Authors Notes: It's been a while since I've written FanFic. I've dabbled a little here and there under a different account name, and since that was years ago I just started over. Please read and critic my work. Feedback helps me a great deal. I 3 Dragon Age. LOL
OC+ Anders
Set during Dragon Age 2: There MAY be some spoilers. Read only if you dare. I will try my hardest to keep it very main stream as well as very few references to the game. I'm just warning you, because it's with Anders and where I'm taking this story it may reveal some story details of the game.
I am a very busy woman, but if you like my story and want more it please leave a comment…This will push me to write more chapters. Please do this. My ego could use some loving :3
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Characters from Dragon Age. All characters belong to EA and Bioware. Kthnx 3
I stood in the center of a forest. The grass beneath my bare feet itched at my skin as I paced in a circle, confused and baffled by my surroundings. A mist of fog danced around my ankles, soft and warm against my skin as it swirled like angry clouds on a stormy night. I searched anxiously for any sign of life, but the forest was dead and no sounds emitted from its depths. The last thing I could recall was sitting on my bed in Rome, New York, studying for a history exam. How could I go from modern civilization to dark menacing forest?
The only explanation that would come to mind was that this was a dream, and if that was the case then it was a very realistic dream. My heart began to dance in my chest as I realized there was no end to the forest, no light above the trees branches. I was trapped. Fear bubbled up, choking me as I backed into the trunk of a tree. My breathing became labored as I hunched over, grabbing my knees in support and placing my head in my lap.
I took several deep breaths trying to calm my nerves, regretting that I didn't have my inhaler on hand. 'But this is a dream'
I lifted my head from the protection of my knees, straining my eyes to see beyond the forest and darkness. I felt so helpless then, completely and utterly without salvation.
"Where am I?" The question was rhetorical. I was not expecting an answer. The sound of my own voice seemed strange and unfamiliar.
A soft silky voice spoke then, causing me to jump up and frantically search about me.
"You're in the Fade child."
From the shadow of the forest a tall slender woman appeared, soft ringlets of black hair danced around her pale slight neck as she approached me. Instinct told me to run, that something wasn't right. However, I stood grounded, too scared to flee.
"What is the Fade? Where did you come from? Where am I?"
The questions escaped my mouth in what seemed a stream of nonsense. I took a deep breath, and closed my eyes. My mind seemed to be lost, unable to function properly. I opened my eyes and regarded her with what I hoped was a serious expression, but all fight fled my person once I glimpsed into those dark opaque eyes.
'Run! RUN!'
My legs would not move. They felt heavy and weighted down. She smiled then, revealing perfect straight bleached teeth. A glint seemed to appear in her eyes, giving them a mischievous shine that sent a shiver running down my spine.
"You can call me Lady Wilds."
Her gaze captivated me, making it hard for me to look away. They took over me, engulfing me in their depths. She drew closer as I became captivated, unaware of her closeness until she reached out to touch me, a small smile touching her lips. Her arms embraced me, pulling me into her full chest. My fears seemed to dissipate as she began to hum softly into my hair. My vision began to blur and I slowly drifted my eyes shut. My mind shut down then, all coherent thoughts vanished. The voice screaming in the back of my mind became chained and silenced.
"What a beautiful child you are." She whispered in my ear. She traced her index finger slowly down the side of my face, resting it gently on my chin. "I have needs of you…"
The warning signs were there; I should have pushed her away and ran. But where would I have gone? I was in the Fade, and from earlier escapades I knew there was no escape.
"Come to me Mira."
I felt my head tilt back as she stared down into my face. I had to force my eyes open, hardly aware of what exactly was taking place. Her smile pacified me further and I eventually gave in to the strange hold she had over me.
"Yes. I want to be with you." The words were not mine. I felt as if they were falling out of my mouth on their own accord.
Her smile widened, her teeth a string of pearls amongst the darkness of the forest. Her skin was soft and pale, her dark eyes framed by thick lashes that swooped over her cheeks in graceful strokes. Her lips were a deep red, plump and enticing. Everything about her seemed perfect, as if angels had perfected her themselves.
She wore a deep forest green dress with gold chains circling her waist. Black feathers circled the collar of her gown, falling against the pale skin of her breasts. She was dressed simple, this Lady of the Wilds, and yet everything about her seemed extravagant.
With a flick of her wrist a glowing sphere of light emitted from her palm, a soft dim light of power twirling gently in her grasp. She backed away from me, pushing her hand upwards sending the orb into the air. It circled around us several times before spiraling to the ground and plummeting into the soil. I felt the earth tremble then as a hole where the orb had landed took form. The trees began to shake with force as a large metal object ascended before me. I didn't understand what was happening. Nothing seemed to make sense.
"Find the mirror."
The words came out in a murmur, soft and warm against my cheek. She was standing behind me now, her arms circling my waist. I turned my gaze back to the mirror, staring into its cold silver glass waiting for my figure to take shape. I saw nothing. The large mystical mirror was framed by large slabs of stone, clouds of purple mist twirling on its surface. The mirror had a pointed arch that gave it a mystical appearance. It felt different, magical even.
Her embrace around me let up and I unexpectedly felt very cold. I reached out to bring her back towards me, to feel her warmth again, but she was gone and nothing but the cold harsh air greeted me.
"Find the Eluvian…" Her voice came as a distant whisper.
Everything seemed to fade then. Darkness overshadowed everything and once again I was alone. The trees disappeared, the fog dissipated. Everything seemed to vanish around me, and I was no longer in the forest. I closed my eyes and let the nothingness claim me.
"Mira! Wake up! You're going to be late for school!"
My eyes flung open as I recognized my mother's shrill voice calling for me. I sat up and glanced at my digital clock, giving a gasp as I realized I was indeed running behind. Papers scattered all around me as I leaped from the bed. I jumped over a mound of clothes and reached for my school uniform, tugging it over my shoulders in a mad frenzy. I couldn't be late today, not on the day of my exams.
I grabbed a brush and tackled the knots I called hair. I winced as I forced my brush through small balls of snarled auburn hair. I glanced at myself briefly in the mirror, accepting the fact that this was the best I could do with my appearance. I ran down the stairs, almost tripping over my own feet.
"Don't forget some breakfast!" My mother tossed me a bagel wrapped in foil as I swung the front door open. I waved the bagel over my head as I shouted my goodbyes.
I struggled with my car keys, cursing myself for over sleeping.
"God! Why of all days do I wake up late! I swear, if I don't pass these exams…"
My keys dropped from my grasp and I gave an exasperated scream of frustration. 'This would happen to me!'
I dropped to my knees scurrying to grab the keys that clattered into the bushes. This was not my day.
I grabbed the silver trinkets and hurriedly jumped into my car, giving little caution to my surroundings. I stepped on the gas in a mad rush for school. I reached for my phone and pushed speed dial, hoping my friend Diana was on time. I began to dart in and out of traffic as I held the phone against my shoulder. I slowly made my way out of town, large trees taking shape near the road.
"Hey Mira, what's up? Where are you?" Diana's chirpy voice sang through the receiver.
"Look Diana…I so totally over slept…Please, please, PLEASE tell me you are there and can stall for me."
Diana gave a light laugh and I couldn't help but chuckle too. "Yeah, I know…Of all days!"
"Well, I'm sure you had good reas-"
Before I knew what was happening there was a woman standing in the middle of the road completely stationary. I slammed on my brakes, turning the wheel sharply to the left sending the vehicle teetering to its side. In my haste I had forgotten to buckle my seat belt, causing me to slam into the top of my car then directly into the windshield. I could hear the sound of metal grinding against concrete and glass crashing in to millions of shards. Time seemed to still as humming filled my ears. The last thought that I could remember was her eyes…Those dark eyes staring at me.
"Mira! MIRA!" Diana was screaming into the phone now. I could barely hear what was being said. I tried to mumble something, anything.
I tried to collect myself, pull myself together. I struggled to pull myself up to a sitting position. I realized the car was on its side and cursed myself for being so stupid. The warmth of my blood dripped down the side of my head, sticky and thick against my skin. I reached for my phone, my first priority to get help on the way, but Diana had already hung up. 'Good…Maybe she's calling 911.'
I grabbed for my purse then reached for my inhaler. I took a deep puff of the medication, inhaling deep long breathes of the wonderful substance. I needed to get out. Possibly flag someone down. Or possibly find out what that girl was doing standing in the middle of the road. Rage suddenly filled my entire body. How could someone so stupid just stand in the middle of the road?
I hoisted myself through the shattered windshield, sending myself sliding over the hood of the car. I dropped to the ground with a thud and gave a slight groan. Pain radiated up my leg, into my stomach, and over my chest. My head began to throb and everything around me seemed to spin. I placed both hands on my head and began to scream. I needed help. That's when it hit me. It could be several moments before anyone found me…How would Diana know where to send EMT?
I shook my head trying to clear my thoughts. This couldn't be happening to me.
'The Eluvian… Find the Mirror.'
The words seemed to pour into my head then. I looked up and realized the sun had disappeared behind the clouds, casting shadows over the earth. My head began to throb as I limbed to the side of the road. If I was lucky someone would come to my rescue soon.
'Come here…Over here.'
I turned slightly, startled. It was as if someone was calling for me. Without asking, without questioning I turned toward the towering trees. I limped slightly grimacing in pain. I paused for a moment, resting against the trunk of a tree. Streams of light escaped the clouds and swayed across my face. I looked up, my breathing tortuous. I clutched my inhaler close to my chest but didn't have the strength to use it. I glanced ahead of me, not exactly sure why I was pressing forward in this direction. I noticed a clearing in the distance and in the center the glint of metal caught my eye.
I pushed myself away from the tree, moaning with every step I took. As I got closer my heart began to race. There it was, the large silver mirror that I had dreamed about. When I stood before it I almost fell over in disbelief. The surface swirled just as it did in my dream. My injuries suddenly seemed to fade from my mind as I gawked at the Eluvian.
'Touch it.'
I obeyed. I slowly reached out to the mirror, hoping that nothing would happen. I gasped in shock as the mirror sparked to life, shocks of electricity igniting from its surface, my hand melting through its glass surface. I felt a force pulling on my hand, as if someone from the other side was tugging me inside. I gave a scream as I tried to fight it. Swirls of gray seemed to engulf me as my injured leg gave way beneath me and I fell into the mirror. I remember screaming, clutching my purse to my stomach, hoping that everything happening thus far was just a horrible dream. I remember laughter filling the empty air as I fell for what seemed like hours. "Please…"
I started thinking about my family. My thoughts grew dark as darkness started to consume me. "I'm sorry…Mom…"
"Can you hear m-"…
"Ser! Wake up!"
Small hands were rubbing against my face, gently petting me to rouse. I gave a groan of protest as I felt my head throbbing once more.
"Oh! Miss, are you ok? Ser, please say something. By the dread wolf you have to say something!"
I managed to force my eyes open, everything around me an incoherent blur. Dark green eyes peeped into my own and I gave a slight gasp of fright. I tried to push myself up but found it difficult. My throat was tight and dry, my arms soft as jelly.
"Oh Ser, please don't move!" She pushed herself away from my face and gently pressed me onto my back. "Would you like some water? I have plenty of it!"
Before I could answer I heard the patter of her feet retreating into a nearby room. I gave a sigh as I gave into my injuries and fatigue. Someone had found me. I was safe. My heart began to slow in rhythm and I closed my eyes again, every thought melting away.
"Ser! I'm getting help! I'll get Hawke…No…I'll ge-" …
Her voice faded away as the fog of unconsciousness claimed me.
othing but the cold harsh air greated me. owards me, to feel her warmth again, but she was gone and