Disclaimer: Good grief. I don't own Dragon Age!

Chapter Four: In Which I Meet My First…Witch.

I seem to be learning a LOT of new stuff lately. Ever since I dropped into Thedas, it's just been one lesson after another, and I'm still nowhere near understanding this world. I guess the laws and morals of my world make it hard to grasp another's.

Anyway, as you may have guessed, my latest lessons were taught by Anders. I didn't get to stay long for the first lesson (since Garrett came back to get me…I was sad), but I've started stopping by his clinic after my archery lessons with Varric. Anders is a pretty good teacher, and he's very patient. He doesn't get irritated when I mess up, and his instructions are pretty easy to follow. So far, Anders has only been able to teach me how to mix a few poultices and wrap wounds, but he says I've helped him a lot…I worry for him sometimes, though. He doesn't get enough rest. I don't know what he stays up all night doing, but it had better be SUPER important. I don't want my favorite healer to get sick, after all! I wish I could help him out more, but I'm not very far along in my lessons, yet. Anders told me that he gets so many injured refugees—from Ferelden, fleeing the Blight, which is an invasion of darkspawn—that he lost count years ago. I've seen at least forty people come to him seeking aid in the week and a half that I've been coming to his clinic. Do those people work in dangerous places on PURPOSE? I mean, seriously! Eight out of ten of Anders' patients have some kind of life-threatening gash or have a limb cut off or something. It's gross, and horrifying! But, according to Anders, only the most tedious and dangerous jobs will take on Ferelden refugees. People piss me off sometimes. Anders only lets me help with the more…minor injuries. He always takes on the really serious ones. I like him; he's a real sweetheart. He heals everybody for free, did you know that? It's a wonder that guy survives, not getting money from his patients unless they insist…which they can hardly ever afford to.

At any rate…enough of my ramblings. Time to advance my messed-up little story.

Garrett is hardly ever home these days. He's always out doing running some errand or another, helping out pretty much every citizen of Kirkwall that can't fix his or her own problems…which is nearly everyone. When I asked him why he was doing all the things he did, he told me he was trying to save up fifty sovereigns for a trip into the Deep Roads…that number nearly blew my mind. In Thedas, a sovereign is another name for a gold coin, and those are VERY difficult to come by. Each sovereign is worth 100 silver pieces (or just silvers), and each silver is worth 100 coppers pieces (or "bits", as many people tend to call them). So, if a bit was the equivalent of one cent, that would make a silver the equivalent of one dollar, and a sovereign the equivalent of 100 dollars. Get the picture? In Earth terms, Garrett is trying to save up 5,000 dollars to invest in this expedition. I think it's crazy, but he says he'll come back with even more gold than that, and he'll be able to buy back his family's lost estate in Hightown and much more. I sure hope he's right. Brother-Dearest hasn't brought me on any interesting quests since the arrow incident, either. He only brings me along when he's actually running a simple errand (like finding something somebody lost), and refuses to bring me along if he knows he's gonna end up fighting someone. His concern is appreciated, but not necessary…

So, to say I was surprised when he asked me to come to Sundermount with him would be an understatement.

*BAMSCENECHANGE*

"You want me to what?" I gaped at Garrett as he stood before me in Gamlen's tiny house.

Garrett pursed his lips. "I have a…promise that I need to fulfill, and I'd like you to come along."

I folded my arms across my chest, smirking. "So, you've finally come out of your 'overprotective-older-brother' phase, have ya?"

"You said my overprotective-ness made you feel happy!"

"Up until the point where it starts interferin' with my entertainment level," I said pointedly. "I've been so BORED, Gare! When I ain't with Varric or Anders, I have nothin' to DO. The stuff ya usually bring me along for is so utterly dull!"

"…I know, I know. I just don't want you getting hurt again. Mother would KILL me," he sighed. Leandra's such a sweet lady. She's very motherly.

"Well, it's good to see that you've finally come to your senses." I unfolded my arms. "Where're we headed, then?"

"First, we're getting you armor," Garrett said decisively. "Those foreign clothes of yours don't protect you at ALL. I'll feel better about you going into battle again if you've got some protection."

I puffed out my cheeks. "Aww…" I huffed. "Fine, but I ain't wearin' anything that remotely resembles a dress. That goes for skirts, too."

"Deal. Let's go find you some armor, and I'll fill you in on the mission details afterward." Garrett grabbed my arm and pulled me towards the door, only giving me a few seconds to grab my bow and quiver.

"Oi! I can walk on my own, y'know," I said with slight annoyance, shutting the door when we got onto Gamlen's tiny porch-like area. I was surprised to see Anders and Isabela waiting for us at the bottom of the stairs. "Hey there, guys. Long time no see, Isabela."

"No kidding. Hawke tells me you're settling in rather nicely…he also says that you've been spending quite a bit of time with our little healer," she said with a wink. Anders blinked several times.

I raised an eyebrow, shooting Garrett a brief, but dirty, look. "Not really…I've spent more time with Varric than with Anders. What are ya gettin' at…?" I have a feeling I know exactly what she's getting at. Anders is attractive, kind-hearted, and an all-around warm person, but I've only known the guy for a week and a half. Come on, now.

"Oh, nothing. Don't worry about it, kitten," she giggled. She put a hand on her hip. "So, I hear we'll be suiting you up for battle? Good thing you have me along. Men are useless when it comes to fashion."

I laughed. "Ya think so? Well, I won't be the only woman on this trip, at least. I'd hate to be surrounded by a couple'a filthy men," I said dramatically, fake-swooning.

Anders pouted. "Hey, we're not all filthy. Besides, Isabela's probably the dirtiest out of all of us."

Isabela shrugged. "No argument there. Now, come along! All this waiting is making me anxious." She grabbed me by the arm and pulled me along as she sauntered away…luckily, I was quick enough to jump before I ended up tumbling down the stairs.

"Why doesn't anyone think I'm capable of walkin' on my own?!" I huffed, giving Anders a pleading look. "Anders, help me!"

The blonde-haired mage just shrugged, a smirk tugging at his lips. He's enjoying this! I glanced at Garrett, hoping to find sympathy from my foster sibling, but he was wearing a full-blown grin. When our eyes locked, he simply whistled and looked away.

"I hate…every single one of you," I muttered.

"You love us and you know it, kitten," Isabela laughed.

"Says you…"

Isabela stopped in front of a merchant's stall in the Lowtown Bazaar. "This looks like a nice enough place to shop." She released my arm (allowing me to rub the offended limb) and pushed Anders and Garrett. "Shoo! You're not allowed to see her until we find the right outfit! Go on, shoo!"

I facepalmed. "We're lookin' for armor, Izzy, not my wedding dress," I sighed. I locked gazes with a startled Anders as he was being pushed away. Giving him an exasperated look and a shrug, he responded with an amused smile. He has a nice smile…even when he's making fun of me. When the two men rounded the corner, I turned to Isabela. Oh no. She was looking at me with a giant, shit-eating grin. I have a bad feeling about this. Nothing good can come from THAT smile.

"Let's get started."

*TIME SKIP*

To make a long story short, Isabela picked out several armor sets that she was sure would look positively delicious on me (her words, not mine). Then, before I could even say anything (or, possibly, run away), she shoved me into the back room that the merchant had for trying on armor. I tried on all but one of the sets, and each left Isabela slightly disappointed. There was only one left…let's hope this'll do it. I slipped my limbs through the sleeves and legs, buckling all the buckles, and stepped out of the room so Isabela could judge the outfit. (What is this, Project Runway?) And, if the way her expression brightened was any indication, this was The One.

"You look absolutely GORGEOUS," Isabela cried. "Take a look!"

I turned around and faced the tall mirror the merchant had laying against a wall. Whoa. Is that really me?

The armor set that I had on had several parts: the black, knee-high boots with the spiked soles and hidden sheathes for small blades, if necessary; the black-and-red lightly-armored skirt (didn't I say I wanted NOTHING to do with skirts?) that barely reached my mid-thigh; a skin-tight, low-neck crimson tunic; a pair of fingerless leather gloves with spiked knuckles; and a black vest/short-sleeved-jacket that was made of durable leather, covered with light metal plates, and made to show off my…well, curves. It had swirls of red on the black metal plates, a harness in the back for my bow and quiver, and the V-shaped neck of the outer armor (and the tunic, I suppose) was low enough to almost be embarrassing. Almost. All in all, I looked…well, amazingly badass. "Wow…"

"My thoughts exactly." A sly grin made Isabela look like a scheming fox. Oh dear. "Anders will be simply SMITTEN when he sees you, kitten." Hey, that rhymed! Wait a minute…

"You're not tryin' to play matchmaker, are ya, Izzy?" I asked.

"Oh, come on! You guys would look SO cute together! Besides, he needs someone to help him loosen up. He never has any fun anymore, thanks to that damn spi—" Isabela suddenly stopped herself.

"Um…are you okay?" I asked warily. Isabela immediately grinned. What was she about to say?

"Yep! Now, give me those old clothes of yours and let's show you off! Oooh, I can't wait to see the boys' faces when they see you~!" Isabela stuffed my old clothes into her little bag, hooked her arm through mine and pulled me away, after dropping the merchant his pay of course. "Anders! Hawke! Where'd you run off too?" she called. We rounded the corner they retreated around, and found them standing a few feet away. Oh God. Please don't tell me they were close enough to hear Isabela's little matchmaking scheme. If they were, they certainly didn't show it.

As soon as their eyes landed on me, their jaws dropped. Did I see Anders do a double take? Well, now I feel all womanly. "Maker's breath," Garrett said. "Amari, you look…"

"Amazing," Anders finished. I felt heat rise to my cheeks.

"Doesn't she, though?" Isabela slid her arm around my shoulders. "She'd never look this good if I let you MEN help her pick one out. You're welcome."

"I feel kinda…exposed…" I muttered, staring at my feet.

"Oh, don't be such a Chantry sister," Isabela teased. "You should show off a little. You have the body for it! Anders, you agree with me, don't you?"

Anders jumped, as though the question startled him. "I, uh…well, the armor suits her, certainly…" He cleared his throat, face turning red.

She asked him on purpose! That sly little… "Don't ask him that! Jesus, Isabela, where's your shame?" I huffed, smacking her upside the head.

Isabela rubbed her head where I smacked her, grinning. "Honey, I lost my shame YEARS ago."

Garrett facepalmed. "Guys…as amusing as it is to watch Isabela embarrass you two, we should really get moving. I've put this off long enough, the witch shouldn't be kept waiting any longer."

Whoa, hold the phone! Did he just say "witch"? "…I think it's high time ya explained to me what's goin' on, Gare," I said, folding my arms across my chest.

Garrett smiled sheepishly. "Let's walk and talk."

*TIME SKIP*

So, Garrett revealed to me the story of how he met the Witch of the Wilds (the Wilds being the area of dense, untamed forests in the southern region of Ferelden). It was when he, Leandra, Carver, Aveline, and her deceased husband Wesley were escaping Lothering to seek refuge in Kirkwall. Shortly after he killed the ogre that had murdered his sister, they were surrounded by a large group of darkspawn. Just when they were beginning to think they were done for, a dragon suddenly swooped down from a cliff and took out the group in a matter of moments. After the monsters were nice and roasted, the dragon transformed into a woman right before their eyes. Garrett describes the woman as tall and lean, with snow-white hair that was style to look like long, dragon horns, and she wore red and black leather armor with black feathers on the shoulders. He said she had sharp golden eyes with slitted pupils, that seemed like they were staring right into your soul. She also seemed rather…old. After conversing with the witch for a while, she revealed that her name was Flemeth. She promised to get them safely to the city of Gwaren, where they could take a ship to Kirkwall…as long as Garrett promised to do something for her in return. She had given him a strange amulet, and told him to bring it to a Dalish clan on Sundermount. There, he would need to speak with their Keeper, and do whatever she told him to with the amulet. Dalish…I believe the Dalish are clans of elves that wander the wilderness, living by their own laws and traditions. I also heard that they have a strong hatred of humans. I hope this doesn't end with someone dying.

And, here we are. On Sundermount. Gosh, this mountain was CREEPY. The air was stifling, and I keep getting the feeling that someone is watching us.

"Amari?" Anders' voice pulled me from my thoughts. "Are you alright?"

I rubbed my arm, which was starting to get goose bumps. "Yeah, I'm fine." I pursed my lips. "Does this place creep you out, too?"

Anders chuckled. "A bit, perhaps. I'm sure it's nothing." He put his hand on my shoulder in a gesture of reassurance.

The area on my shoulder that his hand was resting on started to tingle…and from the way he started blinking, he felt it too. How peculiar. His hand remained on my shoulder for a few extra moments, before he pulled away.

"Come on, you two," Garrett called, a few feet ahead of us. "You're gonna get left behind!"

Anders smiled at me. I'm telling you, that damned smile of his can melt the heart of any woman! It could be a weapon of mass destruction if he used it right. "We shouldn't keep Hawke waiting. Let's go." He started to walk away, leaving me fast-walking to catch up with him.

Within a few feet of the Dalish camp, we were attacked by giant spiders. Yes, you heard correctly. GIANT. SPIDERS. Not "giant" as in the size of a meatball—that kind of "giant" I could handle. No, these spiders were the size of a motherfuckin' CAR. I mentioned before how much I LOATHE bugs, right? Well, you can imagine how I reacted.

"HOLY FUCK ON A SANDWICH!" I screamed, as one of the massive arachnids landed directly in front of me. I turned around and darted away to a safe distance, so the spiders wouldn't feel the need to go after me first. I whipped out my bow, notching an arrow as shooting the spider in the head. "DIE, BITCHES, DIE!" I yelled, firing more arrows in rapid succession. Each of them landed in a different spider in the group of five…although a few of them almost hit Isabela, as she wailed on the spiders with her two daggers.

"Watch where you're shooting that thing!" she protested.

"Gomen nasai!" I replied. I didn't notice her confused look; I was too busy trying to make Swiss cheese out of those spiders.

With the combined damage of my arrows, Isabela's blades, and Anders and Garrett's spells, the spiders were wiped out relatively quickly. As the last spider fell, I breathed a sigh of relief and put my weapon away, not even bothering to retrieve the arrows that were embedded in the spiders' carcasses. I can't stand to look at those things, even dead.

Suddenly, Garrett stormed up to me, looking at me like I was crazy. "Andraste's great flaming ass! What got into you just then, Amari?! You looked like some kind of psycho-killer!"
I giggled sheepishly. "I, uh…really don't like bugs."

"I could tell, from the way you were screaming, 'die, bitches, die!'" Anders laughed.

"I'm SO happy you all can laugh about this," drawled Isabela, as she wiped off her daggers and sauntered up to us. "Those arrows of yours nearly turned my head into a quiver, kitten!" she cried.

I rubbed the back of my neck. "Sorry 'bout that, Izzy…"

Garrett sighed. "If you were that good EVERY time you fought, I wouldn't HAVE to worry about bringing you along on dangerous missions." He shook his head, putting away his bladed staff. "Anyway, we're wasting time. The Dalish camp is just up ahead."

Turns out, the Dalish were JUST as unfriendly as I expected them to be.

"Hold, Shemlen," quipped one of the elves that stood guard at the camp entrance. "Your kind are not welcome among the Dalish."

"What did you call me?" Garrett wondered.

"It means you are not one of the People, and should leave," the elf said impatiently.

"Who EXACTLY are the Dalish?" asked my foster sibling. Useless questions. C'mon, Garrett, let's get movin'…

"We are the last of the Elvhen," replied the elven woman standing next to the rude one.

"Keep that in mind, Gare," I said sarcastically. "Elves you see elsewhere? Figments of your imagination." The two elves simply rolled their eyes at me.

"They have given up their identities to live with the Shemlen," said the woman. "They are Elvhen no more."

Garrett raised his hands in surrender. "Yeah, okay. Anyway, I'm not expecting tea and cakes. I just need to see someone."

"There's nothing here for any human!" the elf man growled. Ooooh, someone's hostile…then again, humans did enslave elves for centuries and stuff…

"Wait." The woman tilted her head slightly, staring at Garrett. "This is the one the Keeper spoke of."

Her friend's eyes widened in surprise. "A Shemlen? I thought he'd be an elf."

They stepped aside. "Enter the camp. Keeper Marethari has been waiting for you," the woman said politely.

"Cause trouble and you'll meet our blades, stranger." The douche-elf glared at us as we passed. Turning around, I stuck out my tongue at the elven man's back.

"You're so childish," Anders chuckled. I felt my cheeks get warm. Whoops…he wasn't supposed to see that. "Oh, don't be embarrassed." He put a hand on my head. "It's cute." Did he just call…no, I must have misheard…

"Get a room, you two," Isabela snickered. I shot her a brief glare.

"Keeper Marethari?" Garrett approached an elderly, white-haired elven woman with a wooden staff on her back. Look, a mage. Heh, if those bastard Templars were smart enough to know that only mages used staves as weapons, they'd be much more successful in their mage-hunting. Fortunately, they're all about as sharp as basketball. "I was told to bring you this amulet." He held the necklace out to her.

"Andaran atish'an, travelers…"

Keeper Marethari then proceeded to tell us that we had to do something ELSE before Garrett's debt was fully repaid…big surprise there. To complete the task, we were to accompany the Keeper's First (in other words, her assistant/right-hand/heir) to the top of the mountain. There, we had to place the amulet on the altar that was supposedly built there, and her First would recite a Dalish rite for the departed…and then we had to bring her First with us when we left. Sounds simple. Right?

Nothing in Thedas is EVER that simple.

As we walked up the path that led up the mountain, we came across the Keeper's First. She was kneeling on the ground, and I caught a glimpse of a flash of light before she noticed we were there. The light went out instantly, and she stood up, dusting herself off and walking over to us. Another mage. What are the odds? She had short black hair, slanted green eyes, and facial tattoos that every Dalish elf seemed to have. Must be some kind of Dalish tradition…

"Oh. I didn't hear." The woman smiled brightly at us. "You must be the ones the Keeper told me about. Aneth ara." Then, her eyes widened. "I'm sorry! I didn't ask your name! Unless…" She frowned. "It's not rude to ask a human their name, is it?" She sighed. "I'm rambling, sorry…"

Anders and I glanced at each other, both of us with expressions mixed with incredulousness and amusement. She's a ditz. I can already tell. Anders was probably thinking the same thing.

"I like her," Isabela muttered to me. I rolled my eyes.

"You like anythin' with a pulse, Izzy," I teased.

Garrett shot us a look that clearly said 'shut up, you guys are stupid'. We fell silent, and Garrett turned back to the elf. "You'll have to work harder than that to offend me. My name's Hawke." Even HE calls himself by his last name. What, is "Garrett" not good enough for people?

"I'm Merrill. But, you probably knew that already." Did Marethari mention her name? I must not have been paying attention. "Anyway, your task is for Asha'bellanar. It's not wise to make her wait." Witch of the Wilds, Flemeth, Asha'bellanar…how many names does this old lady have, anyway?

Off we went. Up the mountain…well, we didn't get very far until something stopped us. Walking skeletons…joy of joys. They all had rusty, jagged weapons, and some of them still had rotting flesh and bits of hair still connected to their bodies. Ew. Ew. Ew. And they smelled horrible…nothing like the smell of dead darkspawn, but horrible nonetheless. I made sure to stay at a VERY safe distance while attacking these guys. One of the corpses came at me anyway, though, and I probably would have been injured again if Anders hadn't crushed it with one of his Stone Fist spells. He was my hero, once again. I think I'm getting a little crush on my favorite healer…uh-oh.

After they were all dead (again), Garrett stopped and asked Merrill some questions. Hypocrite. Who was the one who was urging us to pick up the pace earlier? And now, he's stopping us in our tracks to ask questions that don't even really matter? I mean, really. I wanna see if this rite will cause something interesting to happen.

We ended up fighting a few more groups of creatures on our way up the mountain, and through the cave that led to the top. It wasn't just corpses, either. There were a couple Shadow Warriors, an Arcane Horror, and even some Shades. Have you ever seen a Shade? They're demons, and they're kind of hard to describe…they were dark purple with a little black mixed in, they didn't have feet or visible mouths or noses, and they were all rather hunched over. So yeah, I fought my first demon on this venture…although I wouldn't have objected if I never met a demon at all. They're very creepy, and Garrett hasn't told me much about them. Maybe I'll ask him later. Or Anders…I'm sure they know plenty about them, since they're both mages. Speaking of mages, let's talk about Merrill. We stumbled across a quaint little barrier on our way up the mountain, and Merrill was kind enough to clear it away for us. Wanna know how she did it? Blood magic. She just slit open her wrist like it was no big deal and used the blood to clear the magical barrier. Yep, she's a blood mage. Isn't that just WONDERFUL?

Anyway.

We all stood before the altar, Isabela and I watching nervously (and I with a bit of curiosity as well) as Garrett placed the amulet on it. Then, Merrill began to chant in her native tongue, which was too confusing to be able to write down. As the rite came to an end, a bright yellow light flashed from the amulet, and as we closed our eyes to prevent ourselves from being temporarily blinded, I heard something land softly in front of us. Opening my eyes, I wasn't all that surprised to see the woman Garrett described in his tale of the Hawkes' escape from Lothering, standing before us, looking all too pleased with herself as she surveyed us with a wise gaze. With everything I've been through these past months, nothing really surprised me anymore.

"Ah, and here we are," the witch said with a satisfied sigh.

"Flemeth…" Garrett whispered, looking shocked.

"Andaran atish'an, Asha'bellanar," Merrill said, bowing respectfully.

Flemeth regarded her smugly. "One of the People, I see…so young and bright. Do you know who I am, beyond that title?"

"I know only a little," Merrill admitted.

"Then stand. The People bend their knee too quickly." Merrill quickly stood straight. Flemeth glanced at Garrett, a smile tugging at her lips. "So refreshing to see someone who keeps their end of a bargain," she drawled. "I half expected my amulet to end up in a merchant's pocket."

"Nobody would buy it," Garrett replied sarcastically. "Perhaps because it had a witch inside?"

"Just a piece," Flemeth said. "A small piece. But it was all I needed. A bit of security, should the inevitable occur…and if I know my Morrigan, it already has."

I glanced at Anders, wondering how he was taking this. I found him staring at Flemeth through narrowed, suspicious eyes. "What are you?" he asked warily. "A spirit? …An abomination? This is no magic I have ever seen."

She smirked. "And you would know of spirits and abominations." I'm sensing some kind of implication there…

Anders blinked rapidly. "I'm a mage. Of course I know of such things."

Her smirk widened. "Of course." Okay, that was definitely implying something. My suspicions rose when I saw a flash of guilt in Anders' eyes. "I am a fly in the ointment," she continued. "I am a whisper in the shadows. I am also an old, old woman. More than that, you need not know." Suddenly, her gaze turned to me. Garrett was right, it does seem like she's staring right into my soul. "And you, child…I was expecting you. How nice to see that you made it to Kirkwall in one piece…" Another implication. She knows something!

"You know somethin' 'bout how I got here, don'tcha?!" I demanded, taking a step forward. "Please, tell me!"

Flemeth tilted her head. "Why would you want to know such a thing?"

I threw my hands in the air. "So I can find a way to get home, obviously! I have a family, y'know, and friends, that are probably worried sick…"

"Do you? I rather think you're exaggerating a bit…you know as well as I that there aren't many people 'worried' about you," Flemeth said nonchalantly. I winced. Ouch. I wish she wasn't right…wait, how would she know that? "And, if given the chance to go home…would you truly want to go?

"Of course I would," I retorted.

"I don't think you would."

"And how would you know?" I asked defensively.

"I know a great many things, my dear. I know that you have made many friends, and even a family here, that you would rather not leave. I know that you will have feelings for someone, but will be afraid to love again… I know that your role in the lives of the people around you is a much bigger role than you realize. I also know that you are not always…honest."

My blood ran cold. Stop talking, stop talking… "Nobody is always honest," I huffed.

"Some more so than others." The rest of the group were looking at me now. I think they suspect something…crap…

Luckily, Garrett chose not to ask. Instead, he looked at Flemeth. "You have plans, I take it?"

"Destiny awaits us both, dear boy. We have much to do. Before I go…a word of advice?" Flemeth turned around, walking towards the edge of the summit. "We stand upon the precipice of change. The world fears the inevitable plummet into the abyss. Watch for that moment," she whispered. "And when it comes, do not hesitate to leap." She turned around to face us again. "It is only when you fall, that you learn whether you can fly!"

"Cheap advice from a dragon," Garrett replied humorously.

"We all have our challenges," she said with a shrug. She looked at Merrill. "As for you, child: step carefully. No path is darker than when your eyes are shut."

Merrill nodded. "Ma serannas, Asha'bellanar."

"And as for you…" Flemeth turned her sharp gaze to me. "Do not be afraid of the things to come, and make your decisions carefully. What you do may very well change the course of fate. You and your foster brother are destined for greatness." I pursed my lips, not responding. "Now…the time has come for me to leave." She glanced from me, to Garrett, and back again. "You have my thanks…and my sympathy." Well, THAT'S not ominous. Flemeth walked towards the edge of the summit once again. A yellow light surrounded her, and before our eyes…she transformed into a dragon, and flew away. Neat trick.

"Well." Garrett took a deep breath. "That was odd, to say the least." He glanced at me. "Amari, why don't you go on home? We'll wrap things up here."

"Yeah, okay…"

"I'll go with her," Anders offered. "I could actually use her help at the clinic." He locked eyes with me, his clearly saying, 'we need to talk'. Well. I suppose I can't avoid it. He walked over and put his hand on my back, leading me away.

*SCENE CHANGE*

"What was Flemeth talking about back there?" Anders demanded, as soon as we arrived at his clinic.

"Ya don't waste any time, do ya…" I muttered. Then, I blinked innocently at him. "I'd rather know what Flemeth meant when she was talkin' to you."

He flinched almost unnoticeably. "Don't change the subject, Amari," he sighed. "Please, just tell me."

I looked at him for a moment. "So, even the healer has a deep, dark secret?" My face was emotionless. "How am I supposed to trust you with anything, Anders, if you won't trust me?"

"I do trust you," he said immediately.

"Do you?" I tilted my head. "Remember when I told ya when I wanted to help ya fight for mages?" He nodded. "Ya haven't been lettin' me do anything to help at all. Why not? You don't think I truly wanna help? You think I'm some kinda Templar spy?"

Anders' brow furrowed. "Of course not." He looked away. "The stuff I do is very dangerous, Amari, and if I'm caught…I could get executed. I just…didn't want to put you at risk like that. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you because of me."

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Really? That's…kinda sweet, actually." I felt myself begin to blush, but I forced it down. I gave a heavy sigh. "Fine, I s'pose I could tell ya my little secret. But, ya gotta promise me two things."

"What two things?"

"One: that ya won't call me crazy. And two: that'll you'll tell me that secret of yours someday."

Anders smiled slightly. "Deal."

"Alright, then." Maybe Anders could even help me out. "You know I'm not from around here, right?"

"Yes."

"And y'know how I have amnesia and all?"

"What of it? Are you remembering things now?"

"I, uh…I never had amnesia in the first place," I admitted sheepishly.

That caught him off-guard. "What?!" he cried. "Why would you lie about something like that?!" A look of disbelief shone in his eyes, and I knew right away what kind of thoughts were running through his mind.

"If you think I only said that so Garrett would take pity on me, you better fuckin' think again," I growled. "What kinda person do ya take me for?! I had a perfectly honest reason for tellin' him that! I don't lie to get things from people!"

"You're right, you're right, I'm sorry," Anders said hastily. "Please, continue." Damn straight I'm gonna continue. Douche.

"I told Garrett I didn't remember where I was from, or how I got here, because he would've thought I was insane if I told him the truth." I took a deep breath. "Okay, I'm just gonna come out and say it. I'm not…from Thedas. I'm from a different world."

Anders looked at me incredulously. "Right. And I've been having a secret affair with the Knight-Commander. What's the real reason?"

I threw my hands in the air. "See?! I knew you wouldn't believe me! Nobody will!" I sank to the floor, covering my face with my hands. "Nobody will help me find a way to get home. I'm stuck in this chaotic fantasy-land forever."

Anders didn't reply right away. I heard footsteps, and my heart sank. He's walking away. Lovely. Then I felt a hand on my head, and looked up to see Anders kneeling in front of me. He had such a gentle expression on his face, and I suddenly felt the urge to cry. "I'm sorry, Amari. I shouldn't acted like that, especially when you just opened up to me. Are you sure you're from another world?"

There was desperation—as well as tears—in my eyes. "Of course I'm sure," I snapped. "This world is so completely different from mine, it's unreal. Things that are everyday occurences here are only myths in my world."

"Then I'll take your word for it." Anders took my hand. "I can't stand to see you like this. Let me help you, Amari. I'll help you find a way to get home."

I sniffled, hope flaring in my chest. "Really?" I asked softly. "You believe me? You don't think I'm crazy?"

"Really. I can tell you aren't lying to me, so I believe you." Anders smiled. "We'll figure this mess out together. In the meantime, maybe you can tell me a bit about your world? And maybe I'll even let you help me with the Mage's Underground."

A bright smile slowly spread across my face. "Yeah!" I cried. "That sounds awesome! Arigatou! Arigatou!" I suddenly threw my arms around Anders, pretty much tackling him to the ground.

He chuckled, patting me on the back. "I'm going to assume that means thank you." Then, he paused, and I realized the position we were in.

I had my arms around Anders' neck, and we were both laying on the ground…with me on top. Our faces were way too close for comfort, our noses only centimeters apart. Our eyes met, and I saw something in his that I couldn't quite describe…but it made my heart race, so much that it was pounding in my ears. I couldn't move. His gaze kept me frozen in place, and I was all too aware of his hand resting on the small of my back. Holy shit. Holy shit. Holy SHIT. His eyes flickered to my lips, and I instantly snapped out of the spell I was under. Jumping up, I dusted myself off and turned my head away, hoping that he couldn't see how red my face was. I cleared my throat, and tried to act like that didn't shake me at all…which it did. Big time. "Well, um…" I looked around. "Thanks for, uh, listening. And everything. Yeah. I gotta go. There's this…this thing I'm late for. Very important thing, that. So I'll see you…later. Bye!" With that, I turned around and bolted out of Anders' clinic, leaving behind the bewildered—and frustratingly amused—healer.

As soon as I was a good distance away, I collapsed against a wall, breathing heavily to slow to my beating heart. That was…SO head-spinning. What the hell just happened?! And didn't I use that excuse on the DARKSPAWN? I facepalmed. He's turning me into a blubbering lunatic!

But you loved it. The way he looked at you made you feel amazing.

Shut up, me! I can't help it if he's gorgeous, and kind, and generous, and…dear Lord.

I am in SO much trouble.

*THAT'S ALL FOLKS*

Translations

Gomen nasai = I'm very sorry

A/N: It's me again! I'd like to thank everyone that's followed this story, and to my ever-loyal reviewer, Musicalrain! You guys are so great! ;7; Okay, I better go, before I start to bawl...later! 3