Chapter 2

The Bannorn, en route to Kinloch Hold, Month 11 - Firstfall, 8:97 of the Blessed Age.

Maric had been keeping Deedo closer to him, she was beautiful, she not only saved him many times, but she had also been helping save everyone dear to him, save herself, Maric headed to Kinloch Hold: Deedo walked beside his horse.

"Tell me about Kinloch, are we heading there, yes?"

Maric nodded "Yes, it is a home of mages, human and elven alike, under the watch of the Chantry Templars. As we isolate them from those without, then again there are apostates; ones who hide away their magics." He remembers some things from his tutor and what better way to prove his knowledge than in the presence of a lovely lady.

"They are neutral to most things, but if I can get them to side with us, then the better."

Deedolit's brow furrowing. "I live in a grand city with visitors from other races, with our King's guards and mages who gladly protect us. Not kept in a tower isolated from everyone else." She could hear Maric sputter hastily, apologizing.

"I mean you no offense, my Lady." He looked to see her aqua jewel eyes, lost in confusion, "You are having a game with me?"

"Not in the slightest, Your Majesty. I am an Elven mage. The way you say such things makes me think you think less of us." She nodded proudly.

Maric was shocked. "You are an elf?" Taken aback, he admitted her features are elfish, but she did not favor those he was used to seeing.

For one, she was tall, graceful in her manner of walk and speech. She carried herself unbowed, as the highest of nobles would, "I could never think less of you, I wish to give you a few things when I manage I will show how much I think of you."

Maric had stopped his horse, dismounting to walk with her for a time, holding his arm for her to take.

Deedo politely refused, warm her cheeks felt with him so near. Her fondness for him grew day by day. A blush warmed her skin to the tips of her ears.

"Maric, your land is beautiful. I have seen the seasons change. I enjoy this… niphredil. I will have to explore my world when I can go back." Deedo turned her head, closing her eyes tight, before picking up a handful of snow. She struggled to think of leaving, but when she returns home, if possible, she may never see him again.

Maric paled: "You would leave? I admit I hadn't thought about what it would be like if you left..." Looking ahead, he knew he would try to keep her once Meghren was off the throne.

Deedo smiled softly, Maric, deep in his thoughts: "I am here now, I am certain we will be together for a while."

She dared, slipped her hand to hold the crook of his armored arm. Maric smiled, feeling his heart swell with just this intimate moment as they made their way to Kinloch Hold.

Fishing Village of Gwaren, Ferelden, Month 5 - Bloomingtide, 8:98 of the Blessed Age.

Deedo had been on Thedas for three years. In that time, she regretted one thing: rejecting Maric's advances. The more time spent with him getting to know him, she became more confused about whether she should even try to get back to her world.

Home, displaced, as she seemed to distance herself from Maric when a pretty little thing came, just at the time Deedo would confess to staying.

Rowan had become a friend, first not trusting the mage, but Rowan seeing her fight - flying into danger for Loghain when he used himself as bait. Even Arl Rendorn respected the young woman's bravery. When Deedo came through, hearing how she kept Maric from harm. Thanked her for being there when she could not. "The first thing you do upon falling in an unknown land… save someone you have never met? I am glad to call you friend."

Deedo lingered more near Loghain, making sure all was right with him. This was one such night that the young enchantress needed to cheer up not only herself but her silent friend.

She missed home terribly; she pulled her music box from her cloak while listening to it as she made a broth for Maric to ease his pain. Another ambush Maric was in had the trio in a panic when they found him... Healing magic was one thing, but numbing the pain. She knew how to at least do this again for her head and heart, firm friend.

Deedo saw Rowan near Maric's tent, the pretty human dressed in a lovely crimson red gown. Deedo went to speak but saw the pain in the young woman's eyes. Then she heard soft mewling coming from the tent.

Her heart tightened. Deedo silently walked away, placing the bowl of medicinal broth near the tent flap. "He seems to have no need of this now." Turned away, disheartened.

Going in search of Rowan to see if she was well, Rowan confided with Deedo that she and Maric had been betrothed by the will of their parents. Like Deedo, she too distanced herself from Maric. Deedolit understood the young woman's worry.

Catching Loghain and the woman in question in a conversation of their own. Rowan fled, tears in her eyes as she hurried past Deedo.

Loghain stood, watching Rowan's back. He straightened, seeing Deedo's approach. He nodded. She nodded in return.

"You too, it seems, love hurts like you are feeling now?" She asked, seeming to appear beside him in the pale moonlight.

Loghain cleared his throat, and his gaze followed back to the woman he had grown fond of.

A soft melody broke the silence, seeing in her hands a metallic object lit by the light of the moon, small gems dotted, twinkled in a rectangular shape of Gnomish design.

Deedo looked at him softly smiling, inclining her head, "I wish to show you something, have no fear, nothing will harm anyone, my word." She nodded, the sound of a bear growling coming from near Maric's tent, a sharp shrill heard from within.

Deedo stifled a giggle. She tapped Loghain's elbow, bidding him follow, the music grew louder, and several people at the camp roused.

Another bear appeared from the right. As she led them down the path, two more bears joined by a few more growling, their large bodies plodding ahead and behind them, then she sang.

'Dancing bears.' She smiled while several more people were awake, and watching bears on their hind legs upright, dancing, twirling, growling, the music getting even louder for them to hear.

Maric rose to poke his head from his tent, saw the two of them heading down the path, sore still dressed followed behind. He kicked the bowl of broth, looking back and sighed. The sound of his rustling disturbed the Elven woman he just bedded.

'Painted wings.' The bears turn to fairies, children in the camp, clapping, wide-eyed and giggling, seeing the fairies dance about with marvelous, delicate wings.

'Things I always remember, and a song my mother sings once upon evening embers.' She tapped one child's nose, who giggled as she smiled brightly.

'Someone held me safe and warm horses prance through the summer storms.' The fairy who danced about shimmered into silver-like water spray. With horses running about, Deedo waved her hands, making the scene bigger for them to all see.

Wilhelm came from his tent, while Rowan appeared from where she had headed. Her father, Arl Rendorn, emerged from his tent and stood looking on. Several of the Rebel camp looked on with gasps as they reached out to touch the illusions produced before them.

'Figures dancing gracefully across my memories,' the horses scattered, and landed on the ground in shimmering splendor, into other figures, various people in finery dancing around.

Deedo swept her hands from her sides raising them high above her head, and from her fingertips they witnessed a vast ballroom, polished smooth marble floors, rich dark woods sculpted and scrolled in intricate swirls, tiny crystals catching the light, tall windows with a high ceiling with vines hanging that formed beautiful chandeliers, candle lights, warmed the dark night for them to see.

Paintings of a Man, Woman, and Daughter—several others of the Elven family lined the walls.

Elves—tall, beautiful—elegantly dancing together, greeting Deedo with bows as she removed her cloak, her overgrown pure glowing white gossamer sheer with royal blue dress beneath, she danced with them.

Maric looked on in awe, her long hair the color of starlight she pulled from its ties, flowing beautifully past her knees, she looked as if she were glowing in the moonbeams as she rushes to a man and woman with a younger man smiling on, greeted shortly by a young-looking couple who looked like the elves in camp.

Her smile widened. She was home, Felwithe her mind projected the last ball she attended before she stumbled into the Ferelden forest.

'Someone held me safe and warm, horses prancing through summer storms.' She waved her hands, and the people pointed to the silver horses that were woven in and around the dancers on the floor.

This was Felwithe Deedo knew, the home she now wanted to go back to. She dances with the male elves on the dance floor, seamlessly and synchronized with other, equally elegant women.

'Figures danced so gracefully across my memories. Far away, long ago, glowing dim as the embers—things my heart always knows, things it now will remember.'

She projected Maric, Loghain, Rowan, and the Arl among the group in finery. They gasped in awe; she danced between their smiling faces.

Stopping to see Maric among the crowd that had gathered. She strolled to the Prince, smiling brightly. She curtsied low before him. Maric held his hand out. 'And a song I now sing…. Once upon evening's embers.'

Deedo looked to his hand, then into his eyes of blue, her eyes glowing in the night. She had taken his hand many times when it was offered now she hesitated; she reached for him a hair's breadth away.

"Maric?" Katriel called.

Deedo blinked. The vision faded. Her breath hitched, heart hammering, when she saw Katriel looking to Maric and then her. Deedo looked around, standing there with eyes on her, her face red with embarrassment; she swallowed hard.

She withdrew her hand back quickly, as if she were too close to a roaring fire, "Forgive me." she said quickly, then she ran, her hair trailing playfully behind her, then the faint sound of flapping wings and a pure white long-tailed crest dove flew up from the trees towards the river.

Gwaren, Ferelden, Month 5 - Bloomingtide, 8:99 of the Dragon Age.

Loghain, Rowan and Maric all one after the other called upon the Enchantress. "Deedo we need your spell!"

Deedo gulped, it would be impossible. "I cannot! I have no sight. I have been blinded!"

A second it took for them to realize what she said. The tall elf held to the shoulder of the Dwarven Legion, who noticed when they were in the Deep Roads. Patting her hand assured her with his gravelly voice, "I'll aim you Lady."

Deedo nodded and she felt strong hands on her waist as he turned her to face one foe, "Now!" With guided graceful sweeps of her hands she and her guide took several of Megharen's men down.

Reoccupied Gwaren.

Wilhelm gave Deedo an earful for getting herself hurt as Loghain carried her into the manor, Maric more so as he was on his tutor's heels while she ushered in. Katriel hindered Maric from going any further to her side.

For days, Deedo was to stay in a room of the manor in Gwaren. She lay, eyes closed, heightened hearing rang merrymaking, one, the people praised Maric as the 'Maker's chosen'. Second, the birds singing their sweet Spring welcome songs, as well as the bees happily humming from new flower to new flower, and thirdly, every once in a while, a pair of boots stopping at her door, then leaving only to return a time later.

The high elf awoke to someone coming in this time. She turned to lie on her back, sat up. "Who is here?" Her head hung. It was not Wilhelm or a healer, they announced themselves. She slowly opened her eyes. It was light and shadows, still not well enough to see anyone. The person in the room with her gasped, her eyes coloring murky and dull. "Maric, please leave."

"No."

"You should not be here."

"Why I come to care for you. Your wellbeing is my responsibility."

"And you decided this for yourself?" She fussed with the covers on her lap, feeling for her cloak. A warm hand brushed hers as well, along with the cloak she sought.

Maric's tone softened, reaching to touch her cheek, "I have I told you I wished to show you how much I care about you."

Shifting positions as she quickly shrugged her cloak over her shoulders, "I appreciate the thought, Your Majesty, but I still need to find a way home." The High Elf pulled her cloak closer to her body. Shivering to push the words out. She was hurting.

She was fond of Maric much more than she will admit, and in the Deep Roads the night she was thanking the Goddess, she was blinded, for her ears caught sounds her eyes need never see, Maric and Katriel lovemaking.

Deedo flipped the covers from her lap, turning away from the Prince. Her feet touched the cool stone floor as Maric hurried to her side, grabbing her elbow as she was making her way to the bright light of the sun at the window. Deedo jerked away and stumbled back, hitting the floor on her side.

"Leave, please I can manage on my own." She felt around as she pushed herself up, his strong, warm hands on her arm. She tried to pull away, but he had a grip on her.

"Why did you not say anything when you were first injured?" Released her once he made sure she stood on her own, holding his hand out in case she needed to take it.

"Getting you to safety out of the Deep Roads was more important—you can not survive like I!" she gently swatted at his hands, outstretched arms, and gentle steps she felt for the warmth of the sun, "I hear someone coming, I believe it is the footfalls of your woman."

Soon after a soft knock on the door when Katriel entered, Maric looked at the small Bard then at the high elf as she sat warming herself in the sun, Katriel was beautiful, with her large emerald eyes and honeyed curls, but Deedolit, she was ethereal; she glowed in the sun, even her muted color eyes much more hauntingly beautiful, her hair shimmered like a silver river.

Maric made a hard choice: when Katriel gave herself to him, he promised himself to be with one woman, alone.

Deedolit stranger from another land who fought for him, fought by his side and for his friends, risking her life for his countrymen, would leave one day, possibly never to be seen again.

Katriel placed a hand on Maric's arm, still admiring the beauty that sat some feet away, Deedo turned her head to them both, the Bard gasped softly, looking to see a living Goddess sit before her, how Maric could sway if she wanted, but the tall elf did not.

"I thank you both for seeing if I am well. As you can see, I am fine. I need more rest if you will please leave me." Turning to face the sun once more closed her eyes, breathing deep the fresh smell of earth, the sun warming her skin. Deedo knows Maric will sneak in again, and again she will have to send him away.

Deedo sighed, feeling her eyes fill with tears as she sat down slowly, opening her eyes. The soft colors of flowers, their pastel colors, greeted her in a blur. She smiled softly, knowing that lights and shadows would remain for a few more days.

Maric slipped in later in the middle of the night when he thought her sleeping, a warm, soft kiss to her forehead, then the sound of her room door closing, Deedo slept soon after.