I.

Quiet laugher filled the air as the pair of friends could barely contain themselves. Tamlen couldn't help but hang on to Sha'el as they walked towards to road. The trouble they would face back when they got back to the clan was going to be worthwhile. It already meant so much just for Tamlen to be this close to Sha'el again without judging eyes. Without the pressure to settle, to only experience each other for the rest of their days even if that is what Tamlen wanted.

Naturally he entwined his fingers with her's, his pale skin a stark contrast to her darken tone. She did not shy away as she pulled him closer so they were walking the same pace. He knew Sha'ael to be in a good mood with how much smiling she was doing and how excited she seemed to be, a rarity he found only brought out when the trouble was worth it. The trouble they caused together, always. He snuck a quick kiss from her as they walked and laughed. There was a possibility he might not see her this happy again for some time. She did not reject him this time, he hoped maybe she would not reject him tonight when they had to rest.

With their cloaks on and hoods up, they now journeyed along the main road to Denierm. Everyone who pasted along on horses and carts ignored them. They were elves, of course they'd be ignored. They received a few friendly hellos from the few elves that dare walk the roads.

Tamlen knew Sha'ael had snuck in human villages before, of course she had also been to villages with permission from their Keeper. She had seen how city elves acted. She had warned Tamlen not to be too prideful or else it would draw suspicion. They had to stash their weapons along the road since Sha'ael had heard that Denerim did not allow its city elves weapons. Of course both hunters kept their smaller daggers hidden on their persons. Neither Dalish wished to be completely unarmed in a city filled with humans, shemlens.

It was mid-day by time the two had reached the gate. Quickly and easily they slipped through unnoticed. The first thing they had experienced as they approached the city was the smell. Thousands of beings crammed into an enclosed space. They were not expecting the smell. Foul and coming from all directions. They pressed of as they wandered the city. They couldn't help but stare at all the buildings before them. Some streets crammed so tightly, there was barely room to walk. Roads that only one cart could pass by at a time. For a city that sprawled, it did not allow it's residents much room to stretch their legs, or so Tamlen thought to himself. Of course they weren't really here for the city. They wanted to see how the city elves lived, their lost brethren who had all but forgotten of their Dalish heritage. From what Sha'ael had learned, the city elves lived in a are called the alienage. She had explained to Tamlen that the city elves had to live in their own area. Sha'ael had been told some alienates were beautiful, with great trees growing in the centre of them. Tamlen was curious of what these trees meant to the city elves, why did they stay?

Within the hour, the two hunters found themselves in the market but in their minds, still nowhere close to the alienage. Both Dalish were getting distracted by all the trinkets and wares for sale. All the buildings looked the same and this was the only spot that was different in their minds. All races could be found here even if it was still heavily populated with humans. Many dwarven merchants and elves who seemed to be doing errands for their human masters.

A dwarven merchant selling exotic pelts had caught Sha'ael's eye as they wondered about. Tamlen watched as she studied the array of pelts, touching a white one with grey spots on it. Neither hunter knew what beast it came from but it was beautiful and short, almost as soft as a halla's fur. Tamlen spied a red-headed elf who was seemingly guiding two overly dressed elves, a blonde male and brunette female elf, across the market. All three of the elves were dressed in what was probably their best.
"I think their our best bet." Tamlen nudged Sha'ael and nodded towards the trio.
"Dressed like that, I think they are." Sha'ael dropped the pelt she had been holding. As beautiful as the white spotted pelt was, neither hunter would ever afford it. Her eyes locking onto the red-head leading the trio. He was dressed in several colors, red boots and a red, green, yellow shirt. It was funny seeing an elf so brightly dressed. The two hunters both thought how easily one would be spotted in the forest.

The duo let the others create distance between them before they gave chase. Across a bridge they followed, the bridge the hunters had been avoiding in case they lost their way as the city seemed never ending. There was a bigger issue as the hunters entered the alienage, none of the other elves had Vallaslin, face tattoos. Tamlen had noticed they were getting looks because of their hoods but if they lowered them, they'd be downright stared at with no ability to blend in.
"Best we keep our hoods on" he whispered to his companion. "Our vallaslin will draw too much attention." Sha'ael silently nodded in agreement having made the same observation.

The red-head had disappeared from the group ahead and neither hunter had seen where he had disappeared too. The blonde male elf and his brunette female companion stood awkwardly. Tamlen could tell they were new to the area, unsure of where to place themselves. He couldn't tell if either man or woman were attractive from the distance they had to keep but they clothes were fancy looking enough, he figured they must be important.

In the centre of the alienage stood a giant tree, the tree Sha'ael had told him about. Tamlen pondered how he would approach one of the city elves to ask about the significance of the tree.

"You're Dalish," the sudden breath against his ear made him jump away. Both hunters turned quickly to face a dark skinned human, both reaching for their hidden daggers instinctively.
"Who are you?" Sha'ael hissed as she glanced around hoping no one else had heard. Her hand resting on her dagger, out of sight, not yet drawn.
The man put up his hands, aware of where both elves hands rested, "I did not mean to startle you both. I do not mean start a fight."
"That doesn't explain who you are!" Tamlen growled in turn, his hand did move from where his dagger rested.
"My name is Duncan and I am a Grey Warden."
"A Grey Warden! I thought you had all died out." Tamlen relaxed his grip and Sha'ael had loosen her's as well. "What is a Grey Warden doing in an Elven Aleinage?"
"The same thing could be asked of two Dalish hunters in an Elven Alienage. I would assume exile but judging by your youth, I am more likely to believe curiosity." Duncan watched as both elvens blushed ferociously, he was right. Unless they had truly been exiled, which he doubted.
"It just curiosity about what the city elves live like. We are not exiles." Sha'ael stated, glancing around once more. More elves had gathered around the stage near the large tree and the blonde and brunette had disappeared. "We were not excepting the place to be so busy and lively."
"It normally isn't," Duncan nodded as he eyed all the elves coming and going now. "I believe there is a wedding. A modestly wealthy elven family, I believe. I use the term wealthy loosely."

The trio stood back, Tamlen and Sha'ael now noticed all the flowers some of the women were carrying. The men becoming increasingly drunk as wine seemed to flow freely. This was not how the Dalish wed. There was no modesty in how the city elves celebrated. Tamlen noticed the stares as they stood. Two hooded figures standing with an openly armoured human, it didn't seem a good combination in a place like this, especially with this type of celebration going on. Duncan cleared his throat before he spoke "There is an inn nearby if you wish to draw less attention to yourselves. The inn keeper is named Alarith."

Now were they reminded how much attention they were drawing as they stood with a armoured human. They muttered their thanks and found the inn quickly enough. Of course the human didn't mention Alarith's encounter with other Dalish.

"You're Dalish!" The inn keeper almost yelled when the two hunters had inquired about a room for the night. They both gave Alarith stern looked as he lowered his voice to a whisper, "you're Dalish!"
"How do you know what Dalish look like?" Sha'ael asked.
"Your tattoos, the Dalish that saved me had similar markings."
"Can you keep this quiet?" Tamlen asked in a growl.
"Of course, of course."

The hunters wouldn't be expected back until the next day so they had the night to experience how city elves lived. With their tattoos however, they doubted they'd be able to experience much of it. From Alarith they learned how he had escaped Teventier, his homeland. They learned how his caravan was attacked by a Dalish clan but he and his things were spared solely because he was elven. Alarith spoke fondly of the event but Tamlen and Sha'ael knew the Dalish he had encountered took pity on him and that was probably why he had left with his life. After they politely listened to his tale, he showed them their room for the night. It was small, almost cramped with a large bedroll thrown on the ground.

It was definitely not as romantic as Tamlen had hoped for but it was still exotic enough for him to pull Sha'ael close to him as she closed the door. The sadness was still there, the dark pit that hung over her but the excitement of the day almost covered it. Her laughter against Tamlen's lips told him it had been pushed to the side for now. It would be back soon enough, her emotionless self but now he wanted to see all of them. Her excitement, her happiness, and of course the mechievousness that had brought them here.
"Why don't we take a few moments to unpack?" He whispered in a husky tone.

Giggles escaped their lips as clothes fell to the floor. Tamlen didn't want the day to end. He wanted to make Sha'ael see him as the hunter he was. He was worthy of her and all her happy days to come. All the sadness she carried. He knew her unfortunately, today, right now, in moments likes thiswas the only time she was his. Temporality as they made love in secret. Cruel but comforting, how he had always known her to be.