A/N - Hi! Just realised I deleted all my notes in the re-write process WHOOPS.
So, this is my first fic ever...well...actually written, had lots in my head like everyone does but this is the first I've tried writing out. I'm sure it will be just terrible but it's an experience and so far, actually really enjoyable. Anyway, cause it's my first time I would really appreciate any comments anyone might have - good or bad. I've never written anything so any thoughts would help me hugely and don't worry about hurting my feelings or anything, I have a pretty nasty internal monologue so...probably can't beat her. Anyway, hope you enjoy yourself and I don't make you cringe too much. ONWARDS.
To the south of the village of Redcliffe a group of five elves camped. Ellana Lavellan sat away from the other four sharpening a pair of daggers. This task along with re-stringing her bow gave her a much-needed chance to be alone with her thoughts. None of her companions knew of her past or even her real name. She found it difficult having no one to talk to, no one who truly knew her but it was the only way she knew how to move on and more than that, stay hidden.
Almost a year ago, Ellana had walked away from the Inquisition without a word. She had contemplated for days what she could say but she never found a way to put in to words how she felt. Even if she had, she knew they would never let her go - certainly not alone. She settled for leaving a note that said simply "I cannot go on. Please do not look for me. I am sorry." She knew many would not heed her. She was abandoning her friends, colleagues and the people who needed her but she could not face what they asked. She stole away in the night, travelling to a small, unmarked village to the east of Skyhold. She left everything behind – her weapons, armour, anything that could give her away or remind her of her time with the Inquisition. Out of sight, she picked up the set of plain leathers and supplies she had hidden. She chopped her long silvery hair short and mixed a paste of dye. Black was not the colour she would have chosen but it was the easiest to mix. In her days of contemplation before leaving, she had planned out a backstory for her new self. She thought it best to abandon her Dalish ancestry. Although she could play the part of a simple Dalish hunter well, it was too much of a link to her former self and her lack of Vallaslin would only beg questions. Her arm would already arouse enough suspicion. Black like obsidian with beads of lyrium running through it like veins – it was difficult to ignore. Following the loss of her arm, she had found fighting difficult but the Inquisition still needed her. Without a second thought, her colleagues used the Inquisition's influence to procure her a new one. Tevinter made and attached to her by a renowned mage, it behaved like a normal arm but with significantly reduced feeling. A constant numbing cold emanated through her body from it, painful at times but it did more than she could have expected – she could fight. She opted to hide it beneath a long glove – hidden amongst her supplies. Luckily, few beyond the Inquisition and those that constructed it knew of its existence so she hoped her attempt at concealment would be enough. Once her work was done, she left the village travelling in no particular direction other than away from the life she had built.
"Vala, that's dusk. It's time."
Daman's words pulled Ellana from her thoughts; she had gotten surprisingly used to answering to the name she had chosen for herself. Daman was the leader of this group. All the orders came through him and he saw to it that the five completed them to the letter. Larger than most elves and toughened by life in a city Alienage, he filled the role well.
"The plan is simple. Garith and Lis - you're keeping watch of the area. Keep your eyes and ears open and make sure we go undisturbed."
Garith - a small but formidable Dalish hunter - nodded and moved to stand with Lis. Lisette or Lis as they all called her was a comely, blonde elf. Ellana could not explain why but she had hit it off with her as soon as she joined their group. She had always been the most difficult to lie to. Not because she ever questioned Ellana; even when she managed to accidently see Ellana's arm, she accepted her tame explanation. Being dishonest with Lis did not feel right. Despite having to keep parts of her self locked away, Ellana had tried to share as much as she could with Lis and she had reciprocated.
"Lori, you're watching the house," Daman went on with a nod toward a doe-eyed Dalish girl. "Garith and Lis will report anything potentially dangerous to you and if you think we need to get out of there, you get us out."
Lori smiled and nodded, her auburn hair dancing about her face. "No one is getting in that house," she said with a wicked grin.
Daman approached Ellana. "Vala, you and I are going in to the house. Our orders say we need to get the map and anything else we can carry." He placed a hand on her shoulder. "We are not to harm anyone, especially the old man. The bosses want no attention drawn to this."
Ellana nodded and moved herself carefully away from Daman's hand, uncomfortable with the closeness. She had studied the description of the map extensively. It was one of Lorel's greatest works, completed only recently - a map of all known elven ruins and the locations of those Lorel believed existed but stood unexplored.
"When is Lorel due to return from the banquet?" Ellana queried.
Daman's team undertook comprehensive reconnaissance of the house and its occupant – Ramsey Lorel, an ageing human researcher of everything elven. Lori had managed to use her contacts in Redcliffe castle to discover he was receiving an honour on this night and a banquet was to follow – leaving his home conveniently empty.
"Long after nightfall; we have plenty of time," Daman replied, gruff as always. "Right, Team! Let's get this done quickly and quietly! For Fen'Harel! For the Elvhen!"
When Ellana left the Inquisition, she had no idea what she was going to do with herself. All that she knew for certain was she could not go back. Her Mother had written to her many times asking her to return to the clan but Ellana would never be able to live that life again. She had changed too much and they had stood still. Once she had travelled far enough in to the wilderness, she resumed the life of a hunter she had known before the Inquisition. It was simple, quiet and she had thought it would be enough for her but she had never been more alone. She met Daman and his crew purely by chance. While tracking a deer, a group of bandits had ambushed her. Lori and Garith heard the commotion and came to her aid. When the battle was won, Lori told her about their group and convinced her to meet their leader.
"We fight for something more than just ourselves. We fight for all our people."
That is what Daman had told Ellana. She had thought it typical elven bluster but it did peak her curiosity. Lori spoke of her skill in battle and implored Daman to offer her a place in their group. Ellana felt doubt in the back of her mind but she could not face being alone anymore.
They gave her smaller tasks initially. Daman told her she needed to prove herself. It did not take her long to understand that the group was involved in largely spying and procurement. Often small, simple tasks that only needed the attention of one person whilst others required the combined skills of the entire group. As she got more involved, she began to question whom these items and information were for. It never crossed her mind that this group may be so strongly linked to her past but that was at least partially denial. In hindsight, she felt a fool for not having realised. It was not until after Ellana's first job with the entire team - after she had proven herself - that Daman told her the truth of his words.
"We are all agents of Fen'Harel, like so many of our elven brothers and sisters. He leads us to our former glory. We fight to restore the Elvhen to their rightful place."
The name alone hurt, bringing back memories she had avoided for too long. She wanted to scream at him "Do you even know what that means?!" but she knew she never could. She cared for her new brothers and sisters and she could not be alone again. She had found friends, she had found a purpose and she was not willing to walk away from that. All she had to do was avoid Solas finding her. Fortuitously her group was at the lower end of the organisation - never communicating directly with the upper levels. What Ellana had not considered was herself. She was far from an ordinary foot soldier and someone of her talents could not go unnoticed forever.
It had been almost a year since Ellana had met her companions. Working with them had become second nature. Daman came to value her skills, often making her his right-hand during operations such as this one. Ellana had come to value them as well. With them, the emptiness was less pronounced, the hole left behind no longer all she was. She had come to think of them as brothers and sisters.
When they entered the village there was a bustle of night-time activity. Garith and Lis had already moved in to position and Lori left them across the street from the house. Daman and Ellana approached the back door.
"That's the one. See the padlock? Easy as pie. That Lori does some excellent work," Daman said, a grin of pride brimming across his face.
Lori had thoroughly vetted the property, looking for the best way to get in quickly and quietly. The back door was not overlooked by prying eyes and was kept secure with a simple padlock - much easier to pick than the complex, internal lock on the front door. Daman moved to keep watch as Ellana picked the lock swiftly. Both moved silently inside.
"Where does he keep his notes?" Daman asked, bustling about rather uselessly.
He was a leader unlike any Ellana had known. He planned extensively and to good effect but once his part was played - he never seemed all that interested in the details. Eager to know everything she could before she acted; Ellana lived for the details so she found his lackadaisical attitude bizarre. It was one of the few things she disliked about him, so foreign from what she had come to expect of a man. Even after so long, it still took effort not to sound annoyed.
"Back room - on the desk or in the dresser. Maps are in the cabinet," Ellana replied, thinking back to the information she had memorised and successfully hiding her glare.
They both began searching when a noise and some unwelcome light from the bedroom startled them.
First, they heard spluttering and coughing and then the old man shouted, "Who's there? I can hear you, thieves!"
Daman quickly retreated to the shadows. Ellana was about to follow suit but the thought that this could be their only chance stopped her abruptly. Lorel entered, a walking stick raised as a weapon. His eyes fell on Ellana and a look of confusion washed over him. She was glad they had opted to wear less suspicious clothing instead of their usual leathers.
"Who are you and what are you doing in my house?!" he exclaimed.
Ellana raised her hand slightly. She hoped Lorel would take this as a gesture of submission but she truly meant it to stop Daman from acting rashly.
"I am so sorry sir! I…I…I meant no harm!" she uttered, ensuring to emphasise the stutter.
"I'm calling the guard! You have broken in to my house and you are stealing my research!" Lorel exclaimed, eyes drawn to the papers in disarray.
Ellana summoned tears, trying to seem as small and weak as possible. "No! Please! You can't! The guards will hurt me; they do terrible things to elves! Please! I just wanted to look at your notes!"
The old man's eyes softened noticeably. "Why would you want to do that?"
Ellana had gotten to know Lorel well whilst she watched him over the last couple of weeks. He had been known to care for the elven people beyond his research. When he visited the cities it was rumoured he would visit the Alienages and help in any way he could. She had seen him giving out sweets to local elven children and he used his influence to speak out against injustice. He treated her people with a kindness that is sadly rare amongst humans and she knew she could get him to help her too.
"My mother, she…" she started weakly, still forming a plan in her mind. "She won't tell me anything about my people; she's scared I'll draw more attention to our heritage! She won't let me see any of our old temples and it's all I've ever wanted since I was a child!" Pausing briefly, she let out a pained sound like she might faint from the effort at any moment. It hit its mark beautifully. "I just thought if I could look at your notes and maybe find one then I could go myself and learn. I knew you were out tonight so I thought I wouldn't be hurting anyone. I am so sorry sir! Please don't let the guards hurt me!" A well-placed tear slid down her cheek.
"You have nothing to fear, child," he replied, dropping his make-shift weapon. "The guard will hear nothing from me tonight. Here." He walked over to the cabinet, still coughing and spluttering, and pulled a bound file of notes from its shelves. "Take this with you. Keep it safe and make sure your mother does not find it. I am sorry I cannot do more but all my maps have been taken away to the capital. Those notes should mention some of the more local ruins. You should be able to find one with them."
Ellana tried to hide her disappointment as she spoke, "Thank you so much, sir. I do not know how I can ever repay you for this."
"There is no need. Just be safe if you ever do visit one of those temples. I hope you find what you are looking for, child."
Ellana walked out of the back door and motioned to close it behind her but kept it open a few seconds longer to allow Daman his exit.
"I can't believe that worked! That was the best bit of acting I've ever seen!" Daman jubilantly exclaimed once they were out of earshot of the house.
"He didn't have the map. It's gone for Denerim. We've failed," Ellana said, more to herself than anyone.
"What does it matter? Surely all that is enough." He gestured towards the notes Ellana carried. "And it's not even going to be reported as a theft like we planned! It's like nothing happened!" Daman grabbed her in a hug.
Ellana freed herself, angry at Daman's willingness to accept defeat and at his closeness. It was becoming increasingly apparent that he admired more than just her skills and she had no interest in encouraging him.
"They specified the map. That's what they need, not these," Ellana replied, shaking the notes at him angrily.
He sighed as they reached Lori's vantage point.
"What happened?" she asked, concern at their raised voices written across her expression.
"Lorel was home," Ellana replied earning a slight gasp. "I managed to convince him to give us these…" She handed the notes to Lori. "…but he didn't have the map. He said it has been sent to Denerim."
"To Denerim?! Why?!" Lori exclaimed as Garith and Lis joined the group.
"I don't know and I could hardly ask," Ellana replied with annoyance. "Lorel seemed sick. That must have been the reason he did not attend the banquet tonight. The map was only completed days ago. Maybe…maybe it was always bound for Denerim after tonight…with Lorel. Lorel's sickness must have changed the plan. Maybe there's still time to get the map here in Redcliffe…" Ellana thought aloud.
"You could be right. Maybe it is making the trip under guard, guards only the castle can provide… That would take planning," Lori replied.
"Lori - can you use your contacts in the castle to find out if we're right? We may still be able to do this," Ellana asked determinedly.
Lori looked at Daman, awaiting his agreement. In her determination to complete their plan, Ellana had not realised she had stolen his role. Over the past year, she had tried to conceal or limit some of her skills so as not to arouse suspicion but her desire to succeed had distracted her.
"I guess it's worth a shot," Daman replied, with a dismissive wave of his hand.
They awaited Lori's return back at their camp just outside the village. She returned within the hour to be met by their expectant stares.
"It left shortly after dusk. Lorel was supposed to travel with it in the morning but with him too sick to travel, they decided to leave early. Four guards, a driver and no passengers," Lori told them, thorough to the end.
"Good work. If we hurry, we might catch them in camp. We can still do this!" Ellana replied. She started gathering together what she needed to set out.
"Wait! Wait! We don't even have a plan! We can't just waltz up and ask them to hand it over!" Daman exclaimed.
"It's a carriage in the woods at night. If we attack and take the map everyone will just assume it was bandits. No one will suspect a thing," Ellana retorted but he was still clearly reluctant. She sighed. "We can't return to them empty handed, Daman." She placed a hand slyly on his shoulder. "We can do this. We are the best of the best and I know you would not want them to think otherwise…"
"Alright! Let's get geared up and move out everyone! We have a carriage to catch!" Daman replied, not moving away from her hand.
It had been an exhausting journey but they had managed to reach the carriage before dawn broke. There were double the guards Lori's source had reported. Ellana assumed it was due to the time they had chosen to travel - a wise decision although she thought they would regret not sending more.
"Plan?" Daman asked with a smirk.
Determined not to let Daman's tone annoy her, Ellana addressed the group, "Daman, Lori and myself will head the attack. Garith and Lis - stick to the trees and cover us."
They moved out. Lis and Garith spread apart, covering opposite sides of the camp with bows drawn. Ellana, Lori and Daman snuck up, each choosing a guard to take out. On her signal they leapt from the shadows, each slaying their targets with ease. Two more were taken down by arrows from the darkness. Another died by Daman's blade, too surprised to react. This left Ellana with one guard and another near Lori. Ellana dispatched her opponent quickly but she was broken from concentration by a sharp scream of pain. Another guard had emerged from the carriage, grazing an arrow off Lori's shoulder as she fought. Two arrows thudded in to his chest before he could nock a second arrow. Ellana ran over to Lori.
"It's nothing…just a cut," Lori said. "Took me by surprise."
Ellana was relieved to see she spoke the truth. It would probably need some medical attention but it was nothing severe.
"That's them all," Daman said after making sure all lay defeated. "And we definitely have what we came for."
Ellana crouched through the doorway of the carriage and saw four glass protective cases – a map in each. She could tell from the markings that the one in the centre was the one they needed.
"We take them all. Bandits would not leave anything untouched. Besides, I'm sure the higher ups will be grateful for all they can get," Daman ordered.
They set fire to the carriage with the intention of leaving as little evidence as possible. With their objective finally completed, they left for camp with elusive maps finally in hand.
A/N - This chapter was updated AGAIN on 08/11/17 as apparently, I am never happy.
