Chapter 2- Shattered

Lyna's head was in a fog, and she opened her eyes with a cry of pain. Her vision was blurred, and her neck seemed to be made of rubber as it lolled from side to side. There were voices, and she focused long enough to make out the face of a man.

She called out in alarm, trying to fight him, but his grip was too strong. He said something, a forlorn look on his face, and she barely made out, "Can you hear me?"

Her mind may have been disoriented, but she caught the words and the thick accent, and she fought even harder. "Shem!" She screeched, trying to get away. What had happened at the ruins? Had the shem attacked them when they were unaware. Tamlen would-

Lyna's sight, which had been growing hazy, grew sharp as she fought down her panic. "Tamlen! Where-"

The man's face seemed to grow even more weary. "I am… very sorry." Lyna tried to twist away as his hand descended over her eyes, and she fell into the dark world of her mind again.

(LINE)

Lyna's vision swam as she shuddered awake, feeling the worst she had ever felt in her life. Her body burned, just like the time she'd accidentally fallen into the fire, and her head ached. Wearily, she reached out for a large pitcher, barely glancing at the glass beside it as she sat up, bringing the jug to her lips and drinking. She drained the jug in a matter of seconds, and she held the jug in her hands, staring intently at the bottom, as if expecting it to magically refill. What had happened? Her last few memories were a blur, she remembered going hunting with Tamlen, but nothing else. Had she caught the fever that they'd heard about?

The jug shattered as her hands dropped it, but she didn't care as she stood up. Tamlen… something had happened to Tamlen. Her mind was blank, and this strange headache wasn't helping. She swayed, cursing as she toppled over. Her head hit a hard object, and she swore as she sat up, glaring at the object.

It was the sight of the metal shield that caused her memory to come crashing back, and she groaned as she replayed the day's events. Tamlen, whatever he saw, it had gotten him, and she had to find him.

She stood up, ignoring her protesting body, and she ran outside, barely pausing to grab her weapons and pack.

Fenarel jumped to his feet the second she exited the tent, and his face broke into relief. "You're awake! You've the gods' own luck, lethallan!" He cried, sweeping her into a crushing hug.

Lyna squeaked in protest. "Fenarel! Drop me!" She ordered briskly, not in the mood for his normal jovialness.

Fenarel nodded. "You're back at camp Lyna. Everyone's been so worried about you. How do you feel?"

Lyna waved him off, searching the area around her. "I'm fine. Just worried. Where's Tamlen?"

Fenarel pulled a face, and Lyna winced, knowing exactly what it meant. "No one knows. The shem who brought you here wouldn't say where he found you, but he said he saw no one else."

Lyna frowned. "There was a shem?" She paused, her frown deepening. "Tamlen and I encountered some shems in the forest, but we got them."

Fenarel winced. "Don't tell the Keeper. She's in a right state since the shem appeared with you slung over his shoulder 2 days ago, and hearing that will do no good."

Lyna's eyes widened, and her gaze snapped to Fenarel. "What do you mean, 2 days? I've been out 2 DAYS?"

Fenarel nodded. "The shem that brought you back claimed to be a Grey Warden, and that he found you outside a cave, unconscious and alone. You were delirious with a fever, you kept muttering about a mirror, but other than that we couldn't get anything out of you. He left you before rushing off, and ever since then the hunters have been looking for the cave while the Keeper healed you with the old magic."

Lyna felt a rush of emotion for the Keeper, who she'd always considered a grandmother. "Where is she? I want to thank her before I go."

Fenarel shook his head. "She wants to see you too, but I don't think you should be rushing off anywhere." He glanced around, then kicked Lyna's legs from underneath her.

With an ungraceful thump, Lyna landed on her butt as Fenarel ran off. "Wait there! I'll get the Keeper for you."

Lyna groaned as she sat up, and she glared after him, contemplating her revenge. "How many times am I going to land on my ass today?" She muttered, gazing around the camp. Her eyes flickered past the fires, and she felt a little bit of relief as she saw the hunters all gone. They wouldn't find Tamlen until she joined the search, and she felt a pang of worry. What if he had the same illness she was fighting off? Would he be alright?

"I see you are awake da'len. How fortunate Duncan found you when he did." Lyna stood up, eyes fixing on the old woman approaching, and Lyna smiled despite herself at the sight of the Keeper. There was something about Keeper Marethari that put Lyna instantly at ease, whether it was the grandmotherly air she had about her or the essence she retained of being a solid rock in times of trouble. She held Lyna's head in her hands, nodding. "I know not what dark magic held you, but it nearly bled the life from you. It was difficult for even my magic to keep you alive." She paused, then nodded. "You look fine now though."

Lyna brought her hand to her mouth, biting at one of her fingers. "Then Tamlen could be sick, as well?"

The Keeper nodded before slapping Lyna's hand from her mouth. "I told you to stop that. It's a filthy habit. But if he encountered the same thing you did, then Tamlen's life is in danger. The Grey Warden said he found you outside a cave, already sick." She glanced behind her carefully, then turned back to Lyna. "Duncan said there may have been darkspawn in the cave. Is this true?" At Lyna's expression, the Keeper frowned. "The darkspawn are small men, but they have a certain… evilness to them."

Lyne shook her head. "There were strange monsters, but no darkspawn. And the mirror." She shuddered. "Tamlen saw something in the mirror and touched it, and then… nothing."

The Keeper frowned. "A mirror? A mirror did this?" She tapped her mouth with a finger, thinking deeply. "I have never heard of such a thing in all the lore we've collected, and never has another Keeper spoke of such a thing." She groaned, beginning to pace. "I was hoping when you awoke I would have more answers, but for every question answered, another 5 arise." She shook her head, turning back to Lyna. "That matters not. Tamlen takes priority over any lore you've discovered, and if he is as sick you were, his condition is grave."

Lyna nodded. "I'll go get him Keeper. It was my fault we went into the ruins."

Marethari frowned. "Are you sure you feel well enough to travel? If you need them, I have-"

Lyna waved her off. "I'm fine. Nothing keeps me down for long."

The Keeper smiled, relief flooding her face, but Lyna's body screeched its protest. "Take Merrill and go find Tamlen. Do so quickly, I am ordering the clan to pack the camp up so we can leave when you return with him and travel north." She shot Lyna a glare. "And YES, take Merrill. She knows a degree of my magic, which will improve Tamlen's chances greatly. She can also examine the mirror and hopefully shed some light on this sickness."

Lyna nodded as she turned to go, when the Keeper coughed. Instantly, Lyna winced, knowing it meant nothing good. "Lyna, do you have something else to tell me? Something about some humans?"

Lyna bowed her head. "Sorry Keeper. I should've killed them all."

Marethari groaned, putting her hands on her hips. "You should not have killed the one at all! Their village is in uproar, and they wish us to leave. Which," she added, seeing Lyna's expression, "I do willingly, since Duncan believes the darkspawn will begin appearing here shortly, drawn by the mirror. Not because the humans have forced us away."

Lyna shook with rage. "We should kill them! Always stepping on us, forcing us out of land that belongs to no one. We need to defend ourselves!"

The Keeper frowned, crossing her arms over her chest. "We will not, for if we invoke the wrath of their King, we have to worry about more than a few farmers." She pointed down the hill. "Go find Merrill, and quickly."

Lyna nodded. "Take Merrill to the cave and find Tamlen. Easy enough." She grinned. "We'll be back before you know it."

She rushed off, ignoring the Keeper's calls. Her eyes flickered around the camp, and she spotted Fenarel waving her over. She slowed her pace to a walk, allowing him to catch up. "Are you going back to the cave?" He asked quickly, and when Lyna nodded, he grinned. "Then I want to come along. Tamlen's my friend too."

Lyna's first thought was to tell him to shove off as punishment for pushing her down earlier, but, as she opened her mouth, their eyes met and her throat dried. True, Fenarel was never as close to Lyna as Tamlen was, but they'd all grown up together, rushing about the camp, the four of them, Lyna, Fenarel, Tamlen, and…

She shook the thought away. "Come on then. She's sent me to go fetch Merrill to take to the cave as well. We'll just say you're tagging along in case I pass out again."

Fenarel chuckled as he began to lead the way. "You're heading in the wrong direction. Merrill's over here. Anyway, what was the Keeper thinking? Sending you and Merrill off alone together. Does she feel the need to kill everyone in 50 miles?"

Lyna snorted. "Can I help that we hate each other so fervently?"

Fenarel rolled his eyes. "You just hate that she's a mage, she's prettier than you, and in some ways she replaced Kael. You never got to really know her, and you immediately started judging. If Tamlen's said it once-"

"He's said it thousand times." She shot Fenarel a glare. "And she is SO not prettier than me. That len'alas lath'din. She could never replace Kael." She huffed softly, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "You saw what she was like! Tripping over everything, setting things aflame! My hair was never the same after that last time." She moaned, ruffling her hair slightly for emphasis.

Fenarel got a far off look in his eyes, a sly grin crawling across his face. "I doubt I'll forget that ever, you sprinting around camp while Tamlen tried to put you out."

Lyna snorted. "I still remember when you tried to catch one of the halla to impress her and got thrown into a tree. I didn't ever think we were going to get you down with your pants."

Fenarel flushed red. "Not my finest moment, I'll give you that."

Lyna barely bit back her laugh. "Finest moment? Name one time you've HAD a fine moment."

"Well, if this is a surprise. I expected we'd be burying your body by now."

Instantly Lyna sobered up, glaring angrily at the woman before her. "Merrill."

If there were any two elves that could be more different, it had to be Merrill and Lyna. Merrill was a no-nonsense sort of style person, her hair constantly perfect even with little to no care. She was taller than the average elf, and absolutely beautiful, but Lyna never would be caught dead saying such a thing out loud. Lyna always suspected it had something to do with Merrill's magic, but so far she had no proof. Lyna, on the other hand, was taller than the average elf, and just a bit thicker in build than normal. Her hair was in a perpetual state of chaos, the messy blonde hair sticking up at almost every angle known to mankind and a few known only to elephants. The only part Lyna liked about herself was her tattoos, which framed her way too large green eyes that reminded her of green pond scum. On her forehead she had a faint tattoo of a tree, the roots trailing down her face and neck, disappearing under her armor.

Merrill and Lyna glared at each other for a long moment before Merrill turned to Fenarel. "Fenarel, what are you doing here?" She asked, her face lighting into a grin.

Fenarel chuckled as he pulled Merrill into a hug. "You know, making sure this one doesn't get into trouble. It's a full time job without Tamlen here."

Merrill nodded, turning back to Lyna. "Let us go then. I am eager to study these ruins and find Tamlen." She glanced at Fenarel. "Are you coming with?"

Lyna snorted. "Of course he is. Why wouldn't he be?" She shot Merrill a glare, who returned it readily as Lyna began to lead them out of camp.

"Well, did you clear it with the Keeper? We don't need to lose another warrior. But then, Lyna losing friends is as readily accepted as an arrow being fired from a bow."

Lyna winced at the remark, but she ignored it. She heard Fenarel scold Merrill as the pair followed behind her, her mind focusing on the task at hand. For being healed, she felt oddly woozy, her insides burning fervently as she moved forward, suppressing a shiver. The air felt cold around her, despite the heat she knew that would be coming from the summer sun.

She led them through the woods at a run, shoving aside her own sickness. Whatever she had, Tamlen was probably a thousand times worse, and getting worse with every second. The journey to the cave was uneventful, but as Lyna skidded to a halt outside the ruins, she was wheezing, her chest feeling uncomfortably tight. She showed no sign of weakness, however, pointing ahead. "This is the place."

Merrill frowned. "I don't like it. Something's not right."

Lyna nodded. "Tamlen said he felt the same thing inside."

Merrill's eyes widened as her eyes raked over the ruins. "And now it's affecting the forest? By the Gods…"

Fenarel looked about. "No forest creatures. It looks like something got a halla too- look at the marks." He glanced at Lyna. "Are you sure you're fine? You don't look so good Lyna."

Lyna nodded, waving him off. "I'm fine. Just a little winded."

Merrill raised an eyebrow. "I don't think I've seen you 'a little winded'. You're looking rather pale." When Lyna didn't respond, Merrill sighed. "I'll take your word, but I'm keeping an eye on you, just in case."

Lyna nodded, entering the ruins. Though she was certain there was nothing dangerous in the ruins anymore, she couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Fenarel whistled as they entered a large room, his body posture completely relaxed. "Beautiful."

Merrill nodded, her eyes shining. "Definitely human origin, but look at all the elven artifacts scattered about."

Lyna nodded. "Let's find Tamlen."

Fenarel nodded, but Merrill pursed her lips. "Or what's left of him. I can't imagine he could survive this long, sick with fever if there's something killing things in the forest. Tamlen would be easy pickings."

Lyna's eyes flashed. "Don't talk like that!" She hissed. "We don't know anything yet."

Merrill took a step back before she winced. "I'm sorry. I only meant…" She trailed off before shaking her head. "Let's just continue on. We need to explore more before I start voicing my fears."

Merrill led the way through the room, and Fenarel fell into step. "Lyna, don't judge Merrill. Tamlen's her friend too, she's just worried and setting herself up to expect the worst."

Lyna sighed. "I know. But she doesn't know Tamlen. He's still alive. I can feel it in my bones."

Fenarel sighed. "I hope you're right."

Merrill's scream suddenly echoed through the empty ruins, and Lyna stiffened as she bolted after the raven-haired girl, weapons drawn. But when she rounded the corner, nothing the Keeper had told her about darkspawn prepared her for the sight of the little green men.

Three of them had surrounded Merrill, who was firing spells at them, trying to get them to back off. Instantly, Lyna was at her side, ramming her Dar'Misu through the neck of one, slicing the throat of the second. The third barely turned around when Merrill brought her staff down on its head, stunning it long enough for Lyna to yank her Dar'Misu out of the corpse and run it through the creature's chest.

Fenarel looked too stunned to blink, let alone move as Lyna turned to Merrill, who was obviously shaken. Lyna smiled, patting her on the back. "You're fine. You handled that last one like a pro."

Merrill took a deep breath, nodding. "Thanks. I thought they were going to get me that time."

Lyna chuckled. "Hey, isn't that what friends are for?"

Fenarel made a small noise, eyes popping out of his sockets as he stared at the dead bodies. "What… What are those things?"

Lyna grimaced. "Darkspawn is my best guess. The Keeper said the shem that rescued me was worried they would begin appearing in the forest. I guess he was right."

Merrill nodded. "Let's find Tamlen. Oh, I do hope the darkspawn didn't find him first…"

Lyna nodded solemnly, but Fenarel chuckled. "Knowing Tamlen, he's probably waiting for us and wondering what took so long. He has that shield Lyna gave him- protection against everything and anything."

Merrill giggled. "I wonder if he gave her anything back."

Lyna flushed, suddenly feeling awkward at where the conversation was going. "Let's just go." She muttered, her hand automatically tightening around the Dar'Misu possessively.

Fenarel, however, was reluctant to let the idea go the second he saw Lyna's hand tighten, and he chuckled. "A faithful blade, I'm sure. One to slay her enemies maybe?"

Lyna fought the urge to chuck the blade at his head as Merrill grinned. "Oh yes, for sure. I always wondered when the Keeper would announce their engagement."

Lyna led the way to the room with the mirror, somewhat expecting a large darkspawn to attack, but her eyes fixed on a singular person in the room, eyeing the mirror with great curiosity. With a frown, she entered the room, blades still drawn.

The man turned around, and Lyna fought back her surprise. "You!"

The shem smiled at her. "It's you. I'm glad to see you've recovered."

Merrill's eyes widened, and she bowed respectfully to the man. "You're the Warden! Thank you for saving Lyna's life sir, the Dalish are in your debt." She looked at Lyna, indicating with her head she should thank him.

Lyna snorted as she put her blades away. "I owe this shem nothing."

Merrill straightened up, eyes blazing. "Lyna, this man is a Grey Warden, he demands respect-"

The Grey Warden waved her off, chuckling. "It's perfectly fine. As a Grey Warden, I am expected to help my allies whenever possible." His eyes raked over Lyna, a curious look on his face. "Truth be told, I am surprised you recovered."

Lyna blinked. "And you are the first shem I have met who is open-minded enough to speak to us willingly. It is not often I meet a shemlen worth talking to."

He laughed softly, merriment in his eyes. "Then I am thankful we are having this conversation. I am Duncan."

Merrill smiled. "I am Merrill, Duncan of the Grey Wardens. This is Fenarel, a warrior of our clan, and Lyna, an ungrateful rogue who gets into far more trouble than one could expect of a Dalish elf."

Fenarel cut Lyna's outraged cry off, gesturing behind him. "You're a Grey Warden… Did you come here alone?"

Duncan nodded. "I hope your Keeper was not worried about me, I told her I would be fine by myself."

Lyna shook her head. "We came to find our brother, Tamlen. He was here with me too."

Duncan frowned, shaking his head. "I've met no one but darkspawn. But I did find this beneath the mirror, is it perhaps his?"

Lyna sucked in a large gulp of air as Duncan held out the object, and she took it, hands shaking. "This is Tamlen's shield…" Her eyes flickered to the mirror. "He said something about someone in the mirror, is it possible he got pulled in when he touched it?"

Duncan shook his head. "This mirror is Tevinter in origin, but it was once used for communication before it broke. Darkspawn taint infected it, now all it does is draw darkspawn to it. When your friend touched it, he must have released the taint inside it. It must be what made you so sick, and possibly Tamlen too."

Lyna nodded. "Then we'll take it back to the Keeper. She might be able to figure out what happened to Tamlen if she sees it."

Duncan shook his head. "I'm afraid I cannot let you do this, the mirror attracts darkspawn, and it puts your clan at great risk just to have it here. It will continue to infect others with the darkspawn taint if left alone."

Lyna swallowed, her eyes fixed on the mirror's surface, as if hoping Tamlen would appear on the other side. "Can we fix it then?"

Merrill, however, posed another question. "So… Lyna is infected with the darkspawn taint?" She glanced at the blonde, eyes wide. "But she's better now, she's cured!"

Duncan shook his head. "She is still infected. The healing your Keeper did slowed the spread, but did not stop it. I can still sense the sickness in Lyna, and I'm sure she understands what I mean."

Lyna shook her head. "I am fine. What matters now is getting Tamlen from the mirror."

Duncan shook his head. "The mirror cannot be fixed. All that awaits it now is its destruction, before it infects anyone else." He drew his sword, and Lyna's eyes widened.

"No! I won't let you!" She moved forward, as if to block his blow, but a hand grabbed her, pulling her backwards. She fought against the arms that held her back, but it was in vain as Duncan smashed the mirror. As the mirror shattered into a thousand pieces, something inside her shattered as well, and her attempts grew weak as whatever shattered inside her began to burn more painfully than the darkspawn taint.

Whoever was holding her back let go, and she stood, shock ringing through her as Duncan sheathed his sword, turning back to them. "It is done." He walked over to Lyna, setting a hand on her shoulder. "I am sorry Lyna."

He turned to face Merrill, and Lyna balled her fists. "How dare you destroy that mirror!" She hissed, blinded by tears of rage. "What about Tamlen?"

Duncan frowned. "I would dare to do more to stop a darkspawn threat here. I am sorry about your friend, but there is nothing we can do."

Lyna shook her head, moving towards the mirror. "I'm fine! I'm alive! Why couldn't he be too? I'm not leaving till I find him."

Duncan's hand squeezed her shoulder gently, the way a father would for a bratty child. "He has been infected by the taint for three days now, unaided. Let me be clear, there is no hope for him. Through your own willpower and your Keeper's magic, you survived, but Tamlen stood no chance. Trust me when I say he is gone. We need to return so I can speak to the Keeper about a cure for you."

Lyna drew in a shaky breath. "But there would at least be a body. We can at least-"

Duncan shook his head. "The darkspawn would've taken it. It… It would be best to leave it at that."

Lyna opened her mouth to argue, but a small hand found hers, holding it tightly. "Lyna…"

Lyna turned her head, catching Merrill's eye. The mage was crying silently, but she had the expression of pure determination on her face. "It's… It's best to leave it at that."

Fenarel nodded, placing a firm hand on her shoulder. "He's gone lethallan. Gone to be with the Creators… There's nothing we can do."

Lyna made a small pained noise, vocalizing her dislike of the idea as tears streamed down her face, but she let her friends lead her away, still clutching Tamlen's shield to herself. She heard the others talking, but her brain felt like mush. All she recognized was Tamlen's shield in her hands, cold against her skin. Carefully, she slung the shield over her shoulder, blinking her tears away.

If Tamlen was no longer there to protect her, she'd protect his memory until the day she died, this she could at least promise him.