This journal was given to me by my friend Merrill to write about my journey as a Grey Warden. It is strange and sad seeing I have to leave the clan to fight alongside humans-but I have to. It is the only way to ensure I survive and it is my duty now, as the Keeper said. I traveled to Ostagar with a Gray Warden named Duncan; I guess I should thank him for saving me but I don't make it habit of myself thanking humans. Should I fall I, hand this journal to my clan so they may learn what has become of me. To tell about this tale, I had best start at the beginning.
It was at the Brecilian forest; I was hunting with my clan mate Tamlen even though I was to be helping master Ilen. I had managed to convince him to let me be with Tamlen-I always enjoy being with him whenever I can. While hunting, a group of humans ran to our direction and almost to the camp! Naturally, we stopped them. But Tamlen being his stubborn self, he thought it would be best to kill them or else the nearby villagers could rally and scare us off or worse. I figured it would be best to discover precisely what they where up to; it's no secret that you don't run towards the Dalish unless you're desperate, want to talk to the Keeper (which rarely happens), or you intend to assault the Clan.
The Shems said they had found a cave with ruins inside. At first, we weren't inclined towards believing them since we know this area-but when they gave us an old tome with Elvish writing and they said they saw some sort of a demon, it couldn't be ignored. We decided to let them go since they would pose no threat; soft, doughy creatures that couldn't hope to pose a fight against us. They ran, and we thought nothing more of it. Tamlen decided that we should check it out, though I thought it best if we tell the Keeper. Despite this, he ran off against my warning, eager to discover if we could see if there was something to tell about first.
We ran into some wolves along the path; apparently they got to a stray Halla. It saddened me, but we continued to move after dispatching the hulking canines. We found the cave and we were both surprised to find that the humans had been speaking the truth- there were Elven artefacts sprinkled through the halls, yet the architecture was human origin, perhaps during the time of Arlathan when we lived with humans. But it was difficult to say; almost all knowledge of that era is gone. When we were there we got ambushed by what seemed to be reanimated skeletons, along with some kind of mirror. We both went up close for a better look, an action I now regret. When Tamlen touched the glass, something happened. I don't know what but I blacked out and Tamlen disappeared.
Two days later I woke up at camp. Duncan, the Gray Warden, carried me back and the Keeper tried to use her magic to 'heal' me .I apparently was ill with something, but no one could tell me what. The Keeper asked me to make hast with Merrill to find Tamlen, but it was clear to me that what happened meant dark spawn where coming. Coupled with the humans in the nearby village becoming tense, I knew we couldn't stay longer. Before I went, I talked to master Ilen for supplies, gathering what knowledge from the keeper and Haren about are past and the Gray wardens. Haren, our Halla keeper was glad that I went to seek her advice, even telling me that the Halla were pleased to see me as well...it reminded me of how one time, when I was little, it was dark and I had thought I would not find the clan-or worse, Shemlin would capture me and force me to do their bidding, such as other Elves must. But suddenly, a Halla came and guided me back to the clan. Ashalle also stated her joy to hear me still alive and well, saying that my parents would be completely unrestful if I died or came to harm. This made me wonder what happened to them-though she was hesitant at first, I managed to convince her to finally impart the truth to my waiting ears.
My father was the Keeper before Marathari and my mother was a hunter from another clan. They fell in love but because the elders disagreed about the pairing they had to meet in secret, stealing each moment together. One day they were ambushed by bandits; my father died making sure my mother would escape. She lived on to give birth to me but then she vanished. I don't know if she still lives, but that is likely too much to hope for. Ashalle gave me a key to a chest that belonged to my mother, and inside it was a necklace that once was hers. I took it, and then locked the chest once more. Before I left to meet up with Merrill to find Tamlen, Fenarel said he wanted to go. I wasn't sure it was best idea, but we checked with the Keeper and in the end we agreed to let him join the search.
As we found where Tamlen and I were we ran into darkspawn. I don't know where they came from or why they where there but it was clear it wasn't safe to be in the same area. As we were leaving the vicinity, my friends said I was looking ill but I insisted that I felt fine so we moved on, closer to the strange mirror. We found Duncan's camp and the ruins. During our exchanging of words amongst ourselves in the abandoned camp, we ran into more darkspawn and several Dalish caught in cocoons (though none where alive). We then ran into Duncan who was glad to meet us, supposedly. He claimed that we were never going to find Tamlen and that if I didn't go with him, then I would surely perish from the darkspawn taint which was inside the mirror. I wasn't going to leave until I was sure Tamlen was alive. He had to be! But we never found him. Part of me still hopes that my friend lives somewhere, though I doubt it after so long. We also wanted to bring the mirror-but Duncan destroyed it, declaring it was too dangerous.
We returned to the camp, everyone whispering sorrowfully around us of what we lost that wretched day. The Keeper and Duncan went into her private tend to talk about my cure and future whilst I went to Haren to have a funeral for Tamlen. It is hard to accept that he is gone, another rotting corpse to be forgotten. After a moment of silence in respect, I went to see the Keeper. I was told that the only way to get my cure was to join the fabled Wardens! It was unexpected; but I wasn't going to defy the Keepers wisdom. If I had to leave with Duncan, then so be it. I said my goodbyes to all of my friends and left to join the Wardens, leaving the forest behind on the treads of boots.