Disclaimer: I do NOT own Dragon Age or anything related to it.
"A dream you once were,
A dream of all my realities,
A dream I can no long strive for
In the wake of my manly betrayals"
— C. Elizabeth (Absolute Obsession (The Absolute Series, #1))
Chapter 21:In Waking Dreams
The first thing Jade felt upon awakening was a warm hand gently stroking her hair and the feeling of someone else's lap acting as a pillow beneath the back of her head. She shifted slightly, and rolled onto her side to be more comfortable, murmuring groggily as she did so. The sound of a deep sigh reached her ears, amusement undeniably ringing in it's tone, followed by a soft chuckle that sounded strangely familiar, like she had heard it before.
Part of Jade felt curious about the voice, but another part of her felt far too tired to even care about anything else besides relaxing and getting some much-needed rest. Why she hadn't been doing this before, however, she did not know, and again she did not care either. Her ears caught the sound of a door opening, then soft footsteps as someone else entered the aravel. The door closed audibly and the footsteps stopped when the new arrival came to a halt in front of Jade and the person whose lap served as a pillow underneath her head.
"How long has she been asleep?" A feminine voice asked in a whisper, it's owner kneeling down and stroking Jade's hair lovingly.
"Almost an hour." A deep male voice answered, the male's fingers entwining with the female's."She has earned a good rest today, especially after finally becoming a true elf among her clan."
"Yes." The female agreed."The design of Dirthamen suits her well. She knows she will always be loved and never abandoned by her kin. Fear and Deceit will never overcome her. She will endure and grow stronger with each and every passing day."
"Just like her mother." There was an obvious smile in the male's voice as he spoke.
The female laughed as she returned his smile."And her father."
Jade's eyes snapped open all of a sudden, narrowing suspiciously when she heard what the voices said. The male voice sounded so familiar to her, but for some reason, it also felt so...wrong at the same time as well. She did not recall ever hearing the female voice before, yet it brought her the exact same feelings of both familiarity and skepticism rolled into one. Something was wrong, so very wrong, and the fact that she was unable to understand what the problem was only caused her anxiety to grow even more. It was not a feeling she enjoyed experiencing.
All previous sleepiness she once felt vanished as the huntress threw the blanket off her body and practically leapt into sitting position, suddenly finding it difficult to breathe properly. Her heart started beating rapidly, and her mind screamed loudly that she was not safe. She had to understand what was going on and whp the voices that sounded so, almost frighteningly familiar belonged to.
"Hamin, emm'asha." The deep male voice said soothingly. Jade was torn between fear and relief when she heard the voice. It was confusing as to how one simple voice could bring her so much comfort but also...confusion and fear as well."Madar'eth."
A warm hand came to rest on her shoulder, startling her as she immediately twisted around and her light blue eyes widened at what, or rather who, she saw.
"P-Papae?!" To say that she was shocked would be an understatement. The man sitting beside her had those same dark blue eyes and short raven hair that she recognized with ease. His brow had the design of June on it. There was something terribly wrong, but her father's soothing words and touch brought her so much comfort and reassurance that she could feel herself losing the will to care once again.
"What's the matter, da'vhenan?" The female voice from before asked. Jade turned her head slightly and gaped at the female elf whose hand was now running through her hair in such a motherly and peaceful way. Light blue eyes that were a match to her own stared back at Jade. The woman was beautiful beyond words with short, titian-colored hair tied up in a chignon and creamy white skin that would most likely make Andruil, Sylaise, and Ghilan'nain distraught with envy. Speaking of Ghilan'nain, it was in fact the mother of the halla's vallaslin design that graced the beautiful woman's face.
"Banal." Jade heard herself say in response before she could even think of what to say. It had come out automatically and once again, she found herself no longer caring about the warning bells going off in her head. She knew something was not right, but simply lost the will to even care in the slightest about it anymore."Emma ir souveri. Ma souver'inan isala hamin."
Her father frowned, tilting his head to the side."Are you sure nothing is wrong, emm'asha?" He inquired, offering her a glass of water that she quickly accepted and drank down."You seemed a little..frightened just now."
"It's probably just the pain from her vallaslin, ma vhenan." Her mother said as she ran her fingers through Jade's long dark tresses and started tying them up into braids. Jade closed her eyes and leaned back to rest her head on her mother's shoulder. The older woman pressed a kiss to her daughter's forehead and shifted slightly so Jade's head could instead lay comfortably in her lap.
Her father, Magnus, briefly pressed his lips together as if in slight doubt for a moment, but then nodded firmly in agreement."Yes. I suppose you are right, Lara." He looked down at his daughter with a kind smile."Just try not to touch it too much for the next few days, da'len." He advised her."The pain should be gone by then."
Jade nodded silently, a small smile teasing her lips as she felt her mother's fingers braiding her hair. It was so nice to feel the gentle and loving touch a mother and a father who loved her so dearly, and any doubts or feelings of dread she might have had just moments earlier were already long gone. She was at peace and that was all that mattered to her.
"Tricksters!" A loud and irate feminine voice suddenly screamed."How dare you so cruelly attempt to deceive one of my children?!"
The voice was so loud and full of pure hatred and rage that Jade nearly bolted into sitting position but was stopped by her mother quickly grasping her by the shoulders and gently but firmly forcing her to lie back down. Two angry hisses came from her parents as she opened her eyes and gasped when she saw the new arrival.
Standing just a few feet in front of them by the entrance of the aravel was a beautiful, copper-skinned Elvhen woman. Her ears were slightly longer than those of most elves and she stood tall with a great amount of pride practically radiating off her. The woman's hair was as red as blood, bangs covering her forehead and long red tresses tied into several tight, intricate braids that stopped at her waist. Her eyes were an unusual shade of violet and glinted with pure anger and disdain as she glared darkly at Jade's parents. The most noticeable thing about the woman, however, was the fact that she wore armor like Jade had never seen before, and held a bow tightly in one hand while the other hand seemed to be just itching to reach for one of the arrows in her quiver and aim it at her intended targets.
"Trespasser!" The woman who claimed to be Jade's mother hissed at her."You have no place here! The girl is ours now and is perfectly happy here with us."
"That is because she does not yet know that you two are not who you claim to be, demon." The fiery red-haired woman said with a scowl. Her eyes turned kind when they landed on Jade and a bright smile broke out on her face."Tell me, da'len, do you know who I am? Or better yet, where you are?"
"Do not listen to her, emm'asha." Jade's father growled dangerously, all previous signs of calmness and love vanishing from his handsome visage for only a quick second before reappearing as he turned back to his daughter."Madar'arla. Madar'eth in na mamae la ar. Vir'dar na vhen'lin la na vhen."
Jade wanted more than anything to believe him, but the prior feelings of dread and anxiety were now beggining to return to her. Not only that, but she found herself blurting out the name of the beautiful yet fierce Elvhen woman without realizing it until the word had escaped her lips.
"Andruil." She whispered, eyes widening in realization."You are Andruil. Goddess of hunt as well as sacrifice in some legends and the one who taught my people Vir Tanadahl, way of three trees." She glanced at her mother and father, fighting hard not to burst into tears as the painful truth hit her like a stack of bricks."None of this is real. I'm in the Beyond, aren't I?"
The fiery woman's lips twisted into a satisfied smirk as she tossed a triumphant look to Jade's so-called 'parents'."Ma halam, demons. No true daughter of mine would ever fall for your tricks." She stated proudly.
Both dole and ire filled Jade's entire body as she shut her eyes tightly and started slowly moving away from these changelings that dared to take the forms of her beloved parents who she had never had the chance to know before. She clenched her fists almost painfully at her sides, holding back tears and wincing slightly in pain as the force of her nails drew blood from the skin of her palms.
"Emma shem'nan!" She screamed in both sorrow and rage, reaching behind her to grab her bow and nocking two arrows at once. Both of the arrows impaled the eyes of the demon pretending to be her mother, causing the demon who claimed to be her father to let out a dangerous growl as he stood up and transformed into his true form. Jade felt her lips twist into a snarl as she glared with nothing but pure hatred at the demon.
"Ar tu na'din." She hissed at him. The demon smirked widely in response and brought up a hand, eyes glowing with power as a ball of fire started forming in it's palm. Jade dodged the attack and rolled across the floor before swiftly leaping to her feet and releasing three arrows at once. The first arrow landed in the demon's leg, the second in it's chest, and the third in it's throat. Jade's light blue eyes remained locked on the demon as it slowly crumbled to the floor and was dead before it even hit the ground.
Jade slowly stood up, but almost immediately dropped her bow and felt her knees give way beneath her as she fell to the floor and started sobbing uncontrollably. Her body shook with dole and tears poured down her face as she wrapped her arms around herself to try and force away the grief and anger that tore her heart apart. She knew that by crying like a forlorn da'len, that she was showing herself as a weakling but this fantasy created by the demons had felt so real and it hurt that even though she knew it was all just a trick, a large part of her desperately wanted it all to be real.
"Suledin." She reminded herself harshly."Ar nadas suledin."
"There is nothing wrong with crying, da'len." Andruil's once sharp and fierce voice had turned back into one of kidness and patience as she spoke consolingly to the distraught elven girl. "We all must cry and grieve at some point. You should have done so long ago."
Jade's head snapped up as she cursed herself mentally for almost forgetting about the presence of the goddess. She ignored the fact that her face was stained with tears and bowed her head deeply toward Andruil."Andaran atish'an, Andruil, uthenerasha'thraen." Her voice was shaky at best, and she did all she could to avoid making eye contact with the goddess, feeling unworthy of being graced by her presence.
Andruil rolled her eyes and chuckled lightly."Rise, da'len." She said with a dismissive wave of her hand."Having you on your knees before me is pointless and inane. I am no different from you and the other elvhen, except for the fact that I am not a mortal like you."
"Ma nuvenin, uthenerasha'thraen." Jade said tentatively, rising slowly to her feet but still avoiding meeting the goddess' half-sympathetic, half-intrigued gaze. That was when she suddenly remembered the dreams she'd had of her true father and immediately looked back up at the goddess."If I may ask, why have I been chosen to be graced with your presence? I am unworthy of such an honor."
Andruil smiled at her."Though your brow is graced by the mark of Dirthamen, you are still a huntress and a follower of Vir Tanadahl, making you my daughter as well as his."
Jade bit her lip and nodded."Of course, but you have not answered my question yet."
Andruil's smile widened."You are so much like your father was when we first spoke to him." Her smile fell as she sighed sadly."Alas, we do not have the time for explanations in this moment, but know that this will not be the last time you receive a visit like this one."
"Jade!" Two familiar voices cried, causing the elf to twist around and see both Natasha and Regina running toward her. She started to turn back to Andruil, but the goddess was already gone.
"Jade," Regina breathed as she and Natasha came to a stop in front of the huntress,"This is-"
"I know." Jade said softly with a sad nod as she held up a hand to interrupt the elven mage. She sighed deeply when the two mages both exchanged surprised glances before staring at her in slight perplexity and opened her mouth to explain when a strange white fog suddenly surrounded her and she gave a loud gasp of surprise.
"What the-" Her words were immediately cut off as she vanished, though not before she heard Natasha letting out a disgruntled curse and Regina groaning loudly in vexation.
Tamlen let out a sigh of content as he put his hands behind his head and lay down on the ground, looking up at the sky and smiling as he observed all the different shapes of the clouds above. The cool shade provided by the trees and gentle gusts of wind prevented the sunlight from shining in his eyes and kept him comfortable. He was not alone, however, for a very familiar dark-haired female elf lay to the opposite side of him with a serene smile on her face as she stretched out her arms and sprawled them along with her legs on the ground.
Sitting up, Jade twisted around to face Tamlen and crawled over to him so she could snuggle up to him and rest her head on his chest. Tamlen shifted slightly and wrapped one of his arms around her waist. Jade sighed contentedly, murmuring a few words in Elvish that he couldn't hear but still smiled in response as he lowered his head to press a kiss to her forehead. His fingers ran through her raven hair, twisting her long, soft dark tresses around his fingers idly and pushing one lock of hair behind her ear.
Jade raised her head to look up at him, moving both of her legs to straddle him as her hands traveling slowly up his chest and toward his face so she could take his face into her hands and admiringly trace the vallaslin design of Mythal that graced his handsome face with her fingers. She leaned down, teasingly brushing her lips past his with an impish grin crossing her lips. He felt one hand move back down toward his chest before rubbing small circles against his chest-plate. The female elf's back arched as she twisted and stretched her body alluringly.
Something did not feel right. Tamlen had seen Jade stretch and twist her body before but never in such a provocative manner. He knew she was no stranger to desire or attraction for another person and while both the Elvhenan and the elvhen did not frown upon mere intimacy like the shemlen so foolishly did, the way in which she was acting right now perturbed him slightly. When he brought his hands up in a gentle attempt to push her away without hurting her, she let out a savage growl, shocking him beyond words. He had heard her growl under her breath before while muttering or yelling out an elven curse or two when she was vexed or pain, but this kind of feral sound was downright frightening and completely unlike the Jade that he knew.
"What is wrong, vhenan'ara?" She asked, her voice low and seductive as her hands grasped his shoulders and massaged them firmly. As much as the feeling of her hands on his shoulders physically pleased and relaxed him, his mind screamed at him that was something was terribly wrong and he did not dare ignore it, shutting his eyes tightly as he fought to try and resist her seductivr administrations.
"Do you not enjoy my administrations?" The question was asked in a soft yet very uncharacteristically enticing whisper that sent chills down his spine.
As if sensing his internal struggle, she leaned down, her lips twisting into an alluring smirk as she moved her hands up to cup his face and tilt his head slightly to the side. He let out a hiss of surprise when she suddenly bit his ear softly with her teeth.
That did it. Curling his hand into a fist, Tamlen sent a silent prayer to the Creators for help as punched Jade square in the face. Rather than letting out a curse or shout of pain like he was so used to her doing, the female elf instead snarled lividly as she fell back and hit the ground like a rock. Cocking her head to the side slightly, she raised an amused eyebrow before shaking her head and letting out a chilling laugh.
"Very well, mortal." Her voice changed from sweet, calm, and pleasant, to dark, loud, and disturbing as she stood up and waved her hands in front of her with an evil smirk crossing her lips."If pleasure is not what you wish from your beloved, then worry not, for I have other ways of making you give in to my advances."
A strange purple and yellow aura surrounded the frightening being as her form changed from that of his fellow elf's to a horrific demon. He gaped at her, unable to comprehend what in the name of the Creators was happening as the demon started sauntering over to him, hands seductively running down her own attractive sides as he crawled away from her in terror until his back hit a nearby tree and he reached behind him to grap his sword, bow, dagger, or any other possible weapon on him, but to his dismay, he found himself completely unarmed and vulnerable to the demon that was only getting closer and closer to him with each and every passing second.
Just as the demon reached for him, however, she was suddenly struck in the face by a fireball, knocking her across the ground.
"Disgusting creature!" A soft and sweet yet clearly outraged feminine voice seethed in repugance."My child will not fall for your tricks, for he has already seen you for what you truly are and nothing you do will convince him otherwise."
Turning toward the source of the voice, Tamlen's eyes widened in awe as he nearly fainted from shock. Standing before him was a beautiful Elvhen woman, her long orange tresses resembling flames which were pulled up into a chignon whilst some of her other tresses stuck out on top of her head and also looked much like tiny, little flames that decorated her lovely hair and only added to her beauty. Despite the fiery appearance of her hair, the woman's eyes were in fact a peaceful and calm light blue color that reflected a slightly fierce yet eternally soothing and loving nature. Her skin was light yellow, small balls of fire sparkling within her palms while her long green and black dress was composed of several plant roots and ropes tied together tightly into elegant patterns of leaves and flowers.
"By the Creators!" Tamlen breathed in disbelief as he shook his head vigorously to make sure this wasn't another demon trying to trick or seduce him."Y-You are Sylaise!" The goddess' name flew him his lips before he even realized what he'd just said.
Sylaise turned to him with a kind smile, chuckling lightly and tilting her head."Aneth ara, da'len. I am aware of the fact that we have never met before, but I obviously know who you are just as you know who I am as well."
The sound of painful groaning reminded them both that the demon was still alive and starting to sluggishly get back up. With a sigh, Sylaise simply waved her at the demon and before Tamlen could blink, the odious creature was letting out a bloodcurdling scream of agony as it burned to death within a matter of seconds.
Sylaise shook her head, sighing deeply as she brought up a hand to massage her forehead and force away the headache she was getting."Ir abelas that you were forced to see that, da'len. I do not enjoy ending the life of another being, but the demon was a threat to you as well as myself. Now that it has been taken care of, perhaps we may speak in peace."
"I-I don't understand." Tamlen eventually managed to say, confusion filling his tone and expression as he slowly got to his feet."My vallaslin represents Mythal and I follow Andruil's Vir Tanadahl, the way of three trees, not your Vir Atish'an, way of the peaceful place. Why would you of all the gods come to my rescue, sweet Sylaise?"
Sylaise frowned, reaching out to gently tilt his chin up with her fingers. The goddess' delicate fingertips traced the vallaslin on his face as she remained silent for a very long moment whilst studying him thoughtfully as if she was trying to see right through him and his thoughts. After another minute or two of silence, she gave a small smile and released him. When she finally spoke again, her voice betrayed no signs of anger or sadness, but instead genuine joy and kindness.
"Do you love her, da'len?" Tamlen taken aback by the question, frowning quizzically at the goddess.
"I don't understand, my goddess. Do I love whom?" Sylaise smiled widely in obvious amusement at his confusion though her smile also seemed to betray some hint of sadness within it as well.
"If only Mythal were here." She sighed wistfully."Love was always her specialty more than it ever was mine, after all." His puzzlement only grew at her words, but her smile widened nonetheless."You know already whom I speak of, da'len. You may have told her that the moment you two shared in the cave meant nothing, but we both know that is not true. It meant something to her just as it did to you. Do not deny it. I only ask that you tell me why you claimed otherwise to her when she inquired about it to you."
Tamlen sighed deeply, shoulders slumping. He knew there was no point in arguing with Sylaise. In the end he would only be lying to himself, after all."I lied to her because... because..." He stammered helplessly before sighing again and shutting his eyes for a moment."...because I was afraid to tell her the truth. When she...when Jade told me that she came with me to that cave simply because she wanted to be with me...I just felt so happy and...relieved. I didn't even think twice before I did it, but when I kissed her, for just one minute, however long or short it must have been, it felt like the entire world didn't exist anymore and all that mattered was being there with her. After Duncan recruited us and with everything else that was going on, it just became so easy to forget that anything had ever happened between, so I...so I did. I forgot about that kiss we'd shared back in the cave for almost a week until that night after Duncan recruited Valerie and Ser Gilmore when she came to me into my tent and asked me what that kiss meant and I...I just didn't know what else to tell her." He sighed again, feeling utterly ashamed of himself."My heart screamed for me to tell her the truth, to say that I had loved her for so many years and was just realizing it now, but my head started shouting at me that it could never work out between us, that this was not the time or place to start something between us, so I just...I just...I just lied to her like the stupid fool I was and did my best to avoid her as much as possible."
Sylaise continued to smile kindly at him."There is nothing wrong with being afraid, da'len." She chided softly though there was no anger in her voice; only sympathy and just a small hint of disappointment."But lying to her and to yourself will only bring both of you more pain and sorrow. Therefore, you must tell her the truth. I have watched the way in which you two act with one another and in spite of whatever words your mouth says, your heart as well as hers say the exact opposite. Do not be afraid to confess what you feel for her, for if you truly love her and she you then you should both be able to stand together and make things work. And if not, then you may at least reconcile your friendship with her instead. Either way, what you are doing now cannot continue lest you both never forgive yourselves and realize your mistake when it is already too late."
Tamlen opened his mouth to reply to that but closed it again when two familiar voices suddenly yelled out his name and made him jump slightly in surprise. Twisting around, he recognized two female mages, Natasha and Regina, running toward him. He started to turn back to Sylaise, but she was already gone.
"Tamlen," Natasha started to say, but the elven man shook his head to interrupt her.
"I know." He said simply, lowering his eyes.
Regina snorted, raising an eyebrow at Natasha."Why am I only half-surprised?" She asked dryly, her voice laced with just a hint of sarcasm.
Tamlen looked at the two of them questioningly, but before he could inquire as to what the elven mage was talking about, a strange white fog suddenly surrounded him, causing him to let out a surprised and perplexed curse in Elvish as he vanished less than a second later.
Zoë closed her eyes and sighed serenely as she pulled her knees to her chest and leaned back against the Vhenadahl. Despite how repulsive the odor of the Alienage was to her sense of smell, sitting next to the Vhenanadal, even for just a few minutes, always gave her a small feeling of peace whenever she was felt dejected or angry about something that bothered her.
"There you are!" A familiar voice breathed in relief."I was so worried!"
Opening her eyes, Zoë smiled when she saw a handsome male elf standing in front of her with an endearingly disapproving frown on his face.
"Nelaros!" She exclaimed happily, jumping up and throwing her arms around his neck as she kissed him on the cheek."I'm sorry for worrying you. I didn't even realize how long I'd been out here."
Nelaros sighed."You're lucky I love you so much. Otherwise, I would be very angry with you." He grumbled as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Lifting his head, he glanced up at the sky with a frown before looking back down at her."We should start making our way home now if we want to avoid being outside sunset. Your father will have my head on a stick if we're late for dinner."
Zoë rolled her eyes."Actually," She said dryly,", he'll have my head on a stick and don't even think of trying to take the blame for me because he definitely won't believe you in the slightest." She sighed, nodding."But you're right. It's best we get back home before sunset if we want to avoid my father's wrath and the shemlen guards catching us outside after curfew."
Pulling away from him, Zoë entwined her fingers with his and sighed contentedly as she leaned her head against his shoulder while they walked together in silence. For some reason, she felt as if something was wrong, but why she would ever feel this way was beyond the elf. So she simply shrugged it off and continued walking alongside her beloved husband.
"Are you alright?" The sudden sound of Nelaros's concerned voice caused her head to snap up as she jumped slightly and looked into his worried eyes.
She gave him a reassuring smile and nod."Don't worry about me, Nelaros." She said softly."I'm alright, just a little tired, that's all."
He nodded silently, giving her hand a small, comforting squeeze. His tone of voice and his touch were both loving and soothing, but she could've sworn she'd seen a very brief glint of suspicion in his eyes, even if it was for just a moment. She squeezed his hand back nonetheless, assuring herself that absolutely nothing was wrong and it was just her mind being more cautious than usual.
But still those strange feelings of skepticism and anxiety refused to go away, the alarm bells in her head screaming at her not to trust anyone or anything. She was perplexed, and did not know what to do, say, or thing. Ignoring it seemed like the best option, but even so her mind shouted repeatedly that something was wrong, and she needed to understand what that something was.
The elven girl groaned as she brought up a hand to message her forehead with her fingers in an attempt to force away the annoying headache she was starting to get from all of this confusion and anxiety that caused nervous knots to form in her stomach and her heartbeat to increase rapidly for some unknown reason. Her head felt as if it were about to explode, and she groaned again in agony as well as annoyance from the feeling.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Nelaros inquired, eyebrow raised as he gazed down at her with suspicion and irritation seemingly rolled into one."You seem to be in pain."
"Not as much pain as you're going to be in, trickster!"
It was at that exact moment that a dagger suddenly impaled Nelaros's shoulder, causing him to let out a scream of rage and agony as he fell to the shoulder and pulled the dagger from his shoulder, turning to glare darkly at the culprit. Zoë's jaw literally dropped when she saw who the new arrival was.
Standing only a few feet in front of them was a very tall and impressively handsome Elvhen man. The man's ears were far longer than any that Zoë had ever seen before, and his long, dark brown hair was so messy that it fell over his equally dark brown eyes and almost completely concealed his eyes and ears from view. One could easily tell just by looking at his face that this man was usually in a very jocular mood most of the time, though this was obviously not one of those times. It was his attire, however, that Zoë paid the most attention to, for he wore extremely dark violet armor with several intricate patterns on it that Zoë had never seen before, and a pair of black boots on his feet that looked perfectly brand new as if he'd made them himself.
"Judging by the fact that you're staring at me in utter astonishment, da'len, I'm going to assume that you know who I am." The mysteriously attractive Elvhen man said dryly with a small tilt of his head.
"Villain!" Nelaros shouted angrily at the man."You have no place here!"
The strange man rolled his eyes and groaned in exasperation."It's times like this when I really wish Elgar'nan was here so he could simply rip your head off instead of sending me to listen to your vexingly hollow threats, demon."
"You're June!" Zoë blurted out, blinking in disbelieving awe as she remembered what Jade had taught her and Regina about the Creators. Wait. Jade? Regina? Why did those names sound so familiar to her? Glancing at the irate Nelaros then back at June who, as if reading her mind, nodded encouragingly at her, Zoë suddenly felt the truth hit her like a stack of bricks, drawing a loud gasp from her lips.
She was a Grey Warden, having been recruited by Duncan to prevent her from being arrested and executed for killing Vaughan Kendells after he had raped Shianni. But that wasn't all. She remembered Nola dying in her arms after the captain of the guardsmen had stabbed her, Soris coming to her rescue with weapons that he claimed had been given to him and Nelaros by Duncan.
And then she remembered watching Nelaros die.
"No." Zoë whispered, eyes wide as she fell to her knees and put her face in her hands, unable to stop the tears from coming this time.
More memories returned to her, including how she'd survived the Joining only to be left to die in the Tower of Ishal back at Ostager, and then waking up hours later within Flemeth and Morrigan's hut with Jade. She also remembered how they'd went to the Circle of Magi to get aid from the mages against the blight and how they promised Greagior they would make sure the Tower was safe again and save the First Enchanter; all of which had led up to them all being forcefully put to sleep by a Sloth demon and now trapped in the Fade with a demon pretending to be Nelaros in order to trick and seduce her into staying.
"This isn't real." Her voice was slightly muffled by her hands, but both June and the demon pretending to be Nelaros heard her clearly. June only nodded, his expression twisted in sympathy and sadness while the demon snarled furiously and jumped up to it's feet, no longer bothering to hide it's true form.
"You will pay for this, trespasser!" He hissed at June, only for the god to throw another dagger at him which landed in his chest this time. June then charged at him and curling his hand into a tight fist, punched the demon square in the face, stunning him long enough for the craftsman to raise his leg and slam the heel of his boot against the demon's face so hard that it broke the demon's neck and killed it instantly with a loud crack that made Zoë wince slightly.
Wrapping her arms around herself, Zoë stared down at the ground, ignoring the tears now running down her cheeks. June slowly turned to her, sighing deeply as a look of genuine pity crossed his face. He spoke then, his tone soft and comforting.
"Tel'numin, da'mi. Na abelas tu ar numin."
Although Zoë didn't speak fluent Elvish, Jade's lessons had taught her enough to at least understand what June was saying to her. Lifting her head, she looked into his eyes and nodded gratefully for his words of consolation.
"Ma serannas." She whispered.
Just when it looked as if June was about to respond, two familar voices suddenly shouted Zoë's name and made her to twist around to see Natasha and Regina running toward her. She started to turn back to June, but he was already gone by the time the two mages came to a stop in front of her and helped her back up to her feet.
"I already know what's going on." The former city elf said before either mage could begin explaining anything to her.
While Natasha merely stared at her in silent incredulity, Regina pouted in annoyance and raised an incredulous eyebrow."Is this some kind of elf thing that I wasn't aware of?" She asked in an irritated tone of voice.
Zoë gave the elven mage a quizzical look, but before she could say another word, a strange white fog suddenly surrounded her and within a second, she vanished.
OMG, it has been SO long since I last updated and once again I am terribly sorry! My life has been extremely busy lately as I've already said like a million times already and because of that my updates are very slow but I promise everyone that I'm definitely not abandoning this story since I do not want to to be like one of those writers who starts writing something and then just gives up on it without a single word of warning or reason. I just need some time to get my schedule in order and then my updates should be back to normal again and since spring break is coming up very soon for me, I should be able to update at least one of my stories in a little while. Until then, please remember to review, leave constructive criticism, but no flames!
Elven Translations:
Aravel - Wagon or tent used by the Dalish; humans call them "landships"
Vallaslin - (Literally: Blood writing) The art of tattooing adopted by the Dalish to display their worship of the traditional elven pantheon. It also signifies each elf's coming into the status of adulthood among their clan.
Da'len - Little child; to describe someone young, innocent, or dear.
Hamin, emm'asha - Relax, my girl
Madar'eth - You are safe
Papae - Father
June - God of crafts
Da'vhenan - Little heart
Emm'asha - My girl
Elvhen - (Literally: Our people) Elven name for their own race.
Mythal - (Literally: The great protector) Chief elven goddess; Wife of Elgar'nan; Goddess of love, protection, and motherhood.
Dirthamen - (Literally: Keeper Of Secrets) Twin brother of Falon'Din. Master of the two ravens Fear and Deceit.
Andruil - Goddess of hunt
Sylaise - (Literally: The hearthkeeper) Goddess who gave the elves fire, taught them how to weave rope and thread, and to use herbs and magic for healing purposes. Sister of Andruil.
Ghilan'nain - Mother of the halla
June - God of crafts
Banal - Nothing
Emma ir souveri. Ma souver'inan isala hamin - I'm very tired. My weary eyes need resting
Ma vhenan - My heart
Madar'arla. Madar'eth in na mamae la ar. Vir'dar na vhen la na vhen'lin - You are home. You are safe with your mother and I. We are your clan and your family.
Vir Tanadahl - Way of three trees
Vir Atish'an - Way of the peaceful place
Ma halam - You are finished
Emma shem'nan - My revenge is swift
Ar tu na'din - I will kill you
Suledin. Ar nadas suledin - Endure. I must endure
Andaran atish'an, Andruil, uthenerasha'thraen - Greetings Andruil, goddess of hunt
Ma nuvenin, uthenerasha'thraen - As you wish, goddess of hunt
Lethallin - Friend/Kinsman (Male)
Lethallan - Friend/Kinswoman (Female)
Vhenan'ara - Heart's desire
Elvhenan (Literally: Place of our people/Our hearts) Original name for the elven civilization.
Tel'numin, da'mi. Na abelas tu ar numin - Don't cry, little blade. Your sorrow makes me want to cry
Ma serannas - My thanks/Thank you
Next up: Chapter 22:Your Worst Nightmares