"Wow." Thomas said, marveling at the large trees that stood at the boundary to the Moors." Look at that. Can you imagine the wonders this land holds?"

"Yes, yes. Im sure there are faeries, trolls, and creatures galore. That doesn't mean there aren't things in there who would not welcome us with open arms as much as open jaws." Leliana protested." Can we go home now?"

"You heard the Queen, there is peace in both lands." He argued, turning to face her." Let's go see."

"Absolutely not!" She began walking back towards the village."We promised we'd go pick the wild berries for my mother and be back before nightfall. You know I hate making excuses when I'm late."

"But you're so good at them." He teased and looked to see her walking away." Wait."

"You are so reckless, Thomas, what if something happens to one of us and the other gets lost? Then no help would come and we would both die."

"We won't get lost, okay? Just a small walk in and then we'll turn back and go home. Please?"

"No."

He grinned and rushed forward into the trees, shouting." Last one in is a chicken!"

Leliana sighed. This was so typical of Thomas. He thought he was some tough and indestructible adventurer. Their mothers are good friends so they have always been inseparable as well. Thomas protected her. From wild animal to unwanted attention from other males their age. Leliana would nurse his wounds when he'd get hurt, or mend his clothes, and at least tried to be a voice of reason, even though Thomas always ignored her cautions. She didn't like to nag him, she just wished he was more careful.

Annoyed, she began walking in the direction he ran so she could drag him back out by his feet if she had to.

"Thomas." She called." Hello?"

No answer.

"Of course." She snarked, rolling her eyes.

After about ten minutes there was still no sign of him and she couldn't get an answer from him.

/-/

Thomas finally reached the trail near the edge of the moors.

"See?" He said." Im fine."

When he saw she was no longer around called out"Lel?...Leliana?"

He huffed.

"I guess I'm mad her mad and she left me."

He started back for the village, hoping to catch up to her to apologize.

/-/

Leliana knew she would regret following him the second she decided to step foot in this blasted ocean of trees. It had already been an hour since then and she had gotten lost the first ten minutes. She couldn't tell if the the sun had gone down by now or not because the trees already made it dark.

When she started to get hungry she decided to eat some of the berries she had picked earlier. The basket was starting to make her arms tired so she kept a little further, hoping to find an end to these trees.

She began to hear water and smelt a sweet smell not far from where she was. Following that smell she finally broke from the trees and immediately noticed the large tree, standing alone. It was surrounded by shallow water and the rays of sundown appeared behind it, illuminating it. The tree seemed hollowed out since a huge chunk of the trunk was missing and inside stood a small fountain. It looked more like a bird fountain by the way it was made. A short, stone pedestal holding up a stone circle. The water was so clear she could see her reflection.

She hadn't realized just how thirsty she was till now she automatically sat the basket down and cupped her hands together to fill them with the water.

"Strange." She said aloud." Its... Sweet."

[TO BE CONTINUED]

ok so thanks for reading. Im hoping to update soon but it may be a while since im going to A-Kon 25 this weekend but ill work another chapter in if i can:)

TheSpazChik