Hello everyone! I'm really sorry about how long this took me to do; writers block combined with tonnes of work makes for a slow update. This is also quite a small chapter, but the next chapter should be longer - this is just a filler between acts.

I based Eira's house on old Viking longhouses and houses in Skyrim.

Hope you enjoy this!

The group emerged blinking into the harsh sunlight; worn and tired but otherwise not as worse off from when they entered the Deep Roads.

"How long until we get back to Kirkwall? I don't want to give my traitorous brother time to escape!" Varric had been moaning for days.

"Depends. Do you plan to rest?" smirked Eira. "If you do, he'll more than get ahead of us - if he's smart enough to run away, that is."

Marian said "He'll leave Kirkwall as soon as possible to find a buyer for the idol anyway."

Varric sighed tiredly, "I suppose that it was a vague idea to catch him up. We might as well take our time getting back."

"Either way, we'd better find a place to camp. I know that I'd prefer to find one near a stream, I feel disgusting," Hawke stated as she walked off with the others.

That evening, the group settled down around their camp fire feeling rejuvenated.

"So, what are you planning to do with this treasure?" Varric asked everyone.

"Step one for me is to get the family estate back, then I'll pay some bribes to keep Bethany safe. They both deserve some comfort after what they've been through," said Hawke.

"How about you Fenris? How about cleaning up that mansion of yours?" sniggered Varric.

"No. I'll be keeping tabs on Danarius and his lackeys. Perhaps I'll take down a few slavers in the meantime."

Eira muttered loud enough to hear, "Count me in if you do that."

Everyone looked at her while Fenris said, "In your society fuelled by magic, I would have thought you tolerated slavers."

"My society isn't 'fuelled' by magic, and slavery has been punishable by death in Tamriel for around 200 years," Eira flatly said. "Having slaves only means that you are weak and a barbarian."

"Hmm. A most refreshing opinion. Does it reflect on everyone in your homeworld, however?" asked Fenris.

Eira thought before replying, "The only group of people who might disagree with my sentiment would be the oldest Dark Elves; slavery had been a part of their culture for generations. It might sound morbid but as the apologists begin to die out and the younger generations travel and experience the world, that opinion will gradually change... Like raindrops weathering away a mountain."

"I knew it was too good to be true. That will take years to happen."

"Yes," Eira agreed. "But it will always happen. Most people are patient about change, even if others have forgotten how to be."

Eira leaned back as she looked up at the constellations in the night sky. "As for my share of the treasure, I'll buy myself a home somewhere in Kirkwall. Then, I will get drunk. I need a break from all this fighting anyway."

"Why do you want to get drunk?" questioned Anders.

"To relax, of course."

It took a full week to return to Kirkwall. Many things had changed for the Hawkes since the group left for the Deep Roads. Bethany had been found out to be a mage, and was now living in the Circle of Magi. When Hawke found out, she was ashamed - perhaps if she had taken her sister with her on the expedition none of this would have happened. Marian had fallen into a depression from her guilt, but she seemed to keep herself busy with helping her friends and her mother.

Eira meanwhile was attempting to integrate herself into Kirkwall...

"Are you going to be okay with the Seneschal? He might remember what you said last time," Marian said as they walked into the Viscount's Keep.

"Perhaps, but I know how to do deal with people like him," Eira replied. 'Butter him up with money or words.'

"Alright. I'll be in the Viscount's study signing some paperwork if you need me."

Eira watched Hawke walk away before turning to the Seneschal's study and knocking on the door.

"Enter," a weary male voice answered as she walked in the room. The Seneschal was writing some documents and didn't even notice Eira coming into the room. Eventually he looked up as she sat down opposite him.

"Oh. It's you. What do you want?"

"I wish to purchase a house in this city," Eira replied as she lowered her hood. She noticed that the official glared at her pointed ears before returning to his paperwork.

"There's nothing in Hightown for the likes of you. Even with the amount of riches your people supposedly have," he sarcastically muttered as Eira bristled at his contempt, but she said nothing.

The Seneschal looked up as he continued, "But you're in luck. A new house has become available in the Alienage; the former owner couldn't pay for it's upkeep and he moved out. It will cost you 15 Sovereigns for the property, and that's including the legal work."

"Are there any other properties available? Can I even see this house before I purchase it?"

"Look, if you are going to be picky there are many other elves who would leap at the chance of getting this house. You have to buy it now or never," the official sharply replied.

Eira paused only for a moment as she thought.

"Very well, I'll take it."

She searched through her coin purse for the money and handed them over.

"15 Sep... Sovereigns. Here."

"A pleasure to do business with you," the Seneschal formally replied. He reached into his drawer to retrieve the paperwork and a spare quill. "Sign in these two places."

Eira carefully read through the documents. The terms of the agreement seemed reasonable enough to her. She would just have to pay for any maintenance costs. She quickly signed with her name and mark.

"Good, you're literate. That's a change," Eira heard the Seneschal say under his breath as he reached down into his desk for the keys.

"Here," as he handed over the keys and a copy of the documents. "Now, if that is everything, I'm a busy man."

Eira walked out of the office to where Hawke was waiting.

"How'd it go?"

Eira smiled as she held up the key, "It cost 15 Sovereigns, but I have a house!"

"That's good, but I wouldn't get packing yet... These Alienage houses tend to be in bad shape."

"It can't be that bad."

"You were right Hawke... It is bad."

The house was in complete disrepair. Cracks covered the walls and the floor was damp in certain places. Holes in the roof leaked and caused rot in the roof beams. Soot covered the ceiling near the fireplace. There was a sick musty smell in the air from the mouse droppings in the corners.

If this house was in Skyrim, it would have to be pulled down and completely rebuilt. But that wasn't an option here.

"This is going to be expensive to repair..." Eira muttered to herself as she examined the structure.

"I can help if you want," Hawke offered.

"Thanks. I may need some help soon, but right now I need the materials to fix this. Do you know were I can get some timber and stone?"

Hawke stared at Eira, "You're not seriously going to repair this mess by yourself are you?"

"I've built my own house before, and I've done some major repair work on my old home back at Skyrim. It's stuff I know how to do."

"Okay, well, Hubert owns the mine at the Bone Pit. If you're with me, he might give you a good price on the stone. I'm not sure about the timber however, you might need to go outside the city for that. There's a forest near Sundermount, but the Dalish elves live there and they don't like strangers. You might want to speak to Merrill about that."

"I'll do that," Eira started to walk towards the door.

"One more thing," Hawke stopped Eira for a moment. "I know I might be asking too much about this, but... I'm worried about Merrill. She's in over her head with her blood magic and fixing her enchanted mirror. I need someone to regularly come in and see her, make sure she doesn't have any trouble with other people and that she isn't messing around with things she doesn't really understand. Varric and Isabella already visit her a lot, but they're really busy most days and they can't see her as often as they'd like."

"That's alright, I don't mind visiting her every few days. She lives in this area anyway doesn't she?"

"Yes. In fact she lives opposite here. I'll point it out for you," Hawke replied relieved.

A month past; Eira worked around the clock to fix her new home along with the others when they had the time. In the end, she didn't approach Sundermount; there was plenty of forest areas around the Wounded Coast.

Her main room was dominated by a large fire pit, which was surrounded by benches; weapons and hunting trophies decorated the walls. Shelves surrounded the room filled with books and alchemy items. Various furs covered the stone floor to keep the warmth in. Steps led up to a landing where a makeshift bed was placed covered with more furs. The only separate room led to a small bathroom.

Exhausted from all the recent work, Eira fell into a deep sleep that night. After a few minutes however, she was roused by a whispering around her.

"Is this the one?"

"She matches the description Our Lady gave us."

"Yes, but the daedra here are tricksters. This could easily be an illusion."

"This is the Dragonborn? I'd thought she would be taller..."

Eira woke up to find herself back in the Fade. Various humans and elves surrounded her wearing elaborate purple robes. She sniffed the air and knew they were real.

"I'm as real as you are. Speaking of which, who are you?"

The group backed away slightly, and a dunmer spokesperson was pushed forward. "You are the Dragonborn?"

Eira sighed, "I haven't been called that in a while, but yes, I am the Dragonborn... Which must mean that you are from Tamriel..."

"Yes. We were sent here by Our Lady."

"Who is your 'Lady'?"

"She is Lady Vaermina, of course," the spokesperson replied haughtily, clearly not expecting that question. "She sent us here to reclaim the Quagmire; She told us that the Dragonborn was stuck in this realm and that you could help us."

"You would most likely know the specifics of the Quagmire better than me. Why would you need my aid?"

"She also told us that you had Hircine's Gift. You could guide us and tell us what is a daedra, and what are the dreamers."

"I guess you would be blind to those differences with senses like yours; and to not help you, would be to disobey Hircine," Eira considered. "Very well, I will help you. But I will follow your lead."

She stood up and shook the hand of the leader.

"A pleasure. I am Anos Dralor, Dragonborn. Let us bring Vaermina's will back to this world together."

I hope you liked this brief chapter, please review and let me know what you think!