The Huntress

Dragon Age fic based on character play for F!Dalish Rogue

Chapter one - In the dark.

Where was she? Somewhere in the black oblivion surrounding her Leanda heard the most frightful roars, shrieks, and screams. It was a nightmare of the most disturbing kind for a hunter. Trapped alone in the dark, no weapon, utterly helpless, and something was hunting her. Not just something, a great horde of vile, blood mad creatures that would either kill her or drive her to madness as they shoved her into the abyss from which they had risen. She was a canny huntress, thank the Creators, and she began to claw her way through the darkness following any hint of warmth or wisp of fresh air. Slowly, so slowly, the darkness began to lift and with it the fearful chattering in the dark faded.

"Looks like she'll wake soon, Keeper." A male voice unknown to her but somehow comforting, like an old but treasured blanket came from her right. Why could Leanda not open her eyes? Was she tied down? Her limbs were so very heavy, as if iron bands had been closed around every few inches along her body. "You should make a decision before she wakes. It will not be easy for her to learn what happened nor the consequences of that day. I am also very short of time. I must be at the King's side in less than a week." Consequences? What could have... It all came back in a sickening rush that made her grateful that she couldn't move. The ruins, those hideous, foul smelling things, and that damn mirror. She was going to give Tamlen such a- Tamlen. Tamlen had touched the mirror and then she blacked out from the pain that ripped through her entire being. Oh please, Falon'Din, Lea prayed with everything inside her. I- I need him. I don't want to lose my Tam even as Dirthamen did not wish to be left behind as you traveled the Beyond.

"Duncan. If what you say is true I do not want the clan to stay here any longer than we must. We both know that she will be- well, you've known her as long as I have. We must give her a choice whether or not those choices are what we would wish for her." The Keeper spoke as if Lea were dying, a voice full of sorrow and pity. And who was this Duncan? She knew no Duncan. It was a shemlen name and one she was already sure bode her no good. "Tell Leanda the truth. All of it for only at the brink of despair will she find the strength to forge ahead and live. Her's has never been an easy path and this will only make it harder. If you wish my girl forged into a weapon for your war you must send her through the fires of hell." Marethari's voice sounded strained and very tired as she gave her counsel.

That was quite enough. Leanda started pushing, hammering at the blackness that had settled in her mind. Damn, that buzzing! Buzzing? Yes, there at the far back of her mind something was buzzing or was it humming? No, no she had to get up. Remember what Master Ilen said about the strength of sylvan wood. 'Slow and steady, Lea, too fast and you break it. Trees live slowly and require some care in shaping. A body is much the same. Push to far, too fast and you will end up with injuries instead of strengthening the whole.' Ok, slowly then. Deep breaths in, feel the air move into you lungs. Then the movement of blood through your limbs to your feet. Alright feet, move the toes. Just a little curl, nothing more.

"Did you see that? The blanket twitched at her feet!" The shem sounded far too proud of a little twitch. How badly had she been hurt? Block it out and keep moving on, girl. Curl a little more, come on, it's simple after you've done it once. Yes! She could feel the pricks of pins and needles in her feet, climbing up her calves. Oh, that felt so awkward. "She'll be up by nightfall. Lea was always very strong willed, seems that it carries over to control of her body. I'll be back by then I'm sure. I'll send word ahead to my subordinate at Ostagar. We leave as soon as she can move about with out falling." His voice had taken on a hard edge like the steel of her Dar'misu. Oh, she'd be up by nightfall alright, and Lea was going to get some answers.

When Duncan returned, earlier than expected, Leanda was indeed up and was in fact dressed and arranging her daggers at her hips. He nearly flinched when the girl turned a burning violet gaze on him. If looks could kill she would be the greatest Warden he ever trained. At least that fire would keep her going and hopefully keep the huntress alive. "Well you really are quite amazing, my lady. Few people wake with their minds in tact after what you endured."

"I want answers not flowery words, shemlen. Why have I been made to remain here, waiting for you? I must find Tamlen." Her heart tripped as the word consequences reverberated in her mind a sharp counterpoint to that infernal buzz. The look on the human's face was all the answer she needed. Her friend, partner, and first lover was dead. Tears gathered, blurring her vision, but she held herself in check. "Where is his body? I- I must see to the ceremony. I -" Her voice cracked.

"Leanda. You were unconscious for two days and I only found you in the ruins. There was no one else in that chamber with you. What you lived through was only possible because I was able to start treating you almost immediately after. Your partner has been alone for the last three days. It is highly unlikely that he could have survived and if he did Tamlen would no longer be the man you knew. The creatures you fought were darkspawn and somehow you contracted the Taint." Duncan's eyes held pain, misery, and a strange strength as he laid it all out before her. Tam, her dear, sweet, brash Tam was dead and she was going to die as well. Gibbering into madness as she was consumed from the inside by the cursed madness that drove the darkspawn.

"Normally I would have just ended it when I had confirmed the Taint in your blood. However, I knew you were a fighter and I have an alternative you may find more to your liking." His heart clenched in his chest when one crystal tear slid down Lea's pale cheek. Duncan was going to rip this young woman from everything she knew, in the middle of mourning, and thrust her into a war of which she had no knowledge of but from old tales. He hoped she took the offer. If nothing else he desperately needed someone to beat the fanciful notions out of Alistair and she had certainly turned Tamlen into a fine hunter. Shame about that curious streak of his. "If you will come with me I can give you a chance to take out many of the creatures causing this, give your people time to move north, and a place where your being tainted wont matter. Come with me to Ostagar and become a Grey Warden. I can make something there that will slow the Taint's progress and give you time to make those beasts pay."

Leanda was about ready to break from the force of emotions sweeping through her. Leave the clan and live among the shems. Fight another of their wars, to give the clans time to move away from this place of death. Anger came in a red wave, cold despair crushed her heart, black hatred burned her soul and finally a deep, numb calm settled over her. She was as one of the dead now. True her body moved, her heart beat but her soul, the girl she had been three days ago was gone. "I accept, but I want to have the ceremony for Tam before I go. I need to say goodbye." Leanda would willingly join with the darkness if only to keep one more of her people from being destroyed by those things.

"Very well."

The huntress was dead but a blood stained warrior had taken her place and this woman was not lost in the dark. No, she was one with it and now those that dwell there were going to feel her blades as she left swathes of dead in her wake. First she was going to clear out that cave then the hunt would begin. Andruil bless my path that I do not loose my quarry. Bless my blades that I may make the kill quick and clean.