Many, many, hugs, cookies, and thanks to Kira Tamarion. As always, she is such a huge help, and her swift beta work is awesome


Winds of Chance and Change

When the group finally entered the very large Dalish camp, Kali felt as though she had stepped into another world. Through all the conversations she had had with Ashara over the past few months, she had tried many times to imagine what a Dalish camp might look like. As she cast her eyes around the clearing, which seemed to stretch out for miles, she realized that the reality was far beyond anything she could have envisioned.

The first thing she noticed were strange wagons littered everywhere. What had Ashara called them, Arvels, or something? They were unlike any wagon she had ever seen. Large, with some sort of fabric stretched out over them; they would have almost looked like stationary homes, if not for the giant wheels.

She could see dozens of small fires spaced out around the camp; each one seemed to have at least six or so Dalish around them. At one fire a group of women sat singing and swaying their heads while they sewed. At another a group of Dalish were laughing and gossiping while they tossed spices into a pot, or ground some sort of powder in small bowls. Children scampered around the camp, giggling and chasing one another until inevitably they knocked something over and were scolded by an adult.

Kali could see an area off to the side of the camp, where men and women practiced their archery. An older man studied their movements, often halting them to offer up instructions and advice. Behind them was a large pen, where beautiful white deer bleated musically, and pranced around in the grass.

It looked like a place straight out of a fairy tale, a place that didn't actually exist. It seemed like a nomadic type of village, something out of the stories that Mama would tell her and Soris before it was time for bed. But, as Kali looked around, she realized that this wasn't a fairy tale. It was real! She wanted to inspect everything, to learn as much about this place as she could.

As she studied the Dalish, she realized how strange their clothing was. In the alienage, women generally wore dresses, and men wore breeches. But some of these elves were wearing a strange type of tunic, made of spare fabric, or cloth, and simple leggings. She was startled to see that some of the men were shirtless, and that some of the women wore only a breast band across their chests. In fact, now that Kali was looking closely, she could see that most of the youngest children were only wearing a simple type of loincloth. Clearly, these Dalish had no problem with exposing their skin.

One thing they did have in common was that all of the adults wore tattoos, similar to Ashara and Tamlen's. Most of them were decorative swirls or patterns on their face, but some of them, like Ashara, wore the tattoos across their long necks.

Mithra led their group through the camp, and as Kali kept looking around, amazed by everything she saw, she started to feel slightly uncomfortable. The Dalish slowly became aware of their presence, and stopped what they were doing to gawk at the strangers marching through their home. Some of the glances were curious; others were openly hostile or suspicious. Kali saw one of the Dalish women snatch her child up and push him into one of those strange wagons. Do they think we're going to hurt them? There's way more of them than us; what harm could we do to them?

The group was taken to the far side of the camp, where two of the Dalish appeared to be waiting calmly for their arrival. At once, Kali knew that they were Keepers. She wasn't sure how she knew, exactly, but she just did. Maybe it was because they looked so ancient and powerful, like the towering Vhenadahl that stood in the center of the alienage, a reminder of who the elves once were. Or maybe it was because they seemed like elves who were accustomed to leading. Whatever the reason, Kali was almost positive that these were the Keepers of these two Clans.

Mithra bowed deeply to the two of them. "Andaran atish'an, Keepers. Keeper Marethari, I bring before you Ashara and Tamlen, two of your Clan. They are Grey Wardens now, and ask that their companions be allowed to rest within the camp. I thought it best to leave the decision to you both."

Kali was sure she heard Ashara scoff, and pressed her hands against her mouth to keep herself from giggling. Mithra acted like she had been the one who decided to allow them entry, when in reality Ashara had been forced to bully her into it.

The male Keeper nodded solemnly. "Ma serannas, Mithra. You may return to your post."

Mithra inclined her head. "Ma nuvenin, Keeper." She shot Ashara a glare, before slinking away from the group, her shoulders stiff with resentment. Kali figured that she was angry at being sent away.

Once Mithra was gone, Kali turned her attention back to the two Keepers. She guessed that the female was Marethari, and could see at once why it was that Ashara respected her so much. Marethari's bright green eyes sparkled with wisdom; she looked like someone who could see into your soul, and know exactly what you were thinking. Her face was kind, almost motherly. She had the look of someone who would pity her enemies, even as they came against her.

In contrast to Marethari's quiet serenity, the male Keeper, Kali couldn't remember his name... Zath, something, looked imposing and angry. His dark eyes were narrowed skeptically, and he looked around at the group with something of a suspicious gaze.

Ashara bowed deeply to the two Keepers, and Kali was almost certain that she heard a sort of wavering emotion in her voice. "Andaran atish'an, Keeper Marethari, Keeper Zathrian."

Marethari's face broke out into a bright smile, at once making her look much younger. "Aneth ara, da'len. You and Tamlen have been much missed these past months." Kali could hear the tenderness in the old woman's voice.

Zathrian looked around at the group with his hard eyes. "Allow me to handle the introductions. I am Zathrian, the Keeper of the Ainuae Clan, its guide, and preserver of our ancient lore." He gestured to Marethari. "This is Marethari, Keeper of the Sabrae Clan. You have come seeking shelter within our camp?"

It seemed to take Ashara a lot of effort to pull her eyes away from Marethari, and look at Zathrian. "We have come for more than one reason, Keeper." She lifted her head a bit higher. "We are Grey Wardens, come to ask our kin of the Elvhenan to honor the treaty they swore years ago, to aid us against the Blight."

Marethari's wise green eyes were sad. "Then it is true. Our fears have been realized."

Zathrian nodded. "We could sense the appearance of darkspawn deep to the south, but we could not be sure that it was a true Blight." The way he said it almost made it seem like he doubted Ashara's word.

"I assure you, it is a Blight," Ashara replied, somewhat haughtily. "We have gathered allies from the mages of the Circle Tower, and the Durgen'len in Orzammar. Now we seek our allies among the Elvhenan."

Zathrian exchanged a glance with Marethari. "We would be willing to uphold our promise, especially to help one of our kin, but there is a... difficulty."

"Yes, Mithra told us that your hunters are sick," Tamlen said.

Marethari shook her head sadly. "It is not just that they are sick, da'len." She looked around at the group. "But perhaps your companions should make themselves comfortable, before we speak of such things. You have been given the south side of our camp, for all of your belongings and tents. That space is yours, for as long as you have need of it."

"Ack! Ge' off me! Bunch of nug-lickers!" Oghren suddenly shouted.

Kali twisted around, and saw why it was that Marethari wanted them to prepare their tents; apparently they were causing quite a stir amongst the children of the Dalish. They were fascinated by the horses and tried to climb onto their backs, or crawl onto the cart, while more of them were trying to pull at Oghren and Aric's beards. Since the two dwarven men were almost the same height as the children, they weren't having an easy time trying to pull away.

Beside her, Zevran laughed. "Oh come now, my fine dwarven friend! Your beard is a masterpiece; allow the children to admire you!"

Ashara chuckled, and glanced at Kira. "Why don't you go and set up our tents?"

Aric tried to back away from the children, but tripped over his feet and landed on his behind. Alistair, laughing so hard he was almost in tears, picked the dwarven man up and slung him over his shoulder, much to Aric's dismay. "Put me down, you sodden arse!"

Kira smiled at her fellow Orlesian Warden. "Now, now Aric, stop fighting." Kali had the sneaking suspicion that Kira was enjoying how ridiculous Aric looked, swinging his hands and fists through the air.

Wynne and Leliana whispered calmly to the horses, and guided them off towards the south side of the camp while the rest of their group followed, except for Ashara, Tamlen, Kali, and Zevran. But Kali wasn't exactly eager to go set up her tent just yet. She wanted to explore the camp, and see how the Dalish truly lived.

She glanced up at the two Keepers. "Um, would any of the Dalish mind if I wandered around the camp?" That one Dalish woman, Mithra, had made her nervous. She didn't want any of the hunters to think she was causing trouble, and attack her.

Zathrian stiffened. "We do not appreciate strangers staring at us."

Ashara scoffed, and scowled at him. "Kali is not going to gape at the Elvhenan. She has spent her life under the rule of shemlen, and is eager for the chance to meet her kin."

Marethari smiled kindly at Kali; once again, she saw why it was that Ashara respected the woman so much. "You are welcome among us, da'len, free to go where you like. Some of the Elvhenan may seem nervous or suspicious of you, but it is simply because we are not used to strangers in our camp. Do not take it personally."

Kali nodded, and grinned back; it was impossible not to warm to this kind old woman. "I understand. Ashara's told me a lot about how the Dalish live. She's been teaching me about the Creators, and I can even speak some of your language!" She was eager to show the Dalish that she wasn't just another elf who turned her back on their history. She wanted them to see how much she was learning.

Marethari chuckled, and looked at Kali fondly. "You are a sweet girl, da'len. I think that you have a great future ahead of you."

"What do you mean?"

But before Marethari could respond, a young man suddenly exclaimed, "Tamlen!" Kali turned towards the voice, and saw a young man with light hair striding towards them eagerly.

Tamlen's face broke out into a bright smile. "Fenarel!" The two men clapped each other on the backs, and started laughing. "It is good to see you, lethallin!"

Fenarel swept Ashara up into a giant hug; she laughed and embraced him back. "Look at you, lethallan!" Fenarel said. "Pregnant! Ashalle is going to be beside herself with joy!" He swung his arm around Tamlen's shoulder. "Well, it looks like being a might Grey Warden hasn't been all bad, has it? I assume that when the little one is born, you're going to bring him to me for training?"

Tamlen laughed. "I doubt it. I want my child to learn how to hunt properly, not chase after every member of the opposite sex."

Fenarel's smile widened, and for the first time seemed to notice Kali and Zevran standing silently, watching the exchange. He let go of Tamlen and walked up to Kali; she noticed that his eyes were warm, and shifted uncomfortably. "Ashara, when were you going to introduce me to your lovely companion, here?"

Ashara lifted her chin. "Her name is Kali, Fenarel, and she's a dear friend of mine. The man beside her is Zevran, a member of the Antivan Crows."

Fenarel glanced at Zevran, but didn't seem to be much interested in him. Kali bit her bottom lip, not knowing what to say to him. It would probably be offensive if she hid behind Zevran, but she really wished that Fenarel would look somewhere else.

"What is an Antivan Crow?" Fenarel asked. He continued to smile at Kali, as if he expected her to answer.

But it was Zevran who replied. "We are an order of assassins, out of Antiva." That got Fenarel's attention. Zevran smiled sweetly, but Kali could see a hard glint in his eyes. "And so I suggest that you keep a distance from my lovely querida."

Tamlen started laughing. "You're going to get yourself killed, Fenarel. Zevran here is quite skilled with stealth and poisons; you'd be dead before you even knew what happened."

Fenarel sighed dramatically. "Creators, all the beautiful women are already taken!" His disappointment didn't seem to last too long, though; he quickly perked up and turned back to Tamlen. "Wait, why are you traveling with an assassin?"

Tamlen chuckled. "It's a long story."

"Well, come on. Chief Tasar and some of the hunters are eager to see you, and you can tell me this long story." He glanced at Ashara. "I hope you don't mind, lethallan, but I'll be stealing your mate for a little while."

She smiled. "Take him. I wish to speak with Marethari and Zathrian some more, anyway." Tamlen stole a quick kiss from her, and the two men walked off towards a group of hunters, laughing and joking along the way.

Kali glanced at Ashara. "I'm going to go wander around." At her nod she looked towards Zevran. "Do you want to come with me?"

"Of course."

Zevran kept beside her, as she walked through the large camp. She had no idea where she was going to go, but this whole place just fascinated her. She wanted to sit with the women and learn some of their songs, or run around with the little children. She wanted to learn how they made their strange clothing, or watch as they cooked their food.

Her eyes darted around, taking in everything around her, but then she slowly realized that Zevran was being strangely quiet. She glanced at him curiously. "What's wrong?"

He smiled at her. "Nothing at all."

But she didn't believe him. She watched him with a slight frown, and then suddenly realized why he was quiet. It was nothing more than a young woman's intuition, but she suddenly figured out what was bothering him. "You're irritated at Fenarel. Why? Were you jealous?"

Zevran laughed, but it sounded a bit forced. "Jealous? Ridiculous! Why should I be jealous of something like that?"

"You were! You were actually jealous!" Kali found herself grinning like an idiot. It was such a strange thought, but something about Zevran being jealous of her made her happy.

The assassin scowled at her, but that only made her laugh. He threw up his hands. "Why are you laughing?"

"I don't know. I just... it makes me happy to think that you would be jealous over me." She smiled up at him. "I like the thought of it."

Zevran's face softened, and he pulled her into a tight hug. "Ah, you are such a girl, mi querida."

"Are you teasing me?"

"I assure you, my little Warden, no teasing here. None at all!"

Kali knew better than to believe him; Zevran was always teasing someone. She stuck her tongue out at him, and pulled away from his arms. "Well, now that you're in a better mood, let's go look around the camp." She grasped his hand, and pulled him towards one of the fires. Maybe if they sat down and talked to one of the women, Kali could learn some of those songs they were singing.

"Kali?" A vaguely familiar voice reached her ears, and she stopped in her tracks. Who would know her name here? Aside from Ashara and Tamlen, she didn't know the Dalish.

A young man was stepping out of one of those strange wagons, with a look of surprise on his face. "Kali? That is you! What are you doing here?"

Kali gaped at the young man. "Pol? You're alive?" The last time she had seen him had been over a year ago, right before he disappeared from the alienage.

His eyes widened. "Of course! Wait, you thought I was dead?"

"We all did!" Kali twisted around to Zevran, her eyes wide. "Zevran, this is my friend Pol. He used to live in the alienage until about a year ago." She turned back to Pol. "You disappeared, and then we didn't hear anything from you. Of course we thought you had died!"

Pol shifted guiltily, and studied his feet. "I'm sorry to do that to all of you. But I had to leave, before the guards caught me." He swallowed nervously. "My brother, Taeodor, he thinks I'm dead too?"

"Well, Hahren Valendrian kept telling him not to expect you to come back, but Taeodor won't believe it. He swears that you're doing to come home one day."

Pol shook his head sadly. "I can't go home, Kali. The guards would hang me if they ever saw me again."

She bit her bottom lip. Taeodor had told her that Pol had been caught trying to pick a guard's pocket; they needed money, to put food on the table and take care of their little sister. But the guards didn't care about that; all they cared about was that an elf had tried to steal from a human. "I'm sorry that you had to run away Pol. At least you found the Dalish. But I'm surprised they just accepted you." She would have thought that the Dalish would've turned him away.

Zevran nodded. "The Dalish often take in elves from the city, as long as they are willing to pull their own weight, and help the Clan."

Pol brightened up. "Kali, you can't imagine what it's like to live here. The Dalish, they treat me like I'm one of their own people. It's not like the alienage; no one here treats me like a burden. When I first came, they made sure I had food and clothing. And our history! They've taught me all about Arlathan, and showed me the statues and portraits of the Creators. I never knew what it meant to be an elf, before I came here." He swallowed. "I miss Taeodor, and I miss my friends in the alienage, but I've grown to love these people."

Kali looked around at the camp. "Really?"

He nodded, and gestured back to his wagon. "Here, why don't you and Zevran come back to my aravel? I want to hear all about how everyone in the alienage is doing, and how you came to be here."

Kali smiled, and grasped Zevran's hand as she followed after Pol. She never in a million years would have guessed that by coming to the Dalish camp she would see a friend from the alienage. In a weird way, part of her started to wonder if fate was conspiring to make her want to join the Dalish. Joining the Grey Wardens, meeting Ashara, and now seeing Pol! How else would all these strange occurrences be explained?

But she brushed that thought aside. Surely, it was nothing more than a number of coincidences.

oOo

Ashara straightened herself up from the bed of one of the sick hunters. The poor man was writhing around in pain, begging Mythal to deliver him from his pain. Lanaya, Zathrian's First, eased the aching hunter into sleep, which was the only relief that they could offer him. Ashara glanced around at all of the sick beds, where countless hunters slept, their breathing ragged. This is worse than I thought.

She turned back to Zathrian, who watched her with critical eyes. "You're right; this poor hunter's blood is corrupted, and it's spreading fast to the rest of his body."

Zathrian crossed his arms. "As I told you. I fail to see why you needed to check for yourself."

Ashara gritted her teeth, and fought the urge to roll her eyes. After only five minutes with this man, she had been reminded of why she had always disliked him. Zathrian was, basically, an arrogant ass, always talking about his long life, always reminding others of his power. "True, but considering the fact that you've asked me to help your Clan and retrieve Witherfang's heart, I feel the need to know as much about this sickness as I can. Forgive me for wishing to be well informed."

"I do not take kindly to such sarcasm, especially from a First who left their Clan to live in the shemlen world."

Ashara clicked her tongue impatiently, and looked down her nose at this unlikable man. "Don't even start acting all high and mighty; you know damn well why I left my Clan." Her eyes narrowed disdainfully. "You know, I never thought I would find a reason to say this, but I have met many honorable humans these past six months. They make me ashamed of a Keeper like you, who berates his own kin."

Zathrian scowled, but Ashara didn't care. She was a Grey Warden now; she didn't have to answer to a Keeper anymore. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to Marethari's aravel. My friends will be staying here tonight, and will start our search for the werewolves in the morning."

Without bothering to wait for a response, she spun on her heel and stomped away. By the Creators, she had forgotten she disliked him so much. Poor Lanaya; Ashara couldn't imagine what it must have been like to be trained by someone like him. But, Lanaya seemed happy enough, so maybe he was a better Keeper than he was elf.

Ashara walked through the camp, looking around for the familiar faces of her own Clan. But when she saw them, they tossed curious glances her way, and whispered to one another. Ashara frowned. She had expected that her Clan would flood around her, eager to see her again, but most of them looked at her like she was a flat-ear, an intruder who didn't belong. That hurt.

Marethari was seated just outside her aravel, sipping a cup of what looked like her usual tea. She smiled as Ashara approached, and set her cup down. "I cannot tell you how glad I am to see that you and Tamlen are alive and well, da'len. Yet I should not have worried; the path before you is long."

Ashara sat down next to Marethari, barely paying attention. "Keeper, why does the Clan look at me so strangely? Are they angry that I left?"

"Not at all, da'len. They are surprised, and they do not know what to say to you." She looked around at her people. "Most of the Clan feels as though we allowed you and Tamlen to be taken from us. They feel that we should have done more for you. It is guilt that keeps them away."

"Oh." Well that certainly wasn't what she had expected. "But I don't blame the Clan, or you, or anyone. I'm grateful to be a Grey Warden." Ashara hesitated, but realized that she was speaking nothing but the truth. "I can do a lot of good for our people. Tamlen and I have been given the chance to show the world what the Elvhenan can do. Besides... these strangers with me are good people, Keeper; they've become my friends."

Marethari studied Ashara thoughtfully for a moment, then smiled. "You have grown wise, da'len. This journey has been good for you; I can see why the Creators have chosen you for this path."

At the mention of the Creators, Ashara's frown deepened. She wanted to ask Marethari about the dreams with Sylaise, but had no idea really where to start. "Keeper, have you ever been visited by one of the Creators in your dreams?"

Marethari closed her eyes and lowered her head; it seemed as though she was listening to an internal voice that Ashara couldn't hear. After a few minutes of silence, the young woman grew more and more curious. "Keeper?"

Marethari exhaled deeply, and opened her eyes. Her gaze was vacant, as if she was seeing something off in the distance. "In the time of Arlathan, our ancestors spoke to the Creators often. They played where we played, They sang with our musicians and danced in our temples. But then Fen'Harel imprisoned Them, and now They are free to speak with us only in our dreams."

"Is that a 'yes'?"

The Keeper blinked slowly, as if drawn back to the present. "I have only ever seen Mythal once, when I was but a da'len. She cradled me in Her arms, as loving as the Mother she is."

Ashara gaped at her; Marethari had never mentioned this before. "What did She say to you?"

"She told me only that when the world began to shake, that I must remember her promise of protection. She will keep Her children safe."

Ashara frowned. "Sylaise told me that an ancient power will turn its face to our world. Could They have meant the same thing?"

The Keeper spread her hands. "Perhaps. They are Goddesses, da'len. Rarely do They give a straight answer."

Ashara rolled her eyes, and groaned. "Well, it would be so much easier if they did. I mean, if they were talking about the same thing, when is it going to happen? Why did Mythal tell you so long ago?"

Marethari smiled at Ashara's exasperation. "Perhaps They do not know. Or perhaps it is because They are immortal; you know, from our history, how little time means to an immortal. What is a day to a Goddess? What is a year?"

"Aren't you worried, at least? Mythal tells you that the world is going to shake, and then Sylaise tells me that an ancient power is hungry! How do we find out what they mean? How do we prepare for whatever they were talking about?"

The Keeper didn't look in the least bit troubled. "Why should I worry? If the world does shake, I shall remember Mythal's words, and I shall prepare. Until that moment, there is nothing I can do." Her smile widened, as she watched Ashara scowl. "You are no longer an apprentice, da'len. You are a Grey Warden, soon to be a mother, but I fear that you are still as impatient as the day you learned your first spell."

"Well of course!" Ashara's scowl deepened. She loved Marethari deeply, but had forgotten how frustrating the woman could be. "If the world's about to fall apart, I'd like to at least have some sort of idea of when it's going to happen!"

"Then you will torment yourself."

"I know." Ashara sighed deeply, and pinched the bridge of her nose. "But can you blame me?"

Marethari chuckled. "Of course not, da'len. You are who you are; to expect you to behave any differently would be folly." She picked up her tea and took a sip. "But allow me to tell you this; with the presence of the darkspawn, I worried for our people. I have looked in the waters for a glimmer of the future. I have listened to the wind, and stared into the fire, and I can find no sign, no omen that our world is at risk yet."

"Even with the Blight?"

"Even with the Blight, da'len. Whatever it is that Sylaise warned you about, I believe that it will not come to pass for a few years yet."

"Oh, wonderful. Well, good to know that I have a few years of worry ahead of me." Ashara sighed deeply.

Marethari watched the young woman curiously. "There is more troubling you than these dreams, da'len. Tell me what is wrong."

Ashara scowled. "What isn't? I'm fighting against a Blight, with no real idea of what I'm doing, and nothing but a thrown together plan that has a slim chance of succeeding. Everyone looks towards me to lead; they all want me to make the hard choices for them, to decide when and where to go, and how we're going to kill the Archdemon, but the only thing I can do is follow the most logical course, which is to gather our allies. Then, when we have them I have to run around the country and try to find the ashes of a dead woman, which can hopefully wake Arl Eamon, who can hopefully unite a country full of warring shemlen. If he can't, I have no idea what we're going to do."

She looked up at the canopy of leaves, as if they could give her answers. "Then I have Sylaise appearing in my dreams, telling me that something big is about to happen, but I have no idea what it is, or even when it'll happen. I have no idea how to prepare, or even what to look for! And on top of all that, I'm pregnant, and I have no idea if my child is going to be okay! I'm a Grey Warden! My baby was conceived after I went through the Joining; what if the darkspawn taint affects it?" She pressed her face against the palms of her hands, and inhaled deeply.

Marethari waited, until Ashara began to relax. "Da'len, you have been called to a position of leadership, which is never easy." Her words were kind, but firm. "Do you think that your life would have been easier if you had remained with the Clan, and become the Keeper?"

Ashara lifted her head. "I don't know..."

The Keeper smiled sadly. "No, it would not. You would still be plagued by doubts, you would still be forced to make hard decisions that would affect those that you care about." She looked towards the south of the camp, where Ashara's group was setting up their tents, laughing and joking. "You have good people around you; ask for their help. You do not have to do this alone."

"But..."

"No protests. You are afraid to admit that you do not know what to do; you believe that they will think less of you if you falter. That is nothing but your pride speaking, da'len. They are your friends and allies, and even in such a short time I can see that they would be willing to help, if only you asked."

Ashara closed her eyes; she knew that the Keeper was right. But Marethari always had this affect on her; she always made things seem so much simpler than Ashara saw them. "Ma serannas, Keeper."

Marethari smiled. "Now, let me take a look at your child. I shall tell you if it is growing properly."

She scooted closer to the Keeper, and watched as Marethari held her hands out over Ashara's stomach. A glowing blue light began to shine around Marethari's hand; Ashara felt her stomach lurch, as the energy swam around her growing baby.

It was over as swiftly as it had begun; the Keeper cut off the flow of magic, and smiled up at Ashara. "You have no reason to worry, da'len. Your daughter is strong and healthy."

"Daughter?"

"Yes. See how she lies?" Marethari pressed a finger against Ashara's stomach. "It is a girl."

"But why hasn't she moved yet? Aren't babies supposed to move by the fifth month?"

"That is true of human children, but Elvhen babies are much smaller. If your daughter has not moved by your sixth month, then you will have reason to worry. But I suspect that you shall feel her move very soon."

Ashara was more grateful than she could ever express. "Ma serannas, Keeper."

Marethari reached for her cup of tea, and smiled at Ashara. "Now, perhaps you can do something for me in return."

"We are going to find the werewolves that have made the hunters sick, Keeper. I swear to you; we'll do anything in our power to help end this curse."

Marethari's smile faded. "I know that, da'len. But you must keep your wits about you. I do not believe that Zathrian has told us everything about this curse."

"What do you mean?"

"I believe that he knows more than he has told us, so I beg you to be careful when you search out the werewolves. But that is not what I wished to ask. I wish for you to speak with Merrill."

"Merrill? Why? Is she okay?" Ashara looked around the camp, but didn't see the young woman. Normally she followed after Marethari like a second shadow, but so far Ashara hadn't seen her.

"She is out with some of our hunters, to help protect them against the werewolf curse while they gather food for our Clans." The Keeper shook her head sadly. "Merrill has been troubled lately; she is taking her first steps down a dark path, one that I cannot talk her out of. Perhaps you can succeed where I have failed."

Ashara was confused. What could Merrill be doing that would be so bad? "What has she done?"

"I shall let her be the one to tell you. But it is my hope that you can bring her back to the path of our people."

Ashara hesitated. She had no idea what the Keeper was talking about, but at the same time she didn't think Merrill would listen to her. "I don't know if I can convince her of anything, Keeper. She and I... well, after I was chosen as First, surely you saw how our friendship suffered?"

"Yes, I know. But she has missed you greatly since you left us. I had hoped that she would grow close to the Clan, but she keeps her distance from them, and they do not know what to say to her."

Ashara grimaced. She was well acquainted with how the Clan judged Merrill so harshly, all because she was awkward around others. When they were little, Ashara had always defended her; Merrill was a sweet girl, just nervous and flighty. "Very well; after we've found a way to cure the hunters, I'll see if I can talk to her."

"Ma serannas, da'len."


Translations:
Vhenadahl - literally: Tree of the People; the large tree in the center of each alieange
Andaran atish'an - a formal greeting
Ma serannas - thank you
Ma nuvenin - as you wish
Aneth ara - informal greeting
da'len - child/children
lethallin - kinsman, friend; used for male
lethallan - kinsman, friend; used for female

If you play as a Dalish Warden, you get to meet Pol, who says that he came from the alienage, and was welcomed into your Clan. If you play as a city elf, you get to meet Taeodor, who says that his brother ran off to find the Dalish. Bioware never comes out and says that they're brothers, but I figured it would nice for Kali to meet a friend.

Ashara's growing up ;] This is the first time she's really admitted that the ragtag group of people following her are her friends. Maybe she'll even calm down a bit from her irritable attitude :D

Thank you to everyone reading, reviewing, and requesting alerts!