A/N: Hey guys, I know its been a while since I wrote anything…This has been rattling around in my head for a while, and then all of the sudden during work today it all came crashing on me and I wanted something to write on so bad. D: But now I'm home, so here I go!

Insert disclaimer here

The ruins in the Brecilian Forest were dark, damp, and cold. Very little sunlight shone through the shallow cracks in the walls, and as the party descended deeper, none at all. Ashlyn had let Leliana lead them through, as there were many traps set up in their path that the rogue would be able to sense easier. The Warden's ankle was still sore from the last one she'd stepped into, and she didn't fancy finding another the same way.

She brushed a strand of red hair that had escaped from her long braid out of her face and changed her grip on the staff she held. She had given up on putting it away. It seemed that every time she did, a new group of skeletons or werewolves would suddenly appear and attack them. In fact, she thought to herself, maybe if I just keep my staff out the whole time, we won't get attacked again before we reach the –

Before she could finish that that thought, she heard a short howl and then five werewolves rounded the corner, accompanied by a small number of skeletons.

There was a collective groan from the whole party, but they reluctantly drew their weapons and started the umpteenth battle of the night. They were taking longer and longer as the evening wore on, and Ashlyn was beginning to wonder if this was the wolves' plan: to tire them out until they couldn't fight at all, and attack them with a final large force when they collapsed.

When the battle was finally over, they all sheathed their weapons once more, including Ashlyn; her arms were getting rather sore. She and Alistair shared a worried glance, unsure if they were going to make it all the way to wherever Witherfang was hiding. And Ashlyn wasn't entirely sure they even should. Something about was Zathrian had told them was…off. She couldn't put her finger on it, but she got the feeling he wasn't telling her everything. What he'd said about his family she knew was true. The pain in his eyes was enough to verify that. But something wasn't right. She didn't know if it was the magic in her blood tipping her off, or just a general talent for reading people, but she knew they were going to find something unexpected down in these ruins.

Wynne healed what she could of their various injuries, but mentioned that they needed more health poultices and injury kits if they expected to win many more of these battles. Ashlyn had noticed that herself, and now was making a thorough search of each room they passed. It slowed their progress, but gave them some more time to heal, and she did manage to find a few forgotten poultices and injury kits tucked away in corners and chests. She even scavenged a couple lyrium potions for herself and Wynne.

Still though, they needed many more than they had, and she was sighing after an unsuccessful search through a broken chest, when she noticed something red and glimmering near a rotting shelf. Curious she neared and examined it.

It was some kind of old artifact with a red gem in it – and judging by the dust covering it, along with the cobweb stretching from it to the bottom shelf, it was very old. She pointed it out to the others who all agreed there was probably magic involved, and Alistair mentioned he thought he could see blood in it, and was curious as to why it wasn't dried up. Ashlyn nodded her approval – even without touching it she could feel magic pulsating from it. She cast a curious eye at the gem which seemed to be glowing slightly. She wasn't sure if it was completely safe, but took a chance and hesitantly touched the red stone.

A surprised smile touched her lips at the warmth emanating from it, but was immediately followed by a short gasp as images flooded her mind. She heard Alistair move towards her and held her hand up to stop him.

Ashlyn closed her eyes as the images washed over her, some that were clear and glowing, others that were vague, and others still that were clouded by madness and panic. They were memories, she realized after a moment, and that was when she sensed…someone else. A presence, some other mind not her own.

The presence now joined with her mind flinched in fear and attempted to retreat, but found itself trapped in Ashlyn's own mind, unable to escape. Fear and anger warred within it, a panic rising.

"Wait!"Ashlyn looked back at the rest of her party as she removed her hand from the stone, who were now looking at her strangely. She gave them a brief explanation and left Wynne to continue with the details of spirits and such as she again touched the gem, speaking silently, in her mind now. Once she felt the frightened mind again, she said I'm sorry…I was just curious. I didn't mean to frighten you. She tried to express a feeling of regret and honesty as well to it, though she wasn't sure if that was even possible. It seemed to work however – she felt the panic recede and an equal, hesitant curiosity come from the strange mind. More memories flitted through Ashlyn's mind. The presence had been here for so long – it felt as if it was broken, and could never be repaired. It had found a way to sleep somewhat, to go into a slightly unconscious state, but that couldn't stop the loneliness, or the endless silence, the maddening sound of nothing and no one. But still, it recalled vaguely that it was an elf – a mage like herself. Ashlyn guessed that this was its way of introducing itself, and with a small smile showed it some of her memories as well. A few images of her laughing with Jowan in the circle, her eagerness for freedom, and her more recent memories of becoming a Warden, and the Blight. For good measure, she showed it what she looked like, and told it her name.

The Presence paused, and she sensed…surprise from it. And confusion. More memories flowed through her mind now, though she didn't think it was giving them to her purposely. It was as though they were being forcibly pulled from the recesses of its mind, images he had not been able to recall before. Laughing in a field at a forgotten joke…comforting words to a sad friend…a soft smile for the woman he loved…a desperation to find something…and pain. So much pain.

Pain that was now Ashlyn's. It hurt her heart, and she found herself unable to move away. The gem was burning her fingers. The pain was now in her head, and it grew, and grew, until she screamed, and vaguely heard the others cry out for her as she fell. She hit the ground with a sharp crack! and her vision went dark.

A/N: Short chapter, I know. It needed to end here. I'll try to get the next chapter uploaded tonight and tomorrow. Tell me what you think please! Reviews help more than you know!

By the way, if you guys have any suggestions for a better title, please offer them. D:h