There was nothing that serving as a Seeker for as many years as she had, didn't prepared her for, she had faced the mage-templar rebellion, the fifth blight, but this moment, she was walking in blind. In the cells under the fort she walked into the cells head held high and a fury in her chest. She was expecting a monster, a demon to be cut down easily, instead Leliana led her to a small child on the floor bound in chains curled up in a ball on the stone cold floor, shivering and covered in blood. They were surrounded by soldiers pointing their blades at him as his right left hand sparked with a green cackle of light.
The Seeker turned towards her friend looking for answers.
"Leliana, what is this?!"
"When the soldiers were looking for the Divine they found this elven child. Apparently he came with an escort from their clan. " The two exchanged a brief silence of discomfort before Cassandra diverted her attention towards the child immediately unlocking the child from the chains. "Once this is over, send me the soldier who believed that chaining up a child would be a good idea." Leliana nodded, signaling the two guards who were standing behind her, they nodded leaving the room.
"Are you unharmed?" The child looked up at her when she spoke, implying that he knew the common tongue. The child had pale blue eyes with bags under from lack of sleep. His unkempt white hair was partly crusted with blood, as well as part of his face that had a dalish elven marking over his right eye. He shivered in fear as he looked up at her, grasping his scarf as it was the only form of comfort for him. The Seeker exchanged a glance with her friend as she slowly reached for his marked hand as once again flashed with green light. The child winced in response to the light, whimpering in pain as the mark sparked with energy.
Leliana placed a hand on her friend's shoulders, as the child held his arm close to his chest in fear.
"What do you remember from before the explosion?" Cassandra asked gently.
The child's eyes watered as made himself appear smaller as he held his head down. His voice wavered as he was trying to hold back his tears trying to speak.
"It's alright. You don't have to speak up now." Cassandra tried to reassure the child, but another shock wave forced her to act. "Go forward to the camp Leliana, I will take him to the rift."
Leliana nodded in response, warily looking at the child before walking out.
"I understand you are terribly frightened, and you may not trust humans, but we need your help. Can you walk?"
The young elf shook his head, still shaking in fear.
The Seeker sighed as she reached out her hand to help him. The elf hesitantly reached for her hand as she helped lift him to his feet. At first his legs wobbled like a newborn deer, but clutched Cassandra's hand as the gained his footing.
"Is it okay if I carry you?" She asked gently.
The child hesitated for a few seconds before nodding and lifted his arms. A pang of sympathy clutched her heart as she picked him up, getting a better look she saw that he and a splash of light freckles that sat over his nose and cheeks, though faded against his pale skin. The young elf rested his head against her shoulder, wrapping his arms around her neck, she noted that he seemed too light, too... fragile.
She carried the young elf outside as snow started to fall. It was unpleasant as she felt the child wince at the bright light, and a revelation of confusion as he looked at the tear of green light in the sky as he lifted his head to look at his surroundings.
"We call it the "Breach", It's a massive rift into the world of demons that grows larger with each passing hour. But it is not the only one of it's kind, only the largest." She spoke as they walked towards the mountain path. "Unless we act, it will keep growing until it swallows the world.
There was another explosion from the Breach as the child screamed in pain in response to his mark. He clutched it close as he whimpered.
"Every time the Breach expands, your mark spreads, and it will kill you." There was no time to coddle this child, but every time he looked at her a pain stabbed her heart. "You mark may be the key to stopping the breach, but there isn't much time, do you understand?"
The elf looked down, he chanted something to himself in elven so she couldn't understand. But he looked up at her and stood, nodding once but with uncertainty in his pale blue-grey eyes. It felt terrible, but all she could help but feel... relief. Maker help her, she felt relief that a child with a mark that was slowly killing him agreed to go into the front lines with her, even after her soldiers had treated him terribly. Asking for forgiveness would never make up for this.
That same feeling of guilt returned as she looked at the refugees eyeing her, and the elven child in her arms. It was a mix of anger, confusion, and a few glances of sympathy. The child, though afraid of her, burrowed into her neck as he saw the amount of people glaring at him, many of them soldiers.
"They have decided your guild…they need it. When the explosion happened it took our most holy, Divine Justinia, head of the Chantry, the conclave was hers. It was a chance for peace between mages and templars. She brought their leaders together, now, they're all dead."
These words felt as though they were for her, if only to simply reaffirm that her most Holy would not return to them.
"We lash out, like the sky, but we must think beyond ourselves, just as she did." The gates opened for them as she walked onto the bridge, more eyes looking at the sight of their Seeker carrying a bloodied child who's face was partially covered with a hood.
"Until the Breach is sealed. Considering the circumstances...you may be left in our care for a while." The words felt sour as she said them, everyone knew Dalish elves belonged in their clans, growing up among their own kind. Yet even if they weren't in need of him, they had no idea which clan he belonged too, at this age, the child himself possibly couldn't answer that question himself.
They had walked passed the first checkpoint and were on their way to Leliana. The child said nothing as they ascended the slope of the mountain further, the young elf began to shake as he was shivering against the cold. The Seeker had nothing to offer him silently cursing herself for not taking a blanket when she had the chance, and could only hope that Leliana's camp would have something in leau of a blanket for the child.
The breach expanded again as the child screamed in her arms, she had no time to react as it send a spawn of energy flying their way and destroyed the bridge they were walking across. She attempted to cover his head as they fell onto the icy river. When everything stopped spinning, she immediately realized the child was no longer in her arms, he had rolled a few feet in front of her. However, he was already on his knees as she ran to his side, seconds before a demon spawned nearby from the breach.
"Stay behind me!" Cassandra yelled as she drew her weapon, and slashed the demon. More spawned around her as she looked around for the child, now nowhere to be seen. There was little time to think about that as more demons spawned around her.
Easily she cut through them, looking around in fear for the youngling.
"Child?!" she called in place of his name, as she had no inkling of what it was.
Her head turned in the direction of the sound as she saw the small elf crawl out of an empty weapons box.
"Oh, thank the Maker." She sighed in relief, approaching the child to make sure he was okay. She brushed away a few strands of hay that was in his hair but physically was okay. She took another breath.
"Are you unharmed?"
He just nodded. Cassandra placed her sword in the sheathe, but was surprised when the hilt was replaced with a small hand. She looked down at the child who had a sudden interest in the snow beneath his feet. She gently clasped his hand and left them both towards the Breach.
Seeing Varric was an unwelcome surprise, the dwarven rouge was shooting demons near Solas, the child had already hidden himself behind the ruins during the battle, running back to her side. Solas knelt down to the child's side, grabbing his arm and closed the breach rift that was in front of them.
"How did you do that?" Cassandra asked as the child went back to her side and hid behind her looking warily at the new faces.
"I did nothing, it was his mark." Solas gestured towards the child who tried to hide himself more at the mention of him.
Varric placed Bianca on his back looking down at the child who was a few feet shorter than him. "So we're bringing children to the front lines now?"
The Seeker glared at him, "We both know that if there were any other option-"
"I know I know, Seeker. But still." Varric's expression softened into a gentle smile, waving at the elf. "Ever see a dwarf before?"
The child looked at him warily, shaking his head.
Varric chuckled, "Bet you're surprised that you're seeing one above ground. Some of us dwarves don't live underground, it gets dull looking at rocks all day."
The child giggled at his comment, making Varric smile at his small victory.
"This is Varric." Cassandra said looking at Dwarf with a glare before turning away.
In response, Varric half smiled "She forget to mention, Rouge, Storyteller, and occasionally, un-welcome tag along." winking as the Seeker grunted in displeasure.
The young elf child eyed his bow in curiosity, which Varric caught him looking at.
"Don't let her catch you spying that that, Bianca's very sensitive." Varric playfully said, as the young elf tried to hide himself further at the though of a bow that could be alive. "We've been through alot together, she's great company here is the valley."
Cassandra turned back towards him with a face of displeasure. "Your help is appreciated Varric however-"
"Have you been in the valley Seeker? Your soldiers aren't in control anymore, you need me. Especially, with the kid here."
Cassandra sighed before walking off ahead of them to check for more demons. "Stay with Varric." She said to the elf child. And in response he looked warily at the two he was stuck with, choosing to scamper over to the funny dwarf man instead of the strange elf who knelt down to his level. He held a smile, however his eyes held a grim expression.
*"Aneth ara Da'len, Ir Solas."
The child nodded, now fully hiding behind Varric as he did not know who this strange elf was.
"You have nothing to fear little one, I am pleased to see that you are well."
The young elf looked over him once, not finding any distinctive markings on his face or clothes. "I am from no Clan, not all Elves are Dalish little one." The child hid himself more at that answer seeing that this elf had nothing in common with him, and had somehow read hid mind.
"Don't be too mean to Solas over here, he's the reason you're alive now." Varric lightly joked.
"Cassandra, you should know, this is magic even I have not seen, magical potential regardless. However that mark on the child's hand may be the key to closing the breach."
"Understood." Cassandra looked back at the child standing next to Varric. "Keep close little one." and she marched ahead with Solas following.
The child looked up at Varric who simply shrugged his shoulders at him. "Well, Bianca's excited." he walked forward with the child near him who was now curiously looking at Bianca with fascination. "She also says not to worry, because we'll keep you safe." Varric promised as he ruffled the young elf's hair.
"Ah, here they come." A man's voice boomed at Cassandra approached him with the rest of the party behind her.
"You made it," Leliana said in relief as she walked forward. "Chancellor Roderick, this is-"
"I know who he is." Roderick looked directly at the child, who shuffled closer to Varric, fearful of this new person.
"As grand Chancellor of the Chantry, I command you to take this criminal to Val Royex to face execution."
Roderick didn't even have to finish his sentence for Cassandra's brow to furrow in anger. There would be no use arguing with this man at the fact the "criminal" he spoke of was a child, she knew this man too well.
"Order me? You are a glorified clerk, a bureaucrat."
"And you are a thug," He retorted. "but a thug who supposedly serves the Chantry."
"We serve the most holy, Chancellor, as you well know." Leliana reminded him gently, but she stood next to Cassandra as she said that.
"Justinia is dead! We must elect her replacement and obey her orders on the matter."
"So no ones in charge?" Varric asked.
"No, because this child killed everyone in charge!"
The tone of his voice send the young elf behind Varric in a second as the Dwarf and Solas stood in front of him protectively.
"Call a retreat Seeker, our position here is hopeless." Roderick commanded, sighing in response to the sudden following the marked child had gained.
"We can stop this before it's too late." Cassandra responded, resting her hands on the table.
"How? You won't survive to the temple even with all your soldiers."
"We must get the temple, it's the quickest route."
"But not the safest, our forces can charge as a distraction while we go through the mountains."
"We lost contact with an entire squad on that path it's too risky."
"Listen to me, abandon this now, before more lives are lost."
The breach rippled energy again, and in response the young elf's mark lit, this time there was no pain, however it did flinch in response.
"Shouldn't the kid get a say?" Varric offered as the young elf clung to his coat.
"He's a child Varric." Cassandra said. "We can't protect him and ourselves at the same time.
"It's his life we're suppose to be protecting, plus if he came this far virtually unscathed, maybe we're not giving him enough credit." The Dwarf said resting his hand on the young elf's head.
The path up was hard, against the demons and the trek up. A few times they had to carry the child as he couldn't always keep up. But during battle he hid himself well and away from the demons. As they approached the temple, Varric was holding the young elf as the trek became steeper.
"Cassandra, you managed to close the rift, well done." Cullen walked up to her sheathing his weapon.
"Do not thank me commander, this is the prisoners doing." Cassandra nodded in greeting.
"Is it? I hope they're right about you..." His words faded as he saw the child nearby Varric, holding his hand. "we've lost people getting you here." the young elf held Varric's hand tighter at the Commander's words, now slightly fearful that the Commander would yell at him as well. Previously, he had simply pointed towards the route that had contained the missing group of soldiers when confronted with a decision.
"The way to the temple should be clear, Leliana will try to meet you there."
"Then we'd best move quickly, give us time Commander." Cassandra requested as she marched them ahead.
"Maker watch over you, for all our sakes." He ran to join his soldiers leaving them alone to face the breach.
As it drew closer there was a ledge that they had to jump down.
"Up we go." Varric said as he took the young elf in his arms as he followed the party down towards the breach. In front of them were only ruins and the charred corpses of people's skeletons.
"Eyes shut kiddo." Varric as he rested his other hand on the back of the young elf's head to hide his eyes from the sight. Only giving him the signal to lift his head as the passed the majority of the corpses in the field.
The rift leading to the breach was grand in a terrifying way, but the Breach itself was a nightmare to behold. It stuck fear into all who saw it, all of the solder
"You're here, thank the Maker." Leliana made her way towards them as her men followed behind her.
Cassandra approached. "Leliana have you men take up positions around the temple."
"What about the child?" She asked looking towards the young elf once before her gaze went to Cassandra again.
"We will need to get him as close as possible, that mark is the only way of closing the rift." Solas spoke in leau of the Seeker, but his words held truth.
"Very well, just be careful." Leliana said as she directed her men towards various points of the ditch.
"Varric, do not let the child out out your sights. Not for one second." Cassandra threatened, but not with verbal threats.
The dwarf nodded, letting the young elf down on the ground, "You hear that kiddo? Stay close to the tag along, understand?" The young elf nodded as they approached the rift.
Suddenly, there were voices coming from the rift, images of the past appeared before them. They recognized the divine being held captive against their will, and that there was a shadowy figure approaching her.
"Someone, help me!"
"What's going on here?" Another woman's voice reached through the distortion, the young elf's ears twitched at the tone. They saw a elven woman approach the Divine and shadowy figure in confusion.
"I do not recognize that voice..." Cassandra said to herself, but noticed when the young elf ran forward, looking up at the now image of the Divine and the shadowy figure. There was a dark haired elven woman walking forward in confusion, the Divine looked at her in a panic, "Run while you can! Warn everyone-"
"Neria?!" The young Elf called out, his shrill voice cracking at the sight of the woman he recognized.
"We have an intruder, slay the elves." The voice said and in a second the woman was shot down by a barrage of arrows.
The child screamed in fright as Cassandra quickly gathered him in her arms. "Solas, what are we seeing!?"
"Echos of what happened here, the fade bleeds it, this rift is not sealed but it is closed, albeit temporarily. With the mark, the seal can be opened, and resealed safely. However, opening it will likely attract attention from the other side."
"That means demons, stand ready!" Cassandra's voice echoed out to the other soldiers, as they readied their weapons for an attack.
Cassandra looked down at the young elf, who looked back at her with fear in his eyes.
"Do you think you can open the rift?" The question pained her to ask, but the young elf nodded, lifting his arm out and a connection between his hand and the rift was made, opening it and unleashing a giant demon that cackled upon entering their world. It immediately drew its attention towards her and the child in her arms. the soldiers closer by began attacking it as Varric ran over to her taking the child in his arms.
No instruction needed, he ran towards one of the cliffs where the archers shot from a distance. The dwarf found Leliana shooting at the demon among her men.
"Stay with nightingale here, okay freckles?" Varric tried to smiled reassuringly at the child, but eyed the demon that sent a shock wave through the battle field. He ruffled the child's hair before jumping back down to where the Seeker and Apostale were fighting.
The battle lasted for a while with the demon cackling as he fell in defeat.
"Now! Close the rift!" The child's ears perked at the sound of Cassandra, he looked up to Leliana who was signaling him to approach the rift. The young elf scrambled to his feet standing near to where she was standing and lifted his arm towards the rift. The energy of the rift was once again connected, he flinched as there was a prick of pain as the rift closed and in response a large wave of energy was sent through the battle field as the rift faded. The young elf would've been sent flying back if Leliana caught him in her arms, turning the child away to the bright light that dispersed the rift.
"Leliana!" The archer looked down to where Cassandra was standing, her weapon unsheathed. "How is the child?"
She looked down the child in her arms, eyes closed, but breathing steadily. "It seems the excitement was too much for him! But he is unharmed!"
The Seeker sighed in relief, turning her back towards her and heading towards where her soldiers were injured, hoping to assist.
Leliana looked back at the small child in her arms, picking him up and resting his head on her shoulder, not waiting for her men before walking back towards Haven. One her own she made it in good time, nodding to the occasional soldier and passerby as she made her way to her own personal cabin. She removed his bloodstained tunic and muffler that had previously covered his snow white hair. She cleaned the blood from his hair and face best she could, frowning at his Vallaslin mark, recognizing the symbol of Sylaise over his right eye. She sighed as she pulled the thick blankets over him easily drowning the child in the fabrics. Roderick had already been dealt with, the order of the Inquisition sent to the lords of Thedas. There was much work to be done, but it just as easily fall in a single second...
She didn't realize how long she sat at the child's side until Cassandra walked in.
"The child is still sleeping?" The Seeker asked, looking at the scene.
Leliana nodded. "Considering everything that has come to pass...giving him a chance to rest is the least we can do."
"Cullen and Lady Montilet have already arrived, they are eager to meet with the Herald and begin preparations."
"As they should, however...I cannot help but want to smuggle this youngling away."
"Believe me friend, you are not alone. But without the child our cause is hopeless, have you any success in tracking down his birth clan?"
"Clan Lavellean. I've already sent ahead a letter, but I doubt that they will receive the soldiers of the Inquisition with welcome arms, or take the news that we are keeping one of their own in an encampment very well."
"That is a problem for another time. We must focus on the now so that perhaps we will be able to return the young one to where he belongs. Solas is already at work on an alternative."
Leliana nodded at the information, about to respond when they both heard a sudden intake of breath. She turned towards the child, who opened his eye as was looking at her, then to Cassandra.
"You are awake." She stated.
"Are you well, do you feel any pain?" The Seeker prodded, the concern showing on her face.
The young elf shook his head no, sitting up in the bed.
"Do you think you can tell us your name young one?" Leliana asked gently.
The child looked down at her question, hesitating.
"You have nothing to fear being here young one. But you should know that we have already contacted your clan, it's very possible that you will be going home soon."
The child's eyes widened at the news, his ears twitched once adorably, Leliana couldn't help but crack a smile.
"Young one...is is a matter of importance we should discuss. As said, we have already contacted your clan...but it would be appreciated if you remained with us for the time being..." Cassandra gently said as the child looked up at her with confusion. "The rift has closed, but there is still a matter of closing Breach. And if we gain enough magical power, we have have a fighting chance...but only if you and your mark remain for the time being."
The child's ear's twitched again, his brows furrowed as he looked towards Leliana who hung her head in shame. They were asking the world of a child, even if they sent him back, they still needed his mark. And what if clan didn't care about the matters of the world? The Dalish were always difficult to talk with, not wanting anything to do with human affairs. Would they have to fight to keep this child? Kidnap him if it came down to it? She didn't want to think about it.
"This isn't a choice we are asking you to make now, however we ask that you think about it."
Think about it? About returning home to where his family was? She almost chastised Cassandra for asking that question, but knew that the Seeker was trying to best to talk to a child who they had scared over the course of a few days.
"We have to leave now but there will be a guard outside to protect you." Leliana rose to leave with Cassandra. But in response the young elf rose out the bed, his feet hitting the floor and took Cassandra's hand as if he expected to leave with them.
The two women exchanged a glance. The Seeker knelt down to him, "Young one, if you are still in need of rest you must remain."
The young elf shook his head, gripping Cassandra's hand tighter, wanting to remain by her side.
"I do not think it would be wise for him to leave so quickly." Leliana commented.
The Seeker nodded, sighing once. "If Cullen asks where I am just tell him that I am with the Herald, nothing more."
"Very well, I will see to it that you the young one is undisturbed. Shall I ask Solas or Varric to stop by to check on him?"
Cassandra nodded. "That would be welcome."
With the now Spymaster's departure Cassandra placed the child back into the bed, tucking him in and gently brushing back his bangs. "Rest now young one. I will be here when you awake."
The young elf pouted slightly, as if to say, 'I do not want a nap' but soon drifted off as she began to stroke his hair.
She sighed to herself looking at the child. Silently wishing that they would never have to leave this room.
I wanted to write fluff but i forgot how cut throat dragon age is
*Greetings, Young One. I am Solas."
Elven is hard to translate.
