A/N: This is my first fan fiction ever. So I hope you guys enjoy it and review it :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Age or any of its characters

Merrill's life hadn't always been turmoil. There was a time, not as long ago as you may think, that her life had been peaceful, a time when she had felt that she had a place in the world. Sometimes when she felt lonely and as though there was no one in the world who cared for her she thought of those times. She thought of the times sitting in the woods training with the keeper when they would laugh and talk about so many things. She thought of the times the elven children would sit around the campfire as she told the stories of old and how they would beg her for more stories until their parents would drag them off to bed. But most of all she found herself thinking of Aspen.

Aspen the sweet blonde huntress; Aspen who had stolen Merrill's heart. Merrill thought of the way Aspen would tease her for rambling, or the way they would lay out in the woods together drawing pictures in the stars and sometimes Merrill would even allow herself to think on the warm nights they had shared hidden within her aravel. She remembered laying curled in Aspen's arms tracing the tattoos on her face and whispering the old words into her ear. The union between them was forbidden, Merrill, as the Keeper's first, was not meant to fall in love with another of the clan. Such things would lead to loving one clan member more than the others. But Merrill couldn't help herself, she knew she loved Aspen better than she loved the rest of the clan.

Though their union was secret they had still spent many happy times together and shared many happy moments. The only problem with thinking about Aspen was that it always lead Merrill to the same place, starting at the night before tragedy struck.

There was a light tap on Merrill's door and she smiled knowing when she answered it Aspen would be waiting to greet her. She opened the door allowing Aspen to slip inside.

"By the creators I thought you'd never come," she said smiling.

"Yes well Tamlen and Feneral demaded my attention for much longer than I had anticipated."

"Mm, what did they want?"

"Feneral wanted me to test the new bow he made for me and Tamlen just wanted my attention."

Merrill felt a hot flash of jealousy, she knew that Tamlen harbored feelings for Aspen and she loathed that he could not know that Aspen's attentions were otherwise occupied already. So instead Merrill often had to endure watching his attempts to gain Aspen's affection, "I bet he did," she muttered bitterly.

Aspen put her arms around Merrill lightly whispering, "he cannot have my attention as there is already one much more worthy of it."

Merrill felt her cheeks go hot, though this time not with jealousy, "I wish he could know that. You two spend a lot of time together."

"He is my hunting partner emma sa'lath of course we spend much time together."

Merrill turned to face her and slipped her arms around Aspen, "I know of course I am being silly, I just let myself worry so, you are so beautiful and I-" Aspen cut her off with a soft kiss to the lips.

"Let us speak no more of Tamlen, I can think of other things that I would like to occupy time with."

Merrill felt another hot flush to her cheeks as she allowed herself to be swept off to the nearby cot by Aspen. Aspen knew all the spots that made Merrill tingle and it was not long before they lay entangled together, sweat covering their bodies, with only a thin blanket to cover their naked flesh from the elements. Merrill kissed Aspen softly, "you were right that was much better than talking about Tamlen." Aspen laughed, the sweetest sound to Merrill's ears. Aspen turned onto her side so that she was facing Merrill, "you are wonderful."

Merrill smiled and allowed Aspen to kiss her, though this time it was not softly, there was need behind this kiss and Merrill responded to the need, deepening the kiss. She moved her slender tongue into Aspen's mouth and found Aspen's tongue. They moved against each other pulling each other closer. Merrill slide her fingers down Aspen's stomach causing Aspen to jerk and moan a little. Just as Aspen knew which spots made Merrill tingle, Merrill knew which spots made Aspen tingle and moan and ultimately cause bursts of pleasure.

That night Merrill watched as Aspen slept soundly in her arms. Her heart felt so full and happy. She could have danced under the moon light and sang proclamations of love if her better senses didn't stop her from doing so. She brushed a stray hair from Aspen's forehead and muttered quietly, "I love you lethallan." Merrill started drifting off to sleep herself when there was a knock at her door. She felt her heart go into her throat and shook Aspen awake, "there is someone at the door," she hissed urgently.

Aspen jumped out of bed and looked around for a hiding place, Merrill pulled on her clothes and pushed Aspen, with only the blanket covering her, into her wardrobe, the only hiding place in the room. Merrill then kicked Aspen's armor under the bed in the corner and went to the door feigning sleepiness, hoping her panic would not spoil the ruse. When she opened the door she found Keeper Marathari and her heart dropped, what reason did Marathari have for visiting at such a late hour, unless she knew?

"Keeper, I was not expecting you, it is very late is there something the matter?"

"I am sorry for the late visit Da'len but there is something troubling me."

Merrill stepped aside to allow Marathari to come in, "what is troubling you Keeper?"

"It is one of our hunter," Merrill's heart sank lower, "she has been disappearing at night it seems."

Merrill felt sweat on her neck and was working very hard to compose herself, "someone is disappearing at night? I do not know of such a thing."

Marathari sat down on Merrill's bed and looked directly at the wardrobe, "it is Aspen. She often spends her nights by the fire telling stories, or talking to one of the clansmen but then she will disappear and she does not go back to her aravel. I am concerned, Da'len, I do not know where she has disappeared to all these nights, and I am concerned that she is getting herself into some trouble."

"How do you know she has not been returning to her aravel Keeper? I see her come out of it every morning."

"Oh I am the Keeper Da'len I know."

"You know many things it seems. Then I suppose I should know why you are here."

"Do you?"

"You think I know something about where Aspen goes at night?"

"Do you?"

Merrill dropped her gaze to the ground, Marathari knew, "I might have an idea."

Marathari looked at the wardrobe again, "I see and does she often spend the night in your wardrobe Merrill?"

There was a sharp intake of breath from the wardrobe, "Keeper it's not what you think," came Aspen's muffled voice from the wardrobe.

Merrill looked at Marathari, "she actually never spends the night in the wardrobe," she muttered sheepishly.

"Come out Da'len there is much we need to discuss," said the Keeper.

"I don't know that, that would be appropriate at this very moment Keeper."

Marathari raised an eyebrow, "I see, shall I turn my back for a moment until you are decent?"

"That's probably best."

Marathari turned her back and Merrill went over to the wardrobe and handed Aspen her clothing, which she swiftly put on and came out of the closet. She leaned against the wall near the bed and said, "well this has gone well so far."

Marathari turned back around to face both Aspen and Merrill, though before she could speak Merrill blurted out, "I know what youre going to say Keeper, but I do not care. I love Aspen and I do not want to end this."

Aspen and Merrill's ears both turned bright pink, "sorry I shouldn't have said that."

Marathari looked at them kindly, "I would not venture to suggest you end this, if it makes you both so happy I would not end it. Though there are some things you need to consider."

"We have considered many things Keeper," Merrill said cursing her tongue for its quickness.

"Yes I imagine you have, but allow me to say them anyways," she said warmly, "Merrill you will be Keeper of this clan one day and being Keeper means that you protect your clan, if the time ever comes where you had to choose to save your love over saving the clan you must choose the clan Da'len. It may be hard but you must consider your love for the whole clan and make choices that will benefit them all. Many Keepers have chosen not to allow themselves to love one single person for fear of what it would do to them, however there have been Keepers who have been joined with one of their clansmen and still been successful Keepers, therefore I believe if this romance makes you happy then hold onto it, treasure it and treasure each other but remember Da'len as a Keeper you must be able to hold the clan above your love.

"And Aspen perhaps you should venture to mention to Tamlen that he can not have your affections the way he so desires. Yes your romance with Merrill is a secret but do not let him waste his time on one who is already spoken for. I love both of you and as I have said if this makes you happy then continue on, but you must be careful."

Both women nodded, "yes Keeper."

"Now if you will excuse me, I am very tired and must take my leave, it is very late and I am sure you two did not appreciate the disturbance."

Aspen's ears went scarlet as Merrill let the Keeper out when she closed the door behind her Aspen muttered, "well that was awkward."

"I should have known she would know, she knows, sees and hears everything."

"Hears? Creators," she said dropping her face into her hands.

"Not literally lethallan," Merrill said smiling. She grabbed the young hunter and pulled her into her arms.

Aspen rested her head on Merrill's shoulder, "Did you mean what you said," she whispered.

"When?"

"When you said you loved me."

"Yes."

"I love you too, Merrill."

Merrill's heart once again felt full as they laid down to sleep. She felt like there was nothing in the world that could go wrong, there was no way for her to know how wrong she had been.

The next morning Merrill woke to Aspen pulling on her clothing and armor, "mm you're up early."

"Tamlen and I are going hunting today and I have to get back to my aravel before many raise."

"Stay with me a bit longer," Merrill said reaching for Aspen's arm.

Aspen smiled and cupped her face, "I wish emma sa'lath, there is nothing that would give me more joy then to lie here all day with you. But I have responsibilities, who else is going to bring you food to eat and ancient elven artifacts for you and the Keeper to brag about at the next meeting of clans."

Merrill stretched her neck out and kissed Aspen, "you are right of course. I have First type stuff."

Aspen smiled at her, "ok, be careful doing your first type stuff."

"And you be careful out there in forest."

"I will be," she said turning to leave, Merrill caught her by the arm, "I am serious Aspen be careful."

"You needn't worry Merrill, I will be fine."

"Promise you won't be reckless, I couldn't bare losing you."

"And I you, alright I promise."

Satisfied Merrill kissed her one last time and let her go, a decision she would soon regret.