Haven was a massacre and now we were attacked by wraiths. One of which, Wren happened to recognize. She spoke with him in broken tones and lowered ears, her language mostly unknown to me, but I didn't need to know these words. It was clear in her actions, her body language, and her tears that she loved who this man was before the taint caught him.

She dropped to her knees next to his corpse and sobbed in silence before emotion overtook her and she let out a heart wrenching wail into the night. We had to burn his body and Wren knew that. Picking up her weapon, she escaped into the darkness, refusing to take part in it. What a lucky man, this Tamlen. Even after he was dead, Wren had easily pushed passed Alistair on her way to the forest. This was her way.

"This is what happens when the taint is left unchecked. It's better for him to have it end. It was a mercy." The blond human said as he watched his body burn.

"I have a feeling Wren would not agree with you. If you enjoy living, I don't suggest saying that to her face." Why she agreed to be with this dense man, I have no idea. Judging by his kicked puppy look, I wasn't able to keep the ire from my voice.

"Being alive with the Blight is nothing but suffering. I know it seems harsh to say death is better, but it is. A swift death is ages better than becoming one of the Darkspawn." There was remorse in his tone but I was still irrationally upset for Wren.

Whether she intended it or not, I was on watch when I heard her return. Her face was still lovely, even as she pouted slightly with a tear stained face and bloodshot eyes. She dragged two stags behind her and there was a rabbit hanging from it's feet at her hip. What kind of man would I be if I didn't offer a hand?

"Allow me to help you." She stopped when I approached and dropped the back legs of one of her deer.

"Thank you, Zevran." Her voice, although always alluring, sounded fatigued as well.

"We can deal with this in the morning, yes? Surely, you can let yourself rest." The fight in her was nowhere to be seen.

Weeks passed and Wren showed very little life in her.

"So, we've helped the Dalish, Dwarves, and mages. Now, we're going to go and help Arl Eamon, hopefully win the Landsmeet, and maybe collect more arms to help us against the darkspawn and the Archdemon."

"So, we're off to Redcliffe again. Lovely…" She mumbled.

"At least there aren't anymore nightly undead raids." Leliana chimed in with her usual positivity.

I briefly considered how many Dalish elves could say they had an Arl in their debt? Was it more common for Grey Wardens?

She looked just as uncomfortable in the Castle now as she did any other time she was here and in a human establishment for an overnight stay. The only time she truly appeared at ease with her surroundings was out in the forests as we traveled. Teagan Guerrin watched her with blatant awe as we all approached the Arlessa with the Sacred Ashes they wanted so badly to cure the Arl. Maybe she knew there was going to be yet another grand celebration with all the townsfolk. This one would be even bigger in order to properly express how happy the people were.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Wren as she eyed the area and all the noise like she was going to get sick before she all but ran out of the area. Alistair was busy with a very awake and healthy Arl Eamon chatting him up. I took this chance to slink off after our fearless leader. Maybe she had gone to hide in the same place as before. She was a woman who preferred the safety of higher up places. They were perfect for her and I'd witnessed her slumbering peacefully in one instead of taking to her tent. Sneaking after her, I saw her going further and further up into the castle until she was within arms reach of where the supports holding up the castle met with the horizontal ones. Wren crept along the wooden beams so easily, she almost looked like she was dancing. It was no surprise to me that she knew what she was doing and where she was going. The elf turned to acknowledge me and I almost jumped when I glanced up and saw her eyes on me. How long had she known I was tailing her?

"I must be getting rusty."

"No, I just figured someone was following me. Last time it was Alistair but he can't get up here."

I see. She must have gone off to a tree last time. I bet Alistair sat and waited for her to get down so he could somehow say something that made her agree to be with him. This was something I tried not to focus on. This Warden, our Wren, was clearly still in mourning.

"What happened that day?"

"You first."

"What?"

"Story for story. I will tell you about Tamlen after you tell me about…"

"Ah, Rinna."

So, we sat next to one another and shared our stories of lost love together. Can I even call it that? Had I really loved Rinna or was it just a situational thing?

"They're looking for us." She observed, peering down at the rest of our group as the party began to disperse for the evening.

"So they are. Do you want to join them?"

"Not really...oh, I found something in Haven that I figured you could put to better use. It's back in my room though. Think we can get there unnoticed?" There was nothing in her tone that suggested she was inviting me in so I could comfort her. Not that she ever made such a move before.

"Only one way to find out. After you, Warden."

"This way." She started out the small window to the outside we were sitting by and climbed along the outer walls like she had done it a hundred times before and already had mapped out a path to where she wanted to go. Wren even stood by her window to wait for me in case I needed assistance.

"Are you afraid I'll fall out of a window again? With my incredible luck, I can almost assure my survival." I whispered, playfully. Once I was in the room she hardly waited long before thrusting a bag towards me.

"For someone who holds so much resentment for those she has gathered, you sure do spoil us." I quipped as I unfastened it and almost dropped the bag.

"This smell..."

"Antivan leather, right?" I couldn't get enough of her eyes on me, they were so unique for an elf. At least the elves I've seen. As for the boots, she was right. I knew the scent anywhere.

"What are you staring at me for? Try them on."

"Is this a way for you to apologize to me for the high dragon at Haven?" I asked, amused.

"A terrible time for a raging nervous breakdown, wasn't it? If I were a mage, Alistair may have thought I was possessed." Wren hardly seemed to care as she watched me try the new boots on.

"They fit perfectly." Glancing up, I see her bright grin and those gorgeous blue eyes twinkling at me. She had no idea what she did to people, but I just remained where I was and smiled back.

"What?"

"That is the first genuine smile I have seen from you in days, maybe even weeks. I wanted to enjoy it for as long as you would treat me with it." A chuckle broke through before I spoke again.

"You know, it's funny, usually when I am alone with a beautiful woman, we end up getting naked and making the demon with two backs, yet this is the second time we have been alone in a room and you've given me new clothes to put on." And like that, she seemed to finally realize the truth of my words. That we were the only ones in her room and probably that no one else knew where we were. A tempting situation for most.

"This is inappropriate. Apologies, Zevran. It would appear that, in my excitement, I forgot myself." Watching her reaction and listening to her words, I couldn't help being slightly disappointed that she stopped using my nickname again.

"Thank you for this gift, Warden. Should we meet back up with the others or would you prefer to simply kick me out of your room? Our travels get exhausting, no?"

"Have a good night. I will see you in the morning. Um, would you let the others know that I would like to be left alone?"

"Of course. Good night, Wren." My bow was only half in jest.