Obligatory Chapter Heading:

Chapter 35:

It didn't take us long to find the other two. They'd turned turned around when the path had curved, thinking that we wouldn't follow it either, and met up with at the old man's camp. Right after we came in to possession of the acorn. What timing.

"I have good news, and I have bad news. What do you want first?"

"What's the bad news?"

Ah, always the more popular one. I smiled nervously.

"I don't have the opal anymore."

"You mean the rock you were going to enchant?"

"Gem. And, yes."

"Did you lose it? It could be anywhere from here to Denerim." the other Warden was very distressed by this information.

"So, the good news; I got the acorn." I flourished it.

"You... got the acorn. But what happened to the rock?"

"You just will not let that go, will you?" I frowned at him, "I traded it."

"What? Why? For what?"

"For the acorn, idiot." Throwing up my arms, I huffed, "Now, let's go return it to the Grand Oak."

"Was there anything on the right?" Zevran asked, trying to change the subject probably.

"No, but the path curved to the left. We didn't want to follow it, though, incase you had turned around if you'd found the seed." Leliana pointed to where the path moved behind the trees.

"Here." I handed the warrior the acorn, "You take it back to the tree. I want to see what's beyond, and-"

"the Dalish might not have enough time for you to satisfy your curiosity?"

I made a face at the elf, "Yes."

We kept to our pairing and went our separate ways.

We'd taken maybe a handful of steps, before I stopped short. That crawling sensation was back.

"Warden?" it was a whisper by my ear.

I nodded, "Darkspawn."

We exchanged glances. His eyes narrowed as he looked ahead, and I followed his gaze.

"Should we scout the area?"

"I don't want to be ambushed, but I don't want to run in to trouble. We should stay in the shadows of the trees for as long as we can."

He rolled his head from side to side, a grin spreading across his face, "Shall we?"

I was starting to realize he was just as bad as I was when it came to impulse control.

Aaaaaand... We should have stuck together, probably. Ogres. Two of them. Thankfully, they hadn't seen us. Oh. Oh, no, there they go. The boulder landed a foot away, shaking the ground. We'd been spotted.

"They like to throw things." I shuddered at the memory of smacking against a wall like a rag doll, "I know from experience."

"Noted. Anything else I should know?"

One of them ran toward us, its head lowered.

"Yeah, they're fast! Move, move, move!"

I threw myself to the left, while Zevran went right.

I inhaled slowly and held the air inside until I felt light as a feather. The world seemed to slow down around me, and I watched as the ogres zeroed in on my companion. He held his ground, his hands gripping his dagger hilts, and stared them down. Unflinching. His eyes moved to me momentarily before settling back on our attackers.

The one on the right held another boulder. The other one reached out and tried to grab the elf, who dodged gracefully and kept their attention from me.

The power was building up within me. I had no idea what I was doing, but something was about to happen. As one, the ogres whirled around and advanced on me. When they'd gotten far enough away from Zevran, I exhaled, and my eyes tightened with the release of the magic.

They'd stopped where they were, frozen in place.

"Maker's breath..." I almost couldn't believe my eyes. That was new. I'd never done something of that magnitude before.

Zevran made quick work of the one closest to him, sinking his blades in to the creature's skull.

"Perhaps you should take care of the other one."

"Why?" I tilted my head.

"To understand the limitations of this..." He gestured the one still standing, "whatever this is. Do you need to be protected? Can you still fight? There are many questions."

"I... You're not wrong." I slowly strode forward, slipping one of my daggers free, and poked the ogre with it. Testing.

I closed my eyes, turned around, moved my focus to the ground beneath me. Nothing. The magic didn't lift. Whipping around, I darted up its body, and stabbed in to the skull, as well.

They were still standing. Sort of.

Centering myself again, I pulled my concentration inward and closed my eyes, feeling a small popping sensation in my head. Peeking one eye open, I saw the bodies crumple to the ground. That was that.

"Look at that. I'm learning new things every day."

With that finished, we continued on our way. Until the path forked, and we had to choose which way to go. After a few glares and a heated argument, Zevran went to the left and I went to the right.

Not too far down the path, I started hearing a kind of whimper-growl. That was when I saw the injured werewolf, down on one knee. It was obviously in pain.

I rushed over to it, the voice in the back of my mind telling me I needed to do something.

"P-please... help... listen... I am not... the mindless beast I appear to be..."

My stomach sank, and I hoped this wasn't one of the elves, "What happened to you?"

"They... I am cursed, turned in to this creature. The curse, it... it burns in me!" The shout was guttural, "I... fled in to the forest. The werewolves, they... took me in. But I had to return. I had to! You are... human. I am... I was once an elf, one of the Dalish folk. Do you know of my clan?"

"Your keeper, Zathrian, is the one who sent me here." I said softly.

"The keeper sent you? Then... you seek Witherfang."

"I do. Have you seen him?" I crouched down, keeping just out of reach of the werewolf's claws. Just in case.

"I have, but... it is not what you think. But... there is no time to explain. You must listen..." it leaned forward, urgency ringing out in every word, "My name is Danyla. My husband... he is called Athras. Please, you must... bring him a message. The scarf I wear... bring it to him. Tell him I love him. Tell him... I am dead and with the gods. I beg you..."

"One of my friends talked to Athras. He worries about you."

"I want him to be at peace... He is a good man. Please do not... let him suffer thinking of me. Ah, the pain!" she doubled over, "The curse... is fire in my blood! Please! End it for me! End it quickly!"

"No." I pointed my finger at her, "I will not let you die! There must be some way to heal you!"

"Magic... will not work against... the curse! Ahh! You must end it!"

"I said-"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! IS THAT A WEREWOLF?"

I pinched the bridge of my nose, "Hello, Calilian. Please, do come over here. She won't hurt you."

"Oh. Okay." She flopped down beside me, her legs stretching out in front of her, and leaned forward, "You keep strange company. You know that?"

"Says the girl who, I'm pretty sure, just lives to follow me around."

"Hey! I have other things to do, too! It's not all about you. It just... looks that way?"

"What are you doing here?" I glanced at her, ignoring the whimpering for the moment.

Cali's eyes were wide, "Is she dying?"

"No, she's not."

"Yes, I am."

"That... didn't clear anything up."

I gave her a look.

"Oh! Right! Uh... I'm here to..." she shook her head, "Sorry, that is so distracting."

"Do you know how to cure lycanthropy?"

"Not off the top of my head, no." she jumped up, "But I remembered why I'm here. Don't trust him!"

"Him, who?"

"I... don't really know. Just DON'T TRUST HIM!" she smiled sheepishly, "That's all I've got."

"Well, then. Speaking of not clearing things up."

She stuck her tongue out at me, to which I retaliated by doing the same.

"I... will do it myself!" Danyla roared, sinking in to a crouch. Ready to launch herself at us.

I flung out my arms to protect myself, but the attack never came.

"Holy smokes!"

I lowered my arms slowly, surprised by what I saw; I'd done the same to her as I'd done to the ogres. She was frozen in place, one claw behind her head. Ready to slash us.

"What did you do?" the other girl looked at me with curiosity.

"I have no idea. It's something new."

"Ana? Are you around here?"

We stared at each other.

"You need to leave!"

"I need to leave!"

She darted off in to the brush, while I stayed where I was, trying to play it cool.

"She shouldn't be too far. I'm sure we'll find her soo-" Leliana stopped short, "What is going on?"

"Again?" Zevran melted from the shadows.

I shrugged, "What? I made her stop. It's that man's wife. She wanted to die, but we're going to lift the curse. It seemed like a waste, to kill her. She went to attack me, and... I don't know. I'd braced myself to get seriously hurt, but when nothing happened, I looked around and saw that."

"Is that what you were talking about? With the ogres?" Alistair.

"Yes."

"Did you give Grand Oak the acorn?"

"Oh, uh, yes, we did." the warrior was still in shock at the situation, "He gave us a branch. It's almost shaped like a mage's staff."

He handed it to me, and I felt the weight of it.

"Let's go back to that fog."

"You're sure it will work?" the bard sounded a little nervous.

I frowned slightly, "Yes, I'm sure. Come on."

We passed easily through the barrier.

"The forest has not been vigilant enough. Still, you come." A werewolf met us not five feet beyond, "You are stronger than we could have anticipated. The Dalish chose well. But you do not belong here, outsider. Leave this place!"

"No. We're not leaving." I planted my feet, squaring my shoulders, "We want to see Witherfang, and that's what we're going to do."

"Hrrr. You are sent by the treacherous Dalish to kill Witherfang! I will not stand by and allow that to happen!"

I glared at the wolf-man, "Why do you call the Dalish treacherous? You attacked them."

"And they deserved no less!" the beast shook his head, "You are an intruder in our home! You come to kill, as all your kind do! We have learned this lesson well."

He turned and moved away from us, "Here, Witherfang protects us. Here we learn our names and are beloved! We will defend Witherfang and this place with our lives!"

Other werewolves approached us, in defensive stances.

"Wait!" I held up my hands, "Before you attack us, just know this; I intend to help you."

It gave them pause, just long enough for me to keep speaking.

"Zathrian didn't give us the whole story, I know that. My companions know that. You'd have to be stupid to not see it. I don't know what exactly happened, but I can take a wild guess. Stop me if I'm wrong."

I waited for one of them to interrupt or attack. They stayed where they were.

"The elves did this to you. One of them started the curse." Growls echoed from the surrounding trees, "Judging by Zathrian's prejudice, I believe it was him."

"This means nothing! You are here to kill Witherfang, and I will not stand by and allow it to happen!"

As if there had been a hidden signal, they sprung in to action. The attack had begun. Yet, as quickly as it had started, it was over.

A small, white wolf had jumped in to the middle of the would-be bloodbath. It howled, and the werewolves retreated.

"I believe," I looked around us at the empty forest, "Witherfang just showed himself."

"I am inclined to agree. Do you really think the Dalish started this?"

I nodded slowly, "Yes, Zevran, I do. The only thing missing is the why. I aim to find out, before this is all over."

"Let us continue, then."

We went in the direction they had fled, coming upon a ruins of some ancient building. It seemed the majority of it had been swallowed up by the earth and was now underground. Joy.

"We know where they are, now. I say we go back to the Dalish camp for the night. We can some back early in the morning and search this place tomorrow."

My eyes roamed over everyone. Silence followed Alistair's proposal as they waited for me to come to a decision.

"I won't argue with that. Except that I want to find that ironbark you said the crafter asked for."

"There was a silvery tree when we ran in to each other." Leliana spoke, gesturing to the other two, "Maybe that's the one he was looking for."

"It's worth a shot."

"It is good to see you again." The elf greeted Leliana, before turning to the rest of us, "Have you need of something?"

"We might have found some ironbark for you." I murmured.

"Truly?" I handed the bundle to him, and he unwrapped it carefully, "Let me see here. Yes... that is indeed ironbark, and a substantial quantity of it as well. Well done! An agreement is an agreement, and I will craft something from this wood for you. What would you like? A bow? Or perhaps a breastplate?"

I raised an eyebrow at Leliana.

She smiled, "He said if we could find ironbark, he would make something for us. I am happy with my equipment, for now, though."

Alistair and Zevran made noises of agreement. I couldn't imagine Sten wearing or using anything of elven make, and the two mages wouldn't wear actual armor.

"Neither." I spoke for our group, "I'm sure your clan needs it more than we do."

"I must admit, I am surprised to witness such generosity from an outsider. You have my thanks, and the thanks of my clan, for this gift. I will not allow your generosity to go without at least some reward. Come... I shall make something of this wood you bring." He motioned for me watch him work the bark.

The others left to set up camp, while I sat and watched, mesmerized. I had never seen anything like it before; the sheer concentration and hand-eye coordination needed for such a task... It was amazing to see.

"I have reformed the wood to my will. It is but a small token of our gratitude, but take it with my blessing."

I took the amulet with eagerness, excited to be in possession of an item of such craftsmanship.

"I was wondering if you would barter with me, too. I wasn't sure if you were allowed to." I said carefully, not wanting to offend after all the effort was put in to my gift.

"I am no merchant, but I have plenty that you may need."

"Would you happen to have any gloves?"

"Do you have a particular type in time?" The look on my face must have properly conveyed how clueless I felt, because he smiled and reached under his craft table, placing several pairs of gloves on its surface.

I picked up each one and studied them closely, wondering what a woman who had fled her clan would have, "Which ones would a woman wear?"

He raised an eyebrow and removed half, putting them back in their places, "These would traditionally be worn by the women of the clan."

"My friend, his mother was Dalish." I peeked up at the man, "She died in childbirth, but he kept her gloves for years. Until someone took them from him."

His expression softened, his eyes shining, "Here." He picked up the last pair, the ones I hadn't gotten to yet, "These should do just fine for your friend."

"Thank you." I took them, smiling, "How much for them?"

He waved his hand, "Consider it another gift."

"I couldn't-"

"There is enough wood here for almost all of our hunters to have new bows. It is the least I can do."

We shared a smile, and I went on my way, going to find the others. I found Zevran first. Or, he found me.

"I wish to discuss the vision you said you'd had."

I figured it would be better if I waited to give him the gloves, so I kept my mouth shut and nodded.

"We can go deeper in to the woods, if you don't wish to be overheard."

"Let me talk to Alistair, first."

"I will be by my tent." Without another word, he walked away.

"Alistair." I called out when I saw him.

"I was just about to go look for you." He grinned, "What did he give you?"

"It's an amulet." I held it out to him, "It's pretty. But that's beside the point. I was thinking about tomorrow. How early do you think we should go?"

Surprise flickered across his face, "Oh, uh. Early?"

I rolled my eyes, "I'm trying to include you in the planning. It can't be easy, taking orders from a nine year old."

He shrugged his shoulders, "It doesn't bother me. I don't mind it. At least someone knows what they're doing. And I can always count on you to have a plan of attack in your pocket. So, we can leave before dawn, be there a couple of hours after the sun starts to rise, and go from there."

"Sounds like a plan." I hooked my thumb over my shoulder, "I'm going to go talk to Zev about something, and it might take a while."

"Alright." That same look.

"I could not tell you where I'm going and what I'm doing, but as I recall, you get a little jumpy when I've been gone too long. Because I'm the only other Warden." Those last words were sour in my mouth.

"Yeah, yeah. Just go. Have your talk." He waved me away like a gnat.

I snapped my teeth at him before going to the elf's tent.

"I'm here."

"Let's go." he didn't wait to see if I would follow.