Chapter Fifty

Sundermount

The 'ambush' site was way too easy – though I did bury them and that took up quite a bit of time. That and the walk there meant that we had to stop for the night before getting to the Dalish Camp another two hour walk from our location.

I pulled my pocket realm tent out – already set up with rooms for everyone.

It was Isabela, Carver, Bethany, Hawke, Fenris, Aveline and I on this trip. Anders was still working his clinic.

Each room was decorated to their host – as per usual. Carver had a Grey Warden room, Bethany had a 'magic' room (more like Wiccan and circle combined), Isabela had a Captains Berth, Merrill had a room that looked and felt like the interior of an Aravel for the bed while the rest of the room seemed to be a forest indoors, Fenris had something like his room back at my manor, 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, and the Sylphs' shared bedroom was reminiscent of something straight out of Avatar: The Last Airbender. My room was pretty plain in comparison; a California King sized bed in a sunken dais and an Armoire… plain walls and soft carpet done up in blacks, silvers, and reds.

The doors all had a little metal 'sigil' to denote who slept in the room – they were removable if anyone wanted to keep them. Carver – of course – had a Templar Sigil with a griffon in silhouette behind it; Bethany had the Mage Circle logo with the Triple Moon in the middle; Isabela had a ship riding the waves; Merrill had a Halla; Fenris had a Wolf – though his Sigil was done in the left over Starmetal so it would be bluish-white; Hawke had the Amell Family Crest in Blood-Stone (Red gemstone); Varric had a book and a Quill writing in it; Avaline had a Sword-and-Shield; Anders had the Scales of Justice in the Silhouette of a cat; Sebastian had a Chantry Sunburst with a Crown in the Middle; the Sylphs' room had a five point star in five colors – going clockwise, the tip was silver for spirit, then yellow for air, red for fire, green for earth, and blue for water. I thought it was nicely representative of Danu – The Fairies were Spirit since they encompassed that area and then the four elements for the Sylphs.

My room had the personal sigil that Alistair had created for me – a pair of feathered wings surrounded by the Cousland Crest of Laurels. When I took the throne of Danu; that sigil would get a Crown added to rest on top of the wings.

And that first night, we ate Meatball subs with cheese. Drake said, "I had a question about Wicca – since I haven't gotten a hold of the Book of Shadows yet… you mentioned the Tenets of Faith but didn't say what they were?"

I nodded, "Balance, Trust, Tolerance, Reincarnation, Harmony, Humility, and Learning; seven tenets that are meant to guide our lives. Most are self-explanatory of course… Balance in all things – good and evil; dark and light."

"Wiccans believe in reincarnation?" Hawke asked in amusement. I snorted, "Of course – it's all part of balance; the Tenets are connected. If I had been evil in my past life then I might have been a bug in my next – if I was good, maybe I'd be a dolphin or something. It is believed that the soul is immortal – and that when one life ends, a new one begins. Some believe it is one humanoid life to the next humanoid life – I was human so I would always be in their minds. That is obviously not true since I'm no longer human – I'm a Fairy. Who knows if this life is a gift for good deeds or a punishment for bad? Will I suffer or will I flourish? Only time will tell for certain, but so far, it seems to be a gift. That isn't something we normally focus on though – we usually try to just live our best lives and live how we think we are meant to. The tenets can be open to interpretation in most cases though. Harmony can mean inner harmony or even harmony with nature. That is why some Wiccans go Vegan and won't eat animals. Learning can mean a thirst for knowledge or learning from your mistakes. Trust in yourself or trust in the goddesses plan for you or trust in others. No one has all the answers – I certainly don't and I would never claim that I did."

Fenris gave me a small nod at that last bit – I think he approved of me admitting that I didn't know everything. But why pretend I did?

"You eat animals…" Isabela pointed out, staring in amusement at my meatball sub.

"I do – and I don't hide that fact. A life is a circle, sweetie – I explained this once, so I'll be a little more in depth about it. The rabbit eats the grass, the wolf eats the rabbit, and when the wolf dies the worms eat it. This act by the worms gives fresh nutrients to the soil which helps make the grass to grow that the rabbit eats. My eating of meat is no different to that. Now, if I could talk to the animals, things might be different – because why would I eat something I could understand?"

"Have you discovered what your earth gift is?" Drake asked. I nodded hesitantly, "I… think so. Ever since meeting Fenris, I can sense the elements around me – the ores, gems, plans and even where the animals tread upon the soil."

"A common ability – Flight was uncommon while your Visions are rare enough that it only seems to appear once every 500 years… and usually in Queens."

"Yes – but I also still have one of Sylvains' abilities; sensing the sun when it rises. I don't know what her other abilities were, so I can't check if I have them or not… unless you know?"

"She had three that I know of – odd for a Vessel so she may have a fourth I don't know; you'd have to ask Lord Ash. The sensing of the sun, Shifting into a Dragon, and Earthen Shapeshifting," Drake said.

"Oh – those… yes I can turn into a Dragon – Morrigan taught me close to the beginning of the Blight. She also taught me to shift into other animals – I guess this explains why I picked it up so easily though I'm not a Mage. There you have it – I have six abilities at the moment."

A meatball fell from Drakes sub as he held it near his dropped open mouth. He set the thing down and said, "Having all of her abilities… we thought that maybe the sensing of the Sun would be your Fire ability and that it would be enhanced when you met your fire mate – that's usually how it goes – but if you have… I mean it was already a rare thing for her to have two gifts from the same element… this is unheard of! And if she had a fourth and you have that one too - oh this would be historic!"

It hadn't even registered that two of the gifts were both Fire – the Dragon and the Sun abilities both came from the Fire Clans. I hadn't thought about that – now I knew that it was possible, I wondered more about that. This meant I would have three Fire abilities if I gained a new Fire ability when I met my fourth mate. And I had two Earth abilities too.

I shrugged, "Luck of the draw, I guess. Finish your dinner – we have a lot to do in the morning."

Drake was the only one not finished. Even I had managed to finish my food before him and I spoke the most… then again, he had double what everyone else did on his plate.

The next morning, Hawke let me take the lead… so I did.

I gave a respectful nod to the Hunters, "Aneth Ara. I am Arvaala of the Ellwood Clan under Keeper Lanaya; formerly under Keeper Zathrian. 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 gave his life to lift a curse he had once set in revenge for the death of his children. As long as it survived, so too did he; but his clan became infected and he was no longer willing to sustain the curse."

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.

"Oh… I annoyed the light out of the old bat – but somehow, she liked me well enough. And regardless, we will take Merrill with us when we depart tonight – as is her wish."

The Dalish listening in all seemed to startle. Marethari spoke with a more respectful tone, "You are like her then; Asha'bellanar?"

I shrugged with a mischievous grin, "In some ways, but 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 your First is up to. I 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.

"Do you need 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."

Fenris growled, "How not? You just said she uses blood magic."

Hawke was now speaking with the girl – 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.

I was glad Fenris kept his voice low – this meant he trusted me just enough to give me the benefit of the doubt.

"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 called me 'Love'…" he looked perplexed. I nodded, "I know we're soul-mates. I feel a deep connection with you, same as I do Alistair and Cullen; you know that. I suppose the irony here is that I have Magic and two names on that list hate Magic… Alistair was a former Templar too… almost; he never took vows – and he was barely okay with me being what I am at first. If something does happen, we could be happy together. Just because two people match each other doesn't mean they have to be together though. This is – mostly – your choice. I've already made mine. It will suck – because if you do reject our bond, then I have to take a secondary mate just to fill the court. There has to be at least 5 in the Royal Court – the Queen and four mates. Being married to Alistair was an accident that I wouldn't take back for anything though."

"An accident…" Fenris mused.

"Because I didn't retain the memories like most do – due to my violent death. I didn't know that what we did would cause us to be married."

"How does that work? You never explained that part to me…" he said. I bit my lip with a small flush, "I'd like to tell you – but that's an intimate thing between mates and we have… an audience. C-could I tell you another time?"

"I will remind you – if I do not forget it first."

I saw Drake open his mouth – either it was to mention my perfect memory or to tell Fenris without a care for our audience – but he was cut off by the soft chimes of the portable Fae Mirror.

I pulled it out and looked into it as Alistairs' image appeared.

I beamed at him, "Hi!"

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

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

He blinked in confusion for a second before nodding, "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. I've met Fenris recently." The man in question lifted an eyebrow – but my wording told Alistair that I hadn't given Fenris the note yet. I wouldn't give it to him unless he showed an interest either – there was just no point. Cullen had shown an interest the moment we stopped talking about Anders, so I gave him the note for him.

Fenris only seemed interested in knowledge of the Fae… not me.

"That's nice, my Wife. As long as I can monopolize you for the times I'm there… you know I don't mind you spending time with your other mates."

"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…?"

He flushed and moved the Mirror so I could see a mostly grown Mabari Pup – it was one of Fens' pups; I could see that right off. And like Fen, the pup had Black Colored fur but had honey gold 'socks' that showed his mother's coloring, along with green eyes.

Alistair tugged at the collar of his formal attire, "I know you've been upset since Fen died…" Merrill looked completely stunned at the name, "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, "Y-you… damn it – why must you be so sweet? Oh, Alistair… thank you so much for this. I pick Revas; that's the name. R-e-v-a-s; it means Freedom… Oh – and I'm going to open two shops."

He nodded like it was expected, "Do you need me to bring some of your coin for startup funds?"

"No – The Knight-Commander paid me 2,000 Sovereigns for two recipes and 50 bottles of soap since I wouldn't sell her the recipe for that one directly. My stitch thread has become famous – the Grand Cathedral wanted to buy it so they were footing the bill for it and will distribute it to all the Circles and Chantries in Thedas. Those coins alone will be twice what I need at all and I know I'll make a wonderful turn around on funds since I'm growing my own plants, bought an orchard for the fruits – and found the right clay on that orchard for my pottery. I already supply all my materials so it's only labor – and since that's also me, it won't cost more than keeping me fed so… I only need to find two suitable buildings in Hightown right next to each other. I can renovate to have an adjoining door so people don't have to walk outside just to visit my other shop."

"You have this all thought out, don't you?" he looked amused.

"Right down to the pretty boxes I'll package things in for customers. I was hoping you might know a trust worthy person to help me run the shops…"

"Landon doesn't like being an advisor – he says his sister would enjoy the job better and was already asking if there was any excuse we could find for him to work with you. He's taken quite a liking to you and if he didn't like men, I might be worried. Will that suffice?"

I nodded happily, "Oh, that would be perfect – I know him, I like him, he's kept our secrets, and he's got a nice personality – bring him with you. With the projected numbers for sales and profit, he should be able to keep his current pay too."

"He makes 10 Sovereigns weekly."

"And I don't mind covering that personally until the shops are up and running too – but I was approached by Guillaume de Launcet and his Wife – they both bought a few bottles of soap a piece with matching perfume and a load of teas and a few pottery and glass items they saw when I pitched my ideas to them this morning when they dropped by unannounced after breakfast was cleared away. They spent 2,388 Sovereigns to 'Hold them over until the shops were up'… Comte de Launcet is keeping an eye out for the appropriate store-fronts for me and if he needs to will buy them first and I'll reimburse him after. They adored the Tea Pots – and the Comte loved the cup that would keep his mustache dry. Did you know that Comtesse Dulci is a lover of Tea and all things cute? I sold her a glass unicorn paperweight that she 'had to have' because it showed rainbows in the mane and tail while the horn was gold. I know I'll have a built-in market because they plan to show that stuff off like the crown jewels – exclusive items until the shops go up. I've been here less than a month and I've already made nearly 4,500 Sovereigns from only two sources!"

"… So you're set – got it. 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? They threw me a celebratory ball for my engagement – hoping I would bring the Princess. I had to hide my laugh when I told them that the Princess was currently out of Ferelden attending to buissness."

I smiled, "Such a shame – for them. Alright, I'll talk to you more tonight before bed, my love – I'm a bit busy with the Dalish at the moment."

"Ah – don't let me interrupt then! I will talk to you later, my love." He shot me a wink and the connection faded.

"You had a dog named Fen?"

I nodded, "Yup. Now apparently I have one named Revas…"

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

We were nearing the top of the mountain when Varric looked skeptical, "A Griffon? You're making that part up, Feathers." Drake bristled at that but Merrill giggled and said, "I always wanted a Griffon… I would name it Feathers." I groaned and shook my head.

I began tugging off my Black Tank-Top. Fenris gave a small growl and glared at Hawke – likely because the man was staring unabashedly at my tits.

Carver, on the other hand, Exclaimed as he turned away, "Woah! What are you doing?"

No one else bothered to look away- even as I worked to undo my jeans after kicking off my boots.

"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 – Drake can attest to that, but I thought I'd already gone over this! But, since you all have such trouble learning that, I'm going to prove I can turn into a Griffon. The form is rather Unique – I didn't learn it; it sort of… inhabited me through those memories I talked about while the Veil was too thin to prevent it. This form is one I don't use often because… it's the only one that shreds my clothes when I shift. I like the lacy small-clothes I was wearing – I don't want them torn. Here, Drake…" I handed out the bundle of clothing… but Fenris snatched them away. I gave him a sly smile.

Hawke gave me a smirk – but before he could comment on my nakedness, I snipped at him, "Take a picture, it'll last longer." And then, I shifted.

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 just over 10 feet tall – my shoulder being tall enough to match a Qunari.

My lion body was the same as ever – a shimmering golden color that sparkled in the sunlight. The tuft of fur on the end of my tail was still white too.

"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!"

I felt a purr rumble in my chest – I heard Hawke chuckle as his Mabari – Soldier – gave me a respectful nod and lay down to submit dominance to me. I felt the need to preen – my animal instincts liked that.

Merrills' words sparked Carver to turn around and hesitantly reach out. I felt another hand on my head behind the left ear. I leaned into it, knowing at once that it was Fenris. I heard a whispered, "Fenhedis," and held back the chuckle – I knew he was feeling conflicted about our connection and the sparks he likely felt when he touched me didn't help that.

I shifted back and took my clothes from Fenris when he held them out – quickly getting dressed – though leaving my shirt for last. Fenris shot another look at Hawke but he was also the first to notice…

He stopped me from putting on my shirt, "This tattoo…"

I moved my hair out of the way – and nicely covered my front; I'd never been a mermaid before!

I looked up at him, "Is there something wrong about it, Fenris?"

"Not exactly – it simply seems to be done in the style of my markings."

I nodded, "You were the inspiration behind the design, yes – though not the reason for it. I'll explain how I knew about you in my human life later. It… that tattoo is a mark of loss and gain at once. It was gotten to symbolize… well… shit – I can't tell you without you knowing why I have nightmares and threatened Magma… I suppose we'll speak when we make camp tonight then."

"You don't have to…" Varric started.

"I do – I always know when the time is right – if I had told Anders and Nate when I knew, then something wouldn't have opened my door that night so I woke everyone with my screaming when the nightmare hit."

"Screaming," Hawke asked – slightly pale as I tossed my shirt on and we finally continued.

"I relive the past every night – having someone hold me helps but doesn't completely abate it unless the one holding me is a mate. It isn't pretty and if there's no one I my bed, I don't sleep much – which I'm used to after a few years of pain induced insomnia." I said.

We got to the barrier and Merrill showcased her magic. How was I supposed to know that Hawke was a bigger hater of Blood Magic than Fenris?

"The Demon, you mean," he snapped when she called it a spirit.

Fenris nodded, "'Beware the Tiger; not its fault it's going to eat you'… sound advice."

I coughed to hide my laugh from that. I said, "She didn't make a deal or anything – the worst Merrill will do to us is give us frowny faces Hawke. She might lose movement in her hand if she isn't careful where she cuts, but she rarely even uses the blood magic – she relies on what was taught to her as First to the Keeper. Mostly, the Blood Magic is to restore an ancient Eluvian which is… actually in the job description of the Keepers. It is their job to preserve as much of their lost history as they can – Marethari failed to provide a way for her to fix it but the demon granted one."

Hawke relaxed and looked to Merrill, "You rarely use this?"

"Only when it seems necessary; I wouldn't use anyone elses' blood either – only mine," she confirmed. Hawke sighed, "I trust Ara – I owe her much… so while I will be keeping an eye on you, I believe her and won't turn you in to the Circle."

She looked at me with gratitude in her eyes. I shrugged and we headed into the graveyard without another word.

There had been some fights, but they were pitifully weak compared to an Angry Fenris and a Worried Hawke. Hawke didn't want to chance Merrill using blood magic while Fenris didn't like it at all in the first place.

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."

Fenris was caught off guard, "A Witch," he hissed while shooting me a glare. I flinched.

"It's all right Fenris, she means us no harm. Andaran Atish'an, Asha'bellanar." Merrill greeted and shot me a look from her side eye as she wondered why I didn't do the same. I was recognized Dalish after all – though I had my wings on full display; I had never folded them away after showing off at the camp.

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."

I decided to play a little, "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.

I got snarky, "Maybe because there was an Ancient Elvhen Goddess inside, hmm?" Merrill looked at me in horror. The poor girl thought I was offending Flemeth.

"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. I will do the glowing tile thing, so they won't shoot me right off… but again – it would be very awkward."

"You will? I take it you are talking about 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. Keep your wings out when you go, Girl – that will be how they identify you."

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.

She then turned to Hawke, "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. Since I was a dragon too…

"We all have our challenges," I shrugged and Flemeth smirked at me.

I returned her level gaze, "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. I asked, "What are the dinner requests?"

"That thing you mentioned to the king? That sounded interesting…" Hawke smirked at me and there was a chorus of agreement. I shrugged. "Yeah – I'll do it. What toppings do we want? I can do Vegetarian, Veggie with Meat, Strictly Meat, so on and so forth – pick what you're in the mood for eating and then tell me if you're prone to heartburn so I know what sauce to use."

No one was prone to heartburn – thankfully. Varric though, "Surprise us?"

I sighed at how helpful that was, "Okay – but are there any dietary restrictions in this group; people who can't have dairy, allergies, or vegetarians?"

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

I growled in frustration – fine! They wanted to be difficult; let them be difficult! I made a full-on Pizza Buffet – Deluxe, Supreme, Chicken Bacon, BBQ Chicken, 6 Cheese, 4 Meat, Combo, Buffalo, Veggie, Taco, Cheeseburger, Hawaiian, Peperoni, Spinach and Feta, and I even did dessert – Apple pizza, Chocolate chip, cinnamon streusel, cinnamon roll, and Fruit. Whatever we didn't eat would go into the leftover fridge in the kitchen – there were 4; one for produce, one for meats, one for 'other' and one for leftovers. It was a big kitchen… and all four fridges were labeled too.

Everyone had at least one slice of each… except me – I knew what I liked already. Drake had never seen half of what I made though. I had a personal pizza that was half Chicken Bacon and half Buffalo – and it was a Medium in size.

"Can I come over whenever the King arrives? Damn Feathers, this is wonderful," Varric had barley swallowed his 3rd bite before talking. Isabela smirked, "I wish I could say the same, but I have a figure to watch."

I snorted, "If you gain any weight, I'm sure it all goes to that lovely ass you have. Besides, you get enough… exercise to eat my food more often, babe."

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

Drake hummed, "I have a new favorite flavor – the Taco one. What do you do to it?"

I chuckled, "Pizza dough, a mix of refried beans and salsa as the 'sauce', then I add toppings; taco meat, cheese, olives and tomato pieces. Once it's out of the oven, I add green onion bits and sour cream."

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

I smirked and said, "Before I died."

I had avoided explaining that in full so it now prompted questions from all but Drake.

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.

I nodded, "I did. 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."

Carver snorted, "About that… 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 laughed – it was true, after all. I'd heard the one they call the maker when I was in that temple; it was only memories of his voice, but it was there. "Faith is only Faith because we believe, don't you think? 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 flushed – realizing I had begun preaching.

"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… Wicca is also more of a way of life. Yes, we worship the God and the Goddess, but…"

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

Fenris interrupted, "About the nightmares…?"

I flinched and realized… it was time to talk.