All elvhen credits to FenxShiral
dhar: dog
Sael: First
Tael: Second
Amelan: Keeper
da'assan: little arrow. term of endearment
da: little/young
fenlin: wolfling
eolas'esayelan: apprentice
seth'lin: literally= thin blood. Means flat-ear. Taken from da wikia page.
lethallen is canon and multi-gender - lethallan is female, and lethallin is male of the same word.
Vegaral Ma Lethallens - Return to My Lethallens
Cool winter winds blew underneath her outstretched wings as Soufehla soared high above in the sky. She beat her wings, relishing the powerful gusts brushing past her ebony feathers. It was as if Andruil herself favored her upon this journey back to her clan – the strong currents blew northwards, directly to the Free Marches. At this rate Soufehla would arrive at her clan's camping grounds much earlier than she'd expected.
The wind blew stronger, sending her hurtling through the air and Soufehla twisted her tail to control the direction of her flight path. When she'd first shifted it had taken her weeks of practice to learn how to fly. Now – now flying required barely a conscious thought on her part.
But after the incident in the woods five winters ago with the Templars, Soufehla had kept her shifting ability a secret with fervor, allowing only her Keeper Deshanna to know of her special magic. It was the reason Deshanna had sent her to the Conclave to spy – there was no one better than her for such tasks.
A familiar screech pulled her eagle eyes towards the low treetops where a few more eagles circled. Her eyesight, which was strong due to her elven blood was even stronger now as an eagle and easily allowed her to see the familiar hunting eagles that her clan treasured. She folded her wings in tight against her body and dove, the air whistling past her. The ground hurtled towards her at an alarming rate but at the very last second Soufehla snapped her wings out, pulling out of the dive with a graceful sweep. She shifted back to her real form mid-air and landed in a light crouch on the grassy forest ground.
The chorus of eagles cawed above her, welcoming her back. It was a long time before she broke through the undergrowth surrounding the campsite as she landed far away from the clan as usual to protect her secret of shifting abilities. She smiled softly before padding towards the tents pitched in a somewhat larger clearing. Creators, it's been so long since she last saw her clan! It felt as if an entire lifetime had passed by since she'd last laid her eyes on it. It was truly wonderful to gaze at the aravels and hallas, to see her lethallens sitting by the fire and sharing food once again.
A familiar footsteps sounded behind her, and Soufehla sighed.
"Dread Wolf's bitch. Weren't you captured by shems?" A crude voice sneered, and Soufehla turned around to find Haril scowling at her as expected.
"Savhalla, Haril. Thu ea?" Hello, Haril. How are you?
Soufehla slipped into elvhen effortlessly, the graceful tongue rolling naturally out of her lips. Her clan only spoke in elvhen, with few Traders and herself being the exception.
"I was well until I saw your face, Fen'Harel'dhar." Fen'Harel's dog. The man spat at her feet.
"Did you truly think I'd meekly stay captured by shems, Haril? You must know better than that."
"I'd hoped the shemlen would slit your throat. Shame they didn't. But how'd you get here so swiftly, Fen'Harel girem'lan? Fen'Harel's slave? You were in Ferelden last we heard."
"There is this thing called magic, Haril. And just so it happens, I am better at it than you are. It is the reason I am Sael and you are Tael to our clan."
Haril's eyes blazed at that, and she wondered if he would strike her. He'd attempted to multiple times before.
"Nuva uralas telsyl na i'ga syl nyel laimem!" May nature strangle you with all the air you have wasted!
"Vara u'em, Haril. Leave me alone. I must report to Amelan Deshanna. Unlike you, I've been working."
With another disgusted grunt Haril stalked away, joining the other lethallens by the fire. They all stared at her with naked disgust, and Soufehla hastened her steps to Deshanna's familiar tent. The bright orange tent was a welcome sight and Soufehla opened the flap and slipped in, the thick wool cutting off the constant buzzing of insults and burning gazes of disapproval directed towards her.
The weak candle flames danced within the tent from the breeze she let in, and Soufehla blinked to allow her eyes to adjust to the dim light. There was a quiet rustle from the corner though, and Soufehla sensed someone bolting towards her.
"Da'assan, you are here! Da fenlin, I was so worried!" Soufehla braced herself as Deshanna jumped up and threw her arms around her in a bruising embrace.
"Amelan…"
"Are you hurt? Did you escape from the shemlen? Should I order the clan to move?" She squeezed tighter somehow, and Soufehla's ribs creaked alarmingly.
"Amelan!" Soufehla gripped her and set her apart, escaping from the woman's death grip. She gasped for air, gulping it down before speaking again.
"I am fine, Amelan. But it was a mistake to look for me! What were you thinking? The Inquisition would have never known about the clan had you not sent them a letter!"
"How could I not? Da'assan, you are important to the clan. You're Sael, and you're my eolas'esayelan. I am to protect the clan which you are part of."
"I can take care of myself, Amelan. Understand that you should not have risked the entire clan for me!"
Deshanna opened her mouth to protest, but Soufehla waved her hand to cut her off.
"But enough of this for now. I have little time, I cannot stay the night. I would have come back earlier if I could have, but things are dire in the South. You've heard of what's transpired since the Conclave?"
Deshanna nodded at her, her orange eyes wide with worry. "We have heard that everyone who attended the Conclave perished except for one Dalish elf. I had hoped with fear clutching my heart it was you who survived. We've also heard of the Inquisition formed by some shemlen heretics and the Breach."
"The Breach, the threat is immense. Whatever you do, go nowhere near the South with the clan. And I must return to the Inquisition and attempt to close the Breach. Only I have the power to seal it since the Mark is on my hand. I do not know how long I will be away from the clan."
"Da'assan…"
"If left untended to, the Breach will eventually threaten us all. I must attempt to seal it before it can affect the clan. It is my duty as Sael to keep the clan safe. I will not shirk my duty, Amelan."
Deshanna looked like she wanted to cry and Soufehla glanced away. She did not enjoy hurting her so, the only elf who did not fear her. Instead, she tried to change the subject.
"I do not know if word has reached out here, but the shems now address me as the Herald of Andraste. It is sickening, but also necessary. Do not let my new title worry the clan – they know better than any I bear no love for shems. I will come back once the Breach is sealed."
"I understand, da'assan." Deshanna looked up to her with tears streaking down her cheeks. But the woman stood tall and proud; Soufehla would miss her, truly. She, who was like a mother to her.
"Take Assan back with you – he is yours to begin with, and you could send word if anything was to happen."
Soufehla blinked, surprised. The eagles were a precious part of the clan's limited hunting birds, and Assan was one of the most prized eagles the clan owned. She had learned to shift into an eagle by watching Assan since he was a newborn chick. And though Assan was hers, she hadn't expected to be able to take him with her.
"I will, Amelan. And one more thing before I leave – train Haril as you would train me, as Sael."
Deshanna jerked as if Soufehla had slapped her.
"Why? You are the clan's Sael. There is no reason to train Haril for your position, da'assan!"
"Amelan, be reasonable. I am to seal the Breach in the sky. You must always be prepared for the worst." Soufehla spoke softly, holding Deshanna's hands tight. The chances of her returning were… well, Soufehla was fairly certain she would sooner see Falon'Din than Deshanna once she returned to the Inquisition. Deshanna stared at her quietly, her kind tears brimming over her bright eyes as she finally accepted that she may not return. And she wept. Deshanna wept for her, the one marked by Fen'Harel.
"I will heed your advice, da'assan. Dar'eth Shiral, Soufehla. Sule sael tasalal." Go safely on your journey, Soufehla. Until we meet again.
Soufehla swallowed thickly, unable to deny her last vain attempt at hope of seeing her again. She merely nodded.
"Ma serannas. Tuelanen ama na, Deshanna." My thanks. Creators watch over you, Deshanna.
Soufehla touched Deshanna's arms in one final farewell and quietly padded out of the tent to face the world once more. The sound of Deshanna's anguished cries were all too audible to her elven ears.
"*~*"
Soufehla scuttled into her own tent, the cold air within indicating her long absence. She sent out a soft flush of her magic to make certain that nobody was hiding inside her tent and immediately stripped out of the uncomfortable shemlen clothes all the while frowning in disgust.
Creators, how long has she been forced to wear these ridiculous things? How shems endured such restrictive apparels, she had no idea. She tore off the smalls she was wearing, tossing it in a heap on the ground with a snort. Why? Just, why? Shemlen. They were beyond understanding.
Soufehla then ripped off the breastband, moaning out in relief as she freed her breasts from the tight bindings. Creators willing, she wouldn't ever have to wear such a horrendous thing again. If she ever went on another spying mission after this entire Breach business was done and over with, Soufehla would bring at least three extra pairs of her own clothes, just in case.
With all the shemlen clothes discarded on the floor in a shapeless lump, Soufehla walked over to the small chest that held her own clothes. She pulled on the undershirt, the familiar fabric settling over her naked skin before she strapped on her own Dalish armor – the warmest one she owned.
Her practiced fingers efficiently tightened the buckles to hold the thick furs in place, the supple leather wrapping around her like a second skin. She sighed happily as she smelled the familiar scent of her armor, glad to be finally wearing her own gears.
She flexed and stretched, testing the flexibility of her armor – which was perfect – before padding over to her bedroll. From beneath her pillows and blankets Soufehla pulled out multiple daggers and throwing knives. She strapped them onto herself, leaving no limbs free. By the time she finished, Soufehla was armed and armored to her teeth, though no one could ever tell under the thick bundle of fur she wrapped herself with. Soufehla finally felt safe again – she'd been feeling incredibly vulnerable without her arsenal of hidden weapons.
Soufehla then picked up her staff she'd carved herself, slinging it onto her back before padding over to her small looking-glass. There a dozen and a half of tiny silver bells were littered about, the bells she usually wore in her hair. The bells marked her as Dalish as much as the vallaslin on her skin did, and she had been forced to take them off for the mission to pass as a seth'lin before leaving for the Conclave.
Now she braided and wove the bells back into her hair, each tiny bells jingling merrily with each swish of her head. She did not need to use the looking-glass to put the bells back into her hair. Creators, she's missed the tiny ringing more than she ever thought she would. Soufehla had felt strangely hollow without them while she roamed all over the Hinterlands. Once the last of her bells were tied back into place, Soufehla double checked her reflection in the looking-glass. The bells chimed comfortingly as she jerked her head.
She finally looked like herself. Thank Mythal, it's been too long.
With her basic needs taken care of, Soufehla padded back over to her chest and bent down once more to pull out more undershirts and such to stuff into her pack. She stuffed as many of her winter clothes into it as she could, pushing and shoving them down to make them fit in her small bag. She only added two pairs of summer clothes. From what she's experienced so far, Soufehla was fairly certain she wouldn't need it.
Once she finished packing her clothes, Soufehla shouldered the pack and allowed herself a moment to look around her empty tent.
The dark tent looked almost ominous, shooing her away with its chilly air. The next time the clan moved, her lethallens would dismantle it for her. Soufehla hoped that they would keep the tent for the day she comes back, if she survived. With that somber thought Soufehla padded out to find a ring of lethallens gathered around her tent, their hostility so thick in the air she could almost taste it on her tongue.
"Fen'Harel's bitch. At least she doesn't look like a flat-ear anymore." Aviselan, one of the Hunters of the clan, muttered, her green eyes flashing angrily as she gave her a swift look-over.
"Going off somewhere, Dread Wolf's pup? And you just got back too." Haril sneered at her, his eyes taking in the tiny pack she had slung over her back.
"Haril, come here a moment." She sighed, motioning for the man to follow but he bared his teeth at her.
"I won't follow you anywhere, dhar. The Dread Wolf may hear my steps so close to yours."
"Lethallin, I'm leaving. Please, come speak with me before I go." She tried once more, hoping the Tael would see reason.
"You are no lethallan of mine, fenlin. Speak, if you will, here in front of my real lethallens." Haril swept his hand out at the gathered elves, and Soufehla swallowed her frustrated growls.
"Fine! Haril, I must go back to the Inquisition. In my absence, you will be treated as the Sael. Aid our Amelan in this troubled time and protect the clan from the local shems. Once they realize that I am no longer with the clan, they may try to harm you."
"Will you sink even lower, fenlin? You would go to the unarmed shems and seth'lins to slaughter them? Are the Templars not enough for your bloodlust? It is your fault, Lavellan's executioner, that the shems around these parts fear us so! If shems attack, know that the blood will be on your hands." Verlen, another Hunter, spat at her while Haril cursed her.
"I pray that we won't ever see you back here, fenlin. You are a disgrace to the clan. Nuva Ghi'lan'na'in then asa shud ove arsyl o'tarasyl, i dirash na in masa dur su an'banal. May Ghi'lan'na'in stir her hoof through the roof of heaven and kick you in the ass down to the void.
"Pray that I succeed in my quest, for I attempt to mend the heavens that's been torn open. If I do not, the demons will swallow us all sooner or later." Soufehla replied quietly, staring straight at her clan mates. That finally quieted the bristling anger that was stirring.
"I go now, to serve my duty as Sael. Sule sal harthir, ma lethallens." Until we hear of each other again, my kin.
With that Soufehla padded away from her beloved clan, throwing one wistful glance over her shoulders.
"Fen'Harel's caught your scent, dhar. Do not bring him to the clan with you." Haril sneered at her back as she retreated, his lingering words clinging to her like a thick poisonous cloud until the forest swallowed her up whole.
"*~*"
It wasn't long before Soufehla padded along the forest with Assan circling overhead until her wolves slowly prowled out from undergrowth to greet her. Soufehla hooted in delight and jumped on top of the pack leader's huge back. Soufehla loved her clan more than anything in this blasted world, but the words spoken by the Templar five previous winters ago had made her keep her distance from the others. The only place she could truly unwind and relax was now with her wolf pack. Soufehla felt the muscles roll and flex between her thighs as the wolves raced through the forest. Assan screeched overhead, circling round and round in the air.
Her strange affinity with wolves had always been a concern for her clan since she was a little girl. But when she had received her vallaslin at age of eighteen, something had happened that nobody was expecting. An entire pack of wolves in the area had imprinted on her. And as her clan travelled along the Free Marches, the imprinted pack followed and its number swelled with each new region they swept through. Soufehla didn't mind though her clan did.
Soufehla vaulted off from the back of alpha wolf, shifting into a black wolf and landing on her four paws. The pack's paws drummed loudly against the forest ground as they raced. It wasn't long before the pack reached the nesting ground.
Soufehla settled down with a group of wolves, snuggling together for warmth and napped for first time in weeks without worrying about finding a dagger buried in her heart. She lounged for the day, enjoying the ability to simply sprawl on the ground and having no one care. But the sun slowly sank beneath the horizon and all too soon it was time for Soufehla to return to reality.
She padded over to the alpha male, the massive grey wolf she'd ridden earlier. She barked and whined at him, gently nudging her thoughts outward with magic.
Farewell. I will not return to the clan. Soufehla told the wolf. She knew the imprinted pack would no longer follow her clan about without her there. The grey wolf stared at her with unwavering eyes, and Soufehla gave him an affectionate lick before standing and shaking her pelt out. With a final friendly yip, Soufehla pounced and shifted into an eagle and flew high into the air. The chorus of wolf howl filled the sky behind her as she flew back towards the South under the full moon with Assan, pulling at her heavy heart. Soufehla wondered if she would ever see her precious wolves again.
So... I just realized that this story is pretty much ugly little duckling... haha...
Please, please, PLEASE let me know what you guys think of her clan mates! I'd love to hear your opinions about them!
Fun fact: Eagles can see up to 4~5 times better than a human with perfect eyesight!
Under ideal conditions a golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) can detect the slight movements of a rabbit from more than [1.25 miles] [2 km] away," explains The Guinness Book of Animal Records. Others have estimated that the eagle can see even farther! (would like to cite source but can't link. Sigh. It's on AO3)