Alright here we go with the next chapter. I hope that you all have enjoyed my first chapter of this story. We'll here we go, on with the story.

Chapter 2

The first thought that came to Drake when he began to regain conscious was that he was lying against a wooden surface. Opening his eyes slowly he noticed that he was inside a wooden structure. Turning his head slightly he saw that he was in fact inside a one of the Dalish structures, and by the markings around the inside, it was his own clan that he was at.

Sitting up slowly he felt a rush to his head. Placing his hand on his head to steady himself he squeezed his eyes to fight back the pain. It felt as if an axe was slammed into the middle of his head. Looking down he noticed that he was only in his small clothes. Taking another look around, he saw that his cloths and armor were sitting next to the bed. How did I get here? He wondered? What was that mirror. Is Tamlen here with me?

Too many questions and not enough answers were running through his head. It was time to find some answers to those questions. Dressing himself he buckled on his armor and headed out the cloth covered door.

Upon exiting the wagon, he saw one of his fellow hunters, Fenarel standing guard next to the exit. When Fenarel turned and saw him, the young hunter immediately rushed over to his side. "You're awake! You've got the gods' own luck lethallin."

Drake nodded to him, and felt his head rush again. Placing his hand on his head he leaned against the wagon to steady himself. Fenarel came up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. Sensing his confusion, Fenarel immediately answered his unasked question. "You're back at camp. Everyone is worried about you. How do you feel?"

Drake had to fight the urge to tell him the truth. He felt terrible. Instead of saying that he was not feeling well he decided that he needed answers. "How did I get here, Fenarel?" He asked the hunter.

"A shem brought you back two days ago. You don't remember him?"

Two days. He was sleeping for the past two days? Then what about Tamlen? "I don't remember anything. I was in a cave, then…nothing."

Fenarel nodded his understanding. "The shem was a Grey Warden and he appeared out of nowhere with you slung over his shoulder. You were delirious with fever. He said that he found you outside a cave in the forest, unconscious and alone. He left you here and ran off again. The keeper's been using the old magic to heal you."

Drake nodded to the story. He remembered someone carrying him, but he could not remember anything outside of the cave. "I need to talk to the keeper right away Fenarel."

The hunter nodded. "She wanted to talk to you too. Stay here, I'll go get her."

Once Feneral had left Drake started to pace quite a bit. Fenarel had said nothing of Tamlen. What had happened to him? It did not take long and the keeper, Marethari, came up to him. She was an elder elf; her gray hair was almost as white as his. She had dark wrinkles on her face and the tattoos that she wore mixed in with her aged face very well.

As soon as the keeper came up to him she gave him a gentle hug then pulled away. "I see you are awake, da'len. It is fortunate Duncan found you when he did. I know not what dark power held you, but it nearly bled the life from you. It was difficult even for my magic to keep you alive."

Drake nodded his acceptance. "What happened to us Keeper?"

The keeper shook her head slowly, "I know only that the Grey Warden found you in front of a strange cave, sick and alone. The man, Duncan is his name; thought there may have been darkspawn creatures inside the cave. Is that true?"

Drake brought his hand up to his head again. Why would his head not stop pounding? He did not think that he hit his head all that hard when he fell back in the cave. "I'm not sure. What does a darkspawn look like?"

"Like a man, but dark and tainted with evil. Perhaps you fought one in the cave and it wounded you."

Drake thought again. No, the creature they fought looked more like a bear rather than a man, and it did not wound either him or Tamlen. "No, it was a mirror."

The keeper brought her hand up to her chin in thought. "A mirror? And it caused all this? I have never heard of such a thing in all the lore we have collected."

The keeper sighed before she continued, "I was hoping for answers when you woke, but there are only more questions."

She turned back to him and looked at him critically. "Do you feel well enough to show us the way, da'len? Without you we will not find this cave."

He nodded his approval. "I am up to it Keeper. I feel fine."

The Keeper gave a sigh of relief. "I am relieved to hear it. I am ordering the clan to pack the camp so we can go north. Take Merrill with you to the cave. Find Tamlen if you can, but do it swiftly."

"I understand Keeper," Drake said, "I will find Merrill and go to the cave to find Tamlen."

The Keeper waved him off. "Go quickly, for Tamlen's life hangs in the balance."

Drake made a slight bow to the Keeper and turned away from her. He did not exactly enjoy the thought of going with Merrill, but the Keeper would not know that. He and Merrill had begun walking together a couple of months ago, but lately things have not been going well. She kept spending less and less time with him, and more time studying. At first he thought nothing of it, but last week he asked her to go for a walk with him, and she flatly refused him.

He had never been so heart broken in his life. After that he left her alone, and he has not talked to her since. This could prove to be an interesting trip. First though he needed to talk to a couple of people first. Near a fire with several children standing next it, he saw Hahren Paivel.

Paivel had pretty much been his father figure for his entire life, and he was responsible for Drakes love of history. He walked up to the old man. "Hahren, it is good to see you again." Drake said in greeting.

The old elf turned to Drake. "So you have returned to us, da'len. We are grateful you are whole and well."

"I am glad to be here as well, Hahren." Drake said in return.

"So you should be!" Paivel snapped, "What were you two thinking, wandering into that cave without first coming to tell the Keeper?"

Drake lost his voice. There was no excuse. "We wanted to see if there was anything to tell, Hahren."

The old elf shook his head. "Once you saw what was inside you should have returned. But you kept exploring, didn't you?"

Drake lowered his head in shame and nodded.

"I suppose your youth can be forgiven," Paivel reasoned. "Sadly though, Tamlen pays the price."

Paivel came up to the hunter and placed his hand on his shoulder beckoning the young hunter to look up at him. "Losing you would be a terrible crime, da'len. You belong to more than just yourself. Or do you not remember that?"

"What do you mean?"

"Simple da'len, you are a very important member of this clan. Come now, let us tell these children of the fall of the Dals. You can honor me by sharing in the telling."

Drake nodded. He loved to tell stories to the children. "Certainly, Hahren."

Paivel waved his hand, "Come, then…help me as I go along."

Walking with the old elf he approached the younger children. Paivel immediately went into his story teller mode, and Drake picked up the story whenever he was needed. "Children," Paivel began, "hear of the fall of the Dales! Hear the tale of what makes you Dalish."

Paivel then turned to Drake, "would you care to begin, da'len?"

Drake nodded. "Long ago, we were slaves to the humans."

Paivel then jumped in. "Yes, slaves to a terrible empire the humans built on the darkest magic. When it fell, we became free. We built a homeland in the Dales, worshipping the Creators and rebuilding the culture and history we lost in our long years of slavery."

"But the humans would not let us be," Drake inserted.

"They were resentful: because we would not worship their gods, and because we put our people first. Over the years, their nations grew cold toward the Dales. In their eyes, we were blasphemers and cruel tyrants."

"Then the humans declared war on the Dales."

Paivel nodded and continued the story. "And so the Dales fell. They took out lands and dispersed out people, forcing us to live in their cities and abandon out gods. But many of us refused to relinquish our old ways. We instead chose to scatter to the winds, wandering the lands."

"We chose wandering the lands rather than the human rule," Drake continued.

"To survive and preserve our culture, the clans stay apart until the day the Elvhenan have a homeland once more."

"We shall return the old ways to those who have lost them."

Paivel nodded to the end of the story and began the Oath of the Dales. "'We are the Dalish: keepers of ht elost lore, walkers of the lonely path'."

Drake picked up the end of the saying. "'We are the last of the Elvhenan. Never again shall we submit."

With the telling complete, Paivel turned to Drake and placed his hand on the young hunters shoulder again. A slight smile on the old elf's face. "Thank you for your forbearance, da'len. You remember both the tale and the Oath of the Dales perfectly. Now go and find Tamlen quickly. May the gods guide your path da'len."

As Drake was leaving the fire side he was stopped by Fenarel. "Is the Keeper sending you back to that cave to look for Tamlen?"

"Yes," Drake said, "I'm going with Merrill."

"I want to go with you. Keeper Marethari probable won't approve, but I can help find Tamlen."

At first he wanted to turn him down. But the thought of the awkward silences that there were going to be between him and Merrill he decided against it. "All right, you can come with us Fenarel. But we should tell the Keeper that you are coming with us."

"Very well then Drake, thank you."

The two walked back to the Keepers wagon and saw her sitting outside. "I see you have not left with Merrill yet. Is there something you need?"

"Yes Keeper," Drake began, "I want to bring Fenarel with us to the cave."

The Keeper instantly got a curious look on her face. She turned to the younger of the two hunters. "Fenarel, are you certain? I'm already putting Merrill at risk; I do not want to lose you too."

Fenarel took his time before answering. "I want to help Keeper. If we can find Tamlen, it's worth the risk."

The Keeper poundered for a moment before she nodded her consent. "Very well, then. You have my permission. And thank you for asking for it."

The two young hunters bowed slightly to the keeper and moved away. "I cannot believe that you got her to say I could come along. How did you do that Drake?"

Drake shrugged. "I do not know. For some reason she usually allows me to do quite a bit, and all I have to do is ask."

"Well either way, let's go lethallin." Fenarel said starting towards the exit to the camp. But Drake saw one another person that he wanted to talk too.

"You go ahead Fenarel," Drake said, "I have a couple of other things that I need to do. Go wait by Merrill."

Fenarel could see where Drake was looking, and he quickly nodded his consent. "Well just hurry it up will you."

After the young hunter had taken off, Drake set off in the direction of the halla grazing area. More specially he was heading towards the elf tending the halla, Maren. Her long red hair covering her beautiful face. Once she saw him approach she stood and gave him a slight smile, although he could tell that she was trying to keep from crying. "Aneth ara," Maren said in greeting, "It's good to see you recovered."

Drake tried to think of anything to start a converstation. "How are the halla faring, Maren?"

She hesitated for a moment and turned towards the herd. "They fare well. The keeper called for the clan to move on, and they will be ready to take us. However one is heavy with calf, but it shouldn't be a problem."

She fought back another sniffle and faced him again. "May I ask of Tamlen's fate? Some say the clan will leave before we find him."

He knew that Tamlen and Maren had started to walk together at night. They had always gotten along extremely well, and they were even talking about finally starting a family together. "We're going to find him; don't worry I promise you I will not stop until he is found."

Maren nodded and turned back to the herd. "The halla mourn our fallen. No sound is more heart wrenching than their mourning cry. At the least they won't be crying over you. They are quite fond of you."

Drake walked up next to her. If it was more appropriate he would try and comfort her by placing a hand on her shoulder, but such a thing is not appropriate action to take. "The halla are beautiful creatures." He remarked.

Maren lowered her face. "I admire them for their strength and pride. They are equals, not servants like the shemlen horses. At any rate, I do not envy the keeper's decision. I will be praying for Tamlen's and your safe return."

Daringly, Drake reached out and lifted her chin up. "I will find him Maren, I promise you this."

Tears started to form in her eyes. "Thank you Drake. No go, day light is wasting."

The next person that Drake had to see before he headed out was the clan's trade and craft master, Master Ilen. He was extremely good at crafting bows, and the hunter knew that he would need a good one if he was to go out into the forest, and more specifically back to that cave.

Coming up to the trade wagon he saw Ilen giving a hunter one of his bows. But the trade master paused when he saw Drake coming towards him.

"I am glad that you've recovered. Once we find Tamlen, we can concentrate on the journey northward."

Turning, the trade master handed the other hunter the bow. "Thank you for the bow, Master Ilen," the young hunter said, "it is light and sturdy… much better than the one I made last year."

Master Ilen smiled at having received approval. Even though the craft master was well into his elder years, he still rejoiced at hearing praise for his work. "You are more than welcome. You should know that my father made it and used it in battle against the Clayne tribes."

The hunter bowed to the craft master. "I will carry it with honor." And with that the hunter left.

"Could I ask you for a bow as well, Master Ilen?" Drake asked.

The craft master turned to him. "One of my own crafting perhaps?"

Drake nodded his approval. "Yes, thank you."

Turning back to his cart the craft master retrieved one of the bows from the wagon. He then held it up for Drakes inspection. Holding the bow in his hands he ran his fingers across the fine wood, and the delicate carvings. Pulling on the string he was amazed at what he felt. This bow packed a lot of power, and it was hardly heavy at all.

"It may not have a history," Ilen began, "but you'll provide one for it soon enough yes?"

Satisfied with the bow he turned in his old one. "Thank you for the bow master Ilen, I will use it well."

"One last thing," the trade master announced as Drake turned to leave, "Ashalle asked to see you as soon as you awoke. It would be best if you saw her before you left."

Drake bowed to the craft master and walked away. Not far from the trade wagon there was a small hill and at the base of the hill was a small fire with children all sitting around it. At the head of the children, was his guardian mother Ashalle. Even though she was not his blood mother, she was as close as he got to one.

He never knew what had happened to is mother and father, and whenever he asked the clan always avoided it. Not today though. His near death experience showed him that time was precious, and that he needed to know of his past. Walking down to the children he waited for Ashalle t stop speaking before he entered the circle.

"Now you see children," Ashalle was holding up a bow and pointing to different parts of it, "it is important that you remember certain things about a bow. For instance-"

She stopped midsentence however once she saw him. Dropping the bow she immediately ran over to Drake and enveloped him in a small hug. "By the creators, it is so good to see you whole and well. I was so worried."

Drake awkwardly put his arms around her and returned the embrace. He never was comfortable with expressing his private feelings in public, but he felt that she needed this now. "Aneth ara, Ashalle. It's good to see you, too."

Ashalle pulled back and looked him over. "All that time you were ill, the keeper didn't know if you were going to live or die. I've been outside the keeper's tent the whole time. I have never been as relieved as when I hear you would pull through. You must tell me what happened. Everyone says that Tamlen may be dead."

He lowered his head in shame. If Tamlen was truly dead then he held a lot of the blame. "He's missing. That's all we know right now."

Ashalle covered her mouth with her hand. "That is awful. He's been a good friend to you since you were fledglings. You must be more careful. Your mother and father, may they rest in peace, would be horrified to see you take such risks."

At least Drake did not have to bring up the topic now. "You've never spoken of my parents much, Ashalle."

Ashalle started to get a worried look on her face. "What happened it them is a sad tale, and it's in the past. Reopening old wounds benefits no one."

Drake was starting to get frustrated. The clan always did this, whenever he asked about his parents they always side stepped the topic around him. "Don't we Dalish strive to learn of our past?"

Ashalle thought this over. "True. Perhaps you're old enough to hear this, though it…hardly seems like the right time."

"Is there ever a good time?" He countered.

"Very well then. If I do not tell you now, you'll only wonder. Your mother was a hunter, one of the finest. And your father was the keeper before Marethari. He was with us for a very long time. Your mother was from another clan, and her elders did not approve of the match. She and your father had to meet in secret. One day, bandits caught them alone in the forest. Your father was killed, but your mother escaped. She made it back to camp and held to life long enough to give birth to you, but grief wracked her hear. One night, she…she simply walked into the moonlight and never returned."

Drake was left speechless. He knew that both of his parents had met tragedy, but such a tale was almost unheard of in the Dalish clans. Ashalle saw his discomfort and came to him. "Our clan decided not to discuss this around you, lest it poison your hear with sadness."

This was one thing he could understand. If they had told him this tale when he was younger, he might had not lived for very long. "I know it is not much," the sound of Ashalle's voice brought him back to his senses, "but your mother did leave something for you when you came of age."

Reaching into the folds of her clothing she pulled out a small key. "There is a chest near my wagon. Go to it and open it. Inside you will find what your mother left for you."

Reaching up he took the key from her. "Thank you Ashalle."

"Now go," she made a showing movement with her hands. "Find Tamlen so we can move out clan."

She turned back to the children and continued on with her lesson. He was tempted to head over the where Merrill and Fenarel were waiting for him, but he decided against it. "They have waited for me this long, they may as well wait a little while longer.

Turning back into the camp he walked past all the wagons until he came upon his and Ashalle's. Searching around he found the chest she was talking about and opened it. Inside he saw nothing out of the ordinary, until he came across a pendant. It was a small silver disk with a willow tree etched onto the surface f the disk. Raising the pendant to his lips he pressed it to his lips and then slipped the cord around his neck.

It was time to meet up with Merrill and Fenarel. They were more than likely getting impatient waiting for him to join them. Sure enough, near the outskirts of the camp there was Merrill and Fenarel waiting for him. Merrill was an extremely beautiful elf. Her long dark hair flowed behind her. She held her white magic staff that she always carried around with her.

His first impulse was to go to her, but he fought that. She had hurt him deeply, and he was not quite ready to forgiver he just yet. Walking up to them it took until the moment he was standing right next to her before she would acknowledge him. And even then it was no more than a slight nod of her head.

"The Keeper told me I'm to accompany you back to those caves. As her apprentice, I may see something you missed. But our main objective is to find Tamlen, of course. We must make haste; he may not have much time," Merrill explained to Drake.

She still had the same attitude she always had, serous and no nonsense. "Fenarel is coming with us. Do you have any objections to this?"

She looked slightly taken aback by his tone. What did she expect? That he would still fawn after her after she broke his heart. "That depends on the keeper," Merrill said, "I thought we're supposed to go alone."

"We have already talked to the Keeper, Merrill," he explained, "The Keeper is fine with Fenarel coming with us."

"Very well, if the Keeper said that it was alright, that's good enough for me. Now are we ready?"

"Are you worried about getting sick?" He had no idea why he asked her this. No. That was not true. He knew exactly why he asked this. It was because even though she had hurt him deeply, he still had some affection towards her.

But Merrill shrugged away his concern, "a little, but the keeper cured you. How dangerous could it be? Even if I get sick, finding Tamlen, or something valuable, will be worth it."

"How much did the keeper tell you?"

Even though he had no reason to doubt her ability in battle, he had a feeling that whatever they would find in that cave would be more than enough to rattle even her.

Once again Merrill simply shrugged off his question. Apperanlty she was not ready to speak with him either. "Enough to pique my interest…and my concern. You can explain the rest on the way."

"Come on," Fenarel said impatiently, "we are losing day light sitting here talking, we need to move on right away if we are going to have any hope of finding Tamlen."

"Very well then," Drake interjected before Merrill could speak, "let's be on our way then."

And with that, Drake turned and walked out of the camp with Merrill and Fenarel close on his heels. God's, Drake semi prayed, please let us find my friend still alive. Even with this prayer though, he had a feeling that his long time friend was gone forever.

Once again I hope that you all enjoyed this chapter. I ask once again that y'all review this chapter; I really feed off of your reviews. So please let me know what you all think of this one.