Chapter Two

Sundermount

(Mentions of ad no good very horrible past!)


Anders and Hawke did their thing that night, and the next afternoon we all met at the Hanged Man… where Isabella was fighting off three men. I was unconcerned, though I saw Cullen grip his new sword. Aveline was with us today, and had been weary of me.

Avaline was 5'9 with cropped red hair, green eyes and freckles dusting her pale skin.

We approached her, though I hid behind Hawke much to his amusement.

"My, and here I thought all the men in this place were besotted fools who couldn't hoist the mainsail." She hadn't change a bit. Her white dress, black corset, blue bandana, and gold jewelry perfectly complemented her 5'8 frame, mid-back length brown hair, green gold eyes and sexy tan skin with the perfect cleavage.

"When you talk about hoisting the Mainsail, what do you really mean?" Hawke smirked.

"What else could I mean? It requires strength knowledge of rigging, and a small measure of sobriety." Anders gave a cough as Hawke chuckled and said "I know my way around rigging just fine… and I'm good with my hands."

"Oh my… I'm -" that's where I cut her off.

"Isabela, Queen of the Eastern Seas and the sharpest blade in Llomerryn… if you listen to the Assassin we have as a mutual friend."

"Kitten! Have you come to finally play with me?" she shoved past Hawke and draped herself over me.

"You had your chance babe! Turned down a tumble with Alistair and me in favor of an Orgy with my brother and two friends… but maybe if you're a good girl, I'll consider it."

"But, kitty… I've been dying to know all those tricks you mentioned! You know I'm not good!" I smirked. "Tough titty said the kitty when the milk ran dry!" she burst out laughing

She turned to Hawke again. "You know… with company such as her, you might be just what I'm looking for to solve a little problem I have."

"Can't anyone fix their own lives around here?" he sighed and I giggled as Isabela shrugged and I chimed in with her, "Must be something in the water."

"Well, someone from my past has been… pestering me. I've arranged for a duel – if I win, he leaves me alone. Unfortunately, I don't trust him to play fair. I need someone to watch my back and it seems you come highly recommended…" she gestured to me.

"Well… I think I could manage watching your back." She chuckled and muttered, "I'll bet."

She gave him the details and left.

"You almost… you offered to sleep with her?" Aveline was bright red.

"Oh yes. She's beautiful, but she had her chance. She chose Aedan and two of our friends rather than try me and Alistair."

She looked disgusted, but shrugged it off.

We all sat at the table in Varrics room. "Hey, Feathers… you said that you and the King really started your relationship in Redcliff, but you didn't say how…?"

"Teasing. He knew by that point that he'd have to be king, so he was reluctant… even asked me why I was 'pursuing' him when he didn't think we'd have a future together… I told him the truth, of course; not like I can lie, anyway. I told him that where I'm from things are a lot more relaxed. Saying it here… things back home are more like Isabela. So open about that kind of thing… well, it was just us, my Mabari and an Assassin friend of ours left at the Castle while the others went to gather the mages, right? I was putting on the show of a lifetime, being the proper lady that was expected of someone with a noble background all while teasing the hell out of Alistair! About halfway through our stay, he finally gets comfortable enough to tease back, and damn was I unprepared. You see, I didn't expect him to be so damn… good at it. Night before Aedan gets back; I fold like a cheap house of cards. I told him if he touched my bare skin one more time, I'd take it as an invitation… the fucker comes up to me and kisses me… the rest, as they say, is history."

"You had a Mabari?" Aveline asked.

"Yeah… he died saving me and it's all my fault…" I sighed.

"So! We're starting our trek up Sundermount tomorrow. I assume you know why, Ara since you were the one who gave me a message for Flemeth?"

Avaline looked at me sharply. "She's the seer you told me about?"

I smiled. "Oh yeah… we'll get a companion out of it. A Dalish."

"Like you?" Varric asked, his quill moving across the page in front of him. "I'm not Dalish! I'm not even an Elf, really, and if someone will close the door I'll prove that. I got Vallaslin because Flemeth gave me that message! Our encounter with the tribe was right after Redcliff so I'll tell it to you tomorrow while we walk…"

Fenris surprisingly had been the one to close the door.

I stood, "Back up a bit, love… I don't want to accidentally hurt you."

"I'm not your…"

"Look, I call everyone pet names. There are only three people I call 'Love', and you're one of them. I will explain that in private later. If… if after that, you want me to stop I will."

As soon as he was out of the way I let lose my Wings. The White-to-Gold fading on them standing out a bit more than a few months ago… in fact, they looked more… solid than before too. Something told me it was because I met the three people I called 'Love' but I wasn't too sure.

"What in the Void?" Carver shouted.

"I'm what I like to call a Fairy. A Pixie, even." I explained how I came to be in Thedas; my death, the blight… I even told them about Avernus. Of course this was the short version of the Blight, so I still had tales for Varric tomorrow.

"You're unable to use blood magic?" Fenris asked.

"Correct. My Magic isn't in my blood like the Mages you know… it's in my very being. I'm not exactly connected to the Fade the same way they are. It's how I'd be able to help with your tattoos. I can't remove them, but I can make the pain go away. However, I refuse to touch you with Magic without your express permission unless you need healing and are unconscious."

Fenris looked thoughtful, but didn't respond.


We had finished the 'Ambush site' and Aveline had headed back toward the City to report in while we went to the Camp. I had enough of several tents and did what I had for the duration of 'Awakening' with the Magic Housing tent.

Fenris had been stunned and I explained it was actually a pocket realm and that I could connect it to anywhere I had been… granted I wouldn't do that if I could help it because travel times could mess with the future. He agreed not to tell Hawke if I made him his own room. I made everyone their own room with pictures to dictate who held each room.

It was Isabela, Carver, Bethany, Hawke, Fenris and I on this trip… Anders was still working his clinic, Avaline had gone back to the City, and of course we hadn't met Merrill yet.

Hawke let me take the lead when we reached the Camp.

"Aneth ara! I am Arvaala of the Ellwood Clan under Keeper Zathrian… I mean Keeper Lanaya… we are here to see Keeper Marethari at the bidding of Asha'bellanar. May we enter?"

"You travel with Shems… Wait… what happened to Keeper Zathrian?"

"He was the cause of the Werewolf Curse. As long as it survived, so too did he. He sacrificed his life to end it when his clan became infected."

I felt Fenris stiffen behind me at the obvious use of blood magic.

"I see… cause trouble and meet our blades but… enter."

I allowed Hawke to speak with Marethari himself, choosing to say that a dragon fell from the sky and that it was no big deal though I giggled. "And you, child?"

Marethari was 5'6 with white hair, green eyes and Sylaises Vallaslin on her tanned skin.

"Flemeth was annoyed by me, but liked me well enough. Regardless we will take Merrill with us when we leave, Keeper… as is her wish."

The group looked startled. "You are like her then; Asha'bellanar?"

"In some ways… in others, not at all." I let my wings out to a chorus of gasps. "It was at her bidding that I get Mythals Vallaslin; and at her bidding I am considered one of the people though I am no elf at all. You've nothing to fear from me, Keeper, I know full well what Merrill is doing and will attempt to set her on the proper path for her." Not that the keeper would like said path…

At that I heard sighs of relief around me.

"Ma Serannas, Da'len. Very well, Ara… you will be welcome among us any time you are out this way." I saw a few heads bow and I headed over to Master Ilen.

"Ironbark?" I asked holding out a void bag. He looked startled but took the bag, opening it and peering inside. He gasped and knelt close to the ground, tipping the bag to watch as 3 trees worth of bark spilt to the ground. "Ma Serannas, Da'len! Do you wish anything from this?" I thought for a moment. "A pendant for Merrill. It needs to hide her magic or the Templars in the city will try to kill her." He looked startled. "Easy enough. I will have it done before you come back down this way."

I smiled at him as I headed over to Hawke. "This… Merrill is a Mage?" Fenris asked stiffly. "All Keepers and thus their Firsts are Mages Fenris. A Clan only allows up to two Mages each… that's it. Only when one dies is a new one accepted. See, legend tells all Elvhen once had the 'gift', and that's true. Before the… fall of the empire, they did all have magic. If the Veil fell, all Elves would again have magic. Don't worry; I'll keep her in line as much as possible. Though she uses blood magic, the worst she'll do to people is give them frowny faces. She's foolish, but at the same time… not as foolish as Anders."

"How not?! You just said she uses blood magic." Fenris hissed. Hawke was talking to her now so Fenris kept his voice quiet. She was 5'4 with black hair, blue eyes, a unique Vallaslin that seemed to be a mix of Mythal and Sylaise with a hint of June.

"You know Anders let a spirit in. Merrill knows that Spirits and Demons are essentially the same. Anders, in his… infinite wisdom, thought that good spirits were different. In all honestly, Merrill may be a bit smarter than him…" he seemed to calm a bit at that. "Besides, I know parts of the future, Love… we will be fine with her. Anders is more likely to do something stupid than she is."

"You never did explain why you call me that."

I grinned as our group started up the path. "Soul mates. I feel a deep connection with you, same as I did Alistair and Cullen. The Irony in this being that I have Magic and two names on that list hate Magic… Alistair was a former Templar too… almost; he never took vows."

"You believe… we are meant to be together?" I snorted. "Not exactly. Just that… if something were to happen, we could be happy together. Just because two people match each other doesn't mean they're destined to be. I mean… I never actually saw myself marring Alistair…" I realized what I'd said when everyone froze around me.

"Married?" Hawke asked, stunned.

"Um…" I pulled out my Topaz sending stone as it warmed. "Yes, Alistair?"

"Hello, love. Are you busy, now?"

"Not really. Oh! Say hi to Hawke and friends!"

"Er… hello? Anyway, I just wanted to ask you how you're doing… I love you, you know."

I chuckled at the faces around me. "And I love you… Fair warning, Husband, I found another man I like… his name is Fenris." The man in question lifted his eyebrow at me.

"Ah, you told them then. Well, wife, as long as I can monopolize you for the times I'm there… you know my views." I smirked at the shocked faces around me.

"Yeah… I just told them. Well, if you let me know when you'll be here and I'll be sure to make you pizza." I heard a deep bark. "What was that…?"

"Oh uh… I know you've been upset since Fen died…" Merrills eyes shot wide. "So, I've been having one of his pups trained for you; the litter was born last month. He sleeps in a shirt you left here. If you give me a name I can get a collar made." I covered my mouth as a tear slipped from my eye. "Dammit, what have I told you about being perfect? Revas. The name will be Revas. R-e-v-a-s it means Freedom. And bring my crown. I forgot to mention it when you visited the Vigil, but Oghren got his knickers in a twist that I had a paragon forged crown and didn't keep it with me."

Alistair snorted. "Sounds like the Dwarf. All right. Anything else?"

"Not that I can think of… can't wait to see you, though."

"Same, my love. I will see you as soon as I am able. For now, Eamon is calling me to a meeting. Oh and that ball I told you about back at the Vigil? Supposedly, an Engagement thing. Eamon tried to set me up. I had to let the woman down when I told her that I already had someone else in mind for the position of Queen."

I chuckled. "But they can't know I'm your Queen for several more years."

"Well, it's not like I told them I have a queen… just that I had someone in mind."

"I did warn you that Eamon would do this…"

"Laugh it up. I told you, I don't want anyone else even if you say it's okay. Right well… talk to you later love."

I was still giggling after the connection cut off.

"You had a dog named Fen?"

"Yup. Now apparently I have one named Revas. And I'm queen of Ferelden, though everyone thinks I'm just his mistress."

I continued the story of Origins – we had gotten to the part about Soldiers Keep – as we continued up the mountain.

"A Griffon? You're making this up, feathers." Varric was looking at me with full disbelief, and even Fenris – who had taken most of my words in stride, surprisingly – looked like he thought I was lying. Merrill giggled and I suddenly remembered even as she said… "I always wanted a Griffon… I would name it Feathers." I groaned and shook my head.

I stated pulling off my tank top. "Woah! What are you doing?!" Carver yelled as he turned away. No one else did; even as I worked to undo my jeans.

"I can't tell a lie; that's not to say I can't bend the truth until it breaks, but I can't say the sky is green and the grass is blue when it isn't. It just isn't possible. So, since you all have such trouble learning that, I'm going to prove I can turn into a Griffon. However, since this form is unique, it's the only one that shreds my clothes when I shift, and I kind of like these small clothes."

I was naked at this point, and Hawke gave me a smirk. I rolled my eyes, "Take a picture, it'll last longer," I snipped before shifting.

This was my first time taking this form since the peak, so I was a little unsteady on my talons. I noticed my coloring had changed too. As with my wings, my feathers went from white-to-black fade to now white-to-gold. I forced myself into a proud posture with one talon raised and my wings flared, looking down to the tallest person of the group – Hawke. I gave a chirp before leaning forward to look him in the eye. I was 15 feet tall at the shoulders in this form, and I will admit it made me happy.

"Well… can I touch?" Merrill asked. I rolled my head to look at her before I lay down and nodded. "Your feathers are so soft!"

He words sparked Carver to hesitantly reach out. I felt another hand on my head behind the left ear and began purring as I leaned into it. Even in human form, I loved being petted…

I heard a whispered, "Fenhedis," from the owner of the hand at my head and knew it was Fenris.

After shifting back, and Merrill revealing her Blood Magic, we reached the alter. There had been some fights, but they were pitifully weak compared to an Angry Fenris.

Hawke placed the amulet on the Alter and I got my first real look at it. It was beautiful; silver in color with the designs of Mythal all over it and a single emerald as the centerpiece shaped like a tree. I reached my hand up to my throat where my Amethyst Dragon pendant sat.

Merrill began her Rite for the Departed.

Hahren Na melana sahlin

emma ir abelas

souver'inan isala hamin

vhenan him dor'felas

In uthenera Na revas

A Dragon made of fire circled the alter in bright swoops before it landed on the Alter, shifting into Flemeth. She stepped down and stretched.

She was 5'7 with her white hair twisted into those horns on her head. Her eyes were a striking gold color with a slight slit to the pupil that was only noticeable if you knew to look for it and her amazingly un-wrinkled skin was pale. She wore red Dragon Hide and a silver clawed crown. She wore dark red Lipstick and Eyeshadow to match.

"Ah… and here we are."

"A witch!" Fenris hissed shooting me a glare as I flinched. "It's all right Fenris, she means us no harm. Andaran Atish'an, Asha'bellanar." Merrill greeted and shot me look from her side eye as she wondered why I didn't do the same.

I crossed my arms as Flemeth lifted an eyebrow at Merrill. "One of the people, I see; so young and bright. Do you know who I am, beyond that title?"

"I know only a little…"

"Stand, the people bend their knee too quickly."

"Aneth Ara, Mythal. Sorry to have killed you and split at our last meeting, but you know how your daughter is…" I shrugged causing Merrill to gasp as Flemeth laughed.

"Indeed I do. So refreshing to see one who keeps their end of a bargain; I half expected my amulet to end up in a merchant's pocket!"

"No one wanted to buy it…" Hawke started.

"Maybe because there was an Ancient Elvhen Goddess inside, hmm?" I snarked. Merrill looked at me in horror.

"So you know who I am, little traveler. And you still chose to allow my Vallaslin?"

"And I'll also allow myself to be bound to you in 8 or 9 years. Tell your guardians not to kill me first, yes? That would be… so awkward."

"You will? Interesting. Through the Well?"

"I'll need it. In return, I offer you a boon."

"Give me a feather, and I will tell my Guardians to allow it." I flared my wings, stretching one to her. "Take your pick. No more than 3." She smiled and I resisted the urge to flinch as she took 2 at once. It felt like someone pulling my hair.

"Bargain struck."

I nodded. Flemeth turned to Merrill, "Take care not to reveal this, hmm?" Merrill nodded, wide-eyed. No one else seemed to notice that the feathers she took instantly re-grew.

"We stand upon the precipice of change. The world fears the inevitable plummet into the abyss. Watch for that moment… and when it comes, do not hesitate to leap. It is only when you fall that you learn whether you can fly."

"Cheap advice from a Dragon." Flemeth and I both snorted at that and Hawke gave me a grin.

"We all have our challenges," I shrugged and Flemeth smirked at me. I looked at her. "You won't find them until I use the Well, you know." Flemeth hesitated before nodding. "Thank you for telling me; I shall focus my attentions on other things, in the interim." I bowed my head to her.

"As for you child, step carefully; no path is darker than when your eyes are shut."

"Ma Serannas, Asha'bellanar."

"Now the time has come for me to leave. You have my thanks… and my sympathies," she patted Hawke on the shoulder before walking to the edge of the cliff and shifting into her purple dragon form and flying off.

"You knew she was a Goddess and didn't think to warn us? Better yet, you knew and still tried to kill her?" Hawke asked.

I shrugged. "It's not that important. I knew she'd live over it, and she's vital to the future. Not like I can go around telling the Dalish that Mythal walks among the humans, can I?"

Merrill nodded. "Even if she's Asha'bellanar, no one would believe that a human could be Mythal. Thank you, Ara… I appreciate knowing that I got to meet her." I shrugged. I hadn't done it for her.

We got back down to the camp in half the time it took us to get up the mountain in the first place.

Hawke handed Marethari the now empty amulet. "Ma Serannas, child; your debt is paid in full. It isn't too late to change your mind, Da'len," she told Merrill. "Dareth Shiral, Keeper," was all Merrill responded with. Marethari gave me a pain-filled look and I simply bowed my head as I went to Ilen.

"One Pendant, as requested. Again, I can't thank you enough for this supply of Iron Bark, Da'len. Our hunters can't get close to the Ironbark Grove since the Darkspawn moved in."

I smiled and took the small wooden pendant. It was amazing; a leather strap held a carved Halla that looked to the viewer with ruby eyes and horns painted gold. "Fine craftsmanship; I would expect no less from a Dalish. Ma Serannas, Master Ilen. Give me the location of this Grove and I will have it cleared for you." Ilen marked the location on my map and I told him I'd let him know when it was done.

As we exited the Camp, I spotted the Flint Company Mercs no too far away and pointed them out to Hawke… who, thankfully, had picked up the mission.

As soon as they were all dead, I turned to Merrill. "This is for you. It will hide your Magic from the Templars; I had Master Ilen craft it for you. Know this, Merrill; I don't approve of Blood Magic, but I also don't believe you are evil for using it. I truly believe that you know what you're doing, so I will do what I can to protect you unless you prove me wrong. Wear this always; our friends and I wouldn't want you getting taken by Templars." She looked at me as she put it on, tears in her eyes as she thanked me. "I hadn't even thought of that… thank you."

That night as we – I mean, I – set up camp Merrill was in awe over the tent. "Any requests for food?"

"That thing you mentioned to the king? That sounded interesting…" Hawke smirked at me and there was a chorus of agreement. I shrugged. "What toppings? I can make Veggie, Veggie with meat, strictly meat, add-ons or other various combos…"

"Um… surprise us?" Varric said after looking around.

"Any dietary restrictions here? Vegetarians, people who can't have dairy or allergies?"

"I'll eat anything," Fenris said. "I'll have what you're having," Hawke smirked. The others all shook their heads.

I made a small pizza buffet. I made a Deluxe, Chicken Bacon, BBQ, 6 Cheese, 4 Meat, and Buffalo.

Everyone had at least one slice of each… except me. I had a personal that was half Chicken Bacon and half Buffalo. "Can I come over whenever the King arrives? Damn Feathers, this is wonderful," Varric had barley swallowed his food before talking. Isabela smirked, "I wish I could say the same, but I have a figure to watch." I snorted, "Who's? You get enough exercise to eat my cooking daily, Bel."

She grinned. "Aww, I'm so glad you noticed!" Bethany and Carver both seemed to enjoy it as well.

"Where did you learn to make this?" Isabela asked.

"Before my death!" that prompted several questions from Merrill, who was the only one at this point who didn't know my past.

I explained the unusual circumstance around my appearance in Thedas. "So… you had a husband and a son before…" Bethany asked looking a bit horrified.

"Yeah. I will never regret my death, either. I saved my sons life, and I wound up here. Do I miss them? Fuck, there isn't a moment that they aren't on my mind! But I am where I am meant to be. The Goddess will always guide her children, and in turn we will never forget her."

"You've met an Ancient Elvhen Goddess, and heard the voice of the Maker; you stood before the Ashes of the Makers Bride and spoken with her Guardian… and you choose to believe in a Goddess that you've never met?"

I giggled at Carvers words. "Faith is only Faith because we believe. In all honesty, who is to say that it is not our belief which brought them into being? In my home world, there were hundreds of religions, some with overlap and some without. The biggest one matched closely with the Chant of light in many aspects, and one that is long since believed to only be a myth matches the Elvhen Pantheon but with more gods. I worship the Goddess of Magic and Witchcraft, in one religion her name was Hecate, and she was the goddess of magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, ghosts and necromancy. She was the only child of the Titanes Perses and Asteria from whom she received her power over heaven, earth, and sea. In another she was called the Triple Goddess; the Mother, the Maiden, and the Crone – this symbolizes both the separate stages in the female life cycle and the phases of the Moon; not to mention Heaven, Earth and the Afterlife or Underworld. And if one worshiped her, then one knew of her male counterpart the 'Horned God'. He is who the Males of this particular religion are meant to worship. In common Wiccan belief, he is associated with nature, wilderness, sexuality, hunting, and the life cycle and he is generally regarded as a dualistic god of twofold aspects: bright and dark, night and day, summer and winter."

I looked around… "Sorry! I so did not intend for this to turn into a lesson! It's… sorry."

"Well, Feathers, I'd say you're as passionate about your beliefs as any good Andrastian."

I snorted, "Not really. Wicca is my religion, yes, but it's also one that was kind of frowned upon back home. Like I told you, Magic didn't exist the same way it does here. Visions and Empathy were brushed off as not real by most, to the point that some who held it refused to acknowledge it. I didn't exactly have an Alter or burn smudge sticks… I just collected my spirit stones, lit my candles and prayed to Her while going about my life in a peaceful way as the Goddess dictates. It's a very peaceful, harmonious and balanced way of life… and it promotes oneness with the divine and all which exists. Essentially… Wicca is the Dalish way of life, but with a Goddess and a God instead of a Pantheon. The main creed or Motto is 'If it harms none, do what you will'. "

Merrill nodded, "It sounds similar to our way of life, indeed. We are one with our Halla, one with Nature, and strive for peace when possible."

I perked up as I remembered the date… 14 Justinian, 31 Dragon. Fenris' 23rd birthday. I shot out of my seat and raced for my room. "Feathers?!" Varric cried out.

I came back out with a wrapped box. "Happy 23rd Birthday, Fenris! I know you didn't actually know your birthday, but… yeah… I hope you like it."

He looked surprised, as did everyone else. The Hawke siblings all looked horrified that they hadn't known, Varric was scribbling and Merrill pulled an apple from her pack to hand him while Isabela looked at me stunned. I knew Fenris liked apples and was glad he accepted the one Merrill handed him.

He opened the gift I got him. "It's… a book? But I'm sure you know…"

"Never too late to learn, and I'd love to teach you. That book was written by Shartan, the Elf who helped Andraste free the Slaves."

"Isn't it? Sometimes I wonder… I don't mean to seem ungrateful, I do appreciate the thought; I've always wanted to learn more of Shartan, perhaps this is my chance."

I knew my chest was puffed out in pride as I smiled at him. "How did you know my birthday when I did not?"

"Hmm? Oh… uh… you would have learned it yourself in about 6 years. I had a vision of it, thus creating the Paradox of you knowing before you knew…"

We all went to bed not long after that. Each room was decorated to their host, just like back in Amaranthine; Carver had a Grey Warden room, Bethany had a 'magic' room (more like wiccan and circle combined), Isabela had a Captains Berth, Merrill had Velannas old style of being in a forest while indoors, Fenris had a Wine Cellar, and Hawke had his Hightown bedroom… not that he knew that yet. Varrics room looked exactly like the one at the Hanged Man. Avelines room was a Barracks style one. Anders had a room that looked like it was the Fade. There was a hidden door at the very end of the hall for Sebastians room, which was decorated Chantry Style. My room was pretty plain in comparison; a California King sized bed and an Armoire… plain walls and soft carpet.

The pictures to indicate the rooms were on each door. Carver had a Templar Logo, Bethany had a Mage Logo, Isabela had a ship, Merrill had a Halla, Fenris had a Wolf, Avaline had a Sword-and-Shield, Hawke had the Amell Crest, Varric had a book, Anders had the Scales of Justice, Sebastian had a Chantry Sunburst and for my room was pair of wings.