And so, my rewrite begins! Whilst it may seem odd to revamp something that is still in relatively early stages, I've been gone from this for so long that my writing style has changed quite dramatically (at least, I like to think so). So I decided that, if I went back through all of the chapters and improved them, not only would the story be better, but I'd also get firmly back into the flow. Given the fast-approaching release of Dragon Age: Inquisition, I think this will be the perfect way to channel some of my excitement!

So, here we go :)

Please do leave a review if you feel so inclined. Also, feel free to talk to me over on Tumblr! I'm always overjoyed to speak to more Dragon Age fans :) My url is mistressinsilk. Drop me a message and I will be your best friend for life ;) Just... be warned; it's hard to get rid of me afterwards.


Her first memory was of a sad day. All she could remember of her birth clan was being taken away from them. Safety and happiness brought to an end by tragedy and despair. It seemed fitting that most of her life would follow the same pattern.

If she had known that being in command of magic would tear her family apart, she would have hidden it. If she had been old enough to understand the horror of being given away to another clan, like nothing more than a tool, she would have tried her hardest to repress the power that naturally flowed through her. She would have done anything to stay.

But she was a child. Just an innocent child who had found that she could make a budding plant bloom at will and create light in the palm of her tiny hand. She had thought it great fun, something beautiful and wondrous. She could almost hear the sound of her own babyish giggling as she bounded into her parents' aravel, glowing from happiness. Literally glowing. She remembered seeing the panic in her father's eyes, feeling the light dissipate as he ran for the door, remembered her mother's hysterical tears as she picked her up and held her in an almost crushing hug.

For a child of such a young age to feel fear so profound...

'I don't understand. You can't take her away! I'm her mother!'

'I have to. It is how things are done. You know this. It is the duty of each of us, to give of ourselves for our people. She will provide others with safety and security.'

'No, please! I beg you, Keeper. Please don't do this!'

'Your daughter has been granted a most magnificent gift, from the Gods themselves and it is her duty to help her fellow Elvhen. It has been decided that she could do so better if she were to be given to another clan.'

'But, she is just a child, Keeper. There must be another way. Mythal, please! '

'We of the Alerion have been blessed with a number of these uniquely talented individuals, but the Sabrae clan has none save for their Keeper. Your daughter has been chosen to aid them in their distress and you should be proud. One day she will lead her own clan.'

'I don't want a leader; I want my daughter! She is not old enough. Please, don't take her away from me.'

'I am sorry. At the end of the next Arlathvhen, your daughter will join her new clan, in Fereldan.'

'No!'

But…this is my family. My home. Please, I don't want to go. Why won't you listen to me? I don't want to leave! She wanted nothing more than to voice her fear, but the sentiments were too mature, too difficult for a child to comprehend. All she could do was cry and cling to her mother. They had to drag her away in the end, screaming and crying, her throat raw and her breath ragged.

'Dareth shiral, Merrill. Ma'arlath, my beautiful girl.'

Mother…