Hey guys, here is the next update of this fanfic.

Hope you have enjoyed the read so far.

Now enjoy.

Chapter Two

The Child

The morning light shone brightly through the air as it dawned a new day upon the forest. Animals were waking up, after enjoying a long night of slumber and the members of Clan Lavellan were no different. Hunters were already awakening and moving throughout the camp, to start a hunt for the Clan, other members were working on preparing food and preparing clothing for the day, children were already moving about, playing with each other after their breakfast.

All in all, it was a typical morning for Clan Lavellan.

However, every member of the clan knew that it was anything but normal.

They had all witnessed the arrival of the two foreigners that the First had brought from the city. Even those that didn't witness it, were already aware of their presence thanks to words of mouth. They knew about the Jedi's presence within their camp.

Of course, the Dalish elves knew about the Jedi.

It was said in their old stories that men and women who wielded swords made of light had come to free them from slavery. It was said that they wielded a strange power and that this power was only know to people that were like them. There was underlying excitement within the children of the camp as they giggled to themselves saying that they had seen the Jedi, or even playing around pretending to be Jedi themselves, the adults had an inkling as to why the Jedi had come here.

They knew about the child that can-do strange things.

The girl with the red hair.

Ellana Lavellan.

Solana Amell woke up with the sound of the settlement all around her already awake and moving. The padawan glanced around the tent that both her master and her had been given for the night. She took notice of the empty bedroll beside her own and she knew that her Master was already awake. It was curious that the woman hadn't woken her up but she didn't think much of it. Her Master must have something planned for today, and she knew that they would be returning to the ship and head off home.

Along with the child that they had met the previous night.

She could feel the Force within the child and from the curious and yet, hesitant look that had been on the child's face, she probably could sense it as well. Probably not fully understanding what she was feeling, but instinctively knowing that both her and Master T'Perro were different.

Solana remember all too well, how it felt when she was a child and met the Jedi that brought her to the Temple all those years ago. Thinking about the child, she remembered her master's words from yesterday when they were settling in to sleep.

"Now I understand why the Council wanted us to come here so quickly," she had said, "That child is very strong in the Force."

"I could feel it as well Master," Solana had answered.

She noticed her master looked oddly thoughtful at the moment.

"Is something the matter?" she asked, wondering if something was wrong.

But her master had simply waved her off, but Solana knew that she was worried about something. This morning, she had wanted to speak with the woman again about what was worrying her but she was not here. The padawan shook her head lightly but after quick wash, she dressed herself, clipping her saber to her belt and before heading out of the tent.

The people of Clan Lavellan were moving about as she glanced around, her hands going into her sleeves, something her own master usually does but she had somehow picked up subconsciously. She noticed the attention she gained immediately as people glanced at her general direction. Solana took notice of the strange markings that were upon the people's faces, similar to the design she had seen upon the Keeper's face, but others were more intricate and different. None of the children had such marking, she noticed so it must be something in their culture. Her master had mentioned that the Elvhen had lost their culture and home because of slavery, and couldn't help but wonder how different those elves must be from the ones of their home planet…thought as far as most people are concerned, Elvhenan was the home of the Elves.

"Jedi, Jedi."

The small voices drew Solana from her thoughts. Glancing down, she found herself surrounded by a group of young children all of them looking up toward her with glee in their eyes as they looked up at her. She smiled lightly at them, taking in their excited faces. They were speaking in Elvish, their tones quick and light. She couldn't understand a word of what they were saying of course, but she could feel their joy, their curiosity and even their mischievousness in the Force around her.

"I'm sorry, I don't speak Elvish," she said to them, kneeling so that she could get on their level, "But you're all adorable thought."

Then, a familiar male voice spoke out in Elvish drawing her gaze as well as the group that was around her. It was Mahanon, the elvish man who had led them here yesterday. Solana stood up from here kneeling position, feeling the kids tugging on her robes from where they are around her.

"I hope they are not bothering you," the man spoke out as he glanced down at the children, "They can be quite a handful."

Solana shook her head, a warm chuckle escaping her.

"It's alright," she said, looking down at the kids that were around her.

Mahanon said something in elvish again and it seems to have an effect on the children as they let go of her, going back toward the center of the village but they still waved at her and Solana couldn't help but wave back at them causing the few who caught her eyes to giggle between themselves.

"My master did tell me that the Jedi are well respected here," she said smiling lightly, "Many respects us, but most rather keep their distance from us."

Mahanon frowned, confusion upon his face.

"I find that strange," he answered, "From I know, the Jedi protect and aid the galaxy and it's people."

"Aye, we do," Solana told him, "Those who want chaos will always stand against peace and order, and as Jedi we are the prime targets of their anger and hate."

Mahanon frowned lightly and she could feel his worry in the Force.

"Don't worry about Ellana," she spoke out drawing his gaze back at her, "It will be many years before she is to face such dangers."

Mahanon looked forward again, "I know going to the Jedi will be good for her. The power she has, I know that only the Jedi can help her…but I just can't help but worry for her."

Solana looked at him, tilting her head lightly.

"You're close to her," she inquired.

Mahanon nodded.

"I am," he said.

Solana nodded before frowning lightly.

"I'm afraid I don't know much about your people Mahanon," she said, "I had heard the term Dalish before…would you be able to tell me more about it?"

Mahanon nodded, a lighter look appearing upon his features.

"I'll be more than happy to."

Lexi T'Perro was walking with the Keeper of Clan Lavellan as the woman was making her way through the trees around them. She had wanted to speak with the clan head about the child's past and there was something she sensed in the Force about the child…like there was something more about it than the clan leader told them the previous night.

"I won't ask much Master Jedi," Deshanna told her, her eyes turning toward the Asari beside her, "But when she has become of age, will you allow her to return here to Elvhenan?"

"Why?" Lexi asked, tilting her head lightly in confusion.

"When we become adults," Deshanna spoke out, "We receive the Vallaslin. We of the Dalish honor the old ways, the way that many of our kind turned away from, as a way to honor and worships our Gods."

Lexi thought for a moment, understanding what she was asking. Her own people had something similar.

"I don't see a problem," she said, "I doubt the Council will refuse something as such. Many of our members honor the cultures that they're from. If she is older, she might be accompanied by her Master but other than that…she will be allowed to return."

Deshanna nodded.

"Good," she said, "That's good."

Lexi had placed her hand into her sleeves, a light frown upon her features.

"There is something I have been meaning to ask you," she said, drawing Deshanna's attention, "It is usually the parents that handle the handing off the children to the Jedi Order, and yet, I have not seen Ellana's."

A look crossed the older woman's face and Lexi could feel that there was an old pain at the thought of the young girl's parents.

"Her mother passed during childbirth," Deshanna said, "Came to us while she was still pregnant. She wasn't one of the Dalish that much I could tell but she wasn't like the ones who turned their back away from our culture either. Didn't tell us much about herself at all but I could tell she was running from something."

"You never find out what she was running from?" Lexi asked.

"No," Deshanna answered.

Lexi frowned lightly.

"She wasn't Force sensitive, was she?" she asked.

"No, I don't believe so," Deshanna spoke out, giving her a curious look, "Is that how it's work?"

"Not always," she answered, as they were getting closer to the camp, "We will be leaving soon. I don't want to linger too long."

Deshanna nodded at her.

"Then I'll speak to Mahanon to get everything ready," she said, "Well, if you want to think about it that way, Mahanon is the father figure, for her since she never had one."

Lexi remembered the Elven man and she gave a light nod to the woman before the two separated. She walked through the camp, looking around herself for a moment before reaching for her communicator and flaring it up.

"Captain, do you read me?" she asked, "Captain Dunn?"

"I read you Master Jedi," the man's voice answered.

"We will soon be returning," Lexi told him, "I want the ship to be prepared to leave when we arrive."

"I'll get right on it, Master Jedi," the man answered her, "I'll see you soon."

"Thank you, Captain," she spoke out before turning the device off.

The Jedi Master let out a small hum in the back of her throat. Something felt off in the Force about the girl's past. She could sense it whenever Deshanna was speaking about young girl's mother. It was true what she said when it was not always the parent that gave the child the Force sensitivity. She had seen Jedi couple have children that didn't inherit the ability as well and yet there was something about this…

Something that felt off within the Force.

I'll have to speak to the Council about it, she thought, There is something about this child…her strength in the Force may not have come from the mother but maybe the father…

She made her way through the camp searching for her padawan and she caught sight of her with Mahanon. The two of them were talking and Amell was seating beside the man as she listened to what he was saying. Lexi felt a little smile rising through her lips as she observed the girl. Not too long ago, it would be a headache to get the girl to sit still as she was more focused on battle and honing her lightsaber skills rather than diplomacy but now here she was speaking and learning about the people they were with.

She will make a fine Knight, she thought, I think I should propose her for the Trials…there isn't really much for me to teach her…not when she is already so wise despite her age.

"Master," Solana said looking up at her with wide blue eyes, "Good morning."

"You seem to be enjoying yourself," Lexi spoke out with a light chuckle.

"I'm just learning about the Dalish from Mahanon," her student answered giving Mahanon a smile which the Elf returned.

"Well then, I hope you learned enough to add to the Jedi Archives," Lexi answered her, "I just spoke with the Keeper and we will be leaving today."

"I see," Solana said, "Very well."

Lexi nodded and moved away from her.

She is going to be leaving today.

She always knew that she would be leaving ever since Keeper Deshanna had contacted the Jedi. She had been counting down the days and she knew that when the Jedi showed up, she knew that her time with Clan Lavellan had come to an end.

A soft grunting sound drew Ellana's gaze toward the direction it came from finding one of the Halla was slowly making its way toward some food. She had been here since this morning, looking out toward where the clan keep their hallas. The sound of someone approaching toward her drew her attention, finding Mahanon there.

"It's time," he said.

Ellana nodded to him knowing that it was time for her to leave. It made her feel odd, almost like she was floating given the surrealness of the experience that she was fully experiencing.

"Do I really have to leave?" she asked, looking up at him.

Mahanon sighed before taking a knee in front of her. The look upon his face was sad. His vallaslin was of Falon'Din creased lightly as he gave her a light smile.

"Ellana,"

"I don't want to leave the People," she said.

"Ellana, this power you have," he said, "It's not meant to be here with the Dalish. It connects you to be larger galaxy in a way that's different than anything we know, and the Jedi will help you control it and wield it better."

The girl looked away from him.

"Will I ever see you again?" she asked.

Mahanon looked at her tilting his head.

"What do you believe?" he asked her.

Ellana looked at him.

"I…I think so," she answered, "Maybe…"

"Then we will see each other again," Mahanon told her.

Ellana nodded and took him into a hug. The man returned the hug and she could feel his emotions. The man was sad, she could tell that he was but there was determination and belief there as well. She didn't say anything as she let go of the hug and he stood up and extended a hand at her.

The young girl took it, allowing him to guide her back at the camp where the Jedi were. She recognized them easily in their long robes that stood out among the light leather and fur of the Clan. Keeper Deshanna was there with them as the Jedi were upon the transport. She looked up toward the alien Jedi, blue skinned with no hair but tentacle having replaced it, shaped almost in a bun. Her eyes were as blue as her skin. Her face had some markings upon it, reminiscent of the Vallaslin but were different as they looked more like fingerprints rather than the tattoos the Vallaslin were.

The Jedi looked at them as they approached and Ellena saw the curious look upon her features, similar looks from when they met the previous night.

"Everything is ready Master," the other Jedi spoke out to the blue woman.

This Jedi looked like them but her ears were round rather than long and her eyes were a soft yellow.

"Very well Solana," the woman said.

Keeper Deshanna looked at her.

"Be well Ellana," she said.

"Thank you, Keeper," the girl said softly.

The elder woman nodded and she approached the Jedi as the blue woman took her hand and helped her into the transport and soon enough, they were off, leaving the camp behind. Ellana glanced behind her as she observed her home, the home she was leaving behind.

The Keeper watched them leave, standing there for a long moment even after she could no longer see them. Mahanon came to stand beside her.

"She will be safer with the Jedi," the Keeper said looking at him.

"I know," Mahanon said, his voice trembling from the emotions he was feeling, "I just said goodbye to a girl I consider my daughter…I know we talked about it but I still wonder, if we made the right choice."

Deshanna knew that the older Jedi was suspicious. She had seen it upon the Asari's face when she asked about Ellana's mother.

"Whatever that child is," she said, "The Jedi will be able to guide her and protect her…whatever Amaria was running from, they'll think twice before crossing the Jedi Order."

Deshanna knew that Ellana was a special child. She had seen her power and had seen that this girl had a greater purpose in this galaxy, a purpose that she'll never find staying with them.

But with the Jedi…she'll find that purpose.

Walk tall, Ellana Lavellan.

Hope you have enjoyed that bit.

Anyway, this is all for now.

Next time: Odessa

Jacques0 out.

R&R