On first appearances, I wouldn't have called the Dalish prosperous, but they were certainly independent of human civilisation and quite content going about their lives in the way I assumed they had for however long Thedas had existed. There were more elves than I expected too. Not that I thought there'd only be a dozen or so, but I stopped counting at around fifty. The last thing I wondered was if they were the only group of Dalish, or if there were many groups of Dalish who travelled Thedas, keeping to their traditional ways.

Our arrival into camp certainly caused a little excitement, a number of elves crowding around our column as we dismounted our horses. I left any negotiating with the Keeper to Aedan and the other Wardens, and found myself alongside Leliana as we wandered the camp. I noticed we were followed by a couple of elves at a distance, but they didn't stop us looking around.

Ending up on the outskirts of the camp, I couldn't help point at the strange looking animals ahead of us. They might have been strange looking, but the other words may have been… majestic. And definitely beautiful. Leliana giggled at my growing excitement.

"Have you never seen halla before, human?" the elven female asked. She appeared to be their keeper.

"No. Never. They're… absolutely magnificent. What are they? Like horses?"

I heard Leliana giggle again as the elf simply smiled. "No, stranger. They are… Well, they are halla."

"May I stroke one?"

The elf looked a little unsure before she gestured. "Not this one," she replied, pointing to the one next to her, "But any of the others may accept your touch. Just know they may react to someone they do not know."

"I'll be gentle."

The elf walked towards the fence, bending down and grabbing a handful of something from a sack, walking towards me. "If you offer some of this to one of the halla, it should be okay."

I walked towards one of the nearby halla slowly. It's head immediately lifted, the animal alert, watching its nostrils move as it sniffed the air. Then it looked directly at me and I stopped, slowly offering the food in my hand. I took another step forward, the halla continuing to sniff, and in another couple of steps, it appeared interested.

Once my hand was near enough, it lowered its head to my hand and sniffed the contents, and it carefully took a few of the pellets out of my hand. With my free hand, I started to gently stroke the halla along its neck, amazed at how soft its hair was.

"Leliana," I whispered, not wanting to startle the halla, "Look at these antlers!"

"I know, Uhtred. There are those who hunt them. The antlers are apparently worth a small fortune."

"Who would hunt such magnificent animals?"

"I had no idea you cared so much."

"It's just I've never seen anything like them before. The closest things would be deer, but even those are not as beautiful as these. How do they stay so clean?"

"The elves care greatly for their animals, Uhtred. They put how we humans treat our horses to shame. Not saying we treat them badly, just… differently."

The halla around us were so docile, so calm, it even started to have an effect on me. I could have stayed all day in that field, surrounded by them. Once the food in my hand had disappeared, the halla let me stroke it for a little longer before it slowly backed away. I lowered my hand and stepped back too. I guess it was the halla's way of saying play time was over.

"Leliana, how do I say thank you in their language?" I asked quietly.

"You care?"

"I have to. It's the right thing to do."

She took my hand, kissed my cheek, then whispered in my ear. Walking towards the elven woman in charge of the halla, I offered my thanks. "Ma serannas."

I was amused as the elven woman blinked in obvious surprise. "You know our tongue?"

"No. I asked my fetching companion here how to say thank you in your language. A sign of respect and a proper show of thanks."

"My name is Elora. You are?"

"I am Uhtred. This is Leliana."

"It is unusual a human would show any interest in our kind."

"I'm still a relative stranger to these lands. The elven people where I am from are… different. Not as peaceful. Or some of them, at least."

"If I may ask, why are you here?"

"My brother is a Grey Warden. He is asking for the help of your people in stopping a Blight."

"We have heard whispers of trouble outside the forest. I would have assumed keeping to ourselves would have prevented being involved in such problems. But we also know of the Grey Wardens. If they have come asking for help, I am sure our Keeper will answer the call."

"I hope so."

"Dareth shiral, Uhtred and Leliana."

I didn't know what it meant exactly, and I didn't ask. It was said with a slight smile and kind eyes, so I knew it was something good.

Hand in hand with Leliana, we slowly walked back to the rest of our group. "You are relaxed," she stated.

"We've only been here, what, an hour? It's just peaceful here. First time I've had that sense in quite a while." I paused, before adding, "Despite the fact I can tell a few of them don't like us being here. So I figure if I'm relaxed, they'll relax too."

"They have every reason not to want humans here, Uhtred. The history of man and elf is long, complicated, and altogether far too tragic."

"You sound sorry for them?"

"It's because I am. At least the Dalish have some sort of freedom and independence, keeping alive their traditions as best as they can. You have yet to see an elven alienage within one of our cities."

"I dread to ask…"

"You might end up seeing the one in Denerim."

I chuckled briefly. "Who would have thought that the Dragonborn would have ended up feeling sorrow for elves. Far different to Skyrim."

"You didn't like them there, correct?"

"That's an understatement. But, then again, the relationship between man and elf in Skyrim is long and complicated. The difference is that the elves are slightly on top."

We found Aedan and the other Wardens sitting with a few elves around a campfire, appearing to be in negotiation. Alistair had the treaty in hand, but one of the elves, a male with a bald head and some rather intricate facial tattoos, kept shaking his head. I could see Aedan growing more frustrated with every shake. Then he looked my way and waved me over.

"Just the man who might be able to help us," he said as I took a seat across from him.

"Oh, how so?" I asked cautiously, as there was something in the tone I didn't like.

"I have had a rather interesting conversation with the keeper of this clan. Tell Uhtred what you told me, Zathrian."

"In recent days, many of our hunters have found themselves attacked by werewolves."

"Werewolves? I thought they were a myth," I replied. I wasn't going to openly admit that I had once been a werewolf without reason.

"Oh, they are very real, and many of our hunters have now found themselves affected by the scourge of lycanthropy."

I looked at Aedan. "How is that possible? On Skyrim, the disease was… Well, it was tied to a daedric god."

"A what?" Zathrian wondered, "And where is this Skyrim?"

"It's a long story," I replied, "Okay, let's get back to the werewolves. What do you know of them?"

"I do not know much about werewolves themselves. It's what I do know that is incredibly important. The source of lycanthropy stems from one source. Witherfang."

"And Witherfang is who or what?"

"A great white wolf native to this forest. It is from that wolf alone that the disease was born. Kill the beast, bring me its heart and I can free my people from its curse."

"That's it?"

"That's it."

I looked at Aedan again. "Kill a wolf? I've had worse missions handed to me."

Zathrian laughed. "Typical shemlen. Full of arrogance. You do not understand, human. This forest is… alive. It will do everything in its power to ensure you fail in this task. Witherfang is no ordinary wolf. I would wager that it is smarter than any of you."

I looked at Alistair this time. "He's probably not wrong there."

"Are you talking about me or you?"

"Why not both?"

Alistair just laughed, shaking his head. "I would not enter the forest now, Warden and friends, for the hour is growing late, and you do not want to be outside this camp during darkness. I would suggest you leave once the sun rises," Zathrian suggested.

"Of course. Thank you," Aedan replied.

"In addition to requesting our help, Wardens will usually recruit. Will that be the case in this instance?"

"The more Wardens we have, the better chance of defeating the Archdemon. Yes, I will be looking to recruit, if that is possible."

"Very well. I already have a suitable candidate in mind." He turned and gestured towards a group of Dalish standing nearby, observing our conversation with interest. An elven female stepped forward. Her most obvious feature? The staff in her hand. "This is Lyna Mahariel. She is a mage."

"A mage?" Wynne exclaimed.

"Yes. She escaped one of your human circles a few months ago. We have cared for her since she arrived near one of our previous camping spots, tired, hungry and desperate for safe haven." He turned towards Lyna. "Will you be willing to help the Wardens in their defence against the darkspawn?"

"Yes, hahren."

"Will you accept Lyna into the Wardens?" he asked of my brother.

"While I would like to say yes straight away, I am unsure of her skill. She could demonstrate now, but I think helping us find and eliminate this Witherfang would be an excellent test. Would you agree?"

"I find that acceptable. Lyna?"

"I will do whatever is necessary."

We made camp later that afternoon, away from the Dalish. We didn't want to intrude on their daily lives, so although we did a little mingling, we generally kept to ourselves. We made sure our behaviour stayed acceptable. That meant keeping Duran and Ohgren away from alcohol for at least one night. Lyna introduced herself over dinner, though I could see she found some of our behaviour very strange, Aedan having to explain that our group had now been together for some time, so we were all rather close now.

"I have never seen such a creature before," she said, looking at Shale, "What are you?"

"A golem."

"A what?"

"A golem."

"What's a golem?"

"I'm a golem."

"But what are you exactly?"

I could almost hear Shale sigh. "A golem."

I'll admit, I almost wet myself laughing. Shale never made things easy. Lyna looked helplessly around our group. "See what I mean?" Aedan said.

"Golems were created by the dwarves," Duran explained, "That's a very, very short explanation."

"I used to be a dwarf," Shale added.

Lyna opened her mouth, looked ready to ask another question, then stayed silent. I guess some things don't really need explaining. "Have you fought many darkspawn?" she asked instead.

"Plenty. And there are many more to kill before the Blight is over," Aedan replied.

"What do you know of this werewolf curse?" I asked.

"Nothing more than what our keeper has already told you."

I didn't think Zathrian was hiding anything, but I still wondered if others might know more. "Have you seen a werewolf before?" I asked instead.

"No. Only those who are sick have seen one. Once the attacks started, Zathrian forbid hunting in the forest. Yet it is strange the werewolves have not tried to attack our camp."

"You have numbers here," Alistair said, "I guess the werewolves were picking off solitary hunters."

We headed to bed early, none of us needing to keep watch as the Dalish had their own patrols. That meant I could slide under the furs with Leliana and Solona, both of them still awake for once. I don't know what it was, but I think my general good mood must have rubbed off on them, as I soon felt hands of two women all over my body, particularly in certain parts which caused… growing excitement.

"Wait, wait, wait. I have an idea," I said before things go too out of hand.

"What?"

"Ever made love under the stars?"

Both of them shook their head. I'll admit to a little surprise by Leliana, as I figured she had even more experience than me. So I grabbed a blanket and quietly crept out of the tent, feeling them follow behind me. I walked until I could see the moon and stars clearly above us through the trees before laying the blanket down, lying myself on top of it. Leliana lay down on one side, Solona on the other.

Clothes disappeared very quickly. Hands explored everywhere. There was plenty of kissing, surprised and excited that Leliana and Solona had no problem kissing each other. I eventually ended up on my back, Solona on my cock, Leliana on my face. I think they had planned it all, as both of them were groomed. I tried really hard, pun intended, not to finish too early, but it had actually been a few days since I'd last made love to either of them, our criss-crossing of Ferelden leaving us far too tired for sexual shenanigans. We all had a tremendous orgasm within a couple of minutes of each other a little later. I'm sure everyone heard us, though none of us cared.

"That was only round one," Solona muttered into my chest, Leliana having collapsed onto the blanket next to me, leaving my face covered in… well, I'm sure you can imagine.

"There's a round two?"

"By the Maker, Uhtred. You think only Solona gets a ride?" Leliana asked. I couldn't help but laugh and almost had to pinch myself again at the circumstances I found myself in.

Solona rolled off me and her hand immediately went to my crotch. "By Talos, girl. Give me a couple of minutes at least. A man needs to recover."

"How long?"

"Well, I'm young, virile, and eager to go again. Ten minutes."

They swapped positions for round two, and despite the fact I was concentrating on Solona, I knew they were making out as I pleasured her. I lasted longer that time. They didn't, feeling Solona quiver above me before crying out, telling me to stop before she passed out. Once Leliana had her second, they were quite content to lay beside me catching my breath, while I'm sure I lay back with a smug grin. There was no round three, as we headed back to the tent exhausted, relieved and very, very happy.

I'm sure I wasn't the only one to sleep like a log.

Solona and Leliana both had enormous smiles as we sat around the campfire for breakfast. I'll admit, I was incredibly smug. Alistair joked at our expense, leaving Brosca giggling away most of the time, while Aedan just called me a twat, hoping it would still blow up in my face. Lyna, who had slept in one of our tents, was bemused, if not a little embarrassed by it all.

Once it was all out of their systems, we armed and armoured ourselves. Some may have prayed to their gods or god. Others simply walked around, weapon at hand, shadow fighting. Then there are those… okay, just Ohgren, who sat on his arse, yawned, farted, and yelled at us to hurry up before he turned into stone.

I'll admit, the little bastard was growing on me. The belching, farting, bad tempered, alcoholic but brave with big brass balls bastard.

Gathering at the edge of the camp, there was only one path leading deeper into the forest. Aedan would take point as always, though Lyna would accompany him at the front, as she had wandered the forest before Zathrian had stopped the Dalish leaving the camp, so had a general idea of where we needed to go. Unsurprisingly, some of us had spoken to the Dalish and had been asked to either look for people, find suppliers or other minor tasks that they were not capable of completing. It was something I was used to doing in Skyrim, as I think I had ended up doing all sorts of favours for the people of Whiterun. I was generally paid so I didn't mind.

I discovered quite quickly that I was glad Lyna was basically leading us, as without her guidance, we'd have been lost within minutes. The path that we had followed since entering the forest all the way to the Dalish camp ended quite quickly, and it was only her experience that kept us out of any real trouble. There were the usual sights and sounds of a forest, and once again I found it rather relaxing. I certainly didn't feel any imminent danger, at least to begin with.

We'd been walking for an hour or so, leaving the Dalish camp far behind, when the column was brought to a halt. I couldn't see too much from the rear, though Zevran walked forward, and I could see him speaking with Lyna and Aedan. Word was sent back that there were signs of wolves, and if there were wolves, then it was likely werewolves would be close too. The sounds of weapons being unsheathed now echoed in the near silence of the forest.

"I would have thought we'd be fighting more than four-legged animals by now," Sten grumbled, "Give me something worthy of my blade."

"What about werewolves?" I wondered.

He pondered this question for a moment. "I will admit that I thought they were myths."

A pack of wolves we came across a few minutes later did not lead to a fight. Apart from a few growls, and one or two barks, the animals watched us for a good couple of minutes before slowly walking backwards, their eyes never leaving ours. To I think all our surprise, they turned and ran away, though I'm sure sending Shale forward helped scare them off, and I'll admit that I always killed wolves with a slightly heavy heart. They weren't exactly dogs, but they could be beautiful animals… when they weren't trying to rip my throat out.

Forests are always full of animals, so finding more packs of wolves was expected, only one pack choosing to attack us, learning quickly not to do so once four of them were dead. Then we stumbled across a giant bear, and that is when I stepped forward.

"Wait a minute. I used to do something in Skyrim whenever I found a bear."

It took a few seconds for the bear to realise we were there, as it was busying itself eating something. I don't think it was an elven corpse, but considering the blood and bones, I think figuring out what it ever was would have proven difficult. The bear remained intent on eating whatever it was, so I put two fingers in my mouth to whistle, waving at it when it turned its head.

The bear turned to face me, standing on its hind legs and roared. I stood still in a relaxed manner, hearing a couple of my colleagues grow nervous behind me, hearing the rattle of armour and weapons. I just raised a hand to show I was in control.

Then the bear charged. I still didn't move. It roared against as it lumbered towards me. I'm sure I could feel the power of its footsteps on the ground as it moved closer and closer.

"FUS – RO – DAH!"

And the bear went flying backwards, end over end. It wouldn't have killed the animal. May have broken a bone or two. Would probably leave it confused. And it would definitely think twice about attacking another human.

I felt a presence by my side. "Bloody show off," Aedan stated before he chuckled to himself.

"What was that?" I heard Lyna ask.

"He is the Last Dragonborn," Leliana asked.

"Sent for by Akatosh to defeat Alduin, the World-Eater," Solona added.

"And now I'm on Thedas helping defeat the Blight. As to how or why I'm here, it is the will of the Nine Divines."

"I've never even heard of something like that before, let alone witness it," Lyna exclaimed.

"Once we're done here, we can sit down and I'll tell you the whole story."

"Ugh, again?" my brother groaned, before slapping my back, "I joke. I joke."

"Careful, brother, lest you find yourself in the way of my Thu'um one day, and you end up like that bear."

Once the bear had recovered itself and ran away, rather quickly to my amusement, we continued on. I dropped to the rear as usual, Leliana whispered something in my ear about talents that almost caused me to double over in laughter.

Lyna continued to lead our column, and a new sound grabbed my attention, knowing it was the sound of a waterfall. Or waterfalls. The path we were not falling was adjacent to a river, the sound growing louder the closer we got. The only concern I had was that the path had narrowed considerably, the river on our left, a sheer cliff on our right. Perfect place for an ambush.

We all should have known better. Maybe I should have said something, but I figured someone ahead of me would have noticed what we were walking into. I'll give them credit, though. The werewolves moved fast. Before an of us had even unsheathed our weapons, there were werewolves in front, behind and on the cliff above us. I still had weapon in hand by the time I turned to see half a dozen werewolves, ready to strike if they attacked.

Surprisingly, they didn't, standing tall and definitely intimidating, but they kept their claws to themselves. For the moment.

"Humans!" a voice growled.

What the f…? Since when does a werewolf talk? We were not capable of speech in Skyrim!

"Humans!" the voice growled again. I looked up to see a golden werewolf near the edge of the cliff. It was quite clearly the leader, much different to the rest, which looked like ordinary beats. "You dare enter our forest, humans. Have the Dalish sent you on this fool's errand?"

I glanced in the direction of my brother, and he jerked his head towards him. "Didn't think they could talk?" he asked, if not stated.

"I didn't think they could either. We never did," I whispered in reply.

"Yes, we can talk, humans."

"Shit. I forgot their hearing would be good," I muttered.

Aedan looked up. "How are you capable of speech?"

If I didn't know any better, the werewolf grinned. "We were once wild beasts, but we are no longer simple and mindless. Let that thought chill your spines."

"Who am I speaking to then?"

"I am Swiftrunner. I lead my cursed brothers and sisters. And I give you one warning, and one warning only. Turn back, return to the Dalish, and tell them that you have failed in your quest."

"But…"

Swiftrunner interrupted. "Tell the Dalish that we will gladly watch them suffer the same curse we have suffered for too long. Tell them that we will watch them pay!"

"Why the hatred for the Dalish?" I wondered. I remembered my days as a werewolf… vaguely, but I remembered. It usually felt like a bad dream after changing to them from. To be honest, though, we were simple werewolves, certainly not capable of intricate thought. Emotions like love and hate were not felt.

"I do not have enough time, nor do I have the inclination to explain, human. Just know that you are not welcome in this forest, nor are the Dalish. I would suggest that you all turn and leave while you still have the chance."

"We mean you no harm!" I called. I glanced at Aedan and he nodded his approval, I figure leaving it to me considering I had at least a little experience with werewolves.

Swiftrunner sniggered. "Was it not Zathrian who sent you? Was it not Zathrian who no doubt ordered you to kill us all? Is it not Zathrian who wishes our destruction? He has never wished to talk to us, only to kill!"

"I'm not Zathrian. And I know a little of your kind."

"Why do you speak of Zathrian as if you know him?" Lyna wondered. Thinking about it, it was a good question.

"We have never met, but we know of him. We all do."

"Why do you hate him then?" Aedan wondered.

It was the wrong question, as Swiftrunner and his companions noticeably bristled, and I could almost sense those closer around us were getting ready to attack. Swiftrunner waved a dismissive hand. "Enough talk. You know nothing, you have been told nothing, I will tell you no more except it appears you know even less about those you serve than you do of us. You are fools, all of you, and we are done here. You have been warned. Leave the forest now, or meet your doom."

I laughed. I always did at threats like that. Aedan ignored my laughter. "We mean you no harm, Swiftrunner, and we have no wish to fight, but nor can we retreat."

"You will be surprised to hear, human, that we wish no fight either. But there is no trust between us and you." The next part surprised me. "Come, brothers and sisters, we will pull back and let the forest complete the task required. These… intruders will not find our lair."

And, as quickly as they appeared, the werewolves disappeared into the forest. Aedan and I immediately turned to Lyna, more in confusion than anything else. "Why do they have such hatred for Zathrian?" Aedan wondered.

Lyna shrugged. "They're beasts. They probably hate everyone."

I shook my head. "No. It cannot be that simple. They knew who he was, and their hatred was singular. They simply consider us intruders. They appear hell bent on making him suffer, using the suffering of your clan as symbols of their hatred."

"What do you want me to say? All I know is that our people are suffering at their hands. And Zathrian is our keeper. He has no reason to lie to us or you. They hate him because he is our leader. They want to make him a fool. They want you to doubt. And they certainly know that our group is a danger to them. That is why they make you question."

"She makes a good point," Alistair said.

Aedan walked away from the group, obviously deep in thought for a couple of minutes, before he returned. "Okay, I will admit to a little curiosity regarding any apparent relationship between Zathrian and these werewolves, but we've also been given a job to do. We need the help of the Dalish, and to gain that help, we need to help them. So, for the moment, nothing changes. We complete the job given, though we approach with an open mind. They've been cursed, so perhaps we can kill two birds with one stone."

"What do you mean?" Alistair asked.

"I mean we help the Dalish and the werewolves."

"What?" Alistair exclaimed, "You actually want to help them?"

"Alistair," I warned. It was amazing how using a simple tone could get my point across.

"Look, I know you've told us you were once one, Uhtred, but this is a little different. And why the hell would we want to help them anyway?"

"Because if it truly is a curse, then perhaps we can help lift it," Wynne stated, having silently approached our little group, "And knowing how these curses work, it must involve some sort of magic."

"The Veil is thin here, I can feel it," Morrigan said quietly, "I would believe that would contribute to any curse."

"I think there is more going on here than any of us know. Zathrian may have secrets. He may not. The werewolves have reasons to lie to us. For their protection. To sow seeds of doubt. But a curse is a curse. And they can be broken. But that is for later. First, there is finding Witherfang," Aedan stated.

"I'll bet you a shiny gold coin Witherfang isn't what Zathrian said it was," I stated. I looked at Lyna. "No offence to you or your clan, but I've seen this sort of thing play out before."

"None taken. I will admit to a slight interest myself, though I still believe Zathrian is only concerned about our well-being."

"Okay, for now, we move on. Keep your wits about you as I have no idea this forest is going to throw more surprises at us before we are said and done."

Aedan didn't realise how right he was.