Chapter 11

Plane of Knowledge, Norrath, Month 4 - Weeping, Season of Growth.

Once everything was in order, two High elves, two Wood elves, and two Half-elves left Faydwer to the Plane of Knowledge to the restricted books that lead the way to Thedas.

It was late into the night the twins and Lili'Enyel had already fallen asleep hours ago, as Okhor stood outside of the rooms they allotted. He had yet to sit with his family, but he overheard some things that gave the young man hope.

Xellexes took his cousin's hands, squeezing them gently, and placed them on his forehead. "Tomorrow we will be in Kinloch Hold. I can scarcely believe it. I am truly pleased we could locate her cousin. At least, a start." He released her hands, rubbed his face as he yawned, and stretched his stiff back.

The lady followed suit with a yawn herself. "Yes, it will be a start, and if they know not where she is, I am certain Maric and Loghain will know. Do you think we have enough provisions?" She worried again, and he shushed her with a wave of his hand.

"Bed, tomorrow." He pointed to her empty bed in the room they had been using and he shuffled off, heading to his as he laid his head and called out, "Goodnight my Dear Cousin." He soon fell asleep.

She lay awake a few minutes more, a soft knock on her door, a tall blond elf walked in, his short-cropped starlit golden hair and eyes the color of bluest sea greeted her, "Okhor, what are you still doing awake?"

"Mother, I had not seen you all evening. I may not see you?" His brows knitted, and a soft smirk played on his lips.

"Always my Darling." She opened her arms to her son, and he crawled on the bed with her. She spoiled him, never able to say 'no' as with her other children.

"I could not help but overhear. You found my sister?" The young man sat up looking expectant. Deedo could see all of his father in him. She cupped his cheeks, kissing his forehead.

"I hope so. I have also told you about eavesdropping." She swatted his shoulder before gathering him into another tight hug. "Hopefully we will see your elder brother as well, I miss him just as much."

"I know Kal'an will be most pleased." Okhor chuckled. He had never gotten the chance to meet his elder brother, but he heard stories of how his brother wished to stay with his father, to train to be a Warrior, seeing her one last time, before his birth. As for his missing twin, he knew his mother longed to see her the most.

The morning of their departure, they made certain any last-minute affairs were secure. They would not return for who knows how long. This was something that had been pending for far too long. With certainty the crossing of worlds will yield the child lost to her, to them all, to be reunited gratefully within the fold as she should have always been.

"We are all set, yes?" The high elf woman spoke as she searched for anything possibly missing.

The others followed suit, checking to see if nothing forgotten, as Xellexes summoned a portal, followed by a column of lightning that crackled around the newly formed gate spell that pulsed as it awaited entry - the gate glowed and shift.

It emanated a purple and red aura within the center shown their destination a lone tower in the center of a lake, memorizing the new gate spell–Tenkou and Xellexes scribed it into their books, Deedo pulled a large clear stone from her pocket, holding it near the portal she reached her hand through, pulling her hand back the crystal was blue. Placed it in a black ermine-lined bag, stowing it in her pocket again.

The Lady cast levitation on the others and finally herself, with a few more casts of various shielding, sight, and with a nod, they stepped through the portal one by one. The portal closed behind them with a brilliant flash of blue-lavender light.

The group found themselves a few moments after the Norrathian last stepped into Thedas hovering over Lake Calenhad looking around briefly; they saw it was night and only the light of the full moon to guide them; all walked to the land where the tower stood.

Arl of Redcliffe Estate, Eve of Battle, Month 10 - Harvestmere, 9:31 of the Dragon Age.

Redcliffe Estate bustled with people constantly filtering in. Battle plans were being discussed within the halls, still, as the sun sank its way down for its sleep.

Deedolett Surana, Wynne, Leliana accompanied by Shale left to gather what supplies they could for tomorrow, as the herbs around the castle were sparse. Alistair talked with Riordan to gain any more information, if possible, about the Archdemon and the movement of the horde. The older Warden said he wanted not to say much else until Warden Surana was available.

Alistair agreed with his Commander with a sure nod he headed outside to get a touch of fresh air, hoping to sort his thoughts since Olett decided for him to take the throne. They had their first argument; she wanted Loghain to join them; he objected, furiously disagreeing with her.

The young mage conflicted knowing Loghain deeds but, with Alistair's detest of the former General, she secretly secured Loghain, when the young king outed her, he berated her in front of their friends, because for Alistair, it was not enough the man kept his head.

Stepping out in the late noon sun, he walked around the courtyard going to a quiet spot away from others, fearing Olett would never speak to him again. He stopped by the large oak in the courtyard, looking down the path to the gates, sighing exasperatedly as he beat his head lightly against its bark.

"What am I going to do now? She will not speak to me still, nor did she invite me to go with her. I did nothing wrong." He was talking aloud, not expecting an answer, but received one from the other side of the large oak.

"You screamed at her then dismissed her. What did you think would happen you idiot." Morrigan was sitting facing the lake when she heard Alistair approach.

Alistair tensed up as he caught whose disembodied voice it was. "What do you care?" He spat, pushing off the tree to find another quieter spot.

Morrigan came halfway around the trunk and watched him walking away. "I care a great deal if you must know."

"Since when did you care about anyone other than yourself, witch?" Alistair paused. He never liked Morrigan from their first meeting in the Kocari Wilds.

She reeled. The thought never entered her mind that she had grown attached to the young Elven magi. "You… love her, do you not?" She watched his shoulders square and hand clinch before he turned to face her.

Alistair marched up to the woman extending a demanding digit in her face, "Yes, but not the way you are thinking, what does it matter to you, is this where we find you have found in the black pit where your heart should be, you actually have one?" furious with her; he just wanted to wring her neck to shut her up.

Alistair took his frustrations out on her. It upset him about everything, from finding his supposed sister was nothing but a money monger, being placed on the throne, to the argument about Loghain a Warden and the screaming match in front of their friends.

He continued to release, "And you know something else, I would rather invite the darkspawn to tea, they would make better company." He spat, caring little for the effect that it was having on the woman before him.

"Yes… I suppose…" She slunk back up against the tree like a timid child. Alistair swore he saw tears forming in her eyes as he turned to leave, as thoughts wandered to Olett and how her reaction would be if she saw him now.

Morrigan swallowed, regaining some composure. "If I had to anything to help… would it be so terrible?" She watched him turn to leave once more, unsure he was even going to answer.

With a visible sigh, he called over his shoulder, "We would welcome any help." Alistair hung his head; he had no right to be angry over anything. Ascending the steps, he disappeared into the castle to find something to do.

9:31, of the Dragon Age, Redcliffe Estate.

The Darkspawn taint had covered the southeastern and central parts of the Bannorn as the Archdemon had shown himself heading on a direct path to Denerim.

Riordan, the Grey Warden from Jader, announced to the army leaders in the halls of Redcliffe once everyone had assembled, nodding to Alistair that he would need to speak to him and Deedolett after the meeting was over. The leaders of the respective houses, with their seconds disbanded to prepare their armies for the upcoming march and battle.

Deedolett said goodnight to her companions then headed to speak to Riordan, after briskly walking away from Alistair who tried several attempts to get her alone to voice his concerns mostly to apologize for his actions, a sharp look from her stilled him as they walked in silence to the second floor.

Once on the second floor of the castle, they made their way to Riordan's quarters. Olett stopped for a brief moment to fix her shoe. Seeing Alistair watching her from the door, she narrowed her eyes, shaking her head. She was still refusing to say anything to him but nodded politely to him.

"Everything well, shall we see what our Senior has to say. I tried to tell you I sent people ahead to get as many people out of..." Alistair cleared his throat. The icy aura she emitted held his tongue.

Olett stopped just a few feet, waiting for Alistair to step aside. With a raised eyebrow from the young girl, he said nothing more. Knocking on the older Warden's door once granted entry, they waited once more for the newest Warden to arrive.

Loghain's men had held the Senior Warden that arrived shortly after the battle of Ostagar Riordan captive for treason, for months after the failed attempt to quell the Blight with the previous King. Citing the Wardens from Orlais organized a coup killing the King.

A knock on the door alerted the three Wardens in the room, "My apologies, I had just woken."

Riordan nodded, with Alistair grinding his teeth, stomaching the man who Alistair deemed unworthy of becoming a Warden for all the crimes against him. Olett greeted Loghain with a smile as Riordan continued once again, carefully choosing his words as he questioned the younger Wardens, had the former Commander of the Grey explain to them the purpose of the Grey Warden order.

Deedolett thought about it before speaking, "It is… killing the Archdemon, right?" her brow furrowed as he went to explain that was part of the reason the Order needed, as well as the recruitments.

Filled with a sudden sense of dread as the older man spoke, Alistair looked to Olett to see her reaction. She smiled slightly.

She spoke up, stepping forward to cut Riordan off, "I will strike the final blow." She could feel Alistair and Loghain staring at her, and she refused to look at either of them, nodding firmly that this is what she wished to do.

Riordan commended her for her exuberant reaction but simply turned her down, pointedly saying he will kill the beast instead as his "Calling" would near soon. With nothing further to say, he walked to the door to let them go for an early sleep.

Olett wished them a good night. When they were in the hall, Loghain excused himself. Alistair went to reach for her wrist, sensing him moving closer. She nodded, quietly bidding him goodnight, then quickly left, following behind Loghain.

He already dreaded the morning to come Alistair headed to his room, head heavy with thought, his stomach twisted in tight knots of all horrible outcomes, seeming as Ostagar was to happen all over again.

Olett stood before the former general's room, her ears catching a faint sound from the other side, knocking softly. The door opened and the older man faced her, nodded, allowing her in, "Are you well Sir?"

"Yes, my dear, a bit tired." Loghain turned his head as he wiped his eyes.

Olett looked and saw the note lying on the bed, "I am sorry." She reached for the letter and Loghain snatched it quickly, causing the young girl to jump.

"No, no, you set this old man's mind at ease." He folded the note in fourths and placed it in his breast pocket.

"He was your second, right?"

He cleared his throat. "No, more like my first. I raised him as a boy… If I were to see his mother again, I am certain she will have my head." Loghain's expression was unreadable.

"Could you tell me more about her?"

"What do you mean?" Loghain assumed he told everything. If Maric were here, he could tell her what he knew as well.

Olett idolized Deedolit, finding herself following in her footsteps, somewhat. "You knew her well? Why would she leave her son?"

Loghain's eyebrows rose. Since meeting the young girl he humored the mage, telling of his dearest friend whose name the elf before him shares. Deedolit Swiftleaf who despite being a mage helped to save his life, giving him the greatest gift, lost to him a year ago.

He was glad to have befriended such a person - Loghain smiled when he told all the details he could remember. Her brave heart, her kindness, her power, and her juvenile exuberance when they traveled throughout Ferelden.

Redcliffe Estate, Eve of Battle, Month 10 - Harvestmere, 9:31 of the Dragon Age.

An hour passed when finally making it to her chambers, quietly opening the solid wooden door, closing it just as quietly before sliding down the slick wood as she brought her knees to her chest. The story of her namesake, a secret entrusted to her.

A hard sigh of frustration and weary that this was finally coming to a close, an end to the Blight. Putting her head down, she had not noticed Morrigan standing in the shadows of her private quarters.

The Wilds witch spoke softly to not startle the elf girl sitting on the floor, "Deedolett?" she walked to the girl sitting on the floor.

Deedolett jerked her head up in surprise. Her eyes were red. A few tears fell from the tip of her nose as Morrigan quickened her steps to help the girl off the floor to her feet.

Helping the elf to the bed she sat her down, "You look horrible, but I did not come here to tell you that." Morrigan sat on the edge of the bed with her friend and waited until the young magi composed herself enough to listen. "I have a way to safeguard you and that fool Templar of yours." She paused and continued on, "It must happen tonight there is but a small window of time."

Deedolett patted her eyes dry with the back of her robe sleeve, giving a grin. "Oh, you are going to do something for me?" the girl chuckled lightly, hoping to lighten the serious mood Morrigan was giving.

Morrigan flustered as she walked over to the fireplace, "Well child if you refuse to accept my offer just say so and done with it." She kept her back to the girl on the bed.

Deedolett could hear what seemed like hurt in her fellow magi's voice. She got up and placed her hand on her shoulder, "Sorry, tell me what it is, please." She gently prodded the Raven-haired woman. The two women spoke of a ritual in which a child conceived with Alistair or Loghain had to be the recipient.

Olett nodded. Her heart raced, asking Morrigan what she needed to know, "Thank you." She managed when she reached the door, "Had Flemeth ever spoken of Deedolit of Felwithe?" The Witch nodded, then shook her head quickly. Olett's shoulders sagged. Then she left Morrigan alone.

Deedolett hurried to Loghain "Another story?"

"No, I came to ask you something of great importance." She went to explain, and he heard her out with a grumble and a shake of his head, declined.

Bidding him goodnight, she stood outside of Alistair's door, hesitating as time was fleeting. She needed to talk to him, going over what she would say to him as she stood there. Her hand knocked on the door.

Surprise shone in his eyes. "Why are you here? You should-"

"We need to talk, time is fleeting." She slipped in the door past him.

A short while later he left the bedchamber, looking back as he closed the door behind him. Olett sat on his bed, pushing the thought of the friend she made first, outside of Kinloch, to ensure they both would see the dawn after the battle ended. "It is not selfish, is it? Is this something that Deedolit would have done?" the thought lulled her to sleep.

Sometime later she awoke to the shifting of weight in the bed, Alistair laying next to her. "Did I disturb you, you will not believe what happened."

She turned to face her friend on the large canopy bed yawning, ready to sleep again, "Sleep... Alistair, we have to march at dawn." As soon as she saw Alistair nod, they both slept.