A/N: Chapter 7 is here. Lenya and her group started their way onto the Soldier's Peak.
Thank you all who have been reading this far. Special thanks to those who have reviewed, faved or alerted on Lenya's story. And again very special thanks to Faelan for support and encouragements.
Normal Disclaimer, Dragon Age and all you recognize belong to Bioware and all you don't belong to me. Lenya belongs to herself.
Update, November 2013: Fixed grammar and other errors.
Village of Honnleath
"Well, this explains why we haven't seen any villagers," Lenya said and pulled her sword out off the hurlocks chest, "And why the damn trader didn't want to come here with the rod."
"I doubt he actually knew that the darkspawn are here," Alistair said.
"Who knows with you shems," Lenya shrugged.
They had been traveling for two days when they had come across a trader that pretty much gave them a rod that he said was a control rod for a golem. Even though Lenya had been skeptic about the whole story she'd decided to check it out since they would walk past the village, where the golem was supposed to be, anyway. They would need only a slight detour to get there.
Leliana and Morrigan had supported her decision to go see if the story were true. Alistair had argued it was stupid waste of time and Sten had not said anything.
So, here they were in a village of Honnleath and it was overrun by the darkspawn. Lenya could sense more of them near, but couldn't tell what kind of darkspawn there was. Her sense had not developed that far yet. Even though Alistair kept saying that her progress was remarkable.
"Anything bigger than these?" Lenya asked from him.
"Nothing bigger than these and only one alpha hurlock. I do get a feeling from more underground, but can't say what they are unless we go down there as well," Alistair replied.
"Let's hope that's not necessary," Lenya shuddered. She did not like the idea that they might have to go underground, "Leliana," Lenya called the chantry woman. After their spat few days ago they had not been talking more than necessary. Leliana tried very hard not to offend her so she spoke very little with her.
"Yes, Lenya?" Leliana asked.
"There are more darkspawn ahead and they are lead by an alpha," Lenya explained, "Most likely accompanied with genlock archers. We need to take out those archers fast while Alistair has fun with the alpha and Sten keeps the rest of the melee spawns busy."
"Wouldn't it be better if you used your bow?" Leliana asked.
"I am not good enough with it to be any use in a fight. Hunting yes, but I keep getting distracted when I try to use it in battle," Lenya replied, "I know what I'm doing with these," She said and gave her sword and dagger a twirl. Both weapons radiated cold because of Morrigan's enchantment on them.
"It just seems really crazy that you run to the archers," Leliana said, her voice filled with worry.
"I know," Lenya grinned at her, "Isn't it exciting?"
"I wouldn't call it quite like that," Alistair said, "If you go and die I will be really annoyed," He added and readied his weapon. Lenya gave them all one look and they all nodded that they were ready.
"Mythal, protect us," Lenya said and then stepped in the view of the darkspawn. Creatures began to make noise and then they organized around the alpha. As she'd predicted there was archers with the spawn. Genlock and hurlock archers. Quick glance at the hurlock archers told her that they were using longer bows than genlocks so they would have longer range as well.
"Hurlock archers are using longbows," Lenya shouted and gracefully redirected an arrow with her sword. She ducked under the swing of the first hurlock reaching her and left them to Alistair and Sten.
Two of the hurlocks were already getting hit by Leliana's arrows and that distracted them enough so Lenya had almost danger free path to them. No matter what Lenya thought about Leliana's views towards the chantry, she could not deny the skill Leliana had with the bow. She rivaled the Dalish archers and that was incredible, for a shem.
After Lenya got to the archers, the fight was over in a few moments. Last genlock fell down, arrow in it's forehead. Alistair and sten were finishing their share of the spawn as well.
Lenya scanned the surroundings before wiping her sword and dagger clean and sheathing them.
"Anyone got hit?" Lenya asked and got three head shakes and stern 'No.' from Sten as an answer, "I still feel the taint in the area," Lenya continued then and Alistair nodded, "Underground?" She asked and sighed in defeat when he nodded.
"The golem is right there so we might not need to go underground at all," Leliana pointed out.
"I know, but somehow it doesn't feel right to leave the darkspawn alive," Lenya said, "And I wouldn't put it past them to start following us since I'm sure they've felt us here."
"She is right," Alistair agreed, "They might ambush us later if we leave them alive now."
"Underground it is then," Leliana sighed. She didn't look any happier than Lenya herself were, about the prospect of going underground.
"Should you at least try to wake the golem before we go inside?" Morrigan asked.
Lenya felt a bit stupid because of that and it didn't help at all that everyone were staring at her when she went to stand in front of the immobile golem and raised the control rod before speaking the phrase the trader had given them.
"Figures," Lenya muttered when the golem didn't show any signs of moving, "Either the damn thing is broken or I did something wrong."
"So, we go underground without the golem then?" Alistair asked.
"Seems so," Lenya sighed and then turned to talk to Leliana, "I hope you did not lie when you said that you know how to fight in melee because I doubt there is much room for using a bow down there."
"I did not lie," Leliana replied and unsheathed her daggers, "I am just not as good with these as I am with bow."
"I would be surprised if you were," Lenya shrugged, "Try not to get blood in your mouth."
"Why?" Leliana asked and then blushed when she noticed how stupid the question was.
"I see you found your answer already, but I'll humor you anyway," Lenya said, "Me and Alistair are immune to the taint so us swallowing some blood is not a problem. It's not very tasty I can assure you, but we are safe. Rest of you on the other hand are not safe from the taint and I don't know what it takes to get tainted, but if you do, I will kill you," There was no threat in her voice. She just stated the facts and even though Leliana paled, Morrigan looked indifferent, but also a bit paler and Alistair looked like he was about to get sick, she was not sure what Sten thought since his face was the usual stone wall, but non of them disagreed with her statement.
"Where do you feel the taint is strongest?" Lenya asked from Alistair when she was sure that everyone understood how serious the taint was and what she would do if someone got tainted.
"Near that collapsed tower," Alistair replied.
"Do you think that we can get down there by using that door?" Lenya asked and studied the door at the base of the ruins that had been the tower.
"Worth checking out," Alistair said and opened the door, "This room looks intact and the taint feels stronger inside so I'd guess this leads to the darkspawn."
"Ok, let's go inside then," Lenya said and took one more look at the sun before she entered the ruined tower.
When the last darkspawn was dead Leliana thanked the Maker for Lenya and Alistair. Those two were like a force of nature when they fought the darkspawn. Lenya had been right and there was hardly room for her to use her bow, but smaller quarters also made the Wardens more deadly.
Alistair tied as many of the darkspawn as he could and Lenya sliced them to pieces. Sten had to adopt a completely different style and stay a bit farther from the Wardens because his two-handed sword was not designed to be precise. He handled his sword with skill though and was more than able to handle his share of the darkspawn.
Leliana had decided that she could best serve the group by making sure that Morrigan was not attacked as she cast her spells. That had been a good choice since from now and then one or two darkspawn decided to try and take down the mage.
Leliana studied the large room they had just entered. Some kind of magic field was shimmering on the other side of it and the darkspawn had been trying to get through it. She saw people on the other side of it.
"Ugh! And again my hair is full of darkspawn blood," Leliana heard Lenya cursing and she turned to look at the elf. Lenya was right, her gorgeous red hair was nearly black from the blood.
"If you just stop cutting the heads off from them you might get less of it on your hair," Alistair pointed out.
"Right, and you are not covered in the stuff at all because you only cut hand off from that damn caster spawn, not it's head?" Lenya's voice was dripping sarcasm. Alistair was as covered on the darkspawn blood as Lenya was.
"Alright, cut the heads off from them if you like. I try to find river for you to wash yourself afterwards," Alistair said and lifted his hands up in defeat.
"Oh, thank the Maker! We are saved!" Man's voice carried to them from the other side of the magic field.
"Damnit!" Lenya cursed, "He just don't leave me alone and keeps stealing my deeds as his own."
"What?" The previously spoken man said looking puzzled.
"It is just really annoying that I kill all the damned darkspawn in the village with my group and do I get the thanks for it?" Lenya asked and she really did look annoyed, "No, of course I don't. Some invisible entity gets all the credits," She muttered and turned away from the man and the magic field. Obviously not caring a bit about them.
"I'm sorry, but my companion there has some issues with the Maker," Alistair said and Leliana noticed that he was trying not to laugh.
She heard Lenya mutter about Maker being a damn thief or something to that effect.
"Did the bann sent you to help us?" The man asked from Alistair.
"Not really," Alistair replied, "We heard of your village from a trader who had bought a golem control rod and who gave it to us. Lenya there wanted to come see if it could help us."
"Maker sent us!" Lenya shouted suddenly, "Oh the glory!" She added her voice dripping sarcasm. Then she focused on the man, "The rod doesn't seem to work when I say the control word."
"Oh, I see. You are here for Shale," The man said and sighed before he removed the magical barrier, "My mother must have given the wrong control word when she sold the rod. She didn't want to see Shale active ever again," He talked to Alistair since Lenya seemed to terrify him. Leliana did not blame the man.
"Why?" Alistair asked.
"It killed my father," The man said, "He served with Maric in the rebellion and what did he get for it. My mother found him in front of our house with so many broken bones that she barely could recognize him and Shale standing over him like it is now."
"The words," Lenya said and tapped the mans chest with her finger, "Do you know them?" She asked from the wild eyed man. Her patience was obviously shorter than usual. If Leliana had to guess it was because the villagers had thanked the Maker for their rescue.
"Y-yes... I know them," The man said, "But-but you have to do something for me first," He added and stepped hurriedly back when Lenya unsheathed her sword with one swift move and stopped the motion just before the blade would have cut the head off from the man.
"You don't think your life is enough payment for simple words?" Lenya asked and her eyes radiated fury. "The words... Now!" She commanded and cut a small wound into the mans neck.
"Please... My daughter! You must help her," The man said. It was obvious that he was ready to die instead of giving Lenya what she wanted.
"Oh, must I?" Lenya said, her voice had a dangerous edge on it and Leliana was afraid that she might just kill the man.
"It wouldn't hurt to hear him out," Alistair said.
"It might hurt him," Lenya said, but motioned Alistair to speak with the man. She did not remove the sword from the mans neck though.
Wide eyed man explained fast what he wanted them to do and promised the words as a reward if they did it.
No one said a word when the man stopped speaking. Everyone was waiting what Lenya would do. Then Abelas walked to her mistress and barked once. Lenya lowered her eyes to him and looked at him in the eyes. Then she sighed and sheathed her sword with the same fluid motion she'd unsheathed it, "We will get your daughter shem, but if you don't give me the words afterwards or they don't work. I will feed you to the darkspawn," Then she headed deeper into the cellars.
Everyone followed Lenya without a word. Understanding that now really was not the time to question her decisions or ask why she'd changed her mind. All though that was something Leliana herself would really want to know. What did Abelas had to do with it?
"It's not bad," Lenya said and grimaced at Alistair. Her left side was bleeding from the cuts the demons claws had made at it. She was covering the wound with her hands so no one would be able to see how bad they were.
"If it's not that bad then why are you grinding your teeth like that?" Leliana asked and moved her hands away from the wounds. She inhaled sharply when she saw the wounds, "This needs a bandage and at least one of the poultices," She said to Morrigan who nodded before giving Leliana what she'd asked.
Alistair stared Lenya and Leliana in shock. He knew that Lenya didn't like Leliana, but there she was letting her to tend her wounds and treat her like she was unruly child. He started to be certain that he would never understand women. Be they elves or humans.
They had managed to get past all the traps which seemed to summon demons to kill all those not of the blood of the mage Wilhelm. Which explained why the little girl had managed to get this far in without getting killed by them. They had to kill the things in order to get past, but the girl didn't even trigger them.
In the last room of the cellar complex they had found Amalia and a talking cat. Lenya had cursed as soon as she'd seen the cat and Abelas had started to growl. Then she'd talked with the cat and agreed to help it out and take the girl. Alistair had almost started to protest then, but something in the body language of Lenya and Abelas had held his tongue. Which appeared to be a good thing.
Lenya had disabled the device that kept the demon in the room and then told her that she'd only promised to let her out not let her live and then everything turned into a chaos. Amalia had run off and they had been attacked by multiple demons.
A desire demon had taken Lenya by surprise by it's swiftness and without Abelas she would have died. Now she only got claw marks on her side. Very deep claw marks, but not life threatening. After initial shock they had regrouped and made short work of the demons.
Lenya had fought like she had not been wounded at all, but after the fight was over she'd collapsed on the floor holding her side with her hands..
"What are you staring at, tinman?" Lenya asked suddenly, she sounded annoyed, and he realized that he'd been staring at Lenya all this time.
"Nothing," Alistair said quickly, "Absolutely nothing. Please don't hit me."
"As if I could get up to hit you now," Lenya muttered and gave annoyed look at Leliana who was applying healing poultice to the wounds now.
"Stop complaining and let me get this done," Leliana said as she gently applied the salve to Lenya's skin. "Unless you want to do it yourself of course?"
"No, no," Lenya said shaking her head and shiver seemed to ran through her, "I can't reach everywhere," She admitted.
"So stop complaining then and let me do this," Leliana said, her voice focused and serious.
"You sound just like the Keeper when you talk like that," Lenya said smiling and then her smile was replaced by sadness and she fell silent. Alistair understood. Same thing happened to him when his thoughts touched Duncan and the other Grey Wardens who had died at Ostagar.
Abelas sensed his mistresses sadness and pushed his large head so Lenya could scratch him. He was glad of the dogs presence, because he was the only one who's comforting Lenya accepted.
"There," Leliana said when she finished the bandaging. Lenya's middle section was completely covered with bandages, "I don't recommend any heavy activity for few days if that's possible."
"Let's hope darkspawn stay hidden then and that we don't get attacked by bandits," Lenya said and stood up. Wincing only a little, "Very nicely bandaged," She said to Leliana, "Thank you," She then added before turning to go. She was already out of the room when Leliana said, "You're welcome." Leliana had the most curious expression on her face. Like she was not sure what had just happen and that she liked it.
"We better follow her," Alistair said, "I want to be there in case the man backs down on his word and doesn't give the correct words to Lenya."
"You are fool if you think you can stop her from killing him if that happens," Morrigan said.
"Maybe, but I don't want her to kill him in front of her daughter," Alisitar said. In truth he would probably himself hurt the man badly if not out right kill him if he doesn't give the words. Lenya had been wounded because of him after all. Shiver ran through him when he thought how little it took to kill any of them and then Ferelden would be consumed by the Blight.
"Surely she would not harm the girls father when she's present," Leliana said.
"I don't know, Leliana," Alistair shook his head, "I just don't know her well enough. I do know that she doesn't like humans and humans who wrong her are probably lucky if she just kills them."
"She is a good woman," Leliana said with such conviction that Alistair almost believed her. He did not understand why Leliana, out of all the people, said things like that about Lenya. Lenya did not hide her dislike for Leliana or maybe it was just dislike towards Maker and the chantry not Leliana herself. Lenya had let her bandage her after all and you did not let people who you did not trust to do such things.
"I don't understand women," Alistair sighed and heard a low chuckle from Leliana and Morrigan.
"Has it gotten tired of questions already?" Leliana heard the golem, Shale, ask from Lenya.
"For now, Shale," Lenya nodded, "I will ask more questions later when we are out of this damnable village."
"I am quivering with excitement," Shale said, its voice dripping sarcasm.
"I knew you would just love the idea," Lenya laughed at it, "I can try to make you hug Alistair again if you prefer that instead of the questions."
"Hey!" Alistair protested. Lenya had actually told the golem to hug Alistair when it had wanted to test the rods powers.
"You are a cruel man, Alistair," Lenya said still laughing, "Doesn't want to give a huge pile of moving rock a hug. Doesn't it just look huggable?"
"I will squish its head like a melon if it tries to hug me," Shale promised.
"Don't be like that. Everyone needs a hug from now and then. Even Sten," Lenya said and got indignant grunt out of Sten.
"Does it like to be hugged then?" Shale asked.
"If the right person does it, yes, very much," Lenya replied.
"Must be all that squishiness that makes it so," Shale said, "But shall we leave this depressing village and its damnable birds?"
"Yes, we have a camp near here," Lenya said, "Unless it's looted by bandits or destroyed by darkspawn that is."
"Its positive view of the things moves me to tears," Shale said as they started to move out off the village.
Lenya looked happy even though she had been wounded and the wound had to pain her at least a little. Reason for her happiness was sheathed at her back. Dagger made out of silverite. She got it as an extra reward from Amalia's father, Mathias, because she'd returned Amalia to him unharmed and because she'd been wounded when doing a favor to him.
Lenya treated the dagger like it was her baby. She had real fascination for weapons. Specially swords. Only Sten seemed to understand that. Alistair had watched Lenya's enthusiastic study of the dagger for a while and then shook his head. Leliana herself appreciated a good weapon, but not as much as Lenya seemed to do. When you saw her use her weapons though, then you understood it. Lenya was a marvel to look at when she fought. Beauty, grace and elegance in one highly efficient form.
Leliana's thoughts made her stop and shake her head. What was she thinking? Why was she admiring Lenya's beauty so? It made no sense since Lenya hardly tolerated her and did not like the Maker or the chantry at all and on top of all that she didn't like humans.
It was hard not to admire her though. From the little Leliana had learned from Alistair, Lenya was not Grey Warden by choice. She had been recruited to save her life and according to Alistair she'd even thought that dying might just be the better option. He did not know what had made Lenya change her mind, but she had and now she was leading them. Three of them who belonged to the race Lenya despised, one qunari murderer and a mabari. Lenya said many spiteful things about humans, maker and chantry, but she was utterly loyal to her group at the same time. That fact was shown only when they had to fight though, but it was there.
"Where have you learned to treat wounds like that?" Someone asked bringing her back from her musing. She turned to look who had spoken and was almost shocked to find Lenya walking at her side now.
"People who were wounded or otherwise hurt came to the chantry from time to time and we treated them. Sister's found out I was good at it so they taught me more," Leliana replied after she recovered from the surprise Lenya coming to talk with her had caused. It was not a lie, but it was not the whole truth either. "Why do you ask?"
"Because you are so skilled at it," Lenya said, "I can hardly feel the wounds and that is rather exceptional since you did not use magic to heal me," She continued and then smirked at her, "Skill like that is not learned in a chantry though. Not unless your chantry in Lothering saw a lot of wounded soldiers and you bandaged them all, but you can keep your secrets," Leliana paled a little when Lenya said that. She should have known Lenya would notice. She was very observant after all.
"How did you know?" Leliana had to ask.
"Clan has to fight against shems from time to time. We try to avoid the fights and shems in general, but sometimes you shems just want to destroy the clan and punish the dangerous heathens we are. They hire mercenaries and such to attack us and then we kill them. Those of us who does the fighting know how to bandage wounds so they won't hinder our performance and the style you used to bandage my wounds is the same as the soldiers on the field use," Lenya explained.
Leliana almost missed the whole explanation because of the casual way Lenya talked about how humans tried to destroy her clan and how they just killed them. New wave of awe rose in her. There was something inspiring in the way how Dalish elves had chosen to live. They did not bow down to anyone and no matter how chantry told them to be heathens and dangerous vagrants you had to admire them.
"Does these attacks happen often?" Leliana asked.
"What do you think?" Lenya snorted, "If there is something you shems don't like it's an elf who dares to think that being free is a good thing," After that she left Leliana again. She did not go far though. Just far enough that talking to her was impossible.
"You didn't talk about chantry with her again?" Alistair asked and when Leliana shook her head he sighed in relief, "Good, I was afraid of that when I saw you two talking."
"She told that humans sometimes just attack her clan to destroy them, because they are viewed as heathens," Leliana said. Still shocked about the casualness of which Lenya had talked about it.
"According to the chantry they are almost as bad as darkspawn," Alistair said, "I believe in the Maker like any good Andrastian, but I think the chantry has twisted some things to suit its own needs and not of those of the Makers."
"You are a very odd templar, Alistair," Leliana said smiling. Alistair's view of the chantry mirrored her own in some ways.
"I'm very odd failed templar," Alistair corrected her, emphasizing the word failed, "I would like to ask you something though."
"What do you want to know?" Leliana asked.
"This vision of yours," Alistair said making her sigh.
"I knew this would come up sooner or later," Leliana sighed again, "I don't know how to explain this, but I had a dream..." She started and then explained her dream of the darkness to him. He looked skeptical, but then Leliana noticed something else. Lenya was listening to them. She didn't know how long she'd been near enough to hear her, but she assumed that she'd been there the whole time.
"So, it's just a dream. Why say it was a vision?" Alistair asked.
"I have had a dreams. This was different... somehow," Leliana replied and continued to explain about the rose in the dead rose bush in the chantry's gardens. She was talking to Alistair, but her eyes were on Lenya because of what she was about to say wouldn't go down well with her, "It was as though the Maker stretched out His hand to say. 'Even in the midst of this darkness, there is hope and beauty, Have faith.'"
Leliana heard Lenya mutter that she didn't need her Maker to intervene on her life, "It is not your life he's guiding, Lenya, but mine," Leliana pointed out.
"Let's hope it stays that way," Lenya muttered back at her and she had to smile in spite of everything.
"There are so many good things in the Maker's world. How can I sit by while the Blight devours... everything?" Leliana asked.
"I suppose I couldn't sit by either," Alistair said and Lenya snorted, "What?" He asked indignantly.
"You're a Grey Warden, sitting by is not in the contract you agreed, no matter if you liked it or not," Lenya said and then she smirked, "It's in your blood."
"I know that," Alistair said looking hurt, "And it's not what I meant anyway."
"I know that, Tinman," Lenya said smiling amused.
"Tinman?" Leliana had heard Lenya calling Alistair that few times, but never quite understood why.
"Well, he is encased on all that metal and even if it's not made out of tin, it suits him better than metalman or ironman," Lenya shrugged.
"But isn't tin quite soft metal?" Leliana asked.
"Yes, but Alistair is a bit of an softy and if you don't believe me go ask Shale. I'm sure it has an opinion about how soft he is," Lenya said smiling.
"I still have not forgiven you for the 'Ok, hug Alistair.' part," Alistair muttered, "What if it had done it?"
"Then it would have hugged you," Lenya shrugged, "Because that would have meant that the rod works."
"It could have killed me," Alistair protested.
"It could have killed all of us if it likes, but then again so could any of you if you suddenly feel like it," Lenya said, "Shale is made of stone, but it is no less our companion than either of you."
"I get it," Alistair sighed, "I still didn't like it that you wanted it to hug me."
"I'm sure Shale didn't like the idea any more than you did," Leliana pointed out and lifted her eyes, "Ah, we are back at camp and it seems to be intact and not overrun by darkspawn."
"Day is young still," Lenya said, "But I don't think we need to worry about darkspawn at the moment. I can't feel anything tainted nearby."
"Neither can I," Alistair agreed.
"Should we rest now and continue tomorrow?" Leliana asked and studied Lenya. She saw that the Lenya was trying to hide it that her side was aching. She hid it well, but it was reflected in her movements if you knew what to look for.
"That sounds like a good idea," Alistair said, "You got a nasty wound from the demon after all," He said and turned to talk to Lenya. Leliana winced, that would not go well with their leader. Lenya was proud and pointing out that she might not be able to continue was a bad idea. As she expected she saw Lenya's face harden.
"I'm fine," Lenya snarled angrily, "We can stay here rest of the day and continue tomorrow, but don't think it's because I got wounded," She says and left them standing there, at the edge of their camp.
"What did I do wrong now?" Alistair asked puzzled.
"You implied that she's weak," Leliana replied, "You should know by now that she is a proud woman and saying that she might be weak is possibly as bad as going to tell her that she might be doing the Makers work," Leliana explained.
"I don't think that she's weak!" Alistair exclaimed and horrified look passed on his face, "She is strongest woman I've ever met and that includes all the revered mothers combined."
"I know, but that doesn't change the fact that you said it would be a good idea to rest because she is wounded. Implying that we can't continue our journey because she is wounded. You wouldn't like it either if the roles were reversed, but there is difference between you and her."
"She is prouder and stronger and more terrifying than I am and I might complain if she would order us to rest because of me, but I would do it," Alistair said.
"Good, Alistair," Leliana smiled at him, "Now lets go and see what she's tearing apart, if anything,"
"Maybe it's Morrigan," Alistair said looking hopeful.
"I doubt it since she's on her own fire already," Leliana nodded at the direction of the smaller fire at the edge of the camp.
"Damn, I can't catch a break," Alistair muttered and she grinned at him as they walked to the camp.
Lenya was seething again. How did Alistair dare to suggest that she was weak? - She thought - Stupid shem. She'd decided that they would remain here to the next morning before Leliana said anything and even she had, had enough brains to not go and suggest they should do it because of her injury.
And then the damned tinman goes and looks at her like she was some cursed shemlen damsel in distress in need of coddling.
Abelas let out a quiet whine and was looking at her with his head tilted, "No, I'm not mad at you," She assured him, speaking elvish, "I'm mad at the tinman."
Abelas tilted his head to other side and lets out another whine, "He thinks I'm weak and that I need to be coddled just because I got wounded."
Abelas whined again and then touched her wounded side with his nose, "Yes, it is aching a little, but it's not that bad," Abelas let out a quiet bark, "No, not the reason why I was going to order the rest here," Another set of quiet barks and whines, "Yes, that is why. We all need a rest after the fighting in the village," Short growl now, "Oh, you're not tired at all?" Happy bark, "Liar," Indignant snort, "Ready to go and take on the archdemon are you?" She asked and got enthusiastic bark as an answer, but then Abelas tilted his head again and let out a short bark, "I'm glad you decided to stay with me instead of going after the archdemon," Abelas licked her hand gently and whined again, "Yes, my sorrow, your presence is soothing me," She said smiling a little and ruffled his fur.
"How do you understand what he wants to say?" Leliana's voice asked cautiously.
"I don't know," Lenya replied, "I just do. Just like he just understand what I want to say to him even when I talk elvish with him."
"You named him sorrow, why?" Leliana asked and her voice still had that cautious tone in it.
"Because he is my sorrow," Lenya replied and then lifted her eyes to Leliana's, "You understand elvish?"
"Only few words," Leliana said, "I know what ma serannas means and dar'eth shiral and lethallin."
"I'm impressed that any shem knows even that much," Lenya said and she was truly impressed.
"Ma serannas, lethalin," Leliana said little uncertainly. Her pronouncing was terrible, but she was unmistakably speaking elvish. Even if it was just something simple as thank you.
"Your elvish is horrible though and lethallin is used when spoken to a male. When you talk to a woman the correct word is lethallan and you also don't use it unless you are speaking to a very close friend or kin," Lenya said, not quite knowing what else to say. Even though Leliana's elvish was horrible and she was a shem, it was good to hear her own language again, "Ma serannas," She then said before leaving to her tent.
Leliana stared after Lenya in shock. After those elvish words had escaped from her mouth she had been sure Lenya would be offended. She had not meant to say them, but it just had happen anyway.
What she had not been expecting was that Lenya not only thanked her, but also corrected her where she had been wrong. She had to admit that Lenya was right about her elvish though. Compared to Lenya speaking it she sounded horrible.
Still shaking her head she headed to her tent. It was Alistair's and Sten's watch so she could try to get some sleep in store, even though it wasn't still late.
Translations for Elven language used in this Chapter:
Dar'eth shiral = Have a safe journey
Ma Serannas, Lethallin/Lethallan = Thank you, friend. (lethallin for male and lethallan for female friend)
A/N: And there it is, Chapter 7 done. As those who have played the game may have noticed I did move Honnleath a bit so it's on their way as they travel to Soldier's Peak. Shale is usually what I go do first as I play the game, but in order to get that to fit the story at this point Honnleath had to be moved to closer to roads.
Thank you for reading this far and I hope you have enjoyed the story. Reviews are always welcome.
