Zathrian greeted them with slightly more enthusiasm but quickly noted the dire situation the elves were in. He also noted that some of the darkspawn from Lothering and drifted into the forest along with the werewolves. Temene sighed heavily, knowing they would once again have to solve the problem with the rabid wolves in order to gain the elves' alliance. "I guess we have no choice but to help you," Temene replied begrudgingly.
"Thank you," Zathrian replied. "I would also ask that you keep your dog close. My people have grown a dislike for such beasts."
Temene frowned but nodded and turned to Sten as Zathrian left them. "See, it won't be a waste after all. We have darkspawn to hunt as well."
They settled into the camp and loaded as many supplies into their packs as possible. Bodahn and the wagon would have to remain in the Dalish camp while they ventured further into the woods.
They rested in the camp for the night, taking advantage of the few empty aravels. "These are nicer than our tents," Alistair remarked after he'd snuck into Temene's landship.
He slid in beside her as she lie on her back, looking up at the paintings on the top of the aravel. It was a pattern of the night sky in glossy black and gold paint. "Honestly, why can't anyone help themselves," Temene vented immediately. "We are supposed to be hunting the archdemon, not tracking rabid wolves and killing abominations."
"I think the Blight brings out the worst in everything," Alistair replied. "At least that's how it seems. It doesn't help that there are only two of us representing the order."
"I am going to rip Loghain's head off when I meet him," Temene shook her head.
"Just let me have all the appendages," Alistair added, slipping his hand into hers.
"I thought I'd enjoy meeting my Dalish kin, but they are so, rude," she paused. "Just because my ears are flatter and I don't have tattoos anywhere."
"I rather like you ears," Alistair smiled, kissing one gently.
"Alistair," Temene grinned as his lips tickled her ear. "Did you come by here just to make love in an aravel?"
"Well, the thought had crossed my mind," he smiled, and wrapped his arms around her.
"I guess they are feel nobler because they don't have to live in the alienage," she said, rolling over on her side to face him. "I don't want to hunt werewolves," she added with another sigh, kissing him softly.
"Mmm, alright," he smiled, returning her kiss. "You can frolic in the woods while I do all the dirty work."
"I'm holding you to that," she smiled.
They spent the night together and climbed out of Temene's aravel in the morning, in plain view of all their companions who were already up. Most of their companions gave them looks of disdain but Leliana seemed quite pleased. She followed Temene as she went to retrieve water from the nearby spring. "It makes me so happy to see you and Alistair together. You are well suited for each other," Leliana remarked.
"I don't think everyone else approves," Temene replied, bending down to fill her water skin.
"Morrigan is just jealous. I think she wishes she had a man like Alistair. And I think Wynne just fears you are focusing too much on your sexual relationship and that you will hurt him in the end."
"What do you mean?" Temene blushed slightly.
"Well, we hear you two at camp often. And I've heard mages are quite, free with their love."
Temene's face grew even redder and she reminded herself to tell Alistair to utilize their pillows more often. She returned to where the party sat around the fire and couldn't look at any of them in the eye. "Let's get moving," she finally said, clearing her throat.
"Are you alright?" Alistair asked quietly, seeing her reddened face.
"We will discuss it later," she replied in a whisper.
They set off deeper into the forest, searching for the great white wolf as Zathrian had instructed them to do. The werewolves sat in wait on the outskirts on the camp, keeping watch for anyone who dared to enter their domain. They attacked first, but when the knew they could not best the Wardens, they stopped to parley. Temene was highly surprised that they could talk. The werewolves spoke only of betrayal and ran off without another word.
"What was that all about?" Temene wondered.
"I didn't think werewolves were intelligent," Leliana remarked.
"Just because they speak, doesn't make them intelligent," Morrigan remarked.
"Some are smart enough not to speak, right Cullen," Alistair gave Morrigan a sour look and cooed at Cullen, patting his head. "Isn't that what they say boy?" Cullen barked happily back at Alistair.
"Yet he still manages to leave animal carcasses in my bag," Morrigan complained.
"Those are gifts. He is bringing you gifts," Alistair lectured her. "He's a good boy."
"You can have them then," Morrigan added.
"Come on, you can play with Cullen back at camp," Temene replied. "We should follow the werewolves. They will lead us to Witherfang."
They continued on and found even more enemies to fight against. Besides the small bands of darkspawn, the trees, infected with some sort of spirit, came after them. They continued on as far as they could manage finding a strange barrier that blocked their path. Temene did not know how to ward it and hoped they would not have to return all the way to the Dalish camp for help. They tried to use some old pieces of wood to fortify their camp a little.
Temene didn't sleep well, the forest bearing the heaviness of Veil. She got up for a moment and walked around the edge of camp, accidentely stepping on a tree root in the dark. She heard a low grumble and took a defensive stance, jumping back away from the tree. "Hmmm," the tree groaned, almost sounding like it was preparing to speak. "What manner of being are you?" the tree finally spoke.
"A talking tree?" Temene said with fear in her voice. She held a small flame in her palm carefully, prepared to attack.
"Ah an elf ye be in front of this Elder Tree," the tree replied, seeing Temene's reflection in the fire in her hand.
"I, I am sorry for stepping on you," Temene replied. "You aren't going to attack me like the others?"
"My bretheren have gone astray, while I only wait here waylaid."
"Waylaid, by what purpose?"
"A thief it was who stole the precious acorn from my keep."
"An acorn?"
"My seed ss is all I am, and all I be. May I ask you to free it for me?"
"Where is it?"
"The thieve's camp lies ahead. Retrieve my acorn and I will remove the great barrier that lies in your stead."
"I will return it then," Temene replied.
She left the strange talking tree and returned to her tent even more troubled. She wondered what other strange spirits they would encounter as they continued on. She tried to sleep as best she could, but the distant howling of the werewolves kept her awake for sometime. Cullen snuck into her tent and slept beside her, somehow frightened by the werewolves calls.