Author's note :

Hi :) This is my first story I've written in many years. I just recently got inspired to write one when I was submitting an OC character idea that I randomly came up with, Ghilan/Nyx, for a story I've been reading in this site. It was for 'Healer' by Sarcasmandcynicism. At first I just had a simple charcter idea with a small background story. But then I started getting more ideas to include in that one thought. It kept bugging me so much that I just started to write them out. Then I thought maybe I can make this into a story. So I wrote it all out. By hand. Yep.

Anyway, so this whole idea has been floating in my head now and this is me doing something with it.

This will probably be a two part thing. So this is the first chapter of part 1.

And anything Bioware belongs to them. Except the OC''s, they're mine. :P

And you may notice that I used some names from other sources. Just the names though, not the actual character.

It may suck ... just a warning ...

(Elven in Italics)

CH 1: Deep End ...

- Deep End by Birdy

"What are we going to do?"San hissed at her husband. "What are we going to do?! In a few years time Ghilan will have to undergo the process of obtaining these!" She pointed harshly at her face indicating the intricate slave markings. Clearly on the verge of being hysterical.

"Let me think woman!" Her husband Liev urged.

San began her pacing in the main room of their small hovel again. Both parents are owned by the huntress Andruil, and when they bore Ghilan they were expected, like all others, to have their children undergo the process of obtaining the markings of the noble they served when those children became of age.

"We can't let her have her Liev! Please, we must think of something!"

"I know!"

San fisted at her hair, trying to contain her panic. "You barley managed to get out of her sick games because she was called into council", defiance coated her words, "I will not risk that of our daughter."

"I wouldn't either, San. I would never let that happen."

"Then what will we do? Three more years! Three more is all she has left Liev. We can't ... we can't ."

San stopped her pacing and whispered those last words as she stood at the door leading to Ghilan's sleeping form.

A thousand thoughts raced through Liev's mind as his wife weeps for a child they fear that they cannot save.

The screams and howls are what had awoke Ghilan. She quickly dawned her shawl and went straight out of her room, opening her door to find that her parents were rushing out as well. No doubt the wails were what awoken them too. A questioning look to her parents and she saw the same confusion that she felt. Ghilan reached their door leading to the outside first and she opened it to the rising sound of wails and sobs, followed by broken words.

"She's killed my boy!"

As soon as the words were out of the woman's mouth San and Liev froze. Ghilan opened the door wider, revealing a gruesome site. Her eyes widened, face paling. Shaking himself from his mind, Liev noticed his daughter's face. Taken over by panic he wretched Ghilan away and slammed the door shut.

Ghilan just stood there motionless. Eyes still fixed on the door as if she could see through it. She ... had heard about these events, but has never seen anything related. And now with the image forever burned into her mind, she will never forget. The woman she had seen is a neighbour of theirs. She was knelt in the dirt, sobbing with her head turned up to the heavens, a boy, a few years older than Ghilan, in her arms unmoving. Blood had dried around his mouth and puncture wounds. The wounds were deep, various in sizes. Some like holes left by arrows, other lacerations by near misses. Andruil and her sick games. Ghilan's eyes hardened and fists clenched. Andruil, the so called 'Goddess of the Hunt'. The one who was gifted with being the most talented hunter. People were in reverence over he skills. Prayed to her, asked to be blessed that their hunts would be fruitful. She loved her games though. She'd hunt various animals for various reasons. Sometimes she'd just hunt for the fun of it. She'd hunt; bears, goats, rabbits, wolves, and ... other elven. She used her own servants as her game. Her hunt. Her prey.

Later, when San and Liev had gone to comfort the women they were told what had happened. The woman awoke that morning to do her usual tasks for the day when Andruil and requested her to clear the hunt area for another game. She went out, throwing the carcasses into a crate. This would be what they would use for meals for Andruil. The woman had finally came across the corpses of the other elves. This wasn't a surprise to her, however what was though was that she had stumbled upon the corpse of her beloved son. Her blood gone cold and her skin white. She dropped to the ground as did her heart. She lost all sense, all caring for anything else but what lay at her knees. She saw that the blood had darkened and crusted. He – he had been dead a while, most likely died overnight. He worked through the nights, so she didn't suspect ... this. She plucked out the arrows from his body and carried it back towards their living grounds. The other slaves around her paid her no mind. They numbly continued her work for her. They had all seen it happen before. Some of them had gone through that pain.

After San and Liev had come back from comforting the grieving woman they stood, back in their hovel. San's eyes downcast, hopeless. Liev's on his daughter, hands clenched into fists. And Ghilan who stood still with shock.

It wasn't until the knock on the door that time had seemed to resume. Liev made the fist move and opened it up to find his good friend, Niel, who stood at the door way bearing supplies.

"Another one?" Niel asked.

Liev merely nodded.

"I'm sorry." Niel glanced at San and Ghilan gathering the items off his cart that they had purchased from him.

"I am too." Liev replied while taking out money to pay his friend.

"Hey, I'm going to be heading south soon after. Did you need me to pick up something for you and your family while I'm there? I'll give you a discount, since we're good friends. What about the salve your wife likes? The one for her feet. I could also ..."

In all honesty Liev's mind had wondered after hearing his friend mentioning about traveling south. He came to realize that Niel is constantly traveling, never in one place for too long. He had it. It was insane and there would be terrifying consequences if – no – when they were found out. But for Ghilan, their daughter, anything.

"What do you say friend? You look like ..."

"Niel!"

"I – umm – yes, Liev?" Niel stuttered, surprised by Liev's sudden outburst.

"I've got a proposition for you. Walk with me a bit would you, my friend."

They stepped out of their little yard of their hovel and started walking at a leisure pace. Keeping voices low enough.

"Take Ghilan with you Neil." Was all Liev said.

Neil had come to an abrupt halt, stunned beyond measure. "What!?"

Liev gestured with his hands for Neil to keep his voice down. "Take Ghilan with you, my friend. Take her away from here, from Arlathan, and away from Andruil and these so called pompous Gods. Please, my friend. She is able to work, she can help you. Please, San and I cannot bear to loose her, especially to Andruil." Liev was heartbeats away from getting in his knees. He felt as if Neil was their daughter's only shot at escaping.

Neil was still utterly stunned. He looked into his friend's eyes and saw something that pained him to see. Here was this man, tougher than any other man Neil knew, with no other hope for his daughter's escape but the one Liev was begging Neil to grant. He would give up the chance to see his daughter of 13 years of age reach her adult hood. Her father and mother would give up the chance to witness their daughter grow into a beautiful women. And in return they are sacrificing themselves. They are beyond desperate.

"Alright." Neil spoke softly. "But we must do this at night fall, preferably. We wouldn't want to cause suspicion."

Liev's eyes shone with relief and tears trying to force their way out.

"Thank you, my friend!"

Neil shook his head and added solemnly, "I hope you got a mighty fine plan my friend."

"Come then. Let us go back to my place. We shall speak more there, over dinner."

It was slightly after dusk. The sun was beginning to set and Ghilan had gone to wash their linens in the wash basin located at the back of their hovel.

San, Liev, and Neil had gathered around the dining table, hatching their plan.

"San and I will have a burial. The women from earlier today just buried her sons body. The plan is for the two of us to sneak in the burial grounds and dig up the boy's body. San will pour oil over it and set it aflame with fire so hot that it would burn the body beyond recognition. Then we will bury it and we will say that Ghilan had perished due to a horrific accident. Andruil will hear of it indirectly somehow. When she summons for Ghilan to receive the marks we will offer up the same lie."

"Wait! You think that Andruil will actually believe that?" Neil asked with concern.

"No we don't." San spoke up, "Our belief is that you and Ghilan will be far from here, out of her reach, out of all their reaches by then."

Neil shook his head, not really believing what he was hearing. They would ... He spoke gravely, "You know you two will die for this."

"We will die for our daughter, yes." San looked into Neil's eyes with rebellious acceptance, reaching for Liev's hand and clutching it within hers.

"All right then. As you wish my friends. Let us do this now then."

Ghilan had finished the wash and was on her way back inside. She came upon the site of seeing her parents and Neil awaiting her by Neil's carriage.

"What's going on?"

"You are going to go with Neil now, child. You will go and help him with his work."

Ghilan worried her hands at the basket she carried. "Mammae, I don't understand."

"Ghilan, my child. You know of how Andruil is. Of what that woman you saw earlier today went though due to her son. Please, Ghilan. Do this for us."

Ghilan realized as to what they were doing. They were sending her away. She slammed the basket down on the ground at her feet as her anger flared. Not at her parents, specifically. No. Her anger was more directed towards Andruil.

"No. I will not leave you here alone. I want to stay! I'll be strong, I can help, I can ... "

"Ghilan ..." San started, rubbing her eyes with her palms.

"No!" Ghilan rose her voice.

"GHILAN!" Liev bellowed. His voice become softer as he spoke now that Ghilan had stopped arguing. "Ghilan, my joy. I am honoured, grateful you had emerged. You are a blessing. I am sorry Ghilan that we must part, especially like this. My Ghilan, I am so, so sorry. I ask that you will understand why we are doing this and that you will not be angry with us. We love you Ghilan, never doubt that. You will be safe my child. Now", everyone had tears streaming down their faces, Liev wrapped an around San and gestured with the other to the carriage, "We give you your freedom."

Ghilan broke down and ran to her parent's embrace. Sobbing in their arms.

"Mammae, Pappae. I will go. I am so – sorry. I love y-you and I am sorry. I love you Mammae, Pappae. I will never forget you and what you've done for me. I love you."

They stayed like that for some time until Neil spoke up. "I'm sorry, but we – ahem- we should get going before the sunrise." His voice was hoarse with emotion.

And with that Ghilan trudged toward the carriage and turned back to look at her parents with defeated eyes as they drove away.

News of Ghilan's death had already started to spread shortly mid day the next.

On the way out of Arlathan Neil had to go through the territory of Fen Harel. The Dread Wolf.

"Just stay low and quiet, Ghilan. We will be through shortly."

She nodded her, not that Niel could have seen either way.

Unfortunately, luck wasn't on their side this morning, because who should emerge to stop them. None other than The Dread Wolf himself. "Hello. Might I inquire as to why you have stepped foot onto my lands?"

"I am a merchant, my lord. I was just passing through."

Fen Harel dismissed the use of 'my lord' at the wave of his hand.

"A merchant you say? May I have a look at your wares, my friend?" Fen Harel inquired.

"Oh- um ce-certainly my -oh umm, Sir."

As Fen Harel's roamed the carriage he made his way picking up baubles and potions to inspect then set back down. He came to a stop in front of the window in which Ghilan sat beside.

At this Neil could do nothing but feel nervous and Ghilan, as well, felt the same. They did not want to draw suspicion. They especially did not want to draw out the anger of the feared Dread Wolf.

"Would you be as so kind as to pull back the curtains, my Lady." He spoke in a cool, calm manner.

Ghilan sat there, petrified. But she could hardly refuse. He could use force to get what he wanted and that would cause a scene. A scene in which they didn't want. So ever so slowly she drew them back. She had only caught glimpses of him from a far, never up close. But up close, he was breathtakingly handsome. The sharpness of his jaw line, his angular features, his hair, his slightly coy smile, and – his eyes. Her mismatched icy blue and grey met his steel blue ones and she got lost in them for a split second. She caught herself and blushed.

"He-hello, Sir." She mumbled.

"What is your name young lady?"

"G-Ghilan, Sir." She responded, eyes turned down.

Fen Harel mused., "Aren't you one of Andruil's 'to-be's?"

At this she paled, fumbled for words. However, Fen Harel continued on.

"I had actually heard a rumour mentioning your death, Ghilan."

The way her name sounded from him she would've melted if she didn't feel her blood run cold.

"Sir, please. Let us pass." Neil stepped in.

"And why should I do that? The proper thing to do would be to notify Andruil herself that she has a runaway."

"Because, my Lord," At the use of the phrase Fen Harel quirked an eyebrow, "Please, her parents implored me to get their daughter away from here so she can be safe from Andruil. Please, surely you must know how her cruelty is wielded."

Fen Harel seemed to consider and then spoke, "Lucky for you, I am not particularly found of the idea of slavery, let alone that if Andruil." He studied them and gestured to his lands where the elves roamed about. "As you can see the elves here bear no marks for I claim no ownership of them. That being said, may I offer that Ghilan would stay here? I will guarantee her safety and I can keep Andruil from claiming her."

Shocked by his seriousness of his offer, Niel found it difficult to respond. Ghilan, therefore did it for him.

"Thank you for your generous offer, Fen Harel. However, my parents risked their own to make sure I get away from Andruil. And I will not let their risk go to waste just to move a few ways down the road. I am grateful for your considerate offer, but I must decline."

Neil paled, jaw dropped at her refusal of an offer from Fen Harel.

Ghilan held Fen Harel's gaze. They stared each other down until he slowly started to grin. A corner of his mouth turned upwards.

"Very well, Ghilan. As you wish." He chuckled lightly. "Should you change your mind, you are welcome to come back here, young one."

And with a final nod of thanks Ghilan and Niel took off. Grateful to be closer to the outskirts of Arlathan.

"Hmm. Ghilan. Interesting."Fen Harel mused to himself watching them depart.

"Wow. I would have never expected Fen Harel to be so ... civil." Niel stated, bewilderment coloured his face.

"Yeah ..." Was Ghilan's only reply. Lost in her thoughts.