"The Markings That Bind Us"
Chapter Six: Meeting Lanaya
The sun rose over the walls of the Grey Warden compound and shined down on the two in the courtyard. Isis was the first to wake up and she rose up looking down at Fenris as he slept. A look of peace on his handsome features. She smiled and watched him before turning her attention to the sun rising changing the night sky slowly into a bright blue.
Soon Fenris's eyes opened, sitting up he looked at Isis as the sun enveloped her form. In that moment she looked ethereal and beautiful. She turned her head toward him and smiled.
"Good morning Isis," Fenris said running his fingers through her hair and gave her a warm smile. Last night was more than he could imagine. They were not quite lovers yet, but they were heading there.
"Good morning Fenris," Isis said smiling at his antics.
This was far more than Alistair did. Sure in moments of passion he would grip her hair, but this felt more endearing. Don't get her wrong she did enjoy what Alistair did. Fenris and Alistair were a lot alike, they both seemed to know what to do to make her calm or passionate and yet they were also very different.
Alistair would wait around to get facts or make a smart ass comment, but Fenris gave a sarcastic retort right before acting. Alistair's temper seemed infantile while Fenris's was untamed rage. Isis found herself almost wishing she had met Fenris sooner and never had the fling with Alistair. If that did happen would they be together right now or would it end like hers and Alistair's did? She nearly frowned at her negative thoughts.
She sometimes thought like this before, but it was like Fenris held a piece of her that she thought she had lost. She had begun to be her usual prideful self who she thought was lost through her journey to end the blight. Deep down she felt that her pride had contributed to a number of problems in her life.
He was like no other man she had ever known and even though he was never raised to be Dalish she knew Fenris had the pride and strength to be a fine Dalish Elf.
"Is there something on my face," Fenris asked with a cocked eyebrow and a smile.
"Yep there is," Isis replied with a straight face.
"Really now," Fenris said his smile began to widen.
"What do you know there is kissable lips on your face! Who would've thought," Isis said giving her own smile.
She didn't care if it was lame, he didn't seem to mind as he pulled her face close to his.
"If they are so kissable then kiss them," Fenris whispered to her his eyes boring into hers.
"As you desire," Isis said closing the gap by locking her lips with his.
When they parted from their kiss, they couldn't help but smile and Fenris placed his forehead against hers.
"Now it's really a good morning," Fenris stated breaking the silence.
" I agree with you. Come, we need to eat and be on our way. I am eager to avoid this honor party," Isis said getting up and dusting herself off, Fenris doing the same.
"You are going to run from your own party," Fenris asked giving her a questionable look.
"Yes, he is just using it as an excuse to get wasted. Let them get wasted while I am doing something I want to do," Isis replied turning towards the doorway that lead to the inside of the compound.
"Can't argue with that. By the way, I noticed there are hardly any birds around here. Why is that," Fenris asked as they made their way inside.
"That would be Shale. She is a Golem, a mage found her in the deep roads and used her to conduct experiments to have an endless supply of Lyrium without it killing the host. She has this bird thing and her being stone and all I can't say that I blame her for it," Isis explained as they made their way back to the kitchen when they heard laughing.
There was a group surrounding Oghren and Carver. They were both still out and one of the Wardens decided to draw on their faces.
"Hmm. Maybe we should grab food and eat outside Fenris. That is not going to end well," Isis suggested and Fenris nodded his agreement. They got food as quickly as they could and practically ran out of the vicinity to a safe place.
"Maybe we should eat on the go," Fenris suggested. All the food they had picked would be easy for them to eat on the run.
"Good idea. Your room is across from mine. We can get our things and be out of here before anyone notices. Who would've thought Oghren and Carver would be a great distraction," Isis said grinning her eyes shining with laughter.
They made their way to their respected rooms and packed their stuff up for the journey. They met in the hallway and set out of the compound and towards the gates leading to the outside of Denerim. "We will be heading for the new Elven homeland. Better known as Ostagar. There we can talk to Lanaya about the Lyrium writing on our skin," Isis explained pausing for a moment at the gates.
"I see you are leaving already. Thought I would come and wish the two of you a safe journey and if you ever need anything you can come to me and ask," Alistair said from behind them causing them to spin around. Fenris felt the urge to glare at the King of the Ferelden but held it in. This was not the time or place for that at all.
"Thank you Alistair. Goodbye," Isis said giving him the standard Grey Warden bow and walked through the gates towards the path leading to Ostagar. Fenris turned to follow when Alistair cleared his throat. He turned to the king giving him a look that clearly said make this quick.
"Take care of her okay? I know that her love for me is not the same as it was and I know something is blossoming between the two of you. A blind man can see that. I just…. When I became king I didn't fight for that which became my heart and I let it go. I made a mistake that I pay for everyday. Care for and love her like I couldn't. Promise me that," Alistair said looking the man before him straight in the eyes.
"I will King Alistair," Fenris said offering a friendly smile before running to catch up with Isis. Alistair watched the gates close and made his way back to the Palace, feeling a huge weight on his chest lifted. He had not let go of her and now he knew he had to. Another man was living the life he wished he had. Fenris's promise made him relieved that she would not be hurt like he had hurt her….
Fenris caught up to Isis fairly easy and grabbed her hand, their hands shining from the contact. He smiled as her face turned red.
"I see Alistair had something to say to you," Isis said breaking the silence and looked at Fenris from the corner of her eyes. "Just a promise of sorts. Nothing for your beautiful self to worry about," Fenris said giving her a kiss on the cheek.
The journey to Ostagar was fairly easy, they only had trouble with some bandits and wolf packs. As they approached the entrance to Ostagar they were stopped by two Dalish hunters. "Aneth ara lethallan. Welcome to Ostagar," one of the hunters said and they moved out of Isis's and Fenris's way. They walked to a young woman who was tending to some of the Dalish children. Her attire was similar to Keeper Marethari's and Fenris knew this was the Keeper in this new homeland.
"Aneth ara Mahariel. It has been along time. How are you fairing," the woman asked as Isis and Fenris approached her.
"Aneth ara Lanaya. Yes, it has been a long time. Has my clan made it here yet? I am well, but I do have some things to ask you if you don't mind," Isis replied and removed her hand from Fenris to give Lanaya a proper Dalish bow of respect.
"They sent word they were getting on ship and heading this way. I am sure you have heard what has happened to their Keeper. It is very sad that Marethari's death was a tragic one. I don't mind at all. Ask away," Lanaya explained and gave them her full attention.
"What do you know of the Writing of the Lyrium Soldier Ritual," Isis asked getting straight to the point and was not surprised at Lanaya's facial expression to the question., In fact, she expected that it.
"It is a painful ritual if not done correctly. A Dalish Elf must go through the Vallaslin Ritual first. When a Keeper determines they are elite among elite do they receive that ritual which is a retracing of the Vallaslin and it also extends like vines to the feet. It symbolizes that they are in tune with all things and also an exceptional fighter. I am unsure of how old it is, but the scrolls of Shartan tell he has seen them. So, it may date back to the time of Arlathan. Why," Lanaya asked her curiosity peeked and watched in awe as Fenris and Isis began to glow.
"Two Tevinter Magistrates knew of this ritual. I already had Vallaslin which means that it wouldn't hurt me. However, Fenris who was never Dalish got the markings placed on him incorrectly," Isis explained looking to Lanaya for help.
"I see. I am sure you want him to have the Vallaslin done on him, but he is not Dalish. He must learn our ways and become a hunter. I am sorry, but unless he does this I can't help," Lanaya said giving a look of sympathy.
"It can't be that hard to become a Dalish Hunter right? I already have two handed sword skills and some bow training. It is up to you Isis. I have lived with the pain for a long time and I am pretty sure I can keep living with it," Fenris stated with an expression of understanding, but his eyes gave him away. He wanted to curse, throw things, yell at Lanaya, and leave.
"There are three stages to the Hunter. It is known as Vir Tan'adahl, the way of the trees. First is Vir Adahl'en, the way of the forest. Second comes Vir Bor'assan, the way of the bow. Then lthe last Vir Assan, the way of the arrow. They come together to mean fly straight and do not waver., bend but never break, and together we are stronger than one. Then the oath of the Dales must be learned through it all. We are the last of the El'vhen'an, and never again shall we submit," Lanaya explained and Isis almost laughed at Fenris's frustrated face.
"How long will it take exactly," Fenris asked trying to keep calm, but his face and eyes were a dead give away to what he felt.
"I can not say. It is entirely up to you and the Creators. They will let us and you know when you are ready," Lanaya answered calmly.
"Wouldn't Merrill know how to do this," Fenris asked turning his attention to Isis and she gave a thoughtful look.
"I am not sure. I have been away from my clan for years. It is possible, but wouldn't she have mentioned it before when she met you? I am not sure my clan even knew of this ritual. I assumed Lanaya would know because of Zathrian. He was Keeper before her and used a blood magic ritual and bound it to the body of the wolf. I convinced him it was time to end the curse even though it would lead to his death," Isis said giving the I know look at Fenris's I hate blood mages face.
"If you assisted them with this curse then why can't they help with this," Fenris asked his expression never wavering.
"It is because we assisted in the Blight. You are right we do owe her for our homeland. Very well, I will do the Vallaslin for him. We will do it when the moon is high when no one but the Hunters on watch will be up," Lanaya said finally giving in and released a sigh.
"I will do the hunter training, but I will do it when there is time to be had. I am curious about the Dalish and their ways," Fenris said finally relaxing and giving a smile.
"I can except that. May I ask your name," Lanaya asked looking at Fenris. "My name when I was a child was Lito, but my master gave me the name Fenris. I decided to keep Fenris as my name," Fenris answered and almost glared at Isis's snicker.
"I would keep the name Fenris my self if my name was Lito," Isis said releasing a light giggle. "That's why I kept Fenris as my name. You can stop laughing at me now," Fenris said eyeing Isis. "Ma nuvenin ma da'fen," Isis said and Fenris rose an eyebrow in confusion while Lanaya laughed.
"What did you say Isis," Fenris asked his frustation coming back full swing.
"I said as you wish my little wolf," Isis answered and her mind was filled with how cute he was as his cheeks flamed.
"I see that you have chosen a fine elf and stopped the relationship with the shemlen from the last time I saw you," Lanaya said and Isis gave her a smile.
"Actually Alistair ended it and I am not sure where things are going to go between me and Fenris, but it has been wonderful so far. Do you agree ma da'fen," Isis asked grinning even more when he turned much redder and just nodded.
"I am glad to hear it. I will see you all at midnight," Lanay said and made her way to the fire.
"That was not fair Isis," Fenris said and frowned his puppy dog eyes in full effect and Isis almost melted had she not had a mabari.
"Festis bei umo canavarum," Fenris breathed and Isis blinked causing him to smile in triumph.
"Speaking the Tevinter language huh? I guess you figured I'd know what you were saying if you spoke the language of the Qunari," Isis retorted and crossed her arms.
"Well, don't leave me hanging! What does that mean," Isis asked and gave a frustrated smile when Fenris just kept smiling.
Isis gave a frustrated sigh and began to walk away when his arms wrapped around her waist and slammed her back against his chest. "It means you will be the death of me," Fenris whispered in her ear. Isis shuddered as his breath ran over her ear.
"I will be the death of you? How's that," Isis asked leaning her head back onto his shoulder a ghost of a smile on her face.
"You make fun of me and all these things you make me feel. I am sure you will be the death of me. But a happy death it would be," Fenris said nuzzling her neck.
"I was not making fun of you. It was for endearment, I just let you believe that because you assumed that was what it was meant for. Come let's go hear the Hahren tell stories," Isis said pulling away from him and walked toward the fire. Fenris released a sigh and complied with her wishes. Yes, she was definitely going to be the death of him…..
End of Chapter 6
A.N.: I do believe this chapter was a bit longer than the first. I am not sure I got the hunter thing right. So, if anyone knows let me know so I can fix it. Also in the words of Dragon Age; Thank the Maker or Creators or Ancestors for the wiki sites with some of the Dragon Age languages in it. I would not be able to pull off all I have without and of course starting Dragon Age 2 to kinda study Fenris's attitude and to be honest I always found his hostility towards mages a just one since in the end he was right about Anders and Merrill! Just as I promised you Musicalrain here is the chapter and if you guys would like to see the awesome art she did for this fic here is the .com art/isis-mahariel-and-fenris-364969939.
Thank you musical rain for being a fan of my story and for the paintings! They are amazing and I hope one day that more than fan fiction and deviant art gets to see the awesome work you do! Once again a big thank you to all my readers and May the Maker, Creators, or Ancestors (whichever you prefer) watch over you! ;) See you on the next update!
