortly behind Leliana was Morrigan who merely nodded her head towards the Antivan before exiting, leaving the two of them alone once more. Still silence persisted, weighing heavily between them. Finally Zevran cleared his throat and sat down, taking up the spot that Morrigan was previously in.
"I am pleased to see you awake," he stated, offering her a shallow smile. Riel didn't lift her eyes, yet a small smile did grace her lips at his words. Again silence reigned between them, each unsure of what to say. After a while Zevran reached across the short distance between them and took her hand in his. "I have just realized that we have been free of those dusty old ruins for a full day now, and I have yet to see to your bath!"
This time Riel lifted her eyes, tears sparkling in her eyes. "Zevran, you don't have-"
"Nonsense!" Zevran replied, interrupting her protests. "I know how you enjoy being free from the dirt and blood from our travels. And I have failed in my duties as your loyal follower to have neglected such an important task!" Zevran stood and pulled Riel up with him, however he paused when he noticed the blanket she had covering herself fall to the ground, revealing her naked body. "Well, this won't do. You are far too gorgeous to walk around without suitable clothing covering you. I fear I may end up taking my dagger to all of the men in this camp if they were to stare luridly at your naked form."
Riel giggled, a blush coming to her face. She quickly looked around the araval, yet she didn't see any of their bags that held all of their extra things. Thinking for a moment, she instead turned and bent over to pick up the blanket she had been using.
From behind her came Zevran's sharp intake of breath. Facing him again, Riel was surprised to find him looking at her through hooded eyes, a deepening look of desire in his gaze. "Yes, it would be far too dangerous to let you roam free as you are, mi bella," he purred, his hand skimming up the side of her body before gently clasping Riel's neck in his palm.
"Oh?" Riel teased, a small lift to the corners of her mouth despite the serious look she held.
"Forgive me, mi bella, but I simply cannot let others so unworthy of you gaze upon your naked flesh. Such thoughts that would arise in their minds…" Zevran paused, letting his thumb trail across Riel's bottom lip. "You would make even the most ardent of Chantry brothers wanton with lust. Something that I simply cannot abide by."
Riel smiled bashfully as she wrapped the blanket around herself. "And why would that be, ser elf?"
Zevran lifted her chin so her eyes once more met his. His amber eyes burned with lust and deep, unending love. After pausing for moment, Zevran leaned in close to her, his lips grazing the edges of her ear. "Because, emma lath, you're mine…" he purred deeply, sending shivers down Riel's body.
Riel jumped slightly when she felt his hands move to the edges of the blanket she held, where they quickly tied a secure knot, binding the fabric to her body. This time when he looked at her, his eyes no longer held the same desire and lust in them. Instead they looked said, almost regretful as they gazed on her. The look remained, even as he smiled warmly down at her.
"Come mi bella, let us see to your bath. There is a fresh stream not too far from here, just beyond the Dalish camp." Zevran took her hand in his and led her from the araval, barely taking his eyes from her as he guided her.
They were silent as they walked, Riel smiling shyly at the Dalish elves she had met or recognized from before. And the whole while, Zevran kept his arms protectively - possessively - around Riel's waist. Such an action should have bothered Riel, yet she found herself thankful for his closeness, enjoying the feeling of safety that she felt with his arm around her.
This is right... she mused silently to herself. To have him beside her like this was more than just merely welcome in her mind. It was needed. After so much that had happened recently, she needed to feel the security in his touch. It helped ground her and allowed her to face the questioning looks of the other elves as they passed.
This is wrong… Zevran cursed to himself. He hated how he had let his own baser desires to once again go against the promises he had made to his Riel. Even now, with his arm wrapped tightly around her waist - a silent declaration to all who witnessed it that the woman beside him was his. An action compounding his earlier mistake into something beyond what he could easily apologize for. Yet what words would be sufficient, while at the same time not committing a lie?
In his heart, there was no denying the claim he had placed on the woman beside him. A claim to not just her love, but to her mind and body as well. A claim that he had sworn to never commit. For too long others had placed claims on her, and Zevran had never wanted to be one of those who had committed such a crime. In his mind, she was to always remain free. And yet here he was, declaring plainly that she was his. And not only making such a claim to her, but to all who looked upon them.
How was he any better than the people of her past?
I am such a bastard… Zevran cursed to himself. Yet still he held tight to Riel, guiding her past the the curious looks of the others. Past the aravals, and the playing children until they reached the edge of the camp and towards the soft sounds of rushing water.
Riel gasped as she looked on the stream they came too. "Zevran! It's beautiful!"
Surrounded by ancient tall trees heavy with the green leaves of summer, the babbling stream was several feet wide and looked deep enough in the center to come at least waist high. Up above the sky was clear, shining down warm rays, while a soft breeze blew occasionally, lifting Riel's hair free from her slender shoulders. With sporadic rocks along the edge of the water and within the stream itself, it looked almost idyllic in the early midday sun.
Zevran watched in breathless wonder as Riel smiled up at him. There has never been a woman so lovely or beautiful as she was. She was his perfection, his paradise. And when she smiled so fully, with the wind in her midnight hair and the sun touching her ivory skin, she became something out of legend. A goddess of exquisite beauty, capable of charming even the stoutest of clergy to temptation.
And even though he knew that he shouldn't, there was no denying the roaring part of his soul that wished to claim her as his alone. And therein laid his inner struggle. Between what he wanted - what he knew that he should want - and what he desired. What he knew that he already did want. What he craved. And Zevran knew that even if she denied him, he would spend the rest of his days never finding love or devotion like he felt with her. He was tied to by invisible chains. From the first moment he saw her, he was lost.
Even if the gods one day decreed that she would never be his, Zevran knew that he would forever be hers.
"Come, mi bella… Let me free you from the dirt that sullies your piel hermosa…" he purred, taking her hand in his and guiding her to the stream.
Riel blushed as she walked after him, suddenly feeling uncertain of herself. Which was strange, considering how close they had become over these past few months. They had shared so much, and yet the look he gave to her then was one that never failed to cause her breath to quicken and her heart to beat harder. Part amazement, part love, and wholly erotic, he was everything she never she knew that she wanted. Never dreamed that she would ever want.
With golden hair that was braided at the temples, the ends lightly teasing his sun kissed bronzed shoulders. He wasn't overly muscular like many men Riel had seen. Instead his muscles were lithe with hidden power, coiled and refined, ready to strike should he need to. Standing by his side, Riel's forehead would brush against his lips, tempting a kiss from his far too soft lips.
To her, the Antivan assassin was everything. Savior. Protector. Lover. Friend. Companion. A man who wielded death so easily, had given her a life that she never thought possible. One filled with hope. With promise. And with boundless love.
"Zevran, there is something I need to tell you…"
Zevran covered her lips with his finger. "Shh, mi bella. It can wait. Please, let me tend to you," he murmured, his eyes casting sad shadows despite the smile on his lips.
Slowly Zevran led her over to the stream and guided her into the water. The warm summer sun had warmed the stream, easing the shock of the water against her skin. Carefully he brought her to a large stone sticking out of the water, and with a swift motion had lifted her and placed her atop of it. The warm water came to just under her knees even as she sat aloft on the rock, causing the small waves that rushed by to lightly tickle.
SIlently he reached into his side pack and pulled out a cloth, then rinsed it out in the water. "You know," he began, his eyes on the cloth in his hands. "I have taken to carrying two cloths in my pack. One for wiping down my blades, or used for various cleaning…" Zevran paused as he lifted up one of Riel's legs and began to lovingly run the cloth along it. "And another one, softer and smoother than the other. This one never touches my blades, or is used carelessly. For it handles something far more precious. Something that is both delicate, yet as strong as iron. A treasure…" Zevran's voice slightly broke as he whispered the last word. Yet still he kept his eyes on his work, watching with sad eyes as he brought the cloth against her skin.
From her feet, up to her knees, and higher up her thighs while still avoiding the juncture between them. When one leg was free of dirt and dried blood, Zevran bent down and placed a kiss just above her knee. Then he went to the other leg, following similar motions as the first. Regretfully, he wished he had brought some soap with him to wash her properly. Yet this would have to do, and he hoped that it would be enough. Prayed that it would be.
"Zevran… I-"
"Please, mi bella… Let me say this. Or I fear that I never shall…" he sighed, still holding her leg in his hand. Rinsing out the cloth, he then lifted her arm and set to work removing the dirt from there as well. "I know that you have been through much. Even in the short time that I have known you, you have suffered. Things beyond mentioning… Things that I blame myself for…" Zevran's voice hardened as he spoke, his brow furrowing in anger as his memory again tormented him. As he finished wiping down her arm, he placed a soft kiss to the back of her palm and then switched sides. "I have broken many promises to you. This I know. And I know that I am far from worthy for you, my failures only making it more so. I am a weapon. A tool to be used. Expendable. Disgardable. And when I can no longer uphold my use or fulfill the promises of my intent, I should be tossed away."
Riel watched in tears as Zevran lifted her hand to his lips and placed a kiss against the back of her palm. She turned her hand over and placed it on his cheek, bringing his eyes finally to her own. "Zevran…"
"I have failed you, mi bella. But I promise you… I swear on everything that I am, that if you keep this child, I will love both you and it like no other. I know that I cannot force you. And if you choose otherwise, I will you love you no less. I will be by your side through whatever you choose…. But please... Human or elf, I will love this child as my own. Please, give me the chance to show you that."
Riel sat speechless, her heart both breaking and swelling at the same time for the man before her. Silently she took the cloth from his hands and used to wipe the tears from his face. Zevran closed his eyes and turned his head into her touch, kissing the inside of her wrist as she wiped his face clean.
"Zevran… I think you'll make a wonderful father…" Riel whispered, her own voice breaking.
He eyes snapped to hers, a look of surprise on his face, shifting to first to joy then to confusion in rapid flickers. "Do you mean…?"
Riel nodded her head, tears falling down her cheeks. "I'm keeping it. Our child. And you will be the father."
Zevran shouted out in joy as he wrapped his arms around Riel and lifted her from the rock that she sat on. With his face buried in her neck he twirled her around, Antivan phrases of love spilling forth from his lips. Riel giggled as she held on to him, her feet kicking up a splash of water as he swung her around.
"I'm going to be a father!" Zevran joyfully exclaimed loudly, the sound echoing against the trees and sending several birds to flight. Carefully he sat Riel down again before kissing her deeply. Joy quickly turned to passion as he leaned into her, with his hands moving to the tie that held the blanket to her body. With a quick pull he undid the knot, revealing her body to him as the blanket fell away. Wasting no time, Zevran's hand moved to her breasts, cupping them in his palm while his other arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her tightly against him.
Suddenly Zevran tensed and broke contact with Riel, his hand grabbing one of the daggers at his back and pulling it free. Leaving Riel's embrace, he stood and leveled the blade at the intruder, using his body to shield her own.
"You're pregnant?!" Alistair shouted, his face mottled and red from both anger and exertion.
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Vhenan'ara