Chapter 3: She's Mine

A/N: Flashback chapter, there are going to be a lot of those. Still don't own anything. Enjoy!

Keeper Marethari and Ashalle convened behind closed doors discussing the future of the nine year old Vaela Mahariel.

"She must continue her training with me," the Keeper began. "We're a small clan as it is, and I can't be the only mage here. I need a First."

"Vaela isn't what you're looking for!" Ashalle told the Keeper pointedly. They had to remain somewhat quiet so that the little nine year old couldn't eavesdrop on their conversation. It was no secret amongst the clan that Vaela could sneak up on anyone without making a sound.

"Am I to take your word for it, Ashalle?" Marethari asked. "You love her and would do anything to protect her. But, if she has any of her father's talent, it's my duty as the Keeper to make sure that…"

Vaela yawned. All she could hear was something about magic and that subject always put her to sleep whenever Hahren Paivel would tell stories about the ancient elves and their magic trees. "Whatever," she said to herself. "I wonder what Fenarel and Tamlen are doing…"

"There's no such thing as darkspawn, Fenarel."

"Are too! I even saw one!" Fenarel protested.

"Did not."

"Did so."

"Yeah, sure. Hey, let's ask Vaela what she thinks," Tamlen said after spotting his best friend walking towards the two bickering lads.

"What's up, boys?" she greeted. She couldn't help but feel as if she was interrupting a conversation of great importance.

Tamlen made his case first. "Fenarel keeps saying he saw a darkspawn, but I keep saying those monsters don't exist."

"It looked just like what Hahren Paivel described!" Fenarel said. "Come on, Vaela, you think darkspawn are real, don't you?"

Vaela often wondered the same thing about Darkspawn. Were they real? Or just stories the Hahren made up to keep the three young elves from misbehaving? "Hmm… where did you see the darkspawn?"

"Oh, come on! Don't tell me you're buying this story!"

"Well-" before Vaela could respond, Keeper Marethari was already behind her.

"Firstly, yes darkspawn are real. Secondly, weren't you supposed to stay somewhere I could find you?" Marethari wondered what kind of excuse Vaela would come up with this time.

"Umm… you and Mamae had been talking for so long, and I got bored," the small elf answered honestly.

Marethari appeared pleased with this surprisingly honest answer from her. "It's very important I speak with you privately, Vaela," Keeper said firmly, but warmly.

Back in Marethari's aravel, the Keeper had a few questions for the young girl whose answers would decide both their futures.

"Do you know why you're here today, da'len?"

"Am I in trouble?"

"No, of course not, da'len. I only wish to ask you a few questions. Is that all right?"

"I guess so. But why was Mamae so upset earlier?"

"She just loves you very much, da'len. She worries about you, that's all. Look, just a few questions and you can go, okay?"

Vaela nodded in understanding.

"Have you ever scraped your knee, da'len?"

"Yeah! It hurt a lot, but Mamae made it better with some ointment."

"It didn't heal by itself?"

Vaela shook her head no. "Nuh-uh, Mamae made it better. She's the best doctor in the world!" Vaela declared matter-of-factly.

"Have you ever seen anything set on fire?"

"You mean, like the fire in the middle of camp? For story time, I guess."

"Have you ever… wanted to set something on fire?"

Vaela was visibly uncomfortable by this point. Marethari had yet to decide if it was because she was getting closer to the girl's secret powers or if the questions scared her.

"I… I don't know, Keeper. Ca- can we stop? Please?"

"Yes, of course. Go out and play with your friends, da'len."

Moments later, the young Mahariel sprinted away from the aravel and the Keeper soon followed. Ashalle stood nearby waiting for Marethari.

"Well? What happened?" she asked.

"Your daughter," Keeper Marethari began, "has absolutely no magical talent whatsoever."

"Then… she is mine."

"Yes, of course. We'll still need to find a First, though."

"I'm sure the Creators will bless us with one soon, Keeper."

"Hmph, try not to sound so excited… it was only the future of our clan at stake." Marethari responded.

"I'm relieved. What mother wouldn't be?"